Observing Preparation & Software Tools

Simon O’Toole

Step 1: Apply for time

• You’ve heard about writing telescope

proposals & the TAC process from

Sarah

• This is the first – and key – step in

preparing for your observations

Step 1: Apply for time

• AAT: http://www.aao.gov.au/astro/

applying.html

• Magellan (deadline Monday 7 April):

http://ausgo.aao.gov.au/

magellan.html

• Gemini: Use the Phase I Tool

Step 1: Apply for time

• Know your instrument

– Contact instrument scientists

– Read documentation & manuals

– Use S/N calculators (where available)

Step 1: Apply for time

• Know your targets

– For Gemini:

• Are there good guide stars?

• What observing mode best suits your needs?

– For AAT, Magellan:

• Have good backup targets/science for poor

conditions

What next?

Every telescope is

different

Step 2: Detailed preparation

• Speak to your support astronomer!

– AAT: assigned support astronomers

http://www.aao.gov.au/astro/

instrument_scientists.html

– Gemini: AusGO support, Gemini contact

scientists http://ausgo.aao.gov.au/contact.html

– Magellan: AusGO staff, Instrument scientists

– Previous users!

Step 2: Detailed preparation• There are plenty of software tools to

complement this support

• Gemini & AAT in particular, but

Magellan also has some S/N

calculators

The AAT

• AAT

– ITCs http://www.aao.gov.au/astro/

SNcalcs.html

– AAOmega – esp. configure for 2dFhttp

://www.aao.gov.au/2df/aaomega/

aaomega_software.html

Gemini

• Gemini Phase I Tool (PIT)

• ITCs for each instrument

• Observing Tool (OT)

• GMMPS for mask-making

http://files.gemini.edu/~software/gm

mps/gmmps-0.402-

REL.tar.gz

Gemini PIThttp://www.gemini.edu/node/10991?q=node/11088

Gemini Phase I Tool

Integration Time Calculators

• AAT: http://www.aao.gov.au/astro/SNcalcs.html

• Gemini:

http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/instruments/?q=

sciops/

instruments

• Magellan:

http://instrumentation.obs.carnegiescience.ed

u/FourStar/

calc.html (for example)

Gemini Observing Toolhttp://www.gemini.edu/sciops/observing-gemini/phase-ii-and-s/w-tools?q=node/11172

Gemini Observing Tool

Gemini Observing Tool

Important:Speak to your support astronomer!

Thank you