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- The rotator position angle is conventionally zero for most
instruments but 270. for Wide Field Camera.
- It is usually difficult to rotate an instrument because of the
cable ties put on by the daylight staff. If you envisage rotating
the instrument please ask them or your support astronomer to arrange
sufficiently long free leads to rotate as far as you want; usually
+/- 90 degrees. It is wise to rehearse this manouevre in daylight
before attempting at night.
- First zenith park the telescope. None of our instruments
is exactly balanced in rotation and may swing out of control when
the telescope isn't in the zenith.
- Go to the observing floor and undo the rotation clamp.
- Rotate to the desired angle using the push buttons. Watch
the cables carefully throughout because even if they are long enough
they may still get tangled.
- Reclamp
- Return to console and continue observing. The control computer
can read the rotator position angle so no further action on the
observer's part is needed.
Tue Aug 5 05:37:08 MET DST 1997