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chara:remote_observing [2019/04/11 19:24] gail_stargazer |
chara:remote_observing [2023/02/13 16:59] (current) 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 2-13-2023 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 |
+ | |||
+ | \\ CHARA now uses Discord for communication between remote PI's and operators. Be sure to ask for an invitaion or create an account before your night. | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
\\ | \\ | ||
- | **__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 ([[http:// | + | IR satellite loop ([[https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES/sector_band.php?sat=G17§or=wus& |
- | Confirm the date and time on this page as well. \\ | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | CHARA telescopes spy cams and weather graph ([[http:// | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | Aerospace Corporation weather station ([[http:// | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | Jet stream forecast ([[http:// | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | IR satellite loop ([[http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/lox/scripts/ | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | California Regional Weather Server ([[http:// | + | |
- | \\ | + | |
- | Clear Sky Clock ([[http:// | + | |
\\ | \\ | ||
+ | Clear Sky Clock ([[http:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | CHARA telescopes spy cams and weather graph ([[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 | + | **__Remote Observing Setup__ |
- | * TELESCOPE GUI’s | ||
* OPLE PRIMARY or OPLE SECONDARY GTK (Dependent on Observing Schedule – Ask the Observing Specialist) | * OPLE PRIMARY or OPLE SECONDARY GTK (Dependent on Observing Schedule – Ask the Observing Specialist) | ||
- | * TIPTILT GTK | ||
- | * GPS GUI | ||
* SHUTTERS | * SHUTTERS | ||
- | * VISBEAMS | ||
- | * LASER FILTER WHEEL | ||
- | * POWER | ||
- | * SOCKET MANAGER | ||
* WEATHER | * WEATHER | ||
* CLASSIC/ | * CLASSIC/ | ||
- | * Visible programs | + | * PAVO and SPICA will also use the LDC's |
+ | * MIRCX/ | ||
- | \\ 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 | + | |
- | * Slew to the target by clicking [OBJECT], [CHECK STAR], [CALIBRATOR 1], or [CALIBRATOR 2] on Cosmic Debris (depending on which field you entered | + | |
- | * Verify that the telescopes are moving | + | |
- | * 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 | + | |
- | * Enter the ideal reference | + | |
- | * 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 on the telescope gui CONT tab. | + | |
- | * You will see the star and reflection and the laser and reflection in the ACQ field of view. | + | |
- | * Use the " | + | |
- | * Close the laser shutter | + | |
- | * Hit [MOVE] under the TV tracking menu on the Main Tab of the Telescope GUI and click the left star to bring the star to the cross-hairs. | + | |
- | * 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 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 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/ | + | |
- | | + | __**PoP changes during the night**__ |
- | | + | **__Monitoring MIRCX/MYSTIC observing__ |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | \\ **__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 running MIRCX/ |