README web version of /home/usg/OPS/MTS/readme_xml/readme_78066301

Principal Investigator Email Address

• bruno.valat@unice.Fr

Estimated Total Execution Time (hours, including overheads)

• 1.5

General Description

• We propose to observe with AMBER the binary system kappa Velorum composed
   by two close B-type stars. The aim of these observations is to put strong constrains
   on the fundamental parameters of this system with observations at different orbital
   phases and by this way compute the exact masses of each component and get a direct
   and accurate distance estimate. Using high-accuracy colour-differential measurements,
   we will also be able to estimate directly the angular diameters of the stars and
   their respective spectra, leading to a complete characterization of the system,
   which will allow us to test the current main-sequence B stars models, and better
   understand the physics at stake in the progenitors of X-ray binaries, supernovae,
   and gamma-ray bursts.
  
  VLTI-AMBER is the only multi-wavelength and multi-baseline (lenght and position
   angles PA) instrument able to simultaneously spatially and spectrally resolve objects
   smaller than 2 mas in K band.
  The longest baselines are essential to resolve this separation which should be few
   mas. The UT1-UT3 and the UT1-UT4 baselines offer the longest baselines. While UT3-UT4
   baseline provide a lower spatial frequency.
  The low spectral resolution of AMBER is mandatory to be able to the high accuracy
   needed for the stars diameters measurement.
  
  In order to fill a full orbital motion we need 3 observation points roughly separated
   by one month one to each other.

Waiver Requests

• No Waiver Request was submitted

Critical Observing Condition Constraints

• A critical parameter for these observations is the coherence time of the
   atmosphere. It should be larger than 2ms.

Time-Critical Aspects

• This proposal is composed by 3 separate runs (A, B, and C). In order to
   fill a full orbital motion each run should be exectued one month before/after the
   next/previous one. 
  
  This run (run B) has to be executed one month after the run A and one month before
   the run C.

Special Execution Requirements

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Special Calibration Information

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ToO Information

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ToO Activators List

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Is this a Pre-imaging run ?

• false

Pre-imaging Requirements

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Source(s) of Pre-imaging

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Pre-imaging sources not listed above

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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 ?

• 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 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 ?

• 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

Did you indicate for each science star OB the corresponding calibrator
 star OB (and vice versa) in the 'Instrument Comments' field ?

• YES

Did you check that your chosen calibrator is bright enough for the instrument
 mode used ?

• YES

If you use calibrator stars which are not in the CalVin database, did
 you specify their characteristics in the README file and in the OBs ?

• N/A