Calypso Telescope Operators Manual: Annotated Checklist

Calypso Telescope Operators Manual: Annotated Checklist

Opening

Observing Level Safety Check
These checks are made well before dark at the top of the stairs where the telescope is. Their main purpose is to insure your safety after dark and the safety of the telescope during opening and while observing.
1. Removable panels installed
  These are panels in the floor grid that can be removed to lower equipment to the ground level. They are located near the NE end of the observing deck and are rarely removed, but these MUST be installed prior to observing.
2. Building rails clear
  Check to be sure that nothing is obstructing the motion of the building when it travels along the rails. Be sure no ice has formed on the rails themselves.
3. Job crane stowed
  
  This is the crane that is used to raise and lower the large Liquid Nitrogen dewar for filling the CCD dewars. It is red and located at the north end of the observing deck. Its hook should be wrapped around the guard rail and the boom should be out of the way of building travel.
4. Traveling hoist hook fully retracted
  
  Located in the cieling of the observatory building, this crane should be fully retracted so as to avoid damage when the building is moved. The controls for the hoist are in the building.
5. Trap door closed
  
  There is a small trap door in the observing deck close to the pier on the north side. This MUST be closed prior to observing.
6. Observatory floor clear
  
  Check the floor for items that would interfere with the building travel and remove them to a safe place.
7. All axes parked
  
  All axes (alt, az, left rot, right rot) have marks indicating their park positions. A visual check in the daylight will prevent difficulties after dark.
8. All cords stowed
  
  Check for power cords, or network cables that could cause problems when the building is moved. It is best to stow all of these in a safe place.
9. Dewar fill tubes removed
  Close to sunset, you will want to disconnect the tubes connecting the CCD dewars to the autofilling dewars. This is imperative since the autofilling dewars are attached to the building. This is the WFCAM autofilling setup. The HRCAM setup is similar and located on the other side of the telescope.
  Perform the following to remove the fill tubes (same for HRCAM and WFCAM):
  1. Shut valve on large auto-fill dewar
  2. Unscrew fill tube coupling from camera dewar and store out of the way on building wall
  3. Switch auto-filler controler to center OFF position
10. Dewar vent tubes inserted
  
  In the drawer in the tool cabinet you will find the vent tubes that are used while observing. Attach the correct one to each CCD dewar. They only need to be finger tight.
11. Weather Station turned on
  
  Using the power switch on the power strip beneath the weather station in the building, switch on the weather station. You can check the status by opening the console door and viewing the status display.
12. Turn ON control power switch at top of stairs
  This is on your right as you get to the top of the stairs on your way down.
Electronics Room Power On
After completing the observing level checks, you can begin to power up the telescope control system. The electronics room is located at the base of the telescope pier at ground level.
This is the desk power console where you turn on the power (the green buttons control power to the various components):

Turn on the Ziatech monitor using the power switch on the right hand side near the front (also check the power strip) and power up the telescope in the following order:
1. main power
2. servo power
3. instrument power
4. tertiary power
It takes about 2 minutes for all the computers to boot. Once this is done check the Ziatech monitor to be sure the axes are parked and there are no faults. The F7 key toggles through an information screen for each axis. Use the F8 key on the keyboard to bring up the Ziatech status screen. The status of each axis is listed on this screen. If they are not parked, park them by hand. If there are faults, clear them with the F4 key. If faults remain, such as ESD or "no air", check the red emergency stop buttons and make sure they are all in the OUT position. There is one on the power console and three up at the telescope around the pier skirt. To be sure the compressor is working, check the guage on the wall behind the desk. This is the compressor regulator and it should read around 90 lbs.
Telescope Operator Interface (TOI) Startup
The TOI is run from jupiter, the sun Ultra-1 workstation closest to the door in the control room.
You will need the password for the observer account.
1. Login as observer on jupiter
  The default window system for the observer account is the CDE (Common Desktop Environment). You may want to start a few xterms using "xterm &" in the default terminal window.
2. Create directory for night's data in /data2/observer
  The convention for this is to have a directory for each month and subdirectories for each day under that. The month directory names should include the year (eg. 02jan). This protocol makes it easy to find observations.
3. Check toi.cfg file
  The toi.cfg file is a plain text file in the observer home directory. It contains several keywords with switches for various connections and configuration information for the TOI. If you are testing you can turn off connections by setting the switches to "0". To observe, be sure they are all set to "1". You can also edit the name in the observer keyword. The rest of the keywords should not be changed. The file should look something like this:
```
connect_tcc:      1                                ;1=yes, 0=no
connect_inst:     1                                ;
connect_weath:    1                                ;
tcc_ip_addr:      charon                           ; tcc host
inst_ip_addr:     140.252.84.18                    ; inst_pc host
inst_port_no:     2025                             ; inst_pc port number
observer:         Observer
```
4. Type: run_toi jupiter
  Enter this command in one of the xterm windows to start the TOI.
5. Enter your name(s)
  If you have edited the toi.cfg file, the default value should be correct. Just hit return to select it or enter a new observer's name. Startup will begin and you will see a few warning messages pop up in a warning window. You should examine these, but at startup they can mostly be ignored. Click the "Ok" button to dismiss the warning window.
6. Wait for startup to complete (first SHOW.SWITCHES)
  It takes at least 2 minutes for the TOI to start up and acquire all the telescope status information it needs to begin. Notice that a lot of text is scrolling in the window where the TOI was started. This is a (nearly) complete log of the TOI and TCC activity. You will want to see this window to verify things like instruemt selection, so keep track of where it is.
7. Verify axes parked
  The main window of the TOI is illustrated below, after the telescope status has been acquired. It should indicate which tertiary port is selected (WFCAM or HRCAM), that the mirror cover is closed, and that the axes are stopped and parked. If they are not parked, park the axes by hand.
Check Weather
This is where you decide if the conditions are safe for opening the telescope. Use the data below to help you decide.
1. Check outside conditions
  Be sure you see no threatening clouds, no dew condensing, and no dust blowing (even if the wind is light).
2. Bring up TOI Information->Weather window
  Note the dewpoint temperature and check the following items:
  1. Dewpoint at least 5 deg cooler than amb temp
  2. Windspeed less than 35 mph
  3. Lightning count below 2
3. Bring up TOI Engineering->Temperatures window
  Be sure the telescope temperatures are above the dewpoint.
Open Building
You will want to wait until the Sun is very close to the horizon or just set before you open the building. You don't want the telescope to be heated by the Sun before observing. Be sure you have completed all of the items in section 1 above before opening the building. The building may be opened from the observing level or the control room. These are the controls at the observing level. These are the NE door controls and OPEN building button located at the NE end of the building on the West side. The SW door controls look the same. The CLOSE building button and the SW door controls are located at the other end of the building. The OPEN and CLOSE buttons are on removable boxes to allow you to verify clearances while holding down the buttons.
The panel in the control room is located to the right of the windows that face the telescope (above and to the right of the Sun Ultra-1 jupiter) and looks like this:

Perform the following to open the telescope building:
1. You should already have turned ON control power switch at top of stairs
  If the Control Power ON indicator is not lit, see item 1.12 above.
2. You should already have verified that the observing level is clear
  See section 1 above.
3. Open bifold doors
  You just need to press this (or these) button(s) momentarily (hold down for a few seconds). In the control room there is only one button, at the observing level there is one for each door. When the doors are open, the Southwest Door is Open indicator light will turn on. It is most important that both doors are open before you move the building.
4. Hold "Remove Enclosure" button down (about 5min)
  This button must be held down, or the motion of the building will stop. You will see the locking pin out indicator light come on, after which the building will begin moving. It will automatically stop when it reaches the end of its travel in the OPEN position. At the observing level, you will hear a bell and see a yellow flashing light. It takes a little while (~30 secs) for the locking pin to come out and for the building to start moving.
5. Verify building clear of telescope
  Go up to the observing level to verify the telescope is clear and on your way back down turn OFF the control power switch at top of stairs.
Initialize Telescope
These operations must be performed before you can slew the telescope to the first object.
1. Select WFCAM or HRCAM on the TOI main window
  Once the TOI has acquired the telescope status, be sure that the instrument you need is selected in the "Tert Port" region on the main window.
2. Verify instrument selection
  If you select a different instrument, you can verify that it has been selected in the scrolling log text window.
3. Load filter set(s)
  This is a good time to be sure the filter set you need has been loaded. Refer to the filter specifications for further information. Bring up the TOI Observe->WFCAM or Observe->HRCAM window and see if the correct filter names are present on this window. If not, click the load filters button and wait until the filters are correctly loaded. This is the WFCAM window after the filters have loaded (the HRCAM window is similar):
4. Select TOI main window Startup->Startup All Axes item
  This starts up the servos and initialized the encoders and should take about one minute to finish. If problems are encountered, you may wish to intialize the axes individually using the other items in the Startup menu.
5. Verify "inited" axes status
  On the TOI main window, the status should read "inited".
6. Open mirror cover
  Click on the Open toggle in the Mirror Cover region on the TOI main window and confirm.
First Slew
Now you are ready to slew to the first object and turn on the instrument rotator.
1. Click on the TOI main window "New Object" button
  This will bring up a new object dialog with a default catalog. The "File" menu allows you to specify other catalogs. You may select one of the catalog objects or enter a new object according to the format specified above the text entry box near the bottom of the window. The dialog looks like this:
  
  Double click one of the catalog items or click the "Go" button to command the telescope to slew.
2. Verify slewing
  The axes status windows on the TOI main window should indicate that the telescope is slewing.
3. Wait for tracking
  When the telescope arrives at the object the status windows will say "tracking".
4. Bring up TOI Observe->Instrument Rotator window
  This window allows you to select a tracking mode (Sky or Horizon) and an angle. You will want to use Sky for the mode and 0 degrees for the angle, unless your program requires an unusual configuration. The rotator window looks like this:
5. Turn on rotator, verify slewing
  Now click the green rotator "Go" button and observe that the telescope will slew until the rotator is tracking. This may take a while depending on the orientation of the telescope. Once this is done you may close this window. The status of the rotator is also available in the camera windows in the upper right.
Set Up Camera
Before you begin taking data, you have to configure the camera and tell it where to store the data.
1. Configure camera
  In the camera window, click the "Configure" button. This brings up a window that looks like this for the WFCAM (the HRCAM configuration window is similar):
  
  Select the configuration you want and click the green "Apply" button. Refer to the WFCAM and HRCAM specifications to decide on the best configuration to use.
2. Configure image parameters
  In the camera window, configure the options appropriate for your first exposure:
  1. Filter
  2. Activate Shutter on/off (on except darks, biases)
  3. EXPTIME in seconds
  4. UTC Start time (optional)
  5. Number in series (usually 1 unless biases)
  6. Next image # (can start with 1)
  7. Filename Root
  8. Data Directory (see item 3.2 above)
  9. FITS comment
  10. Display Image on/off (see item 9.1 below)
  11. Auto File Increment on/off (should probably be on)
  You won't be ready for guiding (WFCAM) or AO lock (HRCAM) yet, so don't bother with those buttons.
Start Ancillary Programs
There are a few other programs that are useful to run while operating the telescope.
1. Start ximtool
  If you will be autodisplaying the images be sure to start an ximtool process and put it in the background: "ximtool &".
2. Start xephem
  If you want to keep track of the telescope pointing, or select objects using xephem be sure to start this as well (it automatically starts in the background): "xephem".
You are now ready to Observe!!

Observing

Take Sky Flats
While waiting for the sky to darken you can take your sky flats. These take some practice because of quickly changing light levels. You should take as many as you can for each filter that you need. The trick is to get them well exposed without saturating while avoiding stars in the images. Good luck!
Focus Telescope
Find a reasonably bright star to focus on. Use the TOI Observe->Focus window to take a set of focus exposures from which you can determine best focus. The focus window looks like this:

Enter the appropriate numbers in the light blue text boxes and initiate the procedure by clicking the green "Go" button near the bottom. Once you've combined and analyzed the images, set the focus in the region at the top. For detailed instructions click on the blue "Help" button near the bottom of this window.
Monitor Conditions
During the night it is important to monitor observing and equipment conditions to be sure they remain within the range allowable for observing.
1. Weather
  1. Check the TOI Information->Weather window periodically
  2. On the calypso home page check the Kitt Peak dew point, temperatures and wind data. You may want to have these in their own browser, ready to refresh at any time.
  3. Also on the Calypso home page check the Satellite Map and weather forcast.
  4. It is also good to go outside occaisionally to check the local conditions.
2. Telescope
  1. Check the TOI Engineering->Temperatures window to be sure that they remain above the dew point.
  2. Check the TOI Engineering->Errors window to be sure that the errors remain reasonable.
3. Instruments (CCD Temperatures)
  Check the CCD temperature displayed on the camera window and note any large changes. This value is updated before every exposure and can also be read by clicking the "Rd CCD T" button.
4. Computer system (Disk space)
  In a separate xterm window, type the unix df -k command and check the entry for /data2 to be sure it is not filling up. Sometimes the home directory (/home) or the root directory (/) can fill up too and cause problems.
Object Selection
1. TOI object catalog:
  See section 7.1 in the previous section for a discussion of how to select a new object using the TOI object catalog. Click on the "Help" button in the New Object window to get detailed instructions on all of the options available from this window (coord systems, etc.).
2. Using xephem:
  1. In main xephem window select the View->Sky View menu item.
  2. In the xephem Sky View window select the Telescope->Enable Telescope Marker menu item.
    This will place a cursor on the Sky View where the telescope is pointing. It updates a few times a minute or when a TRACK command is issued so it may not appear right away. This is useful for keeping track of where on the sky the scope is pointing.
  3. In the xephem Sky View window select the Telescope->Enable Telescope Control menu item.
  4. Select object in Sky View with right click mouse.
    When you click the right mouse button in the Sky View window, a menu will appear. One of the items will be "Set Telescope". Select this item and xephem will send the coordinates of the cursor to the TOI, which will bring up the New Object dialog with the xephem position in the selected object text box.
  5. Search xephem database for object.
    Alternately, you can bring up xephem's database search window by selecting the Data->Search menu item on the main xephem window. You can search for an object and then click the Set Tel button to send the object to the TOI.
  6. Click "Go" in the TOI New Object window.
  7. If this doesn't work:
    Ocaisionally the Telescope Enable menu items in the Sky View become unselected. If nothing happens and/or no cursor appears, be sure these items are enabled.
Adding Offsets
1. You may want to add small offsets to center your object or put a guide star on the AO pickoff spot. Click on the TOI main window "Add Offset" button. The offsets window looks like this:
2. Select offset type
  You can enter offsets in "Instrument" or "Object" offsets. Instrument offsets are in arcsec, while Object offsets are in RA seconds and Dec arcsec.
3. Apply offsets
  Enter the values in the blue text boxes and click on the green "Go" button. The telescope should slew momentarily (depending on the size of the offset). Offsets are incremental and the current total offset is recorded on the main window. You can clear the offsets and return to the nominal position by clicking on the green "Go" button on the main window.

Closing

Stow Telescope
1. Close mirror cover
  On TOI main window click on the "Close" button in Mirror Cover section.
2. Park Axes
  Select the TOI main window Shutdown->Park All Axes menu item. If problems are encountered, you may wish to park the axes individually using the other items in the Shutdown menu.
3. Verify axes parked
  It may take a few minutes for the axes to reach their parked positions. Verify that their status is "parked" on the TOI main window. If any axis does not park, you must park the axis by hand before closing the building.
Close Building
1. Move Building Over Telescope
  Hold "Close Building" button down (about 5min). Refer to Section 1.5 (Open Building) for location of buttons and indicator lights.
2. Verify Park Pin light on
  On the control panel in the control room (see above section) verify that the Locking Pin In light is ON.
3. Close bifold doors
  Using the Close Doors button(s) close the bifold doors. Verify that SW Door Open light turns OFF.
Reconnect Dewars and Cameras
For this step, refer to section 1.9-10 (Dewar fill and vent tubes) on location of dewar fill and vent tubes.
1. Remove and store dewar vent tubes.
  Unscrew and store these tubes in the tool cabinet drawer that they came from: one each for HRCAM and WFCAM.
2. Reconnect auto-fill dewar tubes
  Insert and tighten the auto-fillter tubes into each dewar. Be sure the fill sensors are in place. Perform the following to reconnect the fill tubes:
  1. Insert fill tube into camera dewar and tighten
  2. Open valve on large auto-fill dewar
  3. Switch auto-filler controler to up AUTO position
  The dewar will start to fill right away and should take several minutes to completely fill. Then the auto-fill should then switch off and it will fill again in half a day or so.
3. Check pressures on the auto-fill dewars
  On each auto-fill dewar check the guages and be sure the pressure level is not too low. When the guage reads 5, you probably have 48 hours left, but LN2 deliveries only happen on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, so plan accordingly especially before a weekend. For help on ordering more nitrogen, contact Dawn Clemens or Elaine Halbedel.
4. Check vacuum levels on cameras
  Examine the bar graph display on the ion pump on each camera. The bars should not reach the top of the display. Alternately, measure the voltage on the ion pump. There is a BNC connector that can be plugged into a probe on a voltmeter in the drawer of the tool cabinet. The voltage should be less than 5 volts. If the bars reach the top, or the voltage is greater than 5, contact Elaine Halbedel.
5. Check CCD temperatures
  Bring up TOI Observe->Wide Field Camera window. Click on the Rd CCD T button. Bring up TOI Observe->High Resolution Camera window. Click on the Rd CCD T button. Notify observatory staff if this number get larger than about -100 C.
Power Down
1. Exit TOI (File->Exit)
  You will want to exit the TOI every night before going to bed.
2. Electronics Room Power Down
  If you will be observing again the next night, you do not need to power down in the electronics room. Please refer to section 1.2 (Electronics Room Power On) for location of power switches. Power the computers in the electronics room down in the following order:
  1. tertiary power off
  2. instrument power off
  3. servo power off
  4. main power off
1. Weather conditions, seeing
2. Hours in night, hours used
3. Instrument used
4. Telescope problems
5. Instrument problems
6. Computer system problems

At the End of Your Run

Backup data to DVD
Clean up control room
Report condition of telescope to next observer
Settle Room/Board account with KPNO

Last updated: 23-Sep-08