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| howto [2022/03/09 21:21] – created holtz | howto [2023/09/18 23:30] (current) – holtz | ||
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| Please be conservative with TMO. | Please be conservative with TMO. | ||
| - | Note that these directions are related to interactive observing using the Windows desktop. There is also an observing mode using a web interface, and, also, there is a robotic observing mode, which may be preferable to use for scientific and other applications. | ||
| ==== Issues ==== | ==== Issues ==== | ||
| - | If you notice any issues with TMO while operating please notify Jon and Zach via the email alias tmo@astronomy.nmsu.edu so that we can address it. | + | |
| + | If you notice any issues with TMO while operating please notify Jon and Zach via the email alias astro-tmo@nmsu.edu so that we can address it. | ||
| If there is an immediate issue that presents potential danger to the telescope, call Zach (TA's should have Zach's phone number) or Jon. | If there is an immediate issue that presents potential danger to the telescope, call Zach (TA's should have Zach's phone number) or Jon. | ||
| ==== Observatory location ==== | ==== Observatory location ==== | ||
| + | |||
| TMO is located at a latitude of 32°17' | TMO is located at a latitude of 32°17' | ||
| ==== Weather ==== | ==== Weather ==== | ||
| + | |||
| Prior to observations, | Prior to observations, | ||
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| telescope to make sure sunlight won't go through the telescope. If that's not possible, position the telescope to be pointed somewhere where the Sun can't be (i.e., at high declination). | telescope to make sure sunlight won't go through the telescope. If that's not possible, position the telescope to be pointed somewhere where the Sun can't be (i.e., at high declination). | ||
| - | == Connection Information | + | ==== Operating interfaces ==== |
| - | You can connect to TMO's computer via VNC Viewer | + | |
| + | There are several possibilities for observing interfaces: | ||
| + | |||
| + | - you can use ACP's built-in web interface from a browser. This is relatively simple, but perhaps somewhat limiting | ||
| + | |||
| + | - you can open a remote desktop on the control computer and get access to the individual control programs: ACP, MaxIM DL, FocusMax, Scitech, etc. | ||
| + | |||
| + | - you can schedule observations using ACP Scheduler | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Note that you can only connect to TMO (either web interface or remote desktop) from within the NMSU network.** | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Desktop interface ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | You can connect to TMO's computer via VNC Viewer; free viewers are available for all computer platforms. You should connect to tmo.nmsu.edu - Jon and Zach have have the password for this connection. Again, you must be on the NMSU network or connected through VPN to be able to access tmo. | ||
| Sometimes the connection can be slow and there is not immediate feedback when you press a button. Only press a button once. | Sometimes the connection can be slow and there is not immediate feedback when you press a button. Only press a button once. | ||
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| **Please Note** - VNC uses port 5900 to connect to a computer. If too many people are connected at once, this can cause the connection to run slowly. Make sure you disconnect when done for the night. And if someone else is using TMO please limit the number of connections to what is required. Zach will occasionally go through and kick lingering connections on port 5900 (during the day). | **Please Note** - VNC uses port 5900 to connect to a computer. If too many people are connected at once, this can cause the connection to run slowly. Make sure you disconnect when done for the night. And if someone else is using TMO please limit the number of connections to what is required. Zach will occasionally go through and kick lingering connections on port 5900 (during the day). | ||
| - | ==== Using the webcams | + | == Using the webcams == |
| - | There are two webcams in the dome, one looking at most of the dome (it can be steered), and one looking at the telescope dials (note that only HA and DEC will be correct, not RA which depends on a clock!). They are accessed using the Internet Explorer (only!) browser by going to the addresses tmocam.nmsu.edu (dome/ | + | There are two webcams in the dome, one looking at most of the dome (it can be steered), and one looking at the telescope dials (note that only HA and DEC will be correct, not RA which depends on a clock!). They are accessed using the Internet Explorer (only!) browser by going to the addresses tmocam.nmsu.edu (dome/ |
| Use these generously! They have built-in LED lights that you can turn on. These shine at ~8000 A, so can even be on while you are taking exposures, unless you are working in the I or z band. | Use these generously! They have built-in LED lights that you can turn on. These shine at ~8000 A, so can even be on while you are taking exposures, unless you are working in the I or z band. | ||
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| Note that the dials tell where the telescope really is, not the software! | Note that the dials tell where the telescope really is, not the software! | ||
| - | ==== Start Up ==== | + | == Start Up == |
| Usually, software is left running. The software consists of: | Usually, software is left running. The software consists of: | ||
| - | * FocusMax | + | * FocusMax |
| * MaximDL : camera control software (science and guider) | * MaximDL : camera control software (science and guider) | ||
| * Scitech controller : telescope controller | * Scitech controller : telescope controller | ||
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| * Clarity II : weather station program | * Clarity II : weather station program | ||
| - | If all is up, check the Scitech controller program to confirm that it says "Scope Parked" | + | If all is up, check the Scitech controller program to confirm that it says "Scope Parked" |
| - | (for now, contact Jon or Zach). | + | |
| - | If you are starting observation from an empty desktop (please inform Zach E of this) and follow these steps: | + | If you are starting observation from an empty desktop (please inform Zach of this) and follow these steps: |
| - | * Open FocusMax | + | * Open FocusMax |
| - | * Open up MaximDL | + | * FocusMax *should* automatically open MaximDL |
| - | * In MaximDL - click the ''' | + | * In MaximDL - click the ''' |
| * Open up ACP using the desktop icon. | * Open up ACP using the desktop icon. | ||
| * If doing manual observations - in ACP go to both ''' | * If doing manual observations - in ACP go to both ''' | ||
| - | ==== Dome Control | + | == Dome Control == |
| - | The Dome Control is done via ACP (note, ''' | + | The Dome Control is done via ACP (note, ''' |
| - | ==== Slew to an Object | + | We recommend watching the dome webcam when opening and closing the dome, to ensure it is doing what you expect. The dome is opened with the Open button. ***Note that when open the dome, it will automatically slew to the telescope, so beware! Make sure the telescope isn't pointed somewhere you don't want it to be, e.g., in the direction of the Sun!*** Note that you can click the Stop Dome Motion button to stop the dome. |
| + | |||
| + | == Slew to an Object == | ||
| Slewing can be accomplished through the ACP program, which provides a deep sky catalog and various bright stars, or through the !SciTech telescope controller. The " | Slewing can be accomplished through the ACP program, which provides a deep sky catalog and various bright stars, or through the !SciTech telescope controller. The " | ||
| - | To go to an object | + | To go to an object, click ''' |
| * Coordinates (RA and Dec) : note, however, that ACP does not seem to take J2000 coordinates in the slew window. To slew to coordinates, | * Coordinates (RA and Dec) : note, however, that ACP does not seem to take J2000 coordinates in the slew window. To slew to coordinates, | ||
| * Deep Sky Object : can be entered by name, but note it is picky about spacing in Messier and NGC catalog ''' | * Deep Sky Object : can be entered by name, but note it is picky about spacing in Messier and NGC catalog ''' | ||
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| * Alignment Star: set of bright stars, you need to know your constellations to know where they are! | * Alignment Star: set of bright stars, you need to know your constellations to know where they are! | ||
| - | There is also an ACP !FindBrightStar script: use Select the Script in the upper right of the ACP window to find it, then click the Run button in the lower right. After starting up, it will prompt you for a filter to use, which you will enter in the Console window: here the filter is specified by number, 2 will use SDSS r. | + | There is also an ACP !FindBrightStar script |
| - | ==== Taking exposures | + | == Taking exposures == |
| - | You take exposures manually using MaxIm DL, using the Camera Control window (the icon to the left of the observatory icon). Use the Expose tab, where you can set the filter and the exposure time. The science camera is Camera 1, while the guide camera (no filters) is camera 2. The guide camera is mounted on the 6" finder scope and is pointed in about the same direction as the main scope/ | + | You take exposures manually using MaxIm DL, using the Camera Control window (the icon to the left of the observatory icon). Use the Expose tab, where you can set the filter and the exposure time. The science camera is Camera 1, while the guide camera (no filters) is camera 2. |
| - | If you just take exposures using Camera 1, they will be unguided. This is probably fine for most observations. If | + | The raw pixels in the science camera subtend about 0.24 arcsec on the sky. We typically run the detector in 2x2 binning |
| - | you wish to try autoguiding, | + | |
| - | ==== Image display | + | You can either take single images or set it up to take images continuously. The latter is useful, |
| + | The guide camera is mounted on the 6" finder scope and is pointed in about the same direction as the main scope/ | ||
| - | The science camera has a lot of pixels, so if you display it at 100% it will be far larger than the image window and you will need to use the scroll bars to see everything. To see the whole frame at once, use 12.5% view. | + | == Image display in MaximDL == |
| + | |||
| + | The science camera has a lot of pixels, so if you display it at 100% it will be far larger than the image window, even with 2x2 binning, | ||
| The Screen Stretch window is useful for adjusting the brightness and contrast. | The Screen Stretch window is useful for adjusting the brightness and contrast. | ||
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| - | ==== Focusing | + | == Focusing == |
| In general, the ACP AutoFocus script works well. You will need to select a filter, this time by name, but it seems that it will focus in SR no matter what you input! | In general, the ACP AutoFocus script works well. You will need to select a filter, this time by name, but it seems that it will focus in SR no matter what you input! | ||
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| - | ==== Scripts | + | == ACP Scripts == |
| There are several scripts in ACP (for example, auto focus) which can be very useful. These are located in the ACP box in the top right - click on ''' | There are several scripts in ACP (for example, auto focus) which can be very useful. These are located in the ACP box in the top right - click on ''' | ||
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| * CenterScope.vbs | * CenterScope.vbs | ||
| - | ==== Closing Up for the Night ==== | + | == Closing Up for the Night == |
| Make sure that both the dome and the telescope are parked. In the Dome Control window you can simply click " | Make sure that both the dome and the telescope are parked. In the Dome Control window you can simply click " | ||
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| (Must be used with a window computer, usually Jon and Zach keep a browser opened with the camera. If it asks you for the password, Jon and Zach can provide it). | (Must be used with a window computer, usually Jon and Zach keep a browser opened with the camera. If it asks you for the password, Jon and Zach can provide it). | ||
| + | ==== ACP Web interface ==== | ||
| ==== ACP Scheduler ==== | ==== ACP Scheduler ==== | ||
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| ==== Calibration of AutoGuider ==== | ==== Calibration of AutoGuider ==== | ||
| + | |||
| The auto-guider is calibrated using MaximDL. | The auto-guider is calibrated using MaximDL. | ||
| https:// | https:// | ||
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| If observing manually, you should keep a log of your observations to make finding your .fits file easier. When taken with MaxIm DL, the images are automatically named " | If observing manually, you should keep a log of your observations to make finding your .fits file easier. When taken with MaxIm DL, the images are automatically named " | ||
| - | Data is stored on the local computer at TMO, but is automatically synced to the NMSU Astronomy servers every two hours. On the Astronomy computers, it is located at /home/tmo/, which can be accessed via the web at http:// | + | Data are stored on the local computer at TMO, but is automatically synced to the NMSU Astronomy servers every 15 minutes. On the Astronomy computers, it is located at /home/tmo/, which can be accessed via the web at http:// |
| ACP stores logs per object; this can be pretty inconvenient if you just want an idea of what it did all night. Therefore we have a script that runs each morning that concatenates these logs into summary logs for each night, helpfully stored in / | ACP stores logs per object; this can be pretty inconvenient if you just want an idea of what it did all night. Therefore we have a script that runs each morning that concatenates these logs into summary logs for each night, helpfully stored in / | ||
howto.1646860873.txt.gz · Last modified: 2022/03/09 21:21 by holtz