The coverage maps for each UKIDSS data release are provided below in Multi Order Coverage format (as .fits files), which is based on HEALPix partitioning of regions. Each UKIDSS survey has maps for individual passbands as well as maps of "complete" coverage (areas observed in all the discrete passbands) or "any" coverage (areas observed in at least one passband). These maps are generated from the source tables from the different UKIDSS surveys, and do not represent exact pixel coverage. They are available in both high and low resolution levels, whereby the high resolution maps provide more accurate coverage information (at the cost of slower visualization performance). Coverage maps have also been generated for surveys mirrored at WFAU, such as SDSS, but these maps are not based on individual passbands and instead simply represent areas where each particular survey has point source data.
These coverage maps can be viewed in the Aladin software tool. They can be layered and compared to visually identify areas of coverage. The simplest and fastest way to do this is to download and start up the Aladin software, and then reload this page in a SAMP compatible web browser (Firefox 3.6+, Chrome 7.0+, Internet Explorer 8+, and Safari 5.0+). SAMP is a software communication protocol developed by the IVOA that allows different astronomy related software tools to interact, and it is built into the Aladin software. Once Aladin is running use the collapsible lists on this webpage to locate the maps you wish to view. If SAMP is working you will see buttons next to each map, and clicking on these buttons with send the maps directly to Aladin for viewing (the first time you do this you will receive a warning message from Aladin, and you need to click "yes"). If your browser is not SAMP capable, or you want to keep a copy of the map for yourself, simply use the standard "Download" links provided to save a copy on your computer.
Once the map(s) are loaded into Aladin you can pan and zoom to view different parts of the sky. By default, the maps are displayed in a wireframe format that allows easy manipulation but also can make it hard to locate small regions of non-coverage within larger regions. To fix this: right click on the desired layer (map) and select "Properties", and in the dialog box change the "Drawing Method" to "solid frame". You can also change the color of the layer in this dialog box. When displayed in solid frame format gaps in coverage are easily identifiable as whitespace, though you may have to zoom in to locate them.
Also note that it is more difficult to spot coverage gaps at lower zoom levels in the high resolution maps. These gaps are easier to see from a distance in the low resolution maps, though the accuracy of coverage area is also lower.
When the maps first open in Aladin they might not be visible, as the view is centred somewhere outside the coverage area. To jump to an area where coverage is visible use the "Recentre" button provided on this page for each map. It can also help to turn on the "grid" overlay for easier visual navigation bu clicking on the "grid" button on the bottm left side of the Aladin viewer.
Maps Available
Latest UKIDSS Release - DR10 (GPS proprietary until June 2016, other surveys currently public)
Large Area Survey (LAS)
Any Band (coverage in Y or H or J1 or K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
All Bands (coverage in Y and H and J1 and K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
J1 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
J2 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
K Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
Galactic Plane Survey (GPS) (Proprietary until June 2016)
Any Band (coverage H or J or K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
All Bands (coverage in H and J and K1): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
H2 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
K_1 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
K_2 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
Galactic Cluster Survey (GCS)
Any Band (coverage in Z or Y or H or J or K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
All Bands (coverage in Z and Y and H and J and K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
Z Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
K1 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
K2 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
Deep Extra-galactic Survey (DXS)
Any Band (coverage in H or J or K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
J and K Bands (coverage in J and K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
K Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
Ultra Deep Survey (UDS)
Any Band (coverage in H or J or K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
K Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
Previous Fully Public UKIDSS Release - DR8
Large Area Survey (LAS)
Any Band (coverage in Y or H or J1 or K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
All Bands (coverage in Y and H and J1 and K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
J1 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
J2 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
K Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
Galactic Plane Survey (GPS)
Any Band (coverage H or J or K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
All Bands (coverage in H and J and K1): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
H2 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
K1 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
K2 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
Galactic Cluster Survey (GCS)
Any Band (coverage in Z or Y or H or J or K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
All Bands (coverage in Z and Y and H and J and K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res
Z Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
Y Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
H Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
J Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
K1 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
K2 Band: Downloads - High Res, Low Res
Deep Extra-galactic Survey (DXS)
Any Band (coverage in H or J or K): Downloads - High Res, Low Res