README web version of /home/usg/OPS/MTS/readme_xml/readme_84069501

Principal Investigator Email Address

• maureen@head.cfa.harvard.edu

Estimated Total Execution Time (hours, including overheads)

• 1 hour

General Description

• The goal of this program is to obtain ISAAC/SW low-resolution spectra
   of the IR counterpart to the quiescent neutron-star low-mass X-ray binary XTEJ1701-462.
  
  FINDING CHARTS:
  We have attached two finding charts. FC_XTEJ1701-Kspec-1_OB2.jpg is based on a 2MASS
   Ks-band image and covers the full field of view of ISAAC
  (increased to account for the adopted NodThrow and JitterBoxWidth). FC_XTEJ1701-Kspec-1_ZOOM_OB2.jpg
   is based on a Magellan/PANIC Ks-band
  image and has a better resolution, but a smaller field of view. Both the target
   and the reference star, that both should fall in the slit,
  are marked.
  
  ACQUISTION: 
  - Due to a bright object (K=6.4) near the edge of the field (at an 1.6' South-West
   offset from the target, near the edge of the field; see 
    2MASS finding chart) the acquisition has to be done through two narrow-band filters.
   Note that the ISAAC imaging ETC does not offer the 
    choice to estimate exposure times for imaging through 2 narrow-band filters. The
   exposure time DET.DIT in the acquistion template
    is therefore only a guess. Please adjust DET.DIT accordingly in case the reference
   star or target is not visible or saturated.
  - We have selected a reference star with K=11.6 for acquistion of the field. It
   is identified on the finding chart together with the target,
    which lies at an angular offset of ~30.5 arcsec. PLEASE KEEP BOTH THE REFERENCE
   OBJECT AND THE TARGET IN THE SLIT FOR THE SCIENCE 
    OBSERVATION. The slit needs to be rotated by 98deg (North to East) to have both
   stars in the slit. The slit and field orientation are marked
    on the finding chart.
  - The finding chart FC_XTEJ1701-Kspec-1_ZOOM_OB2.jpg is based on a Magellan/PANIC-Ks
   band image taken in August 2007 when our target
    was entering quiescence. While a more recent image from 2008 (when the source
   was well into the quiescent state) shows our target to have a
    very similar magnitude as in 2007, it is possible that at the time of the VLT/ISAAC
   observation the target will have faded.
  
  OBSERVATION: 
  Our observation consists of 7 AB cycles, with one 180s exposure taken at each of
   the 14 position. The NodThrow is
  70" and the JitterBox Width is 10", which should keep the spectra away from the
   two large dust specks on the detector
  as discussed on the ISAAC webpages (http://www.eso.org/observing/dfo/quality/ISAAC/img/flat_080612J.png).
  
  TIME CONSTRAINTS:
  We impose no time constraints, but we prefer this OB (XTEJ1701-Kspec-2) to be executed
   at least a few days after the 
  first one (XTEJ1701-Kspec-1), to enable us to look for variability in the IR spectra
   that can help to understand the observed variability in 
  the X-ray spectra.

Waiver Requests

• No Waiver Request was submitted

Critical Observing Condition Constraints

• As indicated in the OB definition, please execute these observations when
   the seeing is 1" or better.

Time-Critical Aspects

• TIME CONSTRAINTS:
  We impose no time constraints, but we prefer this second OB (XTEJ1701-Kspec-2) to
   be executed at least a few days after the first one
  one (XTEJ1701-Kspec-1), to enable us to look for variability in the IR spectra that
   can help to understand the observed variability in 
  the X-ray spectra.

Special Execution Requirements

• ---(Empty)---

Special Calibration Information

• We do not require special calibration observations. For the telluric standard,
   we have a slight preference for a solar-type star (for 
  a hot telluric standard it is more difficult to remove its H and He features from
   our target spectrum).

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 ?

• 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

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

• N/A

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

• YES

If you are doing spectroscopy, did you draw the slit on the Finding Charts
 ?

• YES

Did you enter the magnitude of the brightest star in the field-of-view
 in the 'Instrument Comments' field of each OB ?

• YES

If you use the MoveToPixel acquisition, have you given clear instructions
 on the FC and in the OB comment section as to how the field should be centered ?

• N/A