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2 Overview on sensitivity limits

Table 1 gives a comparison between the pre-flight and in-flight sensitivity limits. The in-flight values were derived from dedicated observations. All sensitivity limits refer to S/N=1, 256 sec on-source integration time, 1 reference background position at 1 aperture distance. Column 1 lists the detector used. Column 2 lists the most sensitive filters that are also frequently used for calibration purposes. Column 3 lists the apertures which are frequently used for calibrations; in case of an array the pixel size of the array is given. Columns 4 and 5 list the 1tex2html_wrap_inline285 sensitivities. The ``background'' (column 6) gives the typical sky background considered in the calculation. The last column lists the main source of noise causing the limit.

For the quoted in-flight sensitivities conservative numbers were chosen. Under good observing conditions with a minimum of glitches due to space weather activity and with an appropriate data reduction better values can be achieved.

 table36



U. Klaas, P. Ábrahám, M. Haas, U. Herbstmeier and R.J. Laureijs