Space Telescope Science Institute  Acknowledgments  1.1 Purpose

Chapter 1: 
Introduction


In this chapter . . .
Purpose
Instrument Handbook Layout
Two-gyro Guiding
The FGS as a Science Instrument
Technical Overview
Planning and Analyzing FGS Observations
FGS2r

The precision pointing required of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) motivated the design of the Fine Guidance Sensors (FGS). These large field of view (FOV) white light interferometers are able to track the positions of luminous objects with ~1 millisecond of arc (mas) precision. In addition, the FGS can scan an object to obtain its interferogram with sub-mas sampling. These capabilities enable the FGS to perform as a high-precision astrometer and a high angular resolution science instrument which can be applied to a variety of objectives, including:

The purpose of this Handbook is to provide information needed to propose for HST/FGS observations (Phase I), to design Phase II programs for accepted FGS proposals (in conjunction with the Phase II Proposal Instructions), and to describe the FGS in detail.


Acknowledgments  1.1 Purpose
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