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- We will follow SBIG ST4 Manual: Quick Start Guide (pgs 4-7; https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eZHGE03GMtdPJj9Op_cJs9yjb29Hh9o2/view?usp=share_link)
- After plugging in Guider CCD to ST4, it showed "99 0 0"
- Cardboard box is covering light baffle
- Connor and Shrey are trying to find a set of settings that gives ANY other value for the readout, other than "99 0 0"
- EA (Exposure Adjust) was set to its lowest value (0.1s)
- b (Boost Factor) was set to its lowest value (1)
- BA (Brightness Adjustment) was set to its normal value (A), which only collects data from one pixel
- As opposed to "F" which sums the pixel value along with its eight neighbors
- Connor and Shrey took a Dark Frame, and then switched back to "Find and Focus".
- The display then showed "0 0 0"
- This makes sense since the Dark Frame is subtracted from the value
- Moved on to step 5 of the start up guide.
- opened shutters, mirrors, and uncovered baffle
- pressed "find and focus" per guide instructions
- slewed to capella, eye balling it confirmed its probably capella
- values still "0, 0, 0"
- restarting, NEW PLAN
- removed ccd, installed on-axis camera to confirm we are pointing at capella as a test star
- removed on-axis camera, installed ccd
- closed dome, darkened dome, covered baffle with box
- beginning step 1 of quick start guide (again)
- ATTEMPT 2
- step 1: ccd installed and powered, currently reading "99, 0, 0"
- step 2: beginning calibration, waiting two minutes
- step 3: still at "99, 0, 0"
- step 4: taking dark frame, dropped to "0,0,0"
- step 5: "find and focus" pressed, removed box, opening shutters, already slewed to capella
- still seeing "0,0,0"
- next steps?
- deviating from the manual, going to try and adjust EA to the maximum value and see if we can get anything besides 0
- roy raised a point, if the max value is 99 and we are using the value as the dark value, no matter what we get we could just be subtracting 99 and getting 0 for every capture we take
- SUCCESS? we got a value of 99
- display refreshes every 20 seconds
- reduced EA to 1 second
- still getting 99
- reduced EA to 0.1 seconds
- getting 99???
- this may be because when we change certain settings, we need to take a new dark frame
- changing EA to 20 seconds, shutting hatch, taking another dark frame
- (0,0,0) is being displayed
- opening shutters, uncovering baffle, attempting another "find and focus"
- at least three frames had been taken, still displaying "0,0,0"
ToDo
Notes
- We don't know where the adapters are for the planetary camera ↔ GAM-lite
- Second DC monitor is not on. Primary monitor is flickering.
- There is no set of caps/coverings for filter wheel. We feel weird leaving it in a rando
- There are concerns over the lower shutter overdriving after closing, but still driving until upper shutter closes
- Might have located MEADE telescope cover
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