uc:uc20250902_september_2_2025
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uc:uc20250902_september_2_2025 [2025/09/02 16:20] nchanove |
uc:uc20250902_september_2_2025 [2025/09/02 18:49] (current) nchanove |
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| - | Attending: Nancy Chanover (NMSU), Bill Ketzeback (APO), | + | Attending: Nancy Chanover (NMSU), Bill Ketzeback (APO), |
| - | + | ||
| - | Chip Kobulnicky | + | |
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| * Washington - nothing to report (by email) | * Washington - nothing to report (by email) | ||
| * Oklahoma - nothing to report | * Oklahoma - nothing to report | ||
| - | * UVa - nothing | + | * UVa - Anne asked about whether there are any backup systems in place to avoid another occurrence of the recent network issue. This was discussed in more detail below. |
| * JHU - nothing to report | * JHU - nothing to report | ||
| * BYU - nothing to report | * BYU - nothing to report | ||
| - | * Seattle - nothing | + | * Seattle - Joanne reported that the dark current on KOSMOS has noticeably increased from April to now. See KOSMOS discussion in the below site report |
| - | * Colorado - nothing to report | + | * Colorado - no report |
| * NAPG - no report | * NAPG - no report | ||
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| === Additional site, telescope and instruments discussion === | === Additional site, telescope and instruments discussion === | ||
| - | New Personnel: Welcome | + | There was a recent failure of the main site network' |
| + | |||
| + | Regarding the open positions, the hiring process is moving forward. Also, we welcome | ||
| + | |||
| + | We continue to have challenges with the camera(s) on the 0.5m. It is possible that the DIS camera can be used once the decommissioning is further along. University of Virginia brought a spare Apogee camera for use on ARCSAT; it is still not known whether that can be used by the broader ARCSAT user community. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The KOSMOS vacuum servicing didn't resolve the issue of high dark current so we will have to open up the cryostat to see if we can figure out what is causing a decreased hold time or increase in dark current. We are currently planning to do this during Q4; the science schedule indicates that it may not be possible until early December unless the issue becomes critical and we need to take the instrument out of service. Chip reported that a recent UWy user suggested that the dark current is currently so high that the instrument is unusable for faint targets without doubling or tripling the exposure time. Nancy will follow up directly with that user to ascertain if the problem has worsened. This would be an argument for servicing KOSMOS sooner, but we need to balance that with the numerous class visits that will be scheduled in the first two months of Q4, most of which have requested to use KOSMOS. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ARCES had been displaying increased inter-order light that would indicate some form of contamination in the light path of the CCD. We warmed up half of the cryostat while keeping the shield cold so that the water vapor would migrate to shield. That did improve things significantly but subsequently things degraded somewhat; we are now hoping that it will stabilize or reverse direction. The upgrade to a modern computer for the ARCES ICC is underway. | ||
| + | |||
| + | NICFPS and TripleSpec are operating as expected. DIS is powered down. APOLLO has been laser ranging and we were recently able to get all 5 retroreflectors but it is still not at peak performance. | ||
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| === 2025 Q3 3.5m scheduling === | === 2025 Q3 3.5m scheduling === | ||
| - | There is some OPEN time remaining in September (last month of Q3). We have received requests for some of it, but not all. To request this time please follow the standard procedure by emailing your request to Ben Williams, Russet McMillan, Amanda Townsend, Nancy Chanover, and your institutional scheduler. Be sure to include the specific slot you are requesting and a short justification. | + | There is some OPEN time remaining in September (last month of Q3). We have received requests for some of it, but not all. To request this time please follow the standard procedure by emailing your request to Ben Williams, Russet McMillan, Amanda Townsend, Nancy Chanover, and your institutional scheduler. Be sure to include the specific slot you are requesting |
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| === 2025 Q4 3.5m scheduling === | === 2025 Q4 3.5m scheduling === | ||
| - | Schedule | + | The Q4 schedule |
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| === 2025 Q3 0.5 scheduling === | === 2025 Q3 0.5 scheduling === | ||
| - | Next week is the only open week (1.5 weeks really) | + | September 8-17 (next week!) is the only open time remaining in the ARCSAT Q3 schedule. |
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| === Status of new instrument initiatives === | === Status of new instrument initiatives === | ||
| - | * SoonerCam: we received a modest number of survey responses and will proceed using the information we have. The camera was purchased and a meeting is scheduled in two weeks to discuss the next steps. | + | * SoonerCam: we are ordering parts! |
| - | * KOSMOS grisms: we are still awaiting a decision on the proposal we submitted for funds to support the purchase of three new grisms for KOSMOS. | + | * KOSMOS grisms |
| - | * ASPEN: we are still awaiting a decision on the proposal we submitted for funds to support the development of the new echelle spectrograph. Work on the design of the new optical echelle spectrograph continues with the goal of completing the Preliminary Design Review in early 2026. | + | * ASPEN (no change from last month): we are still awaiting a decision on the proposal we submitted for funds to support the development of the new echelle spectrograph. Work on the design of the new optical echelle spectrograph continues with the goal of completing the Preliminary Design Review in early 2026. |
| - | * Ocotillo: a number of purchase orders were executed and we expect the first batch of hardware to come in within the next month or so. | + | * Ocotillo |
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| === Web site updates === | === Web site updates === | ||
| - | xxx | + | We are close to having something operational. All of the requested pieces and updates were implemented. Although it is not yet finalized, users are encouraged to start using it: [[https:// |
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| === Upcoming events === | === Upcoming events === | ||
| - | 4 classes | + | There are a number of events taking place over the next several months: |
| - | ASPEN team meeting | + | * We have 4 class groups |
| - | Open House on 10/11 | + | * There will be an in-person |
| - | ARC BoG meeting | + | * We are holding a public-facing |
| - | Jan AAS meeting | + | * The ARC Board of Governors |
| + | * The January 2026 AAS meeting | ||
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| New action items from this meeting: | New action items from this meeting: | ||
| - | * None. | + | * Nancy: follow up with UWy KOSMOS user to determine severity of dark current issue. |
| + | * UC reps: remind your users to review the Q3 schedule and request OPEN time in September if they can make a good case for it. | ||
| + | * UC reps: poll your users about a Jan. 2026 splinter session at the AAS for APO science highlights and networking (or other ideas!). | ||
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uc/uc20250902_september_2_2025.1756830052.txt.gz · Last modified: 2025/09/02 16:20 by nchanove
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