Apache Point Observatory
New Mexico, USA

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ARC 3.5-m Instrument News

Note: Comments in bold are to catch the readers attention as the most relevant for their upcoming science observations

News Worthy Items

• ARCES is available. See below for more information.
• DIS is available. See below for more information.
• AGILE is available. See below for more information.
• ARCTIC is available. See below for more information.
• KOSMOS is available but at shared risk. See below for more information.
• NICFPS is available. See below for more information.
• Triplespec is available. See below for more information.

Current Status

Instrument issues which our users should be aware of before taking data. For historical information go here. For future instrumentation or planned upgrades go here.

• 2022-05-23: Instrument is operating nominally. Since this past December, the fits headers were missing telescope and WCS information. We believe it is a network file system problem. Hopefully this has been resolved soon.
• 2022-05-16: Instrument is operating nominally. Since this past December, the fits headers were missing telescope and WCS information. We believe it is a network file system problem. Hopefully this has been resolved soon.
• 2022-05-09: Instrument is operating nominally. Since this past December, the fits headers were missing telescope and WCS information. We believe it is a network file system problem. Hopefully this has been resolved soon.
• 2022-05-02: Instrument is operating nominally. Since this past December, the fits headers were missing telescope and WCS information. We believe it is a network file system problem. Hopefully this has been resolved soon.
• 2022-04-25: Instrument is operating nominally. Since this past December, the fits headers were missing telescope and WCS information. We believe it is a network file system problem. Hopefully this has been resolved soon.
• 2022-04-18: Instrument is operating nominally. There was a few months period where the fits headers were missing telescope and WCS information. We believe it is a network file system problem. Hopefully this has been resolved soon.
• 2022-04-14: Instrument is operating nominally. There was a few months period where the fits headers were missing telescope and WCS information. We believe it is a network file system problem. Hopefully this has been resolved soon.
• 2022-04-04: Instrument is operating nominally. There was a few months period where the fits headers were missing telescope and WCS information. We believe it is a network file system problem. Hopefully this has been resolved soon.
• 2022-03-28: Instrument is operating nominally. There was a few months period where the fits headers were missing telescope and WCS information. We believe it is a network file system problem. Hopefully this has been resolved soon.
• 2022-03-21: Instrument is operating nominally. There was a few months period where the fits headers were missing telescope and WCS information. We believe it is a network file system problem. Hopefully this has been resolved soon.
• 2022-03-14: Instrument is operating nominally. There was a few months period where the fits headers were missing telescope and WCS information. We believe it is a network file system problem. Hopefully this has been resolved soon.
• 2022-03-07: Instrument is operating nominally. There was a few months period where the fits headers were missing telescope and WCS information. We believe it is a network file system problem. Hopefully this has been resolved soon.
• 2022-02-28: Instrument is operating nominally. There was a few months period where the fits headers were missing telescope and WCS information. We believe it is a network file system problem. Hopefully this has been resolved soon.
• 2022-02-21: Instrument is operating nominally. There was a few months period where the fits headers were missing telescope and WCS information. We believe it is a network file system problem. Hopefully this has been resolved soon.
• 2022-02-14: Instrument is operating nominally. There was a few months period where the fits headers were missing telescope and WCS information. We believe it is a network file system problem. Hopefully this has been resolved soon.
• 2022-02-07: Instrument is operating nominally. There was a few months period where the fits headers were missing telescope and WCS information. We believe it is a network file system problem. Hopefully this has been resolved soon.
• 2022-01-31: Instrument is operating nominally. There was a few weeks period where the fits headers were missing telescope and WCS information. Hopefully this has been resolved soon.
• 2022-01-26: Instrument is operating nominally. There was a few weeks period where the fits headers were missing telescope and WCS information. Hopefully this has been resolved.
• 2021-12-20: Instrument is operating nominally.
• 2021-12-13: Instrument is operating nominally.
• 2021-12-06: Instrument is operating nominally.
• 2021-11-29: Instrument is operating nominally.
• 2021-11-22: Instrument is operating nominally.
• 2021-11-15: Instrument is operating nominally.
• 2021-11-08: Instrument is operating nominally.
• 2021-11-01: Instrument is operating nominally.
• 2012-01-24: APO still does not recommend taking dome flats with AGILE. More information can be found here.

• 2022: Most recent interorder ratio plot can be found here.
• 2022-05-23 The instrument is operating nominally. IOL ratios appear to be turning around in the bluest orders. Thechange has been rather slow (which is preferred). IOL ratios are still quite good.
• 2022-05-16 The instrument is operating nominally. IOL ratios appear to be turning around in the bluest orders. Thechange has been rather slow (which is preferred). IOL ratios are still quite good.
• 2022-05-09 The instrument is operating nominally. IOL ratios appear to be turning around in the bluest orders. Thechange has been rather slow (which is preferred). IOL ratios are still quite good.
• 2022-05-02 The instrument is operating nominally. IOL ratios appear to be turning around in the bluest orders.
• 2022-04-25 The instrument is operating nominally. IOL ratios appear to be turning around in the bluest orders.
• 2022-04-18 The instrument is operating nominally. IOL ratios appear to be leveling off in the bluest orders.
• 2022-04-14 The instrument is operating nominally. IOL ratios appear to be leveling off in the bluest orders.
• 2022-04-04 The instrument is operating nominally. IOL ratios appear to be leveling off in the bluest orders.
• 2022-03-28 The instrument is operating nominally. IOL ratios appear to be leveling off in the bluest orders. There was an incident this weekend where the instrument was reading all zeros and the icc needed to be restarted.
• 2022-03-21 The instrument is operating nominally. IOL ratios appear to be leveling off in the bluest orders. There was an incident this weekend where the instrument was reading all zeros and the icc needed to be restarted.
• 2022-03-14 The instrument is operating nominally. IOL ratios are showing a very very slow improvement (or leveling off) in the bluest orders, still at moderate but acceptable levels.
• 2022-03-07 The instrument is operating nominally. IOL ratios are showing a very very slow improvement (or leveling off) in the bluest orders, still at moderate but acceptable levels.
• 2022-02-28 The instrument is operating nominally. IOL ratios are showing a very very slow improvement (or leveling off) in the bluest orders, still at moderate but acceptable levels.
• 2022-02-21 The instrument is operating nominally. IOL ratios are showing a very very slow improvement (or leveling off) in the bluest orders, still at moderate but acceptable levels.
• 2022-02-14 The instrument is operating nominally. IOL ratios are showing a very very slow improvement (or leveling off) in the bluest orders, still at moderate but acceptable levels.
• 2022-02-07 The instrument is operating nominally. IOL ratios are showing a very very slow improvement (or leveling off) in the bluest orders, still at moderate but acceptable levels.
• 2022-02-07 Theinstrument is operating nominally. IOL ratios are showing a very slow improvement (or leveling off) in the bluest orders, still at moderate but acceptable levels.
• 2022-02-05 Regained connection to the guider (ecamera). Unknown how the usb connection got into such a confused state. IOL ratios are showing a very slow improvement (or leveling off) in the bluest orders, still at moderate but acceptable levels.
• 2022-02-04 Lost connection to the guider (ecamera). Troubleshooting. IOL ratios are showing a very slow improvement (or leveling off) in the bluest orders, still at moderate but acceptable levels.
• 2022-01-31 The instrument is operating nomially. IOL ratios are showing a very slow improvement (or leveling off) in the bluest orders, still at moderate but acceptable levels.
• 2022-01-26 The instrument is operating nomially. IOL ratios are showing a very slow improvement in the bluest orders, still at moderate but acceptable levels.
• 2021-12-20 The instrument is operating nomially. IOL ratios are showing a very slow improvement in the bluest orders, still at moderate but acceptable levels.
• 2021-12-13 The instrument is operating nomially. IOL ratios are showing a very slow improvement in the bluest orders, still at moderate but acceptable levels.
• 2021-12-06 The instrument is operating nomially. IOL ratios are showing a very slow improvement in the bluest orders, still at moderate but acceptable levels.
• 2021-11-29 The instrument is operating nomially. IOL ratios are showing a very slow improvement in the bluest orders, still at moderate but acceptable levels.
• 2021-11-22 The instrument is operating nomially. IOL ratios are showing a very slow improvement in the bluest orders, still at moderate but acceptable levels.
• 2021-11-15 The instrument is operating nomially. IOL ratios are showing a very slow improvement in the bluest orders, still at moderate but acceptable levels.
• 2021-11-08 The instrument is operating nomially. IOL ratios are showing a very slow improvement in the bluest orders, still at moderate but acceptable levels.
• 2021-11-01 The instrument is operating nomially. IOL ratios are showing a very slow improvement in the bluest orders, still at moderate but acceptable levels.

• 2022-05-23: Instrument is operating nominally. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later.
• 2022-05-16: Instrument is operating nominally. There was one occurence of a dropped quad this week. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later.
• 2022-05-09: Instrument is operating nominally. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later.
• 2022-05-02: Instrument is operating nominally. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later.
• 2022-04-25: Instrument is operating nominally. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later.
• 2022-04-18: Instrument is operating nominally. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later.
• 2022-04-14: Instrument is operating nominally. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later.
• 2022-04-04: Instrument is operating nominally. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later.
• 2022-03-28: Instrument is operating nominally. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later.
• 2022-03-21: Instrument is operating nominally. There was a quad drop last evening (UL and LR). The instrumentwas used for a few hoursin single amplifer mode and the LR quad self recovered. Raising the bias levels did not improve the recovery process. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later.
• 2022-03-14: Instrument is operating nominally. No recent dropped quadrants. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later.
• 2022-03-07: Instrument is operating nominally. No recent dropped quadrants. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later.
• 2022-02-28: Instrument is operating nominally.No recent dropped quadrants. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later.
• 2022-02-21: Instrument is operating nominally.No recent dropped quadrants. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later.
• 2022-02-14: Instrument is operating nominally however last night there were 2 dropped quadrants. It took the observing specialist more than a dozen attempts to recover while warming the CCD to 199K. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later.
• 2022-02-07: Instrument is operating nominally. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later.
• 2022-01-31: Instrument is operating nominally. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later.
• 2022-01-26: Instrument is operating nominally. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later.
• 2021-12-20: Instrument is operating nominally. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later.
• 2021-12-13: Instrument is operating nominally. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later. Tried to balance the bias levels for the four quadrants this past Saturday as well as restoring a dropped quad.
• 2021-12-06: Instrument is operating nominally. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later. Tried to balance the bias levels for the four quadrants this past Saturday as well as restoring a dropped quad.
• 2021-11-29: Instrument is operating nominally. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later. Tried to balance the bias levels for the four quadrants this past Saturday as well as restoring a dropped quad.
• 2021-11-22: Instrument is operating nominally. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later. Tried to balance the bias levels for the four quadrants this past Saturday as well as restoring a dropped quad.
• 2021-11-15: Instrument is operating nominally. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later. Tried to balance the bias levels for the four quadrants this past Saturday as well as restoring a dropped quad.
• 2021-11-08: Instrument is operating nominally. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later. Tried to balance the bias levels for the four quadrants this past Saturday as well as restoring a dropped quad.
• 2021-11-01: Instrument is operating nominally. For those using the new diffuser interface in TUI, the command "arctic status" may be needed to update your window after changing instrument configurations. We are looking into a soultion. The diffuser upgrades are available in 2.6.1a2 and later. Tried to balance the bias levels for the four quadrants this past Saturday as well as restoring a dropped quad.
• 2021: APO does not recommend taking dome flats with ARCTIC. We are working on designing a supplemental baffle to correct the problem with cover flats. Currently cover flats produce a gradient across the flat field that is dependant on telescope position (altitude) and rotator angle.

• Important note concerning the red camera flat field lens. It has significant and noticable water spots that are affecting data collection. Extended object science is not recommended with the red channel at this time. We will not be able to address the problem until late fall or it may return quickly.
• 2022-05-23: The instrument is back to operating nominally. Bue scattered light has improved. Water spots on red have not gotten worse but have not improved.
• 2022-05-16: The instrument is back to operating nominally. Blue scattered is improving.
• 2022-05-09: The instrument is back to operating nominally.
• 2022-05-02: The instrument is back to operating nominally.
• 2022-04-25: The instrument is back to operating nominally.
• 2022-04-20: The instrument is available at this time. Replaced a failed powersupply. Instrument CCD controller now powers up and everything checks out.
• 2022-04-18: The instrument is NOT available at this time. There has been a failure of the CCD controller. We suspect that the problem may be a failed powersupply. A spare is on order and should arrive by Tuesday of this week.
• 2022-04-14: The instrument is NOT available at this time. There has been a failure of the CCD controller. We suspect that the problem may be a failed powersupply. A spare is on order and should arrive by Tuesday of next week.
• 2022-04-04: The instrument is available at this time. Scattered light seems consistent with the many past weeks. The red camera still has large water spots across the field but as long as those are avoided the contamination is excellent. The boresight of the telescope has been adjusted to minimize or miss these areas for point sources. The blue camera continues to slowly improve but the wings in the spectra are still wide.
• 2022-03-28: The instrument is available at this time. Scattered light seems consistent with the many past weeks. The red camera still has large water spots across the field but as long as those are avoided the contamination is excellent. The boresight of the telescope has been adjusted to minimize or miss these areas for point sources. The blue camera continues to slowly improve but the wings in the spectra are still wide.
• 2022-03-21: The instrument is available at this time. Scattered light seems consistent with the many past weeks. The red camera still has large water spots across the field but as long as those are avoided the contamination is excellent. The boresight of the telescope has been adjusted to minimize or miss these areas for point sources. The blue camera continues to slowly improve but the wings in the spectra are still wide.
• 2022-03-14: The instrument is available at this time. A problem on Wednesday night with the ICC not being able to write images to disk. Resolvedthe next morning with just a restrt of the ICC software. Scattered light seems consistent with the many past weeks. The red camera still has large water spots across the field but as long as those are avoided the contamination is excellent. The boresight of the telescope has been adjusted to minimize or miss these areas for point sources. The blue camera continues to slowly improve but the wings in the spectra are still wide.
• 2022-03-07: The instrument is available at this time. Scattered light seems consistent with the many past weeks. The red camera still has large water spots across the field but as long as those are avoided the contamination is excellent. The boresight of the telescope has been adjusted to minimize or miss these areas for point sources. The blue camera continues to slowly improve but the wings in the spectra are still wide.
• 2022-02-28: The instrument is available at this time. Scattered light seems consistent with the many past weeks. The red camera still has large water spots across the field but as long as those are avoided the contamination is excellent. The boresight of the telescope has been adjusted to minimize or miss these areas for point sources. The blue camera continues to slowly improve but the wings in the spectra are still wide.
• 2022-02-21: The instrument is available at this time. Scattered light seems consistent with the many past weeks. The red camera still has large water spots across the field but as long as those are avoided the contamination is excellent. The boresight of the telescope has been adjusted to minimize or miss these areas for point sources. The blue camera continues to slowly improve but the wings in the spectra are still wide.
• 2022-02-14: The instrument is available at this time. Scattered light seems consistent with the many past weeks. The red camera still has large water spots across the field but as long as those are avoided the contamination is excellent. The boresight of the telescope has been adjusted to minimize or miss these areas for point sources. The blue camera continues to slowly improve but the wings in the spectra are still wide.
• 2022-02-07: The instrument is available at this time. Scattered light seems consistent with the many past weeks. The red camera still has large water spots across the field but as long as those are avoided the contamination is excellent. The boresight of the telescope has been adjusted to minimize or miss these areas for point sources. The blue camera continues to slowly improve but the wings in the spectra are still wide.
• 2022-01-31: The instrument is available at this time. Contamination on both cameras are moderate to excellent. The red camera still has large water spots across the field but as long as those are avoided the contamination is excellent. The boresight of the telescope has been adjusted to minimize or miss these areas for point sources. The blue camera continues to slowly improve but the wings in the spectra are still wide.
• 2022-01-26: The instrument is available at this time. Contamination on both cameras are moderate to excellent. The red camera still has large water spots across the field but as long as those are avoided the contamination is excellent. The boresight of the telescope has been adjusted to minimize or miss these areas for point sources. The blue camera continues to slowly improve but the wings in the spectra are still wide.
• 2021-12-20: The instrument is available at this time. Contamination on both cameras are moderate to excellent. The red camera still has large water spots across the field but as long as those are avoided the contamination is excellent. The boresight of the telescope has been adjusted to minimize or miss these areas for point sources. The blue camera continues to slowly improve but the wings in the spectra are still wide.
• 2021-12-13: The instrument is available at this time. Contamination on both cameras are moderate to ok. The red camera still has large water spots across the field. The boresight of the telescope has been adjusted to minimize or miss these areas for point sources. The blue camera continues to slowly improve but the wings in the spectra are still quite wide.
• 2021-12-06: The instrument is available at this time. Contamination on both cameras are moderate to ok. The red camera still has large water spots across the field. The boresight of the telescope has been adjusted to minimize or miss these areas for point sources. The blue camera continues to slowly improve but the wings in the spectra are still quite wide.
• 2021-11-29: The instrument is available at this time. Contamination on both cameras are moderate to ok. The red camera still has large water spots across the field. The boresight of the telescope has been adjusted to minimize or miss these areas for point sources. The blue camera continues to slowly improve but the wings in the spectra are still quite wide.
• 2021-11-22: The instrument is available at this time. Contamination on both cameras are moderate to ok. The red camera still has large water spots across the field. The boresight of the telescope has been adjusted to minimize or miss these areas for point sources. The blue camera continues to slowly improve but the wings in the spectra are still quite wide.
• 2021-11-15: The instrument is available at this time. Contamination on both cameras are moderate to ok. The red camera still has large water spots across the field. The boresight of the telescope has been adjusted to minimize or miss these areas for point sources. The blue camera continues to slowly improve but the wings in the spectra are still quite wide.
• 2021-11-08: The instrument is available at this time. Contamination on both cameras are moderate to poor. The fog on the red camera covering most of the image is gone but there are still water spots across the field. The blue camera continues to slowly improve but the wings in the spectra are still quite wide.
• 2021-11-01: The instrument is available at this time. Contamination on both cameras are moderate to poor. The fog on the red camera covering most of the image is gone but there are still water spots across the field. The blue camera continues to slowly improve but the wings in the spectra are still quite wide.

• 2022-05-23: Instrument is operating nominally. The kcamera (slitviewer) shutter is still having intermittent failures but at infrequent intervals now we are in warmer weather. A small handful of instances which required restart of ICC software because of image write issues or exposures hanging. A user characterized the internal flat field lamps using the ND5 filter in filter wheel 2 and found lots of artifacts. We are discussing going back in again and adjusting the amount of ND material at the output of the integrating sphere for the Internal calibration brightnesses.
• 2022-05-16: Instrument is operating nominally. The kcamera (slitviewer) shutter is still having intermittent failures. Replacement shutter arrived endof last week. A small handful of instances which required restart of ICC software because of image write issues or exposures hanging. A user characterized the internal flat field lamps using the ND5 filter in filter wheel 2 and found lots of artifacts. We are discussing going back in again and adjusting the amount of ND material at the output of the integrating sphere for the Internal calibration brightnesses.
• 2022-05-09: Instrument is operating nominally. The kcamera (slitviewer) shutter is still having intermittent failures. Replacement shutter arrived endof last week. A small handful of instances which required restart of ICC software because of image write issues or exposures hanging. A user characterized the internal flat field lamps using the ND5 filter in filter wheel 2 and found lots of artifacts. We are discussing going back in again and adjusting the amount of ND material at the output of the integrating sphere for the Internal calibration brightnesses.
• 2022-05-02: Instrument is operating nominally. The kcamera (slitviewer) shutter is still having intermittent failures. Replacement shutter on order. A small handful of instances which required restart of ICC software because of image write issues or exposures hanging. Internal calibration brightnesses with ND materialseems to have been straightened out.
• 2022-04-25: Instrument is operating nominally. The kcamera (slitviewer) shutter is still having intermittent failures. Replacement shutter on order. A small handful of instances which required restart of ICC software because of image write issues or exposures hanging. Internal calibration brightnesses with ND materialseems to have been straightened out.
• 2022-04-18: Instrument is operating nominally. The kcamera (slitviewer) shutter is still having intermittent failures. Replacement shutter on order. A small handful of instances which required restart of ICC software because of image write issues or exposures hanging.
• 2022-04-14: Instrument is operating nominally. The kcamera (slitviewer) shutter is still having intermittent failures. Replacement shutter on order. A small handful of instances which required restart of ICC softwarebecause of image write issues or exposures hanging.
• 2022-04-04: Instrument is operating nominally. A small handful of instances which required restart of ICC softwarebecause of image write issues or exposures hanging.
• 2022-03-28: Instrument is operating nominally.
• 2022-03-21: Installed ND filter infront of the internal calibration source and a dimmer Quartz bulb. Still with the shortest expoures the red grism flats are too bright. Will try again soon.
• 2022-03-14: Several of the narrowest slits (widths less than 0.75 arcsec wide) as they are decommissioned for a new batch undergoing fabrication at UW. Installed blocking filters in the instrument. Installed a ND5 in the instrument.
• 2022-03-07: Recent reports from the observing specialists described obscurations appearing across numerous slits for the instrument. Upon further inspection (under a microscope) a variety of debris and glue residue was seen. The debris was able to be cleaned from away from each of the affected slits. The glue residue (a byproduct of the manufacturing process) is harder to remove and revealed a few errors in how these were made. The slits were again returned to service. As we approach spring dust, wind and moth seasons we ask observer to report sharp dips in their flat fields (spatial direction) that would indicate material obstructing the gap in the slit. Please report these right away to the Observing Specialist or Telescope Engineer for quick turn around.
• 2022-03-01: Recent reports from the observing specialists described obscurations appearing across numerous slits for the instrument. Upon further inspection (under a microscope) a variety of debris was seen. The debris was able to be cleaned from away from each of the affected slits. The slits were again returned to service. As we approach spring dust, wind and moth seasons we ask observer to report sharp dips in their flat fields (spatial direction) that would indicate material obstructing the gap in the slit. Please report these right away to the Observing Specialist or Telescope Engineer for quick turn around.
• 2022-02-28: The instrument continues to be at shared risk. There are still a number of small issues to resolve, most in software and TUI controls of the instrument. Some of those issues are actively being worked on this week. There is a recent issue with the kosmos slitviewer camera shutter. It is sticking intermittently. Replacement shutter for slitviewer with an extended temperature range on order.
• 2022-02-21: The instrument continues to be at shared risk. There are still a number of small issues to resolve, most in software and TUI controls of the instrument. Some of those issues are actively being worked on this week. There is a recent issue with the kosmos slitviewer camera shutter. It is sticking intermittently. Working with the manufacturer to find a replacement with an extended temperature range.
• 2022-02-14: The instrument continues to be at shared risk. The internal argon lamp was replaced mid last week (9th?). There are still a number of small issues to resolve, most in software and TUI controls of the instrument. Some of those issues are actively being worked on this week. There is a recent issue with the kosmos slitviewer camera shutter. It is sticking intermittently. Working with the manufacturer to find a replacement with an extended temperature range.
• 2022-02-07: The instrument continues to be at shared risk. The internal argon lamp seems to be fluctuation indicating it is failing and may need to be replaced soon. There are still a number of small issues to resolve, most in software and TUI controls of the instrument. There is a recent issue with the kosmos slitviewer camera shutter. It is sticking intermittently. Working with the manufacturer to find a replacement with an extended temperature range.
• 2022-01-31: The instrument continues to be at shared risk. Many of the uncovered issues with the instrument are documented on a punchlist on the APO webpage with other KOSMOS documentation. There are still a number of small issues to resolve, most in software and TUI controls of the instrument. There is a recent issue with the kosmos slitviewer camera shutter. It is sticking intermittently. Working with the manufacturer to find a replacement with an extended temperature range.
• 2022-01-26: The instrument continues to be at shared risk. Many of the uncovered issues with the instrument are documented on a punchlist on the APO webpage with other KOSMOS documentation. On Friday adjusted the guide camera zoom a second time to compromise the amount of illuminated field with the plate scale of the camera (for purposes of focus and guiding). There are still a number of small issues to resolve, most in software and TUI controls of the instrument.
• 2021-12-13: The instrument continues to be at shared risk. Many of the uncovered issues with the instrument are documented on a punchlist on the APO webpage with other KOSMOS documentation. On Friday adjusted the guide camera zoom a second time to compromise the amount of illuminated field with the plate scale of the camera (for purposes of focus and guiding). There are still a number of small issues to resolve, most in software and TUI controls of the instrument.
• 2021-12-13: The instrument continues to be at shared risk. Many of the uncovered issues with the instrument are documented on a punchlist on the APO webpage with other KOSMOS documentation. This will be updated as issues are resolved.
• 2021-12-06: The instrument continues to be at shared risk. Many of the uncovered issues with the instrument are documented on a punchlist on the APO webpage with other KOSMOS documentation. This will be updated as issues are resolved.
• 2021-11-29: The instrument continues to be at shared risk. Many of the uncovered issues with the instrument are documented on a punchlist on the APO webpage with other KOSMOS documentation. This will be updated as issues are resolved.
• 2021-11-22: The instrument continues to be at shared risk. Many of the uncovered issues with the instrument are documented on a punchlist on the APO webpage with other KOSMOS documentation. This will be updated as issues are resolved.
• 2021-11-15: The instrument continues to be at shared risk. Many of the uncovered issues with the instrument are documented on a punchlist on the APO webpage with other KOSMOS documentation. This will be updated as issues are resolved.
• 2021-11-08: A temporary cold weather shutter was installed but it has a slightly smaller FOV and cuts into the lengths or the upper and lower slits. UW TEG has a more permanent fix in the works with a full frame FOV shutter. Guiding is not fully working. There is a noticable instrument sag with rotation. Please take wavelength cals at various sky pointings. Instrument is shared risk.
• 2021-11-01: The shutter fails around 5 - 7C. UW TEG is working on a replacement. Guiding is not fully working. Instrument is shared risk.
• 2021-10-25: The shutter fails around 5 - 7C. UW TEG is working on a replacement. Guiding is not fully working. Instrument is shared risk.
• 2021-10-18: Compiling a punch list of daytime engineering tests, needed repairs and nice to haves after on sky testing. Instrument shutter seems to be the largest issue currently. The shutter fails around 5C. UW TEG is working on a replacement.
• 2021-10-11: Compiling a punch list of daytime engineering tests, needed repairs and nice to haves after on sky testing. Instrument shutter seems to be the largest issue currently. The shutter fails around 5C. UW TEG is working on a replacement.
• 2021-10-04: Started on sky commissioning this past weekend. Software development is on going and there is still no TUI release. Have made instrument blocks for spectra and imaging modes. Guide camera software is not working properly and guiding still is not working. However exposures of internal cal and truss lamps were taken, first light on a few targets were performed. Some issues with the calibration stage and shutter were encountered. Those details are being worked on. Much progress has been made the past few weeks integrating to the telescope and network.
• 2021-09-18: The spectragraph is scheduled to be delivered Monday. Tracking shows it is in El Paso, TX this morning. Much of the next 2 weeks will be unpacking, assembly and integration into the system. On sky commissioning will follow in October.

• 2022-05-23: No change in the status. The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the array controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2022-05-16: No change in the status. The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the array controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2022-05-09: No change in the status. The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the array controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2022-05-02: The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the array controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2022-04-25: The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the array controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2022-04-15: The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the array controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2022-04-14: The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the array controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2022-04-04: The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the array controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2022-03-28: The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the array controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2022-03-21: Back on the previous instrument control computer. Backup is back onthe shelf. There was a communications issue that turned outthe networkcable was plugged into the wrong port on the back ofthe computer. Otherwise, the instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the array controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2022-03-14: The instrument control computer had an intermittent failure of the power suppy. Swapped to backup machine but its code base was out of date. Had it back up the next day with code patches and a new P/S in the original machine. Once confident that the original machine is stable will be changing back and puttingthe backup on the shelf. Otherwise, the instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the array controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2022-03-07: The instrument control computer had a few crashes overthe weekend. Please report an inability to command the instrument to the ob duty observer as soon as possible. Otherwise, the instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the array controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2022-02-28: The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2022-02-21: The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2022-02-14: The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2022-02-07: The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2022-01-31: No change. The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2022-01-26: No change. The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2021-12-20: No change. The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. Last week however there were 2 instances where the rotator was at 30 degrees or the instrument was unmounted from the telecope that triggered the problem. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2021-12-13: No change. The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2021-12-06: No change. The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2021-11-29: No change. The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2021-11-22: No change. The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2021-11-15: No change. The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2021-11-08: No change. The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.
• 2021-11-01: No change. The instrument is performing nominally with the occasional need to reset the controller due to corrupted images. These have been seen most often when the instrument is upside down. You may asked to rotate your field 180 degrees to minimize these events.

• 2022-05-23: tcamera-icc (Triplespec slitviewer) performed well the past 2 weeks. No issues reported.
• 2022-05-16: tcamera-icc (Triplespec slitviewer) performed well the past week. No issues reported.
• 2022-05-09: tcamera-icc (Triplespec slitviewer) performed well over the weekend. No issues reported.
• 2022-05-06: tcamera-icc has been up for a day after we grounded the front cover. Then Matt Nelson restarted the server software and on the first try it connected to the Leach. Nothing different was done. PR updated. Not convinced this will not repeat itself given we do not think we fixed anything, however for now the instrument is functioning normally and is fully operational.
• 2022-05-02: The spectragraph array electronics is now producing 0 byte images again. Without the tcamera-icc it is not able to access the slit information. However, the raw data in the forTron directory is good. It is just missing telescope information for the headers. The instrument could therefore be used for bright point source targets using the NA2 guider temporarily.
• 2022-04-28: The spectragraph array electronics is now producing 0 byte images again. Without the tcamera-icc it is not able to access the slit information. However, the raw data in the forTron directory is good. It is just missing telescope information for the headers. The instrument could therefore be used for bright point source targets using the NA2 guider temporarily.
• 2022-04-25: The spectragraph array electronics is now producing 0 byte images again. Without the tcamera-icc it is not able to access the slit information. There has been a failure of the slitviewer (tcamera) computer. We are working on repair path forward but there are currently no spares on hand. Spare parts on order.
• 2022-04-18: The spectragraph array and electronics is operating nominally. There has been a failure of the slitviewer (tcamera) computer. We are working on repair path forward but there are currently no spares on hand. Russet is working on a path forward to using the instrument without the slitviewer. Otherwise the instrument slitviewing capablity may be down for sometime. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.
• 2022-04-14: The spectragraph array and electronics is operating nominally. There has been a failure of the slitviewer (tcamera) computer. We are working on repair path forward but there are currently no spares on hand. Russet is working on a path forward to using the instrument without the slitviewer. Otherwise the instrument slitviewing capablity may be down for sometime. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.
• 2022-04-04: The instrument is operating nominally. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.
• 2022-03-28: The instrument is operating nominally. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.
• 2022-03-21: There was a problem with the tcamera (slitviewer array) icc communicating with the leach controller last week. It was able to be resolved but it is unclear what caused the issue. The instrument is operating nominally. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.
• 2022-03-14: The instrument is operating nominally. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.
• 2022-03-07: The instrument is operating nominally. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.
• 2022-02-28: The instrument is operating nominally. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.
• 2022-02-21: The instrument is operating nominally. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.
• 2022-02-14: The instrument is operating nominally. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.
• 2022-02-07: The instrument is operating nominally however the past week both leach controllers required resets during afternooncheckouts. Something to be aware of. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.
• 2022-01-31: The instrument is operating nominally. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.
• 2022-01-26: The instrument is operating nominally. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.
• 2021-12-20: The instrument is operating nominally. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.
• 2021-12-13: The instrument is operating nominally. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.
• 2021-12-06: The instrument is operating nominally. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.
• 2021-11-29: The instrument is operating nominally. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.
• 2021-11-22: The instrument is operating nominally. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.
• 2021-11-15: The instrument is operating nominally. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.
• 2021-11-08: The instrument is operating nominally. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.
• 2021-11-01: The instrument is operating nominally. There still is some reported low level pattern noise seen in long darks or images.

• 2022-05-23: The instrument is operating nominally. There has been the occasional need (becoming more frequent) to restart the ICC sofware each day.
• 2022-05-16: The instrument is operating nominally. There has been the occasional need (becoming more frequent) to restart the ICC sofware each day.
• 2022-05-09: The instrument is operating nominally. There has been the occasional need (becoming more frequent) to restart the ICC sofware each day.
• 2022-04-25: The instrument is operating nominally. There has been the occasional need (becoming more frequent) to restart the ICC sofware each day.
• 2022-04-25: The instrument is operating nominally. There has been the occasional need (becoming more frequent) to restart the ICC sofware each day.
• 2022-04-18: The instrument is operating nominally. There has been the occasional need (becoming more frequent) to restart the ICC sofware each day.
• 2022-04-14: The instrument is operating nominally. There has been the occasional need (becoming more frequent) to restart the ICC sofware each day.
• 2022-04-04: The instrument is operating nominally. There has been the occasional need to restart the ICC sofware each day.
• 2022-03-28: The instrument is operating nominally. There was a report of guiding misbehaving at high airmasses last night but perhaps it was software related. Unlikely it was related to the hardware.
• 2022-03-21: The instrument is operating nominally.
• 2022-03-14: The instrument is operating nominally.
• 2022-03-07: The instrument is operating nominally.
• 2022-02-28: The instrument is operating nominally.
• 2022-02-21: The instrument is operating nominally.
• 2022-02-14: The instrument is operating nominally.
• 2022-02-07: The instrument is operating nominally.
• 2022-01-31: The instrument is operating nominally.
• 2022-01-26: The instrument is operating nominally.
• 2021-12-20: The instrument is operating nominally.
• 2021-12-13: The instrument is operating nominally.
• 2021-12-06: The instrument is operating nominally.
• 2021-11-29: The instrument is operating nominally.
• 2021-11-22: The instrument is operating nominally.
• 2021-11-15: The instrument is operating nominally.
• 2021-11-08: The instrument is operating nominally.
• 2021-11-01: The instrument is operating nominally.

The information on this page is up to date as of May 23, 2022. This page is maintained by the 3.5-m Telescope Engineer .