Validation of the Scientific Program for the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument

Abstract The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) was designed to conduct a survey covering 14,000 deg 2 over 5 yr to constrain the cosmic expansion history through precise measurements of baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO). The scientific program for DESI was evaluated during a 5 month survey validation (SV) campaign before beginning full operations. This program produced deep spectra of tens of thousands of objects from each of the stellar Milky Way Survey (MWS), Bright Galaxy Survey (BGS), luminous red galaxy (LRG), emission line galaxy (ELG), and quasar target classes. These SV spectra were used to optimize redshift distributions, characterize exposure times, determine calibration procedures, and…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: AST-0950945, DE-AC02-07CH11359, DE-AC02-05CH11231, 0950945
• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy

  Awards: -AC02-05CH11231, DE-AC02-07CH11359, 05CH11231, AC02-07CH11359, AC02-05CH11231, DE-AC02, DE-AC02-05CH11231, DE-AC02-
• GA
  Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
• NE
  National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center
• CN
  Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología
• MD
  Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
• CÀ
  Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives
• OO
  Office of Science

  Awards: AC02-05CH11231, -AC02-05CH11231, DE-AC02, DE-AC02-07CH11359
• SA
  Science and Technology Facilities Council

  Award: DE-AC02-07CH11359
• DO
  Division of Astronomical Sciences

  Award: AST-0950945