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ROSAT's solar panels stay fixed with respect to the XRT axis
(see Figure 2.1 
).
In order to maintain sufficient power supply the solar panels must always
be pointed within a 
cone around the Sun. Consequently, the
sky accessible to ROSAT at any given time is a
band perpendicular
to the solar vector; this corresponds to approximately 26 percent of the
whole sky. Due to the solar motion, this viewing swath covers
the whole sky in a period
of six months. Targets in the vicinity of the plane of the ecliptic
can be observed twice a year for about 30 days, whereas targets in the
vicinity of the poles of the ecliptic can be observed at all times.