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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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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:** === = Lab Protocol ====\\ | + | **Chapter 1: ** |
+ | === Lab Protocol === | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
- | Picture_28.png Picture_29.png === 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. | + | |
- | 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. | + | 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 | ||
+ | |||
+ | A high-powered infrared laser is used for the delay line metrology. This is an eye hazard, so before entering the lab check to make sure the red light above the door is not on. If the laser is activated, it is a must to put on IR-protective goggles. If you are not sure, wear the goggles. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 1.3 General Lab Rules | ||
Please remember that:\\ | Please remember that:\\ | ||
Procedures in the lab must be followed closely and failure to follow these rules will result in loss of lab privileges.\\ | Procedures in the lab must be followed closely and failure to follow these rules will result in loss of lab privileges.\\ | ||
- | * Before entering the lab, you must have a reason or tasks at hand. * Lab booties/ | + | Before entering the lab, you must have a reason or tasks at hand. |
+ | |||
+ | Lab booties/ | ||
[[: | [[: | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
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- | **Chapter 2:** Version 2. August 27, 2012 by Judit, Version 3 January 2015 by Norm, Version ? October 2017 by Norm ==== Preparations in the Lab Prior to Observing ====\\ | + | **Chapter 2:** |
- | These are routine tasks to be performed in and around the lab every evening to prepare the array for regular observations. | + | === Preparations in the Lab Prior to Observing === |
- | Go into building, | + | |
+ | 27 AUG 2012 by Judit, Current version 10 Aug 2021 by Chris | ||
+ | |||
+ | These are routine tasks to be performed in and around the lab every evening to prepare the array for regular observations. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 2.1 Starting the vacuum pump for the light pipes | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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 vacuum readings as they can indicate a leak beyond what is normal. Sometimes a line isn't pumped down the night before and can read higher than 30 Torr. Pump the highest ones down first as stated above. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 2.2 Filling | ||
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 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 camera |
- | \\ | + | |
- | Record that you filled the cameras | + | 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.\\ | 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.\\ | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
- | 2.3.1 In the lab (Beam Combination area) * Turn on power switch for alignment laser, and turn the key. * Above the tiptilt camera, turn on the Pico 3 controller.\\ | + | 2.3.1 In the lab (Beam Combination area) Turn on power switch for alignment laser, and turn the key. Above the tiptilt camera, turn on the Pico 3 controller. |
- | 2.3.2 Check the laser spots on the E table (at North wall of Beam Switching area) * on Laser Filter gui, select ND 0.0 * 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& | + | |
- | 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.\\ | + | 2.3.2 Laser alignment to east table |
+ | |||
+ | 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 | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
- | 2.3.3 Next check the dichroic | + | 2.3.3 dichroic |
- | 2.3.4 Check the spot on the rail target | + | |
- | 2.3.5 The periscope covers | + | NOTE: As of 2017 Jul 05, please align the dichroics following the instructions in {{: |
+ | |||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | 2.3.4 Checking | ||
+ | |||
+ | Put the rail target onto delay lines (toward back of the room from home sensor) | ||
+ | |||
+ | 2.3.5 IR alignments | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | 2.3.6 M10 Alignment | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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] to change view to the M10 alignment view, click [M7 open] to open the M7 mirror cover. Center bright spot in beam on the black reference spot. You may need to adjust the IRIS or the TV brightness 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 | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
- | 2.3.6 M10 Alignment: | ||
- | Go to a computer anywhere to check the beam remotely at the telescopes. * look at Vacuum Monitor, check that the vacuum is below 20 torr * open telescope gui from pull down menu * click TV [ON] to open the camera window * click [M10AL] to change view to the M10 alignment view, click [M7 open] to open the M7 mirror cover * 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\\ | 2.3.7 Labao wfs camera covers and labao shutters\\ | ||
- | The labao camera covers should be kept off, but put the covers on gently any time when you need to put the small corner cubes in place at the BRTs to work with the internal sources to protect the cameras.\\ | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
- | **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 | + | **Put the Covers on** gently |
+ | |||
+ | **Covers off** after you remove | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
- | 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. | + | 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.\\ | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
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 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. | + | For MIRCX, the same target should be placed in the clamps on the MIRCX table. Place the target to the appropriate table, making sure it seats firmly in the clamps. Place the small corner cubes (labeled) on their bases at the BRTs. Make sure they seat firmly and correctly. Open IR shutters, send laser light using VISBEAMS gui to the position you want to check. Use a tablet to bring up Pico 2 gui. Click on icon or in xterm type: xpico2. Select the appropriate IR mirror for the beam you are about to adjust. For ex: S1IR. The Beam Sampler gui tells you which telescope is in the beam you are aligning. When done for all telescope to be used, remove target and place it above the CLASSIC/ |
- | Go to OPLE racks * 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) * 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 | + | 2.5 Final steps in the lab |
- | Go inside lab to check carts * from pull-down menu, under GTK, open Primary | + | |
- | Check delay line wires on carts, sure nothing is on tracks\\ | + | If using CLASSIC or CLIMB, |
+ | |||
+ | 2.6 Starting up OPLE and Metrology (Added 08/ | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
- | 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) ==== 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 | + | Finish what you are doing in the lab, go out to the computer area, turn the laser signal |
- | Open Cosmic Debris, CD for short, | + | |
- | Set the instrument and settings on Cosmic Debris | + | After the laser is warmed up, check sockman for old OPLE" |
- | Establish connection between tiptilt and the telescopes. | + | |
- | 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) | + | If the OPLE System Control gui is not already running |
- | 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. | + | |
- | 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. | + | ssh -Y ople / |
+ | |||
+ | 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. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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) | ||
+ | |||
+ | All the circle indicators start out grey. | ||
+ | |||
+ | After the 30 minute warmup, press the Metro button which will power up the Metrology cage, the laser repeater and the oscilloscope. When button indicator | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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 | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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 green. Once all 6 are green, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Once the OPLE server has fully started, (IF running MIRC) please check sockman for CHAMPtoMet. If it is running, then MIRC is ok to start. If it is not running, log into the ople computer and run the command : CHAMPtoMet This is case sensitive. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Now the MIRC server is ok to start. | ||
+ | |||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | **Chapter 3: ** | ||
+ | === Setting up Computer in the Control Room === | ||
+ | |||
+ | Updated 17 DEC 2019 by Norm | ||
+ | |||
+ | 3.1 General Overview of Control Room computer setup | ||
+ | |||
+ | There are six computer screens which are now horizontally arrayed. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 3.2 Setting up for observing | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 3.3 Servers | ||
+ | |||
+ | Servers can be opened | ||
+ | |||
+ | 3.4 Open Telescope guis, or obsgtks from icons on desktop | ||
+ | |||
+ | 3.5 Open GUIs required for observing from the menu under GTK or the desktop icons: Open Primary OPLE gui, Open Classic, Climb1, or Climb2 gui if needed, 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, 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. | ||
+ | Set the instrument and settings on Cosmic Debris. On the " | ||
+ | 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 lower 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. Once the telescope WFS's are used for tiptilt, these steps for the lab tiptilt will not be used.\\ | ||
+ | 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 | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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 " | ||
+ | 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 " | ||
+ | |||
+ | 3.8 Synchronizing the clocks | ||
+ | |||
+ | Synchronizing the clocks is very important for positional calculations of the telescopes and ople carts. 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 | ||
+ | |||
+ | 3.10 | ||
+ | |||
+ | See the instruments page for information about starting different instruments at the beginning of the night:\\ | ||
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- | **Chapter 4: ** === = Observing Conditions ====\\ | + | **Chapter 4: ** |
+ | === Observing Conditions === | ||
+ | |||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | 4.1 Observing Conditions Intro | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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 | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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 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 | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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 | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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 | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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:// | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
- | 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, | ||
- | 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:// | ||
[[: | [[: | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
- | **Chapter 5:** ==== Going on Sky ==== === 5.1 Opening the Telescope Domes and enclosures | + | **Chapter 5:** |
+ | === Going on Sky === | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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. | + | 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 or Robert have finished the alignments in the lab as opening the domes will not allow the completion of the beacon |
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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: * [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. | + | 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], and [FIND OPEN] if you want the finder. |
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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. | + | 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 " |
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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: * S1 82.0 * S2 82.0 * E1 55.9 * E2 55.9 * W1 99.3 * W2 99.3\\ | + | 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\\ |
On the Power GUI, turn on the [Tel AZ] and [Tel EL] power for each of the active scopes (green means ON).\\ | 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 | + | 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: | + | 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 |
- | Locking Tiptilt | + | |
- | Acquisition Laser Alignment if the star does not lock in Tiptilt | + | 5.6 Locking Tiptilt |
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+ | 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 | ||
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+ | Acquisition Laser Alignment if the star does not lock in Tiptilt | ||
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+ | Set VISBEAMS to correct beams. Put the Neutral Density Filter on ND 3.0 using the Laser_Filters GUI. If the beacon and fiber covers are open, use the SHUTTERS GUI to open the laser shutter and the corresponding B1-B6 shutters. | ||
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- | Finishing the slew sequence | + | 5.7 Finishing the slew sequence |
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+ | The Job Queue ends with slewing to the star. The stars are 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 MAIN tab on the obsgtk | ||
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- | **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 === | ||
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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, 6.4 Manually Stowing the Telescopes | + | The End Night sequence on Cosmic Debris can be used to end observing and stow the telescopes, carts, and domes and close the mirror covers. It will only stow the active scopes, carts, and domes, so if there are other scopes open, make them active in the Configure tab of CD or stow them manually with the procedure below, 6.4 Manually Stowing the Telescopes |
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+ | 6.2 Start the end night sequence on Cosmic Debris | ||
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+ | 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 active | ||
A list of observed targets and an Observing Report is now automatically generated as part of the End Night Sequence. Click [END NIGHT], then [REPORT] on Cosmic Debris to generate this automatic report email. The report will include the headings: PI name, Program, Observers, Baselines, Weather and Seeing data, and targets on which data was collected. Complete the Observers and Baselines entries, add comments to the bottom of the report and put your name at the end. Check with the observer for completeness of the target list. Some observers will send you comments of their own. Add those to the report. Cut and paste this into an email to CHARA Obs and send it. 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.\\ | ||
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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:\\ | ||
- | CHARA Electronic Logs === 6.3 Shutdown Checklist Introduction | + | CHARA Electronic Logs |
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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. | + | 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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+ | 6.4 Manually stowing the telescopes | ||
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+ | Unlock the tiptilt beams using the Tiptilt servo control GUI. Turn the telescope TVs to SPY1 so that you can watch the telescopes | ||
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+ | 6.5 Send the OPLE carts to the back of the rails | ||
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+ | 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 " | ||
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+ | 6.6 Finish shutting down in the control room | ||
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+ | If using Classic or CLIMB, check to make sure the dither is off by looking at the dither status in the CLASSIC/ | ||
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+ | Shut down the ople control system (Added 08/10/2021 - Chris) | ||
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+ | Close the OPLE server. | ||
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+ | Press the shutdown button on the OPLE System Control gui, wait until all 6 dots are grey, press the Metro button, and wait until it is grey, turn off the metrology laser. | ||
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+ | 6.7 Shutting down the Lab\\ | ||
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- | 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 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. |
- | 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\\ | + | Go inside the lab with booties: |
- | Go inside the lab with booties: | + | |
+ | 6.8 Odds and ends.\\ | ||
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- | 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. | + | 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. Close OPLE building doors; they tend to stick open, please |
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