from numarray import *
from numarray.random_array import *

size = 8640 # Number of observations
flare = 1.1 # Size of flare
counts = 1208*4*4 # Number of counts in the absence of a flare

threshold = 0.97 # Threshold of mean flare flux at which you claim a flare.



seed() # start up the random number generator

photons = poisson(counts,[size])  # set up poisson noise array.

photons[100] = poisson(counts*flare) # Add in the object
elecnoise = normal(0.0, 20.0, [size]) # set up electronics noise array

signal = photons + elecnoise # Combine arrays.

detected = where(signal > threshold*counts*flare) # Produces an array listing where the condition was met

print detected # Prints this array out: ugly formatting but quite usable.