Keck InstrumentsKeck Instruments

The WMKO Support Astronomer Group

The WMKO Support Astronomer Group

2

IntroductionIntroduction

Eight facility instruments Each instrument has an assigned “Master” and a

“Secondary Master.” Summit instrument group provides “hands-on”

assistance. (Dwight Chan and Mike Wagner) Summit crew does reconfigs, basic troubleshooting,

etc.

Mainland observing update

Eight facility instruments Each instrument has an assigned “Master” and a

“Secondary Master.” Summit instrument group provides “hands-on”

assistance. (Dwight Chan and Mike Wagner) Summit crew does reconfigs, basic troubleshooting,

etc.

Mainland observing update

3

Organizational ChangesOrganizational Changes

Summit instrument group reorganized and refocused.

Grant Hill acting as summit liaison Significantly improved system!

Summit instrument group reorganized and refocused.

Grant Hill acting as summit liaison Significantly improved system!

4

Instrument MastersInstrument Masters

Instrument Master Second

LRIS Marc Kassis Greg Wirth

NIRC Marc Kassis Bob Goodrich

HIRES Grant Hill Hien Tran

NIRSPEC Jim Lyke Grant Hill

OSIRIS Jim Lyke Randy Campbell

NIRC2 Al Conrad Randy Campbell

DEIMOS Greg Wirth Grant Hill

ESI Greg Wirth Bob Goodrich

Mainland observing Greg Wirth

LRIS StatusLRIS Status

Marc KassisMarc Kassis

6

Recent LRIS Problems Addressed

Recent LRIS Problems Addressed

Replaced the blue side shutter with spares (x2) New parts machined Spares refurbished by Caltech

Replaced damaged Blue side Dewar window Replaced broken slitmask rollers after repeated

mechanism jambs Repaired offset guider encoder Repaired slit viewing guider glycol leak Replaced grating Compumotor and encoder

Replaced the blue side shutter with spares (x2) New parts machined Spares refurbished by Caltech

Replaced damaged Blue side Dewar window Replaced broken slitmask rollers after repeated

mechanism jambs Repaired offset guider encoder Repaired slit viewing guider glycol leak Replaced grating Compumotor and encoder

7

Recent LRIS ImprovementsRecent LRIS Improvements

Software Released slitmask imaging tool Released automated focus routines Implemented long slit and polarimeter focusing routines

Hardware upgraded limit switches for slitmask grabber and trapdoor to

improve reliability Documentation

Revamped LRIS web pages Observers very pleased with updated content Page style may change to further improve navigation and

appearance

Software Released slitmask imaging tool Released automated focus routines Implemented long slit and polarimeter focusing routines

Hardware upgraded limit switches for slitmask grabber and trapdoor to

improve reliability Documentation

Revamped LRIS web pages Observers very pleased with updated content Page style may change to further improve navigation and

appearance

8

Current LRIS ConcernsCurrent LRIS Concerns

• Blue and Red side shutters. Blue shutter failure rate is 1.5 years Red shutter does not have a good spare Identifying possible solutions for replacement (Caltech involved)

• Blue side CCD power drops (ongoing investigation)• Slitmask door mechanical problem; new latches planned• Grating port three homing problem; limit switches need

adjustment• Blue side carousel flags prone to misalignment – more robust

switches identified (Caltech involved)

• Blue and Red side shutters. Blue shutter failure rate is 1.5 years Red shutter does not have a good spare Identifying possible solutions for replacement (Caltech involved)

• Blue side CCD power drops (ongoing investigation)• Slitmask door mechanical problem; new latches planned• Grating port three homing problem; limit switches need

adjustment• Blue side carousel flags prone to misalignment – more robust

switches identified (Caltech involved)

9

LRIS Optical IssuesLRIS Optical Issues Instrument focus

dependent on rotation and elevation.

LRIS rotational center is offset from the telescope’s mechanical and optical axis by 1.5 in

This affects image quality detrimentally

Instrument focus dependent on rotation and elevation.

LRIS rotational center is offset from the telescope’s mechanical and optical axis by 1.5 in

This affects image quality detrimentally

The K1+f/15 center of rotation is marked by black theodolite cross hairs while yellow fishing line marks the center of the LRIS optical axis.Photo taken during ADC alignment by Drew Phillips.

K1+ f/15

LRIS

10

Future LRIS UpgradesFuture LRIS Upgrades

Hardware1. Install Fe/Ar and

deuterium lamps for calibrating blue side

2. Improve slitmask frames

3. Improve slitmask guides for better reliability

Hardware1. Install Fe/Ar and

deuterium lamps for calibrating blue side

2. Improve slitmask frames

3. Improve slitmask guides for better reliability

Fe/Ar lamp

1200/3400 grism

Tint=30s

39002900 3400

cou

nts

Angstroms

SoftwareDevelop calibration GUIS similar to DEIMOS or HIRES Expand FITS headers to include slitmask design and target

information to aid slitmask alignment & data reductionReplace FIGDISP with DS9 reliability

11

LRIS Performance MonitoringLRIS Performance Monitoring

Released scripts that reconfigure the instrument and acquire throughput data

Completing LRIS mechanical checkouts prior to each observing run

Implemented software to check common detector parameters (gain, read noise, linearity).

Released scripts that reconfigure the instrument and acquire throughput data

Completing LRIS mechanical checkouts prior to each observing run

Implemented software to check common detector parameters (gain, read noise, linearity).

NIRC(a.k.a. NIRC classic)

NIRC(a.k.a. NIRC classic)

Marc KassisMarc Kassis

13

Status of NIRC ClassicStatus of NIRC Classic

NIRC is rarely used Six nights in 2006B Four nights in 2007A

Following the earthquake Guider was used as an emergency spare for

the LRIS slit-viewing guider Dewar was thermally cycled to address an

image artifact (“flash light effect”)

NIRC is rarely used Six nights in 2006B Four nights in 2007A

Following the earthquake Guider was used as an emergency spare for

the LRIS slit-viewing guider Dewar was thermally cycled to address an

image artifact (“flash light effect”)

HIRESHIRES

Grant HillGrant Hill

15

HIRES Recent Work HIRES Recent Work

• Semi-regular monitoring of detector characteristics begun, Feb. 06.

• Replaced ion pump and oxygen-soaked mosaic, May 06.

• Considerable progress on web pages. (Number of updated and activated pages more than doubled.)

• Earthquake.• Installation of new comparison lamp begun (ongoing).• Review of spare inventory and purchases begun.

16

HIRES Earthquake-induced focus change

HIRES Earthquake-induced focus change

17

HIRES Current IssuesHIRES Current Issues

Further documentation and web pages improvements. Likely to be a background effort over next year. Goal is have manual rewritten by end of 2007.

Occasional reports of wavelength instability. Investigations so far inconclusive. Further experiments planned in April–June.

PM program. PM program for all instruments proposed as an FY08 project. Project will include predictive and preventative maintenance and

performance monitoring. Project proposal includes planning tool improvement/construction

(e.g. exposure time calculator, echelle simulator, etc.)

Further documentation and web pages improvements. Likely to be a background effort over next year. Goal is have manual rewritten by end of 2007.

Occasional reports of wavelength instability. Investigations so far inconclusive. Further experiments planned in April–June.

PM program. PM program for all instruments proposed as an FY08 project. Project will include predictive and preventative maintenance and

performance monitoring. Project proposal includes planning tool improvement/construction

(e.g. exposure time calculator, echelle simulator, etc.)

NIRSPECNIRSPEC

Jim LykeJim Lyke

19

NIRSPECNIRSPEC

Anonymous user comments:

“NIRSPEC works.”

“SCAM is invaluable.”

“I don’t trust the rotator.”

Anonymous user comments:

“NIRSPEC works.”

“SCAM is invaluable.”

“I don’t trust the rotator.”

20

NIRSPEC Recent Work NIRSPEC Recent Work

NIRSPAO is back! Six nights in Dec. 2006, including first LGS-AO

night. Two nights in June 2007.

Cold heads replaced March 16, 2005 65,000 operating hours (7+ years)

Server improvements have eliminated most server crashes.

EFS now allows user-defined nods

NIRSPAO is back! Six nights in Dec. 2006, including first LGS-AO

night. Two nights in June 2007.

Cold heads replaced March 16, 2005 65,000 operating hours (7+ years)

Server improvements have eliminated most server crashes.

EFS now allows user-defined nods

21

NIRSPEC Current IssuesNIRSPEC Current Issues

Rotator slews move the echelle Dispersion direction–not seen in low-res Arc lines shift by 1 pixel Re-emergence of an old problem; solved by replacing

motor last time. Slit primary init switch faulty Server crashes

Rotator-caused crashes are gone Dirty optical fibers for some Mystery cause for others

SCAM intermittent quadrant Ice on dewar window

Rotator slews move the echelle Dispersion direction–not seen in low-res Arc lines shift by 1 pixel Re-emergence of an old problem; solved by replacing

motor last time. Slit primary init switch faulty Server crashes

Rotator-caused crashes are gone Dirty optical fibers for some Mystery cause for others

SCAM intermittent quadrant Ice on dewar window

22

NIRSPEC Window IceNIRSPEC Window Ice

Recurring problem (every 6–12 months) Previously, replaced window March experiment to just warm and pump

dewar was successful

Recurring problem (every 6–12 months) Previously, replaced window March experiment to just warm and pump

dewar was successful

23

NIRSPECNIRSPEC

Ice absorption at 3.1 m is gone Most recent: middle plot, green line

Before After

24

NIRSPECNIRSPEC

Upcoming Events NIRSPEC’s 8th Birthday April 25, 2007

800+ science nights allocated Possible service for rotator and slit MAGIQ upgrade Fall 2007

Upcoming Events NIRSPEC’s 8th Birthday April 25, 2007

800+ science nights allocated Possible service for rotator and slit MAGIQ upgrade Fall 2007

OSIRISOSIRIS

Jim LykeJim Lyke

26

OSIRIS Earthquake DamageOSIRIS Earthquake Damage

Fully functional after repair 4 nights lost (switched to NIRC2)

27

OSIRIS Current IssuesOSIRIS Current Issues

Small FOV 0.32 x 1.28 arc sec Relative astrometry vital!

Less sensitive Calculation error Grating efficiency

Not many papers Data reduction difficult, but

help is coming!

Small FOV 0.32 x 1.28 arc sec Relative astrometry vital!

Less sensitive Calculation error Grating efficiency

Not many papers Data reduction difficult, but

help is coming!

Sensitivities (ZP mag w/ flux in DN/s)

FilterOrigina

lNow Δmag

J 25.9 23.5 2.4

H 26.7 24.3 2.4

K 26.1 23.7 2.4

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OSIRIS PapersOSIRIS Papers

NIRSPEC

YearAllocated

nights*Papers

1999 16.0 0

2000 127.0 7

Total 143.0 7

20.4 nights per paper

OSIRIS

YearAllocated

nights*Papers

2005 15.0 0

2006 47.0 4

Total 62.0 4

15.5 nights per paper

* Engineering nights not included

The rate of papers per night for OSIRIS, a year after commissioning, is similar to the rate for NIRSPEC, a year after it commissioned.

29

OSIRISOSIRIS

DRP Issues Distributed.

No mechanism to notify users of updates

New and different data products No dedicated support

No Telluric Correction Long integrations Changing sky background

DRP Issues Distributed.

No mechanism to notify users of updates

New and different data products No dedicated support

No Telluric Correction Long integrations Changing sky background

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OSIRIS FutureOSIRIS Future

What’s Next? Papers!

Breakthrough with telluric correction Use background region to calculate sky

Many are working on techniques and tools Larkin, Wright, McElwain (UCLA) Team Keck (using Director’s nights—thanks, Taft!) Perrin, Laver, Adamkovics (UCB) Law (CIT)

What’s Next? Papers!

Breakthrough with telluric correction Use background region to calculate sky

Many are working on techniques and tools Larkin, Wright, McElwain (UCLA) Team Keck (using Director’s nights—thanks, Taft!) Perrin, Laver, Adamkovics (UCB) Law (CIT)

NIRC2NIRC2

Al ConradAl Conrad

32

NIRC2 Recent WorkNIRC2 Recent Work

Cold since August 2003 Use has broadened since LGSAO commissioned

LGS/NGS ratio approx. 3-to-1

e.g., Faint Galaxies

Calibration lamps available

Use of pupil masks increasing

Cold since August 2003 Use has broadened since LGSAO commissioned

LGS/NGS ratio approx. 3-to-1

e.g., Faint Galaxies

Calibration lamps available

Use of pupil masks increasing

Galaxy 4C29.28 ER2 from “Identification and Morphologies of Galaxies with Old Stellar Populations

at z 2.5” Alan Stockton and Elizabeth McGrath

NIRC2 Current IssuesNIRC2 Current Issues

• Motor homing• Detector Noise

NIRC2 one-second dark showing fixed pattern noise in

lower left quadrant

NIRC2 Project: AstrometryNIRC2 Project: Astrometry Goal: Better characterize PA, plate scale, & distortion Goal: Better characterize PA, plate scale, & distortion

2 data source types: Images of clusters and pin-holes

easy arcsec/pixel ao+tel+nirc2

N/A mm/pixel nirc2 only

CLUSTER

PINHOLE

Plate ScalePosition Angle Distortion

Summary of Results:Summary of Results:

• Plate Scale: Fit residuals 0.06–0.09 pixels; 6–8 times more precise than preship values.• PA: Known to within 0.1 degrees; may improve with further analysis. • Pin-hole distortion: subpixel in the interior; 2–3 pixels at the edge.

• Plate Scale: Fit residuals 0.06–0.09 pixels; 6–8 times more precise than preship values.• PA: Known to within 0.1 degrees; may improve with further analysis. • Pin-hole distortion: subpixel in the interior; 2–3 pixels at the edge.

NIRC2 Astrometry (cont.)NIRC2 Astrometry (cont.)Report: by Brian Cameron (posted on the NIRC2 web page)

Related work: Konopacky, Britton, Lu, others.

• Recommended fields and observing scripts.• Voluntary repository.• dewarp tool (written in IDL).

Web Page for Astrometry Calibration:

Narrowcamera

DEIMOSDEIMOS

Greg WirthGreg Wirth

37

DEIMOS Recent WorkDEIMOS Recent Work

DEIMOS has been working very reliably with only minor problems

Slitmask system jammed due to re-use of old and warped masks (e.g. long slits); resolved by discarding certain old masks

Spurious rotator moves during mask alignments traced to missing DCS keywords; fixed by software patch

Grating moves sometimes failed due to misalignments; fixed by revising target position

DEIMOS has been working very reliably with only minor problems

Slitmask system jammed due to re-use of old and warped masks (e.g. long slits); resolved by discarding certain old masks

Spurious rotator moves during mask alignments traced to missing DCS keywords; fixed by software patch

Grating moves sometimes failed due to misalignments; fixed by revising target position

38

DEIMOS Current IssuesDEIMOS Current Issues

Pattern noise is present on 2 of 8 science CCDs since earthquake; troubleshooting a possible grounding problem

Slitmasks continue to generate dust that contaminates optics, but fix is costly

Pattern noise is present on 2 of 8 science CCDs since earthquake; troubleshooting a possible grounding problem

Slitmasks continue to generate dust that contaminates optics, but fix is costly

39

DEIMOS Performance Monitoring

DEIMOS Performance Monitoring

Basic mechanical and optical checkouts performed before each run

Coatings on collimator and tent mirror being inspected and measured bimonthly for condition and reflectance

Standard star throughput data being gathered monthly; analysis pending

Basic mechanical and optical checkouts performed before each run

Coatings on collimator and tent mirror being inspected and measured bimonthly for condition and reflectance

Standard star throughput data being gathered monthly; analysis pending

40

DEIMOS FutureDEIMOS Future

Urgent Resolve CCD noise problems

Performance Monitoring Analyze throughput data Clean optics and gratings Automate monthly checkout procedures

If time permits Commission ultrasonic slitmask cleaner Purchase replacement clear, V filters to replace

damaged ones Install science-grade imaging mirror

Urgent Resolve CCD noise problems

Performance Monitoring Analyze throughput data Clean optics and gratings Automate monthly checkout procedures

If time permits Commission ultrasonic slitmask cleaner Purchase replacement clear, V filters to replace

damaged ones Install science-grade imaging mirror

ESIESI

Greg WirthGreg Wirth

42

ESI Recent ProblemsESI Recent Problems

Bearing failed in middle wheel of triple-wheel assembly; UCO/Lick replaced all 6 bearings in system

Belt drive system for triple wheel has broken several times; UCO/Lick has redesigned system to improve reliability

Optical encoders on triple wheels prone to signal loss; serviced and aligned units

Bearing failed in middle wheel of triple-wheel assembly; UCO/Lick replaced all 6 bearings in system

Belt drive system for triple wheel has broken several times; UCO/Lick has redesigned system to improve reliability

Optical encoders on triple wheels prone to signal loss; serviced and aligned units

43

ESI Current IssuesESI Current Issues

1. Optical coupling fluid leaked onto shutter and camera optics, but has not seriously impacted observing

2. ESI host computer is obsolete and unreliable; UCO/Lick is helping us convert to new host computer

3. Collimator coating is in poor condition; needs recoating4. Collimator actuator #1 fails some moves,

troubleshooting in progress5. Coupling to slitmask wheel is marginal, requires

replacing6. Flexure characteristics were rechecked and are

consistent with results at commissioning

1. Optical coupling fluid leaked onto shutter and camera optics, but has not seriously impacted observing

2. ESI host computer is obsolete and unreliable; UCO/Lick is helping us convert to new host computer

3. Collimator coating is in poor condition; needs recoating4. Collimator actuator #1 fails some moves,

troubleshooting in progress5. Coupling to slitmask wheel is marginal, requires

replacing6. Flexure characteristics were rechecked and are

consistent with results at commissioning

44

ESI FutureESI Future

Urgent Mitigate optical coupling fluid contamination Improve triple-wheel encoder alignment Troubleshoot failed collimator moves Replace slitmask wheel coupling Investigate coating options for collimator

If time allows Upgrade host computer for maintainability Replace FIGDISP with ds9 image display tool Begin program of regular throughput monitoring

Urgent Mitigate optical coupling fluid contamination Improve triple-wheel encoder alignment Troubleshoot failed collimator moves Replace slitmask wheel coupling Investigate coating options for collimator

If time allows Upgrade host computer for maintainability Replace FIGDISP with ds9 image display tool Begin program of regular throughput monitoring

Mainland ObservingMainland Observing

Greg WirthBob KibrickGreg Wirth

Bob Kibrick

46

Mainland Observing Background

Mainland Observing Background

Goal: to provide observers at mainland sites the same capabilities as in Waimea

Strategy: employ VNC software to permit sharing of desktops between observers at mainland sites and Waimea

Benefit: provides observers flexibility, e.g. to take advantage of give-back science nights, deal with personal crises, possible time-domain astronomy

Goal: to provide observers at mainland sites the same capabilities as in Waimea

Strategy: employ VNC software to permit sharing of desktops between observers at mainland sites and Waimea

Benefit: provides observers flexibility, e.g. to take advantage of give-back science nights, deal with personal crises, possible time-domain astronomy

47

Mainland Observing StatusMainland Observing Status

System stable and reliable with near-zero downtime

Sites: Caltech, LBNL, UCSC, UCLA, UCSD Instruments: all supported except IF Usage: 142 nights since 2006A Modes of operation:

Shared mainland and Waimea operation (84%) Mainland-only operation (14%) Video-only (2%)

System stable and reliable with near-zero downtime

Sites: Caltech, LBNL, UCSC, UCLA, UCSD Instruments: all supported except IF Usage: 142 nights since 2006A Modes of operation:

Shared mainland and Waimea operation (84%) Mainland-only operation (14%) Video-only (2%)

48

Mainland Observing Usage by Instrument*

Mainland Observing Usage by Instrument*

NIRC

NIRSPECOSIRIS ESI

DEIMOS

NIRC2 HIRES

LRIS

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Nig

hts

NIRC

NIRSPECOSIRIS ESI

DEIMOS

NIRC2 HIRES

LRIS

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Nig

hts

* usage since 2006A

49

Mainland Observing Usage by Site*Mainland Observing Usage by Site*

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

UCSC UCLA CIT LBNL UCSD0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

UCSC UCLA CIT LBNL UCSD

* usage since 2006A

50

Mainland Observing IssuesMainland Observing Issues

Backup lines: currently providing ISDN backup to only one site per night (limits us to only one telescope per night)

Conflicts: limited to one observing team per site Performance: slightly slower under VNC

compared to normal Waimea operation Operation: LBNL site not yet compliant

Lacks router for ISDN backup lines Provided computers not yet compliant

Backup lines: currently providing ISDN backup to only one site per night (limits us to only one telescope per night)

Conflicts: limited to one observing team per site Performance: slightly slower under VNC

compared to normal Waimea operation Operation: LBNL site not yet compliant

Lacks router for ISDN backup lines Provided computers not yet compliant

51

Future Mainland Observing Actions

Future Mainland Observing Actions

Add new summit ISDN lines for two-telescope operation Improve performance by:

Installing dedicated VNC server hosts Testing alternative technologies to VNC

Design/implement improved request tracking system Simplify software start procedure Develop second observing room at CIT (two teams at

one site!) Consider new sites for UCSB and NASA

Add new summit ISDN lines for two-telescope operation Improve performance by:

Installing dedicated VNC server hosts Testing alternative technologies to VNC

Design/implement improved request tracking system Simplify software start procedure Develop second observing room at CIT (two teams at

one site!) Consider new sites for UCSB and NASA

Keck Observatory ArchiveKeck Observatory Archive

Hien TranHien Tran

53

KOAKOA

Passed Directors’ Review, May 2006 Went public, July 2006 Current and future development:

Split-night data-taking GUI (May FY07; will also help time-domain astronomy)

Level-1 processing; pilot program in FY07. Legacy data ingestion; possible FY08 addition.

Passed Directors’ Review, May 2006 Went public, July 2006 Current and future development:

Split-night data-taking GUI (May FY07; will also help time-domain astronomy)

Level-1 processing; pilot program in FY07. Legacy data ingestion; possible FY08 addition.