STIS Observing Strategies

In this section, we discuss target acquisition, the design of imaging and spectroscopic observations, and nonstandard or challenging uses of STIS.

Apertures for other HST instruments are offset from the STIS apertures in the HST field of view.

A detailed discussion of current instrument capabilities and recommended observing strategies is given in the STIS Instrument Handbook, which is updated for each observing cycle. STIS Instrument Science Reports present the results of specific instrument calibration programs, outline recommended observing procedures and policies, and describe software for data reduction and analysis. The STAN newletters make timely announcements of interest to STIS users, including newly discovered instrument and software problems and solutions.