README web version of /home/usg/OPS/MTS/readme_xml/readme_81076700

Principal Investigator Email Address

• astefan@mpe.mpg.de

Estimated Total Execution Time (hours, including overheads)

• 3.5h

General Description

• This proposal aims at time-resolved observations of NIR flaring behaviour
   in GRB afterglow-like and galactic transients. To clearly resolve structures of
   sub-second timescales (as observed in GRB 070610), we use SOFI's FastPhot mode with
   a DIT of ~40ms
  The ToO is going to be triggered by a GRB promptly observeable during Chilenian
   night-time, or by a GRB-like event similar to the prototypical GRB070610, aka SWIFT
   J195509.6+261406. Run A was already triggered with a DDT proposal in P80 (280.D-5058)
   by GRB 080129.
  
  The OB provided here runs for approximately 30min and should be repeated (minus
   aquisition) for the maximum time possible. The OB indicates a Jitter Box Width of
   10", the smalles value possible to enter into p2pp. However, as we're interested
   primarily in flaring beahviour and not in absolute photometry, and need a window
   of 128x64 to achieve the targeted time resolution, it would be preferable to not
   jitter at all, if possible. (This is also advised in the SofI manual). For this,
   the target and possibly also a reference star in the same FoV need to be positioned
   on a position on the detector free of defects.

Waiver Requests

• No Waiver Request was submitted

Critical Observing Condition Constraints

• None.

Time-Critical Aspects

• Should the ToO be triggered by a GRB that is observeable promptly, speed
   is of the essence. In case of a GRB, flaring variability on short time-scales is
   expected primarily at the onset of the afterglow and soon after. The La Silla GROND
   operator will help in reacting to a GRB trigger, and identification of a possible
   GRB NIR counterpart.

Special Execution Requirements

• Since we aim for high time resolution to be able to resolve variability
   on sub-s time-scales (as observed in GRB 070610), we use SOFI_img_obs_FastPhotJitt
   and a window of 128x64. For our scientific goals absolute photometric accuracy is
   less important than DIT-by-DIT comparability of the individual exposures, so we
   prefer not to jitter if possible. This is also advised in the SofI manual. However,
   the p2pp template for SOFI_img_obs_FastPhotJitt does not allow to enter a SEQ.JITTER.WIDTH
   of less than 10". If possible, the operator should manually disable Jitter.
  
  If not jittering, the positioning of the source (and possibly also of a nearby comparison
   star) on a detector location free of defects is essential. The La Silla GROND operator
   will assist in identification of the target position. Also, the La Silla GROND operator
   can authorize any short-term changes to the OBs be deemed necessary by the SofI
   operator.
  
  If a suitable star is in the vicinity of the target, this star  should be positioned
   inside the FoV as a comparision source. Special care should be taken for both comparision-star
   and targe to position them on a defect-free location of the sensor.

Special Calibration Information

• ---(Empty)---

ToO Information

• The ToO will be triggered by a GRB promptly observeable by SoFI/NTT, or
   by an event similar to the prototypicel GRB 070610 (aka SWIFT J195509.6+261406),
   i.e. a GRB-like trigger on a gamma-ray satellite with an X-ray afterglow that does
   not exhibit the power-law decay typical for GRB afterglows, and an optical counterpart
   that shows signs of flaring activity.
  
  Run A was already triggered with a DDT proposal in P80 (280.D-5058) by GRB 080129.

ToO Activators List

• The ToO may be triggered by:
  
  A. Stefanescu (astefan@mpe.mpg.de, mobile: +491795045936)
  J. Greiner (jcg@mpe.mpg.de)
  G. Kanbach (gok@mpe.mpg.de)
  
  Or by the members of the GROND La Silla shift. Currently, the GROND shift team is
   comprised of:
  
  A. Kupcue Yoldas (ayoldas@mpe.mpg.de)
  T. Kruehler (kruehler@mpe.mpg.de)
  C. Clemens (cclemens@mpe.mpg.de)
  P. Afonso (pafonso@mpe.mpg.de)
  N. Primak (prima@mpe.mpg.de)
  S. Loew (sloew@mpe.mpg.de)

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 ?

• N/A

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