Control file system of structured observing for the William Herschel Telescope

Lewis R. Jones; David M. Branston

doi:10.1117/12.19103

1 July 1990 Control file system of structured observing for the William Herschel Telescope

Lewis R. Jones, David M. Branston

Proceedings Volume 1235, Instrumentation in Astronomy VII; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.19103
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation for the 21st Century, 1990, Tucson, AZ, United States

Abstract

Methods of observing where the observer continually interacts with the on-line system do not always make optimum use of the time available. Given the increasing pressure on observing time, it is now being recognised that both advance planning and greater automation of the observing process are vital in order to increase efficiency. The William Herschel Telescope, where all instruments and detectors are fully computer controlled, offers an ideal opportunity for building tools to help users improve the efficiency of their observing. The Control File system divides naturally into an off-line preparation and verification phase, and an on-line control phase. The off-line software consists of an 'intelligent' editor which allows the preparation of observing scripts which are syntactically correct. These scripts can then be checked and optimised according to pre-determined rules which can, for example, ensure that a minimum number of calibration observations are slotted into the programme and that the overall set of observations are in a sensible order to minimise telescope slewing.

Citation Download Citation

Lewis R. Jones and David M. Branston "Control file system of structured observing for the William Herschel Telescope", Proc. SPIE 1235, Instrumentation in Astronomy VII, (1 July 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.19103

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