README web version of /home/usg/OPS/MTS/readme_xml/readme_80055700

Principal Investigator Email Address

• puziat@nrc.ca

Estimated Total Execution Time (hours, including overheads)

• 6

General Description

• We propose to obtain deep near-infrared spectroscopic observations with
   the integrated field instrument SPIFFI using laser guide-star adaptive optics to
   study the spatially resolved internal kinematics of the brightest UCD in the Fornax
   galaxy cluster. The proposed data will have enough spatial coverage and high S/N
   to investigate whether the target UCD shows any kinematic anisotropies, such as
   rotation and tidal features. If distinct tidal features are detected this would
   strongly suggest a formation scenario that includes galaxy stripping processes and
   would be a major leap forward in our understanding of the formation and evolution
   of these enigmatic ultra-compact objects. 
  The observations will be conducted with the K-band grating that provides a resolution
   of R=4000 over the wavelength range 1.95 - 2.45 mu. The UCD has a central surface
   brightness of mu_K ~ 13 mag/arcsec^2 and an effective radius of ~0.1 arcsec. We
   will probe the velocity field down to a surface brightness of mu_K ~ 16.5 mag (out
   to ~0.8 arcsec radius) with a S/N >~ 20 at 2.18 mu, and bin the spectra radially
   and azimuthaly out to ~4.5 arcsec. The S/N limit corresponds to a radial velocity
   resolution of $10-20$ km/s, a value that is expected to be sufficient to probe tidal
   features and residual rotation. We will use the laser guide star mode for our observations,
   with the tip-tilt star S033223110268 (GSC2.2) that has a luminosity R=16.17 mag
   with B-R=0.8 mag and is located 8.5 arcsec away from the target object. To minimize
   the effects of dark current, thermal background, and remnant effects, as well as
   minimize the overhead we adopt 150 second sub-integrations: INT = NDIT x DIT = 50
   x 150 seconds, split into 2 OBs. The sub-integrations will be dithered by 0.5 arcsec
   offsets. We will obtain one standard star spectrum of a K0 giant with the same instrument
   setup and under similar observing conditions as the science observations to assure
   a robust velocity dispersion analysis.

Waiver Requests

• Requestor:  puziat@nrc.ca
  WaiverID:  380.B-0557A.01
  Sent: 08/02/07 09:27:20 CET
  
  Our program (380.B-0557) would significantly benefit from an override of the maximum
   execution time per OB. 
  If the OBs are prepared according to the p2pp rule, < 1hr05m execution time per
   OB, we find:
  
  integration time    execution time
  02:48:00.000        06:06:24.000           (46% open-shutter time).
  
  
  With only one split, i.e. 2 OBs, we would reduce the overhead to 
  
  integration time    execution time
  04:08:00.000        05:57:20.000           (70% open-shutter time)
  
  
  
  We request the override of the maximum OB execution time rule.
  ==
  Approved: 08/02/07 16:10:03 CET
  The submission of OBs with >1hr execution time was approved by Dr. Mario van
   den Ancker.

Critical Observing Condition Constraints

• as defined in the constraint sets

Time-Critical Aspects

• none

Special Execution Requirements

• ---(Empty)---

Special Calibration Information

• ---(Empty)---

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 ?

• 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 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

Did you indicate the magnitude of the brightest object in the field in
 each SINFONI OB?

• YES

If you are using the AO: Did you indicate for every OB the magnitude
 of the guide star, and its distance to the target (if any)?

• YES

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

• YES

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

• N/A

Did you make really sure that none of your OBs ever saturates the detector?

• YES

If you are using the AO: did you enter the correct Strehl Ratio (on-axis,
 K-band) AND the seeing value in the constraint set?

• YES