Version 24.0 – December 2024
PDF version

Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Instrument Handbook for Cycle 33

User Support

Please contact the HST Help Desk for assistance. We encourage users to access the new web portal where you can submit your questions directly to the appropriate team of experts.

Web: http://hsthelp.stsci.edu
E-mail: help@stsci.edu

Additional Resources

Information and other resources are available from the STScI STIS website.

Revision History

Version	Date	Editor
24.0	December 2024	Emily Rickman, Jacqueline Brown
23.0	December 2023	Sophia Medallon, Emily Rickman, Jacqueline Brown
22.0	February 2023	Sophia Medallon, Dan Welty
21.0	January 2022	Laura Prichard, Dan Welty, Amy Jones
20.0	January 2021	Doug Branton and Allyssa Riley
19.0	December 2019	Allyssa Riley
18.0	January 2019	Allyssa Riley
17.0	May 2018	Allyssa Riley
16.0	January 2017	Allyssa Riley
15.0	January 2016	J. Biretta
14.0	January 2015	J. Biretta
13.0	January 2014	Svea Hernandez
12.0	December 2012	Svea Hernandez
11.0	December 2011	Justin Ely
10.0	December 2010	K. Azalee Bostroem
9.0	January 2010	Charles Proffitt
8.0	December 2007	Jessica Kim Quijano, Sherie Holfeltz, and Jesús Maíz-Apellániz
7.0	October 2003	Jessica Kim Quijano and Bahram Mobasher
6.0	October 2002	Charles Proffitt
5.1	July 2001	Claus Leitherer
5.0	June 2001	Claus Leitherer
4.1	July 2000	Claus Leitherer
4.0	June 2000	Claus Leitherer
3.0	June 1999	Kailash Sahu
2.0	June 1998	Nolan Walborn and Stefi Baum
1.0	June 1996	Stefi Baum

Citation

In publications, refer to this document as:

Rickman, E., and Brown, J. et al. 2024 "STIS Instrument Handbook," Version 24.0, (Baltimore: STScI)

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STIS Instrument Handbook
- • Acknowledgments
- Chapter 1: Introduction
  - • 1.1 Overview
  - • 1.2 Introduction to the Handbook
  - • 1.3 Handbook Layout
  - • 1.4 Proposal Preparations and Observations with STIS
  - • 1.5 The Help Desk at STScI
  - • 1.6 The STIS Web Pages and Support Information
  - • 1.7 Non-proprietary STIS Data
- Chapter 2: Special Considerations for Cycle 33
  - • 2.1 Impacts of Reduced Gyro Mode on Planning Observations
  - • 2.2 STIS Performance Changes Pre- and Post-SM4
  - • 2.3 New Capabilities for Cycle 33
  - • 2.4 Use of Available-but-Unsupported Capabilities
  - • 2.5 Choosing Between COS and STIS
  - • 2.6 Scheduling Efficiency and Visit Orbit Limits
  - • 2.7 MAMA Scheduling Policies
  - • 2.8 Prime and Parallel Observing: MAMA Bright-Object Constraints
  - • 2.9 STIS Snapshot Program Policies
- Chapter 3: STIS Capabilities, Design, Operations, and Observations
  - • 3.1 Instrument Capabilities
  - • 3.2 Instrument Design
  - • 3.3 Basic Instrument Operations
  - • 3.4 Designing STIS Observations
- Chapter 4: Spectroscopy
  - • 4.1 Overview
  - • 4.2 First-Order Long-Slit Spectroscopy
  - • 4.3 Echelle Spectroscopy in the Ultraviolet
  - • 4.4 Objective Prism Spectroscopy
- Chapter 5: Imaging
  - • 5.1 Imaging Overview
  - • 5.2 Optical CCD Imaging
  - • 5.3 Ultraviolet Imaging with the MAMA Detectors
  - • 5.4 Neutral Density Filters
- Chapter 6: Exposure Time Calculations
  - • 6.1 Overview
  - • 6.2 Determining Count Rates from Sensitivities
  - • 6.3 Throughput and Sensitivity
  - • 6.4 Computing Exposure Times
  - • 6.5 Detector and Sky Backgrounds
  - • 6.6 Tabular Sky Backgrounds
  - • 6.7 Extinction Correction
  - • 6.8 Exposure Time Examples
- Chapter 7: Feasibility and Detector Performance
  - • 7.1 STIS Detectors
  - • 7.2 The CCD
  - • 7.3 CCD Operation and Feasibility Considerations
  - • 7.4 The MAMA Detectors
  - • 7.5 MAMA Operation and Feasibility Considerations
  - • 7.6 MAMA Spectral and Spatial Offsetting
  - • 7.7 MAMA Bright Object Limits
- Chapter 8: Target Acquisition
  - • 8.1 Introduction
  - • 8.2 STIS Onboard CCD Target Acquisitions - ACQ
  - • 8.3 Onboard Target Acquisition Peakups - ACQ PEAK
  - • 8.4 Determining Coordinates in the International Celestial Reference System (ICRS) Reference Frame
  - • 8.5 Acquisition Examples
  - • 8.6 STIS Post-Observation Target Acquisition Analysis
- Chapter 9: Overheads and Orbit-Time Determination
  - • 9.1 Overview
  - • 9.2 STIS Exposure Overheads
  - • 9.3 Orbit Use Determination Examples
- Chapter 10: Summary and Checklist
  - • 10.1 Phase I Proposing
  - • 10.2 Phase II - Scheduling Approved Observations
- Chapter 11: Data Taking
  - • 11.1 Basic Operating Modes
  - • 11.2 Exposure Sequences and Contemporaneous Calibrations
  - • 11.3 Patterns and Dithering
  - • 11.4 Fixing Orientation on the Sky
  - • 11.5 Target Positioning
- Chapter 12: Special Uses of STIS
  - • 12.1 Slitless First-Order Spectroscopy
  - • 12.2 Long-Slit Echelle Spectroscopy
  - • 12.3 Time-Resolved Observations
  - • 12.4 Observing Too-Bright Objects with STIS
  - • 12.5 High Signal-to-Noise Ratio Observations
  - • 12.6 Improving the Sampling of the Line Spread Function
  - • 12.7 Considerations for Observing Planetary Targets
  - • 12.8 Special Considerations for Extended Targets
  - • 12.9 Parallel Observing with STIS
  - • 12.10 Coronagraphic Spectroscopy
  - • 12.11 Coronagraphic Imaging - 50CORON
  - • 12.12 Spatial Scans with the STIS CCD
- Chapter 13: Spectroscopic Reference Material
  - • 13.1 Introduction
  - • 13.2 Using the Information in this Chapter
  - 13.3 Gratings
    - • First-Order Grating G750L
    - • First-Order Grating G750M
    - • First-Order Grating G430L
    - • First-Order Grating G430M
    - • First-Order Grating G230LB
    - • Comparison of G230LB and G230L
    - • First-Order Grating G230MB
    - • Comparison of G230MB and G230M
    - • First-Order Grating G230L
    - • First-Order Grating G230M
    - • First-Order Grating G140L
    - • First-Order Grating G140M
    - • Echelle Grating E230M
    - • Echelle Grating E230H
    - • Echelle Grating E140M
    - • Echelle Grating E140H
    - • PRISM
    - • PRISM Wavelength Relationship
  - 13.4 Apertures
    - • 52X0.05 Aperture
    - • 52X0.05E1 and 52X0.05D1 Pseudo-Apertures
    - • 52X0.1 Aperture
    - • 52X0.1E1 and 52X0.1D1 Pseudo-Apertures
    - • 52X0.2 Aperture
    - • 52X0.2E1, 52X0.2E2, and 52X0.2D1 Pseudo-Apertures
    - • 52X0.5 Aperture
    - • 52X0.5E1, 52X0.5E2, and 52X0.5D1 Pseudo-Apertures
    - • 52X2 Aperture
    - • 52X2E1, 52X2E2, and 52X2D1 Pseudo-Apertures
    - • 52X0.2F1 Aperture
    - • 0.2X0.06 Aperture
    - • 0.2X0.2 Aperture
    - • 0.2X0.09 Aperture
    - • 6X0.2 Aperture
    - • 0.1X0.03 Aperture
    - • FP-SPLIT Slits 0.2X0.06FP(A-E) Apertures
    - • FP-SPLIT Slits 0.2X0.2FP(A-E) Apertures
    - • 31X0.05ND(A-C) Apertures
    - • 0.2X0.05ND Aperture
    - • 0.3X0.05ND Aperture
    - • F25NDQ Aperture
  - 13.5 Spatial Profiles
    - • First-Order Spatial Profiles
    - • Echelle Spatial Profiles
  - 13.6 Line Spread Functions
    - • First-Order Line Spread Functions
    - • Echelle Line Spread Functions
  - • 13.7 Spectral Purity, Order Confusion, and Peculiarities
  - • 13.8 MAMA Spectroscopic Bright Object Limits
- Chapter 14: Imaging Reference Material
  - • 14.1 Introduction
  - • 14.2 Using the Information in this Chapter
  - 14.3 CCD
    - • CCD Clear Imaging - 50CCD
    - • CCD Long-Pass Imaging F28X50LP
    - • F28X50OIII - CCD
    - • F28X50OII - CCD
    - • 50CORON - Clear CCD
  - 14.4 NUV-MAMA
    - • 25MAMA - NUV-MAMA, Clear
    - • F25ND3 - NUV-MAMA
    - • F25ND5 - NUV-MAMA
    - • F25NDQ - NUV-MAMA
    - • F25QTZ - NUV-MAMA, Longpass
    - • F25SRF2 - NUV-MAMA, Longpass
    - • F25MGII - NUV-MAMA
    - • F25CN270 - NUV-MAMA
    - • F25CIII - NUV-MAMA
    - • F25CN182 - NUV-MAMA
  - 14.5 FUV-MAMA
    - • 25MAMA - FUV-MAMA, Clear
    - • 25MAMAD1 - FUV-MAMA Pseudo-Aperture
    - • F25ND3 - FUV-MAMA
    - • F25ND5 - FUV-MAMA
    - • F25NDQ - FUV-MAMA
    - • F25QTZ - FUV-MAMA, Longpass
    - • F25QTZD1 - FUV-MAMA, Longpass Pseudo-Aperture
    - • F25SRF2 - FUV-MAMA, Longpass
    - • F25SRF2D1 - FUV-MAMA, Longpass Pseudo-Aperture
    - • F25LYA - FUV-MAMA, Lyman-alpha
  - • 14.6 Image Mode Geometric Distortion
  - • 14.7 Spatial Dependence of the STIS PSF
  - • 14.8 MAMA Imaging Bright Object Limits
- Chapter 15: Overview of Pipeline Calibration
  - • 15.1 Pipeline Processing Overview
  - • 15.2 How Phase II Parameter Choices Affect Calibration
  - • 15.3 More Detailed Information
- Chapter 16: Accuracies
  - • 16.1 Summary of Accuracies
- Chapter 17: Calibration Status and Plans
  - • 17.1 Introduction
  - • 17.2 Ground Testing and Calibration
  - • 17.3 STIS Installation and Verification (SMOV2)
  - • 17.4 Cycle 7 Calibration
  - • 17.5 Cycle 8 Calibration
  - • 17.6 Cycle 9 Calibration
  - • 17.7 Cycle 10 Calibration
  - • 17.8 Cycle 11 Calibration
  - • 17.9 Cycle 12 Calibration
  - • 17.10 SM4 and SMOV4 Calibration
  - • 17.11 Cycle 17 Calibration Plan
  - • 17.12 Cycle 18 Calibration Plan
  - • 17.13 Cycle 19 Calibration Plan
  - • 17.14 Cycle 20 Calibration Plan
  - • 17.15 Cycle 21 Calibration Plan
  - • 17.16 Cycle 22 Calibration Plan
  - • 17.17 Cycle 23 Calibration Plan
  - • 17.18 Cycle 24 Calibration Plan
  - • 17.19 Cycle 25 Calibration Plan
  - • 17.20 Cycle 26 Calibration Plan
  - • 17.21 Cycle 27 Calibration Plan
  - • 17.22 Cycle 28 Calibration Plan
  - • 17.23 Cycle 29 Calibration Plan
  - • 17.24 Cycle 30 Calibration Plan
  - • 17.25 Cycle 31 Calibration Plan
  - • 17.26 Cycle 32 Calibration Plan
- Appendix A: Available-But-Unsupported Spectroscopic Capabilities
  - • A.1 Introduction
  - • A.2 Full Aperture Complement
  - • A.3: Additional Available-but-Unsupported Options
- • Glossary

STIS Instrument Handbook

Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Instrument Handbook for Cycle 33

Table of Contents

User Support

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Revision History

Citation

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