CHAPTER 2
Special Considerations
for Cycle 7-NICMOS

NICMOS is a New Instrument / 12
Information Updates for Cycle 7-NICMOS / 12
NICMOS Status Summary / 13
Recommendation Summary / 14
Supported NICMOS Capabilities for Cycle 7-NICMOS / 15

HST's second servicing mission successfully installed two second-generation instruments, NICMOS and STIS (the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph) while removing the Faint Object Spectrograph (FOS) and Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph (GHRS). In addition, a Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS) was replaced and a solid state data recorder installed. The increased data capacity of the new recorder, exploited through a series of changes to the ground system, considerably increases the capacity of HST to handle large volumes of data.

While NICMOS has demonstrated its capability for excellent scientific observations, problems within its cryogenic cooling system resulted in some degradation of the Camera 3 capability and a significantly shortened life expectancy. As discussed in the Cycle 7-NICMOS call for proposals (CP), this special CP is being issued to maximize the scientific return from NICMOS within its predicted lifetime. To solicit, select, and prepare proposals within the timescale necessary to accelerate the NICMOS science program, this Handbook is being prepared before the Servicing Mission Observatory Verification (SMOV) period is completed and its results fully analyzed. Thus, this Handbook represents a snapshot of our current but evolving understanding of NICMOS. While observers should rely upon this Handbook (except where noted) when preparing proposals for Cycle 7-NICMOS, they are advised to seek updated information when preparing Phase II proposals and analyzing NICMOS observations.