The 25MAMA mode with the NUV-MAMA provides high-throughput broad-band near-ultraviolet (NUV) imaging with excellent pixel sampling and very high throughput at ~2500 Å. The field of view is 25x25 arcsec.
NUV-MAMA clear images will be somewhat out of focus because the mirror optimally focuses for use of a filter. Whenever possible, use
F25SRF2 or F25QTZ instead of
25MAMA for NUV-MAMA imaging.
For long exposures of faint targets, sky background is likely to be a limiting factor. Observers should consider the use of
DARKTIME or (preferably) use the
F25QTZ filter, which has nearly the same throughput but rejects geocoronal Lyman-
α and [O I] 1302+1306 Å air glow.
Users should also consider whether the ACS HRC with the
F220W or the
F250W filter might be a better choice for their science goals.