README web version of /home/usg/OPS/MTS/readme_xml/readme_60941500

Principal Investigator Email Address

• pto@star.le.ac.uk

Estimated Total Execution Time (hours, including overheads)

• 1.0

General Description

• We wish to obtain a blue-IR spectrum of PDS456, the most luminous
  nearby QSO.  It shows a remarkable set of spectral signatures,
  including a massive, highly ionised X-ray outflow, exceptionally
  blue-shifted UV broad emission lines and a broad Ly$\alpha$ absorption
  system. No high S/N simultaneous optical/IR spectrum has yet been
  obtained. The current data are limited both in terms of their spectral
  resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. A simulataneous X-Shooter
  spectrum will enable us to study the width and profile of the emission
  lines, accurately determine velocity shifts and probe the
  high-ionisation lines. 
  
  As this is a bright object (V~14.5) and we are primarily concerned with the
  spectral shape and line profiles, photometric conditions or phase of
  the Moon are not critical. Thus, we have chosen a fairly default setup
  assuming ~1 arcsec slits. The only complication is to try and avoid
  saturation in the IR using multiple NDITs. Standard nod along slit with jitter.
  Default calibration should be fine.
  
  2 cycles of nodding along the slit with a 5 arcsec throw (1 arcsec jitter). 
  At each of the ABBA positions take spectra:
  UBV: 580 secs, slow read, no binning
  VIS: 580 secs, slow read, no binning
  NIR: 100 secs x NDIT=6

Waiver Requests

• No Waiver Request was submitted

Critical Observing Condition Constraints

• None

Time-Critical Aspects

• None

Special Execution Requirements

• None

Special Calibration Information

• None

ToO Information

• ---(Empty)---

ToO Activators List

• ---(Empty)---

Do all your OBs comply with the instrument-specific requirements listed
 on the instrument-specific Phase 2 web page ?

• YES

Do all your finding charts comply with both the general and instrument-specific
 Phase 2 Web Pages ?

• YES

If you submitted OBs for standard stars, did you specify the magnitude
 and spectral type of all standard stars in the OBs ?

• N/A

Have you specified the S/N ratio at given wavelength in the User Comments
 field of each OB?

• YES

Have you included OBs for any calibrations that you need but which are
 not part of the Calibration Plan ?

• N/A

If you are observing Moving Targets, have you attached suitable ephemeris
 files to your OBs?

• N/A

If you have preferences which OBs should be executed first, did you make
 use of the User Priority field in the OBs ?

• N/A

If this is a run that requires coordinated observations with other facilities,
 did you give proper instructions in the Time-Critical Aspects Section ?

• N/A