17.1 Introduction

In this chapter we describe the current status of STIS calibration and the plans for future calibration in Cycle 12. At the time this Handbook is being written, Cycle 11 calibration is nearly complete. Also detailed planning for Cycle 12 calibration is approaching completion, although the observations have not yet begun. Below we give a brief guide to the calibrations obtained during ground testing, the original period of Servicing Mission Orbital Verification (SMOV2), and Cycles 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, and the plans for Cycle 12. Further information on calibration, including detailed descriptions of the proposals, can be found on the STIS "Monitoring" page.

STIS provides a large number of available-but-unsupported capabilities ( Appendix A) beyond those which are routinely supported. Observers should remember that STScI will not normally undertake additional calibrations for these available-but-unsupported instrument configurations. Observers wishing to use non-standard instrument configurations should assess their specific calibration needs and include time in their Phase 1 proposal for any additional calibrations that are required. Proposers who believe that more extensive calibration observations or analysis may be of benefit to users of STIS, should consider submitting a Cycle 13 Calibration Outsourcing Proposal (see the Cycle 13 "Call for Proposals" for details).