Follow this procedure to prepare the telescope and dome for observing:
# 1. '''Check the weather conditions'''. If they are within the specified [[#Meteorological limits|limits]], continue with step 2.# 2. Check the observing floor and '''clear any obstacles''' (e.g. ladders) that may obstruct the telescope.# 3. '''Switch off the [[#Light switches|lights]]''' everywhere except in the warm room.
In the warm room, '''on the wall-mounted control panel''' at the left-hand end of the desk:
# 4. Switch '''telescope power on''' (press and hold the green power button for 3 seconds) # 5. Turn '''TCS lockout off''' (turn knob anticlockwise)
[[File:mimicPanel.jpg|300px|frameless]]
Control room mimic panel
'''On the TCS:'''
# 6. '''Request TCS control''' by clicking the grey "FLOOR" button. It will turn blue and say "TCS".# 7. '''Open the dome shutters''' by clicking the "DOME" pulldown menu and selecting "Shutter OPEN". The dome indicator on the top right will turn green.# 8. '''Open the mirror covers''' by clicking the "DOME" pulldown menu and selecting "Mirror OPEN". The mirror indicator on the top right will turn green.# 9. Switch '''dome to AUTO''' by clicking the red "MAN" button (top right of display). It will turn green.# 10. Turn '''telescope tracking on''' by clicking the grey "Tracking is OFF" button. It will turn green.# 11. '''Initialise autoguider XY-slides''' by clicking the "Initialise" button on the bottom right.# 12. If necessary, '''position the windblind''' using the appropriate button on the "DOME" pulldown menu.
[[File:TCSpanel.jpg|700px|frameless]]
TCS status panel
