Science Operations

Observe Type

The Observe Element allows users to specify the Data Type and Class for their observation. This feature helps the OT pass special instructions to the instruments (such as canonical mechanism and detector configurations) particularly for calibrations. It also offers an easy way to correctly tag data for ingestion to and retrieval from the archive.

For example, choosing a LUCI Dark will autoconfigure the script to pass no target information tot he instrument and to insert the blind filters into both filter wheels and will set the Class to Daytime Calibration. The data will also be saved in the archive as “Calibration” and will thus be available to all partners.

Each instrument has a slightly different list of acceptable Data Types based on standard calibration types. The Classes are currently the same for all instruments:

Data Types:

LBC Observe Types: LBC has Bias, Darks, Object (Science), Flats, and Twilight Flats available as Data Types. Each Data Type has a default Class. Bias, Darks, and Flats are Daytime Calibrations. Object is Science, but may be changed to Standard
LUCI Observe Types: LUCI has Darks, Object (Science), Flats, Twilight Flats and Arcs available as Data Types. Each Data Type has a default Class. Arcs, Flats, Darks, and Twilight Flats are Daytime Calibrations. Object is Science, but may be changed to Standard, Acquisition, Telluric, or Telluric Acquisition
MODS Observe Types: MODS has Flats, Arcs, Object (Science), Bias and Dark available as Data Types. Each Data Type has a default Class. Arcs, Flats, Darks, and Bias are Daytime Calibrations. Object is Science, but may be changed to Standard, Acquisition, Telluric, or Telluric Acquisition

Observe Elements

Most Observe Elements only have one element, the Class, which provides a descriptive label to the data that can be used to help with archiving, time keeping, etc. The Object Element in LBC is an example of this situation:


However, other elements may have specialized information specific to both the instrument and the Data Type. For instance LUCI Arcs have a set-up for the Arc Lamps, which will compose scripts to trigger different arc lamps off and on.