MSE acquisition and guider system focal plane hardware conceptual design

We discuss the Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (MSE) Acquisition and Guide (A and G) System conceptual focal plane hardware and operational requirements and pay detailed attention to the A and G system’s three CMOS cameras’ areas and sensitivities needed to assure a high success rate in acquiring suitable guide stars. Ways to provide auxiliary functions, including the measurement of defocus and misalignment of the telescope optics, are also discussed.