HST Phase II Proposal Instructions for Cycle 11 | ||||
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Tables and Figures
Table 12.1: Supported Instrument Parameters for the ACS
Table 12.2: Spectral Elements for use with ACS/WFC and ACS/HRC Configurationsa
Table 12.3: Wavelength Ranges for the WFC/HRC Ramp Filters
Table 12.4: Spectral Elements for use with the ACS/SBC Configuration
Introduction to the ACS
The Instrument Configurations and Operating Modes described in this chapter are used to specify exposures on the RPS2 Visit and Exposure Specifications. The legal Visit and Exposure Specifications entries are discussed in the following sections. More complete descriptions of Instrument Configurations, Modes, Apertures, Spectral Elements, etc. are available in the ACS Instrument Handbook.
Note that many of the Optional Parameters have default values. In such cases an entry as an Optional Parameter in the Visit and Exposure Specifications is necessary only if it is desired to override the default value. In the STScI proposal system, the physical units of Optional Parameter quantities are always implicit and should never be entered by the observer.
The following tables lists the permitted Instrument Configurations, Operating Modes, Apertures, Spectral Elements, and Optional Parameters for the ACS.
Table 12.1: Supported Instrument Parameters for the ACS
ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC, WFC1, WFC2, WFC1-FIX, WFC2-FIX See table 12.2. CR-SPLIT,
GAIN,
SIZEAXIS2,
FLASHEXPACS/HRC ACCUM HRC, HRC-FIX, HRC-OCCULT0.8, HRC-CORON1.8, HRC-CORON3.0 See table 12.2. CR-SPLIT,
GAIN,
SIZEAXIS2,
FLASHEXPACQ HRC-ACQ See table 12.2,
F220W & F606W,
F220W & F550M,
F220W & F502NACS/SBC ACCUM SBC, SBC-FIX See table 12.4.
Mode = ACCUM
Configuration = ACS/WFCPhotons are counted on the Wide Field Channel CCD as accumulated charge which is read out at the end of the exposure and converted to DN at a selectable gain. The DN are stored as 16-bit words in a data memory array. A full detector readout is 4144x4136 pixels, which includes 24 leading pixels and 24 trailing pixels of overscan per line and 40 virtual overscan lines.
Aperture or FOV
Allowed apertures for this mode are:
WFC, WFC1, WFC2, WFC1-FIX, or WFC2-FIX
Only the WFC aperture is permitted with the following spectral elements: POL0UV, POL60UV, POL120UV, POL0V, POL60V, POL120V, F892N, FR388N, FR423N, FR462N, FR505N, FR551N, FR601N, FR656N, FR716N, FR782N, FR853N, FR931N, FR1016N, FR459M, FR647M, FR914M. The actual position of the target within the WFC FOV for these filters will be determined by the STScI based on the spectral element specified and detector performance.
Spectral Element
See Table 12.2: Spectral Elements for use with ACS/WFC and ACS/HRC Configurationsa.Note: When F892N or a polarizer is specified, STScI will automatically assign a subarray containing the entire FOV provided by those spectral elements. The subarray is approximately one-quarter the size of the full WFC array. Those subarray parameters may not be overridden.
Wavelength
If a ramp filter (any spectral element beginning with the letters "FR") is specified, enter the value of the desired central wavelength in Ångstroms. Table 12.3: Wavelength Ranges for the WFC/HRC Ramp Filters gives the allowed minimum and maximum wavelength for each ramp filter.
Note: A wavelength should not be specified if a ramp filter is not being used.
Optional Parameters
CR-SPLIT
= 2 (default) - 8; NOSpecifies the number of sub-exposures into which the exposure is to be split for the purpose of cosmic ray elimination in post-observation data processing (see the ACS Instrument Handbook). The specified exposure time will be divided equally among the number of CR-SPLIT exposures requested. If CR-SPLIT=NO, the exposure is taken without splitting. If a pattern is also specified (see Chapter 8: "Pointings and Patterns"), the specified number of sub-exposures will be taken at each pattern point.
GAIN
= 1 (default), 2, 4(e/DN)Specifies the gain of the CCD electronics in e/DN.
SIZEAXIS2
= FULL (default); 16 - 2046 (pixels)Specifies the size of a WFC subarray in detector coordinates along the AXIS2 direction. If a numeric value is specified for SIZEAXIS2, the detector subarray will be centered on the target (including any POSition TARGet offset; see POSition TARGet <X-value>, <Y-value>) in the AXIS2 dimension. WFC subarray exposures cannot use the aperture WFC unless a ramp filter is selected. Care must be taken in specifying a WFC detector subarray to ensure that the subarray is fully contained on one of the two WFC chips that comprise the WFC detector array. SIZEAXIS2 may not be specified if the Spectral Element includes F892N or a polarizer. The default value of FULL will result in a full detector readout of 4144x4136 pixels.
FLASHEXP
= NONE (default), SHORT, MID, LONGIndicates the duration of a post-exposure, pre-readout LED "flash." A flash is used to ensure that CCD traps are filled, so that image photons are not lost to traps during readout. The default value of NONE means that there will be no flash. The SHORT, MID, and LONG choices select from three combinations of flash duration and flash current as defined by the ACS Calibration Team. They are intended for use in situations in which background is high, medium, and low, respectively. See the ACS Instrument Handbook for details and guidelines on the use of the post-flash capability.Number of Iterations
Enter the number of times this Exposure Specification should be iterated, each with the specified Time_per_Exposure. Note: CR-SPLIT and multiple iterations are mutually exclusive capabilities. If Number_of_Iterations > 1 on an external exposure, CR-SPLIT=NO must be specified.
Time Per Exposure
Enter the exposure time, in seconds, for the Exposure Specification. If Number_of_Iterations = 1, the Time_per_Exposure is divided equally among the CR-SPLIT copies, if any. If Number_of_Iterations > 1, each iteration comprises a single exposure whose duration is Time_per_Exposure.
Note that exposure time for an individual WFC exposure, after any CR-SPLIT is applied, must be an integer multiple of 0.1 second and in the range of 0.5 to 3600 sec. The value of 0.6 sec is not allowed.
Mode = ACCUM
Configuration = ACS/HRCPhotons are counted on the High Resolution Channel CCD as accumulated charge which is read out at the end of the exposure and converted to DN at a selectable gain. The DN are stored as 16-bit words in a data memory array. A full detector readout is 1062x1044 pixels, which includes 19 leading and 19 trailing pixels of overscan per line and 20 virtual overscan lines.
Aperture or FOV
Allowed apertures for this mode are: HRC, HRC-FIX, HRC-OCCULT0.8, HRC-CORON1.8, HRC-CORON3.0.
HRC must be specified if spectral element PR200L is specified.
Spectral Element
See Table 12.2: Spectral Elements for use with ACS/WFC and ACS/HRC Configurationsa. Note: For HRC exposures using polarizers, STScI will automatically apply corrections for small polarizer-induced shifts in the target position only when aperture HRC is specified.
Wavelength
If a ramp filter (any spectral element beginning with the letters "FR") is specified, enter the value of the desired central wavelength in Ångstroms. Table 12.3: Wavelength Ranges for the WFC/HRC Ramp Filters gives the allowed minimum and maximum wavelength for each ramp filter. Any HRC aperture may be used with the ramp filters.
Note: A wavelength should be not specified if a ramp filter is not being used.
Optional Parameters
CR-SPLIT
= 2 (default) - 8; NOSpecifies the number of sub-exposures into which the exposure is to be split for the purpose of cosmic ray elimination in post-observation data processing (see the ACS Instrument Handbook). The specified exposure time will be divided equally among the number of CR-SPLIT exposures requested. If CR-SPLIT=NO, the exposure is taken without splitting. If a pattern is also specified (see Chapter 8: "Pointings and Patterns"), the specified number of sub-exposures will be taken at each pattern point.
GAIN
= 1, 2 (default), 4(e/DN)Specifies the gain of the CCD electronics in e/DN.
SIZEAXIS2
= FULL (default); 16 - 1022 (pixels)Specifies the size of an HRC subarray in detector coordinates along the AXIS2 direction. If a numeric value is specified for SIZEAXIS2, the detector subarray will be centered on the target (including any POSition TARGet offset; see POSition TARGet <X-value>, <Y-value>) in the AXIS2 dimension. The default value of FULL for SIZEAXIS2 will result in a full detector readout of 1062x1044 pixels.
FLASHEXP
= NONE (default), SHORT, MID, LONGIndicates the duration of a post-exposure, pre-readout LED "flash." A flash is used to ensure that CCD traps are filled, so that image photons are not lost to traps during readout. The default value of NONE means that there will be no flash. The SHORT, MID, and LONG choices select from three combinations of flash duration and flash current as defined by the ACS Calibration Team. They are intended for use in situations in which background is high, medium, and low, respectively. See the ACS Instrument Handbook for details and guidelines on the use of the post-flash capability.Number of Iterations
Enter the number of times this Exposure Specification should be iterated, each with the specified Time_per_Exposure. Note: CR-SPLIT and multiple iterations are mutually exclusive capabilities. If Number_Of_Iterations > 1 on an external exposure, CR-SPLIT=NO must be specified.
Time Per Exposure
Enter the exposure time, in seconds, for the Exposure Specification. If Number_of_Iterations = 1, the Time_per_Exposure is divided equally among the CR-SPLIT copies, if any. If Number_of_Iterations > 1, each iteration comprises a single exposure whose duration is Time_per_Exposure.
Note that the exposure time for an individual HRC exposure, after any CR-SPLIT is applied, must be an integer multiple of 0.1 second and in the range of 0.1 to 3600 sec.
Mode = ACQ
Configuration = ACS/HRCFor HRC science observations using one of the coronagraphic apertures (HRC-OCCULT0.8, HRC-CORON1.8, HRC-CORON3.0), you will need to perform a target acquisition (ACQ Mode exposure) prior to the science observations in order to accurately position the target behind the occulter. In ACQ mode, the ACS onboard flight software locates the brightest target in the acquisition subarray of the HRC FOV by determining the total flux within a sequence of overlapping "check boxes" within that subarray. The target position is located within the brightest check box and HST is repositioned to place the target at the position of the small spot (HRC-CORON0.8). A slew to a different aperture for an ACCUM exposure will be separate and require a small amount of additional time.
Aperture or FOV
HRC-ACQ is the only valid aperture for this Mode.
Spectral Element
In addition to any of the allowed filters or polarizer/filter pairs specified in Table 12.2: Spectral Elements for use with ACS/WFC and ACS/HRC Configurationsa, the filter pairs F220W & F606W, F220W & F550M or F220W & F502N are allowed for ACQ mode exposures. These paired filters should be used for bright targets that would otherwise saturate the HRC detector. The neutral density equivalents of these paired filters can be found in the ACS Instrument Handbook.
Wavelength
If a ramp filter (any spectral element beginning with the letters "FR") is specified, enter the value of the desired central wavelength in Ångstroms. Table 12.3: Wavelength Ranges for the WFC/HRC Ramp Filters gives the allowed minimum and maximum wavelength for each ramp filter.
Note: A wavelength should not be specified if a ramp filter is not being used.
Optional Parameters
There are no optional parameters available to the GO in this mode.
Number of Iterations
The Number_Of_Iterations must be 1 in this Mode.
Time Per Exposure
The procedures to determine the exposure time for ACQ exposures are given in the ACS Instrument Handbook. Observers should take care to obtain a signal-to-noise ratio of at least 40 from their sources, integrated over the checkbox. Note that the gain of the CCD electronics is 4 e/DN for ACQ exposures. The acquisition overhead is typically dominated by factors other than the exposure time itself, and observers may wish to consider adding extra pad to the exposure time to ensure the required signal-to-noise, taking care not to saturate the CCD pixels or to exceed the maximum acquisition exposure time.
Note that Time per Exposure for individual HRC exposures must be an integer multiple of 0.1 second and must be in the range of 0.1 to 300 sec.
Mode = ACCUM
Configuration = ACS/SBCThe SBC uses a MAMA detector which is a photon-counting device that provides a two-dimensional ultraviolet capability. The MAMA accumulates photons in the ACS data buffer as they are received, producing images with 1024x1024 pixels. For a more detailed description, see the discussion of SBC ACCUM mode in the ACS Instrument Handbook.
Aperture or FOV
The permitted apertures for this mode are SBC or SBC-FIX.
SBC must be specified if spectral element PR110L or PR130L is specified.
Spectral Element
See Table 12.4: Spectral Elements for use with the ACS/SBC Configuration.
Wavelength
No wavelength should be specified for this mode.
Optional Parameters
There are no Optional Parameters in this Mode.
Unlike WFC or HRC, SBC exposures with a dispersing spectral element (PR110L or PR130L) will not have an additional image exposure scheduled automatically (see Optional Parameter AUTOIMAGE under ACCUM mode for HRC and WFC). If an image exposure is desired in combination with a prism exposure, it must be entered separately. It is best to place it immediately before or after the prism exposure, and in the same visit.
Number of Iterations
Enter the number of times this Exposure Specification should be iterated.
Time Per Exposure
Enter the exposure time to apply to each iteration.
Note that Time_per_Exposure for individual SBC exposures must be an integer multiple of 0.1 second and must be in the range of 0.1 to 3600 sec.
Tabular Reference Data
Spectral Elements for WFC and HRC
Note that except for the polarizers, only one filter may be specified for an exposure. The polarizers must be used in combination with a filter on the other filter wheel in order to maintain focus. Thus the UV polarizers (POL0UV, POL60UV, POL120UV) must be used with a filter on wheel 2 excluding: F814W, FR914N, POL0V, POL60V, POL120V. The visible polarizers (POL0V, POL60V, POL120V) must be used with a filter on wheel 1 except for: F850LP, F892N, POL0UV, POL60UV, POL120UV.
Table 12.2: Spectral Elements for use with ACS/WFC and ACS/HRC Configurationsa
a. Note: Normally only one spectral element may be specified for an exposure. The exceptions are:
1) As noted in "Mode = ACQ Configuration = ACS/HRC", three filter pairs are permitted for ACQ mode exposures of bright targets.
2) The polarizers must be used with another spectral element. This is required to maintain focus. The UV polarizers (POL0UV, POL60UV, POL120UV) must be used with a spectral element on wheel 2 except for: POL0V, POL60V, POL120V, and any inner or outer ramp filter segment (see table 12.3). The visible polarizers (POL0V, POL60V, POL120V) must be used with a spectral element on wheel 1 except for: F850LP, F892N, POL0UV, POL60UV, and POL120UV.
Ramp Filter Wavelength Ranges
Table 12.3: Wavelength Ranges for the WFC/HRC Ramp Filters
Spectral Elements for ACS/SBC
Table 12.4: Spectral Elements for use with the ACS/SBC Configuration
F115LP MgF2 F125LP CaF2 F140LP BaF2 F150LP crystal quartz F165LP Suprasil F122M Ly-a PR130L CaF2 PRISM PR110L LiF2 PRISM
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