AcqCam in the Observing Tool - Tips & Tricks

This page contains various tips and tricks for using the OT to configure AcqCam observations. Before submitting your Phase II program to Gemini, use the AcqCam checklist and the general general Phase II checklist to eliminate common mistakes.

Normal and Fast Readout Observations

Differently from other facility instruments, observations for the AcqCam are treated in two different ways, depending on the instrument configuration required:

1. If the observations require cycling through filters and/or dithering, complete definition of the observations using the OT for Phase II are mandatory (see the OT AcqCam page for details).
2. If the observations do not require dithering or frequent change of filter, but do require fast readout of the CCD, please submit the xml form with target, WFS, and instrument configuration information, but do not attempt to create an observing sequence. Rather, set filter and exposure time within the AcqCam component (as well as other parameters such as binning and/or windowing), then add a note for each target including the length of the observation and any other comments/details needed by the observer. (See the third example on the OT AcqCam page).

For efficiency reasons, the maximum number of steps (Observes) currently allowed in a sequence is 200. If one single observation requires more than that number, please include a note stating how many times the sequence must be repeated.
 

Last update September 4, 2002; Cláudia Winge