Experimental attempt to use ERFA to get AZEL from Hour Angle

python/lsst/obs/lsst/translators/imsim.py

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 
 import logging
 import astropy.units as u
-from astropy.coordinates import Angle
+from astropy.coordinates import Angle, AltAz
 
 from astro_metadata_translator import cache_translation
 from astro_metadata_translator.translators.helpers import tracking_from_degree_headers
@@ -116,3 +116,26 @@ def to_physical_filter(self):
                         self.to_observation_id(), self._header["FILTER"])
             return self._header["FILTER"]
         return "_".join((self._header["FILTER"], "sim", throughputs_version))
+
+    @cache_translation
+    def to_altaz_begin(self):
+        # Calculate from the hour angle if available
+        if self.to_observation_type() != "science":
+            return None
+
+        if not self.are_keys_ok(["HASTART", "DECTEL"]):
+            # Fallback to slow method
+            return super().to_altaz_begin()
+
+        location = self.to_location()
+        ha = Angle(self._header["HASTART"], unit=u.deg)
+
+        # For speed over accuracy, assume this is apparent Dec not ICRS
+        dec = Angle(self._header["DECTEL"], unit=u.deg)
+
+        # Use erfa directly
+        import astropy._erfa as erfa
+        az, el = erfa.hd2ae(ha.radian, dec.radian, location.lat.radian)
+
+        return AltAz(az*u.radian, el*u.radian,
+                     obstime=self.to_datetime_begin(), location=location)