Local operation documentation - Revision history

Ejensen1: Updated to reflect our current power supply and computer configuration.

2010-05-24T20:39:30Z

Updated to reflect our current power supply and computer configuration.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:39, 24 May 2010
Line 16:		Line 16:
	5. Remove the cover for the large mirror.		5. Remove the cover for the large mirror.

	6. ~~Plug in~~ the ~~transformer and~~ the ~~USB hub~~ power ~~supple~~ (~~on the floor~~) at the base of the telescope		6. Turn ON the power on the black uninterruptible power supply (UPS) at the base of the telescope. The green power light will flash for a few seconds; wait until it glows steady green before proceeding.

	7. Turn ON the power for the telescope on the black box in the base. Listen for 2 beeps.		7. Turn ON the power for the telescope on the black box in the base. Listen for 2 beeps.

	~~8. Turn the ON the yellow power hub wheel and the power supply (on the floor) and check that it is at approximately 12 Volts.~~

	~~9. Turn ON the Telescope Command Center II (a different black box that does the focusing).~~

	~~10. Turn ON both dome power box switches, located to the right of the computer desk.~~		'''Software Setup and Connections'''

	~~11. Connect~~ the ~~power and USB cables to~~ the ~~cameras~~.		If not already on, start up the PC that operates the telescope.

	~~12. Double click the joystick~~ to ~~HOME~~ the telescope. ~~Listen for 3 beeps.~~		Log in to the PC as user "telescope".


	~~'''Software Setup and Connections'''~~

	13. Open TheSky6.		13. Open TheSky6.
Line 41:		Line 36:
	16. Open ddwcp.		16. Open ddwcp.

	17. Wait until program connects with the dome then check "Slave to Telescope."		17. Wait until program connects with the dome then check "Slave to Telescope." (Don't do this if you don't want the dome to move with the telescope, i.e. if you want to take dome flats.)

	18. Open MaximDL Pro 5.		18. Open MaximDL Pro 5.
Line 47:		Line 42:
	19. Click "Toggle Camera Control" (Ctrl + W) in the top shortcuts menu.		19. Click "Toggle Camera Control" (Ctrl + W) in the top shortcuts menu.

	20. Camera 1 should read "~~SBIG Universal~~".		20. Camera 1 should read "Apogee U16M".

	21. Select Camera 2 from Setup Camera, or "No Camera" if there isn't one connected.		21. Select Camera 2 from Setup Camera, or "No Camera" if there isn't one connected.
Line 62:		Line 57:

	27. The telescope can be controlled under Observatory-Telescope (nudging or setting coordinates), set to specific objects through Observatory-Catalog, or moved through TheSky. Manual control of the telescope is possible with the joystick, but will confuse the dome.		27. The telescope can be controlled under Observatory-Telescope (nudging or setting coordinates), set to specific objects through Observatory-Catalog, or moved through TheSky. Manual control of the telescope is possible with the joystick, but will confuse the dome.


	=='''Taking Images in MaxIm DL'''==		=='''Taking Images in MaxIm DL'''==
Line 88:		Line 84:
	4. In TheSky, home the telescope under Telescope-Options-Find Home (or double click joystick) and then terminate the link with telescope by clicking the red telescope icon.		4. In TheSky, home the telescope under Telescope-Options-Find Home (or double click joystick) and then terminate the link with telescope by clicking the red telescope icon.

	5. Make sure the dome is Homed, then exit ~~DDw~~ and hit close when the Pin settings window pops up.		5. Make sure the dome is Homed, then exit DDW and hit close when the Pin settings window pops up.

	~~6. Turn off the telescope, the 12 volt power supply, the power wheel, the dome control boxes, and then unplug the transformer and the USB hub power supply~~


	'''Powering down the Telescope'''		'''Powering down the Telescope'''

	7. Turn OFF ~~the Telescope Command Center II, the 12-V power supply,~~ the telescope at the base~~, and the yellow power hub wheel~~.		7. Turn OFF the telescope at the base.

	8. Unplug the transformer and USB hub power supply.		8. Unplug the transformer and USB hub power supply.

	9. ~~Recover~~ the mirror and any eyepieces.		9. Re-cover the mirror and any eyepieces.


	'''Closing the Dome'''		'''Closing the Dome'''

	~~10. Turn OFF the two dome control boxes.~~

	11. Close the Bottom by pushing the BOTTOM switch to the RIGHT. Return the lever back to the center 'off' position once it is fully closed.		11. Close the Bottom by pushing the BOTTOM switch to the RIGHT. Return the lever back to the center 'off' position once it is fully closed.

	12. Close the Top by pushing the TOP switch to the LEFT. It will automatically stop when fully closed.		12. Close the Top by pushing the TOP switch to the LEFT. It will automatically stop when fully closed.

Cderoo1: /* Telescope and Camera Setup */

2009-06-25T13:39:17Z

Telescope and Camera Setup

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:39, 25 June 2009
Line 3:		Line 3:
	'''Opening the Dome'''		'''Opening the Dome'''

	1. Check to make sure the Dome Opening and Dome Rotation power switches are ON, located to the right of the computer desk. (These should always been on.)		1. Check to make sure the Dome Opening and Dome Rotation power switches are ON, located to the right of the computer desk. (These should always been on.)
	2. Look for the box with the two levers along the bottom edge of the dome. If they are in an unreachable place, use the Dome Rotation lever to the right of the computer desk to rotate the dome.
	3. First open the top part of the dome by pushing the TOP lever to the RIGHT. This will stop automatically once it is completely opened. It can be stopped before completely opened by pushing the lever back to the center 'off' position.		2. Look for the box with the two levers along the bottom edge of the dome. If they are in an unreachable place, use the Dome Rotation lever to the right of the computer desk to rotate the dome.
	4. Once the Top lip has cleared the Bottom, push the BOTTOM lever to the LEFT. This needs to be manually stopped by pushing the lever back to the center 'off' position. You will hear the motors straining once it is fully opened.
			3. First open the top part of the dome by pushing the TOP lever to the RIGHT. This will stop automatically once it is completely opened. It can be stopped before completely opened by pushing the lever back to the center 'off' position.

			4. Once the Top lip has cleared the Bottom, push the BOTTOM lever to the LEFT. This needs to be manually stopped by pushing the lever back to the center 'off' position. You will hear the motors straining once it is fully opened.


	'''Powering up the Telescope'''		'''Powering up the Telescope'''
	~~5. Remove the cover for the large mirror.~~
	~~6. Plug in the transformer and the USB hub power supple (on the floor) at the base of the telescope~~
	~~7. Turn ON the power for the telescope on the black box in the base. Listen for 2 beeps.~~
	~~8. Turn the ON the yellow power hub wheel and the power supply (on the floor) and check that it is at approximately 12 Volts.~~
	~~9. Turn ON the Telescope Command Center II (a different black box that does the focusing).~~
	~~10. Turn ON both dome power box switches, located to the right of the computer desk.~~
	~~11. Connect the power and USB cables to the cameras.~~
	~~12. Double click the joystick to HOME the telescope. Listen for 3 beeps.~~

	'''Software Setup and Connections'''		5. Remove the cover for the large mirror.
	13. Open TheSky6.
	14. Establish link to telescope by clicking green telescope icon in the top shortcuts menu		6. Plug in the transformer and the USB hub power supple (on the floor) at the base of the telescope
	15. Allow telescope to home if it wasn't done manually with the joystick. Listen for 3 beeps.
	16. Open ddwcp.		7. Turn ON the power for the telescope on the black box in the base. Listen for 2 beeps.
	17. Wait until program connects with the dome then check "Slave to Telescope."
	18. Open MaximDL Pro 5.		8. Turn the ON the yellow power hub wheel and the power supply (on the floor) and check that it is at approximately 12 Volts.
	19. Click "Toggle Camera Control" (Ctrl + W) in the top shortcuts menu.
	20. Camera 1 should read "SBIG Universal".		9. Turn ON the Telescope Command Center II (a different black box that does the focusing).
	21. Select Camera 2 from Setup Camera, or "No Camera" if there isn't one connected.
	22. Click "Connect."		10. Turn ON both dome power box switches, located to the right of the computer desk.
	23. Directly below "Connect", turn on Coolers. Set cooler set point with the Cooler button specific to each camera.
	24. Click "Toggle Observatory Control" (Ctrl + T).		11. Connect the power and USB cables to the cameras.
	25. In the Setup Tab, check that under Telescope it reads "TheSky-controlled telescope" and that Focuser 1 reads "RCOS TCC".
	26. Click "Connect All".		12. Double click the joystick to HOME the telescope. Listen for 3 beeps.
	27. The telescope can be controlled under Observatory-Telescope (nudging or setting coordinates), set to specific objects through Observatory-Catalog, or moved through TheSky. Manual control of the telescope is possible with the joystick, but will confuse the dome.

			'''Software Setup and Connections'''

			13. Open TheSky6.

			14. Establish link to telescope by clicking green telescope icon in the top shortcuts menu

			15. Allow telescope to home if it wasn't done manually with the joystick. Listen for 3 beeps.

			16. Open ddwcp.

			17. Wait until program connects with the dome then check "Slave to Telescope."

			18. Open MaximDL Pro 5.

			19. Click "Toggle Camera Control" (Ctrl + W) in the top shortcuts menu.

			20. Camera 1 should read "SBIG Universal".

			21. Select Camera 2 from Setup Camera, or "No Camera" if there isn't one connected.

			22. Click "Connect."

			23. Directly below "Connect", turn on Coolers. Set cooler set point with the Cooler button specific to each camera.

			24. Click "Toggle Observatory Control" (Ctrl + T).

			25. In the Setup Tab, check that under Telescope it reads "TheSky-controlled telescope" and that Focuser 1 reads "RCOS TCC".

			26. Click "Connect All".

			27. The telescope can be controlled under Observatory-Telescope (nudging or setting coordinates), set to specific objects through Observatory-Catalog, or moved through TheSky. Manual control of the telescope is possible with the joystick, but will confuse the dome.

	=='''Taking Images in MaxIm DL'''==		=='''Taking Images in MaxIm DL'''==

Cderoo1: /* Closing and Shutting Down the Telescope */

2009-06-25T13:36:34Z

Closing and Shutting Down the Telescope

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:36, 25 June 2009
Line 48:		Line 48:
	6. If two cameras are connected, switch between them by selecting camera 1 or 2 next to the binning information.		6. If two cameras are connected, switch between them by selecting camera 1 or 2 next to the binning information.

	=='''~~Closing~~ and Shutting Down the Telescope'''==		=='''Disconnecting and Shutting Down the Telescope'''==

			'''Disconnecting'''

			1. Under Observatory-Setup, click Disconnect All.

			2. Under Camera Control-Setup, turn coolers OFF and Disconnect.

			3. Close Maxim DL.

			4. In TheSky, home the telescope under Telescope-Options-Find Home (or double click joystick) and then terminate the link with telescope by clicking the red telescope icon.

			5. Make sure the dome is Homed, then exit DDw and hit close when the Pin settings window pops up.

			6. Turn off the telescope, the 12 volt power supply, the power wheel, the dome control boxes, and then unplug the transformer and the USB hub power supply


	'''Powering down the Telescope'''		'''Powering down the Telescope'''

	~~1. Double click the joystick to HOME the telescope. Listen for 3 beeps.~~		7. Turn OFF the Telescope Command Center II, the 12-V power supply, the telescope at the base, and the yellow power hub wheel.
	2. Turn OFF the Telescope Command Center II.
	~~3. Turn OFF~~ the ~~Focuser~~ power supply ~~on the floor.~~		8. Unplug the transformer and USB hub power supply.
	~~4. Turn OFF~~ the telescope at the base.
	5. Unplug the transformer.		9. Recover the mirror and any eyepieces.
	6. Recover the mirror and any eyepieces.

	'''Closing the Dome'''		'''Closing the Dome'''

	7. ~~Rotate~~ the dome ~~so that the levers are reachable~~.		10. Turn OFF the two dome control boxes.
	8. Close the Bottom by pushing the BOTTOM switch to the RIGHT. Return the lever back to the center 'off' position once it is fully closed.
	9. Close the Top by pushing the TOP switch to the LEFT. It will automatically stop when fully closed.		11. Close the Bottom by pushing the BOTTOM switch to the RIGHT. Return the lever back to the center 'off' position once it is fully closed.

			12. Close the Top by pushing the TOP switch to the LEFT. It will automatically stop when fully closed.

Cderoo1: /* Taking Images in MaxIm DL */

2009-06-25T13:32:24Z

Taking Images in MaxIm DL

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:32, 25 June 2009
Line 37:		Line 37:
	=='''Taking Images in MaxIm DL'''==		=='''Taking Images in MaxIm DL'''==
	1. Wait until sensor temperature reaches set point under Camera Control-Expose.		1. Wait until sensor temperature reaches set point under Camera Control-Expose.

	2. Under Camera Control-Expose, set exposure time and frame type for a single frame. Hit start. Single frames must be manually saved and will be deleted once the next image is taken.		2. Under Camera Control-Expose, set exposure time and frame type for a single frame. Hit start. Single frames must be manually saved and will be deleted once the next image is taken.

	3. Use Autosave to take multiple images. Enter an autosave file name. Use different Slots for images with different settings. Click slot number buttons, and select exposure type and a suffix to distinguish between multiple slots. The Repeat box controls the number of frames taken.		3. Use Autosave to take multiple images. Enter an autosave file name. Use different Slots for images with different settings. Click slot number buttons, and select exposure type and a suffix to distinguish between multiple slots. The Repeat box controls the number of frames taken.

	4. The image save path can be found under Options, on the right of the box. Images should be saved to the Z:\ drive, and Auto-Subfolder should be checked to save images by date taken.		4. The image save path can be found under Options, on the right of the box. Images should be saved to the Z:\ drive, and Auto-Subfolder should be checked to save images by date taken.

	5. Click Save and make sure to hit Start under the Expose tab.		5. Click Save and make sure to hit Start under the Expose tab.

	6. If two cameras are connected, switch between them by selecting camera 1 or 2 next to the binning information.		6. If two cameras are connected, switch between them by selecting camera 1 or 2 next to the binning information.

Cderoo1: /Telescope and Camera Setup /

2009-06-25T13:31:19Z

Telescope and Camera Setup

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:31, 25 June 2009
Line 1:		Line 1:
	=='''~~Opening~~ and ~~Starting up the Telescope~~'''==		=='''Telescope and Camera Setup'''==

	'''Opening the Dome'''		'''Opening the Dome'''
Line 9:		Line 9:

	'''Powering up the Telescope'''		'''Powering up the Telescope'''
			5. Remove the cover for the large mirror.
			6. Plug in the transformer and the USB hub power supple (on the floor) at the base of the telescope
			7. Turn ON the power for the telescope on the black box in the base. Listen for 2 beeps.
			8. Turn the ON the yellow power hub wheel and the power supply (on the floor) and check that it is at approximately 12 Volts.
			9. Turn ON the Telescope Command Center II (a different black box that does the focusing).
			10. Turn ON both dome power box switches, located to the right of the computer desk.
			11. Connect the power and USB cables to the cameras.
			12. Double click the joystick to HOME the telescope. Listen for 3 beeps.

	5. ~~Remove the cover for the large mirror~~.		'''Software Setup and Connections'''
	6. ~~Plug~~ in the ~~transformer (on the floor) at the base of the telescope.~~		13. Open TheSky6.
	7. ~~Turn ON the power for the~~ telescope on the ~~black box in the base~~. Listen for 2 beeps.		14. Establish link to telescope by clicking green telescope icon in the top shortcuts menu
	8. ~~Turn~~ the ~~power supply ON~~ (on the ~~floor~~) ~~and~~ check that it ~~is at approximately 12 Volts~~.		15. Allow telescope to home if it wasn't done manually with the joystick. Listen for 3 beeps.
	9. ~~Turn ON the~~ Telescope ~~Command Center II~~ (~~the focuser~~).		16. Open ddwcp.
	~~10. Check that~~ the ~~hand paddle~~ is ~~on.~~		17. Wait until program connects with the dome then check "Slave to Telescope."
	~~11. Double click~~ the joystick ~~to HOME~~ the ~~telescope. Listen for 3 beeps~~.		18. Open MaximDL Pro 5.
			19. Click "Toggle Camera Control" (Ctrl + W) in the top shortcuts menu.
			20. Camera 1 should read "SBIG Universal".
			21. Select Camera 2 from Setup Camera, or "No Camera" if there isn't one connected.
			22. Click "Connect."
			23. Directly below "Connect", turn on Coolers. Set cooler set point with the Cooler button specific to each camera.
			24. Click "Toggle Observatory Control" (Ctrl + T).
			25. In the Setup Tab, check that under Telescope it reads "TheSky-controlled telescope" and that Focuser 1 reads "RCOS TCC".
			26. Click "Connect All".
			27. The telescope can be controlled under Observatory-Telescope (nudging or setting coordinates), set to specific objects through Observatory-Catalog, or moved through TheSky. Manual control of the telescope is possible with the joystick, but will confuse the dome.

	The ~~telescope is now ready~~ to ~~use!~~		=='''Taking Images in MaxIm DL'''==
			1. Wait until sensor temperature reaches set point under Camera Control-Expose.
			2. Under Camera Control-Expose, set exposure time and frame type for a single frame. Hit start. Single frames must be manually saved and will be deleted once the next image is taken.
			3. Use Autosave to take multiple images. Enter an autosave file name. Use different Slots for images with different settings. Click slot number buttons, and select exposure type and a suffix to distinguish between multiple slots. The Repeat box controls the number of frames taken.
			4. The image save path can be found under Options, on the right of the box. Images should be saved to the Z:\ drive, and Auto-Subfolder should be checked to save images by date taken.
			5. Click Save and make sure to hit Start under the Expose tab.
			6. If two cameras are connected, switch between them by selecting camera 1 or 2 next to the binning information.

	=='''Closing and Shutting Down the Telescope'''==		=='''Closing and Shutting Down the Telescope'''==

Cderoo1: Procedure for open/closing dome and powering on/off the telescope

2009-06-12T18:51:23Z

Procedure for open/closing dome and powering on/off the telescope

New page

=='''Opening and Starting up the Telescope'''==

'''Opening the Dome'''

1. Check to make sure the Dome Opening and Dome Rotation power switches are ON, located to the right of the computer desk. (These should always been on.)
2. Look for the box with the two levers along the bottom edge of the dome. If they are in an unreachable place, use the Dome Rotation lever to the right of the computer desk to rotate the dome.
3. First open the top part of the dome by pushing the TOP lever to the RIGHT. This will stop automatically once it is completely opened. It can be stopped before completely opened by pushing the lever back to the center 'off' position.
4. Once the Top lip has cleared the Bottom, push the BOTTOM lever to the LEFT. This needs to be manually stopped by pushing the lever back to the center 'off' position. You will hear the motors straining once it is fully opened.

'''Powering up the Telescope'''

5. Remove the cover for the large mirror.
6. Plug in the transformer (on the floor) at the base of the telescope.
7. Turn ON the power for the telescope on the black box in the base. Listen for 2 beeps.
8. Turn the power supply ON (on the floor) and check that it is at approximately 12 Volts.
9. Turn ON the Telescope Command Center II (the focuser).
10. Check that the hand paddle is on.
11. Double click the joystick to HOME the telescope. Listen for 3 beeps.

The telescope is now ready to use!

=='''Closing and Shutting Down the Telescope'''==

'''Powering down the Telescope'''

1. Double click the joystick to HOME the telescope. Listen for 3 beeps.
2. Turn OFF the Telescope Command Center II.
3. Turn OFF the Focuser power supply on the floor.
4. Turn OFF the telescope at the base.
5. Unplug the transformer.
6. Recover the mirror and any eyepieces.

'''Closing the Dome'''

7. Rotate the dome so that the levers are reachable.
8. Close the Bottom by pushing the BOTTOM switch to the RIGHT. Return the lever back to the center 'off' position once it is fully closed.
9. Close the Top by pushing the TOP switch to the LEFT. It will automatically stop when fully closed.