8.15 Observation Summary (OS)

(This item appears in the APT form only for GO and SNAP proposals)

The OS lists the main characteristics of the observations that you propose to obtain. In general you must include in the OS all the configurations, modes and spectral elements that you propose to use, and all the targets that you propose to observe. Note the following:

• For SNAP proposals, the OS should describe a typical snapshot observation for one or a few of the targets. A complete and unique description of the target list should be provided in the 'Scientific Justification' section of the proposal (see Section 9.1).
• For Long-Term Programs, the OS should include information for all the proposed observations, not just the ones requested in Cycle 13.
• Parallel observations must be included in the OS, and marked as such using the relevant special requirement flags (see Table 8.1). Auto-parallel observations with ACS (see Section 4.2.3) should not be listed. For NICMOS, list all observations with all cameras which will be used for parallel observations.
• Target acquisition observations (see Section 5.2 of the HST Primer) need not be included in the OS, unless they are themselves used for scientific analysis.
• Normal calibration observations that are often or routinely taken (e.g, STIS wavelength calibration exposures or fringe flats) need not be included in the OS. However, the OS should include any special calibration exposures on internal sources or on external targets (see Section 4.3). Special internal calibrations should be listed separately from external calibration exposures. When these special calibrations require additional orbits, they should be specified. The need for these calibrations should be justified in the 'Description of the Observations' (see Section 9.2).

The OS consists of individual 'observation blocks', each containing several separate pieces of information.

All exposures for a given target and instrument may be summarized in a single observation block. This is new for Cycle 13.

Observation blocks are numbered sequentially in the APT Phase I proposal form. Each observation block should include the items that are listed and discussed below in separate sub-sections.

8.15.1 Target

Select the target from the pull down menu. The menu will contain all the targets you have entered on the "Targets" page.

8.15.2 Instrument

Select an instrument from the pull down menu. The menu will contain all the available instruments. Note that only one instrument can be selected in each observation block.

8.15.3 Instrument Setup(s)

Under "Instrument Setups" click on "Add". This will bring up a pop-up menu which will allow you to select the parameters for the observation (e.g., config, science mode, spectral elements).

8.15.4 Config

Enter the Scientific Instrument configuration. A pull-down menu shows the available and allowed options for the instrument you have selected.

8.15.5 Science Mode

Enter the science mode. A pull-down menu shows the available and allowed options (which depend on the choice of Configuration).

8.15.6 Coronagraphy

If you are proposing coronagraphic observations with STIS, NICMOS, or ACS, then set this keyword to 'yes'.

8.15.7 Selected Element(s)

Enter the desired spectral elements (i.e., filters and gratings) using the 'Spectral Element' pull-down menus which show the available and allowed options (which depend on the choice of Configuration and Science Mode). Note the following:

• Each Instrument Setup denotes a set of exposures with the same spectral elements. For example if you are taking 4 exposures with the B filter and 2 with the V filter, one instrument setup would give the B filter as Spectral Element 1, and a separate instrument setup would give the V filter as Spectral Element 1.
• Spectral Element 2 is used in the case when one filter is crossed with another. For example, if you are going to use the V band filter with a polarizer, the V filter would be Spectral Element 1 and the polarizer would be Spectral Element 2.
• If a STIS grating is used, then first select the grating and subsequently give the central wavelengths in Angstroms for the exposures.

8.15.8 Orbits

Enter the number of orbits (i.e., the sum of the orbits required for all the instrument setups in the observation block). Consult Chapter 6 of the HST Primer for instructions on how to calculate the appropriate number of orbits for your observations.

8.15.9 Number of Iterations

If you require multiple sets of the observations, enter the number of iterations. (For example, if you will reobserve at a different time or if you have a large mosaic). This will automatically update the total number of orbits requested for the target.

8.15.10 Special Requirement Checkboxes

Mark one or more of the special requirement checkboxes, if applicable. The meanings of the checkboxes are indicated in the table below. Note that for snapshot observations, only the 'duplication' checkbox is allowed.

Table 8.1:  Special Requirement Flags for the Observation Summary

Flag	Use this flag for
Coordinated Parallel	All of the exposures specified in this observation block are to be done in coordinated parallel mode (see Section 4.2).
CVZ	Continuous Viewing Zone observations (see Section 4.1.1).
Duplication	Observations which duplicate or might be perceived to duplicate previous or upcoming GO and/or GTO exposures (see Section 5.2.1).
Low Sky	Low-sky observations (see Section 5.5.1 of the HST Primer).
Shadow	Shadow Time observations (see Section 5.5.2 of the HST Primer).
Target of Opportunity	Target-of-Opportunity observations (see Section 4.1.2).
Pure Parallel	All of the exposures specified in this observation block are to be done in pure parallel mode (see Section 4.2.2).

8.15.11 Large Programs

If you are proposing for more than 100 orbits of prime observations, then we would like to have a little additional information. This information will help STScI understand and assess the scheduling implications of your program. Be sure also to read section 9.2, Description of Observations, as that is the primary place for describing your observing strategy.

For each observation block, please indicate the orientation angle required for that block.

If you have timing requirements between blocks, please indicate those as well. This is intended to capture repeated visits with spacings of multiple days or greater, not timing requirements on the order of orbits to a day or two.