WFPC2 Instrument Handbook

1998 Update

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• E-mail: help@stsci.edu

• Phone: (410) 338-1082

Information, software tools, and other resources are available on the WFPC2 World Wide Web page:

• URL: http://www.stsci.edu/ftp/instrument_news/WFPC2/top_wfpc2.html

Contents

CHAPTER 1: - Introduction

1.1 - Instrument Overview

1.2 - Which Instrument to Use: WFPC2, FOC, NICMOS, or STIS?

1.3 - History of WFPC2

1.4 - The Previous vs. Current Generation: WF/PC-1 vs. WFPC2

1.5 - Organization of this Handbook

1.6 - What's New in Version 4.0

1.7 - WFPC2 Handbook on the WWW

1.8 - The Help Desk at STScI

1.9 - Further Information

CHAPTER 2: - Instrument Description

2.1 - Science Objectives

2.2 - WFPC2 Configuration, Field-of-View, and Resolution

2.3 - Overall Instrument Description

2.4 - Quantum Efficiency

2.5 - Shutter

2.6 - Serial Clocks

2.7 - Overhead Times

2.8 - CCD Orientation and Readout

2.9 - Calibration Channel

CHAPTER 3: - Optical Filters

3.1 - Introduction

3.2 - Choice of Broad Band Filters

3.3 - Linear Ramp Filters

3.4 - Redshifted [OII] Quad Filters

3.5 - Polarizer Quad Filter

3.6 - Methane Quad Filter

3.7 - Wood's Filters

3.8 - Red Leaks in UV Filters

3.9 - Apertures

CHAPTER 4: - CCD Performance

4.1 - Introduction

4.2 - Quantum Efficiency

4.3 - Dynamic Range

4.4 - Bright Object Artifacts

4.5 - Residual Image

4.6 - Quantum Efficiency Hysteresis

4.7 - Flat Field Response

4.8 - Dark Backgrounds

4.9 - Cosmic Rays

4.10 - Radiation Damage and Hot Pixels

4.11 - Charge Transfer Efficiency

4.12 - Read Noise and Gain Settings

CHAPTER 5: - Point Spread Function

5.1 - Effects of OTA Spherical Aberration

5.2 - Aberration Correction

5.3 - Wavefront Quality

5.4 - CCD Pixel Response Function

5.5 - Model PSFs

5.6 - PSF Variations with Field Position

5.7 - PSF Variations with Time

5.8 - Large Angle Scattering

5.9 - Ghost Images

5.10 - Optical Distortion

CHAPTER 6: - System Throughput and SNR / Exposure Time Estimation

6.1 - System Throughput

6.2 - On-Line Exposure Time Calculator

6.3 - Target Count Rates

6.4 - Sky Background

6.5 - Signal-to-Noise Ratio Estimation

6.6 - Exposure Time Estimation

6.7 - Sample SNR Calculations

6.8 - Red Leaks in UV Filters

6.9 - Time Dependence of UV Response

CHAPTER 7: - Observation Strategies

7.1 - Observing Faint Targets

7.2 - Observing Bright Targets

7.3 - Observing Faint Targets Near Bright Objects

7.4 - Cosmic Rays

7.5 - Choosing Exposure Times

7.6 - Dither Strategies

7.7 - Pointing Accuracy

7.8 - CCD Position and Orientation on Sky

7.9 - Polarization Observations

7.10 - Observing with Linear Ramp Filters

7.11 - Emission Line Observations of Galaxy Nuclei

CHAPTER 8: - Calibration and Data Reduction

8.1 - Calibration Observations and Reference Data

8.2 - Flat Fields

8.3 - Dark Frames

8.4 - Bias Frames

8.5 - Data Reduction and Data Products

8.6 - Pipeline Processing

8.7 - Fluxes and Standard Magnitudes

8.8 - Color Transformations of Primary Photometric Filters

8.9 - Cycle 5 Calibration Plan

8.10 - Cycle 6 Calibration Plan

CHAPTER 9: - References

9.1 - References

9.2 - Instrument Science Reports

APPENDIX A: - Passband Plots

A.1 - Passbands for each Filter in Isolation

A.2 - Passbands including the System Response

A.3 - Normalized Passbands including the System Response

APPENDIX B: - Point Source SNR Plots

B.1 - Plots for Estimating Point Source SNR

APPENDIX C: - Acronyms

Index