Observing Blocks

The development of the full system to define OBs and generate observing scripts has been completed for FIES and ALFOSC in Imaging and Spectroscopy mode, and has been tested over the past few months. We feel that the system is close to ready for release, but we need some external checking of the system before considering releasing the system for general use. The PIs of ToO and Monitoring programs in period 51 were asked to help us as a `beta tester'. Based on this 'real-life' experience we expect to be able to come to a version that is suitable for release to the general users, and it is our plan to make the use of the OB generator mandatory for ToO and Monitoring programs, and fast-track and service mode programs, in as far as they use FIES and ALFOSC in Imaging and Spectroscopy mode.

The OB interface allows observers to define fairly complex set of observations on a single target. If the required observations on the other hand involves simple exposures on a large set of different targets, using the interface is not optimal as it will require a fair amount repetitive typing. A suitable mechanism to allow observers to communicate with the OB generator based on OB templates, without the need of going through the complete OB definition using the graphical interface, has been defined. Only a limited amount of parameters can be changed this way, such as target details and exposure time; The remaining parameters are already pre-defined by the template. This method of uploading observing requests may also form the basis of programs requiring observations to be carried out in Rapid-Response-Mode.