This gives brief notes about the new system at the JKT:
Starting up and shutting down the system
Known Problems and their workarounds
Recovery from more difficult problems
Make sure the Alpha TCS is running. (Username and password are on the NCD terminal)
To start the DAS/ICS system up, log into the DAS computer (lpss12) as jktobs, using the password on the computer. Then enter the following two commands:
to load the correct observing system and patches.
to start the system - takes a minute or so. Then follow the same sequence on lpss11.
To shutdown just enter the following command before logging off:
This removes all the tasks - takes a minute or so
abort Abort an observation, discarding and associated data
arc take an exposure and save it, with the OBSTYPE defined as ARC
bias take a bias frame, and save it with the OBSTYPE defined as
BIAS
bin select binned readout of the detector
close close the shutter
clear_speed set the clear speed
continue restart an exposure suspended by pause (q.v.)
dark take a dark frame and save it with the OBSTYPE defined as DARK
disable_win suspend the effect of windowing on a CCD
enable_win resume windowing after disable_win (q.v.)
finish terminate an exposure immediately; saving the data
flash take an exposure and save it, with the OBSTYPE defined as
FLASH
flat take an exposure and save it, with the OBSTYPE defined as FLAT
glance take one exposure and leave as the glance file
killmultrun stop the last exposure
multarc make multiple exposures, all with OBSTYPE defined as ARC
multbias make multiple exposures, all with OBSTYPE defined as BIAS
multdark make multiple exposures, all with OBSTYPE defined as DARK
multflash make multiple exposures, all with OBSTYPE defined as FLASH
multflat make multiple exposures, all with OBSTYPE defined as FLAT
multrun make multiple exposures, all with OBSTYPE defined as RUN
multsky make multiple exposures, all with OBSTYPE defined as SKY
newtime change the length of an exposure
nonastro change the readout speed to NONASTRO
open open the shutter
pause suspend an exposure
preflash set the length of a CCD preflash
promote promote a scratch file to a normal run
quick set the readout speed to QUICK
readout_speed change the read-put speed of the CCD
reset reset the CCD controller
rspeed synonym of readout_speed
rtcsync synchronise the CCD controller's real time clock
run take one exposure and save it, OBSTYPE will be defined as RUN
scratch take one exposure and save it to a scratch file
setup_ccd prepare channel, needed before any other command is accepted
shutter move or unjam the shutter (open, close and unjam)
sky take an exposure and save it, with the OBSTYPE defined as SKY
slow change the readout speed to SLOW
standard change the readout speed to STANDARD
turbo change the readout speed to TURBO
unbin change the binning parameters to (1,1)
window define a read-out window on a CCD (winNo, xSize, ySize, xOffset,
yOffset)
| Autoguider probe commands | |
| autoxy <Xpos, Ypos> | Moves the autoguider probe in both X and Y. |
| autox <Xpos > | Moves the autoguider probe in X only. |
| autoy <Ypos > | Moves the autoguider probe in Y only. |
| autopark | Moves the autoguider probe to position 5 5. |
| autocentre | Moves the autoguider probe to the centre. NB You cannot have both probes above 20,000, as the motor is in that corner. |
| Filter commands: | |
| jagfilter <pos > | Moves the CCD filter [1-6]. Also adjusts the telescope focus if the TCS is running and selects autoguider filters to keep the autoguider in focus. |
| mainfilt <pos> | Synonym for jagfilter. |
| filter<pos > | Synonym for jagfilter. |
| autocol<pos > | Moves the autoguider colour filter [1-8]. |
| autond<pos > | Moves the autoguider ND filter {1-8]. |
| changejag | Starts the GUI to view/change filter wheels. |
| TV commands | |
| tvmirror<in|out > | Puts the TV flat in or out of the light path |
| tvshutter<open|close > | Opens or closes the TV shutter |
| tv on | Puts the flat in and opens the shutter. |
| tv off | Takes the flat out and closes the shutter. |
Once an image has been taken with the "run" or "bias" command, it can be checked with IRAF as follows:
The above procedure is to save a little time. The observers must always run iraf on lpss11, never on lpss12, as this could result in data loss from the fox. See Displaying Images in iraf for how it should be done.
If the system seems to be behaing badly, work your way down the following until it works:
The instrument control Sparc computer (lpss11) is connected to the CCD controller and the JAG via two RS232 serial ports.
It is connected to the TCS and DAS via ethernet.
The coloured mimic on lpss12 is drawn by the ICS. The small black and white mimic on the shelf above is drawn by the JAG micro.
The "tip" connection for the CCD controller is still on lpss12. Therefore, to test the CCD controller you must work on lpss12.
Use the terminal emulator tip from any xterm window. To get to the engineering port type
To check the CCD controller network connection type:
Then reset the CCD controller you should see the BESS message then strange messages coming up like MON801.
First you should always get a connected message - if you don't the fault is probably in the computer.
To get out of tip type <RET>~.<RET> where <RET> is the carriage return key.