Changes
1.9m
,/* Start-up recipe: remote */
= 74"/1.9-m Telescope User Manual Basics =
Here is a link to the .pdf copy of the [http://www.saao.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/tcsman74_v10.2.pdf 74" TCS user manual], v. 10.2, updated Nov. 2014.
== Call out list==
'''Telescope software issues:''' standby **113 (08290348690212015178) or 9118
'''Electronics Issues:''' standby **103 (07678951310212015179) or 9117
'''Mechanical Issues:''' standby **104 (076789512320212015180)
==Introduction==
The 74" 1.9m telescope control system (TCS ) is written in C , using XFORMS to create the Graphical User Interface (GUI). The software runs on a PC running real-time linux. The TCS allows the control of the telescope; the acquisition and guiding (A/G) camera; and the dome (including opening and closing of the shutters, and control of the windblind and flatfield lamps). <!--As of May 2016, the TCS allows powering and slewing of the telescope.-->Upgrades are currently in progress that require a new TCS PC (tcs74v4) to be used when SpUpNIC is mounted, and the earlier version (tcs74v3) with HiPPo and SHOC.
The TCS allows the control of the telescope; the acquisition and guiding can be operated either remotely from Cape Town (A/Gremote mode) camera; and , or locally from the dome (including opening and closing of the shutters and control of the windblind, as of December 2009local mode). As of May 2016, Users at the dome can slew the telescope either from the TCS allows powering and slewing of or manually from the telescopeobserving floor. This wiki gives instructions for all options.
= Remote observing =
In the afternoon, the telescope operations team in Sutherland will switch off the lockout -- allowing remote operation -- and turn off all lights that are not under software control. All the PC addresses, login details, URLs, etc you required to follow the instructions below will be sent to you in advance of your run.
==Start-up recipe: remote ==
1. In the remote observing station, the desk to the left of the entrance is allocated to the 1.9m. It is connected to two 37-inch curved screens. Log in to the PC.
2. There is a webcam pointed at the observing floor. Open the app in one of two ways:
* Click on the “74incam” shortcut on the top left-hand side of the desktop. This opens an rdesktop session on appserver.cape. Once logged in, open internet explorer from the menu bar at the bottom. It should open on the required page - type the username and press "Enter" on the keyboard (it doesn’t respond to the login button on the screen).
* Alternatively, the webcam can be viewed from an Android tablet using the Foscam app. Log in as ... and select ...
3. Connect to the TCS: click on the Remmina icon (or open a terminal and type remmina), and connect to either tcs74v3 (for use with HiPPo or SHOC) or tcs74v4 (if using SpUpNIC).
4. Start the software using the icons on the left-hand menu bar:
* TCS (telescope icon)
* observing limits plot (“crash” icon)
* guide star programme (meteor icon)
When you are ready to observe:
5. Check weather on the [http://suthweather.saao.ac.za/ Sutherland weather website] -- '''only proceed if windspeed < 60 km/h; humidity <90%; T_external - T_dewpoint > 1.5.'''
6. On the TCS GUI, select the "DOME" menu button and select "Fluorescent lights" from the drop down menu to illuminate the observing floor.
7. You should see the inside of the dome on the webcam. Use the arrow buttons to pan around and check that there are no obstructions on the observing floor. There are two ladders and a skylift which should be parked within their respective zones, demarcated by tape on the floor, up against the walls.
8. Once convinced that the floor is clear, switch off the dome lights the same way you switched them on.
9. On the TCS GUI, take TCS control of the telescope by clicking the grey "FLOOR" button. If successful, it will turn cyan and read "TCS" (if this does not happen, the lockout has been left on and you need to phone a standby technician).
10. Turn on telescope power: click "Telescope Power is OFF". Button should go from red to green; OFF to ON.
11. Open dome shutters: click "DOME" and select "Shutter open" from the dropdown menu.
12. Open mirror covers: click "DOME" and select "Mirror open".
13. Currently out of action: Lower windblind: click "DOME" and select "Blind lower".
14: Set dome to Auto mode: press the red "Man" button in the top right-hand corner, above the shutter OPEN indicator.
15. Ready the autoguider XY slides:
* On tcs74v3: click "Initialize" in the "XY Slides Control" panel on the right.
* Or, on tvs74v4, click "Center" - there is no need to use the "Initialize" button on tcs74v4 unless it is red (indicating a fault), in which case click "Reset", wait a moment, then click "Initialize".
2. Switch OFF all downstairs & observing '''floor lights''' ([https://topswiki.saao.ac.za/index.php/74%22_/_1.9m#Light_switches having trouble finding the switches]?)
3. Check weather on the [http://suthweather.saao.ac.za/ Sutherland weather website] -- '''only proceed if windspeed < 60 km/h; humidity <90%; T_external - T_dewpoint > 1.5.'''
4. Check '''Telescope Power Control''' is set to PLC at top of stairs (should be the default).
5. Ensure that the TCS software is running.
6. On the '''mimic panel''' in the control room:
* Switch "TCS LOCKOUT" to the OFF position. '''First check that no one is working in the dome.'''
* Switch the SMD to the OFF position.
7. On the '''floor control panel''' ensure that:
* RA and Dec control are in the SLOW positions (should be the default).
* Dome is on AUTO (should be the default).
* Dome lights switch is in the OFF position. (should be the default).
8. Turn on '''Telescope Power''':
* ''TCS'': take TCS control (press FLOOR/TCS button) and turn on power (press "Telescope Power"). Button should go from red to green.
* ''Manual'': Press and hold the green button for 3 sec. under "Power" on the control mimic panel in the control room.
Note: it takes 1-2 minutes for complete power up.
9. Open '''dome shutters''':
* ''TCS'': Press DOME for drop down menu and select "Shutter open"
* ''Manual'' On the dome control panel, press "local" to get control and then press "SHUTTERS OPEN"
10. Open '''mirror covers''':
* ''TCS'': Press DOME for drop down menu and select "Mirror open"
* ''Manual'' On the dome control panel, press "local" to get control. Use the ladder to press the "OPEN" on the north side of the telescope.
11. Lower '''windblind'''
* ''TCS'': Press DOME for drop down menu and select "Blind lower"
* ''Manual'' On the dome control panel, press "local" to get control and then press "WINDBLIND LOWER"
12. Set dome to Auto: press red "Man" button above shutter OPEN indicator on TCS.
13. Center the '''XY-slides''' (TCS).
= Local observing =
== Start-up Recipe==
1. Switch ON '''lighting circuits''' at entrance to dome.
2. Switch OFF all downstairs & observing '''floor lights''' ([http://topswiki.saao.ac.za/index.php/19m#Light_switches having trouble finding the switches]?)
3. Check weather on the [http://suthweather.saao.ac.za/ Sutherland weather website] -- '''only proceed if windspeed < 60 km/h; humidity <90%; T_external - T_dewpoint > 1.5and no thick cloud.'''
4. Check '''Telescope Power Control''' is set to PLC at top of stairs (should be the default).
