Binospec Software System

Authors :: Daniel G. Fabricant
Anne Matthews
Jan Kansky
Martin Paegert
J. Duane Gibson
Dallan Porter
John Roll
Igor Chilingarian
Sean Moran
Source :: Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 131:075005
Publication Year :: 2019
Publisher :: IOP Publishing, 2019.
Abstract: Binospec is a high-throughput, 370 to 1000 nm, imaging spectrograph that addresses two adjacent 8' by 15' fields of view. Binospec was commissioned in late 2017 at the f/5 focus of the 6.5m MMT and is now available to all MMT observers. Here we describe the Binospec software used for observation planning, instrument control, and data reduction. The software and control systems incorporate a high level of automation to minimize observer workload. Instrument configuration and observation sequencing is implemented using a database-driven approach to maximize observatory efficiency. A web-based interface allows users to define observations, monitor status, and retrieve data products.<br />PASP in press; 22 pages; 12 figures