Bent Gregorian Technical Observing Plan: Jun 2009

Execute TCS startup checklist every night

• Complete by sunset - 1hr
• Include mount encoder resets each night.
• Reset collimation model = clear all active/global offsets
• At end of startup, issue a standard preset

On-sky TCS SW Tests (B28)

• B28 - Test 1 - Evaluate new workstations with respect to science software
• B28 - Test 2 - Evaluate new workstations as a backup for the TO Station
• B24 - Test 1 - Spherical Motion Test
• B23-Test 12 - Verify new oacontrol package features with the following changes.
• B23-Test 13 - Verify that the Tertiary Mirror in the OSS recognizes that a focal station is selected
• B23-Test 16 - Verify that the all-on-source signal is working
• B22-Test 1 - Evaluate running GCS as only process on a TCS server
• B21-Test 3 - Evaluate the updatePointingReference functionality for coordinate types DETXY (pointing origin) and RADEC (on-sky)
• B17-Test 1 - Evaluate the OffsetPointing functionality with move types both relative and absolute and modes DETXY (pointing origin) and RADEC (on-sky)

Startup pointing & collimation correction (10 minutes):

• Use WT10 or ACT pointing stars with IRTC
• Select target at mid EL (50-70 degrees)
• Preset in PARALLACTIC/TRACK mode:
  With AGw: pointto starname gs=0 Tel="ACQUIRE" PA=0 PAM-
  With IRTC: pointto starname gs=0 Tel="TRACK" PA=0 PAM-
• If using IRTC, turn on "movie" mode
• Have TO run "ptspiral" from lbtmu01 and
  
  • ^C when the star appears on the chip
  • Adjust IE and CA to center; manually focus if necessary
• Preset in POSITION/ACTIVE mode on axis (Persson std)
• Allow system to collimate (WFS<400nm rms)

Verify and Update Collimation Model [2hr + reduction + 1 iteration]

• Prerequisites:
  TELESCOPE IN THERMAL EQUILIBRIUM!
  DECENT SEEING (less than 1.25 arcsec FWHM on guider)
• Use collimation sources, Persson standards, off-axis guide stars.
• Set PSF to send collimation updates to M1.
• Verify M2 is at its nominal position
• Observe sources: 25(15) < EL < 87 if possible
  1. pointto sourceID gs=0 Tel="ACTIVE"
  2. Allow system to collimate: WFS<400nm rms
  3. takepic 2.0 to record mirror information
  4. Repeat steps 1-3 as needed to cover EL-space
• Observe minimum 1 full cycle through EL range, 12 sources,
  Prefer two cycles, 20+ sources.
• Generate new collimation model (J.Hill?)
• Implement new collimation model

Verify and Update Pointing Model [2hr + reduction + 1 iteration]

• Prerequisites:
  TELESCOPE IN THERMAL EQUILIBRIUM!
  Using new collimation model from previous step
  Re-measure mechanical rotator center coords on IRTC
  • Take pair of TRACK mode images rotated 180 degrees apart
  • New rotator center: X Y
• Update collimation (not split, M1 only) at EL 50-70 degrees
• Update pointing, repeat with ptspiral as needed below
• Use WT10 and ACT stars
• Turn on pointing log in PCS GUI
  Filename = ____________________
• Use /home/LBTO/POINTING/Pointingstars5 to schedule
  1. In your working directory on an observer workstation:
     cp ~LBTO/POINTING/* . to copy program files
  2. Type ./Pointingstars5 at linux prompt to run program
  3. Enter the sequential reference field number [1-88]
  4. Preset to the source listed, TRACK mode, take 10s exposure.
  5. Repeat steps 2-4 for at least 24 points, 48+ would be better.
  6. If Pointingstars5 returns a 999, skip this star and try again later
• Stop pointing log in PCS GUI
• Generate new pointing model (D.Thompson)
• Implement:
  • Copy to ~telescope/TCS/Configuration/PCS/
  • Update LUCIFER entry for LEFTPOINTINGMODEL
    in PCSInstrument.conf
  • Re-authorize LUCIFER on IIF GUI to read in new pointing model
• Test new pointing model

Optimize Guiding Gain Factor [4 hrs]

• Minimize guiding residuals
• Try different values of Gain Factor in the range 0.05-1.0 at, say, ~0.15 step

Demonstrate Guiding/WFSing to R=18 mag [6 hrs]

• Plot rms vs. magnitude [M92astrom has a good selection of magnitudes]
• Stone-O Field at R.A.~22hrs ready for late night test (if needed).
• May require WFS operating to 120s exposures

Lucifer Remote Software test [1hr]

• Perform a basic test of the communication of the LUCIFER telescope service SW with the TCS (Tue 09th - 1hr before sunrise. Wed 10th backup).

Quantify/Track Technical Downtime and Observing Efficiency

Staffing for Observations

All dates and times in UT, Jun 2009

UTDateUT	Instr	Observers	Start/End/Down Times	Comments
07	IRTC	DT, MP	S: E: D:	SW on call for TCS
08	IRTC	DT, MP	S: E: D:
09	IRTC	DT, MP	S: E: D:	Walter S. for LUCI at LBT, Volker remotely
10	IRTC	DT,MP	S: E: D:
11	IRTC	DT, MP	S: E: D:
12	IRTC	DT, MP	S: E: D:
13	IRTC	DT ,MP	S: E: D:
14	IRTC	DT, MP	S: E: D:

MP: Marco Pedani
DT: Dave Thompson
SW: TCS group

-- MarcoPedani - 03 Jun 2009