Subaru Service Program

1. General Information on Service Program

Only a limited number of instruments and observing modes : FOCAS, HDS, Suprime-Cam, and only imaging with COMICS, IRCS(with/without AO188), and MOIRCS will be available for Service Programs. Please note that FOCAS Service Programs will be carried out as "shared-risk" observations, since this is the trial operation of this mode at Subaru Telescope.

Each program must be completed within 4 hours in a single night including all overheads and open-dome calibrations.

The observations of accepted service programs will be carried out by Support Scientists(SS). No visiting observers will be accepted. Service Programs will be scheduled in advance, and executed according to the priorities (given by the TAC) and the prevailing site conditions. The observing method and technical details must be described well in the proposal, so that SS can execute observations without any need of contacting the PI. SS will send information to PI once his/her program has been completed. In other words, SS will not send any announcements to PI untill his/her program has been completed. All the proposed programs will be off the active service queue at the end of the semester.

2. Reviewing

The TAC will assign priority ranks to each of the submitted service proposals, which will be used by observatory staff to schedule the execution of the programs, along with other factors such as target coordinates and requested site conditions. The results of assessment will be notified to applicants after the Telescope Schedule has been fixed. There is no guarantee that an accepted service program will ever be executed. If there is a conflict between targets in a service program and accepted Open Use Normal Programs or Intensive Programs, such service program will not be executed.

3. Notice for Service Program Application

Describe the requirements for observation as a plain text. Each instrument has a different format for specifying the requested observations. Please see the appropriate Appendix (below) for COMICS, FOCAS, HDS, IRCS, MOIRCS, or Suprime-Cam. In addition to specifying the instrument configuration(s) for your observations, you will also need to indicate the site conditions (seeing, photometric, etc.) required for observations to achieve the proposed science. You can request the best conditions for your observations if really needed, but in general your program has a higher chance of being executed without such a special requirement.

4. Calibration Data

Calibration data taken for one service program may be shared with other service programs (if possible) in order to improve the overall observing efficiency during the nights scheduled for service observations, though applicants do not need to be aware of it.

5. Notes on publishing data obtained from a service program

We ask all service program investigators to follow the Subaru Telescope acknowledgment policy. Though SSs who perform service observations are not expected to be involved as co-authors in any publications which may arise, they are always ready to be inquired about possible collaborations.

6. Describing Requirements for Observations

This section lists the appropriate formats for specifying your requested observations. Each instrument has a different format. Please read carefully the information relevant to the instrument needed for your intended observation.

6-1. COMICS (imaging)

Please submit a plain ASCII text file. Please ensure you leave enough time for overheads and read the information on detector and chopping position angles. The following information must be provided for each target:

Target name.
Target coordinates. Please include the equinox (e.g., J2000) and the source of the coordinates (e.g., IRAS).
Target brightness at the wavelength of interest (Jy are preferred). Please also include the source (e.g., IRAS).
Requested filter.
Integration time. Please indicate also the desired S/N.
Standard star. You may choose a specific star or leave this blank, in which case the SA will choose a star for you.
Chop throw. Currently, chop throws of up to 60'' are possible. If left blank, the SA will choose an appropriate chop throw.
Chopping `off' position. If your target is in a crowded field, or is extended in a particular direction, you may provide a specific location for the `off' position of the chop beam. If left blank, the SA will make an educated guess.
Detector position angle. For extended objects, you may specify the position angle of the detector since the COMICS detector is not square.
Priority. If you have many targets and/or filters, please specify the priority in which you want them executed.
Required site conditions. Please specify the image quality, etc., required to achieve your science goals.
Please indicate any other special requests on your proposal. The observatory staff will try their best to accommodate them.
Please use this Java applet to create an observation file for *each* combination of objects/standards and filters. For example, if you are observing one (1) object and one (1) standard with two (2) filters, then you will need to produce four (4 = 1*2 + 1*2) observation files.

Here is an example to help you prepare your observation file.

N.B.: It is important to submit both a list of answers to the above questions for each object and the Java-produced observation files. Please refer to the example given above.

All the information should be written in (pasted into) the observation requirements section (no page limit) in the application form.

If you think finding-charts will be beneficial, for example, in identifying your target in a crowded field or how it should be placed on the detector array, please supply them as PDF attachments when you submit the proposal via e-mail (see the instruction on electronic submission above).

Here is an example finding-chart.

6-2. FOCAS

Please note that the FOCAS new CCD system will be used in S11A. Please see the instrument web page for details.

(I) General Comments on Service Observation with FOCAS

The available observing modes are:: imaging; long-slit spectroscopy (only sidereal tracking); multi-object spectroscopy (MOS, no preimaging)

Please note that preimages for MOS masks will not be supplied for service programs.
Multiple observing modes can be used in a single program.

The grisms available for the service program are limited to the followings:: 150; 300B; 300R; Echelle

Please check here for the details of the grisms and here about the combination with order-sorting filters and long-slits.

Those who plans to submit the service observation should make a detailed observing plan including overheads, and confirm that the plan can be fit in the 4-hr limit of service program. The overheads that should be considered are target acquisition (2-3min. for imaging, ~15min. for spectroscopy) readout time (see FOCAS web page) taking CAL sources (if required, ~5min. for long-slit, ~10min. for MOS).

If it is MOS observation, up to 2 masks are accepted. Because preimages are not available, only the following case is acceptable as a survice program.
1. The mask is already available from your past FOCAS observation.
or
2. There is an existing FOCAS image with 1x1 binning or Suprime-Cam image which can be used for the mask design. (Please contact the support astronomer if you have not done it before.)

Please check the FOCAS web page for the details of the mask design.
Note that if we find anything wrong with the mask (e.g., large rms in the alignment), the observation will be canceled.

(II) Requirements for Observation

Please submit a plain ASCII text file.
The following information should be provided for each target and observing mode, including calibration standards.

1. Target/field name
2. Magnitude/range of magnitudes in a specified band
3. Are photometric conditions necessary? (Yes/No)
4. What is the maximum acceptable seeing size in arcseconds?
5. Right ascension of the target in format HHMMSS.SSS
6. Declination of the target in format (+/-)DDMMSS.SS
7. Equinox of position in format YYYY.Y
8. Position angle in degrees (-180 to +180)
9. Observing mode (imaging/long-slit/mos)
10. Filter/grism/slit settings for observation.: For spectroscopy, up to 2 spectroscopic settings (the combination of the filter, grism, and long-slit) are accepted.
Note that, for long-slit spectroscopy, you have to specify both slit-width and position (center or offset).
For spectrophotometric standard stars, using 2"-wide slit is recommended.
11. CCD binning (X-axis x Y-axis): With the new CCDs, only 1x1, 2x1, and 2x2 binning are currently available. See the web page for more information.
12. Exposure parameters for each setting: 12-1. Filter/grism/slit setting; 12-2. Individual exposure time; 12-3. Single/dithering; 12-4. Number of exposures and dither pattern
For imaging mode, specify the coordinates (dRA,dDec.) in arcsec relative to the original position.
For spectroscopy, specify the relative position along the slit in arcsec. A positive value moves the target toward +x. See the example files below.
13. Requests for calibration: As a standard set of calibration data, following frames will be taken in the evening or morning of the observing night while the dome is closed.
  dome flat (5 frames with the maximum count below 30000 ADU)
  arc (1 frame, or 2 if the wavelength coverage is wide)
  bias (5 frames)
If you need any other calibration data, please describe here. (Please note that twilight flat is not available for the service observation.)

Then add the following information.

14. Special requests for observation (if any)
15. MOS design files: In case of MOS observation, please attach the mask design files (.sbr) here.; Please use '#' to comment out a line and specify the mask names in the comments.; The snapshots of the design software should be attached as the finding charts (see III-3).

(III) Finding charts

Finding charts should be attached for each targets. (For the calibration standards, you dont't have to attach finding charts if they are from the FOCAS web page.)

Please show the target name, the orientation (north and east), and the scale in the chart. In addition, the following information should be added depending on the observing mode.

1. Imaging: Show the FOCAS FOV (6' diameter circle) on the chart. If the target is single or small field (<<6') and it is necessary to avoid the CCD gap and bad-columns, please specify how the two FOCAS CCDs are placed in the finding chart.
2. Long-slit spectroscopy: Please attach both wide (~6') and small (~20") FOV charts for each target. The small field chart with a detailed view around the target is essential for accurate acquisition. Show the positions of the target and the long-slit on the charts.; If you're going to observe two or more targets in a single exposure, the distance of the targets should be less than 30 arcseconds and provide accurate slit position-angle (~0.1 degree). Fine tuning of the position angle will not be performed.; If the target is spatially extended, please take multiple exposures with dithering to avoid data loss by dead columns.; If the target is faint and cannot be seen in a 30 seconds exposure with FOCAS (use ETC for checking), please specify a bright star (15-22mag.) to acquire first and give either
i. the coordinate offset (dRA, dDec) to the target from the star in arcsec. Note that the star has to be within 5" from the target for accurate telescope offset using a guide star.
ii. the position angle of the star from the target with high accuracy (0.1 degree) which is used as the slit PA. The star should be within ~30" from the target due to the error of the slit PA of FOCAS, 0.1 to 0.2 degree.
3. Multi-object spectroscopy: The snapshot of the mask design software must be attached.

If you intend to submit more than 2 finding charts, please compile them into one PDF file.

A-1. Number of finding charts contained (number of pages of the PDF file).
A-2. Give information 1 to 5 below for each of the finding chart.: (1. Page number 2. Object name 3. Size of the chart 4. Orientation of the chart (north and east) 5. Other comments (if any))

Here are examples for imaging, long-slit spectroscopy, and MOS modes to help you prepare your observation file.

6-3. HDS

Please submit a plain ASCII text file. The following information should be provided for each object, basically. But, if you use a common instrument setting (#6-12) for all targets, you can combine all targets information (#1-5) into one table.

Target Name (including standard stars, if necessary)
Target coordinate, including the equinox (e.g. J2000).
Target magnitude in an optical band.
Integration time and the desired S/N ratio with remarkable wavelength. (Please use HDS Exposure Time Calculator.)
If you use Image Rotator, please indicate slit PA in degrees.
Requirement for ADC (Yes/No).
Image Rotator Mode (Blue/Red/None).
Wavelength Setup (StdUa/StdUb/StdBc ...etc.) If you want to use non-standard setup, describe center wavelength.
Note that you should use only one wavelength setting for each proposal in order to save overheads (10-15minutes).
Wavelength Resolution (slit width).
CCD binning (spatial x dispersion).
Requested seeing size (if you want to resolve spatially). Use <0".5, <0".7, <1".0, >1".0 .
Are photometric conditions necessary? (Yes/No)

Then add the following information:

Priority, if you have more than one target.
Please indicate any other special requests on your proposal, if any. (Requirement for I2-Cell etc.)

A. Finding Charts ( about 10 x 10 arcmin; as PDF attachment files)

If your targets meet at least one of these conditions,
  - V (or B, R, I...) magnitude, m(V) > 10
  - extended objects (nebula, galaxy etc.)
  - double star or target in crowded region
you should attach finding charts for each targets.
About 1x1 arcmin FOV is necessary for the finding charts.

Please describe the following points about your finding charts.
  A-1. Object Name
  A-2. Do you attach a PDF file of finding charts of this target? (Yes/No)
  A-3. Page Number of finding charts in your PDF file.
  A-4. Size of the chart
  A-5. Orientation of the chart
  A-6. Other comments (if any)

Here is an example to help you prepare your observation file.

6-4. IRCS (imaging with/without AO188)

AO-assisted imaging using AO188 in NGS mode is available. LGS mode is not available for service observations.

Please submit a plain ASCII text file. The following information should be provided for each object, including calibration standards.

Object/field name.
Magnitude/range of magnitudes in a specified NIR band.
Are photometric conditions necessary? (Yes/No)
What is the maximum acceptable seeing size (in arcseconds) in the specified NIR band?
Do you need AO188? (Yes/No)
If you need AO188, please describe about the AO guide star as follows.
1. R (or V if not available) magnitude of your AO guide stars.
2. Separation between your targets and AO guide stars.
3. Maximum acceptable FWHM of the point-spread function (PSF) after the AO correction.
4. Whether the AO guide star is a point source or not. If you use an extended object or a star associated with nebulousity, you must describe a FWHM of its spatial distribution or contrast between the star and nebulousity.
Right ascension of the target field in format HHMMSS.SSS
Declination of the target field in format (+/-)DDMMSS.SS
Equinox of position in format YYYY.Y
Filter(s) for observation. If more than one filter is to be used, separate them with commas. Filter names are: Z,J,H,HKP,KP,K,LP,MP,CH4S(CH4 short), CH4L(CH4 long), FE([FeII] 1.644), H2(1-0), BRG(Br Gamma), KC (K cont), PAH, BRAC(Br Alpha cont), BRA(Br Alpha)
Pixel scale for observation. (20MAS/52MAS)
Single frame exposure time in seconds. One exposure time must be provided for each filter specified in item 9, separated by commas.
Number of coadds at each dithering position. One value must be given for each filter specified in item 9, separated by commas.
Dither pattern. Valid pattern names for imaging are S5, S9, D5 and D9. If you wish to repeat the pattern, write "S5*2", for example.

The dither patterns are:

        (S5)   5       4     |        (S9)   8   7   6    |  
                            DITH                         DITH
                   1         |               9   1   5    |  
                                                            
               2       3                     2   3   4       

            ----------------------------------------------

                                       (D9)       7

        (D5)       4          |               8       6       |  
                            DITH                             DITH
               5   1   3      |            9      1      5    |  
                                                            
                   2                          2       4       
                                                  
                                                  3

Dithering size in arcseconds ("DITH" in the above figures).
Type of target. Use "OBJ" for objects, "STD" for standards.
Name of the target, to be written in the OBJECT field of the image FITS header.

Here is an example to help you prepare your observation file.

6-5. MOIRCS (imaging)

(I) General Comment on Service Observation with MOIRCS

MOIRCS service mode is only available for imaging observation in J, H, and Ks filters. Imaging by any narrow-band filters, Y, or STD-K, etc will not be accepted. Also, only standard n-point dither mode (1<n<9) is available (i.e. SKYNOD option is not available). Any other type of observation that does not match the above-mentioned condition should be submitted as a Normal program proposal.

Those who plans to submit the service observation should first make a detailed observing plan considering realistic overheads, and confirm that the plan can be fit in the 4-hr limit of observation (4 hr is the total observing time, not the net integration time!). You can estimate the accurate observing time including overheads using our overhead calculator in EXCEL format (it is available on the web below). The Service Observation Form Generator (below) will also calculate each required observing time. You should also refer to the MOIRCS imaging observation guide ("Guide to Observing with MOIRCS") as well as relevant information on the web. Any mistake or incorrect input values will not be corrected, so utmost care should be taken before submission.

The document "Guide to Observing with MOIRCS" and "The Overhead Calculator"(!! Use NDUMMYREAD=2 case !!) are available.

(II) Submission of the Service Form

Please use the MOIRCS Service Observation Form Generator for your preparation.

The page will generate some lines in the OPE file format from your input values. First, read the description on the website about the detail of input values. Run the web program for each target and each filter. Copy all generated lines to a new text file, and repeat this for each target and each filter/exposure setting one by one (insert space between each set: putting short header is also welcomed). Please submit that text file.

Any observing program that do not fit the format on the web should be submitted as a Normal program (instead of Service program).

You can also put the finding charts for your targets (indicate exact FOV of MOIRCS as well as the direction of North and channel 1/2). We usually check the FOV before the science exposure of your fields, and we may be able to correct the FOV if the correction is easy and trivial by comparing the finding charts. But please note that putting correct values on the submitted service form is the observer's responsibility. If there is no finding charts we just rely on the specified coordinates.

Here is an example to help you prepare your observation file.

6-6. Suprime-Cam

(I) Please give the following information for each target:

Object/Field name. Please use notation like "SA110(standard)" for photometric standard fields.
Magnitude/range of magnitudes in a specified band.
Are photometric conditions necessary? (Yes/No)
What is the acceptable seeing size (in arcseconds)?
Use <0".5, <0".7, <1".0, >1".0
Right ascension of target in format HHMMSS.SSS
Declination of target in format (+/-)DDMMSS.SS
Equinox of position (2000.0 or 1950.0).
Position angle of field in degrees (default is 90, which has the long axis aligned east-west).
Filter(s) for observation.
For each filter, specify the following exposure parameters:
10-1. Filter name.
10-2. Individual exposure time
10-3. Single/dithering
10-4. Number of dither positions (N)
10-5. Radius of dither pattern in arcsec(R, default is 60)
10-6. Position angle of first dither position in degrees (T, default is 15).
10-7. RA offset in arcseconds (default is 0).
10-8. Dec offset in arcseconds (default is 0).
Note that the pointing position (5,6) corresponds to a gap in the CCD array, so you should add an appropriate offset to prevent the target from falling in the gap.

The dither pattern takes N exposures at positions:
   pos1 ( RA+R*cos(0*360/N+T), Dec+R*sin(0*360/N+T) )
   pos2 (RA+R*cos(1*360/N+T), Dec+R*sin(1*360/N+T) )
   pos3 (RA+R*cos(2*360/N+T), Dec+R*sin(2*360/N+T) )
      :
   posN (RA+R*cos((N-1)*360/N+T), Dec+R*sin((N-1)*360/N+T) )

Then add the following information:

Total time requested.
Preferred observing schedule.
Special requests for observation (if any).

(II) Please give the following information regarding an attachment file:

A. Information for finding charts

Important Notes:

*1 A finding chart should be prepared so that the chart cover exactly the same area as FOV of Suprime-Cam (the top side of the chart is aligned to that of Suprime-Cam's FOV). Otherwise, a rectangular area corresponding to FOV of Suprime-Cam and its orientation (which is the top side of FOV) must be clearly shown in the chart, which should be mentioned in 'A-3 5. Other comments' below as "Suprime-Cam's FOV is shown in the chart".

*2 If you intend to submit more than 2 finding charts, please compile them into one PDF file.

  A-1. Do you attach a PDF file of finding charts to this proposal? (Yes/No)
  A-2. Number of finding charts contained (number of pages of the PDF file).
  A-3. Give information 1 to 5 below for each of the finding chart.
    (1. Page number 2. Object name 3. Size of the chart 4. Orientation of the chart 5. Other comments (if any))

 example: 
       1. SDF  30'x30': north is up  : none
       2. M31  50'x50': orientation is shown in the chart: FOV is shown in the chart

Here is an example to help you prepare your observation file.