1.8m OPTICAL TELESCOPE

Remote Operations

Telescope Start-up/Shutdown

Checklist

• Revision History

• List Of Abbreviations

VATTEL VME computer controlling the Telescope

Neslab Primary Mirror cooling system

• About this document

The purpose of this document is to provide a detailed startup/shutdown procedure for remote operation of the Vatican 1.8m Telescope.

[RD1] Vatican 1.8m Telescope Operators Manual.

[RD2] Lightning shutdown procedure.

• Start-up

• Verify all doors are locked.
• Close all blinds, shut off unneeded lights, turn off TV.

• Power up VATT computer rack beginning with VATT Data computer.
• Wait 20 minutes for VATT Data to boot up.
• Then boot all other rack computers in no particular order.

frame2

• Check that filters have been installed in the filter wheel and their positions recorded for the observer.
• Top off the science camera with LN2.
• Remove Dome Short.
• Plug in Dome Shutter power into 120ac outlet.
• Plug in finder scope camera power located on top of grey box on right fork.
• Turn 4Kccd camera power ON.
• Turn ON 4Kccd camera shutter box.
• Turn ON guide camera power at the guide camera controller.
• Remove finder scope cover.
• Plug in stow pin power supply located on left fork. Switch ON.
• Remove stow pins pressing “unlock” on momentary switch until display reads 100 approximately.
• Visually verify the pins are out. Switch OFF, then unplug.
• Make sure Telescope is free to move and is clear of any obstacles.

• Power up Neslab and immediately open gate valve on right side of unit.
• Verify red lines on Neslab pneumatic valve change from perpendicular to parallel.

• Plug in GPS antenna, power unit up and wait for GPS lock before proceeding to next steps.
• Power up VATTEL.
• Power up VATT Guider.
• Power up VATT Secondary.
• Flip ON all drive amplifier power switches (except counter weights) and observe current meters are OFF except for the Dome amp.

• Power up building exhaust fans and pier fans in the oil pump room.
• Read oil temperature; it should be 61 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Power up oil pump following the front panel steps.
• Wait for chiller to come up and allow a few minutes to mix oil. Watch for jump in temperature reading.
• Watch gauge pressure rise to operating range. Make sure oil pressure reads 1,180 psi with no apparent oil leaks.
• Verify green lights on panel by door.

• Align azimuth ring arrows on base of scope.
• Turn OFF all lights in dome.

• Power ON the Dome, All sky, and Finder monitors as well as Dome Intercom (Note dome 1 button flakey; dome 2 cannot hear).
• Make a Skype call to the Observer letting them know the Telescope is ready for observing.
• Power up the Dome Fan after the Dome Slit and Mirror Cover has been opened. The controller is on the south wall to the right of the back door.
• Give observers temp, humidity, wind speed and wind direction from weather station when open (note to talk to Tom Folkers about getting info from SMT)

• Shutdown

• Turn Dome Fan OFF.
• Have observer stow scope, close mirror covers, close dome, home dome and kill amplifiers.
• Give observers temp, humidity, and wind speed and wind direction from weather station upon closing.
• Turn OFF Guider, Finder and Sky monitors.

• Turn OFF all amplifier power switches: Azimuth Servo, Derotator, Elevation Servo, Dome
• Verify that all current meters are OFF.

• Shut gate valve on right side of Neslab until almost closed then immediately switch Neslab power OFF and close gate valve all the way.
• Verify red lines on Neslab pneumatic valve change from parallel to perpendicular.

• Turn OFF oil pump in reverse of start up. After Step 2 pause and wait for loudest noise to subside (main pump). Complete Step 1.
• Turn OFF pier and building fans.

• Verify dome closed!
• Plug in stow pin power supply. Switch ON.
• Engage stow pins pressing “lock” on momentary switch until display reads 000 approximately.
• Visually verify the pins are in. Switch OFF, then unplug.
• Turn Guider camera OFF.
• Close finder scope cover.
• Turn OFF 4Kccd camera shutter power supply (leave on if observations continue).
• Turn OFF 4Kccd camera power supply (leave on if observations continue).
• Unplug finder camera power located on top of grey box on right fork.
• Unplug Dome Shutter power.
• Install Dome Short.
• Check dome fiduciary mark on wall against position of bolt on underside of dome ring and note the error; if error greater than 5º, have Gary reset Dome 0.
• Fill Dewar (if needed) and record fill time on clipboard.
• Turn OFF lights in dome.

• Turn OFF Dome Flood light.
• Turn OFF Dome monitor.
• Turn intercom OFF.
• End Skype call with observer.
• Lock all doors that may have been unlocked during the night before going to bed.

–oOo–

Doc_info_start

Title: VATT Telescope startup/Shutdown

Document Type: Checklist

Source: Vatican Observatory

Issued by: K. Duffek

Date_of_Issue: 12-May-21

Revised by:

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File Type: MS Word

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