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具活力。依靠同时使用多种仪器进行观测的天文学研究很难组织和实现。并行观测和数据采集系统（CODAS）提供了一种多模式观测工具，可以满足对同步数据的需求。该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，可以探索对时间敏感的天体物理学的许多领域。CODAS仪器阵列对从紫外线到红外线的广泛波长范围敏感。用户将能够快速选择最佳的仪器配置进行观测。来自附近西班牙裔服务机构的学生将被招募，并在他们的年度实习计划中优先考虑。CODAS利用指向平台的能力来携带共同对齐的36英寸和14英寸望远镜以及引导采集包（GAP），该包可快速将光重定向到36英寸上的多个仪器接入端口之一。该项目将设计、设计和记录支持并行数据采集（同时进行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。它将开发天文学家使用CODAS进行有效观测所需的用户软件界面。可用的观测模式包括采用CCD和CMOS探测器的标准滤光光度法、长狭缝和中阶梯光栅摄谱仪以及高精度偏振计，包括一台高效成像偏振计。大多数仪器的设计都是从近紫外（300 nm）到近红外（1000 nm）的大气截止敏感，并利用天文台典型的亚弧秒视宁度。额外的近红外探测器将此范围扩展到2.5微米，用于成像和光谱模式。这项工作增加了一个重要的能力，以响应时域关键瞬态事件与多个仪器。该项目将在仪器设计、工程和制造以及软件开发等领域为高中和大学初期的实习生提供培训。该奖项旨在解决/推进Windows on the Universe Big Idea的目标。该奖项反映了NSF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.