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===== Observing Procedures ===== | ===== Observing Procedures ===== | ||
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__**OBSERVING PROCEDURES**__ \\ | __**OBSERVING PROCEDURES**__ \\ | ||
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__**SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION**__ \\ | __**SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION**__ \\ | ||
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- | [[:chara:trouble_shooting|Trouble Shooting]]\\ | + | {{: |
+ | [[:chara:coude_alignment_procedure|Coude alignment procedure]] - Updated 2021Jun01\\ | ||
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+ | __**ADAPTIVE OPTICS DOCUMENTATION** __ \\ | ||
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**__INSTRUMENTS__ ** \\ | **__INSTRUMENTS__ ** \\ | ||
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__**DOCUMENTATION TO BE UPDATED**__ \\ | __**DOCUMENTATION TO BE UPDATED**__ \\ | ||
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CHARA Array Operating Procedures\\ | CHARA Array Operating Procedures\\ | ||
- | Copyright © 2005-2018 The CHARA Team\\ | + | Copyright © 2005-2021 The CHARA Team\\ |
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- | **Chapter 1:** | + | **Chapter 1: ** |
- | ==== Lab Protocol | + | === Lab Protocol === |
\\ | \\ | ||
- | \\ | + | 1.1 Lab Rules Intro |
- | {{: | + | |
- | === 1.1 Lab Rules Intro === | + | |
- | \\ | + | The CHARA optics lab is a building within a building and is intended to provide thermal and vibrational stability. The main goal of the CHARA lab rules is to keep all optics and equipment safe from any hazards. The crucial issue being misalignment of anything. The amount of dust and dander must be kept to a minimum. |
- | The CHARA optics lab is a building within a building and is intended to provide thermal and vibrational stability. The main goal of the CHARA lab rules is to keep all optics and equipment safe from any hazards. The crucial issue being misalignment of anything. The amount of dust and dander must be kept to a minimum.\\ | + | |
- | === 1.2 The Metrology Laser === | + | |
- | \\ | + | 1.2 The Metrology Laser |
- | A high-powered infrared laser is used for the delay line metrology. This is an eye hazard, so before entering the lab check to make sure the red light above the door is not on. If the laser is activated, it is a must to put on IR-protective goggles. If you are not sure, wear the goggles.\\ | + | |
- | === 1.3 General Lab Rules === | + | A high-powered infrared laser is used for the delay line metrology. This is an eye hazard, so before entering the lab check to make sure the red light above the door is not on. If the laser is activated, it is a must to put on IR-protective goggles. If you are not sure, wear the goggles. |
+ | |||
+ | 1.3 General Lab Rules | ||
- | \\ | ||
Please remember that:\\ | Please remember that:\\ | ||
Procedures in the lab must be followed closely and failure to follow these rules will result in loss of lab privileges.\\ | Procedures in the lab must be followed closely and failure to follow these rules will result in loss of lab privileges.\\ | ||
- | * Before entering the lab, you must have a reason or tasks at hand. | + | Before entering the lab, you must have a reason or tasks at hand. |
- | * Lab booties/ | + | |
- | * Proper clothing is also important. Loose hanging jackets or garments can snag on mirrors or other exposed equipment and are better left outside of the lab until you are finished. | + | |
- | * Please be alert and move slowly and cautiously. | + | |
- | * When entering the lab make sure to walk across the sticky floor mat. If the mat isn’t sticky, remove the top layer. If this is close to the final layer please notify the staff. | + | |
- | * No more than three people are allowed in the lab at once unless it is 3 to 4 hours before observing time or there is some pressing need. Many bodies can create unwanted atmospheric effects. Besides, with too many people, it is too easy to bump into each other and the equipment. | + | |
- | * If you bump, hit, move or just tap anything in the slightest way, let us know. | + | |
- | * Never touch anything you have not been trained to use. If ever in any doubt, leave it alone and get someone who knows. | + | |
- | * Any unusual sounds, sights, movement of equipment, etc., should be noted. | + | |
- | * You must know the path of the laser beams, metrology or alignment. Stay out of their way especially right before observing. If you must go into the lab during this time don’t forget to put on IR-protective goggles. | + | |
- | * Access and use of the lab requires training. If a piece of equipment does not appear to be operating properly let us know immediately. Also if you are uncertain about a lab procedure or a step in the alignment sequence contact us before proceeding. | + | |
- | * When leaving the lab any time of the day, remember to turn off all lights (fluorescent and incandescent). Lights left on generate unnecessary heat in the lab. | + | |
- | \\ [[: | + | Lab booties/ |
- | \\ | + | [[: |
- | \\ | + | \\ |
- | **Chapter 2:** | + | \\ |
+ | **Chapter 2:** | ||
+ | === Preparations in the Lab Prior to Observing === | ||
- | ==== Preparations in the Lab Prior to Observing ==== | + | 27 AUG 2012 by Judit, Current version 10 Aug 2021 by Chris |
- | | + | These are routine tasks to be performed in and around the lab every evening to prepare the array for regular observations. |
- | === 2.1 Starting the vacuum pump for the light pipes === | + | 2.1 Starting the vacuum pump for the light pipes |
- | Go into vacuum pump shack | + | Go into vacuum pump shack. Flip on power switch for pump and wait for the blower to go on in about 7 seconds. Wait 5 more seconds after the blower starts and open the top valve slowly (parallel to pipe means open). Note if fan cords are plugged into wall outlet to keep pumps cool in the summer. Note oil temperature when you start up. Oil temps are usually kept above 15º C by a block heater on the north side of the pump and a space heater on the south side. Inform Larry or Craig if the oil temp is low and the heaters did not run to bring the temp up before starting.\\ |
+ | Go into lab building, check pressures on Vacmon display. If pressure is higher than 100 torr in any of the lines, pump those lines only one at a time. Open each valve slowly, you will hear the air rush out as the pump pulls the air. Slowly continue to fully open. Open each valve as the pressure is pumped down to the pressure in the next lowest line. Ideally, you don't want to allow pressure from one line into the line of a lower pressure line. The final pressure should be around 1.0 Torr in each line when you leave the lab area if all six lines are opened. The pump will normally bring all 6 lines down to .2-.3 Torr after about an hour. The S1 and S2 lines leak the most during the day and will read the highest in the afternoon when you return, usually between 30-40 Torr in the summer and 20-30 Torr in the winter. Note any unusual vacuum readings as they can indicate a leak beyond what is normal. Sometimes a line isn't pumped down the night before and can read higher than 30 Torr. Pump down the highest ones first as stated above. | ||
- | * flip on power switch for pump (wait for blower to go on) | + | 2.2 Filling NIRO with LN2\\ |
- | * open valve slowly (parallel to pipe means open) | + | Fill both chambers |
- | * plug in fan cords to wall outlet to keep pumps cool | + | \\ |
- | * Note oil temperature when you start up. Oil temps below 20º C make for a labored start. Inform Larry if the oil temp is low and the heater did not run to bring the temp up before | + | Record that you filled the camera in the log book, noting time and camera filled. The typical notation |
- | \\ Go into building, | + | 2.3 Alignment of the light path to the telescopes\\ |
+ | Go into the lab. The green alignment laser on the light source table is used. To open necessary guis, use laptops or the tablet inside lab. The tablet or laptops are located on the table next to the MIRCX/ | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | 2.3.1 In the lab (Beam Combination area) Turn on power switch for alignment laser, and turn the key. Above the tiptilt camera, turn on the Pico 3 controller. | ||
- | * check pressures on Vacmon display. If pressure is higher than 100 torr in any of the lines, pump those lines only one at a time. Open valve a little, then come back to open fully. When all lines to be used are well below 100 torr, open all those valves. | + | 2.3.2 Laser alignment |
- | The final pressure should be 0.5 - 1.0 Torr in each line. The pump will normally bring all 6 lines down to .2-.3 Torr. The S1 and S2 lines leak the most during | + | Check the laser spots on the E table target at North wall of Beam Switching area. Use the laptop that resides |
- | === 2.2 Filling IR cameras | + | Note that with the new automated alignment setup installed, the beams to the right of the beams selected will also be illuminated. For instance, B2 is illuminated by B1 if both shutters are open and both Beam Samplers are moved away. Close B1 shutter to see B2 illuminated by the proper beam. When you are done, use the Beam Samplers gui to put telescopes back on the appropriate beams. Note that when multiple telescope/ |
+ | If the telescopes were used on the same beam on the previous night, the next steps may be very close and should not need much if any adjustment.\\ | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | 2.3.3 Lab dichroic alignments | ||
- | \\ Fill both chambers on the NIRO camera. Use the gloves and glasses provided on the shelf with the funnels and the thermos. It will normally take 1 liter of LN2 in the outer chamber and 1/2 liter in the inner chamber. Fill it until the LN2 bubbles out of the top. This camera is normally kept cool all the time, exceptions will be noted. \\ \\ Fill the other dewars ONLY if you were specifically asked to do so. Other IR cameras: JouFLU and Cali (the blue dewar on the JouFLU table). \\ \\ Record that you filled the cameras | + | NOTE: As of 2017 Jul 05, please align the dichroics following |
- | === 2.3 Alignment of the light path to the telescopes === | + | \\ |
+ | 2.3.4 Checking | ||
- | \\ Go into the lab. The green alignment | + | Put the rail target onto delay lines (toward back of the room from home sensor) Make sure carts are at back of the rails. Check spot on back side of target. If alignment |
- | * Turn on power switch for alignment laser, and turn the key. | + | 2.3.5 Labao wfs camera covers and labao shutters\\ |
- | * Above the tiptilt camera, turn on the Pico 3 controller. | + | \\ |
+ | Put the Covers | ||
- | \\ 2.3.2 Check the laser spots on the E table (at North wall of Beam Switching area) | + | Take covers off after you remove the corner cubes from their bases.\\ |
+ | \\ | ||
+ | The labao cameras (just like the tiptilt camera) are safe during pop changes as long as you do not open any labao shutters. You will notice increased counts | ||
- | * on Laser Filter gui, select ND 0.0 | + | 2.3.6 Alignment |
- | * make sure VEGA periscope is UP | + | |
- | * open LASER shutter on the SHUTTERS gui and open shutters for the beams you are going to use | + | |
- | * using the VISBEAMS gui, move the laser to the first beam pair you will check, ie. Beams 1&2 | + | |
- | * using the Beam Samplers gui, move beam samplers off of the beams you will align. | + | |
- | * check each spot that is going to be used on each pair (for ex. 1&2, 2&3, 3&4, etc.) | + | |
- | * use Pico3 gui to center laser dots on cross hairs. Be mindful | + | |
- | * use the Beam Samplers gui to put telescopes back on the appropriate beams. | + | |
- | * Note that when multiple telescope/beam configurations are requested, aligning to the secondary configuration or back up telescopes first, then finishing with the primary configuration is more efficient. | + | |
- | \\ If the telescopes were used on the same beam on the previous night, the next steps may be very close and not need much if any adjustment. \\ \\ 2.3.3 Next check the dichroic | + | The IR mirrors |
+ | \\ | ||
+ | For CLIMB 1, CLIMB 2 or CLASSIC, the removable 6-beam target should be placed in the clamps on the CLIMB table. This also applies to aligning CLIMB for fringe finding for PAVO.\\ | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | For MIRCX, | ||
- | * Send the beam sampler for each telescope to the requested beam according to the configuration for the night. | + | \\ |
- | * Move VISBEAMS to have laser light in the beam to be checked. | + | 2.3.6 M10 Alignment if there is no pop change |
- | * At each telescope to be used place the dichroic target against the appropriate stops and check the laser spot on that target. | + | |
- | * If the laser spot does not have clear diffraction rings or center, then use Iris gui to change | + | |
- | * Select the telescope’s dichroic (example: W1DICHR ) on Pico 1 controller. Use a tablet or use hand paddle on appropriate channel (channel table posted above Pico1 box at the side of W1 table) to align laser onto target. | + | |
- | | + | If there is a pop change, these steps will be performed in the control room. Skip ahead to Section |
- | * Put the rail target onto delay lines (toward back of the room from home sensor) | + | Go to a computer anywhere to check the beam remotely at the telescopes. Check Vacuum Monitor that the vacuum is below 20 torr. Open telescope gui from pull down menu. Click TV [ON] to open the camera window and click [M10AL] on the control tab to change view to the M10 alignment view, click [M7 open] to open the M7 mirror cover. Open the laser shutter, put the laser filter to OPEN or ND 0.3, and center the bright |
- | * make sure carts are at back of the room | + | |
- | * check spot on back side of target | + | |
- | * if alignment | + | |
- | \\ 2.3.5 The periscope covers are not used anymore so nothing to remember here. \\ \\ 2.3.6 M10 Alignment: \\ Go to a computer anywhere to check the beam remotely at the telescopes. | + | \\ |
+ | 2.4 Final steps in the lab | ||
- | * look at Vacuum Monitor, check that the vacuum is below 20 torr | + | If using CLASSIC or CLIMB, turn on the black box above the NIRO computer, and then turn on the silver box below it on the same cart. Remove |
- | * open telescope gui from pull down menu | + | |
- | * click TV [ON] to open the camera window | + | |
- | * click [M10AL] to change view to the M10 alignment view, click [M7 open] to open the M7 mirror | + | |
- | * you want to center bright spot in beam on the black reference spot | + | |
- | * may need to adjust | + | |
- | * to adjust the position, use Pico 2 to select, for example, E2M10 → [MOVE] (use large steps ~ 100) | + | |
- | * Note that the up, down, left, and right buttons do no correspond to the actual directions the spot will move | + | |
- | * when the spot is centered, click [M7 close] to close the mirror cover | + | |
- | * click TV [OFF] to close the window | + | |
- | \\ 2.3.7 Labao wfs camera covers and labao shutters \\ The labao camera covers should | + | If using MIRCX/ |
- | * IR mirror check to CLIMB or MIRC with alignment | + | On the Metrology table inside the lab, turn on two blue amplifiers for metrology laser (on button is labeled " |
- | * beam combiner alignments with white light source | + | |
- | * tiptilt Zabers alignment with alignment | + | |
- | **Covers | + | Make sure all lights are turned |
- | === 2.4 Alignment of the IR light toward beam combiners === | + | Be sure to inform the MIRCX/ |
- | \\ The IR mirrors on the beam samplers can be adjusted using Pico 2 controller to targets depending on which IR beam combiner is to be used. \\ \\ For CLIMB 1 and CLIMB 2, the removable 6-beam target should be placed in the clamps on the CLIMB table. This also applies to aligning CLIMB for fringe tracking for VEGA or fringe finding for PAVO. \\ \\ For MIRC or JouFLU, the same target should be placed in the clamps on the MIRC table. \\ | + | 2.5 Starting up the new OPLE system |
- | * Place the target | + | Go out to the computer area, turn the metrology |
- | * Place the small corner cubes (labeled) on their bases at the BRTs. Make sure they seat firmly and correctly. | + | |
- | * Open IR shutters, send laser light using VISBEAMS gui to the position you want to check. | + | |
- | * Use a tablet to bring up Pico 2 gui. Click on icon or in xterm type: xpico2 | + | |
- | * Select the appropriate IR mirror for the beam you are about to adjust. For ex: S1IR. The Beam Sampler gui tells you which telescope is in the beam you are aligning. | + | |
- | * When done for all telescope to be used, remove target and place it above the CLASSIC/ | + | |
- | \\ | + | Check sockman for old OPLE" |
- | === 2.5 Starting up OPLE and Metrology === | + | You can start the new ople gui from the menu system, called OPLESystem or with the following command |
- | \\ Go to OPLE racks | + | ssh -Y ople / |
- | * turn on OPLE Power on top unit (top of left most rack) This is the VME. | + | The gui that appears does much of the start up sequence remotely and does not fully start everything yet. This will eventually only require fewer steps to complete. |
- | * then turn on power for surge protector (bottom of left most rack) | + | |
- | * turn on power for amplifiers for cart movement and cable pullers and once the central red light on the VME rack goes out, turn on the Burleigh amplifiers for telescopes that will be used. | + | |
- | \\ On computer outside lab, bring up Primary Ople Server | + | {{https:// |
- | * Once the server comes up, type in " | + | When the laser is on, the circle marked Laser will be green and the wattage listed will be 65-80mw (instead of ~20mW when off) |
- | \\ Go inside lab to check carts | + | All the circle indicators start out grey. |
- | * from pull-down menu, under GTK, open Primary OPLE GUI | + | After a 1 minute warmup of the laser, press the Metro button which will power up the Metrology cage, the laser repeater and the oscilloscope. When button indicator |
- | * click on [STATUS] | + | |
- | * click on [CONTROL] | + | |
- | * on the OPLE Control, click on [FRONT] - listen - [OFF] (can hit all in succession, then hit [ALL OFF]) If there is any squeaking noise (low hum ok), stop carts. | + | |
- | Possible fix: to shut off and turn back on OPLE racks, restart OPLE server \\ Check delay line wires on carts, sure nothing is on tracks \\ \\ On the Metrology table inside | + | Press the [start] button near the bottom. This will start up the computers, and the first stage of hardware and takes about 90 seconds to complete. The grey buttons will turn yellow with a blue icon when the computers have started up, but not loaded the drivers yet. They will then turn solid yellow when they are ready for the next step and have loaded all the drivers. (Note: E1 has often failed |
- | * Turn on two blue amplifiers for metrology laser (on button | + | Once all 6 are solid yellow, right click on each yellow dot, and select start. This loads the control software and will turn the button |
- | * Turn the key to ON on the laser power box to put metrology laser on standby | + | |
- | \\ | + | \\ |
+ | **Chapter 3: ** | ||
+ | === Setting up Computer in the Control Room === | ||
- | === 2.6 Final steps in the lab === | + | Updated Feb 2023 by Norm |
- | * If using CLASSIC or CLIMB, turn on the black box above the NIRO computer, and then turn on the silver box below it on the same cart. | + | 3.1 General Overview of Control Room computer setup |
- | * After lab is completely | + | |
- | \\ [[: | + | There are six computer screens which are now horizontally arrayed. Window layouts can be saved and reloaded to suit each operator. Use the third icon from the left in the toolbar (Operator Layout) to open a window to save or load a layout. After a restart on zoot, the necessary windows to observe can be brought up using the fourth icon from the left in the toolbar (Observation Setup). |
- | \\ | + | |
- | **Chapter | + | 3.2 Setting up for observing |
- | ==== Setting up Computer in the Control Room ==== | + | Start the OPLE server. Let the MIRCX and MYSTIC observers know it is running. Some will start the STS data recording before Ople is started, but others may want it running. |
- | === 3.1 General Overview of Computer Setup === | + | The following windows should be opened on computer screen |
- | * There are six computer screens which are now horizontally arrayed. | + | Turn on the following from the POWER GUI. To change the setting on the power GUI, unclick LOCK, make change, re-click LOCK: |
- | \\ {{: | + | * If observing with CLASSIC or CLIMB2, turn on [NIRO CPU] and [CLS-DITH] on RACK_2. |
+ | * If observing with CLIMB1, turn on [NIRO CPU] on RACK_2 and [CLM-DITH] on RACK_3. | ||
+ | * For each telescope, turn on [TIP/TILT]. | ||
- | * Things should be arranged as follows: | + | 3.3 Servers required for observing |
- | * Screen 1: Dome server guis, icons for most servers and guis | + | |
- | * Screen 2: Weather graph showing RH, winds, or temperatures and any overflow guis | + | |
- | * Screen | + | |
- | * Screen 4: Cosmic Debris, Power, Enclosures, and weather guis | + | |
- | * Screen 5: Telescope guis, tiptilt gui | + | |
- | * Screen 6: OPLE, Classic/ | + | |
- | === 3.2 After aligning | + | Servers can be opened from the pop up menu at bottom of screen 1, using the black platter icon or using the Observation Setup icon which opens them all automatically. The GPS, METROL and VACMON servers should always stay on and remain on screen 1. Close and re-open all Telescope servers after UT 0h, (because of tiptilt connection issues) in screen 2. Open Primary OPLE server, Open Classic, Climb1, or Climb2 if needed, Open Tiptilt Server if needed, open Labao servers as needed, Open Metrology Monitor (METROL) gui, (upper right of screen 1), this gui usually remains open. Open Metrology Laser (METLAS) gui, (upper right of screen 1), this gui usually remains open. |
- | * To change the setting on the power GUI, unclick LOCK, make change, re-click LOCK | + | 3.4 Open Telescope guis, or obsgtks from menu |
- | * Under Rack_2, turn on [METSCOPE] (button will turn green when ON) | + | |
- | * If observing with CLASSIC, turn on [NIRO CPU] and [CLS-DITH] on Rack_2 | + | |
- | * If observing with CLIMB, turn on [NIRO CPU] on Rack_2 and [CLM-DITH] on Rack_3 | + | |
- | * Under LABPOW, turn on [T/T COMMS] This has been replaced by the Tiptilt Socket as of Fall 2014. If the socket fails, the serial comms can be used to establish the connection to tiptilt. | + | |
- | * For each telescope being used, turn on [TIP/TILT]. [COMMS] has been replaced by Tiptilt Socket as well. | + | |
- | === 3.3 Open servers | + | 3.5 Open GUIs required for observing |
- | * Open servers from the pop up menu at bottom of screen 5, using the black platter icon. | + | 3.6 Metrology |
- | * The GPS server should always stay on and remain on screen 3 | + | |
- | * The METROL Server also stays on in screen 3 | + | |
- | * Close and re-open all Telescope servers after UT 0h in screen 3 (because of tiptilt connection issues) | + | |
- | * Open Primary OPLE Server (Move to upper left of screen | + | |
- | * Open Classic, Climb1, or Climb2 if needed (Move to middle left of screen 6) | + | |
- | * Open Tiptilt Server (Move to lower left of screen 6) | + | |
- | * Open Metrology | + | |
- | * Open Metrology Laser (METLAS) gui, (upper right of screen 3), this gui usually remains open. | + | |
- | === 3.4 Open Telescope GUIs from the menu === | + | <font 14px/ |
- | * Open needed Telescope guis, put on screen 5. All 6 scope guis can fit on one screen, but the TV windows will overlap slightly if all 6 are used for MIRC observing. | + | <font 14px/Arial,Helvetica, |
- | * On the main tab for each telescope gui, click [ON] under Television to turn on the TV screen | + | |
- | === 3.5 Open GUIs required | + | If using the CHAPMtoMet feature, once the OPLE server has fully started, please check sockman |
- | * Open Primary OPLE gui (move to right side of OPLE server) | + | 3.7 Setting |
- | * Open Classic, Climb1, or Climb2 gui if needed (put on right side of server) | + | |
- | * Open LDC1 and LDC2 if VEGA or PAVO programs are observing | + | |
- | * Open Tiptilt GUI | + | |
- | * This will bring up Tiptilt GUI and Tiptilt viewing screens for all telescopes | + | |
- | * Move viewing screens near telescope TV screens | + | |
- | === 3.6 Using the Cosmic Debris | + | Open Cosmic Debris, CD for short, from the desktop icon. On the CONFIGURE tab, check to make sure the PoPs and telescope beam assignments agree with the white board or the setup email. If the POPs are wrong on CD, then open the " |
+ | Set the instrument and settings on Cosmic Debris. On the CONTROL tab on Cosmic Debris, select the beam combiner or combiners to be used. If using CLIMB or CLASSIC, also select the filter (H,K') and beams (1/2, 2/3, 3/1). | ||
- | \\ Open Cosmic Debris, CD for short, - Primary from the menu and move to screen 4 \\ | + | 3.8 Synchronizing |
- | * On the CONFIGURE tab, check to make sure the PoPs and telescope beam assignments agree with the white board | + | Synchronizing |
- | * If the POPs are wrong on CD, then open the " | + | |
- | * Click on the [Overview] button on the PoPs GUI | + | |
- | * If nonsense comes up in the overview, then click [FLUSH] | + | |
- | * Then click [UPDATE] on the PoPs Overview | + | |
- | * If the PoPs Overview is now correct, then click the [GET] button | + | |
- | * If the beams are not assigned correctly, move the beams accordingly | + | |
- | * Select | + | |
- | * Choose a suitable reference cart, using the same one from the night before to make fringe finding easier. | + | |
- | * After everything is set correctly, then click [SEND] on Cosmic Debris | + | |
- | \\ Set the instrument and settings on Cosmic Debris | + | 3.9. Beacon Alignments |
- | * On the " | + | The beacons wil<font 14px/ |
- | * If using CLIMB or CLASSIC, also select | + | |
- | \\ Establish connection between tiptilt | + | In the WFS tab of the telescope GUI or the CONTROL tab of the obsgtk, turn on the red LED, open the fiber covers, then beacon flat covers. The CAMERALINK and WFS server are now part of Bootlaunch script |
- | * On the Control Tab on Cosmic Debris, click on [TIPTILT COMM] | + | The blue beacon |
- | * Click [START JOB QUEUE] on CD to continue the Tiptilt Communication sequence | + | |
- | * After several seconds, the telescope servers will indicate that the Socket (SOC) connection | + | |
- | * If the connection is not established the first time, try again until CD shows rates for each telescope used. If a telescope server will not display a TT signal rate, you may need to shut it down and restart it. | + | |
- | \\ Finish setting up tiptilt GUIs | + | Start the control GUI for the blue beacons from a terminal on any CHARA computer by typing tunable_beacon |
- | * Click re-open on the Tiptilt | + | In the WFS GUI or obsgtk, turn the cooler |
- | * Click on the [SERVO CONTROL] tab on the tiptilt | + | |
- | * The Servo Control GUI allows you to turn ON the servo for the TT loop and make biases for individual beams (DBIAS and ZBIAS) | + | |
- | === 3.7 Turn on metrology laser and home the carts === | + | **NOTE: |
- | \\ Turning | + | Turn on the ACQ camera in the obsgtk. Make sure that the beacon is going through the hole in the acquisition display. If not, use Beacon UP/DOWN etc buttons on a HUT gui or WFS tab on the obsgtk to move it into the hole. Look for spots to be in boxes on the WFS display. Turn on the boxes on the obsgtk [BOXES] to see how the alignment is. The boxes may be in the default position or may be moved to a position that worked better when observing. Load the default boxes with the [DEFBX] button, then move them to center on the beacon when it is centered in the ACQ hole. This ensures a more even illumination of spots in the boxes. As the red beacon is bright, use low gains, ie. 30-50 for the BARE dichroic, 70-100 for VIS or 200/300 for the IR dichroic, to make these alignments. If the red beacon spots on the WFS display are in the boxes, press [ALIGN BEACON] on the ALIGN tab on the TWFS GUI or [ALN BCN] on the obsgtk, wait for completion. The values should reach zero in both the X and Y axes. The default maximum number of tries is 10 so if it is not aligned before it ends, repeat the step if needed. |
- | * Make sure that no one is in the lab. | + | Turn labao camera |
- | * Turn the Laser on using the metrology laser GUI. The [Laser Power] button will go from red to green. | + | |
- | * On the Metrology Monitor GUI, click [INITIALIZE] to initialize | + | |
- | * Select REFALL and the UNK signal for each cart being used. Hit " | + | |
- | | + | |
- | * The signals should look like nice sine waves. If they are too narrow | + | |
- | * To close the metrology signal windows, click on [RUN MULTIPLE] again | + | |
- | \\ Home each of the active carts | + | If the spots do not show at all in the labao, the scope dichroic is likely out of alignment. Turn on the lab laser and set it to ND 4.0. Look for additional spots in the ACQ window that are not from the beacon. Use the Dichroic controls to make the laser spots match the blue beacon spots on the ACQ camera view. Use large steps such as 2500 to bring the spots together. Up is to the upper right in the ACQ view at STOW. If they are way off or not visible in the ACQ, you can hit the button for the appropriate dichroic in the HUT gui and it will set the dichroic to its last saved default position. |
- | * The carts must be homed before observing | + | Note the focus term on both the TWFS and LABAO GUIs or obsgtks. The next steps will minimize both focus terms. Start with the (BEACON FOC) button |
- | * At the start of the night the carts will usually be at the back of the rails with the back switch | + | |
- | * On the " | + | |
- | * If the carts do not appear to be moving after clicking "Home," go into the computer area of the lab to make sure the power for the carts and the cable pullers are turned on. If they are, then you can put IR laser googles on and go into lab to listen if the carts are making loud grinding or squealing noises when they are trying to move. If they are, then the VME may need to be restarted or the cart inspected | + | |
- | * After the carts finish homing, the ople server will say " | + | |
- | * To check that the carts have homed properly, click [TRACK] | + | |
- | * The cart will track to home switch at the target position of " | + | |
- | * Make sure the " | + | |
- | * Also make sure that the errors between | + | |
- | * If the errors jump when the cart is tracking on the home switch, then turn the cart [OFF], move the cart [BACK] about a meter from the home switch, turn the cart [OFF], and try clicking [TRACK] again. Please wait for each command | + | |
- | * After checking to make sure the carts track properly, turn the carts [OFF] | + | |
- | === 3.8 Synchronizing | + | See the instruments page for information about starting different instruments at the beginning of the night: \\ [[: |
- | * Synchronizing the clocks is very important for positional calculations of the telescopes and ople carts. | + | === Observing Conditions === |
- | * All clocks are synchronized with the [SYNC CLOCKS] button on Cosmic Debris. Push the button, and after 17 seconds, a series of messages will display on CD to indicate that the various systems and servers are sync' | + | |
- | === 3.9 The following windows should be opened on computer screen 3 (these are usually kept open all the time): === | ||
- | |||
- | * Telescope monitor | ||
- | * Beam Samplers and PoPs | ||
- | * Visbeams, Shutters and Laser Filter Wheel | ||
- | * VEGA Periscope | ||
- | * Iris | ||
- | * Metrology Laser and Metrology Monitor | ||
- | * Pico 2 | ||
- | |||
- | === 3.10 See the instruments page for information about starting different instruments at the beginning of the night: === | ||
- | |||
- | \\ [[: | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
- | [[: | + | 4.1 Observing Conditions Intro |
- | \\ | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | **Chapter | + | |
- | ==== Observing Conditions ==== | + | In opening the CHARA Array, conditions should be, for the most part, ideal. It is best if the sky is 60% to 70% clear and conditions stable before commencing. Delicate optics and electronics make up the majority of the Array and it’s better to err on the side of caution. In preparation for observing, the Mount Wilson weather server and web-based weather pages should be consulted. The telescopes can now be closed in about 5 minutes from the control room. With this in mind, don’t open up the telescopes to observe if conditions can change for the worse rapidly enough that you don’t get 10 minutes or more to close down safely. Weather stations now exist at each bunker and there is a control system software application to display the current conditions. One can also use the white Radio Shack thermometer/ |
- | | + | 4.2 Humidity |
- | \\ | + | |
- | === 4.1 Observing Conditions Intro === | + | Only open the telescopes if the humidity is steady or dropping, at 75% or below. If the roofs outside the control room are ever dripping, then the telescopes should not be opened or should be closed immediately. If when starting out, the RH is above 80%, do not open unless it drops to below 75% and stays there for at least 30 minutes. Be aware that if the RH is at 100% for many hours, things will be very wet, even if the RH drops dramatically below 75%. If you do open after that, be wary and watch the RH, and if it starts rising, be prepared to close. Closing up takes about 5 minutes, so be ready for that. The array operator is in charge of protecting the telescopes and makes the final decision on whether the conditions are safe to open. If the RH is low at the beginning of the night, and rises after you are already open, the array operator should inform the PI around 70-75%, and start closing between 80-85%. Other humidity warning signs are: 1) water dripping off the OPLE building (or wet spots on the asphalt straight down from the eaves); 2) cold, clammy feel to metal objects such as railings; and 3) dew forming on the parked cars. It is important to note that the humidity can rise from 50% to 80% in as little as 10 minutes, so please keep a close eye on the rate of change of the humidity plots. It can also rain or hail from small, passing clouds when the humidity is quite low, even 40% RH or lower. Operators have been surprised before by small puffy clouds in unsettled air with low humidity. If in doubt, stay closed. The HPWREN webcams are a good resource to view the bottoms of clouds. If there is any virga, the clouds are holding moisture and try to rain out. Stay closed if you see anything streaming below the clouds. |
- | | + | 4.3 Dust |
- | === 4.2 Humidity === | + | Gauging the airborne dust and pollen can be problematic because you need a bright light and a relatively dark night. In general, you want to look in the bottom 0.5 meter of the light column. There will be a diffuse column lit up by the beam – don’t worry about it, just follow the dust glints. If you can count the dust glints, the conditions are safe to observe. If it looks like a blizzard, close up. If any of the dust glints shine with an orange or a peach hue, or the dust glints look abnormally large, the dust is probably ash – close up immediately. Ash seriously degrades bare aluminum coatings. Dust and wind go together. But, just because it is calm, the dust conditions might still be bad. If it was windy a few days earlier, it could have kicked up a lot of dust, which can take several days to settle. Finally, during late spring to early summer, conifer tree pollen can be problematic. If particulates are borderline please email the CHARA day staff so they can clean the optics as soon as possible. |
- | | + | 4.4 Wind |
- | === 4.3 Dust === | + | Wind has the effect of degrading the seeing as well as kicking up dust. The wind effects are amplified in the tunnel between the OPLE building and the office building, so look for other places to gauge the wind conditions. The intersection of the road and the trail to the eastern telescopes is a good place to gauge conditions. To be on the safe side, we only observe under calm to light breeze conditions (gusts less than about 10 knots, or 15 kph). Windy conditions we try to avoid. If you can hear the gusts from your desk, whistling from the light pipe supports, or the chain banging, it is too windy to observe. Occasionally you will hear the wind rustling the tops of the tall trees, but it is calm at ground level. This is a symptom of chaotic wind conditions, and almost always happens during windy episodes (Santa Anas, onshore flows, etc.), during which you shouldn’t observe – the seeing will be bad anyway. Be cautious about opening if wind gusts are above 15-20 kph; winds this high are usually correlated with bad seeing and poor data quality. Telescopes and domes should be closed if the wind gusts get up to 30 kph. This will protect the optics from branches and debris that can be blown in from the surrounding trees. |
- | | + | 4.5 Snow and cold weather |
- | === 4.4 Wind === | + | If there is still any snow stuck to the telescope dome itself, don’t open up. If there is snow still on the trees and branches procede with caution and make a visual assessment. |
- | | + | Cold temperatures around freezing also can be problematic. Several components |
- | === 4.5 Snow === | + | Temperature warning: T_tel < 2C or T_outside < -3C |
- | \\ Because of the nature of the snow that falls on Mount Wilson, it is usually not a problem. If snow/wind conditions are such that drifting occurs, don’t open up. If there is still any snow stuck to the telescope dome itself, don’t open up. If there is snow still on the trees and branches procede with caution and make a visual assessment. Otherwise, you are free to observe (assuming the humidity, dust, and wind conditions allow it). \\ | + | Hard limit for closing: T_tel < 0C or T_outside < -5C |
- | === 4.6 Essential Observing Links === | + | 4.6 Essential Observing Links |
- | \\ | + | Mount Wilson HP Wren Cameras ([[http:// |
- | * 150-Foot Solar Tower Current TowerCam Image ([[http:// | + | National Weather Service ([[http:// |
- | * Caltech Millikan Library Camera ([[http:// | + | |
- | * National Weather Service ([[http:// | + | |
- | * CHARA Array weather ([[http:// | + | |
- | * CHARA telescopes spy cams and weather graph ([[http:// | + | |
- | * Aerospace Corporation weather station ([[http:// | + | |
- | * Jet stream forecast ([[http:// | + | |
- | * IR satellite loop ([[http:// | + | |
- | * California Regional Weather Server ([[http:// | + | |
- | * Clear Sky Clock ([[http:// | + | |
- | | + | Mount Wilson Ambient station |
- | \\ | + | |
- | {{: | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | **Chapter 5:** | + | |
- | ==== Going on Sky ==== | + | Jet stream forecast [[https:// |
- | \\ | + | IR satellite loop [[https:// |
- | === 5.1 Opening | + | Clear Sky Clock ([[http:// |
- | | + | |
- | * Monitor the progress of opening the domes by turning the televisions [ON] using the telescope GUIs. Click [SPY1] to view the dome slit. | + | === Going on Sky === |
- | * Use the Dome GUI for each telescope to rotate the domes to the east. This will position the dome slit away from the sun so that you can open the slit before sunset. | + | |
- | * Go to the Dome Tab on the Dome GUI. In the text box on the right, enter 90 and press [GOTO]. This will move the dome slit to the east. | + | |
- | * When the domes are facing east (and all lab alignments are finished), click [SLIT OPEN] on the Control Tab of the telescope GUI to open the dome slit. | + | |
- | * On the enclosure GUI, click the [OBSERVE] button to open the lower cylinders to the observe position. | + | |
- | * Wait for the slit and enclosures to open and then wait for the sun to go down. | + | |
- | === 5.2 Opening telescope | + | 5.1 Opening |
+ | You can begin opening the telescope | ||
- | | + | Opening |
- | * [M1 OPEN] - opens the primary mirror cover (takes ~ 3 minutes to open) | + | [NOT YET OPERATIONAL] On the enclosure GUI, click the [OBSERVE] button to open the lower cylinders to the observe position. Wait for the slit and enclosures |
- | * [M3 OPEN] | + | |
- | * [M5 OPEN] | + | |
- | * [M7 OPEN] | + | |
- | * [FIND OPEN] Note that the W2 and E1? finder covers require two clicks of the [OPEN] button to fully open. | + | |
- | * Monitor progress by using [SPY2] camera on the telescope TV screens. | + | |
- | * Wait for all covers | + | |
- | === 5.3 Check the OPLE carts === | + | 5.2 Opening telescope optics \\ \\ |
+ | About 20 minutes after the sun has set, it is dark enough to slew to your first target and you can begin opening the telescope optics. Open the telescope optics one by one using the Control Tab on the obsgtk: [M1 OPEN] - opens the primary mirror cover (takes ~ 3 minutes to open), [M3 OPEN], and [FIND OPEN] if you want the finder. Note that the W2 and E1? finder covers require two clicks of the [OPEN] button to fully open. Monitor progress of the M1 and M3 covers by using [SPY2] camera on the telescope TV screens. Wait for all covers to open. The Telescope Monitor reports the status of all mirror covers. Close and reopen the Telescope Monitor if it reads UNKNOWN for a telescope, even after hitting REOPEN. | ||
- | \\ \\ The OPLE carts were homed in the setup procedure. However, it is always a good idea to check to make sure the carts are tracking correctly before slewing to the first target. | + | 5.3 Check the OPLE carts \\ \\ |
+ | The OPLE carts were homed in the setup procedure. However, it is always a good idea to check to make sure the carts are tracking correctly before slewing to the first target. With all [MAN] and [OL] buttons green on the OPLE Control Tab, click [TRACK] to send the carts tracking to 0.0 (home). Make sure that the " | ||
- | * With all [MAN] and [OL] buttons green on the OPLE Control Tab, click [TRACK] to send the carts tracking to 0.0 (home). | + | 5.4 Turn on the telescope power \\ \\ |
- | * Make sure that the " | + | Make sure the telescopes being used are in their stow positions. For each telescope, the elevation should be at or near 90 degrees and [SPY1] should show the end ring of the telescope framing the top of the open dome. The azimuth positions for each telescope should be: S1, S2 82.0 - E1, E2 55.9 - W1, W2 99.3. Make sure there are no demand positions |
- | * After the carts successfully track on the home switch, turn the carts [OFF]. | + | On the Power GUI, turn on the [Tel AZ] and [Tel EL] power for each of the active scopes (green means ON). \\ |
- | * Click the open loop [OL] button on all active carts. Click the [MAN] button | + | The new for 2016 stall detection function usually has each scope disabled each evening. They will need to be enabled before checking the dome servers or slewing. Make sure that the telescopes do not move away from their stow positions when enabling the scopes. If they begin moving, then click [STOW] on the Telescope Control Tab or dome gui and make sure that they arrive at the correct stow position. Check for problems with the dome servers by watching each telescope move to the precise stow position, ie. 89.990º and moving to 90.000º. If it stays off the precise stow position, the dome sever may need restarting. Click [REOPEN] on the dome gui if the clock is not the same as the CHARA time. |
- | === 5.4 Turn on the telescope | + | 5.5 Slewing to a Target Using Cosmic Debris \\ \\ |
+ | It is typically dark enough to lock on your first star roughly 25 minutes after sunset or the time of twilight reported by Cosmic Debris. Here are instructions for slewing to a target and initializing the telescopes on a bright star at the start of the night: You may want to find a bright star near your first target to check the pointing of the telescopes and to do sky flats for the telescope | ||
- | | + | Enter the HD number of the star into Cosmic Debris using the Object or Calibrator Tabs. Click the [HD] button to register the entry. (Alternatively, |
- | * S1 82.0 | + | Slew to your first star by clicking [OBJECT], [CHECK STAR], [CALIBRATOR 1], or [CALIBRATOR 2] on Cosmic Debris (depending on which field you entered the target information). Note that these buttons will slew the telescopes AND send the carts to their positions. Verify that the telescopes are moving by checking the azimuth and elevation status in the telescope servers (the left set of numbers show the commanded EL/AZ of the target while the right set of numbers show the current location of the telescope). Also view " |
- | * S2 82.0 | + | |
- | * E1 55.9 | + | |
- | * E2 55.9 | + | |
- | * W1 99.3 | + | |
- | * W2 99.3 | + | |
- | \\ On the Power GUI, turn on the [Tel AZ] and [Tel EL] power for each of the active scopes (green means ON). \\ The new for 2016 stall detection function usually has each scope disabled each evening. They will need to be enabled before checking the dome servers or slewing. Make sure that the telescopes do not move away from their stow positions when enabling the scopes. If they begin moving, then click [STOW] on the Telescope Control Tab or dome gui and make sure that they arrive at the correct stow position. Check for problems with the dome servers by watching each telescope move to the precise stow position, ie. 89.990º and moving | + | Make sure all carts are tracking to values between 0 and 44m. You might have to click [TRACK] for the reference cart on the OPLE Control Tab. The [OL] buttons should be depressed gray for ALL active scopes (including the reference cart). The [MAN] buttons should be depressed gray for the moving carts to allow the beam combiners to send manual offsets |
- | === 5.5 Slewing | + | When the telescope slew finishes, check the SPY 1 to make sure that the domes are aligned with the telescope if no star shows up in the ACQ or Finder cameras. If the star is not in the ACQ window, go to the FIND window and do the same, then return to the ACQ window and repeat. |
- | \\ \\ It is typically dark enough to lock on your first star if TT reports ~ 1000 counts while not point at anything (sky counts) with the SpyCams turned off. This is roughly around 20 minutes after sunset or the time of twilight reported by Cosmic Debris. Here are instructions for slewing to a target | + | **NOTE: |
- | * You may want to find a bright star near your first target to check the pointing of the telescopes. The [FIND STAR] button on the Telescope Control Tab can be useful in finding a suitable, bright star. There is also a printed list of bright stars in order of RA in the binder on the left side of the control room desk. If your first target is bright, then you may slew to it first. | + | 5.6 Locking Tiptilt |
- | * Enter the HD number of the star into Cosmic Debris | + | |
- | * Check to make sure that EL/AZ reported by Cosmic Debris are correct and safe for pointing (never point below 15-20 degrees elevation). It is recommended to initialize the telescopes on a target between 40-70 degrees elevation. | + | |
- | * Hit the WHEN button for your first star to see a plot of cart positions and when it is in delay. Enter the ideal reference cart position into the REF text window on the Cosmic Debris Control Tab. Click the [REF] button to send the reference cart position to OPLE. | + | |
- | * Slew to the target by clicking [OBJECT], [CHECK STAR], [CALIBRATOR 1], or [CALIBRATOR 2] on Cosmic Debris (depending on which field you entered the target information). Note that these buttons will slew the telescopes AND send the carts to their positions. | + | |
- | * Verify that the telescopes are moving by checking the azimuth and elevation status in the telescope | + | |
- | * The update in the OPLE server will take about 20 seconds for all the carts to get the new metrology calculation. Make sure all carts are tracking to values between 0 and 44m. You might have to click [TRACK] for the reference cart on the OPLE Control Tab. The [OL] buttons should be depressed gray for ALL active scopes (including the reference cart). The [MAN] buttons should be depressed gray for the moving carts to allow the beam combiners to send manual offsets to the carts. (The [MAN] button for the reference cart should be green.) | + | |
- | * When the telescope slew finishes, check the SPY 1 to make sure that the domes are aligned with the telescope. | + | |
- | * In the ACQ window, hit [MOVE] under the TV tracking menu on the Main Tab of the Telescope GUI and then click the left star to bring the star to the cross-hairs. If the star is not in the ACQ window, go to the FIND window and do the same, then return to the ACQ window and repeat. | + | |
- | \\ Locking Tiptilt | + | See [[: |
- | * With the star aligned with the acquisition ticks, check to make sure there are counts on the TipTilt server or the white plots in the TT windows have condensed. | + | Before locking |
- | * On the Main Tab of the Telescope GUI, click [TIP/TILT] under the Pointing Servo menu. If this button is not pressed, | + | |
- | * On the Tiptilt Servo Control GUI, turn tiptilt [ON] for that telescope. The [TT ON] button on Cosmic Debris also performs this function for all active scopes. | + | |
- | * Put the TV screens back to [FIND] if you like or leave them in ACQ | + | |
- | \\ Acquisition Laser Alignment if the star does not lock in Tiptilt | + | To lock the star, hit [MOVE] |
- | * Set VISBEAMS to correct beams. | + | <font inherit/ |
- | * Put the Neutral Density Filter on ND 3.0 using the Laser_Filters GUI. | + | |
- | * Put the corner cube in with the [CCIN] button on the Control tab on the telescope gui. It will take about 10 seconds to move into the beam. | + | |
- | * Using the SHUTTERS GUI, open the laser shutter and the corresponding B1-B6 shutters. | + | |
- | * You will see at least two stars and two laser spots in the ACQ window. There is a reflection, hence two images of each. The desired spots are the left ones. | + | |
- | * Use the " | + | |
- | * Close the laser shutter and the B1-B6 shutters. | + | |
- | * Move the corner cube out with the [CCOUT] button on the Main tab or Control tab on the telescope gui. It will take about 10 seconds to move out of the the beam. | + | |
- | * Hit [MOVE] under the TV tracking menu on the Main Tab of the Telescope GUI and then click the left star to bring the star to the cross-hairs. If it doesn' | + | |
- | * Lock Tiptilt as shown above. | + | |
- | * Maintain the ACQ laser alignment during the night by adjusting the crosshairs to the star after locking Tiptilt. | + | |
- | | + | <font inherit/ |
- | * The Job Queue ends with slewing to the star. The star is acquired manually. | + | <font inherit/ |
- | * Click [Star Acquired] on the Control Tab on Cosmic Debris to update | + | |
- | * Initialize the pointing of the telescopes on your first target | + | |
- | * You can now point to your first science target, calibrator, alignment star or fringe finder and begin the alignment sequence for the beam combiner and then start searching for fringes. | + | |
- | === 5.6 Automatic Acquisition Sequence, removed 9-'17 === | + | 5.7 Locking Lab Tiptilt (only used in special cases) |
- | * The slew sequence will slew the telescopes, start ATROLIB, and send the moving carts to the proper positions. The star acquisition sequence has been removed. | + | See [[: |
- | | + | With the star aligned with the acquisition ticks, check to make sure there are counts on the TipTilt server or the white plots in the TT windows have condensed. On the Main Tab of the Telescope GUI, click [TIP/TILT] under the Pointing Servo menu. If this button is not pressed, then the green dots on the tiptilt windows will drift and eventually drop TT lock. The [STAR ACQUIRED] button on Cosmic Debris also starts the Tiptilt servo for all active scopes with one push of a button. On the Tiptilt Servo Control GUI, turn tiptilt [ON] for each telescope or use the [TT ON] button on Cosmic Debris to perform this function for all active scopes. |
- | \\ | + | |
- | **Chapter 6:** | + | |
- | ==== Procedure for Shutting Down at the End of the Night ==== | + | Offloading DM Tilt to M7 |
- | \\ | + | Old method: DMTILT is gray (reconstructor ignores tilt). M7AUTO will adjust M7 to keep blue beacon centroids aligned to labAO WFS. |
- | === 6.1 End Night Sequence Introduction === | + | New method: DMTILT is green (use tilt when computing reconstructor). DMAUTO will use DM to correct for tilt and offload to M7 when magnitude of tilt is beyond range of DM. |
- | | + | Acquisition Laser Alignment if the star does not lock in Tiptilt |
- | === 6.2 Start the end night sequence | + | Set VISBEAMS to correct beams. Put the Neutral Density Filter on ND 3.0 using the Laser_Filters GUI. If the beacon and fiber covers are open, use the SHUTTERS GUI to open the laser shutter and the corresponding B1-B6 shutters. You can also put in the corner cube with the [CCIN] button. You will see at least two stars and two laser spots in the ACQ window. There is a reflection, hence two images of each. The desired spots are the right ones. Use the " |
+ | 5.7 Finishing the slew sequence | ||
- | * Clear the job queue on Cosmic Debris. | + | The Job Queue ends with slewing to the star. The stars are acquired manually. Click [Star Acquired] on the Control Tab on Cosmic Debris |
- | * Press the [END NIGHT] button | + | |
- | * NOTE: The End Night Sequence will NOT close the dome slits so these will have to be closed manually after all of the telescope mirror covers are closed. It will also not send inactive carts back. Update | + | |
- | * The Cosmic Debris status window will indicate when the end night sequence is complete. You can close Cosmic Debris after you have sent out the Observing Report. | + | 5.8 Monitoring MIRCX/ |
- | * If you use the End Night sequence to stow the telescopes and close mirror covers, remember to do a visual check of all telescopes using the check list in step 6.4 below before turning off the power for the telescopes and closing the telescope GUIs. | + | |
- | \\ A list of observed targets and an Observing Report is now automatically generated as part of the End Night Sequence. Click [END NIGHT], then [REPORT] on Cosmic Debris to generate this automatic report email. The report will include | + | When running MIRCX/ |
- | === 6.3 Shutdown Checklist Introduction === | + | \\ [[: |
- | | + | === Procedure |
- | === 6.4 Manually | + | 6.1 End Night Sequence Introduction \\ \\ |
+ | The End Night sequence on Cosmic Debris can be used to end observing and stow the telescopes, carts, and domes and close the mirror covers. It will only stow the active scopes, carts, and domes, so if there are other scopes open, make them active in the Configure tab of CD or stow them manually with the procedure below, | ||
- | * Unlock the tiptilt beams using the Tiptilt servo control GUI. | + | 6.2 Start the end night sequence |
- | * Turn the telescope TVs to SPY1 so that you can watch the telescopes. | + | |
- | * On the Control Tab of the telescope GUI, click [STOW]. This will send the telescope and dome to the stow position. | + | |
- | * When the telescopes reach an elevation above 70 degrees, you can begin closing the mirror covers. | + | |
- | * M1 CLOSE | + | |
- | * M3 CLOSE | + | |
- | * M5 CLOSE | + | |
- | * M7 CLOSE | + | |
- | * Finder CLOSE Note that W2 and E1? covers need a second click to close. | + | |
- | * Visually inspect the telescopes using SPY2 to make sure that the mirror covers close properly. Check the Telescope Monitor for mirror cover status. | + | |
- | * After all of the mirror covers finish closing, close the dome slits by clicking [SLIT CLOSE] | + | |
- | * Close the dome enclosures by clicking [CLOSE] on the cylinder GUI. Watch that each reads .000 or .001 when closed. | + | |
- | * Check that the telescopes moved to their stow positions in EL and AZ: | + | |
- | * EL 90.0 deg, AZ 55.9 deg for E1 and E2 | + | |
- | * EL 90.0 deg, AZ 99.3 deg for W1 and W2 | + | |
- | * EL 90.0 deg, AZ 82.0 deg for S1 and S2 | + | |
- | * Turn off the power for [TEL AZ], [TEL EL] and [TIP/TILT] for the active scopes using the Power GUI. | + | |
- | * Visually check all telescopes in the spycams to make sure all covers and slits are closed. | + | |
- | * Leave the telescope GUIs open until the End Night Sequence is finished. (Cosmic Debris | + | |
- | * If the humidity is high, make sure that the heaters are turned on. | + | |
- | === 6.5 Send the OPLE carts to the back of the rails === | + | Clear the job queue on Cosmic Debris. Press the [END NIGHT] button on Cosmic Debris. This will close all the shutters, stow the active telescopes, close the telescope M1 and M3 mirror covers, send the active |
+ | A list of observed targets and an Observing Report is now automatically generated as part of the End Night Sequence. Click [END NIGHT], then [REPORT] on Cosmic Debris to generate this automatic report email. The report will include the headings: PI name, Program, Observers, Baselines, Weather and Seeing data, and targets on which data was collected. Complete the Observers and Baselines entries, add comments to the bottom of the report and put your name at the end. Check with the observer for completeness of the target list. Some observers will send you comments of their own. Add those to the report. Cut and paste this into an email to CHARA Obs and send it. To archive the report, you must also hit the SEND button at the bottom of the report to save it. \\ | ||
+ | Note: Classic, CLIMB, FLUOR and PAVO will automatically send the target information to Cosmic Debris after data is acquired. For MIRCx, the [DATA ACQUIRED] button can be clicked on Cosmic Debris after each data sequence is finished or it can be done by the MIRCx operator from his or her station. \\ \\ | ||
+ | If you have other technical information to send out that is not related to the nightly observing runs, use our other lists that pertain to the subject at hand. \\ \\ | ||
+ | In addition to paper observing logs, CHARA offers the option of using electronic logs. At minimum, we request that you fill out the date, UT time, target name, and any comments that would be relevant for subsequent reduction. This information will be useful for building and maintaining the CHARA archive: \\ | ||
+ | CHARA Electronic Logs | ||
- | * Click the OL and MAN buttons for the active carts on the OPLE GUI Control Tab so that the buttons turn green. | + | 6.3 Shutdown Checklist Introduction \\ \\ |
- | * Turn the carts OFF using the OPLE GUI. | + | It is important |
- | * Click BACK on the OPLE GUI to send the carts to the back. | + | |
- | * Watch OPLE Server for Back Switch indicator to light up with an " | + | |
- | * When all carts are on the Back Switch, close the OPLE gui and server | + | |
- | === 6.6 Finish shutting down in the control room === | + | 6.4 Manually stowing |
- | * If using Classic or CLIMB, check to make sure the dither is off by looking at the dither | + | Unlock the tiptilt beams using the Tiptilt servo control GUI. Turn the telescope TVs to SPY1 so that you can watch the telescopes and domes stow. On the Control Tab of the telescope GUI, click [STOW]. This will send the telescope and dome to the stow position. When the telescopes reach an elevation above 50 degrees, you can begin closing the mirror covers. M1 CLOSE, M3 CLOSE, M5 CLOSE, M7 CLOSE, Finder CLOSE Note that W2 and E1? finder covers and the W1, W2, and S2 M7 covers need a second click to close. Visually inspect the telescopes using SPY2 to make sure that the mirror covers close properly. Check the Telescope Monitor for mirror cover status. |
- | * Shut off [METSCOPE], [NIRO CPU], and [CLS-DITH], or [CLM-DITH] if used on the POWER gui. | + | |
- | * Close the OPLE, Tiptilt, CLIMB/ | + | |
- | * Close the OPLE, Tiptilt, | + | |
- | * Visually check all telescopes in the spycams to make sure all covers and slits are closed. | + | |
- | * Leave GPS server and the Telescope Servers open and running | + | |
- | === 6.7 Shutting down the Lab === | + | 6.5 Send the OPLE carts to the back of the rails |
- | | + | Click the OL and MAN buttons for the active carts on the OPLE GUI Control Tab so that the buttons |
- | * Go to the lab and close the vacuum valves for all telescope lines (valve handle turned perpendicular to the tube). | + | 6.6 Finish shutting down in the control room |
- | * Go outside to the pump shack and close the vacuum valve. Then shut off the vacuum pump. Note any unusual noises or excessive oil temps (above 54 C) reported by the thermometer. Let Larry know of any concerns. | + | |
- | \\ In the computer area of the lab: | + | If using Classic or CLIMB, check to make sure the dither is off by looking at the dither status in the CLASSIC/ |
- | * Turn off the Burleigh amplifiers, the amplifiers for cart movement, and the cable pullers. | + | Shut down the ople control system |
- | * Turn off the power for the surge protector | + | |
- | * Turn off the VME, top of the left rack | + | |
- | \\ Go inside | + | Close the OPLE server. |
- | + | ||
- | * Put the tiptilt cover back on the tiptilt camera | + | |
- | * Turn off the silver box, then black box for NIRO and replace the NIRO camera cover if used. | + | |
- | * Turn off the key for the green alignment laser and turn the power switch off. | + | |
- | * Turn off Pico 3 controller above the tiptilt camera. | + | |
- | * Turn off the blue amplifiers for the metrology laser (button is labeled " | + | |
- | * Turn off the key for the metrology laser and place it on top of the laser box. | + | |
- | * Shut off controllers to the Periscopes if used. | + | |
- | * Shut off lights when exiting the lab building. Return your booties to the basket if good or to the trash if they have holes in them. | + | |
- | * Make sure all doors are closed as you leave. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | \\ | + | |
- | === 6.8 Odds and ends. === | + | Press the shutdown button on the OPLE System Control gui, wait until all 6 dots are grey, press the Metro button, |
- | \\ \\ Back in the Control Room: | + | 6.7 Shutting down the Lab \\ \\ |
+ | Go to the lab and close the vacuum valves for all telescope lines (valve handle turned perpendicular to the tube). Go outside to the pump shack and close the vacuum valve. Then shut off the vacuum pump. Note any unusual noises or excessive oil temps (above 54 C) reported by the thermometer. Let Craig, Victor or Steve know of any concerns. Lock the padlock. \\ | ||
+ | Go inside the lab with booties: Turn off the silver box, then black box for NIRO and replace the NIRO camera cover if used. Turn off the key for the green alignment laser and turn the power switch off. Turn off Pico 3 controller above the tiptilt camera. Turn off the blue amplifiers for the metrology laser (button is labeled " | ||
- | * If you run into any problems during | + | Check the 6 ople computers and RPC's for any components that were not turned off in the OPLESystem Control gui shutdown |
- | * Please feel free to record any details in the Observers Notebook or email Tech Report to specified groups or individual employees | + | |
- | * Lock front and side doors of Operations Center if you are the last one in the building | + | |
- | * Lock OPLE building doors; they tend to stick open, please shut tightly | + | |
- | | + | 6.8 Odds and ends. \\ \\ |
+ | Back in the Control Room: If you run into any problems during the shutdown procedures, send an email to charamnt or directly to Craig and Steve so that they can work to resolve any problems that need to be resolved promptly. Please feel free to record any details in the Observers Notebook or email Tech Report to specified groups or individual employees. Lock front and side doors of Operations Center if you are the last one in the building. Close OPLE building doors; they tend to stick open, please push firmly. | ||