QSO Monitoring Project    1998Nov17; 1999Jan25; last revision 2000Jan20
instructions.txt					Bill Welsh
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Filter:  R-band. Please put the filter name in the header and record it
         on a log sheet.

Field :  15x15 arcmin frames are ideal.

Number     Two images of each target are needed.
of         If time is available, please move the telescope roughly
Images:    2 x seeing FWHM between exposures to ensure that the target 
           falls on independent pixels in the second image.
           For observers with a small field of view: 
           Please be sure that the comparison stars do not get too close
           to the edge of the CCD frame. At least 3 comparison stars
           brighter than the target are needed.

Priority:   Always go for the highest priority targets available in the
            sky at the time. "P 1" are the most important targets, "P 2"
            the next most important, etc.. 
            Highest priority goes to the current HEMP campaign target.
            After that, the high-z QSOs should take precedence over any
            other targets.

Sky	    If the seeing is poor (>2.5"), do not attempt the Seyferts.
conditions: If the sky is bright, concentrate on the brighter targets.
            If sky is bright and time available, get 3 images of the
            faint targets. Note that exposure times will depend strongly
            on the seeing.

Flats:  If time permits, a flat field using only the exact same
        section of the CCD as the data frames should be obtained. 
        If the flat field from a small window is confirmed to be
        identical to a section of a full frame flat, then the flats
        used in the observers's program will be used instead of special
        specific 15'x15' flats for this project.

S/N:    We anticipate only modest variations in flux (a few percent) for
        most QSOs so accurate photometry is important. Furthermore, we
        expect systematic errors to dominate when comparing fluxes from
        one run to the next.
        A S/N > 50 gives 2% photometry; this is our minimum requirement.
        Relative differential photometry less than 3% accuracy is useless
        for this project. Aim for 1% photometry.
        As as rough guide, aim for 10-12,000 ADU in the brightest pixel,
        but be sure not to overexpose.


Other:  If a bright star has saturated the CCD on the previous exposure, 
        please do a dark readout to help clear the chip before making an
        observation of the target.

Data storage/archive format: FITS

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All coordinates are in the J2000 system.                   N
All targets are at the exact center of the field.          ^
All finding charts are 15'x15'                             |
(These are from the DSS via NED;                       E<--+--
 approx 1.7" resolution.)                                  |
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                ***** THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP ******