ISOPHOT - CAPABILITIES AND PERFORMANCE

ISOPHOT covers the largest wavelength range on ISO from 2.5 to 240 mu m. Its scientific capabilities include multi filter and multi-aperture photometry, polarimetry, imaging and spectrophotometry. All modes can optionally include a focal plane chopper. The backbone of the photome tric calibration are internal standard sources checked against celesti al primary standards. The instrument is in excellent condition with al l components functioning properly. There is increased detector noise d ue to the ionizing cosmic radiation affecting the detectability of the faintest sources. All lessons learnt from operating the instrument in space are continuously being implemented in the standard data reducti on software packages available to every observer. Particular strengths of the instrument include tile detectability of very cold sources, hi gh resolution mapping and fast spectrophotometry. The far infrared ser endipity sky survey performed during slews of the satellite has succes sfully started.