Appendix A
2.4-m Telescope Startup Checklist

Observing Conditions

Verify that the conditions are suitable:

• Wind < 40 mph
• Humidity < 85%
• No dust or threatening weather
• No water or ice on the dome, telescope, or mirror covers
• Mirror temperature well above dew point
• Mirror support is working (see 2.4-m Observer's Guide for description)

Dome

• Open dome main shutter then the drop-out shutter.
• Open all the dome louvers.
• Open the roll-up "garage door" (the lock combination is 1234; give it a hard pull!).

Telescope & Instrument

• Open the MIS dark hatch.
• Leave the mirror covers closed until ready to collect data.
• Fill instrument dewar with nitrogen if required.
• Remove storage dewar and steps, etc., away from the telescope.
• Check moving platform fully down and at home position (if not, telescope power will shut off).

Observing Computer

• Login to hiltner as user obs24m, password posted on the dry erase board.
• Start xtcs and xmis (if used) using the desktop main menu (left mouse button).

Telescope Control System

• Press the TELESCOPE CONTROLLER START button. If the green START light doesn't stay on, lower the platform under the telescope and try again.
• Put the DOME CONTROLLER (bottom left rack in comupter room) to AUTO by pressing the illuminated yellow button in (on position).
• Set the toggle switches on the TELESCOPE CONTROLLER as follows:

     AUTO DOME      - UP (on)
     DOME HOME/FREE - UP (free)
     DRIVES         - UP (on)
     TRACK          - UP (on)
     MIRROR COVERS  - UP (open: only when you are ready to observe)
     AUTO GUIDER    - UP (on: when ready to auto-guide)
  

• Turn on TCS MONITOR (on top of telescope controller) and adjust brightness and contrast as required.
• Visually confirm that all four mirror cover petals are open, and that the dome is not occulting the telescope.

MIS and DVI

• Turn on the following units:
  • Camera Selector
  • Digital Video Integrator if in use (NOT USED WITH THE SEITZER GUIDER)
  • Find/Guide Monitor
  • Guider PC Monitor (the Guider PC itself should always be left on).