Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Instrument Handbook for Cycle 17

1.1 Overview

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The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) is a versatile imaging spectrograph, complementary to (not superseded by) the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS). The instrument provides spatially resolved spectroscopy from 1150 to 10,300 Å at low to medium spectral resolution, high spatial resolution echelle spectroscopy in the ultraviolet, solar-blind imaging in the ultraviolet, time tagging of photons in the ultraviolet for high time resolution, and direct and coronagraphic imaging in the optical.

STIS suspended science operations on 2004-Aug-03 due to the failure of a power supply in the Side-2 electronics. The instrument currently remains in safe mode: the instrument and its on-board computer are turned off with the heaters turned on to ensure a safe and stable thermal environment. The HST Project is moving forward on a "best effort" basis to repair STIS during the next Servicing Mission (SM4) to the Hubble Space Telescope, by replacing the low voltage power supply board containing the failed component.

If the planned repair is successful, STIS could be back in operation for Cycle 17 science programs. This Handbook provides instrument-specific information you need to propose for STIS observations (Phase I), design accepted programs (Phase II), and understand STIS in detail.

This chapter explains the layout of the Handbook and describes how to use the Help Desk at STScI and the STScI STIS World Wide Web (WWW) site to get help and further information. Instrument and operating updates will be posted on the STIS Web site.