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CHARA Array Operating Procedures\\ | CHARA Array Operating Procedures\\ | ||
- | Copyright © 2005-2018 The CHARA Team\\ | + | Copyright © 2005-2019 The CHARA Team\\ |
Last updated: 2018-01-11\\ | Last updated: 2018-01-11\\ | ||
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- | **Chapter 1:** | + | **Chapter 1: ** Lab Protocol \\ |
- | ==== Lab Protocol | + | |
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- | {{: | + | |
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- | === 1.1 Lab Rules Intro === | + | |
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+ | 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\\ |
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- | \\ | + | |
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. | 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 === | + | 1.3 General Lab Rules\\ |
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- | \\ | + | |
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/ |
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- | | + | **Chapter 2:** Version 2. |
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- | \\ [[: | + | August 27, 2012 by Judit, Version 3 January 2015 by Norm, Version |
- | \\ | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | **Chapter 2:** Version 2. August 27, 2012 by Judit, Version 3 January 2015 by Norm, Version | + | |
- | ==== Preparations in the Lab Prior to Observing | + | Preparations in the Lab Prior to Observing\\ |
+ | These are routine tasks to be performed in and around the lab every evening to prepare the array for regular observations. | ||
- | \\ These are routine tasks to be performed in and around | + | 2.1 Starting |
- | === 2.1 Starting | + | Go into vacuum pump shack. Flip on power switch for pump (wait for blower to go on) Open valve slowly (parallel to pipe means open) Note if fan cords are plugged into 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 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 valve a little, then come back to open fully. When all lines to be used are well below 100 torr, open all those valves. 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 the day and will read the highest in the afternoon when you return, usually around 10 and 20 Torr. Note any unusual | ||
- | Go into vacuum | + | 2.2 Filling IR cameras with LN2\\ |
+ | 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.\\ | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | Record that you filled the camera in the log book, noting time and camera filled. Note also the vacuum | ||
- | * flip on power switch for pump (wait for blower | + | 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 two tablets inside lab. Tablets are the newest hand held units and are located on the west and south walls plugged into chargers.\\ |
- | * 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 starting. | + | 2.3.1 In the lab (Beam Combination area) Turn on power switch for alignment laser, |
- | \\ Go into building, | + | 2.3.2 Laser alignment to east table |
- | * check pressures | + | Check the laser spots on the E table target |
+ | 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 dichroic alignments with labao | ||
- | 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 | + | NOTE: As of 2017Jul 05, please align the dichroics following |
- | === 2.2 Filling IR cameras with LN2 === | + | \\ |
+ | 2.3.4 Checking the alignment to the rail target | ||
- | \\ 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 | + | Put the rail target onto delay lines (toward back of the room from home sensor) |
- | === 2.3 Alignment | + | 2.3.5 IR alignments are below in 2.4\\ |
+ | \\ | ||
+ | 2.3.6 M10 Alignment | ||
- | | + | Go to a computer anywhere to check the beam remotely at the telescopes. Check Vacuum Monitor that the vacuum |
- | * Turn on power switch for alignment laser, and turn the key. | + | \\ |
- | * Above the tiptilt camera, turn on the Pico 3 controller. | + | 2.3.7 Labao wfs camera covers and labao shutters\\ |
+ | \\ | ||
+ | **Put the Covers | ||
- | \\ 2.3.2 Check the laser spots on the E table (at North wall of Beam Switching area) | + | **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 | + | 2.4 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 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 MIRCX, | ||
- | * Send the beam sampler for each telescope to the requested beam according to the configuration for the night. | + | 2.5 Starting up OPLE and Metrology |
- | * Move VISBEAMS to have laser light in the beam to be checked. | + | |
- | * 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 the diffraction pattern. | + | |
- | * 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. | + | |
- | \\ 2.3.4 Check the spot on the rail target | + | Go to OPLE racks and turn on OPLE Power on top unit (top of left most rack) This is the VME. 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.\\ |
+ | To test cart motions: On computer outside lab, bring up Primary Ople Server, type in " | ||
+ | Check delay line wires on carts, make sure nothing is on tracks\\ | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | On the Metrology table inside the lab * Turn on two blue amplifiers for metrology laser (on button is labeled " | ||
- | * Put the rail target onto delay lines (toward back of the room from home sensor) | + | 2.6 Final steps in the lab |
- | * make sure carts are at back of the room | + | |
- | * check spot on back side of target | + | |
- | * if alignment is bad at the back, follow instructions for BRT adjustments. (Printed sheet on metrology table. ) | + | |
- | \\ 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. | + | 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. |
- | * look at Vacuum Monitor, check that the vacuum is below 20 torr | + | \\ |
- | * open telescope gui from pull down menu | + | **Chapter 3: ** |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | * you want to center bright spot in beam on the black reference spot | + | |
- | * may need to adjust the IRIS to see the bright spot well. [BEAM] cycles the iris from open to closed and gives a good idea of where the center of the spot is. | + | |
- | * 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 | + | |
- | | + | |
- | \\ 2.3.7 Labao wfs camera covers | + | (edited 2012Aug29 by Gail and Chris) |
- | * IR mirror check to CLIMB or MIRC with alignment laser | + | Setting up Computer in the Control Room |
- | * beam combiner alignments with white light source | + | |
- | * tiptilt Zabers alignment with alignment laser | + | |
- | **Covers off** after you removed 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 the labao cameras (just like in the tiptilt camera) whenever ND=0 alignment laser is going through the system, but this is not harmful as long as the labao shutters are closed. While observing none of the labao shutters need to be or should be opened. As usual, dim the laser after you are done with the pop change to protect any camera in the lab from ghost reflections and scattered laser light. | + | 3.1 General Overview |
- | === 2.4 Alignment of the IR light toward beam combiners === | + | There are six computer screens which are now horizontally arrayed. |
- | \\ 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. | + | 3.2 After aligning the lab, you can turn on the following from the POWER GUI: To change the setting on the power GUI, unclick LOCK, make change, re-click LOCK * 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 required for observing === * Open servers from the pop up menu at bottom of screen 5, using the black platter icon. * 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 6) * 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 Monitor (METROL) gui, (upper right of screen 3), this gui usually remains open. * Open Metrology Laser (METLAS) gui, (upper right of screen 3), this gui usually remains open. === 3.4 Open Telescope GUIs from the menu === * 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. * On the main tab for each telescope gui, click [ON] under Television to turn on the TV screen === 3.5 Open GUIs required for observing from the menu under GTK: === * Open Primary OPLE gui (move to right side of OPLE server) * 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 job sequencer ===\\ |
- | + | Open Cosmic Debris, CD for short, - Primary from the menu and move to screen 4 * On the CONFIGURE tab, check to make sure the PoPs and telescope beam assignments agree with the white board * If the POPs are wrong on CD, then open the " | |
- | * Place the target to the appropriate table, making sure it seats firmly in the clamps. | + | Set the instrument and settings on Cosmic Debris * On the " |
- | * Place the small corner cubes (labeled) on their bases at the BRTs. Make sure they seat firmly and correctly. | + | Establish connection between tiptilt and the telescopes. * On the Control Tab on Cosmic Debris, click on [TIPTILT COMM] * 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 is established and turn on the tiptilt rate display. Cosmic Debris will usually display a low rate, such as 42Hz, to indicate tiptilt is running. The servers will display 158Hz to show a proper functioning of the tiptilt system. * 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.\\ |
- | * Open IR shutters, send laser light using VISBEAMS gui to the position you want to check. | + | Finish setting up tiptilt GUIs * Click re-open on the Tiptilt GUI. This will update the TT labels on the TT viewing screens from B1,B2,etc to the telescope names * Click on the [SERVO CONTROL] tab on the tiptilt GUI to bring up a second window and move to screen 5 with the telescope guis. * 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 ===\\ |
- | * Use a tablet to bring up Pico 2 gui. Click on icon or in xterm type: xpico2 | + | Turning on the metrology laser * Make sure that no one is in the lab. * 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 the metrology. A window will pop up to indicate a successful initialization. Hit [OK] on the window to close it. * Select REFALL and the UNK signal for each cart being used. Hit " |
- | * 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. | + | Home each of the active carts * The carts must be homed before observing or else fringes will not be found. Do not forget this step or endless frustration will follow. * At the start of the night the carts will usually be at the back of the rails with the back switch (BS) column marked with an " |
- | * When done for all telescope to be used, remove target and place it above the CLASSIC/ | + | [[: |
- | + | \\ | |
- | === 2.5 Starting up OPLE and Metrology === | + | [[: |
- | + | \\ | |
- | \\ Go to OPLE racks | + | \\ |
- | + | **Chapter 4: ** === = Observing Conditions ====\\ | |
- | * turn on OPLE Power on top unit (top of left most rack) This is the VME. | + | \\ |
- | * then turn on power for surge protector (bottom of left most rack) | + | Picture_4.png === 4.1 Observing Conditions Intro ===\ \ In opening the CHARA Array, conditions should be, for the most part, ideal. If the weather is questionable, |
- | * 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. | + | 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). === 4.6 Essential Observing Links === * 150-Foot Solar Tower Current TowerCam Image ([[http:// |
- | + | [[: | |
- | \\ On computer outside lab, bring up Primary Ople Server | + | \\ |
- | + | \\ | |
- | * Once the server comes up, type in " | + | **Chapter 5:** ==== Going on Sky ==== === 5.1 Opening the Telescope Domes and enclosures ===\\ |
- | + | \\ | |
- | \\ Go inside lab to check carts | + | You can begin opening the telescope domes and enclosures about an hour or two before sunset. This will help air out the domes and improve seeing at the start of the night. Hot days benefit from an earlier opening to allow the scopes to cool. Before opening the domes make sure to check the current weather conditions and the forecast to make sure conditions are safe to open and are likely to be stable as you wait for it to get dark. Also confirm that Judit has finished the alignments in the lab as opening the domes will not allow the completion of the M10 alignments. If you do not see her, call the computer room phone number listed on the clipboard on the wall. * Monitor the progress of opening the domes by turning the televisions [ON] using the telescope GUIs. Click [SPY1] to view the dome slit. * 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 optics ===\\ |
- | + | \\ | |
- | * from pull-down menu, under GTK, open Primary OPLE GUI | + | When the sun has set and before it is dark enough to slew to your first target, you can begin opening the telescope optics. Open the telescope optics one by one using the Control Tab on the Telescope GUIs: * [M1 OPEN] - opens the primary mirror cover (takes ~ 3 minutes to open) * [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 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. === 5.3 Check the OPLE carts ===\\ |
- | * click on [STATUS] | + | \\ |
- | * click on [CONTROL] | + | 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 " |
- | * 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. | + | \\ |
- | + | 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 82.0 * S2 82.0 * E1 55.9 * E2 55.9 * W1 99.3 * W2 99.3\\ | |
- | 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 the lab | + | 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 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. === 5.5 Slewing to a Target Using Cosmic Debris ===\\ | |
- | * Turn on two blue amplifiers for metrology laser (on button is labeled " | + | \\ |
- | * Turn the key to ON on the laser power box to put metrology laser on standby | + | 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 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. 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. * 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, |
- | + | Locking Tiptilt * 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 locks Tiptilt for all active scopes with one push of a button. * 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\\ | |
- | === 2.6 Final steps in the lab === | + | Acquisition Laser Alignment if the star does not lock in Tiptilt on the ACQ window cross hairs * Set VISBEAMS to correct beams. * 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 " |
- | + | \\ | |
- | * 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. | + | Finishing the slew sequence * The Job Queue ends with slewing to the star. The star is acquired manually. * Click [Star Acquired] on the Control Tab on Cosmic Debris to update the target information listed at the top of the Cosmic Debris window. This also turns on all the telescope TT servos, the same function as the TIPTILT button on each telescope gui. * Initialize the pointing of the telescopes on your first target by going to the Control Tab of the Telescope GUI and clicking [INIT]. Make sure you are on the correct star before initing the scopes or you will have problems. This may have to be repeated if the pointing drifts during the night. This will allow more consistent and accurate pointing for this part of the sky. * 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 === * 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.\\ |
- | * After lab is completely setup, you need to take off tiptilt cover, but do so with only the dim lights on and the laser shutter closed >> you don't want to blast CCD with light. | + | \\ |
- | + | [[: | |
- | \\ [[: | + | \\ |
- | + | **Chapter 6:** === = Procedure for Shutting Down at the End of the Night ==== === 6.1 End Night Sequence Introduction ===\\ | |
- | **Chapter 3: ** (edited 2012Aug29 by Gail and Chris) | + | \\ |
- | + | The End Night sequence on Cosmic Debris can be used to end observing and stow the telescopes, carts, and domes. 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, 6.4 Manually Stowing the Telescopes === 6.2 Start the end night sequence on Cosmic Debris === * 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 mirror covers, send the OPLE carts to the back switch, close the OPLE socket, and archive the accumulated data for the night. * 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 configuration with any inactive scopes to make sure those carts can be sent back manually as well. * 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. * 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.\\ | |
- | ==== Setting up Computer in the Control Room ==== | + | 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. When the function works, you can also hit the SEND button at the bottom of the report to email this report to the CHARA OBS list.\\ |
- | + | 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.\\ | |
- | === 3.1 General Overview of Computer Setup === | + | \\ |
- | + | 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.\\ | |
- | * There are six computer screens which are now horizontally arrayed. | + | \\ |
- | + | 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 === 6.3 Shutdown Checklist Introduction ===\\ |
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- | * Things should be arranged as follows: | + | It is important to make sure the array gets shutdown properly at the end of the night. This includes stowing the telescopes, closing the mirror covers and domes, powering down equipment, and covering the cameras. Each day many employees are working on various systems from any number of different locations around the Array. Any CHARA equipment left on or exposed, can cause damage to other systems or be damaged itself. It is critical that the array is shut down consistently from night to night. Listed below are the procedures for shutting down the array. Please make sure that the Array is secure at the end of the night. === 6.4 Manually stowing the telescopes === * Unlock the tiptilt beams using the Tiptilt servo control GUI. * 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] on the telescope control tab for each telescope dome that is open. * 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 will turn on the TVs and the SpyCams during the End Night Sequence.) * 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 === * Click the OL and MAN buttons for the active carts on the OPLE GUI Control Tab so that the buttons turn green. * Turn the carts OFF using the OPLE GUI. * 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 " |
- | * Screen 1: Dome server guis, icons for most servers and guis | + | \\ |
- | * Screen 2: Weather graph showing RH, winds, or temperatures and any overflow guis | + | Close vacuum lines and turn off pump * 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 Larry know of any concerns.\\ |
- | * Screen 3: Telescope, GPS, and Metrology servers, Shutters, filters, Metrology, Visbeams, Beam Samplers, PoPs, Iris, Pico2, and other small guis | + | In the computer area of the lab: * Turn off the Burleigh amplifiers, the amplifiers for cart movement, and the cable pullers. * Turn off the power for the surge protector (black box, bottom left of VME rack). * Turn off the VME, top of the left rack\\ |
- | * Screen 4: Cosmic Debris, Power, Enclosures, and weather guis | + | Go inside the lab with booties: * 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 " |
- | * Screen 5: Telescope guis, tiptilt gui | + | \\ |
- | * Screen 6: OPLE, Classic/ | + | Back in the Control Room: * If you run into any problems during the shutdown procedures, send an email to charamnt or directly to Larry 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 * Lock OPLE building doors; they tend to stick open, please shut tightly\\ |
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- | === 3.2 After aligning the lab, you can turn on the following from the POWER GUI: === | + | [[: |
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- | * To change the setting on the power GUI, unclick LOCK, make change, re-click LOCK | + | |
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- | === 3.3 Open servers required for observing === | + | |
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- | === 3.4 Open Telescope GUIs from the menu === | + | |
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- | === 3.5 Open GUIs required for observing from the menu under GTK: === | + | |
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- | === 3.6 Using the Cosmic Debris job sequencer === | + | |
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- | \\ Open Cosmic Debris, CD for short, - Primary from the menu and move to screen 4 | + | |
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- | \\ Set the instrument and settings on Cosmic Debris | + | |
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- | \\ Establish connection between tiptilt and the telescopes. | + | |
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- | \\ Finish setting up tiptilt GUIs | + | |
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- | === 3.7 Turn on metrology laser and home the carts === | + | |
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- | \\ Turning on the metrology laser | + | |
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- | \\ Home each of the active carts | + | |
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- | === 3.8 Synchronizing the clocks === | + | |
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- | === 3.9 The following windows should be opened on computer screen 3 (these are usually kept open all the time): === | + | |
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- | === 3.10 See the instruments page for information about starting different instruments at the beginning of the night: === | + | |
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- | \\ [[: | + | |
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- | **Chapter 4: ** | + | |
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- | ==== Observing Conditions ==== | + | |
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- | \\ \\ [[http:// | + | |
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- | === 4.1 Observing Conditions Intro === | + | |
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- | === 4.2 Humidity === | + | |
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- | === 4.3 Dust === | + | |
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- | === 4.4 Wind === | + | |
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- | === 4.5 Snow === | + | |
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- | \\ 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). | + | |
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- | === 4.6 Essential Observing Links === | + | |
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- | \\ [[: | + | |
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- | **Chapter 5:** | + | |
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- | ==== Going on Sky ==== | + | |
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- | === 5.1 Opening the Telescope Domes and enclosures === | + | |
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- | \\ \\ You can begin opening the telescope domes and enclosures about an hour or two before sunset. This will help air out the domes and improve seeing at the start of the night. Hot days benefit from an earlier opening to allow the scopes to cool. Before opening the domes make sure to check the current weather conditions and the forecast to make sure conditions are safe to open and are likely to be stable as you wait for it to get dark. Also confirm that Judit has finished the alignments in the lab as opening the domes will not allow the completion of the M10 alignments. If you do not see her, call the computer room phone number listed on the clipboard on the wall. | + | |
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- | === 5.2 Opening telescope optics === | + | |
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- | \\ \\ When the sun has set and before it is dark enough to slew to your first target, you can begin opening the telescope optics. Open the telescope optics one by one using the Control Tab on the Telescope GUIs: | + | |
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- | === 5.3 Check the OPLE carts === | + | |
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- | \\ \\ 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. | + | |
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- | === 5.4 Turn on the telescope power === | + | |
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- | \\ \\ 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: | + | |
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- | \\ 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 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. | + | |
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- | === 5.5 Slewing to a Target Using Cosmic Debris === | + | |
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- | \\ \\ 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 and initializing the telescopes on a bright star at the start of the night: | + | |
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- | === 5.6 Automatic Acquisition Sequence, removed 9-'17 === | + | |
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- | **Chapter 6:** | + | |
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- | ==== Procedure for Shutting Down at the End of the Night ==== | + | |
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- | === 6.1 End Night Sequence Introduction === | + | |
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- | \\ \\ The End Night sequence on Cosmic Debris can be used to end observing and stow the telescopes, carts, and domes. 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, | + | |
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- | === 6.2 Start the end night sequence on Cosmic Debris === | + | |
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- | \\ 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. When the function works, you can also hit the SEND button at the bottom of the report to email this report to the CHARA OBS list. \\ 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: \\ [[https:// | + | |
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- | === 6.3 Shutdown Checklist Introduction === | + | |
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- | \\ \\ It is important to make sure the array gets shutdown properly at the end of the night. This includes stowing the telescopes, closing the mirror covers and domes, powering down equipment, and covering the cameras. Each day many employees are working on various systems from any number of different locations around the Array. Any CHARA equipment left on or exposed, can cause damage to other systems or be damaged itself. It is critical that the array is shut down consistently from night to night. Listed below are the procedures for shutting down the array. Please make sure that the Array is secure at the end of the night. | + | |
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- | === 6.5 Send the OPLE carts to the back of the rails === | + | |
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- | === 6.6 Finish shutting down in the control room === | + | |
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- | === 6.7 Shutting down the Lab === | + | |
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- | \\ \\ Close vacuum lines and turn off pump | + | |
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- | \\ In the computer area of the lab: | + | |
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- | \\ Go inside the lab with booties: | + | |
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- | === 6.8 Odds and ends. === | + | |
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- | \\ \\ Back in the Control Room: | + | |
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