Submission of MOS OBs for VIMOS

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Relative Astrometric Accuracy Requirements
Pre-image execution and data release
MOS OB submission Rules (Service Mode)
MOS OB submission Rules (Visitor Mode)

Relative Astrometric Accuracy Requirements

Mask preparation with VMMPS requires the use of both input catalogues and pre-images. In general the relative astrometry must be known better than 1/6 of the slit widths all over the field of view. Relative astrometry here means that the slit positions in your input catalogue must be known relative to those of reference stars in the field of view with the given precision. A pre-image is used to link the astrometric solution of your catalogue to the VIMOS FOV.

Pre-image execution and data release

ESO will make every possible effort to execute all preimaging as early as at all possible, and will release pre-images immediately. In effect all pre-image OBs will be treated as ``carry-under OBs'', meaning that they will be executed as soon as they are ready even if that is before the period starts. Because VIMOS has no atmospheric dispersion correction, there are severe limits on the window in which observations through a MOS mask can be successfully executed. In practice the requirement is that both pre-imaging and MOS of the same field must be obtained while the field is plus/minus 2 hours from the meridian.

For the Phase 2 proposers this means that it is important to submit pre-imaging OBs as soon as possible, even long before the general (for other modes) submission deadline. The earlier ESO has access to the OBs, the earlier the pre-images will be obtained, and the higher the probability that follow-up MOS observations will be completed within the narrow window of opportunity.

MOS OB submission Rules (Service Mode)

For the Phase 2 proposers it also means that it is important to prepare the follow-up MOS OBs as soon as the pre-imaging OBs are released. Since MOS effectively is only a dark time mode, it means that Phase 2 proposers should strive to submit MOS OBs such that they are ready for execution during the darktime following that of the pre-images (i.e. within 2 weeks). If one darktime is missed (i.e. 4-5 weeks used for MOS preparation), this limits the window of opportunity. If two darktimes are missed (i.e. 8-9 weeks used for MOS preparation), the MOS OBs will be in serious jeopardy of failing to find a slot in the schedule. Tight constraints on observing conditions will work towards making it even harder to execute the OBs.

For these reasons, users are strongly encouraged to submit their MOS phase 2 material as soon as possible after receiving the preimaging data. Failure to submit this phase 2 material within 4 weeks after delivery of the preimaging seriously decreases the chances of completion of MOS runs. Furthermore, incomplete class A runs at the end of the period will not be carried over to the next period if the reason for non-completion is a late submission of MOS OBs.

In summary: Phase 2 proposers should prepare MOS OBs as soon as at all possible after pre-images have been obtained, and they should think carefully about how tight constraints on observing conditions it is realistic to set given the additional limitation of observing within plus/minus 2 hour from the meridian.

MOS OB submission Rules (Visitor Mode)

Visitor Mode (VM) observers who wish to use VIMOS in MOS mode must submit part of their MOS OBs to the ESO OB repository in Garching at minimum 3 weeks before the first night of the VM run. This is unlike any other VLT instrument, so VIMOS VM observers should read this section carefully.

We need to start the MOS mask production well before a VM run starts. Therefore we need some of the OBs (as they include the mask definition files) complete and verified in the repository no later than 2 weeks before the VM run starts. The rules and deadlines for MOS VM OB submission are as follows:

A minimum of 40% (rounded up) of all masks to be used during a given VM run must be submitted (attached to valid OBs).
During a VM run a maximum of three (3) sets of MOS masks can be manufactured per night. Therefore, in addition to the 40% it is the responsibility of VM observers to count out how many masks can be produced during their run, and make sure that validated OBs containing mask definition files for the remainder are available in the Garching repository.
The deadline for submission of VM MOS OBs is 3 weeks before the first VM night of the run. In addition, the PI must be prepared to work with the User Support Department in Garching during the following week to correct their submission as required for it to pass validation the required 2 weeks before the run.
As soon as OBs are verified the masks will be manufactured. Therefore, the submitted masks are FINAL. After manufacture they cannot be changed.
Contrary to the Service Mode case, there is no need to notify p2pp-submit@eso.org once the submission is complete.

ESO will make every possible effort to obtain and release the pre-imaging for VM runs no later than 6 weeks before the first night of the VM run. In cases where this may prove impossible (because of weather or technical reasons), the above mentioned deadlines may be changed on a case-to-case basis.

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Last modified: Wed Nov 17 11:43:19 MET