Equipment: MRI: Track 1 Development of CODAS: A System for Concurrent and Multi-Technique Observations of Time-Sensitive Stellar Astrophysics

近几十年来，天文学家发现，宇宙在所有时间尺度上都比以前认为的更加动态。依靠多种仪器同时进行观测的天文研究在组织和实现上都具有挑战性。并发观测和数据采集系统（CODAS）提供了一个多模式的观测工具，可以满足同步数据的需求。这个项目将把现有的和新的硬件集成到一个单一的、有凝聚力的仪器中，可以探索许多对时间敏感的天体物理学领域。CODAS阵列的仪器在从紫外线到红外线的广泛波长范围内都很敏感。用户将能够快速选择最佳的仪器配置为他们的观察。来自附近的西班牙裔服务机构的学生将被招募并优先考虑他们的年度实习计划。CODAS利用指向平台的容量来携带共对准的36英寸和14英寸望远镜以及制导采集包（GAP），该包可以快速将光线重定向到36英寸上的多个仪器访问端口之一。该项目将设计、设计和记录支持并发数据采集（同时36英寸和14英寸观测）和连续数据采集（36英寸GAP上的不同仪器端口）所需的硬件和软件。它将开发用户软件界面，使天文学家能够有效地使用CODAS进行观测。可用的观测模式包括CCD和CMOS探测器的标准滤光测光，长缝和梯级光谱仪，高精度偏振计，包括高效成像偏振计。大多数仪器被设计为从近紫外（300纳米）到近红外（1000纳米）的大气截止敏感，并利用天文台典型的亚弧秒观测。附加的近红外探测器将该范围扩展到成像和光谱模式的2.5微米。这项工作增加了一个关键的能力，以响应时域临界瞬态事件与多个仪器。该项目将为仪器设计、工程和制造以及软件开发领域的高中和大学早期实习生提供培训。该奖项旨在解决/推进宇宙之窗大构想的目标。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

In recent decades, astronomers have discovered that the Universe is more dynamic, on all time scales, than previously believed. Astronomical research that depends on observations made with multiple instruments at the same time is challenging to organize and achieve. The Concurrent Observing and Data Acquisition System (CODAS) offers a multi-mode, observing tool that can address the need for simultaneous data. This project will integrate current and new hardware into a single, cohesive instrument that can explore many areas of time-sensitive astrophysics. The CODAS array of instruments is sensitive over a broad range of wavelengths, from the ultraviolet to the infrared. Users will be able to quickly select the optimal instrument configuration for their observations. Students from nearby Hispanic Serving Institutions will be recruited and prioritized within their annual internship program.CODAS utilizes the capacity of the pointing platform to carry the co-aligned 36-inch and 14-inch telescopes and the Guidance-Acquisition Package (GAP), which quickly redirects light to one of multiple instrument access ports on the 36-inch. This project will design, engineer, and document the hardware and software necessary to support concurrent data acquisition (simultaneous 36-inch and 14-inch observations) and contiguous data acquisition (different instrument ports on the 36-inch GAP). It will develop the user software interface required for astronomers to efficiently observe with CODAS. The available observing modes include standard filter photometry with CCD and CMOS detectors, long-slit and echelle spectrographs, and high-precision polarimeters, including a high-efficiency imaging polarimeter. Most instruments are designed to be sensitive from the atmospheric cutoff in the near-ultraviolet (300nm) to the near-IR (1000nm), and to take advantage of the typical sub-arcsecond seeing at the observatory. Additional near-IR detectors extend this range to 2.5 microns for the imaging and spectroscopic modes. This work adds a crucial ability to respond to time domain-critical transient events with multiple instruments. This project will provide training for high school and early college-level interns in the areas of instrument design, engineering and fabrication, and software development. This award addresses/advances the goals of the Windows on the Universe Big Idea.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.