README web version of /home/usg/OPS/MTS/readme_xml/readme_76505701

Principal Investigator Email Address

• dotto@mporzio.astro.it

Estimated Total Execution Time (hours, including overheads)

• 06:55:57.000

General Description

• During the allocated hours we will perform near-infrared spectroscopy
   and photometry of 2004 VD17, a non-zero probability Earth impactor. 
  J and K spectra will allow us to investigate the nature of this object by modelling
   its surface composition, while J, H, and K photometry will allow us to properly
   connect the obtained spectra. 
  Moreover, solar analog stars will be observed to remove the solar effect in the
   target spectra and photometric standard stars are needed to carry out photometric
   calibration.

Waiver Requests

• WaiverID:  276.C-5057B.01
  Date of approval: April, 21st, 2006
  What approved: to split our observations into two OBs sequences: one of 4 hours
   and another one of 3 hours. This because in the next days, 2004 VD17 will get good
   observable conditions (airmass less than 1.6) for not longer than 5 hours, a time
   too small to carry out the needed sequence:
  solar analog, JHK photometry, J spectrum, solar analog, K spectrum, JHK photometry,
   solar analog
  
  See details in "Special Execution Requirements" in this README file.

Critical Observing Condition Constraints

• - The observations have to be separated in two parts of about 4 and 3
   hours, respectively, centered around the passage of the target at the meridian.
  - During the first sub-run we ask to carry out JHK photometry and K spectroscopy
   of 2004 VD17, JHK photometry of standard stars and K spectra of two solar analogs.
  - During the second sub-run we ask to carry out JHK photometry and J spectroscopy
   of 2004 VD17, JHK photometry of standard stars and J spectra of two solar analogs.
  - 2004 VD17 must be observed at air mass lower than 1.6
  - The J spectrum of the target has been splitted in two different OBs which must
   be executed consequently (J2 after J1). At the end of the first OB it is necessary
   to check if the object is in the slit before executing the second one, without a
   new telescope preset.
  - The K spectrum of the target has been splitted in three different OBs which must
   be executed consecutively (K3 after K2 after K1). At the end of each OB it is necessary
   to check if the object is in the slit before executing the following one, without
   a new telescope preset.
  - 2004 VD17 is a fast-moving object. Each OB must be updated in the fields RA, DEC,
   and sky motion (alpha, delta, and position angle), according to the attached ephemeris
   file. Please see details in the "user comments" of each OB.
  - We have attached only 4 finding charts, as a sample. To obtain analogous finding
   charts at the time when the observations will be carried out, please use the web
   page  http://asteroid.lowell.edu/cgi-bin/koehn/astfinder.
  - Please check that the target 2004 VD17 is far enough (not contaminated) from any
   field star, during the entire exposition

Time-Critical Aspects

• - 2004 VD17 will get an observable window smaller and smaller during April
   2006; next week it will get airmass lower than 1.6 for less than 5 hours, while
   at the end of the month it will be observable at air mass lower than 1.6 for less
   than 4 hours
  - after May, 2nd, the object becomes impossibile to be observed
  - the object will be fainter and fainter during April 2006 (V=19.3 next week, to
   V=19.5 at the end of the month)

Special Execution Requirements

• - solar analogs must be observed at the same airmass of the object
  - the spectra sequence must be: J-1 -> J-2; K1 -> K2 -> K-3
  - the OB 2004_VD17_night1_img_JHK-1 has to be executed just before the first K spectrum
   of 2004 VD17
  - the OB 2004_VD17_night2_img_JHK-2 has to be executed just before the first J spectrum
   of 2004 VD17
  - we strongly suggest the following observation sequence: 
  NIGHT1: 
  K_spec_solar_analog(102)  ->  JHK phot(2004VD17) ->  K_spect(2004VD17) ->
    K_spec_solar_analog(102) [exec.time:04h00min]
  NIGHT2: 
  J_spec_solar_analog(102)  ->  JHK phot(2004VD17) ->  J_spect(2004VD17) ->
    J_spec_solar_analogue(102) [exec.time:02h57min]

Special Calibration Information

• - solar analogs must be observed at the same airmass of 2004 VD17 and
   just after and before 2004 VD17 photometry and spectroscopy 
  - we need photometric standard stars, to be carried out at different airmasses during
   each night
  - we need telluric stars, to be carried out at same airmass of 2004 VD17

ToO Information

• ---(Empty)---

ToO Activators List

• ---(Empty)---

Is this a Pre-imaging run ?

• false

Pre-imaging Requirements

• ---(Empty)---

Source(s) of Pre-imaging

• ---(Empty)---

Pre-imaging sources not listed above

• ---(Empty)---

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

• YES

If this is a pre-imaging run, did you select PRE-IMAGING for the Observing
 Category for each Observing Template ?

• N/A

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

• N/A

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 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?

• YES

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

If you submitted OBs for standard stars, did you use the provided StandardStar
 templates ?

• N/A

If you are using a specific offset pattern or position angle, did you
 check carefully the definition in the manual ?

• YES

If you are doing spectroscopy, did you draw the slit on the Finding Charts
 ?

• N/A

Did you enter the magnitude of the brightest star in the field-of-view
 in each OB ?

• N/A

If you use the MoveToPixel acquisition, have you given clear instructions
 on the FC and in the OB comment section as to how the field should be centered ?

• YES