2.1m Cautions

Always, ALWAYS watch both ends of the telescope while it is moving. Safety of the telescope and instrument is the responsibility of the observer. Extreme caution must be used when moving the telescope close to the north and south piers, platforms, ladder and other objects on the platforms. (Use common sense, and don't hurry!)

Set to 0h HA to go to or from North Service position. Even a few minutes off is NOT safe!
ARGOS USERS: Do NOT stow the telescope at the North Service Position. Daytime maintenance may be required, which may require moving the dome, endangering your instrument and the telescope. Do not stow the telecope below 0h HA and 90 degrees DEC. This will allow your instrument to clear all dome obstacles.
-42 DEG is the maximum south declination if the telescope tube is east of the axis, -46 DEG west of the axis.
Be careful of bridge and pulpits when pointing near horizon (well above it, actually). When observing on low objects, it is best to move the dome there first and bring the telescope down through the open shutter area. Be very careful here. There are several parts of the dome and pulpit that can be hit by the telescope (especially with ARGOS).
Check the HA/DEC chart in the control room to find the accessibility of objects.
Watch for oil under the platforms, especially near the south polar axis.
The dome stairway is a "cowcatcher." Leave the aisle clear. The "aisle" extends all the way around the edge of the dome a few feet--partly blocked off by walkway railings.
If the polar axis support pole is not stowed, the console warning light will be on. Call someone from Observing Support if this is the case.
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 while the dome is open (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.
If taking the telescope over the axis, be sure the instrument's cables are not snagged or pulled too tight (some instrument's cables are a bit short for going over the axis).
ESPECIALLY FOR ARGOS USERS: ARGOS users may not observe low down between the pulpits or below the windscreens. Extra care must be made ANY time the telescope is moved, since the end of the telescope may collide with many objects around the dome (especially when it is at or near service position).
If you leave the building or the vicinity of the telescope for more than a few minutes, either turn off the telescope tracking or be absolutely certain that the telescope cannot track into something while you are gone.
If you should happen to bump the telescope into something, you must notify David Doss (675), Earl Green (657) or Don Wallace (671).

If in doubt about the weather conditions, please see our weather page at http://weather.as.utexas.edu, the current weather conditions at http://nexus.as.utexas.edu/cgi-bin/obs_sup/latest_5min.cgi, and the weather closure rules.