OT Libraries

The Observing Tool libraries contain complete example observations as well as templates of observations e.g. commonly used configurations, sequences, standard calibrations and ancillary information which may be copy-and-pasted into a new observation. The intent of these libraries is to speed the development of new science programs. As observing procedures and instrumental configurations may change from semester to semester (installation of new GCAL filters, for instance), it is advisable that PIs download the most recent libraries when defining new observations.

Several new features in the 2008A OT make it easier to fetch the libraries and keep them updated. Clicking on the Libraries button in the Program Editor main toolbar will cause the OT to search the local program database for the libraries for all instruments used by the program in the Program Editor. If those libraries are not available and the computer is online, then the libraries will be fetched automatically. The libraries will then be loaded into a new OT window. If more than one library is loaded, then they can be accessed using the Forward/Back arrows.

Clicking Fetch will cause the libraries to be downloaded.  If a library already exists in the local database then the user will be prompted if they want to continue.

If "Yes" then the library is fetched and the old library is renamed <library progid>-OLD-<current date> so that previous versions can be saved for reference. The current libraries have the program ids mentioned in the table below and are most easily accessed with the Library button on the main toolbar.

For MICHELLE and T-ReCS libraries of mid-infrared standard stars and asteroids are available. These three OT files do not contain full observations, but they do have the proper "Target" components for all the standard stars, with proper PWFS guide stars defined. These target tabs can be copied into OT files as needed. Two OT files are provided. The first of these contains a smaller set of primary and secondary standards, from somewhat disparate sources. The second file includes all the stars listed on the Cohen spectroscopic standard stars page, from Cohen et al. (1999), and the third contains asteroids useful for high-resolution spectroscopic observations. Although the files are labelled "MICHELLE" standards, they are of course equally useful for T-ReCS programs. These three libraries will be fetched automatically with the MICHELLE OT library.

The following OT libraries are available:

Library elements in original form; Joe Jensen, Colin Aspin and Inger Jorgensen

Last update June 12, 2008; Bryan Miller