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Typical observing session
Here is a summary of a typical observing session,
to ensure data quality and productivity. It is a basic
checklist that you can use every time you observe.
Preparation
– Start-up the equipment, and cool down the acqui-
sition camera (max 80% of cooling power),
– Check your session parameters in AudeLA and
ISIS: observer’s names, observing site, equipment,
working directory...
– Prepare your session directory,
– Check your computer time, to better than 1 sec-
ond (the exposure date & time will be based on
it),
– Open a log file,
– Run a test for all images: sky (Sun’s spectrum),
calibration, flat, and check that all is Ok (images
correct, file headers with proper data...),
– Prepare your target list,
– Acquire dark and offset images and prepare mas-
ter images (or copy from the master directory),
– Get flat field images.
During observation
For each target observation, you will need to:
– Locate the target (start with a reference star),
– Run the acquisition,
– Get the calibration images,
– Fill in the log file with any significant informa-
tion that will help in the future to remember the
observing conditions,
– Check that the images are properly recorded in
the session directory,
– (Reduce the data as soon as possible),
At the end of the night
– Double check that you have all reference images
(dark frames, offset, flat fields, neon, reference
star, objects)
– Archive your raw data securely.
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