== '''Current Status''' ==
GIRAFFE has been mothballed following the failure of its control software, a lack of source code to delve into to fix it and a current lack of staff resources for creating a modern control programme. The instrument was undergoing a series of upgrades to improve performance and provide a data reduction pipeline. This is now on hold, with other instrument projects taking priority.
== '''Brief description of GIRAFFE''' ==
2. A thin client system for data storage ''ltsp.suth.saao.ac.za''.
3. [[APD|A laptop running a LabView program to display the APD counts]], i.e. monitor the light intensity emerging from the fibre.
4. The Linux TCS PC for acquisition and autoguiding.
Your files will be named ''annnmmmm.fits'', where ''nnn'' is your run number.
[[Indlulamithi|Data reduction Software for Giraffe]]
=='''Filling the cryostat''' ==
As the star becomes better centred, the APD counts will increase, and a bright disc will appear on the acquisition camera image.
7) Set up a guide star, as per the TCS manual, start target exposures with QUARTZ, and keep an eye on the APD counts to ensure that the target isn't drifting off the fibre over time.
3) Click the “Expose” button in the “Control” panel on the right of the QUARTZ window and enter the exposure time.
4) Take an arc at the beginning and end of observing a target, and every at ~20 minutes minute intervals on that target. == '''Troubleshooting & avoiding trouble''' == * Do not touch the ''giraffe'' PC while it is busy with a procedure - especially during readout - as QUARTZ is likely to crash.* If QUARTZ crashes, and complains of a Merlin/transputer error, you will need to go to the Coude room, duck under the coolant pipe, locate the blue Merlin transputer on the shelf below the optical bench and press the ~central red button. Then restart QUARTZ.* If the orders do not match the requested prism position, initialise the prism with "Find ref" and move to the requested prism position again. You may have to repeat this a couple of times for the prism/camera to reach the requested position. == '''Instrument shutdown''' == * Ensure that the APD and all lamps are switched off.* Ensure that the fibre flat filter (silver knob on telescope) is out of beam, or you may forget it the following night.* Leave the QUARTZ software running (the technicians need to check the temperature of the detector during the day).* Stop the APD count plotting software and shutdown the windows laptop.* If the cryostat was last filled before midnight, please fill it before you leave.* Shutdown the telescope using the printed recipe, stuck to the shelf above the TCS.