8.14 Observation Summary (OS)
(This item appears in the APT form only for GO and SNAP proposals)
The OS lists the main characteristics of the observations that you propose to obtain. In general you must include in the OS all the configurations, modes and spectral elements that you propose to use, and all the targets that you propose to observe. Note the following:
- The OS can include observations of fixed targets (i.e., all targets outside the solar system whose positions can be defined by specific celestial coordinates), generic targets (i.e., targets defined by certain general properties, rather than by specific coordinates), and solar-system targets (i.e., moving targets). Targets that have not yet been discovered or identified may generally be included only under special circumstances (see Section 4.1.3), and should be given generic target names.
- For SNAP proposals, the OS should describe a typical snapshot observation for one or a few of the targets. A complete and unique description of the target list should be provided in the `Scientific Justification' section of the proposal (see Section 9.1).
- For Long-Term Programs, the OS should include information for all the proposed observations, not just the ones requested in Cycle 12.
- Parallel observations must be included in the OS, and marked as such using the relevant special requirement flags (see Table 8.1). Auto-parallel observations with ACS (see Section 4.2.3) should not be listed. For NICMOS, list all observations with all cameras which will be used for parallel observations.
- Target acquisition observations (see Section 5.2 of the HST Primer) need not be included in the OS, unless they are themselves used for scientific analysis.
- Normal calibration observations that are often or routinely taken (e.g, STIS wavelength calibration exposures or fringe flats) need not be included in the OS. However, the OS should include any special calibration exposures on internal sources or on external targets (see Section 4.3). Special internal calibrations should be listed separately from external calibration exposures. When these special calibrations require additional orbits, they should be specified. The need for these calibrations should be justified in the `Description of the Observations' (see Section 9.2).
- The legal values of instrument parameters for Phase I proposals are available in the APT pull-down menus. Please refer to the Instrument Handbooks to determine which types of observations are actually feasible.
The OS consists of individual `observation blocks', each containing several separate pieces of information.
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All exposures for a given target that use the same `configuration', `Science mode' and `Coronography' mode may be summarized in a single observation block.
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Observation blocks are numbered sequentially in the APT Phase I proposal form. Each observation block should include the items that are listed and discussed below in separate sub-sections.
8.14.1 Target Name
The target naming conventions for HST are defined in detail in the STScI Phase II Proposal Instructions. A direct internet link to these conventions is available on the Cycle 12 Announcement Web Page. Please adhere to these naming conventions throughout your proposal. For generic targets use a short text description either of the target location (e.g., RANDOM-FIELD) or of the target itself (e.g., NEXT-SUPERNOVA).
8.14.2 Coordinates
Supply the coordinates for fixed targets only. In Phase I, target positions with accuracies of order ±1 arcmin are sufficient for the TAC and panel review (except in crowded fields where the identity of the target may be in question). However, in Phase II significantly more accurate coordinates are required, and it is the responsibility of the proposers to provide these. See the STScI Phase II documentation for details.
8.14.3 V-Magnitude
Supply the apparent total magnitude in the V passband for the entire target (galaxy, planet, etc.), if known. This information is used only for scientific review, not for exposure-time calculations. Note that some of the instruments have bright object safety limits. Observations that violate these limits are infeasible. See Section 5.1 of the HST Primer, or the Instrument Handbooks (see Section 1.4.3) for details.
8.14.4 Configuration
Enter the Scientific Instrument configuration. A pull-down menu shows the available and allowed options.
8.14.5 Science Mode
Enter the science mode. A pull-down menu shows the available and allowed options (which depend on the choice of Configuration).
8.14.6 Coronography
If you are proposing coronographic observations with STIS, NICMOS, or ACS, then set this keyword to `yes'.
8.14.7 Selected Element(s)
Enter all of the desired spectral elements (i.e., filters and gratings) using the `Spectral Element Selection' screen. Pull-down menus show the available and allowed options (which depend on the choice of Configuration and Science Mode). Note the following:
- Each line denotes a set of exposures with the same spectral elements. For example if you are taking 4 exposures with the B filter and 2 with the V filter, line 1 would give the B filter as Element 1, and line 2 would give the V filter as Element 1.
- Element 2 is used in the case when one filter is crossed with another. For example, if you are going to use the V band filter with a polarizer, the V filter would be Element 1 and the polarizer would be Element 2.
- If a STIS grating is used, then first select the grating and subsequently give the central wavelengths in Angstroms for the exposures.
8.14.8 Total Orbits
Enter the total number of orbits (i.e., the sum of the orbits for all the exposures to which the given observation block refers). Consult Chapter 6 of the HST Primer for instructions on how to calculate the appropriate number of orbits for your observations.
8.14.9 Special Requirement Checkboxes
Mark one or more of the special requirement checkboxes, if applicable. The meanings of the checkboxes are indicated in the table below. Note that for snapshot observations, only the `duplication' checkbox is allowed.
Table 8.1: Special Requirement Flags for the Observation Summary
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Flag
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Use this flag for
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| Coordinated Parallel |
All of the exposures specified in this observation block are to be done in coordinated parallel mode (see Section 4.2). |
| CVZ |
Continuous Viewing Zone observations (see Section 4.1.1). |
| Duplication |
Observations which duplicate or might be perceived to duplicate previous or upcoming GO and/or GTO exposures (see Section 5.2.1). |
| Low Sky |
Low-sky observations (see Section 5.5.1 of the HST Primer). |
| Shadow |
Shadow Time observations (see Section 5.5.2 of the HST Primer). |
| Target of Opportunity |
Target-of-Opportunity observations (see Section 4.1.2). |
| Pure Parallel |
All of the exposures specified in this observation block are to be done in pure parallel mode (see Section 4.2). |
