Musk mars desert observatory manual



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MUSK MARS DESERT OBSERVATORY MANUAL
Peter Detterline Crew 10

July 2006




CONTENTS


Introduction

Before You Get Started - IMPORTANT

Theory of Operation
Visual Astronomer

Opening and Closing the Dome

Powering Up the System

Aligning the Telescope

Focus the Image

Finding Objects using the Hand Control


Imaging Astronomer

Powering Up the System

Using the STV Camera/ Efinder

Guiding


Scripts

Alignment, Locating, and Focus of an Object

Using the Canon 20Da Camera

Using the Philips ToUCam


Research Astronomer

Using the ST2000-XM

Taking Images & Processing - Dark Frames and Flat Fields

Taking Images & Processing - Deep Sky

Taking Images & Processing - Planetary


APPENDIX


System Specifications

Software Description

Com Port Settings

Observatory Box

Using Filters

Focus Settings

Manuals and Software

Cleaning the Optics

Who to Contact for Help

Introduction

Welcome to the Musk Mars Desert Observatory. It is my hope that this on-line manual will help you become familiar with the setup and operation of the observatory prior to your visit to MDRS.


There are three levels of usage for the Musk Observatory. To be qualified to use the facility at a particular level, you must first pass an on-line test found at: http://engineering.marssociety.com/training/ . Tests are in sequence, so all of them have to be completed to move to a different level. A description of each level is as follows:
Visual Astronomer: You are qualified to operate the observatory for visual work only. This does not require the use of the computer, cameras or automation scripts. Anyone viewing through the telescope has to be out of sim; no spacesuits are allowed in the observatory.
Imaging Astronomer: You have to pass the Visual Astronomer test before you can gain access to this level. You will be using the computer system to move the telescope, automate the dome, and operate the cameras. The efinder (electronic finder) will provide you with a high tech finder scope as well as guiding capabilities. You will have access to two different cameras, a high end digital SLR that can be used piggybacked to the telescope tube or at prime focus, and a specialized webcam that is phenomenal for planetary imaging. Use of the software to control these cameras will give you the opportunity to operate the system from the observatory or from the yellow laptop in the hab. The cameras will be yours to use with the successful completion of this level and prior approval from the Astronomy Team. The cameras are in Hanksville and need to be signed out from Don Foutz at the beginning of your rotation, and returned to Don at the end of the rotation.
Research Astronomer: Completion of this level means that you have already passed and understood the previous levels. With prior approval you can sign out the digital SLR, the planetary webcam, and the high end CCD research grade camera from Don Foutz before your mission. Again, they are to be returned to him at the end of your crew rotation. The only extra requirements here are understanding the setup and operation of the camera, scripting, and the processing of the images for your research.
Feel free to e-mail me with any specific questions you may have regarding the system. Anyone using the observatory is required to provide information to the crew engineer to be filled out in his daily report. No changes are to be made to the system without the prior approval of the Astronomy Team. At the end of your rotation please make certain that the observatory is set up as you found it. I wish you clear skies on Mars!
Peter Detterline

Mars Society Astronomer



detterline@engineeringmarssociety.org

Before You Get Started IMPORTANT





  • READ this manual to get acquainted with the setup and the specifics of the system.




  • NEVER change or switch cords on the telescope or any of the equipment in the observatory.




  • NEVER view the Sun through the telescope. It does not have the necessary solar filters and solar projection will wear away the coatings on the mirror over time. Looking through the telescope visually will cause blindness, and can damage the camera.




  • NEVER tighten the screws at the back of the telescope. The screws lock the mirror in place. Robofocus does this automatically to prevent mirror shift. Also Robofocus is temperature compensating- it will make adjustments as necessary on its own. If the mirror is locked down when those adjustments are made damage could result to the mirror.




  • NEVER end your session at the telescope without turning off the telescope. Even if you disconnect from VNC in the hab, the observatory computer will still operate and run the telescope. The telescope could end up twisting around damaging equipment and cables.




  • NEVER move the telescope without watching it at the observatory or on the video monitor in the hab. Make certain you are ready to abort a slew in progress if you see cables getting wrapped or equipment about to get damaged.




  • NEVER change the settings in the Hand Control MENU without the permission of the Astronomy Team.




  • NEVER operate the observatory in high winds. The images will jump and dance around in the telescope anyway ruining any images you wish to take. The wind can also do damage to the dome if opened- especially the shutter panels. Obviously don’t operate the telescope during bad weather. Be certain to take precautions in very high winds by following the high wind procedure found in the section on Opening and Closing the Dome.




  • NEVER enter the Musk Observatory in a space suit. There is not enough room to move around and equipment can get damaged. Safety, Sim, Science. In this case it’s the safety of the equipment that is at stake.


Visual Astronomer


Quick overview of the steps the Visual Astronomer takes to observe is as follows.

  1. Complete the Visual Astronomer test on line.

  2. Contact the Astronomy Team for approval to use the eyepieces prior to your crew rotation. The Astronomy Team will contact Don in Hanksville.

  3. Pick up the Visual Astronomer eyepieces in Hanksville at the start of the crew rotation.

  4. Open the dome and remove the lens caps.

  5. Turn on the telescope and Robofocus.

  6. Align the telescope using the hand control.

  7. Focus the telescope.

  8. Use the hand control to locate objects.

  9. When finished, move the telescope back to its park position.

  10. Turn off the telescope and Robofocus.

  11. Close the dome and replace the lens caps.


Opening and Closing the Dome

The opening and closing of the shutter system is not automated. It’s straightforward but if you need more information it can be found on the Sirius Dome DVD found with the observatory manuals.



Procedure


  1. Unlash the rope tied off on the dome.

  2. Pull on one side of the rope and the shutter opens…pull on the other side and it closes.

  3. Tie the rope back when finished.

  4. The bottom panel of the shutter opens out on a set of chains. When closing the dome close the bottom shutter first and then close the top shutter.

  5. Move the dome so that the rope is by the door.

  6. Dome rotation is controlled by a long cable from the black box located above the computer. Push the switch either way for direction.



HIGH WIND CAUTION

Some high winds in the past have done damage to the shutter. Special care should be taken to prevent the shutter from being pulled off of its tracks. If high winds occur during your rotation use this high wind procedure to secure the dome. Always secure the dome for high winds at the end of your rotation.


  1. Close the dome.

  2. Align the shutter with the eyebolt on the dome by the door.

  3. Use the strap with the come-a-long to run the length of the shutter on the outside of the dome.

  4. Connect one strap hook to the eyebolt on the dome by the door.

  5. Run the strap over the shutter and connect the other strap hook to the eyebolt hook under the dome on the opposite side.

  6. Use the come-a-long to make the strap snug. Use the wood block under the strap near the come-a-long so the come-a-long doesn’t scratch the dome. See Picture.



END OF ROTATION CLOSING PROCEDURE


If there is no crew astronomer on the next rotation, follow this procedure to secure the observatory.


  1. Turn off the computer in the observatory.

  2. Make certain the telescope is in its park position and turned off.

  3. Make certain the dome, Robofocus and the STV are turned off.

  4. Close the dome.

  5. Put covers over the computer desk and the telescope.

  6. Padlock the door.

  7. Use the high wind procedure mentioned above to secure the shutter from the outside using the strap with the come-a-long.




Powering Up The System

Powering up the system for the Visual Astronomer entails turning on the telescope and the dome. The on/off button for the telescope is located on the side of the pier. The Hand Control will give you instructions on how to setup the telescope for observing. There should be a cable running from underneath the hand control to the computer. DO NOT REMOVE THIS CABLE. The computer is not necessary to use the telescope for the Visual Astronomer.


To turn on the dome locate the black box above the computer. To the left of the box is a switch. Turn the switch up and it will glow red. You can now use the hand control located on the right side of the black box to move the dome clockwise or counterclockwise.


Aligning the Telescope

Alignment of the telescope is accomplished automatically using the hand control. Alignment is necessary so the telescope points accurately to the objects you want to image.





  1. After the telescope is turned on, the Hand Control on the telescope should read CGE READY.

  2. Press ENTER. It will ask you to SET SWITCH POS.

  3. Press ENTER. The telescope will move to the switch position (due north). This is also its park position so there should be little movement if the telescope was stowed properly.

  4. The Hand Control will display the time. If correct press ENTER, if not press UNDO and follow the instructions on the Hand Control to change the time.

  5. The Hand Control will display TWO STAR ALIGNMENT. Press ENTER. A star will be selected automatically. Press ENTER and the telescope will move to the selected star.

  6. Move the dome using the dome hand control.

  7. When the telescope stops, look through the finderscope and see how close the bright star is to the crosshairs. If it’s too dark to see the crosshairs, use the yellow flashlight hanging off of the computer desk. While looking through the finderscope, shine the red flashlight around the opposite end and the crosshairs will brighten up. Don’t shine the light into the finderscope. Using the four arrow buttons on the Hand Control move the star to center it on the crosshairs. Look through the telescope to verify that the star is centered. If not, use the hand control to center it in the eyepiece.

  8. If the star is not focused go to the next section to focus the star image.

  9. Press ENTER when the star is centered in the eyepiece.

  10. Press ALIGN. The Hand Control will now ask if you would like the next star. Press ENTER and the telescope will move to that star. Typically it’s on the opposite side of the sky.

  11. When the telescope stops, move the dome, look through the finderscope and see how close the bright star is to the crosshairs. Using the four arrow buttons on the Hand Control move the star to center it on the crosshairs. Look through the telescope to verify that the star is centered. If not, use the hand control to center it in the eyepiece.

  12. Press ENTER when the star is centered in the eyepiece.

  13. Press ALIGN.

  14. The words ALIGN SUCCESS should be on the Hand Control.


Focus the Image

Focus is accomplished using the Robofocus hand control located on the side of the computer desk. To turn on the unit there is a switch just underneath the hand control. When turned on a red light will appear on the unit. There are two buttons labeled OUT and IN. Pushing those buttons will move the focus of the telescope. Look through the telescope while pushing the appropriate button to achieve focus. If the image looks like a doughnut, that is a star out of focus. The goal is to make the image as small as possible. Be patient, depending on the last setting it could take some time. It’s often helpful to move beyond what you feel is the correct focus position and then go back to assure that you have the best focus.



Finding Objects using the Hand Control

The telescope is now ready for visual use. Understanding the Hand Control will help you make the most of your observing session. The layout of the Hand Control is as follows and all the functions are listed in detail in the Celestron Manual found in the hab with the Observatory Manuals.




The main functions are as follows:

MOVING THE TELESCOPE

Press the RATE button and any number from 1-9. Number 1 is the slowest speed and 9 is the fastest. To move the telescope use the arrow keys.
MOVING THROUGH THE MENUS

When you go to a list of objects you can scroll though the list using the 6 UP button or the 9 DOWN button.


LOCATE AN OBJECT

There are some 40,000+ objects that are programmed into the Hand Control. They are set up into lists which can be accessed through the Hand Control using the UP and DOWN buttons.


Number 1 are the Messier or “M” objects; the finest bright deep sky objects (star clusters, nebula, galaxies) in the sky.

Number 2 are the Caldwell Catalog, an extension of the Messier.

Number 4 are the deep sky objects of the New General Catalog (NGC).

Number 7 are stars of the night sky.


To use these functions you press the appropriate button and type in the number of the object you want. Press ENTER, and the telescope will slew to that object.
If you are not certain what object number you want you can use the number 8 LIST button. Scrolling through this list will provide you with proper names of deep sky objects or double stars. Press INFO for information about the object. Remember to scroll through the list using the UP and DOWN buttons.
Number 5 are the planets that are visible at that time.

Number 0 is helpful if you’re not certain what you want to view. Labeled TOUR, it provides you with the finest objects that are visible in the sky during your observing session. Press INFO for information about the object.


REMEMBER: Do not change anything in the MENU list without the permission of the Astronomy Team. Everything is set correctly in this menu.
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