diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index d804647..15ebc88 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
         "aladin-lite": "^3.3.3-beta",
         "axios": "^1.6.0",
         "core-js": "^3.29.0",
-        "json-big": "^1.0.2",
+        "json-bigint": "^1.0.0",
         "pinia": "^2.0.0",
         "pinia-plugin-persistedstate": "^3.2.1",
         "roboto-fontface": "*",
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
         "@pinia/testing": "^0.1.0",
         "@playwright/test": "^1.33.0",
         "@types/jsdom": "^21.1.1",
+        "@types/json-bigint": "^1.0.4",
         "@types/node": "^20.0.0",
         "@types/webfontloader": "^1.6.35",
         "@vitejs/plugin-vue": "^5.0.0",
@@ -1035,6 +1036,12 @@
         "parse5": "^7.0.0"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/@types/json-bigint": {
+      "version": "1.0.4",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@types/json-bigint/-/json-bigint-1.0.4.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-ydHooXLbOmxBbubnA7Eh+RpBzuaIiQjh8WGJYQB50JFGFrdxW7JzVlyEV7fAXw0T2sqJ1ysTneJbiyNLqZRAag==",
+      "dev": true
+    },
     "node_modules/@types/json-schema": {
       "version": "7.0.15",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@types/json-schema/-/json-schema-7.0.15.tgz",
@@ -3706,10 +3713,10 @@
         "node": ">=18"
       }
     },
-    "node_modules/json-big": {
-      "version": "1.0.2",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/json-big/-/json-big-1.0.2.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-o77ndb+SgKSocZ94ewjr0nsJcJw4WIlKQArPjaQhSeZE4dIzXMiwaWDBrw9+xP1ErLwvF960qFaWhASSIIg55Q==",
+    "node_modules/json-bigint": {
+      "version": "1.0.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/json-bigint/-/json-bigint-1.0.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-SiPv/8VpZuWbvLSMtTDU8hEfrZWg/mH/nV/b4o0CYbSxu1UIQPLdwKOCIyLQX+VIPO5vrLX3i8qtqFyhdPSUSQ==",
       "dependencies": {
         "bignumber.js": "^9.0.0"
       }
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 49e0c56..5561513 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
     "aladin-lite": "^3.3.3-beta",
     "axios": "^1.6.0",
     "core-js": "^3.29.0",
-    "json-big": "^1.0.2",
+    "json-bigint": "^1.0.0",
     "pinia": "^2.0.0",
     "pinia-plugin-persistedstate": "^3.2.1",
     "roboto-fontface": "*",
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
     "@pinia/testing": "^0.1.0",
     "@playwright/test": "^1.33.0",
     "@types/jsdom": "^21.1.1",
+    "@types/json-bigint": "^1.0.4",
     "@types/node": "^20.0.0",
     "@types/webfontloader": "^1.6.35",
     "@vitejs/plugin-vue": "^5.0.0",
diff --git a/src/axios.ts b/src/axios.ts
index 6a1ca47..3739696 100644
--- a/src/axios.ts
+++ b/src/axios.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import axios from 'axios'
-import JSONbig from 'json-big'
+import JSONbig from 'json-bigint'
 
 // Defines the API instance in Axios with special handling for big integers.
 const axiosInstance = axios.create({
diff --git a/src/components/ConeSearch.vue b/src/components/ConeSearch.vue
index c159eb6..c113ed5 100644
--- a/src/components/ConeSearch.vue
+++ b/src/components/ConeSearch.vue
@@ -1,18 +1,20 @@
 <template>
+    <v-form ref="form">
     <v-text-field class="pt-2"
       label="Quick Cone Search"
       v-model="searchQuery"
       placeholder="315.014, 35.299, 0.1d"
-      hint="Enter a RA, Dec, radius"
+      hint="Enter an RA, Dec, and optional radius"
       :rules="validationRules"
       @input="validate"
       clearable
       validate-on-blur="true"
       @keyup.enter="onSearch"
+      @click:clear="onClear"
       >
       <template v-slot:prepend>
         <v-icon icon='mdi-help' size='small'
-        v-tippy="{content:'Enter a RA, Dec coordinate and optional radius, in format: [ra],[dec],[number][d/m/s]',
+        v-tippy="{content:'Enter a RA, Dec coordinate (degrees), and optional radius, in format: [ra],[dec],[number][d/m/s]. Default radius is 0.1 degree.',
         placement:'left'}"></v-icon>
       </template>
       <template v-slot:append-inner>
@@ -24,6 +26,7 @@
         </v-btn>
       </template>
     </v-text-field>
+    </v-form>
 </template>
 
 <script lang="ts" setup>
@@ -45,8 +48,11 @@ const validationRules = [
 ];
 
 // parameters
+let form = ref(null)
 let isValid = ref(false)
 let loading = ref(false)
+let regex = /^(\d+(?:\.\d+)?|\d{1,2}d\s\d{1,2}m\s\d{1,2}(?:\.\d+)?s)(,|\s)+([+-]?\d+(?:\.\d+)?|[+-]?\d{1,2}h\s\d{1,2}m\s\d{1,2}(?:\.\d+)?s)(?:(,|\s)+(\d+(?:\.\d+)?[dms]))?$/
+
 
 function validate() {
     // check the validation rules
@@ -55,10 +61,16 @@ function validate() {
 
 function validateInput(value: string): boolean {
     // validate the input string
-    const regex = /^(\d+(?:\.\d+)?|\d{1,2}d\s\d{1,2}m\s\d{1,2}(?:\.\d+)?s),\s*([+-]?\d+(?:\.\d+)?|[+-]?\d{1,2}h\s\d{1,2}m\s\d{1,2}(?:\.\d+)?s)(?:,\s*(\d+(?:\.\d+)?[dms]))?$/;
     return regex.test(value);
 }
 
+function onClear() {
+    // clear the search query
+    searchQuery.value = '';
+    isValid.value = false;
+    form.value.reset();
+}
+
 
 async function onSearch(): Promise<void> {
     // perform the search
@@ -73,10 +85,10 @@ async function onSearch(): Promise<void> {
 
 function parseInput(input: string): [string, string, { radius: number, units: string }] | [] {
     // parse the input string into RA, Dec, and radius
-    const match = input.match(/^(\d+(?:\.\d+)?|\d{1,2}d\s\d{1,2}m\s\d{1,2}(?:\.\d+)?s),\s*([+-]?\d+(?:\.\d+)?|[+-]?\d{1,2}h\s\d{1,2}m\s\d{1,2}(?:\.\d+)?s)(?:,\s*(\d+(?:\.\d+)?[dms]))?$/);
+    const match = input.match(regex);
     if (!match) return [];
 
-    let [ra, dec, radiusStr = "0.1d"] = match.slice(1);
+    let [ra, gap1, dec, gap2, radiusStr = "0.1d"] = match.slice(1);
     let units = 'degree';
     if (radiusStr.endsWith('m')) {
         units = 'arcmin';
diff --git a/src/views/About.vue b/src/views/About.vue
index d638cd1..44a237c 100644
--- a/src/views/About.vue
+++ b/src/views/About.vue
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <!-- How to Use Section -->
       <v-row>
         <v-col cols="12">
-            <v-expansion-panels :value="0">
+            <v-expansion-panels v-model="expanded">
             <v-expansion-panel
                 title="Getting Started"
                 text="Basic instructions on getting started with the website.">
@@ -110,6 +110,7 @@ useStoredTheme()
 
 const theme = useTheme()
 
+const expanded = ref([0]) // Start with the first panel expanded
 const resources = ref([
   {
     title: 'Data Access',
diff --git a/src/views/Search.vue b/src/views/Search.vue
index d0711a8..1360f19 100644
--- a/src/views/Search.vue
+++ b/src/views/Search.vue
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
               hint="Enter a RA, Dec coordinate in [decimal or hmsdms] format"
               :rules="coordRules"
               id="coords"
+              :disabled="coordsDisabled"
             />
           </v-col>
           <v-col md=4>
@@ -24,6 +25,7 @@
                 hint="Enter a search radius"
                 :rules="radiusRules"
                 id="radius"
+                :disabled="coordsDisabled"
             />
           </v-col>
           <v-col md=2>
@@ -33,6 +35,7 @@
                 label="Unit"
                 id="unit"
                 :items="['degree', 'arcmin', 'arcsec']"
+                :disabled="coordsDisabled"
             ></v-select>
           </v-col>
         </v-row>
@@ -46,8 +49,10 @@
               hint="Enter an SDSS identifier"
               :rules="idRules"
               id="id"
+              :disabled="idDisabled"
             />
           </v-col>
+          <!-- cartons and programs dropdown menus -->
           <v-col cols="4" md="4">
             <dropdown-select label="Programs" id="programs" :items="store.programs" v-model="formData.program"/>
           </v-col>
@@ -57,7 +62,8 @@
         </v-row>
 
         <v-row>
-          <v-col cols="12">
+          <v-col cols="3">
+            <!-- observed targets toggle -->
             <v-switch
               v-tippy="{content:'Toggle between only observed targets or all targets', placement: 'left', maxWidth:200}"
               v-model="formData.observed"
@@ -71,6 +77,7 @@
 
         <v-row>
           <v-col cols="4">
+            <!-- search button -->
             <v-btn rounded="lg" color='primary' @click="submit_form" size="large" :disabled="!valid" :append-icon="valid ? 'mdi-check-circle' : 'mdi-close-circle'">Search
               <template v-slot:append>
                 <v-icon size='large' :color="!valid ? 'error' : 'success'"></v-icon>
@@ -79,10 +86,12 @@
             </v-btn>
           </v-col>
           <v-col cols="4">
+            <!--revalidate search form -->
             <v-btn color="warning" rounded="lg" @click="revalidate" size="large">Revalidate
             </v-btn>
           </v-col>
           <v-col cols="4">
+            <!-- reset form -->
             <v-btn rounded="lg" @click="reset_form" size="large">Reset</v-btn>
           </v-col>
 
@@ -115,37 +124,35 @@ let form = ref(null);
 
 // set up validation rules
 
-const exclusiveFieldRule = () => {
-  const coordsFilled = !!formData.value.coords.trim()
-  const idFilled = !!formData.value.id.trim()
-  const good = (coordsFilled && !idFilled) || (!coordsFilled && idFilled)
-  return good || 'Either Coordinate or ID must be filled, but not both.'
-};
-
 // coordinate regex
-const re = /([0-9.hms\s:]+),\s*([+-]?[0-9.dms\s:]+)/gm;
+const re = /([0-9.hms\s:]+)(,|\s)+([+-]?[0-9.dms\s:]+)/gm;
 
 let coordRules = [
-  // (value: string) => !!value || 'Required field.',
-  exclusiveFieldRule,
   (value: string) => {
     if (!value) return true
     return value.match(re) != null || 'Value does not match sky coordinate regex'
   },
 ]
+let idRules = [
+  (value: number) => !isNaN(value) || 'Value must be a number.',
+]
+
 let radiusRules = [
   (value: number) => !isNaN(value) || 'Value must be a number.',
 ]
-let idRules = [exclusiveFieldRule] //[(value: number) => !!value || 'Required field.']
 
+
+// parameters
 let loading = ref(false)
+let coordsDisabled = ref(false)
+let idDisabled = ref(false)
 
 // create initial state of formData
 let initFormData = {
   coords: '',
   ra: '',
   dec: '',
-  radius: '',
+  radius: '0.1',
   id: '',
   units: 'degree',
   release: store.release,
@@ -163,6 +170,12 @@ let filteredCartons = ref([])
 
 // create watcher for the form validation
 watch(formData, async () => {
+  console.log('in watcher validate')
+
+  // update id/coords disabled states
+  idDisabled.value = !!formData.value.coords.trim()
+  coordsDisabled.value = !!formData.value.id.trim()
+
   const formValid = await form.value.validate(); // validate the form
   valid.value = formValid.valid; // update the valid state
 }, { deep: true }); // deep watch to track nested property changes
@@ -185,7 +198,7 @@ async function submit_form(this: any) {
     }
 
     // extract out ra and dec fields from coords
-    [formData.value.ra, formData.value.dec] = formData.value.coords ? formData.value.coords.split(',') : ["", ""]
+    [formData.value.ra, formData.value.dec] = extract_coords(formData.value.coords)
     console.log('submitting', formData.value)
 
     await axiosInstance.post('/query/main',
@@ -228,6 +241,36 @@ async function submit_form(this: any) {
         })
 }
 
+function extract_coords(coords: string) {
+  // extract ra, dec coordinates from the input string and format them
+
+  let [ra, dec] = ["", ""]
+  if (coords.includes(',')) {
+    [ra, dec] = coords.split(',')
+  } else if (coords.includes(' ')) {
+    let obj = coords.split(' ')
+    switch (obj.length) {
+      case 2:
+        // [ra, dec]
+        [ra, dec] = obj
+        break
+      case 3:
+        // [ra, "", dec]
+        [ra, dec] = [obj[0], obj[2]]
+      case 6:
+        // [hh, mm, ss, dd, mm, ss]
+        [ra, dec] = [obj.slice(0, 3).join(' '), obj.slice(3, 6).join(' ')]
+        break
+      default:
+        [ra, dec] = obj
+    }
+  } else {
+    [ra, dec] = ["", ""]
+  }
+
+  return [ra.trim(), dec.trim()]
+}
+
 async function revalidate() {
   // revalidate the search form
   const formValid = await form.value.validate()
@@ -247,6 +290,8 @@ async function reset_form() {
   fail.value = false
   failmsg.value = ''
   loading.value = false
+  idDisabled.value = false
+  coordsDisabled.value = false
 
   // Reset the form validation state
   await form.value.resetValidation();
diff --git a/src/views/__tests__/Search.spec.ts b/src/views/__tests__/Search.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aa088a7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/views/__tests__/Search.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+import { vi, describe, it, expect, beforeEach } from 'vitest'
+import { mount } from '@vue/test-utils'
+
+import { createVuetify } from 'vuetify'
+import * as components from 'vuetify/components'
+import * as directives from 'vuetify/directives'
+
+// must load this if component uses pinia store, even if not directly used in test
+import { createTestingPinia } from '@pinia/testing'
+
+import Search from '../Search.vue'
+
+// Mock the specific axiosInstance
+vi.mock('@/axios', () => ({
+  default: {
+    get: vi.fn(() => Promise.resolve({ data: 'mocked data' })),
+    post: vi.fn(),
+    // Add other methods as needed
+  },
+}));
+
+describe('Search', () => {
+    const vuetify = createVuetify({ components, directives })
+    const pinia = createTestingPinia()
+
+
+    let wrapper
+
+    beforeEach(() => {
+        wrapper = mount(Search, {
+          global: {
+            plugins: [vuetify, pinia]
+          },
+          props: {
+            files: []
+          }
+        })
+      })
+
+      it.each([
+        ['123.45,67.89', '123.45', '67.89'],
+        ['123.45, -67.89', '123.45', '-67.89'],
+        ['123.45 +67.89', '123.45', '+67.89'],
+        ['21:00:33.6 +25:17:56.4', '21:00:33.6', '+25:17:56.4'],
+        ['21 00 33.6 25 17 56.4', '21 00 33.6', '25 17 56.4'],
+        ['21h03m07.2s, -03d12m00s', '21h03m07.2s', '-03d12m00s'],
+        ['21h 03m 07.2s -03d 12m 00s', '21h 03m 07.2s', '-03d 12m 00s']
+      ])('splits coordinates "%s" into ra and dec', (coords, expRa, expDec) => {
+        const extract_coords = wrapper.vm.extract_coords
+        const [ra, dec] = extract_coords(coords)
+        expect(ra).toBe(expRa)
+        expect(dec).toBe(expDec)
+      })
+
+
+})
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/vitest.config.ts b/vitest.config.ts
index 127ec69..86cdc8c 100644
--- a/vitest.config.ts
+++ b/vitest.config.ts
@@ -8,13 +8,14 @@ export default mergeConfig(
   defineConfig({
     test: {
       environment: 'jsdom',
-      logHeapUsage: false,
+      logHeapUsage: false,  // displays heap usage after each test, use for debugging
       exclude: [...configDefaults.exclude, 'e2e/*'],
       root: fileURLToPath(new URL('./', import.meta.url)),
       deps: {
         inline: ["vuetify"],
       },
-      globals: true
+      globals: true,
+      silent: true,  // Suppress all Vitest console logs
     }
   })
 )