README web version of /home/usg/OPS/MTS/readme_xml/readme_84061800

Principal Investigator Email Address

• nindrio2@illinois.edu

Estimated Total Execution Time (hours, including overheads)

• 4:53:51.0

General Description

• We are searching for interstellar H3+ absorption at 3668.1, 3668.5, and
   3715.5 nm along 3 sight lines where H2 columns are known.  Typically, the absorption
   lines due to H3+ are only 1-2% deep.  As a result, the H3+ absorption is extremely
   difficult to see until after atmospheric features have been removed from the spectrum.
    If there is a real time quick-look reduction done as the data are taken then, the
   observer should not expect to see the features we are looking for.

Waiver Requests

• No Waiver Request was submitted

Critical Observing Condition Constraints

• The H3+ lines we are searching for are located near atmospheric HDO lines,
   so a high and/or highly variable precipitable water vapor can adversely affect our
   observations.  In order to minimize these effects, we request that all of our observations
   are taken when PWV < 4mm.

Time-Critical Aspects

• observations are not time critical

Special Execution Requirements

• ---(Empty)---

Special Calibration Information

• We have submitted 4 telluric standard star calibration OBs for the purpose
   of removing atmospheric absorption lines from our science targets.  Due to the weakness
   of the H3+ lines and the variability of the atmosphere throughout the night, it
   is imperative that each science OB be either immediately preceeded or followed by
   its corresponding calibration OB.  Whether the standard should be observed before
   or after the science target is specified below in order to provide the best air
   mass match.  The details for each calibration OB are below.
  
  CAL_HD 53367. BS 2004: telluric standard to be observed BEFORE HD 53367;
  S/N=1600 @ 3715 nm (S/N~350 per exposure); R=2.1; J=2.47; L=2.7; SpTy=B0Iab;
  
  CAL_HD 110432. BS 5440: telluric standard to be observed AFTER HD 110432;
  S/N=1500 @ 3715 nm (S/N~350 per exposure); R=2.45; J=2.74; L=3.0; SpTy=B1.5Vne;
  
  CAL_HD 73882. BS 3165: telluric standard to be observed BEFORE HD 73882;
  there are 2 calibration OBs for this target for the 2 HD 73882 science OBs
  S/N=1300 @ 3715 nm (S/N~330 per exposure); R=2.4; J=2.79; L=2.8; SpTy=O5Ia;

ToO Information

• ---(Empty)---

ToO Activators List

• ---(Empty)---

Do the README file and the instrument comments of the telluric stars
 OBs include the required S/N/pixel of the spectrum of the telluric star, its spectral
 type and allowed spectral range?

• YES

Do any OBs include wavelength or flatfield calibrations?

• NO

If you are observing Moving Targets, have you attached suitable ephemeris
 files to your OBs?

• N/A

If the slit viewer guide star is different from the target, are the RA
 and DEC offsets accurate to within 0.05 arcsec and do they take into account the
 relative proper motion between the two objects?

• N/A

If you have preferences which OBs should be executed first for objects
 at similar RA, did you make use of the User Priority field in the OBs?

• YES