Background

While NGS-AO observations are relatively easier than LGS-AO, we still recommend that you get in touch with your Support Astronomer as soon as possible, especially if you are using our AO facility for the first time. For new observers, it could also be useful to schedule a teleconference with your Support Astromer.

Contents

• Planning your run
• Installing Your Starlist
• Sample Starlist Entries

---

Planning your run

To complete a successful observing run, consider each of the issues below:

• Targets scientific priority
• Source of TT correction: are you going to be using the main target or a separate TT star? Is the TT star bright and close enough to the target?
• Elevation constraints
• is the TT star extended? is it a binary?
• is a certain Position Angle or Vertical Angle required?

Prepare a starlist

NGS-AO observations don't have the same strict requirement of LGS-AO observations as far as the list of planned targets. In fact, we do not need to receive your starlist in advance of the run. Still preparing the starlist is of paramount importance as it allows you to clearly identify the feasibility of your observations especially if off-axis reference stars are used.

We strongly recommend that starlists are prepared using the AO Guide Star Tool. This will ensure that the starlist follows the required format. Detailed instructions on using the guide star tool can be found here (TBD!!). Note that if you submit your starlist using the AO Guide Star Tool, we automatically get notified and it is stored on our servers, from which we can easily access it and install it for you.

Additional information on preparing the starlist can be found here.

Installing Your Starlist

In order for the Observing Assistant to locate your starlist file, you must install it in the “starlist directory” on our network. You can access the starlist directory /kroot/starlists from most of our computers.

Inside the Keck network

The convention we suggest is to store your starlist in a subdirectory which is named using the last name of the observing program's PI (e.g., copernicus). If needed, you can create the directory using the command

mkdir -p /kroot/starlists/piname

and then install your starlist using the command

cp starlist /kroot/starlists/piname

You are free to name your starlist file whatever you want.

Outside the Keck network

Multiple methods:
• Starlist Install Procedure - Authenticate through the firewall and validate your file
• Via Observer Login - Secure login and starlist management
• AO Guide Star Tool - Laser target lists