T-ReCS Checklist

To demonstrate technical feasibility you may wish to consider the following checklist when writing your telescope proposal:

• Field of view:
• Does the source fit within the 29"×22" T-ReCS field of view? If not, have you specified a mosaicing strategy and included the proper overheads in your time estimate?
• Chopping and nodding: (these issues are especially important in crowded fields or if mosaics are to be constructed)
• Is the standard 15" chop throw and beam-switched nodding satisfactory? If not, have you clearly specified the desired strategy?
• Is there a preferred chop direction? For brighter targets one should chop at 45 degrees (or some other intermediate angle) rather than either 0 or 90 degrees.
• Telescope peripheral wavefront sensors:
• Have you specified one or more guide stars for the peripheral wavefront sensor(s) of adequate brightness?
• Astrometry:
• If accurate astrometry is required, have you specified one or more suitable astrometric standards in your program?
• Expected image quality:
• What is the desired image quality (FWHM)? What is the minimum image quality necessary for the science?
• Photometric and PSF calibrations:
• Are the appropriate baseline calibrations (i.e. standard stars) included in the phase II file and will they be sufficient? If not, have you included observing time (and overheads) for any special calibrations in your time estimate?
• What are the PSF calibration requirements of your program? If highly accurate knowledge of the PSF is needed, special observations of standards need to be carefully planned. Are these requirements described in your proposal?
• Observing time:
• Are the overheads included in the requested time?

Last update 2004 December 9; Kevin Volk
In original form; Tom Hayward