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VATT

1.8m OPTICAL TELESCOPE

Remote Operations

Telescope Start-up/Shutdown

Checklist

Signature Date
PreparedK. Duffek, J. Hoscheidt12-May-21

Reviewed

Approved

  • Revision History
IssueDateChangesResponsible
a12-May-21Initial ReleaseK. Duffek, J.Hoscheidt
  • List Of Abbreviations

VATTEL VME computer controlling the Telescope

Neslab Primary Mirror cooling system

  • About this document

Purpose

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

Reference Documents

[RD1] Vatican 1.8m Telescope Operators Manual.

[RD2] Lightning shutdown procedure.

  • Start-up

General

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

Computer Room

  • 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

Dome

  • 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.

Pier Stairwell Second floor

  • 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.

VATTEL Room

  • 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.

Basement

  • 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.

Dome

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

Control Room

  • 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

Control Room

  • 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.

VATTEL Room

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

Pier Stairwell, Second Floor

  • 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.

Basement

  • 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.

Dome

  • 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.

Control Room

  • 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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Checked by:

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Accepted by:

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File Type: MS Word

Local Name: VATT Telescope startup/Shutdown

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Revision: a

Doc_info_end

vatt/remote_observation.txt · Last modified: 2012/09/14 12:38 by admin