• When getting ready for observing, make sure platforms and other obstacles are out of the way. Dangling cables can snag the 50l dewar and ladder, etc. Turn off the walkway lights.
• VERY IMPORTANT! If it has rained or has been very humid, be sure to move the upper windscreen up to remove any moisture which has accumulated on the top of it. In the normal dome parking position (dome shutter east), this will dump any water on top of the control room. It is the safest place.
• Open the dome. Pull the switch and push up at the same time. If any loud or unusual noises occur, immediately call Physical Plant.
• Open the mirror cover (switches at the left of console in the middle).
• Extend the baffle tube. This must be done only AFTER the mirror cover is open.

• Log into the Sun computer (MIRANDA or NEREID).
  • If you will be using IRAF/ICE for taking data, you will be using either miranda or nereid.Check here to see which one you should be using.
  • If you wish to have your coordinates sent to the dome, you must log in to the Prometheus console and type 'cosmo' to enable the pointing commands. You may also do point commands from the Suns in any window where you have type 'cosmo' at the command line prompt. Telescope positions will be logged to your IRAF headers directly from the telescope encoders (as long as your Telescope Name in telpars is 'mcd82x').
    
    When you first start cosmo on any of the machines, it will return with the currently selected mount model. This will be set for you by Observing Support. Change it at your own risk!
  See here for more Point commands and instructions.
• If you are not certain that the telescope will be in a safe position for your selected object, check the collision chart.
• From the console, the telescope can be moved at 3 different speeds in RA, 2 in DEC. The 2 main speeds are located on the left side of the console. RA has a slower speed; the two buttons are located on the upper right of the console.
• Using appropriate speeds (SLEW is fast, SEARCH is moderate), move the telescope to the desired position.
• Extreme caution must be used when moving the telescope close to the north pier, platforms, objects on platforms, etc. The bridge on either side of the dome slit can also be a hazard. It is a good idea to move the dome to your approximate telescope position BEFORE the telescope is there, if your object is very far over. This is especially important when using ARGOS, though even the bare telescope can collide if you are not careful. Use common sense, and DON'T hurry! Always, always watch (with some kind of light on) when moving the telescope or dome. In addition, ARGOS users (by their own rules) may not observe low down between the pulpits or below the lower windcsreen. If you are working at prime focus or on the upper level, watch especially that nothing obstructs the cowcatcher at the bottom of the dome slit. There is a railing around some parts of the edges of the upper level showing you how much clearance is needed.
• The dome response is sometimes slow--be patient. Rock the dome back and forth if necessary to get it moving. If nothing happens after a LONG time, check the circuit breakers in the Cass Echelle storage room. The breaker box in the rack is labeled. Open the door to the rack. On the lower set of breakers, there are some marked DOME ROTATION and WINDSCREENS (breaker # 5). Reset them. (See also under OBSERVING, if this doesn't work.)
• After telescope and dome are set, center the object on the instrument using the slower speeds on the handpaddle. Once centered, enter a P Z command in your cosmo window on MIRANDA or NEREID. Do a P L command and compare the flexed coordinates given with the actual position of the telescope. It should match very closely, if not exactly. If not, redo the P Z and check again.

Other checkout procedures:

• Note the numerical value of the focus readout before you start. Select the FOCUS setting on the paddle to see if the Focus function is operational. Move the focus in and out using the handpaddle buttons. If the focus speed is too fast, turn down the rate using the focus speed knob on the right of the console. Set it to approximately the position shown by the arrow in the photo.
• Make sure the platforms are working by selecting PLATFORM on the handpaddle. Move each platform separately up and down.
• During cloudy weather or when the dome cannot be opened, all the functions that can be tested should be tested.
• Simulate setting on an object even though the POINT routine cannot be accurately checked.
  • If any of the functions are non-operational, check the circuit breakers. If any malfunctions are noted, describe it on the Night Report with as much detail as possible, and inform the proper person so repairs can be made.
  • The SLEW mode can be checked visually by observing the telescope movement.
  • The SET, GUIDE, FOCUS, etc. can be checked by observing the readouts.

Possible hazards and safety rules:

• Telescope collision areas
  • Check the 82" collision chart. A large print of this is also on the wall in the control room.
  • Set to 0h HA to go to North Service position. Even a few minutes off is NOT safe!
  • -42 DEG is the maximum south declination if you're under the axis, -46 DEG over the axis.
  • Be careful of bridge and pulpits at high zenith angles, especially when using ARGOS.
• Weather
  • Use the windscreens to stabilize the telescope when windy.
  • Read the weather rules here or look at them on the bulletin board in the control room. The observer at the 107" is the boss in weather closures, but use your judgement. Make sure the small domes are notified in case of weather alerts.
• Seeing aids
  • When it is not too windy, open the east catwalk doors to improve circulation. If it IS windy, the telescope will bounce around and you'll lose any advantage the circulation gives you.
  • The control room has a thermostat at the top of the stairs. To aid seeing and keep the computers happy, set to the coolest comfortable temperature (preferably <65 degrees F).
  • The telescope cell fan controller should be set to AUTO. The fans will turn on when the mirror is warmer than the ambient air.
  • The light/air lock doors help eliminate light/heat loss into the dome.
• Hazards
  • Watch for oil under the platforms, especially near the south polar axis.
  • The dome stairway is a "cowcatcher." Leave the aisle clear.
  • If the polar axis support pole is not stowed, the console warning light will be on.
  • In case of fire, fire extinguishers are located at the east and west catwalk doors. Alarm pull switches are located at the top of the stairs in the control room and one at the west door (none in dome).
  • During instrument changes and scratch balancing (generally during the day), watch for falling counterweights.
  • If you MUST use the floodlights at night (this is NOT advised; be prepared to close if someone complains), point the dome NW away from the other domes and close the outside doors.

Observing:

• Fill out your night report as directed by typing "xreport" in a window on Nereid or open the xreport by using the 3rd mouse selector button (you will be haunted until you do). Note the dome open and close times, give cloud and seeing estimates at least 3 times per night, hours open, hours worked, etc. Save and exit the xreport before you leave in the morning.
• If you have problems:
  • Call the appropriate person and/or note the problem on the night report. Problems dealing with the building itself (dome, wind- screens, etc) belong to Physical Plant. For instrument problems, call one of the people responsible for your instrument. For electronics problems, call one of the E-techs.
  • If you have a utilities or general power failure:
    • The UPSs on the Suns have alarms which will go off.
    • If EMERGENCY STOP (on either console, both handpaddles, either pulpit and the bridge console) is hit or there is a power loss inside the dome, there is a RESET button in the cass echelle storage room on the circuit breaker panel. If this breaker has blown, resetting it causes a loud bang in the dome. Also, there is a circuit breaker on the 2nd floor circuit breaker panels (labeled CRITICAL LOAD, Box #27, Breaker #5). If the power loss is only in the control room, the circuit breakers are located in the room on the north side of the stairs.

Shutdown procedures:

• Retract the baffle tube if it is extended. This MUST be done before you close the mirror cover!
• Close mirror cover.
• Close the dome shutter.
• Close instrument dark slides, etc.
• Park instrument at 0h HA and -20 DEG unless your instrument requires different stowage. ARGOS USERS: Do NOT stow the telescope below 0h HA and 90 DEG DEC. Stowing at North Service position endagngers your instrument and the telescope in the event of daytime maintenance.
• Park dome with shutter facing east.
• Center upper windscreen over the zenith and the telescope. The dome leaks and this will prevent moisture from falling on the telescope or instrument.
• Set thermostat temperature to <70 degrees F in the control room and make sure it is ON. The computers become VERY unhappy if it gets hot in the control room.
• Close outside doors and make sure they latch.
• Turn on walkway lights for safety. There is a switch and a variac on the cass console.
• Complete your night report--type "xreport" or use the 3rd mouse button selector (available on NEREID only).