Spacecraft off-pointing angles (δ) most relevant for the Metis operations and safety. The Metis heat shield door operations are related to the four areas of the plot: (1) Metis science operations allowed, offset < α_max; (2) Metis external occulter cone is illuminated, α_max< offset < β_max, no harm to instrument, science data to be evaluated on ground; (3) Metis can stand indefinite off-pointing, β_max< offset < β_therm; (4) Metis is put on Safe mode and door closed, offset > β_therm. The descending solid curve represents ρ_Sun, the angular size of the solar radius R_⊙.