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__**SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION**__ \\ | __**SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION**__ \\ | ||
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- | [[: | + | [[:chara:coude_alignment_procedure|Coude alignment procedure]] - 2021Jun01\\ |
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- | [[:chara:trouble_shooting|Trouble Shooting]]\\ | + | |
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**__INSTRUMENTS__ ** \\ | **__INSTRUMENTS__ ** \\ | ||
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CHARA Array Operating Procedures\\ | CHARA Array Operating Procedures\\ | ||
- | Copyright © 2005-2019 The CHARA Team\\ | + | Copyright © 2005-2020 The CHARA Team\\ |
- | Last updated: | + | Last updated: |
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- | **Chapter 1: ** Lab Protocol\\ | + | **Chapter 1: ** |
+ | === Lab Protocol | ||
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- | 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. | 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/ |
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**Chapter 2:** | **Chapter 2:** | ||
+ | === Preparations in the Lab Prior to Observing === | ||
- | 27 AUG 2012 by Judit, Current version 17 DEC 2019 by Norm | + | 27 AUG 2012 by Judit, Current version 17 JAN 2020 by Norm |
- | Preparations in the Lab Prior to Observing\\ | + | These are routine tasks to be performed in and around the lab every evening to prepare the array for regular observations. Note that there is a new Daily Alignment Check Procedure |
- | These are routine tasks to be performed in and around the lab every evening to prepare the array for regular observations. Note that there is a new alignment protocol | + | |
2.1 Starting the vacuum pump for the light pipes | 2.1 Starting the vacuum pump for the light pipes | ||
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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. | 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 | + | 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.\\ | ||
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2.3.6 M10 Alignment | 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 | + | 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 |
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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.\\ | ||
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- | For MIRCX, the same target should be placed in the clamps on the MIRCX 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/ |
2.5 Starting up OPLE and Metrology | 2.5 Starting up OPLE and Metrology | ||
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**Chapter 3: ** | **Chapter 3: ** | ||
+ | === Setting up Computer in the Control Room === | ||
- | 17 DEC 2019 by Norm | + | Updated |
- | + | ||
- | Setting up Computer in the Control Room | + | |
3.1 General Overview of Control Room computer setup | 3.1 General Overview of Control Room computer setup | ||
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3.3 Servers required for observing | 3.3 Servers required for observing | ||
- | 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 at once. 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 and gui, Open Classic, Climb1, or Climb2 if needed, Open Tiptilt Server if 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. | + | 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 and gui, Open Classic, Climb1, or Climb2 if needed, Open Tiptilt Server if 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. |
3.4 Open Telescope guis, or obsgtks from icons on desktop | 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. | + | 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 | 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. | + | 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. | + | Set the instrument and settings on Cosmic Debris. On the " |
- | Establish connection between tiptilt and the telescopes. | + | 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. | + | 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 | 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. | + | 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. | + | 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 | 3.8 Synchronizing the clocks | ||
- | Synchronizing the clocks is very important for positional calculations of the telescopes and ople carts. | + | 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 | 3.9 | ||
- | The following windows should be opened on computer screen 1 (these are usually kept open all the time): | + | The following windows should be opened on computer screen 1 (these are usually kept open all the time): Telescope monitor, Beam Samplers and PoPs, Visbeams, Shutters and Laser Filter Wheel, VEGA Periscope, Iris, Metrology Laser and Metrology Monitor, Pico 2 |
3.10 | 3.10 | ||
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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:// | ||
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- | 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:// | ||
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- | **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 |
+ | |||
+ | 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. |
+ | |||
+ | 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 " |
+ | |||
+ | 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. |
+ | |||
+ | 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 |
+ | |||
+ | 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 | ||
+ | |||
+ | Acquisition Laser Alignment if the star does not lock in Tiptilt | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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 |
+ | |||
+ | 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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+ | 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. Lock the padlock.\\ |
- | In the computer area of the lab: * Turn off the Burleigh amplifiers, the amplifiers for cart movement, and the cable pullers. | + | 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: |
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+ | 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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