2.4.3 Fill Out an Astronomical Observation Template

Select an AOT from the Observation menu. The instrument configuration and integration time parameters are entered in the AOT form. In Cycle-4 nine distinct AOTs are available for Spitzer observations. We provide complete worked examples of seven AOT types in the chapters that follow. An example of the Total Power and MIPS Enhanced Photometry AOT may be included in a future edition of the Cookbook.

IRAC Mapping:

The IRAC AOT is used for simultaneous imaging at 3.6, 4.5, 5.8 and 8.0 microns, over the two $\sim 5\hbox{$.\!\!^{\prime}$}2 \times 5\hbox{$.\!\!^{\prime}$}2$ fields of view. See §4 (deep imaging) and §10 (wide-field, shallow imaging).

IRS Staring Mode Spectroscopy:

The IRS staring mode is used for low-resolution, long-slit spectroscopy $(R = 62-124)$ from 5.3 to 40 microns and high-resolution spectroscopy $(R=600)$ from 10 to 37 microns. It also returns images from the IRS Peak-Up array. See §6.

IRS Spectral Mapping:

The IRS Spectral Mapping AOT is used to configure a grid of map positions around a central target position and obtain spectra at each position

IRS Peak-Up Imaging:

The IRS Peak-Up Imaging AOT is used to obtain images from the Peak-Up array, which has a field-of-view of approximately 1 arcminute square and two filters covering $13.3-18.7 \; \mu {\rm m}$ and $18.5-26 \; \mu {\rm m}$. As of CP-2 this mode is now available. See §8.

MIPS Photometry/Super Resolution:

The MIPS Photometry and Super Resolution AOT is used for imaging photometry at 24, 70 and 160 microns. See §5.

MIPS Scan Map:

The MIPS Scan Map AOT is used for large field maps at 24, 70 and 160 microns. The maps are constructed using slow telescope scanning, combined with motion compensation using a cryogenic scan mirror. Maps are built up of 5.1 arcminute wide strips between 0.5 and 6 degrees in length. See §9.

MIPS Spectral Energy Distribution:

The MIPS Spectral Energy Distribution AOT is used for very low resolution $(R\sim20)$ spectroscopy covering 55-95 microns using the MIPS 70 micron Ge:Ga array. See §12.

MIPS Total Power Mode:

The MIPS Total Power Mode AOT provides zero-level-reference observations at $24$, $70$, and $160 \; \mu {\rm m}$ for absolute brightness of extended sources.