List of Figures

• The ISO spacecraft
• Definition of the spacecraft axes
• Telescope design
• Focal plane map
• An ISO revolution
• An ISO Orbit
• Sky visibility for the entire mission
• Sky visibility relevant for this Supplemental Call
• Spectral resolution for photometry and spectroscopy
• Straylight from near-field bright point-like source
• Mapping with ISO

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

This document, version 3.0 of the ISO OBSERVER'S MANUAL, describes the observing capabilities of ISO. Updates to the pre-launch version (2.0) of this document are given in slanted, where the most important are additionally indicated by . Here, the proposer will get familiar with the various aspects of the ISO mission and infrared astronomy from space and will learn about the observing capabilities of ISO. The policies and procedures for application for observing time are described in the SUPPLEMENTAL CALL FOR OBSERVING PROPOSALS - POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.

This document, together with the four instrument manuals, provide all information to understand 1) the capabilities and also the constraints of the observatory, and 2) the considerations to be taken into account when making a proposal. Before consulting the instrument manuals, the observer should first read this document since it contains essential details of the observing modes described in the instrument manuals.

This manual is organized in three parts:

• ISO MISSION ASPECTS - The satellite and the ground segment are introduced.
• INFRARED ASTRONOMY FROM SPACE - This part contains astronomical information relevant to observations with ISO.
• OBSERVING WITH ISO - The available spacecraft modes for observations with ISO are discussed.