WHT quality control

The aim of the WHT quality-control programme is to monitor and maximise (1) the S:N achieved for a given integration time; and (2) the amount of time that observers spend integrating on science targets (i.e. minimising downtime and overheads).

Below are links to pages describing individual aspects of the quality-control programme.

(1) Maximising S:N for given integration time

• Optical quality (aberrations)
• Dome seeing (currently under investigation)
• Pointing and blind-offsetting
• Open-loop tracking (i.e. without autoguiding)
• Closed-loop tracking (i.e. with autoguiding)
• Mirror reflectivity
• Light leaks

(2) Maximising time available for integration on science targets

• Time lost to technical problems
• Time lost to bad weather
• Observing overheads
• Use of service, discretionary and commissioning nights

Pending on-sky tests are listed on a separate page.