INTEGRAL Science Window Data

Because of the pointing-slew-pointing dithering-nature of INTEGRAL operations, each observation of a celestial target is actually comprised of numerous individual S/C pointings and slews. In addition, there are periods within a given sequence where scheduled observations occur, i.e., engineering windows, yet the instruments still acquire data. The INTEGRAL Science Data Center (ISDC) generalizes all of these data acquisition periods into so-called `Science Windows.' A Science Window (ScW) is a continuous time interval during which all data acquired by the INTEGRAL instruments result from a specific S/C attitude orientation state. Pointing (fixed orientation), Slew (changing orientation), and Engineering (undefined orientation) windows are all special cases of a Science Window. The key is that the same attitude information may be associated with all acquired data of a given Science Window. Note that it is possible to divide a time interval that qualifies as a Science Window under this definition into several smaller Science Windows using arbitrary criteria. The INTEGRAL Science Window Data Catalog allows for the keyed search and selection of sets of Science Windows and the retrieval of the corresponding data products. This database table was first created at the HEASARC in October 2004. It is a slightly modified mirror of the online database maintained by the ISDC at the URL <a href="http://isdc.unige.ch/index.cgi?Data+browse">http://isdc.unige.ch/index.cgi?Data+browse</a> <p> The HEASARC version of this table is updated automatically within a day of the ISDC updating their database table. This is a service provided by NASA HEASARC.