User's Guide to IRCAL


Table of Contents


Introduction
Summary Table
Quick start
Instrument Characteristics
Software Overview
ircalui
ircaldisplay
soundserver
lickstrehl
Data File Info
Filters, Grisms, Polarimeter
Nodding and Dithering Scripts
Observing Procedures and Tips
Trouble-Shooting
Technical Details
TechRef: (Dis)Assembly
Logsheet

Mt. Hamilton Homepage

Introduction

IRCAL is a near infrared camera designed for use with the Adaptive Optics system at the Cassegrain focus of the Shane 3-meter Telescope. IRCAL is equipped with a number of different filters (both broad and narrow band), grisms for spectroscopic work, and a polarimeter.

IRCAL has been in operation since 1999. It was designed by Dr. James Graham (UCB) and constructed at UC-Berkeley.

IRCAL was decommissioned in January 2014 so its dewar, filter and aperture wheels could be used for the next generation adaptive optics camera, ShARCS.

IRCAL is part of the Lick Adaptive Optics system and is available to the University of California astronomical community by subscription.
Follow these links to:

3-m Time Allocation Policy
Observing Time Request Forms

All new users must be checked out by a resident astronomer on their first night. Please request support on your time application.

Please direct questions to a Mount Hamilton support astronomer
sa@ucolick.org.

Contributors to manual:
James Graham, James Lloyd, Scott Severson, Elinor Gates