At present there are no DVD writers, USB ports or DAT drives in the dome for copying data from ltsp.
==== Operational resources ====
* A '''duty technician''' phone number list, on the wall.
* Laminated facility '''start-up and shutdown recipes'''.
* Assorted notices providing information on '''telescope limits, weather resources''', etc.
===== Log books, almanacs, etc. =====
In the warm room, in labelled boxfiles on a shelf above the TCS monitor, you will find the following resources to help with your observations:
* '''Users' guides''' for the TCS, STE3/STE4, SHOC and the retired UCT CCD, which contains useful information about the online reductions programme for STE3/4.
* A triplicate '''CCD Camera log book''' in which to record details of each image if you are using STE3/STE4. If you finish a
log book, there are more on top of the metal cupboard on the observing floor. Please take the next book in numerical order. There is no such log for use with SHOC; you are advised to keep your own records, e.g. in a spreadsheet.
* A '''Sutherland Almanac''', including bright stars, sunset/rise and twilight times, phases of the moon, etc.
* A catalogue of photometric '''standard stars'''.
* An A4 sheet entitled '''Sutherland Observing Record''', on which to log the duration of observations, time lost, etc. each night.
===== General warm room resources =====
# A '''telephone''' and a list of internal extensions and emergency numbers (please request a phone code on arrival if you wish to call outside SAAO). The following numbers apply:
* Extension number: '''9108''' (to phone from within the observatory)
* To phone the dome from outside: '''023 100 0222''' (+27 23 100 0222 from outside South Africa)
# A new '''stereo''' compatible with iPods and iPhones, and plays CDs, MP3s from DVDs and USB devices, and has a radio.
# An '''air-conditioning unit''', the controls for which are behind the instrument PC, on the wall inside the small door.
# Assorted desk '''lamps'''.
# A portable '''heater''' under the desk.
Please do '''not''' plug lamps or heaters into the UPS sockets!
== Observing Limits ==
=== Meteorological constraints ===
The dome must be closed when any of the following weather limits is reached:
* '''Humidity''': T<sub>external</sub> - T<sub>dew</sub> ≤ 1.5
* '''Wind speed''': 60 km/h. Dome must be parked '''facing into the wind'''.
* '''Heavy cloud'''
=== Meteorological information ===
The following should be used for regular monitoring of external conditions while observing:
* DIMM seeing data and all the weather stations on the plateau are summarised on this page [[http://suthweather.saao.ac.za/]]
* For assessing sky conditions, SALT and LCOGT operate '''bf all sky cameras''', also available on the website above.
== Telescope pointing limits ==
The operational limits of the telescope are depicted in Figure~\ref{fig-limits}. Please keep an eye on the instrument when
slewing the telescope to ensure that it doesn't strike the pier.
If the telescope reaches the limits, the drive motors will cut out, dome rotation will be disabled, an alarm will sound and a red light will flash on the grey box on the East side of the North pier. To recover, turn the override key on the grey box, switch the drives to FAST mode and slew the telescope away from the limits. '''Be very sure that you know which way to slew, as the telescope can be moved in any direction when the override key is turned.''' If in doubt, call a technician.
<gallery>
Limits.jpg|1.0-m telescope observing limits
</gallery>
== Start-up recipes ==
=== Facility start-up procedure ===
Follow this procedure to prepare the telescope and dome for observing:
# '''Check the weather conditions}. If they are within the limits specified in Section~\ref{sec-weather}, continue with step 2.
# Enter dome and {\bf hook both doors open} to allow good air circulation.
# '''Switch on the main power switch''', just inside the door on the right.
# '''Switch off the lights in the foyer''' using the switches to the right of the stairs.
# '''Switch off any other downstairs lights''' (kitchen, toilet, etc.).
# '''Switch off the observing floor incandescent lights''' (switch at top of stairs) '''and fluorescent lights''' (switch inside '''small''' door to warm room).
# On the blue console on the North pier, '''switch on the telescope power and enable Auto Dome'''.
# '''Request control''' at the grey Observing Floor Control Panel by the North pier.
# '''Open the dome shutters''' by pressing the appropriate red button on the Observing Floor Control Panel. Hold the button in until the shutters stop moving and the beep sounds.
# If necessary, '''lower the windblind''' using the appropriate button on the Observing Floor Control Panel.
# '''Open the mirror covers''' by pushing the appropriate button below the mirror cell.
# '''Switch on the coordinate repeater monitors''' beside the North pier and in the control room above the TCS.
== TCS start-up procedure ==
=== If the TCS software is running ===
If the TCS is up and running (as is usually the case), do the following at the start of the night:
* '''Initialise the XY slides''' by clicking '''Initialize''' in the "XY Slides Control" panel on the TCS display.
* '''Select the appropriate guide mirror position'''
The guide mirror must be {\bf out of the beam} for:
* skyflats or domeflats
* while integrating with the instrument PC
* autoguiding
The guide mirror must be '''in the beam''' while:
* acquiring a field with the acquisition camera
The guide mirror can be moved in and out of the beam by clicking the large button above the "XY Slides Control" box on the TCS screen. If the button is red and says "GUIDE MIRROR IS IN BEAM", clicking it will move the mirror, turning the button green and changing the message to "GUIDE MIRROR IS OUT OF BEAM". The converse is also true.
=== If the TCS PC is on but the software is not running ===
If the TCS PC is alive and responding but the programme is not running, it can be started by double-clicking on the TCS icon on the desktop and entering the password in the pop-up box (consult local technical staff for the password). You should then follow steps 1 and 2 in Section~\ref{sec-tcsnormalstart}.
== Current known issues (last updated Nov 2013)==