WHT Duty Engineer Checks

For ISIS, Aux port and Prime Focus imaging using UltraDAS

Note
When INGRID or INTEGRAL is in use, please refer to the documents: INGRID daily checks or INTEGRAL daily checks
These additional docs give the full check-out procedure for these instruments.

Hot Links

• Preliminaries
• Logging out from the WHT Observing System
• Starting up the ICS and TCS
• Checking the telescope
• UDAS startup
• Instrument checks
• Taking a test spectra
• Checking out the autoguider
• Checking the Integrating TV
• Filling the Cryostats
• Saving time?
• Before leaving the WHT

Preliminaries

1. First check the Operations Logbook for any restrictions that may be still in force. Turn on the DOME LIGHTS from the console and raise the control room blind.
2. Make a visual inspection of the observing floor to check that the telescope is free to move. e.g. No ladders or steps are close to the telescope or test instruments connected.
3. Push the LAMP TEST button on the console. Check that all used indicators are working (e.g. the ALARMS).

Replace any defective lamps with new replacements (28v)
4. Push the MIRROR OPEN button. Check the mirror petals open fully then push the MIRROR CLOSE button.

Preparing the telescope for checking

5. Check that the MODE key on the engineering desk is set to ENG.
6. Switch the BEARING OIL PUMP and G/B OIL on and wait for the lamps on the alarm panel to go out.
7. At the bottom of the blue Marconi cabinet (Bay 6) containing the power amplifiers, switch on the following breakers:

If working at Cassegrain focus:

• ALTITUDE


• AZIMUTH


• CASS TT


• CCW


• FOCUS

If working at Prime focus then switch on ONLY the breakers:

• ALTITUDE


• AZIMUTH


• PF TT


• FOCUS

If working at either of the Nasmyth foci, the breakers for the Nasmyth rotators (Bay 4) are switched on:

• GRACE   The breaker labelled DS (drive side) is down
• GHRIL   The breaker labelled CWS (cable wrap side) is down

New procedure

Logging out from the WHT Observing System

The WHT observing system comprises of several computers. These being:

• whtics  CI Central Intelligence (a.k.a. the System computer)  (Sparc)
• ICL (VAX 4000) This is still currently used to control the instruments. It is run from a VAX workstation (lpvs1)
• whtdas DAS (Data Acquistion Systems) Note: There is one for each detector  (Sparcs)
• whtdr   DRS (Data Reduction System) (Sparc)
• whttcs  TCS (Telescope Control System) (Dec Alpha)

Logging out from the CI and DAS computers

1. On the System computer, enter in the pink window at the SYS> prompt:

SYS> shutdownobssys
Do you want to wipe out the system Y/N? y
SYS> exit

2. On a second screen of the System computer there is a group of orange windows; one for each DAS, enter in the orange window at the DAS> prompt :

DAS> shutdownobssys
DAS> exit

Follow this procedure for each WHTDAS(#)window.
3. To log out from the System computer. Click the right mouse button when the mouse pointer is over the blue background window and choose the "exit" option at the bottom of the menu. This will log you out completely. Any residual windows will be killed off in the process.

Logging out from the ICL

4. At the 'date' prompt, type: exit
   The response will then be: Remove system tasks?(yes/no) enter 'y'
   The ICL will now run down. When the $ prompt appears type: logout
   You are now logged out from ICL. To log out of LPVG (or LPVF) type: logout again
   To log out from the Vax workstation (lpvs1), click on session on the tool bar then end session.
   This takes you out completely and after a short time the Vax Login window will appear.

Logging out from the Data Reduction Sparc

5. In the IRAF window, at the  cl>  or  in>  prompt. To exit type: lo

Shut down any remaining windows and exit the system as per the System computer.

Logging out from the TCS

6. The TCS is run from the X terminal in the console. In the User window, enter:

USER> tcsexit

7. Exit any other windows and click on the "cancel" button at the bottom right.
8. When the only remaining window is the console bar, click on Console (at left) and Reboot (bottom of that menu) and OK. This will reboot the X terminal. n.b. Rebooting the terminal works around a memory leak in the X-terminal software.

Starting the Instrument and Telescope Control Systems (ICS/TCS)

The TCS runs using VMS on a DEC ALPHA computer. Generic name: whttcs (lpas4)

1. Logon to the Vax workstation lpvs1 as:  observer (password on terminal)
   Once logged in, a DECterm will be displayed prompting what system is required. These being LPVG or LPVF.
2. Check the white board for the ICL observing system currently in use. This is usually LPVG, but there are occasions it could be LPVF.
   Enter the machine name required: e.g. lpvg
3. From the DECterm, logon on to LPVG (or LPVF) as:  observer (password as above)
4. When logged in :
• Hit return to the various messages; disk space, news etc
• When asked:   Do you want to run the observing system(Y)  Enter: y
• When the $ prompt is displayed, type:   ICL
• Hit return to:  Observers initials and Patt reference

At this point you will be prompted if you need to change the CONFIG file. As this will have already been setup for the instrument and camera(s) in use. Type 'no' to this message. However:

Important note

There are currently no change documents for private instruments. e.g. PNS, SAURON, etc.

If a private instrument is in use, THE CONFIG FILE MUST BE EDITED to use the appropriate channels SPARE1 and/or SPARE2. These are used to collect FITS headers.

FOR PNS, THE CONFIG FILE MUST BE EDITED WHEN STARTING ICL

Channels Spare 1 (17) and Spare 2 (18) must be to selected along with the Auxport option (7) for PNS to work and collect FITS headers. Therefore when selecting camera options, choose 7,17,18 for PNS. Note at this point in time when spare 1 & 2 are used, WYFFOS error messages will be generated at ICL, but you will have to live with this.

5. The ICL will continue to load the various D-tasks and bring up the instrument mimic display appropriate to the current observing configuration. n.b. For private instruments, check that the appropriate subsystems are loaded, e.g. Sauron uses CAGB. In the event of problems, call the Duty Software Engineer.
6. The ICL will continue to load the various D-tasks and bring up the instrument mimic display appropriate to the current observing configuration.
7. The ICL will also start the TCS.   Check this happens on the TCS Xterminal

Two main windows will appear. One being the TCS INFO DISPLAY, the other the USER interface.
8. Wait until the message :  ICL start-ups have completed  is displayed

   When the prompt with the time stamp is displayed, ( e.g. 14:15:30> )  the ICL is ready.

9. At the ICL prompt, type:   PAGE
   The display on the TCS window should change to the next page (encoders).

   Type:   PAGE INFO   to return.

   This checks that the DECNET link to the TCS is up. This is necessary for collecting TCS header information for CCD observations.

Checking the telescope

1. On the Engineering console, turn the MODE key to COMP and press COMP RESET.

n.b. Check that the meters showing the AZIMUTH and ALTITUDE motor currents are registering. One showing a +ve current, the other the same value, but in the -ve direction. These should be steady with no oscillations.

All the commands below are entered in the TCS User window.

2. Enter the coordinates of a position near the intersection of the meridian ( i.e. current Local Sidereal Time) and the equator (0 degs declination). Format for entering telescope co-ordinates is :

USER> source name hh mm ss dd mm ss equinox

Where:

name        No more than 20 characters
hh mm ss    RA  hrs mins secs
dd mm ss    DEC +/- degs mins secs
equinox     Usually J2000 or A (apparent)

Example: LST is at 21:30:15

USER> source TEST 21 30 15 00 00 00 J2000
USER> add

3. Instruct the telescope to move to the demanded position with:

USER> next

4. The telescope should slew to the demanded position with the dome moving also.
5. When TCS Infodisplay indicates that the telescope is TRACKING, check the ENCODERS page by entering:

USER> page enc

6. Check that the azimuth and altitude incremental (gear) and absolute encoders are in close agreement and updating and that the dome is tracking. The dome and telescope azimuth positions on the TCS Infodisplay should be similar within a few degrees. Entering:

   USER> page info

   will return the TCS Infodisplay window to the default page.

   n.b. If the dome does not move, it may have been overriden? On the console there is a bank of five push buttons labelled SELECT MANUAL CONTROLS. Check that the button DOME/SHUTTERS has not been set. If the dome still doesn't move, check that the keyswitch on the grey dome control cabinet (which rides with the dome) is in the REMOTE position. It may have been switched to LOCAL.

Checking out the rotators

7. The TCS on startup defaults to the CASS rotator in 'rot sky' mode. If the telescope is not tracking, but computer control is still enabled, enter:

   USER> rot float

   The TCS will pick up the current position of the rotator and put it into TRACKING mode. Make sure this happens.

If working at Prime focus, enter:

USER> station prime
USER> rot float

If a DS or CWS Nasmyth rotator is required then enter:

USER> station name
USER> rot float

8. Ensure that the selected instrument rotator goes into TRACKING mode. Check that the incremental and absolute encoders for the selected rotator are in close agreement by accessing the ENCODERS page as previously described and are updating at regular intervals.

   n.b. If the DS (or CWS) rotator does does NOT move? Has the DS or CWS breaker on the Nasmyth cabinet power control panel tripped or perhaps it has not been switched on?

Checking out the focus drive

9. Before doing this, make a note of the current position of the focus. Move the focus a small amount then return it to it's previous value e.g. Focus is at 97.45 then enter say:

USER> focus 96.25

10. Check that it gets there then return it back.

USER> focus 97.45

Completion of Telescope Checks

11. Put the telescope back to zenith park by entering:

USER> alt 90

12. To return the TCS to engineering mode, type:

USER> eng

n.b. You can also return the TCS to engineering mode by turning the MODE key to ENG. If the is done type ACK at the user prompt to cancel the alarm.
13. Switch off the BEARING OIL PUMP and G/B OIL pump and press the ACCEPT button to cancel alarms as they sound (usually 3 times).
14. Switch off the power amplifier circuit breakers

n.b. In bad weather, the dome upper shutter should be exercised to prevent icing up, by slightly raising and then re-closing it in micro-drive. It isn't necessary to test dome shutter operation when doing the daily checks.

WHT UltraDAS startup

Generic machine name	Camera or instrument
whtdas	INGRID only
whtdas3	ISIS red
whtdas4	ISIS blue
whtdas5	PRIME or GHRIL
whtdas6	AUX
whtics	SYS (Central Intelligence)

n.b. The system computer runs the terminal windows and displays, but does not at this stage of  the development of the system, run the instruments. The ICS is part of the ADAM system, running on a VAX computer and will later be ported across to a Unix based ICS. More info can be found in the:  Operations manual for UltraDAS

Procedure

1. Login to whtics (taurus) as:   whtobs

Several windows should then appear.
• The CI (pink) window where commands are entered
• Several DAS (orange) windows; one for each SDSU CCD controller

n.b. A blue Xterm will be generated also, but this will be minimised.

2. Select the DAS window for the camera(s) in use i.e.
   • INGRID requires the window labelled DAS
   • ISIS RED and BLUE require windows DAS 3 and DAS 4
   • PFIP, WYFFOS or INTEGRAL uses DAS 5
   • AUX port uses DAS 6

3. In the DAS window, enter :  obssys
4. Select the option number for the observing system in use.
5. Now type:   startobssys
   The DAS software will be loaded and the  DAS>  prompt returned when completed.

n.b. The above procedure must be done in EACH orange DAS window for the detector(s) in use.

6. In the CI window enter:  obssys

The option number selected must be the same as what was used for the DAS
7. Now type:  startobssys

During start-up, various windows will be generated. The important ones being:

• Talker
• Observing log
• CCD status monitor (one for each CCD)
• Who goes there (observer’s info)
8. When the SYS> prompt is returned. The observing system is ready to rock n'roll!
9. To avoid screen clutter, minimise the DAS windows and other windows that are not being used.

Taking a test bias image

10. To take an image, enter at the prompt:
    SYS> bias channel    (where channel = red; blue; aux; pfip; integral; etc)
11. Wait until the CCD status monitor indicates that the CCD has been read out and has been 100% processed. Make sure the image gets written (with  TCS header information) to the Observing Log.

Displaying the image

12. Login to the WHT Data Reduction Sparc (whtdr) as:  whtguest
13. Open the programs menu by clicking on the background and start an xgterm and ximtool session.
14. In the xgterm, start an IRAF session using the command: cl
15. Within IRAF, change to the obsdata directory where the images are being stored. Note, a new ’date’ directory is generated at 12:00 UTC daily. e.g.

cd /obsdata/whtb/20010508

The CCD status monitor window(s) will contain information on which disc the images are being stored. The main discs currently being:  whtb; whtc & whtd.

Each image (or image pair if using the Mosaic camera) is contained in a single FITS file with: rnnnnnn  being the last run number.

16. e.g.  To display the image, enter at the IRAF prompt:

    display r345678[1]1 fill+

    In the case of the Mosaic camera: To display the image from chip 2

    display r345679[2] 2 fill+

    n.b. Both images can be displayed side by side by then selecting the 'Tile Frame' option on the ximtool control panel.

Examining the image

17. At the IRAF prompt, enter:  imexam
18. Move the mouse into the area of the displayed frame and left click. Move the mouse around the image area, typing "m".  This will produce statistics for a box containing 25 pixels centred on the mouse cursor. Check that the noise(e) levels correspond to the CCD data held in:
    http://www.ing.iac.es/ Engineering/engweb6a.htm
19. To exit imexam, leave the mouse cursor over the image area and type:  q

Instrument Checks

Examples:

1. Cass A&G Box

prag 15000 50000  (moves the Cass autoguider probe)
compnd 1 (put in a neutral density filter)
compnd 0 (remove it)
2. ISIS

dekker 3  (move dekker slide to postion 3)
dekker 0  (remove it)
hwin  (move in the half wave plate (ISIS P check)
hwout  (remove it)
3. AUX PORT

agaux  (divert beam to aux port)
auxfilter 3  (range is 0 to 5)
agmirror out (remove mirror)
4. PFIP

pgdxy 50000 10000  (moves the PF autoguider probe)
pfilt 3  (moves main filter wheel. Range is 1 to 7)
adc_auto enable  (enables atmospheric dispersion corrector tracking)

With the TCS running, move the telescope to different altitudes and check that the ADC elements move.

Setting up ISIS to take a test spectra

1. At the ICL user interface, for ISIS move in the comparison mirror and switch on both arc lamps:

agcomp
complamps CuNe+CuAr

n.b. ONLY if this is the first night of an ISIS run, set the GRATING and SLIT to these values:

cenwave red 6400
slit 200

2. At the SYS> prompt, take an exposure (preferably with dome lights out) in each arm deemed to be available for the night e.g.

   arc red 10
   arc blue 10  
   

   The CCD status window(s) will show the state of progress as the exposure is read out and is processed. Make sure the image gets written (with TCS header information) to the Observing Log.
3. From the IRAF window, change to the current data directory e.g.

   cd /obsdata/whtd/20010613

   and display the image on ximtool with:

   display rnnnnnn[1] 1

   Check that arc lines from ISIS are present

   Examining the image

4. At the IRAF prompt, Type:  imexam

   For ISIS exposures, if CENWAVE has been set to 6400, check that the bright line or lines in the centre of the spectrum have about 30000 counts for a 10-sec exposure with a 200-micron slit.

5. To check that the arc lines are in focus (1.5 - 2 pixels FWHM), position the cursor over an arc line (avoid blends) and use the  j  or  k  keys to fit a horizontal or vertical gaussian profile. The number at the bottom right of the graphics window is the FWHM value.
6. To exit imexam, ensure the cursor is still sitting over the image and enter:   q

Checking out the autoguider

• Press the SETUP key
• Click on HOST CONNECTION from the menu bar
• Select serial port 1

This should open up an Xwindow. Push the return key and check that the OK prompt returns. This will confirm that communication is available to the autoguider VME crate.

n.b. If the autoguider display monitor is blank or corrupted or the OK prompt refuses to appear then it will be necessary to re-boot the autoguider VME crate. Go to the VME crate in the blue cabinet (Bay 8) and push the RESET button on the first module. In extreme cases, it may even be necessary to power off (wait a few seconds) then power back on the VME crate. You should see the progress of the re-boot on the Xterminal. Wait until this finishes and the OK prompt is available.

n.b.  Unless a re-boot is required, the autoguider VME crate should always be left powered on.

1. First select which autoguider will be used. If the autoguider VME has been re-booted, it will default to CASS. Enter the name of the focal station in use. These being:

   CASS PRIME AF2 GHRIL

   n.b. All commands entered into the autoguider Xwindow must be in UPPER CASE.
2. Check the temperature of the CCD on the autoguider display monitor. This will be nominally about -20^o C depending on the ambient temperature within the dome. If a positive temperature is shown then cool down the autoguider using the command:

   START-UP

   A message will appear saying that the autoguider is cooling down. When the target temperature is reached, a box will appear saying the autoguider is READY to go.
3. To take an exposure, use either:
• field      (from the ICL command line)
• 1 FIELD  (from the autoguider window)

and check that the autoguider CCD reads out. With no lights on in the dome, the display should show an even illumination with no streaking.

The Artificial Guide Star Test at Cass (optional)

A more in-depth test for the autoguider is using the artificial guide star. It should be noted that this facility is only available for the CASS autoguider, but it does at least allow the autoguider error correcting loop to the TCS to be closed.
n.b. The TCS must be running with the telescope TRACKING to close the loop.

4. To use this, enter in the ICL user window:

autofilt opaque

5. To see the artificial star, some stray light is required. Turning on just the MOUNT lights on the telescope should suffice. If more counts are required, move in the comparision lamp mirror and turn on the tungsten (white) lamp and take an exposure. The ICL commands being:

agcomp
complamps w
field

After reading out, the artificial guide star will be clearly visible with a guide box and cross positioned over it.

6. To initiate guiding, enter:

fon  (from the ICL command line) or
GUIDE ON  (from the autoguider window)

7. With the TCS running and the telescope tracking, to close the guide loop enter:

autoguide on  (from either the ICL or TCS interface)

Check the TCS Infodisplay to see that autoguiding has been enabled.

8. To restore the autoguider for normal operations after carrying out this test. Enter the commands:

autoguide off
foff
complamps off   (if on)
autofilt clear

Checking out the Integrating TV System

More info on how to use CRYOCAM can be found at:  CRYOCAM daily checks

Westinghouse checks

n.b. Due to old age and the possibility of a hard disc failure, the TV's system VME crate (in Bay 7) is now left running continuously. It was the practice in the past to switch this off when not in use.

Do NOT switch off this crate unless absolutely necessary.

1. Check that the dome lights are off.
2. Switch on the bank of small TV monitors. When observing at Cass, the right hand SLIT VIEWING one is needed.
3. Below each TV monitor is remote control box. Check that the GAIN control is turned fully anti-clockwise.
4. Push the ON button and wait for the DELAY and RESET leds to go off. If the RESET led refuses to go off, the gain control needs to be moved back past a 'click stop' when in the fully anti-clockwise position.
5. When both leds are off, the camera should be active. Toggling the V and H scan switches, you should see the target sweeping across the screen.
6. Check that the TV VME user interface is working. There should be a KEYPAD prompt on the TV control terminal up on the top shelf in the console. If not, push the large key labelled KEYPAD on the TV control keyboard.
7. Using the labelled keyboard buttons for the TV system, push the OFF-AXIS and DIRECT buttons. Make sure CAMERA MODE is selected, not LUT MODE. Pushing the LUT/CAMERA key toggles between the two modes. The status bar at the bottom of the TV display will show which mode is selected.
8. It should now be possible to see the target moving on the main TV colour monitor if the scan switches are toggled.
9. Slowly increase the gain control and check for ion activity (scintillation). This is a good sign that the camera is healthy.
10. Turn the gain control back to minimum.
11. Push either the SUM or AVERAGE button. This time a pulsating patch of light should be seen when the gain is slowly increased.
12. Turn the gain back to minimum and switch off the TV camera and monitors after these checks.

FINALLY

Filling the WHT Cryostats

Saving time

Procedure

• IMPORTANT The liquid nitrogen dewar must be earthed to prevent static discharge. Clip the Dewar earthing cable onto the grounding point. Copper earthing straps are located on the fork tyne (at CASS) and on the UES platform handrail.
• FULLY insert the filler tube into the cryostat.
• On the dewar, CLOSE the VENT TO AIR valve (4).
• OPEN the DECANT valve (1).
• OPEN the PRESSURE BUILD valve (3).

Check the pressure does not exceed 20psi for a armoured steel hose. 10psi if the hose is silicon.
• If the dewar is low on liquid nitrogen, the BYPASS valve (5) can be opened. Use precaution when doing this as the pressure can build up very quickly if the dewar is close to full.
• Wait until liquid nitrogen is SEEN to be coming out of the cryostat.
• CLOSE the DECANT and the PRESSURE BUILD valves.
• OPEN the VENT TO AIR valve. If the flexible hose is silicon, wait for it to de-frost before removing the filler tube.

Before leaving the WHT

Document History

Click here for the WHT home page.

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