Spot: An Optimization Software For Dynamic Observation Programming

The surveys dedicated to the search for extrasolar planets with the recently installed extreme-AO, high contrast Planet Imagers generally include hundreds of targets, to be observed sometimes repeatedly, generally in Angular Differential Imaging Mode. Each observation has to fulfill several time-dependent constraints, which makes a manual elaboration of an optimized planning impossible. We have developed a software (SPOT), an easy to use tool with graphical interface that allows both long term (months, years) and dynamic (nights) optimized scheduling of such surveys, taking into account all relevant constraints.Tests show that excellent schedules and high filling efficiencies can be obtained with execution times compatible with real-time scheduling, making possible to take in account complex constraints and to dynamically adapt planning to unexpected circumstances even during their execution. Moreover, such a tool is very valuable during survey preparations to build target lists and calendars.SPOT could be easily adapted for scheduling observations other instruments or telescopes.