About This Article
1. STScI Helpdesk Updates
The ACS Helpdesk Team
We want to inform users that the STScI Help Desk email address (help@stsci.edu) will be deactivated by the end of this year. In the future, any help desk inquiries should be submitted through the existing ServiceNow web portals for the relevant mission or division:
- HST: https://stsci.service-now.com/hst or hsthelp.stsci.edu
- JWST: https://stsci.service-now.com/jwst or jwsthelp.stsci.edu
- Roman: https://stsci.service-now.com/roman or romanhelp.stsci.edu
- OPO: https://stsci.service-now.com/opo or opohelp.stsci.edu
- MAST: https://stsci.service-now.com/mast or masthelp.stsci.edu
- ITSD (internal): https://stsci.service-now.com/stars or stars.stsci.edu
STScI has used the ServiceNow platform for the help desk since early 2017, but we have kept the email address active as a courtesy to the user base. These portals offer announcements, knowledge base articles that address frequently asked questions, options to submit your questions directly to the appropriate experts, and access to your support history. A free MyST account is required to use these services. For any issues accessing ServiceNow, please contact helpsn@stsci.edu.
2. Cycle 33 Proposal Reminders
The ACS Team
We remind proposers that ACS/WFC is offered as a shared risk and may receive limited calibration and support in Cycle 33. The level of operational support in future cycles depends on the outcome of the 2025 HST Senior Review.
Additionally, Hubble has switched to Reduced Gyro Mode (RGM). RGM provides the same quality of scientific data as three-gyro mode but impacts overall scheduling opportunities. Proposers are encouraged to minimize observing constraints as much as possible to improve schedulability. Special requirements must be thoroughly justified in the Phase I proposal. Special requirements not requested and justified in Phase I will be implemented only under exceptional circumstances. For ACS, special requirements include ORIENT, scheduling or timing constraints, ToOs, and CVZ observations. Additional details about RGM and ACS/WFC observations in Cycle 33 and beyond can be found in Section 2.2 of the ACS Instrument Handbook. Proposals using the SBC must demonstrate that the proposed observations do not violate the bright object restrictions. Section 7.2 of the ACS Instrument Handbook provides a comprehensive summary, including a table on count rate limits, for creating an appropriate SBC observing plan under these conditions.
Due to the South Atlantic Anomaly, there are times in the schedule when only targets north of +60deg in declination are observable. Consequently, in cases where multiple targets can meet the same scientific goals, proposers are encouraged to prioritize targets north of +60deg in declination to enhance schedulability under RGM. Although having such targets will not influence whether a proposal is selected, approved GO programs are likely to benefit from earlier scheduling, while SNAP programs may experience a higher frequency of execution. More information about RGM can be found at Reduced Gyro Mode Tips and Resources.
We would like to remind the community about the following unique observing modes available with ACS/WFC, in addition to broadband and narrowband imaging, as well as a larger field of view compared to other HST cameras:
- Ramp Filters (Details in the DHB)
- Optical Grism Spectroscopy (Details in the DHB and IHB)
- Imaging Polarimetry (Details in the IHB and DHB)
- Imaging Spectro-Polarimetry (Details in the IHB and RNAAS article)
ACS users preparing a program for Cycle 33 may refer to the Proposal Planning Toolbox for links to various tools and documentation. For any further inquiries, please contact the HST Help Desk. Additional information about ACS in preparation for Cycle 33 proposals can be found in the HST Call for Proposals and Primer, as well as the ACS Instrument Handbook.