Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Instrument Handbook for Cycle 17

1.6 The STIS Web Pages and Support Information

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The STIS team at STScI maintains World Wide Web pages (see Figure 1.3) as part of STScI's Web service. The URL for the top level STScI STIS Web site is:

http://www.stsci.edu/hst/stis

The STIS Web pages include up-to-date information about STIS operations and performance. Links to this information are organized into categories and sub-categories which are listed in a menu on the left hand side of all STIS Web pages. In addition to these main categories, a "shortcuts" list of links to frequently used resources is displayed on the right hand side of most STIS Web pages. You can also search for specific information, as all STIS documentation is indexed on STIS-specific keywords.

The main navigational categories are:

• Instrument Design: A high-level summary of the basic design and operation of the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS), including summary information on the detectors, gratings, apertures, and filters available for use.
• Performance: More detailed information on actual on-orbit performance of the STIS. Sub-categories are image quality, sensitivity, spectral resolution, throughput, background, accuracy, monitoring, and anomalies.
• Observing Strategy: Discussions of target acquisitions, pushing the limits, and other aspects of the design of imaging and spectroscopic observations with STIS.
• Proposing: Things you need to know in order to successfully construct and submit Phase I and Phase II proposals for STIS observations, and how to monitor the status of your observing program.
• Data Analysis: Resources describing STIS data characteristics and analysis, including the HST Data Handbook.
• Software Tools: Software tools that can be retrieved (e.g., an IRAF script for creating daily dark reference files) or run directly over the network (e.g., the Exposure Time Calculators and the Target Acquisition Simulator).
• Document Archive: Electronic versions of the Instrument and Data Handbooks as well as detailed technical information concerning the development, performance, testing, operation, and calibration of the STIS as documented in a series of STIS Instrument Science Reports (ISRs) and STScI Analysis Newsletters (STANs). These reports can be downloaded directly from the WWW.

Additionally, information about getting help with STIS questions or data is available at:

http://www.stsci.edu/hst/stis/help.html.

Figure 1.3: STIS Web Page