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Proposal and observation preparations

Classical mode preparations

Read Justifying Classical Mode Observations and Acceptable cases carefully, before proposal preparations.

Proposal preparation

The proposal preparation procedure is basically the same as for Queue mode, but use the application form for Normal+Intensive program.
All of the targets must be uploaded before submitting the proposal. Please follow the steps below.

  • Prepare the target list and submit it via PFS Target uploader

    PFS Target Uploader PPP is for simulation only

    Please be aware that the online PFS Target Uploader PPP only simulates the classical-mode observation. We advise users to consider the results only for requested observation time (ROT) and rough estimation of pointing numbers and not use the simulation for precise fiber assignment or actual observation planning. During the observation preparation phase, the observatory will use a separate optimization code for fiber assignment. The final results will differ from the simulation.

    The PI must first upload the complete target list through PFS Target Uploader before proposal submission. The basic procedure to upload the target list is as follows.

    • Prepare the target list which contains all of the targets to be observed in csv format, including all mandatory fields.
    • Make sure to estimate the signal-to-noise ratio in PFS Spectral Simulator (in the 'instrument' tab).
    • Make sure to specify the correct reference arm in the target list (b, r, n, or m)
    • Validate the target list. Check the output message and revise the target list if needed.
    • Simulate the required observation time and the number of "pointing centers" to complete the observations.
      • If investigators plan observations with fix the pointing centers (telescope pointing coordinates), create an additional list following the instructions here and upload it through "User-defined pointing list" at the "config" tab of PFS Target Uploader.
    • Submit and record the Upload ID which will be issued upon completion. See here when the ID is lost.

    Please check the PFS Target Uploader User Guide for the detailed procedure for each step. PFS Target Uploader Demo is also available.

    • In addition to this, investigators must clearly explain the reason for requesting Classical mode observations to achieve their scientific goals in the proposal.
      During the review, the Time Allocation Committee and the observatory will judge the necessity of Classical mode. If they consider that the program can also be achieved in Queue mode, it can be assigned as a Queue program.

    Calibration for targets at low Dec. or low galactic latitudes, or crowded fields

    If an investigator plans to target at the galactic center (Dec. < -30 deg or |Galactic latitude| < 10 deg), crowded field like star cluster, or nearby galaxy (e.g., M31), please contact the observatory in advance. The observatory does not have calibration objects (sky objects in particular) there, and we may ask investigators to prepare the objects by themselves.

Tips for preparations of Classical mode proposal

  • The investigator should use PFS Spectral Simulator and PFS Target Uploader to simulate exposure time and the pointing centers.
  • The exposure time for each pointing must be split into at least two exposures (maximum at 900s x 2 frame) to meet technical requirements related to cosmic ray rejection. Please note that splitting the exposure may decrease the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), depending on the brightness of the object and the reference arm. The effect is more significant for fainter objects and shorter wavelengths. See here for details.
  • After the pointing simulation, convert the estimated ROT to the number of nights to fill out the Total Requested Number of Nights and the Minimum Acceptable Number of Nights in Section 12 of the proposal form.
  • The conversion is given as 10 hours (ROT) = 1 night.
  • The maximum number of nights that can be requested is 5 nights, which is the same as the Classical programs of other instruments.
    That is, the maximum applicant ROT is 50 hours (= 10 hours x 5 nights).
  • Please IGNORE the warning message about ROT in PFS Target Uploader if the planning ROT is greater than 35 hours.
  • In Section 14 of the proposal form, along with Upload ID, please summarize the property of the target list (i.e., observing area, number of targets, etc.)
  • Attach the template shown here at section 15 "Technical Justification" of the proposal.
  • The following cases, investigators have to contact us before the proposal submission.
    • In a case of ToO
    • Considering user specific calibrators because of crowded fields
    • IFU-like mode

Constraints on Classical Modes

Due to the specifications of the instrument, the following limitations apply. Please take them into account when preparing your proposal:

  1. The maximum duration for a single exposure time is 900 seconds, and 900s x 2 frames is a unit of exposure set as fiber allocation must be repeated every 30 minutes. Investigators must ensure this when making target list and checking the S/N in the ETC.
  2. The observable elevation angle is limited to 32 deg < EL < 75 deg to maintain a stable fiber alignment.

  3. Due to the limited instrumental rotator drive range (+/-174 deg), there are "dead zones" that depend on the combination of the target’s position (Azimuth and Elevation) and the requested Position Angle (PA). See Prime Focus Instrument (PFI).

    • While investigators may request any PA in the Target Uploader simulation or in their proposal, the actual observation may need to be conducted at a different PA as instructed by the observatory, depending on operational constraints revealed during observation planning.
    • Example: If the PI requests a Position Angle of PA = 0 deg, some narrow regions of the northern sky will fall into the dead zone and cannot be observed.
    • If your observation critically depends on a specific PA, please consult with the PFS Observation helpdesk in advance.

Observation preparation

The observatory will contact classical PIs ~4 weeks before the start of the PFS run. It is not allowed to update the target list during the observation preparation phase, however, the PI can adjust target priorities, exposure times, and decide to omit targets from the list. The observatory will prepare pfsDesign files (which contains detailed information of the targets, fiber assignment, allocated standard stars, etc.) based on the observation plan provided by the PI. Open fibers may be allocated to targets of Queue program, community fillers, and observatory fillers. The pfsDesign files will be sent to the investigator before the observations, and should be reviewed by the investigator. Some iterations between the observatory and the PI are possible during the observation preparation phase, but all relevant obsering files and plans must be fixed 1 week before the start of the PFS run.

Proposal preparations of IFU-like mode

The IFU-like mode is available for the call for proposals from S26A, only in Classical mode.

  • Please contact PFS Observation helpdesk in advance if the investigator will plan to submit with IFU-like mode.

  • Investigators are required to write the following information in the technical justification of the proposal.

    1. Target Upload ID(s), including the central coordinates of science targets.
    2. IFU variant position pattern (only regular triangle or regular hexagon) for each target list.
    3. Separations (in arcsec) from the central coordinates of targets. Only a single value is permitted for each IFU sequence. An IFU sequence refers to a sequential process of taking 4 (for the triangle pattern) or 7 (for the hexagon pattern) sets of two exposures each at the center and variant fiber positions.

Notes for IFU-mode:

  1. The IFU-like mode basically follows the policy of the Classical mode preparation described above.
  2. The target uploader does not currently support the IFU-like mode. After finalizing the target list and pointing plan with the observing field, please take the actual observing time into account in your plan as follows.
  3. As with other modes, two exposures of the same exposure time are required for all variant positions to enable cosmic ray removal.
  4. The maximum exposure time at variant positions is 30 min (900s x 2 frames) in a single IFU sequence.
  5. The exposure time should be the same for the surrounding positions (variant fiber positions), but it can be shorter or longer than the center position with up to 900s x 2 frames.
  6. For example, if each position is observed with 450 sec × 2 exposures, a full set using a hexagonal pattern would take approximately 8,820 seconds (~ 2.45 hours) to complete.
  7. The time breakdown is as follows:
    • The case of hexagon pattern: 7 fiber position (One center and six surrounding variant positions) × [total exposure time of 900s (= 450 sec × 2 frames) + overheads (6 minutes per fiber position)]
  8. Overheads (same as other observation modes):
    • Approximately 3 minutes for fiber allocation per variant position
    • Approximately 3 minutes for readout per two-frame exposure

Observation preparation

The telescope pointing centers will be determined by the observatory, by taking into account the target information for the Classical mode, while the open fibers may be allocated to targets of Queue program, community fillers, and observatory fillers. The pfsDesign file (which contains detailed information of the targets, fiber assignment, allocated standard stars, etc.) will be sent to the investigator before the observations, and should be reviewed by the investigator. The investigator can modify the exposure time for each pfsDesign file, but not the targets and fiber allocations. The exposure time can also be modified during the observation.

In the case that the targets are not fixed at the proposal submission phase (e.g., for transients), investigators must fix and upload the targets 1 week before the PFS run of the scheduled night and submit the target list via PFS Target Uploader. The observatory will inform investigators how to review the pfsDesign files.

ToO preparations

Proposal preparation

Please review the current ToO and Transient policy before submitting a ToO proposal.

Use the application form for the 'Normal+Intensive' program. The investigator should use PFS Spectral Simulator and PFS Target Uploader to simulate exposure time and the pointing centers to describe the observation plan in case the ToO is triggered (e.g., number of targets (or density), required S/N, exposure time for the typical object that is assumed to be observed, total required nights, etc.).

If a PI wants to propose a rapid ToO, they MUST inform the observatory BEFORE proposal submission.

On common constraints, read also Constraints on Classical Modes.

Observation preparation

Please see the current ToO and Transient policy for details about the triggering and preparation process.

The investigator must receive an approval from the observatory first (see here), and upload the target information via PFS Target Uploader before triggering a ToO. No changes to the target list are allowed after sending the trigger request. If not specified by the PI, the telescope pointing centers will be determined by the observatory, by taking the target information for the ToO into account, while the open fibers may be allocated to targets of Queue program targets, community fillers, and observatory fillers. The pfsDesign file (which contains detailed information on the targets, fiber assignment, allocated standard stars, etc.) will be sent to the investigator before the observations. The observers must review the created pfsDesign files. A maximum of one (rapid ToO) or two (non-rapid ToO) iterations is accepted to modify the pfsDesign file.

Other modes

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