Calibration at elevation of the WEAVE fibre positioner
Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy IX Society of Photo-optical Instrumentation Engineers 12184 (2022)
Abstract:
WEAVE is the new wide-field spectroscopy facility for the prime focus of the William Herschel Telescope in La Palma, Spain. Its fibre positioner is essential for the accurate placement of the spectrograph’s 960 fibre multiplex. We provide an overview of the recent maintenance, flexure modifications, and calibration measurements conducted at the observatory prior to the final top-end assembly. This work ensures that we have a complete understanding of the positioner’s behaviour as it changes orientation during observations. All fibre systems have been inspected and repaired, and the tumbler structure contains new clamps to stiffen both the internal beam and the retractor support disk onto which the field plates attach. We present the updated metrology procedures4 and results that will be verified on-skyOptimisation of the WEAVE target assignment algorithm
Proceedings of SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering Society of Photo-optical Instrumentation Engineers 12184 (2022)
Abstract:
WEAVE is the new wide-field spectroscopic facility for the prime focus of the William Herschel Telescope in La Palma, Spain. Its fibre positioner is essential for the accurate placement of the spectrograph’s ∼ 960-fibre multiplex. To maximise the assignment of its optical fibres, WEAVE uses a simulated annealing algorithm called Configure,1 which allocates the fibres to targets in the field of view. We have conducted an analysis of the algorithm’s behaviour using a subset of mid-tier WL2 fields, and adjusted the priority assignment algorithm to optimise the total fibres assigned per field, and the assignment of fibres to the higher priority science targets. The output distributions have been examined, to investigate the implications for the WEAVE science teams.Forecasts for WEAVE-QSO: 3D clustering of critical points with Lyman-alpha tomography
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Oxford University Press 514:1 (2022) 1359-1385