Dear SAX user, This is message includes the following five topics: 1. Status of scientific payload 2. List of SAX observations performed up to August 31 1996 3. Status of SAX AO1 timeline 4. Status of SAX software for data analysis 5. New "tools" available on the Web Paolo Giommi & Fabrizio Fiore SAX SDC =================================================================== 1. Status of scientific payload -------------------------------- All SAX scientific instruments are performing nominally. The LECS is currently only being operated when the satellite is in nighttime. This implies a reduction in observation efficiency. At the moment targets are scheduled during intervals of maximum LECS efficiency (when the sun angle is between approximately 100 and 120 degrees). We expect this constraint to be relaxed once investigations to determine the LECS daytime viewing constraints are completed. 2. List of SAX observations performed up to August 31 1996 ----------------------------------------------------------- NFI pointings: Field Program Date Cyg X-1 C, F 1996/06/22-25 North Pole deep pointing 1 C 1996/06/25-26 North Pole deep pointing 2 C 1996/07/01-05 NGC 4151 SVP 1996/07/06-09 Vela X-1 SVP 1996/07/14 Virgo Cluster/M87 SVP 1996/07/14-15 3C273 SVP 1996/07/18-21 Cyg X-2 SVP 1996/07/23 Her X-1 SVP 1996/07/24-28 MCG-6-30-15 SVP 1996/07/29-08/03 Cas A SVP 1996/08/07 Sco X-1 SVP 1996/08/08 4U1626-67 SVP 1996/08/09-10 Cen X-3 SVP 1996/08/14 MS0158.5+0019 AO1 1996/08/16 Terzan 2 AO1 1996/08/17 GX 1+4 AO1 1996/08/18 WFC pointings Field Program Date GX301-2 field SVP-WFC1 1996/07/21-22 GX301-2 field SVP-WFC2 1996/07/28-29 Cygnus field SVP-WFC1 1996/08/03-05 Cen X-3 field SVP-WFC2 1996/08/11-14 Sco X-1 SVP-WFC1 1996/08/15 Galactic Center SVP-WFC2 1996/08/22-31 C = Commissioning phase; F = First light; SVP = Science Verification Phase; AO1 = Annonuncement of Opportunity 1 3. Status of SAX AO1 timeline ------------------------------ The observation timeline (including the end of SVP and AO1 programs) has been produced and frozen for the period 1 September - 31 October 1996. The timeline will soon be available on line from our web pages (http://www.sdc.asi.it/). 4. Status of SAX software for data analysis -------------------------------------------- Software for SAX data analysys is mostly ready and it is currently being tested/used on SVP data at SAX SDC and at the institutes of the SAX consortium. Detailed on line documentation is available at http://www.sdc.asi.it/software/ Part of the documentation is being finalized and may still be subject to frequent modifications/updates. 5. New "tools" available on the Web ------------------------------------ We provide a set of general purpose Web tools to better support SAX observers. The list of tools include (available at http://www.sdc.asi.it/tools.html): * WWW PIMMS (count rate/exposure time estimation for SAX, ASCA, XTE, ROSAT instruments, based on HEASARC command driven PIMMS). * WWW Viewing (target visibility for SAX, ASCA, XTE, ROSAT, HST, based on HEASARC command driven viewing). * Name to Coordinate Conversion (supports a local database including over 350,000 names, SIMBAD and NED). * SAX Image Simulator (to simulate SAX MECS and LECS observations. Makes use of known logN-logS and/or data from ROSAT WGACAT and ROSAT All Sky Survey, Bright Source Catalog. * SAX SDC WWW NED interface (a simple WWW interface to popular NED service, with transparent links to the NASA ADS). * Proposal Form Preparation (a tool to support SAX observers in the preparation and submission of proposals. ....soon to come!!!: ** Improved Image Simulator, capable to generate event files, making use of XSPEC-like spectral models, supporting extended sources simulations. ** General Purpose WWW Catalog Browser, including over 130 catalogs, logs, etc., providing several types of searches and cross-correlations between catalogs.