Getting Started

Launched on June 24, 1999, the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) is a high-dispersion spectroscopic mission. The instrument is optimized for the wavelength region 905-1185 Å and is particularly suitable for studies of interstellar atomic and molecular lines, heavy hydrogen abundances, the OVI resonance lines in hot stars, and the redshifted 584Å ("helium H-alpha") line of neutral helium in distant galaxies.

Unlike most astronomical space platforms, FUSE consists of four four coaligned telescopes, each of which brings light to its own spectroscopic optical elements and are focused on one of two detectors. This segmented instrumental configuration serves to increase the telescope's effective aperture at low cost and to optimize detecting efficiency in different wavelength regions. Its capabilities make FUSE a natural follow-on mission to the earlier Copernicus, IUE, HUT, EUVE platforms.

A user can search for FUSE data by Observation or by Exposure. The user will note that some of the datasets will have the "Mark" column shaded in yellow. This means that the data are still proprietary and users must be authorized to retreive those data during the proprietary period. Users may mark desired images from the search results page and then click on the button labeled "Submit marked data for retrieval from STDADS". This will take you to a page where you may designate the types of files you would like to request.

If you wish to retrieve proprietary FUSE data you must have an FUSE (HST) archive user account to retrieve this data from the DADS system. Registration instructions can be found in the how to retrieve FUSE data page or you may go straight to the registration form. You may use your registered account name to retrieve public data, or you may choose to retrieve data using the "anonymous" option.

Before investigating data, the observer should be aware of several caveats which are unique to FUSE and can affect the spectral quality. In the near future preview (quick-look) spectral images will be available for an investigator to assess the quality and possible problems for a given exposure. The Observer's News page should also be consulted for recent changes in the status of FUSE instrument or pipeline processing of data or for answers to FAQs.