First Light Observations

Once we have SPARO looking at the sky, we are ready to do the initial "shakedown observations". These are best done by looking at a bright source. A source list for first light tests is given at the end of this html frame. The following two tables give information on the moon and a couple of bright sources, NGC 6334 and RCW 57. All lunar elevations (given in degrees) listed are at least 7 degrees, because below that elevation the moon becomes a more difficult target than the other bright sources listed. Also note that the elongation of the moon is the difference in longitude (also given in degrees) between the moon and the sun, and therefore represents the minimum possible separation between moon and sun for the date given.

NGC 6334 is the brightest available source for the down actuator position, and RCW 57 is the brightest available source for the up actuator position. The quantity t10 is the time that it takes for a detection with signal-to-noise of 10 to be made, given a zenith opacity of 1.5 at 450 microns.

Date Elevation Elongation Notes
Aug. 17 7 70 Time is 0714 UT for each August date
Aug. 19 14 92 Mars within 20 degrees
Aug. 21 18 114 --
Aug. 23 19 136 Neptune within 20 degrees
Aug. 25 16 160 Uranus within 2 degrees, Neptune within 10
Aug. 27 10 176 Full Moon
Sept. 13 7 43 Time is 1414 UT for each September date
Sept. 15 14 66 Mars within 15 degrees
Sept. 17 18 87 Mars within 15 degrees
Sept. 19 19 110 Neptune within 20 degrees
Sept. 21 17 132 Uranus within 2 degrees, Neptune within 10
Sept. 23 10 156 1 day before Full Moon
Oct. 10 7 17 Dangerously close to the Sun
Oct. 12 14 39 Time is 2124 UT for each October date
Oct. 14 18 60 --
Oct. 16 20 82 Mars, Neptune within 20 degrees
Oct. 18 17 104 Uranus within 3 degrees, Neptune within 10
Oct. 20 11 128 --
Nov. 7 7 13 Day before New Moon
Nov. 9 14 12 Day after New Moon
Nov. 11 19 33 Time is 0405 UT for each November date
Nov. 13 20 55 Mars within 10 degrees
Nov. 15 17 77 Neptune, Uranus within 5 degrees
Nov. 17 11 100 1 day after 1st Quarter
Nov. 18 7 113 --


Coordinates for the following table are based on the 2000 equinox.

Source RA Dec Temperature Peak intensity t10
NGC 6334 I(North) 17 20 55.0 -35 46 05.7 20-30 K 7750-1450 MJy/sr 0.3-8.4 s
RCW 57 11 11 49 -61 18 43 40K 715 MJy/sr 6 s