8.1 Introduction
The COS science apertures are 2.5 arcsec in diameter. An observation will yield high-quality data only if the target is properly centered in the science aperture. This chapter discusses the available target-acquisition (TA) methods, demonstrates the dependence of data quality on centering accuracy, and recommends acquisition scenarios for various combinations of target coordinate accuracy and brightness. Recommended parameters for all COS TA modes are presented in Section 8.9.
Based on improvements in the COS-to-FGS alignment, together with an analysis of the distribution of positional errors in the GSC2, we estimate that an HST guide-star acquisition will place a target with good coordinates in the COS aperture 98.5% of the time. As a result, we do not require that all COS observations begin with an ACQ/SEARCH
sequence if the uncertainty of the target coordinates is ≤0.4 arcsec. We do, however, recommend in almost all cases that some sort of target acquisition be performed to center the target in the aperture. The APT (the Astronomer’s Proposal Tool) will issue a warning if an acquisition is omitted. Target acquisition is required only once for a series of observations in contiguous orbits (i.e., once per visit). Moving targets require an acquisition at the beginning of each orbit.
Bright-Object Protection
The COS detectors are vulnerable to damage or performance degradation if exposed to too much light. Imaging acquisitions present a special risk because they concentrate the light of an object on a small area of the detector. Users of COS must demonstrate that their targets are safe. Information on bright-object protection and screening is provided in Chapter 10.
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COS Instrument Handbook
- Acknowledgments
- Chapter 1: An Introduction to COS
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Chapter 2: Special Considerations when Observing with COS
- • 2.1 COS FUV Detector Lifetime Positions
- • 2.2 Visit Length
- • 2.3 Central Wavelength Settings Added in Cycle 26
- • 2.4 ORIENT constraints for Extended Sources
- • 2.5 COS Observations Below 1150 Angstroms: Resolution and Wavelength Calibration Issues
- • 2.6 Time-Dependent Sensitivity Changes
- • 2.7 Spectroscopic Use of the Bright Object Aperture
- • 2.8 Non-Optimal Observing Scenarios
- • 2.9 NUV Spectroscopic Acquisitions
- • 2.10 SNAP, TOO, and Unpredictable Source Programs with COS
- • 2.11 Choosing between COS and STIS
- Chapter 3: Description and Performance of the COS Optics
- Chapter 4: Description and Performance of the COS Detectors
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Chapter 5: Spectroscopy with COS
- • 5.1 The Capabilities of COS
- • 5.2 TIME-TAG vs. ACCUM Mode
- • 5.3 Valid Exposure Times
- • 5.4 Estimating the BUFFER-TIME in TIME-TAG Mode
- • 5.5 Spanning the Gap with Multiple CENWAVE Settings
- • 5.6 FUV Single-Segment Observations
- • 5.7 Internal Wavelength Calibration Exposures
- • 5.8 Fixed-Pattern Noise
- • 5.9 COS Spectroscopy of Extended Sources
- • 5.10 Wavelength Settings and Ranges
- • 5.11 Spectroscopy with Available but Unsupported Settings
- Chapter 6: Imaging with COS
- Chapter 7: Exposure-Time Calculator - ETC
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Chapter 8: Target Acquisitions
- • 8.1 Introduction
- • 8.2 Target Acquisition Overview
- • 8.3 ACQ SEARCH Acquisition Mode
- • 8.4 ACQ IMAGE Acquisition Mode
- • 8.5 ACQ PEAKXD Acquisition Mode
- • 8.6 ACQ PEAKD Acquisition Mode
- • 8.7 Exposure Times
- • 8.8 Centering Accuracy and Data Quality
- • 8.9 Recommended Parameters for all COS TA Modes
- • 8.10 Special Cases
- Chapter 9: Scheduling Observations
- Chapter 10: Bright-Object Protection
- Chapter 11: Data Products and Data Reduction
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Chapter 12: The COS Calibration Program
- • 12.1 Introduction
- • 12.2 Ground Testing and Calibration
- • 12.3 SMOV4 Testing and Calibration
- • 12.4 COS Monitoring Programs
- • 12.5 Cycle 17 Calibration Program
- • 12.6 Cycle 18 Calibration Program
- • 12.7 Cycle 19 Calibration Program
- • 12.8 Cycle 20 Calibration Program
- • 12.9 Cycle 21 Calibration Program
- • 12.10 Cycle 22 Calibration Program
- • 12.11 Cycle 23 Calibration Program
- • 12.12 Cycle 24 Calibration Program
- • 12.13 Cycle 25 Calibration Program
- • 12.14 Cycle 26 Calibration Program
- • 12.15 Cycle 27 Calibration Program
- • 12.16 Cycle 28 Calibration Program
- • 12.17 Cycle 29 Calibration Program
- Chapter 13: Spectroscopic Reference Material
- • Glossary