HST Searchform Help

The main search interface is divided into three pages which can be reached by the tabs in the top left corner. It is always possible to return to the previous tab to change the input there.

  • The first tab is the actual Query form. It offers two major ways of entering search parameters: A one-line query field on the top which allows for free-form text entry and a traditional search mask below, where the search parameters are entered into the appropriate search fields.
  • The result of the query will be displayed in the Result table tab, where it is possible to sort and filter the result set further.
  • Marked datasets are expanded into a list of science data files in the Get Data and can then immediately be downloaded.

Search results can furthermore be altered by unchecking any of the topmost checkboxes on the query page.


Checkboxes

  • The Archive checkboxes can be unchecked to avoid getting results from the classic HST archive, the Hubble Legacy Archive or the High Level Science Products. The default is to show results from all three in one table.
  • The Type Checkbox can be unchecked to reveal all non-science data in a search. The default is to hide all calibration, test and commissioning data
  • Uncheck the Availability checkbox to search and display the meta-data of proprietary or otherwise unavailable exposures as well. Some result columns are not populated for unavailable data, and can not be used in searches.
  • Members of associations are hidden in the result table by default. Uncheck this box to display their meta-data as well. The member data files will always be included when an association is requested.

One-line Query

The one-line query box in the top of the search screen allows for free form text input which immediately is parsed. It offers feedback to the user how the input is interpreted and offers auto-completion.  

It is also possible to construct more complex queries using keywords, operators, and parentheses. Search parameters can be entered in the format:

   [keyword] [operator] value
where both "keyword" and "operator" are optional. Values can be joined with the logical operators (and, or) and with parentheses.

  • Non-numerical keywords accept wild-cards (*, ?, and []) and quotes (").
  • Numerical keywords accept ranges min..max, with either min or max optional.

All available operators are listed under Query help in the interface. Omitted keywords are deduced from the value (numerical keywords might need a unit to be recognised).

Example of query with searc parameters dragged in

Search keywords can also conveniently be dragged & dropped in from the search mask below.

Other examples of input:

M42 box=20arcmin WFPC2 F606W F300W >200sec casertano  (NGC 220 or NGC201) imaging 200nm..400nm 12:52:54 -29:27:17 acs hrc 2002-05-14..2002-06-14 (title="hubble deep field" and pi=wil*) or (title="ultra deep field" and spectroscopy

Constraints entered into this one-line query field are combined with those entered into the search mask below.


Search Mask

The query form below the one-line intarface offers a traditional search mask approach.

All available search meta-data is shown in separate fields, grouped logically into the spacial, temporal and time domain plus observatory specific metadata. Please note the following features: 

  • Most fields will initially be collapsed, but will be revealed by clicking the arrow icon or the text. Collapsing a field removes it from the search.
  • Ranges and mathematical operators are also allowed as input, please refer to Query help in the interface for a list of all available operators.
  • A description with example values for each field is available if you hover the mouse cursor over the text. These help texts are also available as a overview on this page .
  • The Target (Simbad) field will attempt to resolve any input immediately. The frame of the field will light up green if Simbad was able to assign a position on the sky.

The Result Table

The result tab initially shows a compact table with the results. It is now possible to:

  • Page through the results or show more results per page.
  • Add more columns of meta-data by dragging them above the red divider in the list below the result table.
  • Sort by the the values of a column ascending or descending by clicking the header row.
  • Filtering the results by adding search terms (operators optional) in the box at the top of a column.
  • Mark rows of datasets you want to retrieve and press the Fetch marked datasets button to advance to the Get Data tab. Please note that the Select all rows button only will only affect the rows visible on the current page of results.

Hovering the mouse cursor over the preview link will bring up a small popup with a preview image of the data. Clicking the link will bring up a larger preview image. Links inside the popup likewise allow to download preview images in JPG/PNG or FITS format and will also offer the possibility to view the data in Aladdin or VOspec. 

Hovering over the Pedigree link will reveal the members of a HST datasets and the heritage of any high level science product. 

It is possible to download the result table in VO-Table format, press the Programmatic access link to see how.


Get Data

Data marked for retrieval will be listed here and it is possible to choose the type of files one is interested in. The default is to download calibrated data only.

The standard method to retrieve data is with the Download Manager, a small Java application which allows to download several files at once. The individual files are available by URL-based access and it is also possible to fetch them directly with a browser or command line tools such as wget. The download manager can generate the full list of URLs to access.   

It is of course not strictly necessary to go to the query interface if the dataset names are known already. For direct programmatic access to the data please consult this page .