Cryocam Daily Checks
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At the PC close down both the Cryocam control and display applications
(the programs comprises two applications)
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Restart the program by clicking on the Cryocam icon
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Ensure the AG slitview mirror is positioned to view the ISIS slit and not
vignetted by the autoguider probes. It is also a good idea to check that
the Nasmyth mirror is set to Cassegrain.
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When the application is loaded you should see a picture of the Cryocam
and the suppliers logo.
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The system starts up with the camera in 16-bit full frame mode and defaults
to 0.2 seconds integration. Depending on the ambient dome lighting, it
might be helpful to increase the exposure time to 1 second.
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Click start and after a few seconds you should see a sharp image of the
ISIS slit as well as debris and fluff on the slitview mirror.
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Click on the ‘focus’ button to switch to fast readout mode; the default
exposure time here is 5 seconds. Depending on the dome illumination it
might be appropriate to adjust the integration time to 1 second.
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Click ‘start’ and after a few integrations the software will adjust the
lookup table and the slit should again appear as a horizontal black line
near the centre of the field. nb. The definition will not be
as good as in step 6.
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Stop the continuous readout and set the integration time to zero and restart.
After a few integrations you should see a uniform grey level free of pattern
noise.
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Stop the continuous readout and leave the camera in this state.
File last updated : 10th Sept 2001 cwmj - ejm