J-PLUS Tracking Tool: Scheduler and Tracking software for the Observatorio Astrof\'isico de Javalambre (OAJ)

TL;DR

The paper introduces the J-PLUS Tracking Tool, a web-based software system designed to optimize observation planning, tracking, and survey status monitoring for the J-PLUS optical survey at the OAJ, including an automated feedback mechanism.

Contribution

It presents the development of a comprehensive scheduling, tracking, and feedback software system specifically tailored for the J-PLUS survey, enhancing observational efficiency and robustness.

Findings

Effective observation planning based on object visibility and lunar phase.

Automated feedback system improves survey robustness by validating observations.

Streamlined command file creation for telescope operations.

Abstract

The Javalambre Photometric Local Universe Survey (J-PLUS) is an ongoing 12 band photometric optical survey, observing thousands of square degrees of the Northern Hemisphere from the dedicated JAST80 telescope at the Observatorio Astrof\'isico de Javalambre (OAJ). Observational strategy is a critical point in this large survey. To plan the best observations, it is necessary to select pointings depending on object visibility, the pointing priority and status and location and phase of the Moon. In this context, the J-PLUS Tracking Tool, a web application, has been implemented, which includes tools to plan the best observations, as well as tools to create the command files for the telescope; to track the observations; and to know the status of the survey. In this environment, robustness is an important point. To obtain it, a feedback software system has been implemented. This software automatically decides and marks which observations are valid or which must be repeated. It bases its decision on the data obtained from the data management pipeline database using a complex system of pointing and filter statuses. This contribution presents J-PLUS Tracking Tool and all feedback software system.