Wafer-Scale Imager for Prime (WaSP) Technical Specifications

Status: Observatory Instrument


    Contents

  1. Updates
  2. Documentation
  3. Telescope
  4. Detectors
  5. Filters
  6. Software

1. Updates

WaSP focal plane layout.

Initial facility deployment February 2018.

2. Documentation

Coming soon.

3. Telescope

  • 200-inch prime focus, f/3.3.
  • Field of view: 18.4′ x 18.5′.

4. Detectors

  1. "Science Detector": 6144 (H) × 6160 (V) E2V 231C.
    • Pixel Size: 15 µm square
    • Imaging Area: 92.2 x 92.4 mm
    • Plate Scale: 0.18"/pixel
    • Field: 18.4′ × 18.5′
    • Read noise: 5 e.
    • Full Well: 350Ke
    • Dark current: 3.0 e/pixel/hr
    • Frame rate (shortest exposure time for full array): 3.23 seconds.
  2. Guide and Focus CCDs: 2064x2064 STA3600A delta-doped
    • Pixel Size: 15 µm square
    • Imaging Area: 31.0 × 31.0 mm
    • Plate Scale: 0.18"/pixel
    • Field: 6.192′ × 3.096′ (frame-transfer read)
    • Read noise: 2 e.
    • Full Well: 200 Ke
    • Dark current: 2.0 e/pixel/hr
  3. Readout Time:
    • Full-Frame Science Array: 12s
    • Full-Frame Guide Array: 7.5s
    • Full-Frame Focus Array: 15s

5. Filters (Standard Setup)

Currently WaSP shares filters, and the filter and shutter assembly with LFC. Filter wheel has slots for 4 filters.

Filter Central λ
(Å)
Width
(Å)
Thickness
(mm)
Focus offset
(mm from r')
Domeflats [a] Dark sky [a]
(raw chip 0)
Transmission
r' 6255 1470 3.05 5 1400 data, plot
i' 7680 1540 3.05 3 650 data, plot
z' ~9000 ~1800 (w/qe) 3.05 5 750 data, plot
g' 4660 1400 8.02 +1.5 40   data, plot
u' 3540 590 8.38 +1.6 120 (highlamp)   data, plot
Rs 6930 1220 10.26 +2.0 8   data, plot
Is 8190 1670 10.26 +2.0 5   data, plot
B-bess 4400 1000 7.0 +1.3 2 (highlamp)   data, plot
V-bess 5500 900 7.0 +1.3 40   data, plot
R-bess 6300 1200 7.0 +1.3 10   data, plot
I-bess 9000 3000 7.0 +1.3   data, plot
Broad-RI 7670 2940 6.0       data, plot
6570 100 11.68 +2.8 120   plot
S-II 6730 90 11.68 +2.8 120   plot
6610/100 6610 100 7.06 +1.3 120   plot
6650/100 6650 100 7.06 +1.3 120   plot
6700/100 6700 100 6.93 +1.3 120   plot
5200/70 5200 70 4.90 ?     not yet on record
5085/70 5085 70 5.13 ?     not yet on record
[a] Seconds to 10,000 DN (unbinned)

6. Starting the WaSP software

  1. Open the following vnc desktop on the observer computer (vncviewer 198.202.125.140:16 or wasp.palomar.caltech.edu:16).
  2. Right mouse click on the desktop and select open terminal.
  3. Start the WASP instrument control software by typing “wasp”.
  4. Open the “WASP Filter-wheel and Shutter Control”.
  5. “Home” the shutter first.
  6. “Home” the filter-wheel.
  7. Select filter you wish to focus in.
  8. Open the “Electronics Monitoring” tab and engage “Activate Shutter” and “Activate Filter-wheel”.
  9. Select “LFC Shutter” radiobutton.
  10. Return to the main panel and engage the “Display in DS9” button.

Questions? We've answered many common observing and operations questions in our observer FAQ page.
Please share your feedback on this page or any other Palomar topic at the COO Feedback portal.

WaSP Specs / v 0.0.2
Last updated: 29 March 2019 ACM/AFB/JWM/CMH