The Data Taking Package GUI

A selection of premade DTP configurations for common calibration configurations.

1. Test Exposure: When clicked, configures the DTP GUI to take a H- and K-band test spectra. Usually only used in the beginning of the night to verify DTP connection to IGRINS detectors. Users will still need to click the “Start/Resume Sequence” button in box 8 for frames to be taken.

2. DARK: When clicked, configures the DPT GUI to take dark calibration frames. This configuration is now obsolete and not used in standard nights of IGRINS observing.

3. FLAT-OFF: When clicked, configures the DPT GUI to take FLAT-OFF calibration frames. The object name auto-fills(in box 3) and the exposure time in the object name should be input manually. The exposure time can also be manually adjusted in box 6. Users will still need to click the “Start/Resume Sequence” button in box 8 for frames to be taken. These are taken at the start of every IGRINS observing night.

4. FLAT-ON: When clicked, configures the DPT GUI to take FLAT-ON calibration frames. The object name auto-fills (in box 3) and the exposure time in the object name should be input manually. The exposure time can also be manually adjusted in box 6. Users will still need to click the “Start/Resume Sequence” button in box 8 for frames to be taken. These are taken at the start of every IGRINS observing night.

5. SKY: When clicked, configures the DPT GUI to take a 300s SKY calibration frame. Users should ensure the exposure time and object name reflect the correct observation time of 300 seconds before clicking the “Start/Resume Sequence” button in box 8. A sky frame is required to be taken once through a night of observing in order for the spectra to get an accurate wavelength solution.

An auto-scaled preview of any spectra frames read out with the DTP will appear in the corresponding H- and K-band displays here.

Outside of the configurations in box 1, users will have to manually input the appropriate fields here:

1. Observer: the primary observer for the night of observations (first and last name). When many people are observing (e.g. IGRINS Team for commissioning) the standard IGRINS observer autofill is acceptable.

2. Program ID: This is an obsolete fillable used at Gemini South only. This should be left blank for McDonald Observatory observing.

3. Object Name: If possible make this a SIMBAD Searchable name for the target, if none exists use a common identifier.

4. Object Type: STD (standard star) or TAR (target) or for calibrations FLAT (FLAT-ON or FLAT-OFF)

5. Frame Type: ON/OFF or A/B. This will be autofilled by the GUI as it moves through the user input sequence (box 7). Users should not touch.

When the DTP is connected to the TCS properly, these will be the on-sky coordinates of the reference pixel in the SCV GUI. When changing targets, the user should first click the “From TCS” and “Apply” buttons here to blank all of the DTP GUI fillable boxes.

An obsolete series of fillable used to relate IGRINS observations to Gemini South program IDs and object types. Leave blank at McDonald Observatory.

Where the user can adjust the exposure time and fowler sampling of the observations. Exposure time will be based on the science case SNR and target magnitude. Fowler sampling of 16 is standard for most IGRINS observations and should not be changed unless explicitly stated in observing plan. Fowler sampling can not be a number greater than 21. Repeat should remain at 1.

Where the user can input the observation sequence for the target. The gray frames on the left of the fillable box show the prior observing sequences executed. The frame in progress will be red/gray blinking text to the immediate left of the fillable box. The loop-esque button to the immediate right of the fillable box will input the last executed sequence in the fillable box when clicked. The x button on the right of the fillable box will abort the current ongoing sequence when clicked. Users can fill the sequence manually or use combinations of the buttons offered in box 8.

The top row of buttons, when clicked, will put preset sequences into the fillable box in 7 outlined below. The bottom row of buttons are used to start, pause, or abort sequences put into box 7. The options are:

1. E: Only used for FLAT-ON and FLAT-OFF frames.

2. ABBA: a standard on slit nodding sequence that should for point source targets and standard stars.

3. AB: half of the standard nodding sequence for a target, this is not an acceptable nodding sequence for a full target or standard star observation and should not be used as such.

4. ?: will pause the current sequence after the current exposure is done being read out. Allows for guiding adjustments and count checks in the raw spectral frames throughout sequences.

5. Start/Resume Sequence: After filling the text area in box 7 with the appropriate observation sequence, clicking this button will begin observing the sequence. If a ? is used in the sequence, this button can be clicked to resume the sequence when the observer is ready.

6. Pause after Current: When clicked, will insert a ? into box 7 at the front of the fillable text box. When the current frame is finished being read out, the sequence will pause.

7. Abort Sequence: When clicked, will abort the current frame (it will not be saved) and stop the sequence. This is useful when a nod is not in the expected position on the slit, guiding is not working as expected and needs to be reset mid-observation, etc.

Describes some characteristics of the frames currently being acquired including: start and end time of acquisition, time elapsed since the sequence began, and the data transfer rate to the IGRINS Control Computer (ICC). The observation ID (file number) of the last frame read out can also be seen here on the right.

1. When an H- or K-band frame is finished reading out (and the sound script was run during the ATLAS computer set up for the night) a voice will tell the user that the frame is finished being written. At the end of the sequence the voice will tell the user that the sequence is completed.