Multi-Object Spectroscopy

In the past we have relied on the NBI, Copenhagen, Denmark, to assist with software to design MOS masks and manufacture the masks for use with ALFOSC, but it seems clear they will no longer be able and willing to provide masks. For this reason, with have contacted the TNG, and mechanical tests were made from which it was concluded that they can provide MOS masks with well-defined slits with a width of 1.7 arcsec. Furthermore, we have developed software tools to help users design MOS masks, and define a standard way to transform the user's design to the format needed by the cutting machine. In principle, the idea is to offer this as the standard set-up for MOS observations in the future.

A new MOS-mode web page was created with more recent examples, update target acquisition procedure, and the features of the new MOS design software, while removing all references to the now obsolete MOSPLATE program.