Master of the cosmic microwave background anisotropy power spectrum:: A fast method for statistical analysis of large and complex cosmic microwave background data sets

We describe a fast and accurate method for estimation of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy angular power spectrum-Monte Carlo Apodized Spherical Transform Estimator (MASTER). Originally devised for use in the interpretation of the BOOMERANG experimental data, MASTER is both a computationally efficient method suitable for use with the currently available CMB data sets (already large in size, despite covering small fractions of the sky, and affected by inhomogeneous and correlated noise) and a very promising application for the analysis of very large future CMB satellite mission products.