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Current "TO-DO" list for NOTCam

Comments to Amanda

NOTCam upgrades

  1. Operate NOTCam in SEQUENCER mode. (First test 16/11-07)
  2. Modify the electronics to get rid of the "dark problem". See schedule Upgrade done and tested 3/12-07, but dark problem persists.
  3. When the above is done and tested, install and commission the new Science Array. See schedule Done and commissioned 13/12-07.
  4. Modify the remaining FITS header keywords for instrument wheels.
  5. Upgrade the quick-look IRAF notcam package to v3.0 when new FITS headers are valid.

"To-do" list related to going to sequencer mode

  1. Update all default observing scripts.
  2. Make fully automatic JHKs-skyflat scripts.
  3. Upgrade the ZP standard star scripts to involve filter/focus changes. (done, AAD)
  4. Make and test a polarimetry script changing between 4 polaroids per dither position. (done, AAD)
  5. Update documentation on the following web pages: 
    http://www.not.iac.es/instruments/notcam/guide/observe.html (User's Guide)
http://www.not.iac.es/instruments/notcam/guide/obs-step.html (Observing steps)
http://www.not.iac.es/instruments/notcam/guide/stancamnotcam.html (StanCam use)
http://www.not.iac.es/observing/forms/script/v1.3/index.php (Script generator)
http://www.not.iac.es/instruments/notcam/staff/startup.html (Start-up NOTCam)
http://www.not.iac.es/instruments/notcam/staff/firstnighttests.html (Tests)
http://www.not.iac.es/instruments/notcam/staff/techtimetests.html (Tech tests)
  6. Change from old to new (sequencer mode) script generator. (PS)
  7. Then upgrade the script generator to allow for beam switch observations. (PS)

Various

  • Upgrade quick-look reduction scripts to use RA and DEC values in headers to calculate the relative shifts between dithers. RA and DEC values are not accurate enough. 16/1-2008 upgraded notcam.cl to v2.0. (AD)

  • Upgrade the existing script generator for NOTCam as suggested in email to Peter 24/9-2007. (PMS)

  • Test out the NOTCam polarimetric mode (lin pol) using 4 polarizers. Needs clear/photometric tech time night. To do this properly we need to be able to script the wheel movements (i.e. changing between the 4 polaroids). This will come with the NOTCam Sequencer. (AD)

  • Correct the slitoffset post-processing tool for the HR camera. (Done, JC,JT)

  • Investigate the problem with the large teloffsets with no autoguiding. (Done, fixed 31/1-07, JC).

  • Fix the problem with the EXPTIME header keyword giving wrong value when a shutter correction is applied. (Done, 31/1-07, JC).

  • Purchase a spare large o-ring for the vessel. (CP)

  • Get cost estimates for Z and Y broad band filters. Possibly ask if ING and TNG are interested in a joint order. (AD)

  • Test the new BIAS version updated by Jens Klougart in April 2006. (Done AD, JC 28/8-06.)

  • Modifiy the filter names to include MKO as they are Mauna Kea Observatory standardized NIR filters? For example, K_MKO etc.

  • Update the FITS header keywords DETNAME,CCDNAME to give the Engineering Grade Array identifications. Also, update to correct read noise and gain values per quadrant as well as correct rotation centre, all these from data obtained on May 11th. (Done, JC)

  • Let BIAS run volt_eng automatically upon startup. These are the optimum voltage settings for the engineering grade array. (Done, JC)

  • Update the QC database for the Science Array to correct for the flip in X axis (q0 <--> q1, and q2 <--> q3).

  • Get PTR maintenance replacement units from Kelvin International Corporation. (Ordered early May-06, AAD)

  • Have the broken Science Array inspected by Rockwell (repair possible?). (Done, GC. New science array purchased and arrived Oct-06.)

  • Determine the possible shutter delay (preliminary value = 0.124s) and implement the correction in the BIAS software. (New value = 0.07s found. Implementation awaits fixing of EXPTIME keyword. Aug-06.)

  • Provide a small NOTCam IRAF reduction package: mkflat.cl, std.cl, skysub.cl and runcomb.cl scripts as a first step. (Done, AD 1/4-07)

  • Investigate the cause of the possible sensitivity drop of the engineering grade array from 2002 to 2004. (AD)

  • Provide a document on the NOTCam Calibration Plan. (Done, 15/9-06, AD)

  • Make a NOTCam filter installation web page. (AD)

  • Clean-array command wanted. Should consist of purely reading the array 3-5 times (TBD whether 3 is sufficient) with no-autosave and no-autoshow in order to save overhead time. Test the one Jens provided. (OK, done AD 28/8-06).

  • Imexamin in BIAS calculates the FWHM in pixels. Because there is no communication between BIAS and NOTCam wheel status, the seeing can not be given in arc seconds unless knowing which camera is in use. Work around solution: calculate the seeing in arc seconds for both cameras, and display both WF seeing and HR seeing. Made in new BIAS version. (OK, tested AD).

  • Change "CCD" to "IR array" everywhere in the windows displayed by BIAS. Also in the window headers. (Done, JC 28/8-06).

  • Investigate the cost of a wedged double wollaston for polarimetry with NOTCam.