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--- uc:uc20250506_may_6_2025 [2025/05/21 21:39]
nchanove
+++ uc:uc20250506_may_6_2025 [2025/05/28 15:46] (current)
nchanove
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 === Additional site, telescope and instrument discussion ===
-The ARCTIC diffuser rotation mechanism has been challenging to repair. The symptom is that when commanded to rotate, the diffuser shifts in position and then stops. This is worse than having no rotation, so the rotation functionality is currently not available. It will require a complete rebuild in order to get it working so this is on the longer-term to-do list.
+The ARCTIC diffuser rotation mechanism has been challenging to repair. The symptom is that when commanded to rotate, the diffuser shifts in position and then stops. This is worse than having no rotation, so the rotation functionality is currently disabled. It will require a complete rebuild in order to get it working so this is on the longer-term to-do list.
-The Agile instrument rotator is exhibiting problems. Unfortunately they are occurring too frequently for science, but too intermittently for focused testing, which makes it hard to diagnose. This is still being worked on.
+The Agile instrument rotator is exhibiting problems. Unfortunately they are occurring too frequently for science, but too intermittently for detailed testing, which makes it hard to diagnose. This is still being worked on.
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 === Status of new instrument initiatives ===
-Early discussions regarding the development of a replacement high speed imager, SoonerCam, are ongoing. We expect to be able to share an information/specification sheet or white paper about the instrument fairly soon.
+A replacement high speed imager, SoonerCam, is under development. We expect to be able to share an information/specification sheet or white paper about the instrument fairly soon. In the meantime, a survey of all past/present/future users of such an instrument (i.e. current and former Agile users, or those who want to use a modern high speed imager) was distributed. We really need to hear from users concerning anticipated needs for frame rate, binning, etc. as this information will drive some design decisions. We plan to add a focal reducer but the pixels are currently very small. Here is the email sent to 35m-general requesting survey responses:
-Our preliminary proposal to the NSF for a replacement echelle was not invited for a full proposal. Work on the instrument continues with the goal of completing the Preliminary Design Review this calendar year, and additional sources of funds are being investigated.
-We have no updates concerning Ocotillo.
+''Dear APO 3.5m users,
-survey - when it comes around, what kind of memory it will consume (tons of data over long time?) - hope is to put in a focal reducer but right now the pixels are very small
+We are purchasing a new qCMOS high-speed camera, **SoonerCam**, to replace the old camera on Agile. This camera provides a read-noise of 0.3 e- in the ultra-quiet scan mode. It's a 4096x2304 pixel camera with 4.5 micron pixels. It can provide up to 25 frames/s in this mode.  Using Agile's current setup, the camera provides **0.05 arcsec per pixel (or a field of view of 115" x 205")**.''
+''Before finalizing the design and installation at the telescope, we would love to hear your thoughts or feedback on what would make this new camera suitable for your science needs.''
+''If you are interested in using this new capability, can you please provide feedback on:
+[[https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJG6zQg7YtGxGhAtaKULHyzZVZe29uHCiegcHdM0edglN1gw/viewform?usp=sharing]]''
+''Thank you,''
+''On behalf of the SoonerCam team (including the Astro group at OU, Sarah Tuttle, Bill Ketzeback and the APO engineering/software team, and Nancy Chanover),''
+''-Muk''
+Work on the new optical echelle spectrograph continues with the goal of completing the Preliminary Design Review this calendar year. Another grant proposal is in the works.
+We have no updates concerning Ocotillo.
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 === ACTION ITEMS ===
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   * UC reps: remind your users to review the Q2 schedule and request OPEN/DD time if they can make a good case for it. STATUS: CLOSED.
-New action items from this meeting: None
+New action items from this meeting:
+  * UC reps: ask your users to complete the survey regarding needs/desires for a high speed imaging capability. The link to this survey was sent out to 35m-general on May 6, 2025 by Mukremin Kilic, and is also included above. STATUS: OPEN.
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 === All Other Business ===
-NC - data archiving
+Nancy requested input from the UC reps concerning user needs/desires for data archiving. There was no clear consensus about what (if anything) APO should provide or facilitate in this area, but several UC members stated that it would be more useful to have reduced data available in an archive more so than raw data files.
-Zach -  mixed reactions - yes it would be nice to see what has been observed, Worry about what would  make it most useful is to have reduced data products (out of reach). Another question : with new instruments to build it in? Russet - making data available and searchable/usable are 2 different things. Could be a strength/compromise - could be student opportunity. Sarah - lot of work.Misty - sounds nice but right now seems like a good time to discuss but not act. Zach - mini version could be way to archive data in Zenodo w/papers. Joanne - we should all upload all our best data to some repository. KS - reduced data in an archive is more useful. Keven
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