About COS

The Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) was installed on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in May 2009. COS performs high-sensitivity, medium- and low-resolution spectroscopy of astronomical objects in the 815-3200 Å wavelength range. COS significantly enhances the spectroscopic capabilities of HST at ultraviolet wavelengths, providing observers with unparalleled opportunities for observing faint sources of ultraviolet light.

The primary science objectives of the instrument are the study of the origins of large scale structure in the Universe, the formation and evolution of galaxies, the origin of stellar and planetary systems, and the cold interstellar medium.

COS spectrum of a massive star in the LMC

This COS spectrum of a massive star in the LMC encodes information about the properties of its stellar wind, the intervening interstellar and circum-galactic media, enabling a wide range of legacy studies.

 

Program Information

COS Instrument Resources

Recent News

Recently Published Documents

Instrument Science Reports (ISRs)

Recently Published ISRs

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  1. ISR 2024-18: Cycle 29 COS FUV Detector Gain Maps

    September 25, 2024D. J. Sahnow & C. I. Johnson
  2. ISR 2024-17: The Spectral Extraction Reference Files for COS/FUV G130M at LP5 and G140L/800 at LP3

    September 25, 2024E. M. Frazer et al.
  3. ISR 2024-16: Flux Calibration of the COS G160M Grating at Lifetime Position 6

    September 25, 2024L. P. Miller et al.
  4. ISR 2024-15: Cycle 30 COS FUV Dark Monitor Summary

    September 19, 2024C. I. Johnson et al.
  5. ISR 2024-14: Cycle 30 COS NUV Dark Monitor Summary

    September 19, 2024C. I. Johnson et al.

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Newsletters (STANs)

Recently Published STANs

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  1. February 2024 STAN

    February 26, 2024
  2. January 2024 STAN

    January 04, 2024

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Last Updated: 10/28/2024

HST Help Desk 

Please contact the HST Help Desk with any questions.