README web version of /home/usg/OPS/MTS/readme_xml/readme_81031800

Principal Investigator Email Address

• prguez@ing.iac.es

Estimated Total Execution Time (hours, including overheads)

• 6h

General Description

• The aim of this program is to measure the radial velocity variation of
   the main-sequence
  donor star and the temperature of the white dwarf in a cataclysmic variable of the
   SW Sextantis class. These systems are typically in a state of high mass transfer
   rate, where the accretion disc dominates the optical light. However, during occasional
   low states, the mass transfer ceases, and both stellar components can be observed.
  
  The observations have therefore to be carried out as a ToO. This program consists
   of 6h FORS2 spectroscopy, that has to be carried out in a contiguous fashion in
   order to sample the
  entire orbital period of the system (which is around 4h for all targets).
  
  Apart from the spectrophotometric standard star observations (whose OB's may be
   executed either before or after the science target OB's), the strategy is to be
   on the science target continuously, i.e. executing the science OB's in a row (see
   "Special Execution Requirements").

Waiver Requests

• A waiver request was submitted to execute the allocated 6h in a contiguous
   way, i.e. all OBs in this program should be observed consecutively (according to
   the order detailed in "Special Execution Requirements"). The waiver was approved
   (contact: Bodo Ziegler)
  
  As a consequence, each OB contains a target acquisition. Obviously, if all the OBs
   are carried out in a contiguous sequence, no acquisition is necessary for all of
   them as the science target will always be centred on the slit.

Critical Observing Condition Constraints

• It is essential that the observations are executed on the same night so
   that the entire orbital period of the target is covered (see "Special Execution
   Requirements" for a sequence of OBs) .

Time-Critical Aspects

• None.

Special Execution Requirements

• Please execute the Science Target OBs in the following continuous sequence:
  
  Blue-0
  Red-0
  Red-1
  Blue-1
  Red-2
  Red-3
  Blue-2
  Red-4
  Red-5
  Red-6
  Red-7
  
  The blue spectra are necessary to measure the white dwarf temperature. As the system
   is eclipsing, the interleaving of three blue spectra in between the red ones assures
   that at most 1 blue spectrum is taken during the eclipse (when the white dwarf is
   invisible). This
  frees the observation from additional orbital phase constraints.
  
  The CAL OB's (spectrophotometric standard star) can be executed either before or
   after the science target run depending on which standard star is observed. The exposure
   time is fixed at 60s which is fine with the V=15 standards. Please reduce the exposure
   time to 15s if a brighter (V~12) standard is selected.

Special Calibration Information

• A spectrophotometric standard should be observed directly before or after
   the science target run (see "Special Execution Requirements" for more details).

ToO Information

• This ToO does not need a rapid response. The low states in the SW Sextantis
   stars last typically up to a few months, and an activation within 2-3 weeks is sufficient.
  
  The target stars are photometrically monitored regularly using the SMARTS telescopes.
   Should a low state be detected in one of the targets (and it is visible for sufficiently
   long) we will activate the ToO.

ToO Activators List

• P Rodriguez-Gil

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

If you have prepared your finding charts with tools other than FIMS,
 do they comply with the specifications on the FORS1 Phase 2 web page ?

• N/A