Subject: Chris Stubbs on drift scanning

From: Michael Strauss

Submitted: Thu, 7 May 1998 08:14:37 -0400 (EDT)

Message number: 55 (previous: 54, next: 56 up: Index)

This is an open letter to John Holtzman and Marla Geha in 
response to their recent note about SPIcam drift scanning.

We're still digesting the message up here in Seattle...
the purpose of this note is to commend our NMSU colleagues for 
their clear and constructive message.  It's heartening to the 
SPIcam team to see such interest in improving the performance of the 
instrument.

As most of you know, we've had some SPIcam shutter problems that 
are being actively worked on by the site staff.  The shutter motor
is being replaced with a geared system that should overcome the 
recent problem.  Also, the SPIcam code is undergoing an upgrade that
will provide some performance enhancements.  Specifically this will
enable faster chip clears and slower drift scans (ie longer integrations),
and (we hope) a reliable way to take staring frames with short effective
exposure times.

(These enhancements and repairs are being carried out by Peter Doherty, Jeff
Morgan and Gene Magnier at the UW, and the 3.5m crew at APO.)

Again, thanks to Jon and Marla for their taking the time to communicate
the drift scan methodology they have developed.


Best to all,

Chris.

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