Starting EFS

To start EFS, you can either launch it from a script or from the IDL prompt. If you launch it from a script, from the shell prompt, type run_efs to run the normal EFS, connected to a server. To run EFS with a simulated server, type run_efs -s.

To run EFS from the IDL prompt, first you have to set the device to handle 24 bit colors. Do this by typing device, true_color=24 at the IDL prompt. If running it connected to the server, first you have to compile the KIDL routines. Do this by typing .r kidl at the prompt. Then type in nirspec_efs, sim="nirspec" to start the EFS. To run EFS with a simulated server, it is not necessary to compile the KIDL routines. Start the EFS by typing nirspec_efs, sim="nirspecsim".
 
 

The Draw Window
 
 

1. Display window

 

This window displays the simulated echellogram for the given setup. The box is called a Set-Up Box. It defines approximately the limits of the detector. By using the box, you can tell which parts of the echellogram will fall on the detector, and which parts will be chopped off. By clicking and dragging the mouse in the window, you can move the box around, which automatically changes the Echelle and Cross Disperser angles correspondingly. In this way, mechanisms in NIRSPEC will be moved so that the matching parts of the echellogram fall on the detector.
 

2. X/Y Pixel

 

These boxes display the X (horizontal) and Y (vertical) pixel of the detector the cursor is currently on. Pixels begin with (1,1) in the lower left corner of the Set-Up Box.
 

3. Lambda

 

This box gives the wavelength in the echellogram that the cursor is currently on.
 

4. Ech Order

Menu Options

This section describes the routines and functions that can be called by clicking on an option the main menu bar, above the draw window. The menu bar is divided into four main sections, File, Telescope, Overlays, and Help.
 
 

File

Open Configuration (Ctrl+o)

This option opens a script to be edited or executed by the EFS. It uses a dialog box that allows the changing of directories, filters, and filenames directly by typing it into the box, or by clicking on the appropriate filename or directory in the scroll window. This same dialog is used for opening files throughout EFS, including saving files as well.

Save Configuration As? (Ctrl+s)

Use this option to save the current settings of the EFS to a file. Every settings, such as filter, echelle and cross dispersor angles, and integration time are saved into a script file, that can be opened at a later time for editing or execution.

Quit (Ctrl+q)

Telescope

Set Nod Parameters (Ctrl+p)

Overlays

Clear Overlays (Ctrl+c)

This option removes any lines plotted on the echellogram.

User Lines (Ctrl+u)

This option brings up a dialog that allows you to create your own line lists, or to load one previously written, edit it, or simply plot it on the echellogram.
 
 

1. Browse

 

Hit this button to open a previously written line list.
 

2. Add Line to List

 

Enter the wavelength for the new line here.
 

3. Add

 

Hit this button to add the line to the list.
 

4. New Line Comment

 

Enter a comment for the new line here.
 

5. Z=

 

To plot the lines redshifted by a specific Z, enter the Z here.
 

6. Remove Selection

 

Hit this button to remove the currently selected line from the list.
 

7. Clear List

 

Hit this button to completely clear the list.
 

8. Select Color

Select Color System

Hit this button to switch between the various color systems. RGB is the default.
Red / Green / Blue

Slide the sliders to the various positions until the desired color is obtained.

OK

1. Save List As

 

Enter the filename you wish to save the list as.

2. Save

 

Hit this button to save the list. It brings up a dialog to browse for a file to save to .

3. OK

 

Hit this button to plot the lines in the list and close the dialog.

4. Apply

 

Hit this button to plot the lines in the list, but leave the dialog open.

5. Cancel

OH Lines (Ctrl+l)

Hitting this option plots the OH lines on the echellogram. Hitting it again removes them.

Arc Lines

1. Neon Lines (Ctrl+n)

 

Hitting this option plots the Neon lines on the echellogram. Hitting it again removes them.

2. Argon Lines (Ctrl+a)

 

Hitting this option plots the Argon lines on the echellogram. Hitting it again removes them.

3. Krypton Lines (Ctrl+k)

 

Hitting this option plots the Krypton lines on the echellogram. Hitting it again removes them.

4. Xenon Lines (Ctrl+x)

Help

Keyboard Hotkey List

This help dialog shows the various Hotkeys used by the EFS. Hit OK to dismiss the dialog.

User Manual

1. Calibration

 

This menu selects the type of calibration mode to use. First option, Setup Only, only moves the mechanisms in the instrument, but does not take an exposure. The second option, Object Only, allows the exposure of an object by the camera. Multiple setups are supported by use of the setup boxes. The Object+Lamps option is the same as the Object Only mode, except that at the end of the script, the use of arc lamps for calibration is included. The fourth option, Object+Star is and option that will take two exposures. The first is of the object. Then, you are prompted to move the telescope to the calibration star, and the star exposure begins. The Full Sequence is a Object+Star+Lamps sequence.
 

2. Nod Pattern

 

This menu selects the nod pattern to be used. A Stare is no nodding, a Nod two through four splits the slit makes two through fours nods in the slit. A Nod Chop makes a nod in the amount specified by the Set Nod Parameters option in the Telescope section of the main menu.
 

3. Number of Reps

 

This menu selects the number of nods to perform.
 

4. Spec. Mode

 

 
 

This menu selects the spectral mode between High Resolution, Low Resolution, and Imaging. Consult the NIRSPEC manual for more about the spectral modes.
 
 

5. Slit

 

Change this dropdown menu to select the size of the slit to be used for the current setup.
 
 

6. Filter

 

Select the filter to be used for the current setup from this list.
 
 

7. Blocking

 

Select the type of blocking to be used from None, Thin, or Thick.
 
 

8. Plot Filter Profile

 

Hit this button to see a transmission plot of the currently selected filter.
 

9. Bad Pixel Mask

 

Switch this toggle to turn on and off the overplotting of a bad pixel mask over the detector box. This is useful in determining which part of the echellogram may be affected by bad pixels.
 
 

10. Echelle

 

This box displays the current echelle angle. It can be changed either by moving the box, or by entering a value into this field.
 
 

11. Cross Disp.

 

This box displays the current cross dispersor angle. It can be changed either by moving the box, or by entering a value into this field.
 


 

12. Setup Boxes

1. New (Insert)

 

Hit this button to create a new setup box.

2. Previous (PageUp)

 

Hit this button to go to the previous setup box.

3. Next (PageDown)

 

Hit this button to go to the next setup box.

4. Delete (Delete)

 

Hit this button to delete the currently selected setup box.

5. Current

1. Object

1. Itime

 

Enter the integration time of the object exposure in this box. It is disabled for Setup Only mode.

2. Coadds

1. Star

1. Itime

 

Enter the integration time of the calibration star exposure in this box. It is enabled for Object+Star and Full Sequence modes.

2. Coadds

Enter the number of coadds for the calibration star exposure in this box. It is enabled for Object+Star and Full Sequence modes.
 

GO (Ctrl+g)

 

Hit this button to send the script to the NIRSPEC server to be executed.

ABORT (Meta+x)