About This Manual#
Purpose#
This document is intended to serve the needs of all users of NGPS including astronomers and observatory support staff.
Scope#
This document contains practical information related to the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of NGPS.
Reference Documents#
NGPS Technical Specifications (NGPS.SYS.TEC.005)
NGPS Spare Parts List.xlsx (NGPS.SYS.TEC.003)
Change Record#
Revision |
Date |
Section |
Modifications |
|---|---|---|---|
Ver 01 |
5/7/2026 |
All |
NGPS Development Team, initial draft shared at Operations Handover Review |
Ver 02, SP Ver (300.0) |
7/31/2026 |
All |
Released in response to OHR reviewers report actions |
Abbreviations, Definitions and Nomenclature#
Acronyms#
Acronym |
Meaning |
|---|---|
AO |
Adaptive Optics |
COO |
Caltech Optical Observatories |
DRP |
Data Reduction Pipeline |
ETC |
Exposure Time Calculator |
FITS |
Flexible Image Transport System |
FOV |
Field of View |
GUI |
Graphical User Interface |
ICS |
Instrument Control Software |
NGPS |
Next Generation Palomar Spectrograph |
OTM |
Observation Timeline Modeler |
POMO |
Palomar Observatory Mountain Operation |
RD |
Reference Document of any kind, typically cited outside of requirements text |
SNR |
Signal to Noise Ratio |
TCS |
Telescope Control System |
TLE |
Target List Editor |
NGPS Overview#
Next Generation Palomar Spectrograph (NGPS) is conceived to be a radically more efficient workhorse spectrograph, replacing the 1970s-era Double Spectrograph (DBSP). NGPS achieves these gains via 1) increased optical efficiency from superior design and grating components, 2) a novel focal plane slicer unit that captures most traditional slit losses, 3) increased operational efficiency due to broad spectral coverage with fixed grating format and a minimal set of user-selectable settings, and 4) improved scheduling and observing tools, and feedback.