Science Operations

2019B Release Notes

NOTE: The 2019B Observing Tool is the current public release. It will produce 1) monocular and binocular LBC Science scripts 2) monocular MODS scripts (which can be run at time of execution in “identical” and “fraternal” twin mode) 3) monocular LUCI1 and LUCI2 Science seeing-limited scripts 4) limited binocular LUCI Science scripts; including “identical twin” OBs, with mirrored observations on both SX and DX 5) “Fraternal” LUCI twin scripts that allow for different instrument configurations but identical targets, PAs, and offsets 6) ARGOS enabled LUCI scripts 7) calibration scripts for all instruments.
2019B Version 1.1: September 20, 2019

Listed below are known issues and bugs in this Public Release. Improvements to this software are on-going and despite our best efforts, all bugs are likely not known or characterized. If you find a bug, please contact the Q-Dev team at queue_dev@lbto.org.

Current Release:

Upgrades/Fixes to previous semester releases:

  • Added LBT internal image servers to Position Editor for use in Tucson or Mt. Graham.
  • Added NIR image server “button” to the main Position Editor icon bar.
  • Major revision of the Position Editor including: removing unnecessary features, fixing minor bugs, editing top-level menus, and streamlining the catalog list in the Catalog Navigator.
  • Access to 2MASS images in the Position Editor restored.
  • When uploading MOS masks for LUCI, the Position Editor now displays curved slits. Display of tilted slits has been corrected.
  • LBC sub-windowing enabled for chip-2 and all chip in the LBC Instrument Tab
  • Warning messages added during Script Generation to address scripting issues related to target, guide, and AOref sources with the same name and different coordinates.
  • In the Instrument Tab, LUCI no longer automatically defaults to the N1.8 when a spectroscopic grating is selected.
  • In the Position Editor, MODS Guide Start Patrol Fields updated to reflect mechanical limits and homogenized for improve binocular observing.
  • Added a ‘Program ID’ test box to the Science Program Tab to allow PIs to enter their correct PIT/TAC IDs. The archive will now use these Program IDs to assign data sets to PIs.
  • A major revision of MODS script generation to allow for more flexible use and configuration of the instrument.
  • In the MODS instrument tab, the grating is now ‘locked’ after initial selection and unavailable in the instrument sequence iterator to prevent grating changes during an observation.

Known Issues:

  • Warning and error messages for LUCI may not be up-to-date with rapid developments in modes and mechanisms offered. Unless explicitly stated, errors will not prevent script generation and can be safely ignored if you are confident with your set-up. Please check with your ISA if you have any concerns.
  • Acquisition and spectroscopy blocks are not connected to lock Target coordinates, PA, or GS coordinates so that they must be identical. The same is true for LBCR and LBCB blocks which MUST have the same offsets.
  • On Windows 10, no desktop icon appears after install. The icon does appear in the start menu.
  • It is currently impossible to enter 0s as an Exposure Time for either MODS or LBC. Although it is common practice to do so for biases, it is not necessary in the OT. The scripts will simply ignore whatever exposure time you choose.

Known Bugs:

 

  • Downloads of the library into Windows sometimes fail with the message shown below. One potential solution is to be sure to import the library directly from the default browser download folder rather than using any browser drag-and-drop feature. Another solution is to close and reopen the OT and try the import again.

  • Potential catalog issue with the Position Editor. If your ‘Image Servers’ list in the Position Editor does not match the image below please see the FAQ page for the workaround.

  • Intermittent screen painting issue across all platforms. The Telescope Mode and Position Angle dropdown boxes may disappear from the Target Tab. If this occurs, you will need to close and re-open your OT.
  • Screen painting issues with Windows 10. If you are currently magnifying your desktop using the display settings under Windows 10 you may see cut off text on some OT screen. The ‘Observation’ / script creation panel, and the ‘Random‘ and ‘Grid‘ dialog boxes in the ‘Offset Sequence Component’ panel are known examples of where this may be seen. To correct this right click on your desktop and select ‘Display Settings’ from the menu. Set the ‘Change the size of text, apps, and other items’ slider to 100% and click on ‘Apply’. You may need to log out of your current Windows session and log back in again to have this correctly applied o the OT. If you find this makes the text on your screen too small to read then you might consider reducing your screen resolution under ‘Display Settings’, or using the ‘Magnifier’ desktop application.
  • Error messages may appear inappropriately in MODS and LUCI sequence tabs even when no offset iterator is present: “You are offsetting along the dispersion direction and may be dithering outside the slit.” In these instances, please simply ignore this warning
  • In LUCI, the OH1060 is not correctly identified as a cross-filter in the error handling software. You may receive warnings about exposure times and/or cross-filter combinations even when you have correctly selected this combination. Please ignore these warnings.
  • You may see incorrectly triggered warning messages when completing MODS arcs or flats that suggest that the combination of filters and modes is non-standard. These warnings should only trigger for science; ignore any that appear for calibrations
  • If the LBC image is too small it will impact the GS query.
  • Selected zoom level in one instrument can affect FOV of other instruments in the Position Editor when switching between observations
  • LBC Instrument Tab: When setting the Science Chip Readout, it is possible to put a minimum that is larger than maximum (don’t do this).
  • LUCI Guide Probe geometries are not high fidelity (missing fold mirror shadow). Additional geometry will be added in the future.
  • When loading your own FITS file and running catalog search, display of default image may not act as expected. Reproducible and under investigation.