High Altitude Observatory (HAO) – National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) The National Center for Atmospheric Research is operated by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research under sponsorship of the National Science Foundation. An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. SPINOR Overview David F. Elmore Hector Socas-Navarro High Altitude Observatory National Center for Atmospheric Research November 2005

Memorandum of Understanding Covers transition from Advanced Stokes Polarimeter (ASP) to the Spectro-Polarimeter for INfrared and Optical Regions (SPINOR) A research spectro-polarimeter will be available to NSO users throughout the transition and capabilities increase during this time When complete the difficult to maintain ASP computers and cameras will be completely replaced

Memorandum of Understanding Next milestone: Deployment of Port 4 control that includes automation of HSG grating angle Final milestone: Completion of SPINOR control system Virtual cameras following NSO interface specifications Control system within DST control environment Operation from ‘bridge’ Real-time and Stokes images on the ‘bridge’ Data storage in real-time to SAN

Collimator Grating Fold Mirrors Camera Lenses

ASP?/EASP?/SPINOR? ASP All capabilities of the ASP available to users since 1991 are still in place EASP ASP has been enhanced with polarization optics that extend the wavelength range from 750nm to 900nm with silicon imagers External polarimetric cameras can be synchronized allowing for enhanced wavelength diversity With approval by HAO a NIR/SWIR camera can be used that extends the observation range to 1600nm SPINOR Eliminates the 1980s technology computers and cameras of the ASP with a new control system and suite of cameras Moves control from a stand alone instrument to the DST

EASP Issues “The list” DST observers have carefully and thoroughly documented significant operational issues with the EASP that compromise its ability to provide reliable science data All of the current issues will be eliminated with the completion of SPINOR There are eight EASP synchronization issues that, I think, have a common software root Seven issues are maintenance and DST optical upgrade related with two addressed at last observing run Four issues fall into the category of ‘features’ since ASP is coded using 1980s software and the DST network has evolved. These will remain until SPINOR is complete Assistance from NSO will be required to resolve data storage scripts for EASP

Issues cont. HAO plans to work with NSO before the next EASP observing run Prioritize the items in the list Correct items that can be corrected in the current system Further familiarize DST observers with EASP operations (use of external polarimetric cameras) About a week of after hours/cloudy time at the DST will be required

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