Chapter 1
Getting HST Data

This chapter describes how to obtain Hubble Space Telescope (HST) data files. Both Guest Observers (GO) and Archival Researchers can receive data in either of two ways:

• Electronically over the Internet from the Hubble Data Archive, where data are stored immediately after they pass through HST pipeline processing.
• On a data tape generated from the Archive. To retrieve data electronically you must first register with the Archive. If you wish to retrieve proprietary data associated with a particular proposal you must also request authorization to retrieve data from that proposal. Tapes, if requested, are sent to Principal Investigators automatically. This chapter explains how to search the Archive for datasets of interest, how to retrieve data electronically from the Archive, and how to read a typical GO data tape.