Five-Year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) Observations: Data Processing, Sky Maps, & Basic Results

We present new full-sky temperature and polarization maps in five frequency bands from 23 to 94 GHz, based on data from the first five years of the WMAP sky survey. The new maps are consistent with previous maps and are more sensitive. The five-year maps incorporate several improvements in data processing made possible by the additional years of data and by a more complete analysis of the instrument calibration and in-flight beam response. We present several new tests for systematic errors in the polarization data and conclude that W band polarization data is not yet suitable for cosmological studies, but we suggest directions for further study. We do find that Ka band data is suitable for use; in conjunction with the additional years of data, the addition of Ka band to the previously used Q and V band channels significantly reduces the uncertainty in the optical depth parameter. Further scientific results from the five year data analysis are presented in six companion papers and are summarized in �7 of this paper.