WIYN Tip/Tilt Module (WTTM)

Accomplishments since March, 2003:

Sloan filters provided by Andover Corporation and accepted.

Beam Splitters (85/15 & 95/5) received and accepted.

Photometry demonstrated using the BVRI filters and the 85/15 beam splitter.

Characterization of APD sensitivity for both beam splitters completed.

Instrument flexure mapped and characterized.

Demonstration of flatfielding with tip/tilt is completed.

Demonstration of telescope guiding (interfacing w/tcs) is completed.

Limited comparison of tip/tilt gains in B, R, and I.

User manual near completion lacking only data reduction and CCD characteristic sections.

Navajo OS and system file structure stabilized.

Determined usable guide field for WIYN IAS with WTTM (AutoFocus Probe).

WTTM instrument support personnel have been trained and have obtained valuable on-sky experience and use of the instrument.

Current issues and/or problems:

The WTTM dewar/ccd continues to experience electronic failures. Failure of capacitor within voltage reference board repaired. Dewar is in for service, address soft vacuum, CCD characterization tests pending.

Photometry demonstration using the 95/5 beam splitter has yet to be completed, but expect only to require reasonable weather.

Commissioning has demonstrated several key weaknesses of the focus error sensor. Operational guidelines are provided in the manual, but detailed exploration into the algorithmic issues is pending. (Use WIYN IAS AutoFocus Probe as backup which provides adequate focus sensing. Trade off is limited guide field, ~5'x15' available field.)

Verification of tip/tilt control parameters, Oct T&E. (Corson, McDougal, Claver, Howell)

Astrometry analysis, distortion map, has not yet been analyzed..

Once the CCD characteristics and Astrometry analysis is complete, image header content can be verified and completed.

Balance WTTM commissioning efforts with engineering projects and operational support, cannot dedicate one person to WTTM commissioning.

Timeline for completion:

Expect to complete photometry demonstrations Oct 7-12th.

Expect to complete verification of control parameters Oct 7-12th.

WTTM dewar/ccd to be returned to service Oct 6th, fully characterized.

Completion of manual, all but data reduction, by November, with an early release October 12th.

Finalize Headers after receiving astrometric solution.

Will integrate Navajo with Sand, identical to Pearl/Sand/MiniMo configuration, at MPG's schedule.

New astronomer's gui expected late 2003.

Budget Items:

Additional filters other than the BVRIZ and Sloan filters are needed. (e.g. Ha, [OIII], SII, and other narrow-band filters?) NOTE: Required filter thickness is 5mm +/-1mm.

A new CCD is available (Lincoln 2k x 4k), but manpower and money for it's integration into a dewar and testing with the new Monsoon controller is not committed to at this point. Estimates of earliest timeline if this path is chosen would be Summer04, if resources could be assigned.

Software: It is very unlikely that the new astronomer's gui can be completed and commissioned before the end of December 2003. Therefore, it will be almost certain that some level of FTE commitment from mountain programming will be required in 2004. Estimates would be at most 2 man weeks to complete. (note: programming of this tool has yet to begin and fte estimates do not include this 'startup' programming.)