This is the home for MAST User reference documentation. This collection of documents includes new user guides as well as updated and reorganized versions of old documents. The content on these pages features improved organization, and makes it easier to navigate and search for critical information on: the substantial MAST holdings; interfaces for searching, browsing, and retrieving data; mission-specific tools; and on seeking help when you need it.
Some MAST documentation is still being migrated from the old platform, and will appear here when ready. In the meantime, links to older content will be provided where necessary.
MAST Document Guide
The following table summarizes where to look for MAST documentation on this platform.
| Space | Description |
|---|---|
MAST Docs (This space) | Up-to-date manuals and user guides for MAST search and data exploration tools, and a guide for users who wish to contribute data collections. |
| MAST Data Holdings | Descriptions of MAST data holdings (all catalogs, all missions), summary of data file semantic types, and links to catalog search interfaces. |
| MAST Home Page | High-level summaries of hosted missions, catalogs, publishing resources, data policies, and summaries of HLSP collections. |
Search and Discovery Web Applications
Here is a comparison of MAST tools for searching and retrieving data.
| Application | Searchable Data | Functional Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Portal | All hosted missions, Selected catalogs: GAIA DR3, Hubble Source Catalog, TIC, Virtual Observatory | Data visualization tools, data product selection, access to calibration reference files (for HST and JWST), data subscriptions and notifications for active missions, cross-matching with user-defined source lists. Direct download of data through the browser. |
| MAST Mission Search | HST, JWST Various HLSPs | Query for observations with a larger range of criteria than is possible in the Portal. Generate equivalent command-line queries for scripted access to data. Direct download of data through the browser. |
| Classic Mission Searches | Individual missions only |
Available Manuals
The available documents now include the following; they are also listed in the navigation panel on the left-hand side of these pages.
- Archive Support
- Portal Guide
- JWST Archive Manual
- Mission Search Guide
- HLSP Contributor Guide
- Jdaviz Guide
- Cloud Services Manual
- HST Classic Migration Manual