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- | __**SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION**__ \\ | + | __**SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION**__ |
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- | [[:chara:trouble_shooting|Trouble Shooting]]\\ | + | {{: |
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+ | [[:chara:coude_alignment_procedure|Coude alignment procedure]] - Updated 2021Jun01\\ | ||
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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\\ |
- | Last updated: | + | Last updated: |
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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. Please note that the METLAS gui or OPLESystem Controller gui may not show the correct state of the laser. Hit reopen on the METLAS gui if it does not agree with the others. |
- | 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 |
- | \\ | ||
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/ | + | 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. | + | **Chapter 2:** |
- | * If you bump, hit, move or just tap anything in the slightest way, let us know. | + | === Preparations in the Lab Prior to Observing === |
- | * 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 | + | |
- | * You must know the path of the laser beams, metrology or alignment. Stay out of their way especially | + | |
- | * 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. | + | |
- | \\ [[: | + | 27 AUG 2012 by Judit, |
- | \\ | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | **Chapter 2:** Version 2. August | + | |
- | ==== Preparations | + | These are routine tasks to be performed |
- | \\ 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 and wait for the blower to go on in about 6 seconds. Open the valve slowly after about 10-12 seconds (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 | ||
- | Go into vacuum | + | 2.2 Filling NIRO 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. The typical notation for NIRO is to write FF in the NIRO column to show both chambers were filled. Note that there is a morning and evening filling so follow the pattern. 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 tablet inside lab. The tablet or laptop are located on the table next to the MIRCX/ |
- | * 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. (New hardware installed in 2022) |
- | * check pressures | + | Check the laser spots on the E table target at North wall of Beam Switching area. Use the laptop that resides |
- | The final pressure should | + | 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 |
+ | If the telescopes were used on the same beam on the previous | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | 2.3.3 dichroic alignments with labao | ||
- | === 2.2 Filling IR cameras | + | NOTE: As of 2017 Jul 05, please align the dichroics following the instructions in {{: |
- | \\ 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 in the log book, noting time and cameras filled. If you do not observe due to weather, fire or closure, make sure someone on the mountain will fill it for you. | + | \\ |
+ | 2.3.4 Checking | ||
- | === 2.3 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 is bad at the back, follow instructions for BRT adjustments. (Printed sheet on metrology table) Remove rail target and return it to the spare table when done. |
- | \\ Go into the lab. The green alignment laser on the light source | + | 2.3.5 Labao wfs camera covers and labao shutters\\ |
+ | \\ | ||
+ | Put the Covers on gently when doing the following alignment steps in the lab: IR mirror check to CLIMB or MIRC with alignment laser or beam combiner alignments with white light source or tiptilt Zabers alignment with alignment laser. | ||
- | * Turn on power switch for alignment laser, | + | Take covers off after you remove the corner cubes from their bases.\\ |
- | * Above the tiptilt camera, turn on the Pico 3 controller. | + | \\ |
+ | 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 | ||
- | | + | 2.3.6 Alignment of the IR light toward beam combiners |
- | * on Laser Filter gui, select ND 0.0 | + | The IR mirrors |
- | * make sure VEGA periscope is UP | + | \\ |
- | * open LASER shutter | + | 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 |
- | * 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. | + | For MIRCX, the same target should be placed in the clamps on the MIRCX table. Place the target |
- | * 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 of which pair was selected with VISBEAMS. (1&2-2 and 2&3-2 appear | + | |
- | * use the Beam Samplers | + | |
- | * Note that when multiple | + | |
- | \\ 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. \\ | + | \\ |
+ | 2.3.6 M10 Alignment if there is no pop change | ||
- | * Send the beam sampler for each telescope to the requested beam according to the configuration for the night. | + | If there is a pop change, these steps will be performed |
- | * Move VISBEAMS to have laser light in the beam to be checked. | + | |
- | * At each telescope | + | |
- | * 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 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 |
- | * Put the rail target onto delay lines (toward back of the room from home sensor) | + | \\ |
- | * make sure carts are at back of the room | + | 2.4 Final steps in the lab |
- | * 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 | + | 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 cover on camera. Note which filter is reported on the filter wheel. The NIRO CPU has clock troubles |
- | * look at Vacuum Monitor, check that the vacuum | + | If using MIRCX/ |
- | * open telescope gui from pull down menu | + | |
- | * click TV [ON] to open the camera window | + | |
- | * click [M10AL] | + | |
- | * 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 | + | |
- | * click TV [OFF] to close the window | + | |
- | \\ 2.3.7 Labao wfs camera covers and labao shutters \\ The labao camera covers should be kept off, but put the covers | + | On the Metrology table inside the lab, turn on two blue amplifiers for metrology laser (on button is labeled " |
- | * IR mirror check to CLIMB or MIRC with alignment laser | + | Make sure all lights are turned off in the ople room and the lab when leaving the inner lab. |
- | * 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) | + | Be sure to inform the MIRCX/ |
- | === 2.4 Alignment of the IR light toward beam combiners === | + | 2.5 Starting up the new OPLE system and Metrology (Added 08/10/21 - Chris) |
- | \\ 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 | + | Go out to the computer area, turn the metrology laser on, and go back to the control room to complete alignment |
- | * Place the target to the appropriate table, making sure it seats firmly in the clamps. | + | After the laser is warmed up, check sockman |
- | * 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 | + | |
- | * When done for all telescope to be used, remove target and place it above the CLASSIC/ | + | |
- | === 2.5 Starting up OPLE and Metrology === | + | If the OPLE System Control gui is not already running on wazoo, you can start the gui in the lab 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 close to 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 | + | |
- | === 2.6 Final steps in the lab === | + | \\ |
+ | **Chapter 3: ** | ||
+ | === Setting up Computer | ||
- | * 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. | + | Updated Feb 2023 by Norm |
- | * 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. | + | |
- | \\ [[: | + | 3.1 General Overview of Control Room computer setup |
- | **Chapter 3: ** (edited 2012Aug29 by Gail and Chris) | + | 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). |
- | ==== Setting up Computer in the Control Room ==== | + | 3.2 Setting up for observing |
- | === 3.1 General Overview of Computer Setup === | + | The first thing to start is the Ople server so you can 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. |
- | * There are six computer | + | The following windows should be opened on computer |
- | \\ {{:chara: | + | 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 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 server and the METROL server 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 icons on desktop |
- | * 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/ |
+ | \\ | ||
+ | <font 14px/ | ||
- | | + | <font 14px/ |
- | * On the main tab for each telescope | + | |
- | === 3.5 Open GUIs required for observing from the menu under GTK: === | + | The new ople system has a home check procedure that will give the homing error of each cart. Use the CHECK button on the ople gui to have ople check the homing accuracy. A value of a few microns is usually returned after the cart is checked. If any cart has large values above 20 microns, home the cart again and check the homing until it shows low values. |
- | * Open Primary OPLE gui (move to right side of OPLE server) | + | If using the CHAPMtoMet feature, once the 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 | + | 3.7 Setting up the Cosmic Debris job sequencer |
- | | + | 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 " | ||
- | * On the CONFIGURE tab, check to make sure the PoPs and telescope beam assignments agree with the white board | + | 3.8 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] and then [REOPEN] on the PoPs GUI | + | |
- | * Then click [UPDATE] on the PoPs Overview | + | |
- | * If the PoPs Overview is now correct, then click the [GET] button on the CD Control Tab, this should update the PoPs | + | |
- | * If the beams are not assigned correctly, move the beams accordingly to the proper telescope using the BeamSampler GUI and click [GET] on CD to update | + | |
- | * Select the active telescopes on the tab labeled " | + | |
- | * 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 to send the active scope information to Ople | + | |
- | \\ Set the instrument | + | Synchronizing |
- | * On the " | + | 3.9. Beacon Alignments |
- | * If using CLIMB or CLASSIC, also select the filter and beam | + | |
- | \\ Establish connection between tiptilt | + | The beacons wil<font 14px/ |
- | * On the Control Tab on Cosmic Debris, click on [TIPTILT COMM] | + | In the WFS tab of the telescope |
- | * Click [START JOB QUEUE] on CD to continue the Tiptilt Communication sequence | + | |
- | * After several seconds, | + | |
- | * 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 | + | The blue beacon is no longer an LED and has been replaced by a tunable laser. |
- | * Click re-open on the Tiptilt | + | You can start the control |
- | * 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 === | + | * Navigating to directory: cd / |
+ | * starting | ||
- | \\ Turning | + | In the WFS GUI or obsgtk, turn the cooler on (COOL ON) and open the camera shutter (SOPEN) or SHUTTER (OPEN/ |
- | * Make sure that no one is in the lab. | + | Turn on the ACQ camera in the obsgtk. |
- | * 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] | + | |
- | * Select REFALL and the UNK signal for each cart being used. Hit " | + | |
- | * Click [CLEAR] on the metrology monitor to turn the unknown signals from red to white | + | |
- | * The signals should look like nice sine waves. If they are too narrow or erratic, a metrology alignment | + | |
- | * To close the metrology signal windows, click on [RUN MULTIPLE] again | + | |
- | \\ Home each of the active carts | + | Turn labao camera (ON) and (START) the display. Make a dark with the MKDRK button in the LABAO section |
- | * The carts must be homed before observing or else fringes will not be found. Do not forget this step or endless frustration will follow. | + | 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 |
- | * 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 " | + | |
- | * On the " | + | |
- | * If the carts do not appear to be moving after clicking " | + | |
- | * After the carts finish homing, the ople server will say " | + | |
- | * To check that the carts have homed properly, click [TRACK] on the Control Tab of the OPLE GUI | + | |
- | * 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 | + | |
- | * After checking to make sure the carts track properly, turn the carts [OFF] | + | |
- | === 3.8 Synchronizing | + | 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 on the ALIGN tab of the LABAO GUI or (FOCUS) LABAO: on obsgtk, wait until the procedure finishes. Then use the (FOCUS WFS) button on the ALIGN tab of the TWFS GUI or (FOCUS) TELWFS: on the obsgtk and wait for completion. Note that focusing the beacons does not work when the spots are not reasonably centered. Always get the spots well into the boxes first before focusing. Sometimes it helps to repeat the scope dichroic alignment and focus as each needs the other to be close to align well and large changes in the labao focus can put the TWFS out of alignment also. As the scopes are cooling, these alignments will drift and will need to be done before slewing to the first target. |
- | * Synchronizing | + | See the instruments page for information about starting different instruments at the beginning |
- | * 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): | + | === Observing Conditions |
- | * 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: === | ||
- | |||
- | \\ [[: | ||
- | \\ | ||
- | [[: | ||
- | \\ | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
- | **Chapter | + | 4.1 Observing Conditions Intro |
- | ==== 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 === | + | 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. |
- | | + | Cold temperatures around freezing also can be problematic. Several components |
- | === 4.5 Snow === | + | Temp_warning: |
- | \\ 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: T_tel <= 0C or T_outside <= -5C |
- | === 4.6 Essential Observing Links === | + | 4.6 Essential Observing Links |
- | * 150-Foot Solar Tower Current TowerCam Image ([[http:// | + | Mount Wilson HP Wren Cameras ([[http:// |
- | * Caltech Millikan Library Camera ([[http:// | + | |
- | * National Weather Service ([[http:// | + | |
- | * CHARA telescopes spy cams and weather graph ([[http:// | + | |
- | * Mount Wilson HP Wren Cameras ([[http:// | + | |
- | * Aerospace Corporation weather station ([[http:// | + | |
- | * Jet stream forecast ([[http:// | + | |
- | * IR satellite loop ([[http:// | + | |
- | * California Regional Weather Server ([[http:// | + | |
- | * Clear Sky Clock ([[http:// | + | |
- | | + | National Weather Service ([[http:// |
- | \\ | + | |
- | {{:chara: | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | **Chapter | + | |
- | ==== Going on Sky ==== | + | Mount Wilson Ambient station [[https:// |
- | === 5.1 Opening the Telescope Domes and enclosures === | + | Jet stream forecast [[https:// |
- | | + | IR satellite loop [[https:// |
- | * Monitor the progress of opening the domes by turning the televisions | + | Clear Sky Clock ([[http:// |
- | * 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 === | + | \\ [[: |
- | | + | === Going on Sky === |
- | * [M1 OPEN] - opens the primary mirror cover (takes ~ 3 minutes to open) | + | 5.1 Opening |
- | * [M3 OPEN] | + | You can begin opening |
- | * [M5 OPEN] | + | |
- | * [M7 OPEN] | + | |
- | * [FIND OPEN] Note that the W2 and E1? finder covers require | + | |
- | * Monitor progress by using [SPY2] camera on the telescope | + | |
- | * Wait for all covers | + | |
- | === 5.3 Check the OPLE carts === | + | Opening the M5 mirror cover also helps to cool the AO box by allowing the warm air to rise out of the box and cooler air to flow in from below the telescope. It can be opened early while doing the alignments in the lab. |
- | | + | [NOT YET OPERATIONAL] On the enclosure GUI, click the [OBSERVE] button |
- | * With all [MAN] and [OL] buttons green on the OPLE Control Tab, click [TRACK] | + | 5.2 Opening telescope optics \\ \\ |
- | * Make sure that the " | + | About 20 minutes after the sun has set, it is dark enough |
- | * After the carts successfully track on the home switch, turn the carts [OFF]. | + | |
- | * Click the open loop [OL] button | + | |
- | === 5.4 Turn on the telescope power === | + | 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 " | ||
- | \\ \\ 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: | + | 5.4 Turn on the telescope power \\ \\ |
+ | 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 that are different from stow positions or the scopes may beging moving without being commanded. Hit STOW if any \\ | ||
+ | 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. | ||
- | * S1 82.0 | + | 5.5 Slewing to a Target Using Cosmic Debris \\ \\ |
- | * S2 82.0 | + | 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 DM's if needed. The [FIND STAR] button on the MAIN tab of the obsgtk is useful in finding a suitable, bright star. It will report the star name, mag, and ALT and AZ in the text window at the bottom of the gui. 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. |
- | * 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 | + | Enter the HD number |
- | === 5.5 Slewing | + | Slew to your first star by clicking [OBJECT], [CHECK STAR], [CALIBRATOR 1], or [CALIBRATOR 2] on Cosmic Debris |
- | | + | Make sure all carts are tracking |
- | * 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. | + | When the telescope slew finishes, check the SPY 1 to make sure that the domes are aligned with 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, | + | |
- | * 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 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 " | + | |
- | * 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 |
- | * 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. | + | Special additional alignments when IR flux is low |
- | * 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. | + | |
- | | + | If the flux is low on telescopes |
- | + | ||
- | * The Job Queue ends with slewing to the star. The star is acquired manually. | + | |
- | * Click [Star Acquired] | + | |
- | * Initialize the pointing | + | |
- | * 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. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | **Chapter 6:** | + | |
- | ==== Procedure | + | On the obsgtk, set the beacon step size to 222 or 333. Click the Left button while watching the MIRCX flux plot or the STST image display. If watching the MIRCX flux plot, look for increases in flux after a click or two. Allow the DM AUTO function to adjust the blue beacon after each step by not moving the beacon out of the boxes. Remap the fiber to see if the flux is further increased when the labao has recentered the beacon. If using the STST, move the image flux towards the reference position set by the STS or CHARA beams. |
- | === 6.1 End Night Sequence Introduction === | + | 5.6 Locking Lab Tiptilt (only used in special cases) |
- | | + | 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. |
- | === 6.2 Start the end night sequence on Cosmic Debris === | + | Acquisition Laser Alignment if the star does not lock in Tiptilt |
- | * Clear the job queue on Cosmic Debris. | + | Set VISBEAMS to correct beams. Put the Neutral Density Filter |
- | * Press the [END NIGHT] button | + | 5.7 Finishing the slew sequence |
- | | + | |
- | * The 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 |
- | * If you use the End Night sequence to stow the telescopes | + | |
- | \\ 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:// | + | 5.8 Monitoring MIRCX/MYSTIC |
- | === 6.3 Shutdown Checklist Introduction === | + | When running MIRCX/ |
- | | + | \\ [[: |
- | === 6.4 Manually stowing | + | === Procedure for Shutting Down at the End of the Night === |
- | * Unlock the tiptilt beams using the Tiptilt servo control GUI. | + | 6.1 End Night Sequence Introduction \\ \\ |
- | * Turn the telescope TVs to SPY1 so that you can watch the telescopes. | + | The End Night sequence on Cosmic Debris can be used to end observing |
- | * On the Control Tab of the telescope GUI, click [STOW]. This will send the telescope | + | |
- | * When the telescopes | + | |
- | * 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 | + | |
- | * 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 | + | |
- | * Visually check all telescopes | + | |
- | * 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 === | + | 6.2 Start the end night sequence on Cosmic Debris |
- | * Click the OL and MAN buttons for the active carts on the OPLE GUI Control Tab so that the buttons turn green. | + | 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 |
- | * Turn the carts OFF using the OPLE GUI. | + | 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] |
- | | + | Note: Classic, CLIMB, FLUOR and PAVO will automatically send the target information to Cosmic Debris after data is acquired. For MIRCx, |
- | * Watch OPLE Server | + | 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. \\ \\ |
- | * When all carts are on the Back Switch, close the OPLE gui and server | + | 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 | ||
- | === 6.6 Finish | + | 6.3 Shutdown Checklist Introduction \\ \\ |
+ | 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. | ||
- | * If using Classic or CLIMB, check to make sure the dither is off by looking at the dither status in the CLASSIC/ | + | 6.4 Manually stowing |
- | * 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, and CLIMB/ | + | |
- | * Visually check all telescopes | + | |
- | * Leave GPS server and the Telescope Servers open and running | + | |
- | === 6.7 Shutting down the Lab === | + | 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. After the M1, M3 and finder 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 and disable the scopes using the dome gui or obsgtk. 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 Spy Cam 2 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 |
- | * Go to the lab and close the vacuum valves | + | Click the OL and MAN buttons |
- | * Go outside | + | |
- | \\ In the computer area of the lab: | + | 6.6 Finish shutting down in the control room |
- | * Turn off the Burleigh amplifiers, the amplifiers for cart movement, and the cable pullers. | + | 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 power for the surge protector (black box, bottom left of VME rack). | + | |
- | * Turn off the VME, top of the left rack | + | |
- | \\ Go inside | + | Shut down the ople control system (Added 08/10/2021 - Chris) |
- | * Put the tiptilt cover back on the tiptilt camera | + | Close the OPLE server. |
- | * 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. | ||