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This page gives a general overview for visitors and staff

(Please send us any comments or suggestions for ways to improve these pages.)

Updates (and Old Updates)

An updated version of the NIHTS User Manual (v1.2 - 20180808) has been released and is available on the DCT confluence pages.

Tom has released an updated version of the DeVeny slit viewing camera GUI. Changes are documented and appear in the new release of the DeVeny Users Manual (v1.5), available below.

The DeVeny Spectrograph Reference and Operations Guide has been updated for the new release of the slitviewing camera GUI application. Version v1.5 (10 July 2018) of the manual is now available on the Observing at DCT confluence page.

Important Notes for all DCT Users and Visitor

DCTUsers Slack Channel for Discussion & Announcements

Proposing to Observe

Applying for Observing Time - 2018B DCT Call for Proposals

Observing Run Preparation

What to do before showing up for your run

First time using DCT, or a particular instrument?

Calendars:

- DCT monthly observing and TO calendar
- DCT science schedule
- Merged Sun/Moon/rise/set: 2015, 2016, 2017
- Lunar Phase: 2016, 2017, 2018
- Moon rise/set: 2016, 2017, 2018
- Sun rise/set: 2016, 2017, 2018
- Astronomical Twilight: 2016, 2017, 2018

DCT Remote Observing Notes

Target List Submission

Ephemeris Data Submission/Generation

Automated Function and Pattern Data Submission

Object Data and Finder Chart Generators

During Your Run

Closure Conditions

Target of Opportunity (ToO) Procedures

After Your Run

Evaluation/Feedback forms

Data Retrieval

DCT Acknowledgment Text

The Telescope

For an overview of the telescope and site, see

- Levine et al. 2012.SPIE.8444.44L
- DeGroff et al. 2014, SPIE 9145-82

Information about the seeing and image quality:

- Levine, DeGroff 2016, SPIE, 9906, 990672 (delivered image quality)
- Bida et al. 2004, SPIE, 5489, 196 (site test data)

For an overview of the first generation Instruments, see

- Bida et al. 2014, SPIE 9147-96
- DeGroff et al. 2014, SPIE 9145-82

Instruments

DCT Instrumentation Current & Future

Operational.

Web Page:

Manual: DeVeny_Manual_v1.5_10July18.pdf

Additional Information: DeVeny_Ops_Appendix.tar

Operational - PI instrument

Web Page: the instrument page at Gemini-N is mostly applicable and very informative

Manual:

Additional Information: DSSI is available part time at DCT. For information, contact E. Horch or G. van Belle.

Coming soon - commissioning now.

Web Page: EXPRES web page

Manual:

Additional Information: An overview of the instrument can be found in Jurgenson et al. 2016, Proc SPIE, 9908, 99086T

Due back in Fall 2018

Web Page: IGRINS wiki has a lot of information about IGRINS

Manual:

Additional Information: IGRINS will be available part of the year in 2016, 2017 and 2018. For information, contact L. Prato or G. Mace.

Operational.

Web Page:

Manual: LMI User Manual

Additional Information: LMI Exposure time calculator, LMI Filter Information

Operational, finishing commissioning.

Web Page:

Manual: NIHTS User Manual (v. 20180808)

Additional Information:

Coming soon.

Web Page:

Manual:

Additional Information:

DCT Software Information

Site Information

Weather Information

DCT Site Coordinates

Directions to the DCT Site

Where to stay when observing at DCT

General Facility Overview

General Information

Schedules for other Lowell telescopes

DCT Scientific Publications

DCT Technical Publications & References

DCT Partner Contact Info