The original data can be accessed using the GSFC IBM 3081 mainframe computer and analyzed using the HEAO-B (Einstein) SSS software package. The data were originally archived on the so-called HME tapes and the present SSSHME catalog is a listing of the SSS data in this archive. The SSSHME listing can be used, for example, to find out precisely when a target was observed; also, by comparison with the SSS database, one can discover which observations were included in the SSS file of a particular source on a particular day. No data product is associated with this catalog. People who are interested in accessing the complete SSS database should get in touch with the SSSHME contact person.
There are typographical errors in this listing, as some of the information was apparently hand-entered. For example, some of the positions are incorrect, as can be found by a comparison with the Einstein aspect solutions for the same time period. Also, the source naming convention is not consistent and different observations of the same source may well be referred to by different names. Thus, searches by name should always be accompanied by searches on coordinates. The SSSHME listing contains observations up to day 660 (1979, day 295 = Oct 22). However, the SSS cryostat ran dry sometime between day 641 and day 651, so that all observations made on and after day 651 (1979, day 286 = Oct 13) are, in fact, useless.
Name The name of the source. Time The start date and time of the observation. MSStart The start time of the observation in milliseconds. End_Time The end date and time of the observation. MSStop The end time of the observation in milliseconds. Exposure_Time The total exposure time of the observation, in seconds. RA The right ascension of the observation. Dec The declination of the observation. LII The galactic longitude of the observation. BII The galactic latitude of the observation. Tape_Num The number of the original IBM data tape. File_Num The file number of the observation, on the original IBM data tape. Seq_Num Sequence number of the observation. Class EXOSAT internal object class flag.