This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
Both sides previous revision Previous revision Next revision | Previous revision Next revision Both sides next revision | ||
chara:operating_procedures [2019/06/06 21:34] rklement |
chara:operating_procedures [2019/12/10 20:50] gail_stargazer |
||
---|---|---|---|
Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
[[: | [[: | ||
[[: | [[: | ||
+ | {{: | ||
{{: | {{: | ||
[[https:// | [[https:// | ||
Line 18: | Line 19: | ||
[[https:// | [[https:// | ||
[[https:// | [[https:// | ||
- | title=" | + | [[https:// |
{{: | {{: | ||
[[: | [[: | ||
Line 89: | Line 90: | ||
**Covers on** when doing the following alignment steps in the lab: * IR mirror check to CLIMB or MIRC with alignment laser * beam combiner alignments with white light source * tiptilt Zabers alignment with alignment laser **Covers off** after you removed the corner cubes from their bases.\\ | **Covers on** when doing the following alignment steps in the lab: * IR mirror check to CLIMB or MIRC with alignment laser * 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. === 2.4 Alignment of the IR light toward beam combiners ===\\ | + | 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. === 2.4 Alignment of the IR light toward beam combiners ===\\ |
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.\\ | 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.\\ | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
Line 101: | Line 102: | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
On the Metrology table inside the lab * Turn on two blue amplifiers for metrology laser (on button is labeled " | On the Metrology table inside the lab * Turn on two blue amplifiers for metrology laser (on button is labeled " | ||
- | Back To Main Menu **Chapter 3: ** (edited 2012Aug29 by Gail and Chris) | + | Back To Main Menu **Chapter 3: ** (edited 2012Aug29 by Gail and Chris) ==== Setting up Computer in the Control Room === = === 3.1 General Overview of Computer Setup === * There are six computer screens which are now horizontally arrayed.\\ |
- | fig_monitors_new.jpg * Things should be arranged as follows: * 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 3: Telescope, GPS, and Metrology servers, Shutters, filters, Metrology, Visbeams, Beam Samplers, PoPs, Iris, Pico2, and other small guis * Screen 4: Cosmic Debris, Power, Enclosures, and weather guis * Screen 5: Telescope guis, tiptilt gui * Screen 6: OPLE, Classic/ | + | fig_monitors_new.jpg * Things should be arranged as follows: * 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 3: Telescope, GPS, and Metrology servers, Shutters, filters, Metrology, Visbeams, Beam Samplers, PoPs, Iris, Pico2, and other small guis * Screen 4: Cosmic Debris, Power, Enclosures, and weather guis * Screen 5: Telescope guis, tiptilt gui * Screen 6: OPLE, Classic/ |
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 " | 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 " | ||
Set the instrument and settings on Cosmic Debris * On the " | Set the instrument and settings on Cosmic Debris * On the " | ||
Line 116: | Line 117: | ||
**Chapter 4: ** === = Observing Conditions ====\\ | **Chapter 4: ** === = Observing Conditions ====\\ | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
- | {{: | + | 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, |
- | \\ | + | |
- | In opening the CHARA Array, conditions should be, for the most part, ideal. If the weather is questionable, | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | 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. 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 10 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 from passing clouds when the humidity is quite low, even 50% RH or lower. If in doubt, stay closed. === 4.3 Dust ===\\ | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | Gauging the airborne dust is 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 ===\\ | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | 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, it is too windy to observe. If you hear whistling from the light pipe supports, it is too windy to observe. If you hear the signs on 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 ===\\ | + | |
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:// | 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:// | ||
- | [[: | + | [[: |
- | \\ | + | |
- | {{: | + | |
\\ | \\ | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
Line 153: | Line 144: | ||
**Chapter 6:** === = Procedure for Shutting Down at the End of the Night ==== === 6.1 End Night Sequence Introduction ===\\ | **Chapter 6:** === = Procedure for Shutting Down at the End of the Night ==== === 6.1 End Night Sequence Introduction ===\\ | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
- | The End Night sequence on Cosmic Debris can be used to end observing and stow the telescopes, carts, and domes. 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, | + | 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.\\ |
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.\\ | 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.\\ | 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.\\ | ||
Line 160: | Line 151: | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
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:\\ | 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:// | + | CHARA Electronic Logs === 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. === 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 " | 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 " |