Date: Tue, 20 Jan 1998 18:15:17 -0800 (PST)
From: jwf@ipac.caltech.edu
To: 2mass@ipac.caltech.edu
Cc: chas@ipac.caltech.edu, sstrom@donald.phast.umass.edu,
    stiening@ipac.caltech.edu, bgreen@ipac.caltech.edu
Subject: 2MASS WG Mtg #141 Minutes

           IPAC 2MASS Working Group Meeting #141 Minutes
                             1/20/98

Attendees: R. Beck, T. Chester, R. Cutri, T. Evans, J. Fowler,
           L. Fullmer, T. Jarrett, G. Kopan, B. Light,
           J. Mazzarella, H. McCallon, J. White

          
AGENDA

1.) Camera/Observatory Status
2.) 2MAPPS WG Meeting Schedule
3.) Missing-Frame Status



DISCUSSION


1.) Camera/Observatory Status

    R. Cutri reported on the observatory and camera status. The
northern camera is continuing to experience J bias jumps, and
these are affecting the coadded images adversely. A previous
problem with bias jumps was solved by replacing a faulty cable
and one of the A/D converter boards. The return of the problem is
thought to be a problem internal to the dewar, however, so a
software fix is desirable. Some work is being done by Mike
Skrutskie and Gene Kopan to investigate possible reset-pattern
change fitting and correcting in DFLAT; much work remains, and no
software updates are expected until 2MAPPS version 2.2 (see last
week's minutes). J. Fowler expressed concern over the possibility
of major changes to DFLAT after his departure from 2MASS, which
is currently expected shortly after April 1998.
    A failure of the dome on the northern observatory caused a
loss of half a night's observing last week.
    The southern camera is still in the lab; some electronics
problems have been encountered and are being worked on, and the
shipment to Chile will be delayed.



2.) 2MAPPS WG Meeting Schedule

    Since some members of the IPAC 2MASS Working Group have
expressed uncertainty about the weekly meeting schedule, J.
Fowler reported that the meeting is scheduled to take place each
week unless explicitly cancelled. The next example of the latter
will occur next week: the meeting normally scheduled for January
27 will not be held unless an emergency arises. This is because
of the anticipated need for the team members to concentrate on
the 2MAPPS 2.0 delivery due February 2.


3.) Missing-Frame Status

    J. White reported that OBS/IPAC interface change negotiations
with E. Howard and R. Stiening are continuing. The changes are
needed to accomodate the handling of missing frames (see last
week's minutes). R. Stiening has developed the capability to
insert a dummy frame at the location of the missed frame, but
IPAC still needs to have the frame(s) identified in the scan
header file. No action will be taken at IPAC until the interface
change is settled.