A-D: Analog to digital.
CCD: Charge-coupled device. Solid-state, light detecting device.
CDBS: Calibration Data Base. System for maintaining reference files and tables used to calibrate HST observational datasets.
CIT: California Institute of Technology.
COBE: Cosmic Background Explorer.
COSTAR: Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement.
CP: Call for Proposals.
CR: Cosmic ray.
CVZ: Continuous viewing zone.
DQ: Data quality.
DQE: Detector quantum efficiency.
DN: Data number.
ETC: Exposure Time Calculator.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions.
FGS: Fine Guidance Sensors.
FITS: Flexible Image Transport System. A generic IEEE- and NASA-defined standard used for storing image data.
FOC: Faint Object Camera.
FOM: Field Offset Mirror (or mechanism)
FOS: Faint Object Spectrograph.
FOV: Field of view.
FPA: Focal plane array.
FSW: Flight software.
FTP: File Transfer Protocol. Basic tool used to retrieve files from a remote system. Ask your system manager for information about using FTP.
FUV: Far ultraviolet.
FWHM: Full width at half maximum.
GASP: Guide Star Astrometric Support Program.
GEIS: Generic Edited Information Set. The multigroup format used by STSDAS for storing some HST image data.
GHRS: Goddard High-Resolution Spectrograph.
GO: General Observer.
GTO: Guaranteed Time Observer.
HSP: High-Speed Photometer.
HST: Hubble Space Telescope.
ICD: Interface control document. Defines data structures used between software or systems to ensure compatibility.
IDT: Instrument Development Team.
IR: Infrared.
IRAF: Image Reduction and Analysis System. The system on which -STSDAS is built.
IUE: International Ultraviolet Explorer.
K: Degree Kelvin.
LSF: Line spread function.
MOS: Multi-object spectroscopy.
ND: Neutral density.
NICMOS: Near-Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrograph.
NUV: Near ultraviolet.
OPUS: OSS and PODPS Unified Systems.
OSS: Observation Support System.
OTA: Optical Telescope Assembly.
PAM: Pupil Alignment Mirror (or mechanism).
PI: Principal investigator.
PODPS: Post-Observation Data Processing System.
PSF: Point spread function.
QE: Quantum efficiency.
RA: Right ascension.
rms: Root mean square.
SAM: Small angle motion.
SLTV: System level thermal vacuum (testing phase).
SMOV: Servicing Mission Orbital Verification.
S/N: Signal-to-noise ratio.
SSR: Solid state recorder.
ST-ECF: Space Telescope European Coordinating Facility.
STEIS: Space Telescope Electronic Information System. The World Wide Web host from which information, software, documentation, and other resources pertaining to the HST can be obtained.
STIS: Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph.
STScI: Space Telescope Science Institute.
STSDAS: Space Telescope Science Data Analysis System. The complete suite of data analysis and calibration routines used to process HST data.
SV: Science verification. Process of taking observations that can be used for HST instrument calibration.
TAC: Telescope Allocation Committee.
TEC: Thermal electrically cooled.
URL: Uniform resource locator. Address for WWW.
UV: Ultraviolet.
VCS: Vapor cooled shield.
WF/PC: Wide Field/Planetary Camera.
WFPC2: Wide Field Planetary Camera-2. Replacement for WF/PC installed during first servicing mission of December 1993.
WWW: World Wide Web. Hypertext-oriented method for finding and retrieving information over the Internet.
YSO: Young stellar object.