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====== Remote Observing ====== | ====== Remote Observing ====== | ||
- | Note: As of June 2018, we are using a new remote observing procedure. Details can be found here: http:// | ||
- | __**Remote Observing**__\\ \\ This guide is intended to focus specifically on remote observing. Please note that the new remote observing | + | Note: As of June 2018, we are using a new remote observing |
- | | + | Last updated 1-10-2021 by Norm |
+ | |||
+ | __**Remote Observing**__ \\ | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | This guide is intended to focus specifically on remote observing. Please note that the new remote observing procedures for 2017 eliminate operating of telescopes by remote observers. This page will still explain remote operations, but understand you may not be able to do these procedures. A comprehensive overview of CHARA operations can be found here:\\ | ||
+ | [[: | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | **__Remote Observing Protocol__ ** \\ | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | The current CHARA protocol is that if Remote Observation time is allocated, the Remote Observer should be familiar with Array operations, preferably after having observed in person at the Array before. It is best if remote observers are acquainted with the software manuals and procedures and have reviewed the latest versions of these documents. Also desired for first time observers is a visit to Mount Wilson for an accompanying observing run at the CHARA Array to learn observing techniques first-hand. It is hard to understand the flow of observing if you have not seen it in person.\\ | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | As a rule, the observing specialist will handle all the preparations through slewing, acquiring the target, initializing the scopes, and perfoming beacon alignments and sky flats. All slewing of scopes will be done at the CHARA Control Room. Experienced observers who are present at CHARA may be allowed to slew the telescopes when multiple programs are run. Remote observers will no longer slew the telescopes. All remote observers will be limited to operating beam combiners and collecting data.\\ | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | **__Modes of Operation__ ** \\ | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | Since several beam combiners can run simultaneously at CHARA, it is important that the remote observers follow the observing procedures correctly and maintain good communication with the Array Operator (or Observing Specialist). The Array Operator will determine the priority and order in which to address problems that arise. Sometimes the Array Operator may be quite busy. If something wrong occurs with the OPLE carts, cameras or telescopes, this will require immediate attention and notification on Discord. If there is no response from the operator, place a phone call to the CHARA Array Control Room.\\ | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | __**Pre-Observing Communications**__ \\ | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | Please submit your configuration request to this [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | | ||
* Program PI and designation | * Program PI and designation | ||
* Beam Combiner(s) | * Beam Combiner(s) | ||
- | * Telescopes used in first configuration and back up scopes or configurations. Please | + | * Telescopes used in first configuration and back up scopes or configurations. Please |
* Beam order (if you have a preference) | * Beam order (if you have a preference) | ||
* PoP combination to start and PoP changes during the night | * PoP combination to start and PoP changes during the night | ||
- | * First target (or designated check star for first target) so operator can init scopes in the proper part of the sky | + | * First target (or designated check star for first target) so operator can init scopes |
- | * Filter | + | * Filter |
- | * Any special requirements you might have (LDCs in or out, CLIMB for fringe finding/ | + | * Any special requirements you might have (LDCs in or out, CLIMB for fringe finding/ |
- | * Skype or phone contact if remote (in case we do not already have it). Skype is the preferred means of communicating so please create an account if you do not have one. | + | * Discord |
- | \\ Understand that this email is used to align the lab, set the configuration and get you on sky as efficiently as possible.\\ | + | |
+ | \\ Understand that this email is used to align the lab, set the configuration and get you on sky as efficiently as possible. \\ It goes to all staff who do alignments and who operate. You do not need to send it to individual staff members. \\ Failure to provide all of this info can cause a delay in getting on sky so please be thorough when submitting request. Also, be clear about dates when submitting requests for subsequent observing nights. Your nights or days may not match ours and giving | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | **__Pre-Run Assessments__ | ||
+ | |||
+ | HPWREN cameras on the 150 foot Solar Tower [[http://hpwren.ucsd.edu/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | Caltech Millikan Library Camera ([[http:// | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | National Weather Service ([[http:// | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | IR satellite loop ([[https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES/sector_band.php?sat=G17& | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | Clear Sky Clock ([[http://cleardarksky.com/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | CHARA telescopes spy cams and weather graph ([[http:// | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | **__Remote Observing Setup__ | ||
* TELESCOPE GUI’s | * TELESCOPE GUI’s | ||
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* WEATHER | * WEATHER | ||
* CLASSIC/ | * CLASSIC/ | ||
- | * Visible programs | + | * PAVO and SPICA will also use the LDC's |
- | \\ NOTE: If a Client does not appear this means that the server is not yet running. Ask the Observing Specialist or standby for more information.\\ \\ Each GUI has a STATUS | + | |
+ | \\ NOTE: If a Client does not appear this means that the server is not yet running. Ask the Observing Specialist or standby for more information. \\ \\ Each server | ||
* OPLE | * OPLE | ||
- | | + | * CLASSIC or CLIMB |
- | * The TELESCOPES | + | |
- | * GPS | + | \\ **__Cosmic Debris - The Sequencer__ |
- | | + | |
- | \\ ** __Cosmic Debris - The Sequencer__ **\\ \\ Cosmic Debris is the main sequencer or control panel for the Array. This is a tabbed interface and what we use to execute the commands to observe and collect data. Cosmic Debris also gives the necessary information needed for observational targets. Inputting the stars designated number, then hitting the corresponding catalog name next to the the star (for example HD, HR, SAO, IRC), and clicking WHEN, will give the AZ & EL plus sky availability and the hour angle in the CD display window. The remote observer may use Cosmic Debris to follow along with the observations. It also will list information about the observing session. For example, when going to a star it will give the status of the acquisition procedure and also any error messages. Remote observers will not use Cosmic Debris to slew.\\ \\ **Cosmic Debris Setup**\\ \\ • To set up Cosmic Debris , click on the background (or the Applications menu bar on GNOME environments) and, depending on which observing slot you fall into, click\\ \\ Cosmic Debris | + | |
* Once Cosmic Debris comes up, go to the " | * Once Cosmic Debris comes up, go to the " | ||
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* After confirming that the configuration is correct, click the [Send]. | * After confirming that the configuration is correct, click the [Send]. | ||
* On the CONTROL Tab of Cosmic Debris, choose the beam combiner by checking the proper box for the instrument you will use for the evening’s observing session. If using Classic or CLIMB, also choose the filter. | * On the CONTROL Tab of Cosmic Debris, choose the beam combiner by checking the proper box for the instrument you will use for the evening’s observing session. If using Classic or CLIMB, also choose the filter. | ||
- | \\ **TIPTILT Comms**\\ \\ • Check the TIPTILT STATUS GUI. If it reads that the selected beams are correct for the combiner you’re using, then all is well.\\ | ||
- | |||
- | * Find a bright star near your first target to initialize the telescopes. The [FIND STAR] button on the Telescope Control Tab can be useful in finding a suitable, bright star. | ||
- | * Enter the HD number of the star into Cosmic Debris using the Object or Calibrator Tabs. Click the [HD] button to register the entry. (Alternatively, | ||
- | * Check to make sure that EL/AZ reported by Cosmic Debris are correct (never point below 15-20 degrees elevation). It is recommended to initialize the telescopes at the start of the night on a target between 40-70 degrees elevation. | ||
- | * Slew to the target by clicking [OBJECT], [CHECK STAR], [CALIBRATOR 1], or [CALIBRATOR 2] on Cosmic Debris (depending on which field you entered the target information). Note that these buttons will slew the telescopes AND send the carts to their positions. | ||
- | * Verify that the telescopes are moving by checking the azimuth and elevation status in the telescope servers (the first set of numbers show the commanded EL/AZ of the target while the second set of numbers show the current location of the telescope). Also view " | ||
- | * After the Cosmic Debris job queue ticks for a minute or so, the CD information window will give the ideal position for the reference cart. After this appears, hit [Stop Job Queue] to stop the job queue for the first target to make sure that the domes line up with the telescopes and to do the initial alignments. (If you already initialized the telescopes, you can let the job queue continue to automatically acquire the star.) | ||
- | * Enter the ideal reference cart position into the REF text window on the Cosmic Debris Control Tab. Click the [REF] button to send the reference cart position to OPLE. Make sure all carts are tracking. You might have to click [TRACK] for the reference cart on the OPLE Control Tab. The [OL] buttons should be depressed gray for ALL active scopes (including the reference cart). The [MAN] buttons should be depressed gray for the moving carts to allow the beam combiners to send manual offsets to the carts. (The [MAN] button for the reference cart should be green.) | ||
- | * When the telescope slew finishes, check the spy cameras to make sure that the domes are aligned with the telescope. | ||
- | * Click [FIND] on the Telescope guis to view the finder field if the star does not appear in the ACQ window. If it is off center in the finder, click [MOVE] under the TV Tracking menu on the Main Tab of the Telescope GUI and click the star to get it to the cross hairs. | ||
- | * Switch to the ACQ window by clicking ACQ on the Main Tab of the Telescope GUI. Click MOVE and the star again to bring it to the center of the crosshairs. Lock tiptilt if the tiptilt plots show you have counts. If it does not lock, follow the alignment steps below. | ||
- | \\ Acquisition Laser Alignment\\ | ||
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | * Put the corner cubes in with the [CC IN] button | + | |
- | * You will see the star and reflection | + | |
- | | + | |
- | * Close the laser shutter and the B1-B6 shutters. Hit [CCOUT] | + | |
- | * Hit [MOVE] | + | |
- | | + | |
- | * You may need to redo the ACQ laser alignment during the night, especially if slewing far in azimuth. | + | |
- | \\ Locking Tiptilt\\ | + | |
- | | + | __**PoP changes during |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | \\ Finishing the slew sequence\\ | + | |
- | * If the Job Queue was stopped and the star was acquired manually, then click [Clear Job Queue]. | ||
- | * Click [Star Acquired] on the Control Tab on Cosmic Debris to update the target information listed at the top of the Cosmic Debris window. | ||
- | * You can now point to your first science target/ | ||
- | \\ Automatic Acquisition Sequence Not recommended\\ | ||
- | * After the telescopes have been initiliazed and the laser alignment has been checked, then you can let Cosmic Debris run the automatic acquisition sequence to acquire stars (by clicking the [SLEW TO] button next to the OBJECT, CHECK STAR, CALIBRATOR 1, or CALIBRATOR 2 fields). | ||
- | * The automatic sequence will slew the telescopes, start ATROLIB, and send the moving carts to the proper positions. The sequencer will check to see if the star is in the acquisition/ | ||
- | * If an error comes up, the job queue will stop. After the issue has been fixed, the job queue can be restarted to continue the sequence, if it was not cleared. | ||
- | * After the stars are locked in Tiptilt, the flux values look good, and the carts are tracking, then everything should be set. | ||
- | \\ **__ 6.8 OPLE Cart Operation__**\\ |