PROCEDURE: 1w TITLE: Basic Monitor (WFC) CATEGORY: Monitor PURPOSE: Measure basic performance parameters of CCDs. These are - dark count rate, read out noise, bias level, gain, and cosmetic defect position and fraction. FREQUENCY: Run after every major change, e.g. temp, gain setting. DETECTOR: WFC PREREQUISITES: None HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS: SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: standard stats analysis tool stsdas.hst_calib.wfpc.noisemodel (improved vers.) stsdas.hst_calib.ctools.msbadpix COMMAND MODE: SMS PROCEDURE/EXPOSURES: Tungsten lamp (#2) on "standard" filter selected : Johnson b 1. bias 0 s 2. dark 1375 s 3. flat 1.0 s 4. flat 1.0 s 5. flat 2.0 s 6. flat 2.0 s 7. bias 0 s 8. dark 1375 s VARIANTS: a- gain = 1 b- gain = 2 c- gain = 8 TOTAL EXPOSURES: 8 TOTAL TIME: setup + 8*overhead + 2706s = 2.25 hr (setup = 10min, overhead = 10min) ANALYSIS: (1) Run statistical analysis tool on all images (calculates mean & rms in boxes, for each amp). For the biases this gives a first estimate of readnoise and bias level. For dark this gives estimate of dark-rate. (2) Subtract mean overscan or bias level (or master bias frame made by combining lots of biasses, if one is handy) from all frames.. (3) Use all 8 images as input to noise model program. This will calculate readnoise and gain from image pairs taken at the same exposure levels by modelling the light transfer curve. (4) Combine multiple exposures to remove CRs. Gives one of each bias, dark, 1s flat, 2s flat. (5) Find bad pixels as those that deviate by (say) 5sigma in either a. combined bias (mostly hot pixels) b. combined dark (mostly hot pixels) c. ratio of combined (bias subtracted) flats 1s/2s (other pixels that don't FF). (5) Compare derived parameters with previously determined values. Compare bias and darks before and after flats to check for flouresence, delayed charge. Plot results as a function of date, T_CCD, T_env. Note trends, ring alarm bells for serious discrepencies.