This page provides an overview on how to use the MAST Mission Search to find MAST data collections. The description of each form component on this page is based on the HST search.
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This chapter summarizes the field guide to the major components of the Mission Search. There are three main areas: the search form, the search results table, and the download overlay. Each numbered box in these figures is described in a corresponding numbered subsection below.
Figure 1 – The Search form window for Hubble, where numbered highlights correspond to areas where various search parameters and constraints are specified, and where searches are initiated. |
The search form is where users specify the search parameters and constraints to create their search. The available search options include:
Spatial cone search based on coordinates and/or object names,
Each field in this search form provides a tooltip as a quick guidance. Users can hover over each field with their mouse to see the tips. Specific functionality of each component is summarized below.
Object names in this component are used only to resolve into coordinates using a name resolver. |
Use these fields to build advanced searches. Add search constraints based on the most commonly used observation parameters like instrument, proposal information, filter/grating, or start/end times. Each parameter accepts regular expressions, for example, greater than or less than for numerical fields or wildcard characters for string fields. If the default filters on the component do not include the specific parameter needed, see the 'Add Condition' section below for further search options.
Use 'Add Condition' to further constrain the search. Search for a column based on names and descriptions, or scroll through the complete list in the 'Column Name' text box. The search condition can include numerical constraints or wildcard characters for string fields. Use the 'ADD ANOTHER CONDITION' button to add multiple constraints and columns.
Use 'Output Columns' to select which columns to include in the search results. The form is set by default to return a subset recommended by MAST. Use the shortcuts in the upper right to select 'Recommended' (), 'All' (), or 'None'() of the columns. Click in the 'Output Column' box and start typing to search for columns or click the check box in the pop-out menu to select based on its name or description. Remove individual columns from the selected ones by clicking the 'x' next to its name.
The search bar is always located at the bottom of your screen. Clicking the 'SEARCH' button starts the search. Clicking the 'SHOW API QUERY' button generates a script using the Application Programming Interface (API) for MAST Mission Search, based on the search parameters entered into the form. This can be a great way to learn how to construct queries programmatically. Reset the form using the 'CLEAR FORM' button on the left.
Figure 2 – The results table after a search for Hubble data. |
The search results table contains observations that match the search parameters. If a list of targets (object names, coordinates, or dataset names along with other information) is uploaded, all uploaded parameters will be included as additional columns in the results table. See the section Cone Search And Upload List Search for valid file formats.
Figure 3 – The download overlay panel, with selectors or action buttons highlighted in numbered boxes. The overlay selectors vary slightly among missions; this graphic applies to JWST. |
Each dataset contains one or more products (i.e., files), including calibration files, ancillary data, and calibrated files at various levels of processing. It is possible to download specific file types across the datasets or all the files that are available. The download overlay allows filtering by product types, and selection of specific files to download from each dataset. Files that are selected using the checkboxes remain selected to be downloaded even if additional filters are applied in the overlay to make them no longer visible in the overlay. The selectors and action elements are described in detail in the Download Overlay article.