The F25SRF2 filter with the
NUV-MAMA provides high-throughput broad-band NUV imaging with better rejection of geocoronal emission than the
F25MAMA but worse than or
F25QTZ modes. It provides the same field of view and high spatial resolution.
This filter has slightly higher throughput than
F25QTZ, but lets in geocoronal [O I] 1302 + 1306 Å. In most cases the sky background will still be lower than the detector background.
Sky background on the day side of the orbit contains a significant contributions from [OII] air glow emission at 2471 Å and [O I] air glow at 1302 + 1306 Å. In high-background conditions, the sky background can dominate the detector background. In average day-side observing conditions about half the background will be from the sky and half from detector dark current. Also, the background through
F25SRF2 will be about 10% higher than through
F25QTZ. Observers can limit the background by using the
DARKTIME special requirement.
Users should also consider whether the ACS HRC with the
F220W or the
F250W filter might be a better choice for their science goals.