Observing procedure

Choose the observing mode corresponding to your science case.

Follow these observing sequences:

Spectro-astrometry

Record the Photonic Lantern data AND either the Visible or IR focal plane.

On-axis image reconstruction

In this mode, the calibrator is a different star from the sceince target

Choice of calibrator: At least as bright as the science target

Observation procedure:

  1. Point the telescope to the calibrator

  2. Acquire data while modulating the tip/tilt mirror

_images/1_obs.png

  1. Point the telescope to the science target

  2. Acquire data while modulating the tip/tilt mirror

_images/2_obs.png

Overheads for calibrator : Setup field + setup AO + acquisition

Off-axis image reconstruction

In this mode, the calibrator is the central star, science target is off-axis

Choice of calibrator: Central star

Observation procedure:

  1. Point the telescope to the target

  2. Acquire data while modulating the tip/tilt mirror on the central star

_images/3_obs.png

  1. Acquire data while modulating the tip/tilt with an offset on the science target. Note: the offset is done by the tip/ilt mirror

_images/4_obs.png

Overheads for calibrator : enter the command for offset in the instrument control

Overheads

Action

Overhead

Slewing Telescope

~<8 minutes>

Closing AO3k loop

60 seconds

Closing SCExAO loop

60 seconds

Send light to FIRST-PL

10 seconds

Optimizing injection into FIRST-PL

2 minutes

Start acquisition

< 1 minute

Stopping AO3k + SCExAO loops

10 seconds