This page lists updates, discoveries and developments that could potentially affect NICMOS data and/or NICMOS data analysis. Thus, it is extremely important to be aware of the following items.
NICMOS Safing Recovery Advisory
Instrument Performance Update
NICMOS Exposure Time Calculator Error
Between July 2004 and 28 April 2005, an error in the NICMOS ETC overestimated the detector QEs.
Mistake in Instrument Hanbook Section 2.5.4
There is a misleading passage in section 2.5.4 of the NICMOS Instrument Handbook that needs to be changed. In the mean time, please take notice.
NICMOS Coronagraphic Observing for Cycle 13 onwards
Information for NICMOS coronagraphic observers.
Flux Conversion Correction
An error in one of the NICMOS flux conversion factors was identified and must be updated.
Cycle 11 Update to Tiny Tim
Instructions for updating Tiny Tim with Cycle 11 aberration parameters.
Flat Tool Normalization Error
Between Jan. 23, 2002 and Oct. 16, 2002, the on-line synthetic flat tool was incorrectly normalizing the synthetic flatfields it was creating.
Post SAA DARKs
Post SAA DARK observations taken
for removal of cosmic ray image
persistence.
New URL for ETC
As of 1/1/2002, the NICMOS ETC has moved to a new url.
Polarimetry Update: Correction to t_k for POL0S
Correction to t_k for POL0S
Outsourcing NICMOS calibrations in Cycle 10
HST users are thus encouraged to submit calibration proposals in Cycle 10.
Temperature-Dependent Dark Generator
Missing description
Polarizer Data Analysis Software
IDL routines to analyze NICMOS polarimetry data are now available.
NICMOS Data Analysis & Data Reduction Tools Available
Announcement of the initial public release of the new set of NICMOS data
reduction/analysis tools.
Rate for NICMOS time conversion in error
If you have NICMOS observations before November 10, 1997 00:00 UT,
then the times in
your science headers could be off by ~4 seconds/day since the last
time NICMOS time code was updated.
NICMOS Camera 2 ACQ Exposure Times
This announcement from August, 1998, notified users that the ACQ exposure times (keyword exptime) in the science headers were incorrect.
The NICMOS 'Pedestal' Effect
This memo describes our current understanding of the "pedestal" effect
in NICMOS images.
Memo Describing the 'Bars' Phenomenon
This memo describes the
artifact (bars), its probable source, how to avoid it in upcoming observations, and what to do about it if it
appears in your data.
Use of ORIENT, PATTERN-ORIENT, and POS TARG
There is much confusion about the use and interaction of the ORIENT
visit-level special requirement, the PATTERN-ORIENT exposure-level
optional parameter, and the POSition TARGet exposure-level special
requirement. This advisory is intended to clarify the use and
relationship between these requirements.
Update on NICMOS Performance
To assist GOs in deciding whether and how to revise their NICMOS observing
programs, this document provided information on the status of
NICMOS and the first on-orbit measurements of its characteristics.