
\chapter{Introduction}
\section{The subject of this Manual}

This manual is intended to provide information primarily to observers and
support astronomers, but also to potential users of the Intermediate 
Dispersion Spectrograph (IDS) on the Isaac Newton 
Telescope, using a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) as a detector. It describes
how to use the IDS and the CCD and includes a  comparison with the 
other type of detector available with the IDS: the Image Photon Counting 
System (IPCS). Some overlap with the manual for spectroscopy with the IPCS on 
the INT is therefore unavoidable.

This manual is intended to replace manual \# VII {\it
Spectroscopy with the CCD on the INT} (P.R.~Jorden and W.L.~Lupton, 1984), and 
includes extracts from manual \# XVIII
{\it A User Guide to the JKT CCD Camera} (R.W.~Argyle et~al. 1988), manual \# VI
{\it Spectroscopy with the IPCS on the INT -- Cook book} (C.R.~Jenkins 1986) 
and {\it Observer's Guide} (S.W.~Unger et~al. 1988).

\section{What to read before this}

For general information about the other telescopes, instruments and detectors
of the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes at the Observatorio
del Roque de los Muchachos on the island of La Palma, please consult the
Observer's Guide.  

Astronomers should first read that Guide because it
explains how to apply for observing time,
how to communicate with and travel to the observatory and it shows what 
documentation is available and where. The Guide also directs you to the 
appropriate scientific or technical specialist at Herstmonceux or La Palma 
for up-to-date information and advice. 

The RGO newsletter {\it Gemini} (or the PATT Newsletter) should be read for
the latest information about the Observatory, and about documentation releases.

\section{Contents of this Manual}

A colour-coding has been used in this Manual, pink pages being those 
containing only essential information suitable for experienced observers.

Chapter 2 describes briefly a CCD detector, the CCDs available with the IDS at 
the INT and their performance.

Chapter 3 describes the IDS, including the cross-disperser option,
and the acquisition and guiding (A\&G) box.

Chapter 4 describes a typical observation with the IDS + CCD from set-up to 
finish, going through calibrations and tests required.  Sections 4.4 and 4.5 
(pink pages) contain the Quick Reference Cards which outline a typical observing
run giving brief details only. They are intended for experienced observers. 
The current version of the Cards is in the
Telescope Control Room, together with other ``Latest Info''.

Chapter 5 describes ADAM, the command language which is used to interact with
the instrument-control software for data entry and checking, prompting and some
basic data inspection. 

Flux standards are discussed in Appendix A, first steps in data reduction are
suggested in Appendix B, information on calibration arcs (mostly provided by Ed
Zwiderwijk) is  given in Appendix C and filters and masks information are
summarized in Appendix D. 

Many people have contributed to this manual. The authors want to thank very
specially the team at La Palma, in particular David King, 
Chris Mayer, David Carter and Anne Charles. Thanks are also due to the Support
Astronomers group at Herstmonceux for useful suggestions.
