2.7m + 2dcoude

Operating the 2.7m + 2dcoude for DUMMIES

The following "info files" are a quickstart for this setup and NOT the ONLY way things can be done. If you notice any errors, or you feel something else needs to be added, please send an e-mail to frueh@astro.as.utexas.edu or doss@astro.as.utexas.edu.

Stuff you should do before dark:

Prepare for an integration
Making an Arc spectrum
Detector focusing at F1
Detector focusing at F3
Point Spread Function
Orientation of CCD frame (blue and red part of the frame)
Central wavelength setting
Making flatfields

The things you should do immediately after the sun sets:

Open the telescope
Calibrate the pointing of the telescope
Focusing the telescopes secondary mirror
Fans to decrease seeing

Observing your favorite stars:

Pointing to your star
Finding charts
Observing your star
The autoguider
Electronic mountain log sheets

Stuff you should do at dawn:

Shutting down the telescope
Saving your data on exabyte tape

Extra info you could check out:

More useful 2dcoude information (tables and atlases)
Marfa weather forecast
US frontal locations
Star parties and other activities at McDonald
Additional manuals
More general information

last update: Oct. 19, 2000