Hubble Space Telescope Call for Proposals for Cycle 11

8.14 Observation Summary (OS)

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(This is item 13 in the GO/SNAP template; it does not appear in the AR/Theory template.)

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:

• The OS can include observations of fixed targets (i.e., all targets outside the solar system whose positions can be defined by specific celestial coordinates), generic targets (i.e., targets defined by certain general properties, rather than by specific coordinates), and solar-system targets (i.e., moving targets). Targets that have not yet been discovered or identified may generally be included only under special circumstances (see Section 4.1.3), and should be given generic target names.
• 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 8.15).
• For Long-Term Programs, the OS should include information for all the proposed observations, not just the ones requested in Cycle 11.
• 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 only observations with the primary camera, even if simultaneous observations are obtained with the other NICMOS cameras. If the observations with the other cameras are important for the science goals of the program, then describe this in the `Description of the Observations' (see Section 8.16).
• 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 8.16).
• If the OS takes up more than 1 page of the proposal, then the OS pages beyond the first one do not count towards the total proposal page limit (see Section 7.1.2).
• The instrument parameters in the OS and their allowed values may not be the same as those used in previous cycles; also, they are not the same as the corresponding instrument parameters used for Phase II programs. Please refer to Appendix C to determine which instrument parameters are available and allowed.

The OS consists of individual lines, each containing several separate pieces of information.

All exposures for a given target that use the same configuration and mode may be summarized in a single OS line.

Each row of the OS must include the items that are listed and discussed below in separate sub-sections.

8.14.1 Target Name

The target naming conventions for HST are defined in detail in the STScI Phase II documentation. A direct internet link to these conventions is available on the Cycle 11 Announcement Web Page. Please adhere to these naming conventions throughout your proposal. For generic targets use a short text description either of the target location (e.g., RANDOM-FIELD) or of the target itself (e.g., NEXT-SUPERNOVA).

8.14.2 Target RA and DEC (J2000)

Supply the coordinates for fixed targets only. In Phase I, target positions with accuracies of order ±1 arcmin are sufficient for the TAC and panel review (except in crowded fields where the identity of the target may be in question). However, in Phase II significantly more accurate coordinates are required, and it is the responsibility of the proposers to provide these. See the STScI Phase II documentation for details.

8.14.3 Target Magnitude

Supply the apparent total magnitude in the V passband for the entire target (galaxy, planet, etc.), if known. This information is used only for scientific review, not for exposure-time calculations. Note that some of the instruments have bright object safety limits. Observations that violate these limits are infeasible. See Section 5.1 of the HST Primer, or the Instrument Handbooks (see Section 1.4.3) for details.

8.14.4 Scientific Instrument Configuration

Enter the Scientific Instrument configuration. The available and allowed options for each instrument can be found in Appendix C.

8.14.5 Operating Mode

Enter the operating mode. The available and allowed options for each instrument can be found in Appendix C. For the FGS, the available Modes are POS and TRANS. For all other instruments, list SPECTRA if you are using a Spectral Element that disperses the light, and list IMAGING otherwise.

8.14.6 Spectral Element(s)

Enter all of the desired spectral elements (i.e., filters and gratings). The available and allowed options for each instrument can be found in Appendix C. Note the following conventions:

• Several different spectral elements for different exposures may be included on the same OS exposure line, each separated by a comma (e.g., F555W,F656N).
• If more than one element is required for the same exposure, then join the elements with a + (e.g., F255W+POL45).
• If a STIS grating is used, then list in parentheses, immediately following the spectral element listing, the central wavelength in Angstroms for the exposures defined on the given line; e.g., G430M(4781, 4961).

8.14.7 Coronographic Apertures

If you are proposing coronographic observations with STIS, NICMOS, or ACS, then fill in this keyword. The available and allowed options for each instrument can be found in Appendix C. For ACS, different coronographic apertures for different exposures may be included on the same OS exposure line, each separated with a comma (e.g., CORON1.8,CORON3.0). Do not fill in this keyword if you are not proposing coronographic observations.

8.14.8 Total Number of Orbits

Enter the total number of orbits (i.e., the sum of the orbits for all the exposures to which the given line of the OS refers). Consult Chapter 6 of the HST Primer for instructions on how to calculate the appropriate number of orbits for your observations.

8.14.9 Special Requirement Flags

Enter any of the flags listed in Table 8.1, when applicable. These options are the only allowed entries. Multiple entries are allowed, and should be separated by commas. For snapshot observations, only the DUP flag is allowed.

Table 8.1:  Special Requirement Flags for the Observation Summary

Flag	Use this flag for
CPAR PPAR	Parallel observations. All of the exposures specified on this OS line are to be done in coordinated (CPAR) or pure (PPAR) parallel mode (see Section 4.2).
CVZ	Continuous Viewing Zone observations (see Section 4.1.1).
DUP	Observations which duplicate or might be perceived to duplicate previous or upcoming GO and/or GTO exposures (see Section 5.2.1).
LOW	Low-sky observations (see Section 5.5.1 of the HST Primer).
SHD	Shadow Time observations (see Section 5.5.2 of the HST Primer).
TOO	Target-of-Opportunity observations (see Section 4.1.2).