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Instrument Updates and Future Observations at Palomar AO System

Updates on instrument commissioning, successful science runs, and upcoming observations at Palomar's Adaptive Optics system. Includes details on Coronagraph, Spectrograph, Laser Guidestar, and more. Stay informed about the latest developments!

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Instrument Updates and Future Observations at Palomar AO System

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  1. Instruments update A. Bouchez Team Meeting #9 22 Oct. 2008

  2. Project 1640 Credit: Ben Oppenheimer • Successful commissioning July 8-10. • First science run Oct. 19-24. • Working: • Coronagraph • Integral field spectrograph • Instrument control software & GUI • Not yet working: • Internal tip/tilt system • Pupil imaging system • Communications with AO • Quick-look image reconstruction Ras Al'Hague 7/10/08 UT 1.3 µm 1.7 µm

  3. SWIFT • First commissioning run Oct 10-13, in terrible weather. • Several science targets observed (seeing-limited). • Working: • Pre-optics (240/160) & slicer • Quick-look image reconstruction • Communications with AO • Not yet working: • Spectrograph cameras. • Detector read noise (~12 e-) • 80 mas preoptics • Camera control GUI • Upcoming observing runs • Dec. 10-13 (NGS/LGS) • Jan. 11-14 (NGS/LGS) Credit: Scott Kardel

  4. Old Mangin secondary µm New Cassegrain secondary µm Laser Guidestar update • Work on laser at U. Chicago this spring improved safety and reliability. However, some laser automations lost (phase & frequency servo loops). • Replaced LLT secondary: Improved wavefront quality to ~0.8” FWHM. • So far this semester: • 6 nights engineering LGS FHWM >1.5”, up to 53% K Strehl • 7 nights science Good performance (in above-average conditions) and 33% open-shutter efficiency. • Remaining: • Dec. 10-11 SWIFT-LGS commissioning • Jan. 9-12, 15-16 SWIFT and PHARO LGS science. • No LGS offered in semester 2009A.

  5. PHARO-LGS results Stellar “interloper” IRAS 18555+0056 PI: R. Sahai LGS-AO 1.64/2.15 µm

  6. PHARO-LGS results 64”x64” mosaic of globular cluster M15, taken on 14 Aug. 2008 using the Palomar Laser Guide Star Adaptive Optics system. The inset shows a 10x10” zoom towards the core of the cluster. M15 has a graviationally collapsed core, with some of the highest stellar densities found in our galaxy. Filter: Ks (1.99-2.30 µm) Integration: 7 s in each of 5 pointings. Laser power: 7.1 W

  7. Summary • Palomar AO system now has 4 instruments (PHARO, Project 1640, SWIFT, Fiber Nuller), plus the Well-Corrected Subaperture front-end and LGS facility. • SWIFT/P1640 mechanical interface to AO system has proven difficult to use. May have to look into alternatives for PALM-3000. • One consequence of additional instruments: Increased demand for AO and less time in the lab.

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