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chara:remote_observing [2019/04/11 19:24] gail_stargazer |
chara:remote_observing [2022/02/09 14:43] charaobs |
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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:// | + | Note: As of June 2018, we are using a new remote observing procedure. Details can be found here: [[http:// |
+ | |||
+ | Last updated 1-10-2021 by Norm | ||
__**Remote Observing**__ \\ | __**Remote Observing**__ \\ | ||
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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.\\ | 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 | + | 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__ ** \\ | **__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 a serious situation | + | 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 |
\\ | \\ | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
__**Pre-Observing Communications**__ \\ | __**Pre-Observing Communications**__ \\ | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
- | Please | + | Please |
- | * Date of program start and number of nights. Please specify | + | * Date of program start and number of nights. Please specify |
* 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. \\ 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 | + | \\ 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__ ** \\ \\ Due to the nature of remote observing, it is beneficial to assess a few things before the evening’s run. First would be the weather. Everything from the Weather Service page, The Clear Sky Clock and the Jet Stream can be checked to have an idea of what kind of night is ahead. Although the Observing Specialist on Mount Wilson will be responsible for these assessments, | + | **__Pre-Run Assessments__ |
- | \\ | + | |
+ | HPWREN cameras on the 150 foot Solar Tower [[http://hpwren.ucsd.edu/cameras/wilson.html|http://hpwren.ucsd.edu/cameras/wilson.html ]] 360 degree | ||
Caltech Millikan Library Camera ([[http:// | Caltech Millikan Library Camera ([[http:// | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
National Weather Service ([[http:// | National Weather Service ([[http:// | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
- | CHARA Array weather | + | IR satellite loop ([[https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES/sector_band.php? |
- | Confirm the date and time on this page as well. \\ | + | |
\\ | \\ | ||
- | CHARA telescopes spy cams and weather graph ([[http:// | + | Clear Sky Clock ([[http:// |
+ | |||
+ | CHARA telescopes spy cams and weather graph ([[http:// | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
- | Aerospace Corporation weather station ([[http:// | + | **__Remote Observing Setup__ |
- | \\ | + | |
- | Jet stream forecast ([[http:// | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | IR satellite loop ([[http:// | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | California Regional Weather Server ([[http:// | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | Clear Sky Clock ([[http:// | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | **__Remote Observing Setup__ ** \\ \\ The observing specialist on Mount Wilson will run all the servers locally. Before setting up, contact the mountain observing specialist to make sure the instrument | + | |
* 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__ |
* Once Cosmic Debris comes up, go to the " | * Once Cosmic Debris comes up, go to the " | ||
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* 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. \\ • If not, notify the Observing Specialist so that they can run the TIPTILT COMM sequence again. [TIPTILT COMM] is a button on Cosmic Debris. When selected, Cosmic Debris will put 7 items in the job queue and then run them. If the communication is established there will be messages in the status window of the Cosmic Debris indicating signal rates for tiptilt for the chosen telescopes. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * 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 | + | |
- | * 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] | + | |
- | * Enter the ideal reference cart position | + | |
- | * When the telescope slew finishes, check the spy cameras to make sure that the domes are aligned with the telescope. | + | |
- | * Click [FIND] | + | |
- | * Switch to the ACQ window | + | |
- | + | ||
- | \\ Acquisition Laser Alignment | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * Check availability of VISBEAMS with Observing specialist. | + | |
- | * Put the Neutral Density Filter on ND 3.0 using the Laser_Filters GUI. | + | |
- | * Using the SHUTTERS GUI, open the laser shutter | + | |
- | * Put the corner cubes in with the [CC IN] button | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | * Initialize the pointing of the telescopes on your first target by going to the Control Tab of the Telescope GUI and click [INIT]. This may have to be repeated if the pointing drifts during the night. | + | |
- | * You may need to redo the ACQ laser alignment during the night, especially if slewing far in azimuth. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | \\ Locking Tiptilt | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * With the star aligned with the acquisition ticks, check to make sure there are counts on the TipTilt server or white plots in the TT windows. | + | |
- | * On the Tiptilt Servo Control GUI, turn tiptilt [ON] for that telescope. | + | |
- | * On the Main Tab of the Telescope GUI, click [TIPTILT] under the Pointing Servo menu. If this button is not pressed, the telescope will not be guided by the TT servo and TT will lose the star as the pointing model takes the star out of the range of the TT mirror. It can be seen by the green dots drifting to one side on the tiptilt windows. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | \\ Finishing the slew sequence | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * If the Job Queue was stopped | + | |
- | * 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 | + | |
- | * 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 | + | |
- | * After the stars are locked | + | |
- | \\ **__6.8 OPLE Cart Operation__ ** \\ While operating the OPLE carts, the remote observer should keep an eye on the delay lines as much as possible. Do not change the direction of the carts too quickly. When moving them, click STOP, wait, and then restart them. Also watch for warnings on the OPLE server STATUS display. If the FH= Front Hard or BH = Back Hard lights up it means the hard limit switch has been contacted by the cart, and the observer needs to notify the Observing Specialist and turn the carts OFF. If you suspect that the carts aren’t moving, or are stuck, or are not moving at the correct speed, IMMEDIATELY stop and notify the mountain staff. \\ \\ **Checking the Cart Positions** \\ • The reference cart is stationary. Astrolib will give a TARGET position of where the Ref cart should be. When this position is set the other cart should come into range leaving plenty of delay space to slew through. If not, recheck or reset the REF position. \\ • For example, Astrolib gives a TARGET position of 30 Meters. The reference cart should be set to that position give or take. The moving cart then needs to be placed to allow room for it to slew between 0-44m. If the moving cart is out of this range, change the reference cart position to accommodate the moving cart. \\ • On Cosmic Debris, type in the reference position in the empty field next to the ‘REF’ input. The empty space next to this is for controlling the speed of reference cart, which we shall leave alone for now. \\ • The position that was just set will register in about 10 seconds on the OPLE server STATUS display under ‘Target’. \\ • Once the REF position has registered, the carts can go into place by clicking TRACK on the OPLE GUI. \\ • Once each cart has reached its position and the ERRORS are low, everything is set. \\ • Also once the carts are tracking, click the ‘MAN’ and ‘OL’ buttons for the moving carts and the OL button for the ref cart. \\ \\ __**6.9 Routine Observing**__ | + | __**PoP changes during the night**__ |