README web version of /home/usg/OPS/MTS/readme_xml/readme_60943900

Principal Investigator Email Address

• ljt203@soton.ac.uk

Estimated Total Execution Time (hours, including overheads)

• 1

General Description

• We propose to study the broadband spectroscopic properties of a subsample
   of Be/X-ray binary systems with the main goal of separating out the contribution
   of the circumstellar disk flux from that of the B star. The geometric, radiative
   and dynamic properties of the circumstellar disks obtained from this study will
   allow a more detailed understanding of the effect of the neutron star companion
   on the circumstellar disk and, as such, will clarify our concepts of the accretion
   processes in these complex systems.
  
  We would like to observe a newly discovered Be/X-ray binary (see below) during the
   August SV observation block. This source is seemingly undergoing a large X-ray outburst
   which may possibly continue until the August OB.
  
  We require slit mode with a slit width of approximately 1 arcsec to achieve desired
   resolution. Using the X-Shooter exposure time calculator, we would require approximately
   20 minute exposures for each target to achieve a S/N better than 30 at all wavelengths.
   This should be done in two 600s exposures at two positions in the slit to accurately
   background subtract the NIR spectra. i.e. we will require the AB offset pattern.
   The detector readout should be set to fast. In total, we would require ~1800s average
   time for this target. This includes all overheads.
  
  
  Name                                              Position (J2000)          Remarks
  
  SXP11.5                                           01:04:41.40 -72:54:04.6   This
   is a newly discovered Be/X-ray binary system (ATel #                           
                                                        2088 and 2092), and so was
   not on our original target list.
  Hipparcos Telluric Standard Star - HIPID 118321   23:59:55.08 -64:22:20.3   V=9.20
    Spectral Type = G5V
  ESO Spectrophotometric Standard  - BD+25d4655     21:59:42.02 +26:25:58.1   V=9.76
    Spectral Type = O
  
  All the targets in the stage I proposal are secondary targets to this new source.

Waiver Requests

• No Waiver Request was submitted

Critical Observing Condition Constraints

• SKY TRANSPARENCY: 1 PHOTOMETRIC
  
  SEEING: 1.0 (arcsec)
  
  LUNAR ILLUMINATION: >0.5
  
  MOON ANGULAR DISTANCE: 50 (degrees)

Time-Critical Aspects

• At this time of year the SMC will only be visible toward the end of the
   night.
  Observing order: Blue standard, Target, Red standard.

Special Execution Requirements

• At this time of year the SMC will only be visible toward the end of the
   night.

Special Calibration Information

• A blue and a red standard star should be observed (one before and one
   after the target).

ToO Information

• N/A

ToO Activators List

• N/A

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 ?

• YES

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 ?

• YES

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 ?

• YES

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