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Frequently Asked Questions about the Hubble Space
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HST DATA AND DATA ANALYSIS
-----------------------------------------------------------
Last revision 9/10/92
HST DATA
--------
- What happens to the science data once the observation is made?
The science data is separated from the engineering data, and passed
through the Routine Science Data Processing (the "pipeline") where it
is calibrated. It is then written into the archive and a copy is sent
to the Principal Investigator.
- How do I know if an observation is public?
You can use STARCAT to browse the HST catalog. Call USB for the Quick
Guide to STARCAT. Use the GENERAL screen, which contains a field
with the date on which that observation becomes public.
- When are observations made public?
The normal proprietary period is one year. Special observations may have
shorter or longer periods (like the Science Assessment, Early
Release Observations, etc.), For these special observations you will
need to look at the dates on STARCAT.
DATA TAPE
---------
- What am I going to receive?
You will receive FITS tapes with your data, a summary of the
observations (if it exists) which complements the information in the
.trl files, hard copies of the data (either glossy photographs in the
case of imaging data or plots for the spectra), and a listing of the
contents of the tape.
- When I am going to receive the tape?
The data is received by the Data Archive Operations Group (DAOG)
approximately one day after it is taken. About 8 hours later the tape
is written and sent to the PI (or to the person indicated in the Data
Distribution Form) or kept till picked up at STScI. The tapes are sent
via UPS.
- Where can I pick up the tape at STScI?
Tapes, hardcopies and summaries can be picked up at the DAOG office in
room 128A Monday to Friday 8am till 11pm; Saturday and Sunday from
9am till 5pm.
You will need your access card to open the doors to the first floor.
- What is on the tape?
The tape will have the raw, uncalibrated data, plus all the files
generated by the calibration pipeline.
- How can I read the tape?
If your FITS tape was written in group format you have to use the
'strfits' task in the STSDAS' fitsio package. Set the parameters
"xdimtogf" and "oldirafname" to "yes". You will then recreate a group
format file on disk with the same name that the pipeline gave to your
dataset. This is a must for most of the instrument specific tasks in
STSDAS.
- What are those strange file names in the listing of the tape?
If you requested the tape to be written in group format, the listing
will look strange. In order to write the group formatted files on tape,
the group information is written in a table (extension "tab") and the
data has a "_cvt" attached to it.
- The plots of my spectra are horrible, is my data bad?
Not necessarily. The pipeline only plots the first group of the dataset.
It might happen that this group has nothing in it.
- Will my WF/PC data fit on my disk?
Each WF/PC observation occupies around 30 Mbytes and the reference files
(if you want them) require another 75 Mbytes.
- Do I need to ask for the data in group format?
If you plan to recalibrate the data, it has to be in group format. It is
also a very convenient way of storing many separate observations on a
single filename.
CALIBRATION
-----------
- Is the data calibrated?
Yes. The data that you will receive has been calibrated with the best
currently available calibration reference files.
- I used non-standard filters for my observations. Will the data be properly
calibrated? If it is not what do I have to do?
For some instruments, there is not a complete set of reference files
for all the possible combinations of setups and filters. In these cases,
dummy reference files are used during the pipeline calibration. If you
suspect that this is the case with your data contact us at
[email protected] or (410)338-1082
- Are the calibration reference files included on the tape I will receive?
No, the reference files are not routinely included in the data tape
you will be receiving.
- Is it possible to obtain the calibration files?
Yes. All the reference files are public and can be requested to
recalibrate your observations.
- How do I know which reference files were used to calibrate my observations?
The reference files used are listed in the header of the observations.
- How do I know if there are better calibrations available for my observations?
More recent calibration files might have been obtained that were not
installed in the pipeline when your data was calibrated. The task
"getreffile" in the cdbsutil package of STSDAS will list them. This task
can only be run at STScI where all the databases are located.
You can also call (410)338-1082 or send e-mail to [email protected]
For a current list of WF/PC reference files, please read the file
"wfpc_reference_files" in the instrument_news directory of STEIS.
DECONVOLUTION
-------------
- Is the data deconvolved?
No, the data is not routinely deconvolved. Software for deconvolution
of HST images and spectra is available in STSDAS.
- Are there PSFs for my observations?
STScI maintains a library of PSFs, both observed and calculated using
the Telescope Image Modelling (TIM) software developed in-house.
If you need other PSFs you can use Tiny TIM to generate them (see below)
- Can I get a copy of TIM?
You can get TIM from the anonymous ftp at stsci.edu. If you do not
have access to the internet or do not have ftp please contact USB.
TIM currently runs only on VMS machines. A version is being written for
STSDAS and will run on UNIX machines.
- Can I get a copy of Tiny TIM?
Tiny Tim is a portable version of TIM written in C. It runs on Sun
workstations, VAxes and 386/486 PCs. It is easy to use and fast.
Tiny TIM was designed and written for creating PSFs for deconvolving
HST images. It can be downloaded from STEIS (in the software/tinytim
directory)
PUBLICATIONS
------------
- How should I acknowledge in my papers that the data was taken with HST?
All research papers based on HST data must carry the following footnote:
"Based on observations with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope,
obtained at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by
the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under
NASA contract NAS5-26555."
- How should I acknowledge the GO grant in my publications?
At the end of the text you should add the following: " Support for this
work was provided by NASA through grant number ______ from the Space
Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by the Association of
Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under NASA contract
NAS5-26555."
- Is there a repository of HST-related publications?
The library of the Space Telescope Science Institute would like to
receive a preprint of any research paper based on HST data. The address
is:
Library
Space Telescope Science Institute
3700 San Martin Drive
Baltimore, MD 21218
USA
- How should I acknowledge the use of GASP?
We request the acknowledgment of the use of GASP and of any staff
member that honored special requests in your resulting publications
(as well as sending us a preprint/reprint of them) using the following
phrase: "[Astrometry/Finder Chart(s)/Photometry] obtained using the
Guide Stars Selection System Astrometric Support Program developed at
the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI is operated by the
Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. for NASA)"
VISIT TO STScI
--------------
- Is it useful to visit STScI for the data analysis?
We strongly recommend that at least the first time you receive HST
data you visit us. We have the facilities to analyze your data. Also,
all your instrument specific queries can be addressed immediately, as
the expertise is in-house. HST data is complex and unless you have had
some experience with it we would strongly advise you to visit us.
- How can I arrange a visit to STScI?
You can call USB at (800)544-8125 if you are in the US or (410)338-4413
from elsewhere, send a message to [email protected], call RSB at
(410)338-4974 or send a message to [email protected]. We request that
you give us 2 weeks advance notice that you are coming.
- Do I have to know IRAF/STSDAS before coming?
No
STScI CONTACTS
--------------
- Where do I call if I have an STSDAS question?
You can call (410)516-5100 or send an e-mail message to
[email protected]
- Where do I call if a have a general analysis question?
You can call (410)338-1082 or send an e-mail message to
[email protected]
- Where do I call if I have questions about the data?
You can call (410)338-1082 or send an e-mail message to
[email protected]
- Where do I call if I have questions about the data distribution?
You can call (410)338-1308 or send an e-mail message to
[email protected]
- Where do I call if I have starcat questions?
You can call (410)338-1082 or send an e-mail message to
[email protected]
- Where do I call if I have GASP questions?
You can call (410)338-1082 or send an e-mail message to
[email protected]
Please read the GASP section at the end of this document for
additional information
- Where do I call for general HST questions?
You can call the User Support Branch of STScI at (800)544-8425 if you
are in the US or (410)338-4413 from elsewhere or send a message to
[email protected] or scivax::usb
ARCHIVAL DATA / STARCAT
-----------------------
- How can I obtain non-proprietary (ie. public) data from the HST archive?
Retrieve the PostScript file "form_dsob2.ps" from STEIS
(in the observer/completed_observations directory). This postscript
file is a form which archival researchers should use to request copies
of HST observations from the archive.
Please contact USB if you have further questions.
- I do not have a PostScript printer, how can I request archival data?
You can send a message a to USB including the following information:
Name; Affiliation; e-mail address; telephone; full postal address for
shipment; rootname of the dataset(s) requested; a brief reason why you
need this data; how you want the tape written
(density: 6250 bpi (default) or 1600 bpi; FITS blocking factor 10
(default) or other; all groups in a single file (default) or each group
in a separate file; data format: IEEE floating point (please read the
notes on this option) or scaled integer).
- I am interested in observations of this object. How can I find out the
dataset names of the observations?
You need to use STARCAT to get this information. Please refer to the
STARCAT Quick Guide and any on-line instructions.
- How can I run STARCAT from my home institution?
Please contact USB to request documentation. If you have access to an
internet node you can telnet to stsci.edu (130.167.1.2), login with
username starcat, no password and follow the instructions given
in the STARCAT Quick Guide.
DOCUMENTATION
-------------
- Is there documentation available?
The following documentation is available. If you are interested in
receiving a copy of any of it, please contact USB.
A User's Guide to STScI Version 1.1 (10/91)
STScI VMS Users Guide (1/91)
STScI UNIX Users Guide (2/91)
STScI Software Guide (1/91)
Space Telescope Electronic Information Service (STEIS)
Instructions (9/91)
The PSF Library (3/6/91)
The TIM Cookbook: A Guide to Making Gourmet PSFs. Release 25 (4/91)
Generating Models for the PSF Library - TIM Version 25 (6/10/91)
TIM Beginner's Guide - Version 2 Software Release 25 (4/10/91)
TIM User Manual - Manual Version 7 Software Release 25 (4/1/91)
Tiny TIM User's Manual Version 2.0 (4/92)
The Archive Manual (5/92)
STSDAS Calibration Guide (11/91)
STScI Site Guide for IRAF and STSDAS (11/91)
STSDAS User's Guide (11/91)
Synphot User's Guide (11/90)
HST Calibration Notes Version 1.0 (5/89)
FGS Instrument Handbook Version 3.0 (4/92)
FOC Instrument Handbook Version 3.0 (4/92)
FOS Instrument Handbook Version 2.0 (4/92)
GHRS Instrument Handbook Version 3.0 (1/92)
HSP Instrument Handbook Version 3.0 (4/92)
OTA Instrument Handbook Version 1.0 (5/90)
WF/PC Instrument Handbook Version 3.0 (4/92)
FOC SV Report
FOS SV Report
GHRS SV Report
WF/PC SV Report
HST Cycle 3 Call for Proposals (5/92)
Phase I Proposal Instructions Version 2.0 (5/92)
Target Acquisition Handbooks Version 3.0 (1/92)
Cycle 1 Calibration Plan Version 1.0 (5/90)
The GO and GTO Observing Programs Version 2.0 (5/91)
HST Cycle 2 Proposal Submissions - Updated Technical Information
(5/23/91)
RPSS User's Manual Version 5.3 (1/92)
RPSS Software Installation Manual Version 2.0 (6/89)
Instructions for the use of the RPSS Resource Estimator Version 2.0
(12/91)
Phase II Proposal Instructions Version 4.0G (1/92)
Phase II Instructions for the Solar System Target List Version 2.0
(6/89)
- Where can I ask for documents?
You can contact USB at (800)544-8425, if you are in the US
or (410)338-4413 from elsewhere or by sending a message to [email protected]
or scivax::usb
SOFTWARE IRAF / STSDAS
-----------------------
- How can I obtain IRAF and STSDAS?
IRAF has to be requested from NOAO. You can obtain it electronically
by anonymous ftp from noao.edu, or request a tape by sending a message
to [email protected], by e-mail or by mail to
IRAF Release, NOAO, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, AZ 85726, USA.
You can obtain the latest release of STSDAS or any of the updates from
stsci.edu by anonymous ftp, by sending a message to [email protected]
or by mail to STSDAS, STScI, 3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218,
USA.
- Will IRAF/STSDAS run on my machine?
There are releases of IRAF/STSDAS for the following systems: HP Apollo,
DECstation, DG/AOSVS, SUN (386i, 3 and 4), VAX/BSD, VAX/ULTRIX, VAX/VMS
Silicon Graphics and Mac II under A/UX. There is a port but limited
support for the versions running on Alliant Convex and other HP systems.
- What do I do if it does not run?
Contact NOAO or STScI at the addresses given above. In the case of
STSDAS you can also call (410)516-8400
GASP
----
- Is GASP available to anyone for any kind of projects?
We are presently unable to support GASP requests for non-HST related
work. We have neither the personnel nor the resources to do so. If you
plan to visit STScI you can do the work yourself on a non-interference
basis with other ongoing GASP activities. This will usually involve
working at night or on weekends. STScI cannot offer any financial
support for this activity.
- I have to complete my Phase II proposal and need some GASP information. How
and where do I send it?
The format for submitting GASP request coordinates is :
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
12345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890
OBJECTNAME1 11 22 33.456 0.00000 +12 34 56.78 0.0000 1950.0
OBJECTNAME2 22 33 44.567 0.00000 - 1 01 02.34 0.0000 1950.0
All values must be in the columns as shown above. There should be a
space before the first letter of the object id, as shown. The object
id should not contain invalid characters for VMS filenames (such as '+'
or '$'). There should not be any tabs.
The columns with 0.00000 are proper motion columns, and they should
remain 0.00000. The minus signs should remain in the same columns as
shown. The seconds for both RA and DEC must contain a decimal point
in the proper column. Be sure to include the equinox.
Please send your requests to [email protected] or scivax::gasp.
Daniel Golombek RSB/SCARS
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