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arXiv · 2209.01145

Optimisation of the WEAVE target assignment algorithm

Sarah Hughes·Gavin Dalton·Daniel Smith·Kenneth Duncan·David Terrett·Don Carlos Abrams·J. Alfonso Aguerri·Marc Balcells·Georgia Bishop·Piercarlo Bonifacio·Esperansa Carrasco·Shoko Jin·Ian Lewis·Scott Trager·Antonella Vallenari
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Abstract

WEAVE is the new wide-field spectroscopic facility for the prime focus of the William Herschel Telescope in La Palma, Spain. Its fibre positioner is essential for the accurate placement of the spectrograph's ~960-fibre multiplex. To maximise the assignment of its optical fibres, WEAVE uses a simulated annealing algorithm called Configure, which allocates the fibres to targets in the field of view. We have conducted an analysis of the algorithm's behaviour using a subset of mid-tier WEAVE-LOFAR fields, and adjusted the priority assignment algorithm to optimise the total fibres assigned per field, and the assignment of fibres to the higher priority science targets. The output distributions have been examined, to investigate the implications for the WEAVE science teams.

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Sarah Hughes, Gavin Dalton, Daniel Smith, Kenneth Duncan, David Terrett, Don Carlos Abrams, J. Alfonso Aguerri, Marc Balcells, Georgia Bishop, Piercarlo Bonifacio, Esperansa Carrasco, Shoko Jin, Ian Lewis, Scott Trager, Antonella Vallenari. 2022-09-02. Optimisation of the WEAVE target assignment algorithm. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2627132

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