AstroClub Observation

Attendance

• Onkar

• Roy

• Tara

Date & Time

8:45P-11:30A

Spaces Occupied

• Control Room

• Dome

Goals

• Better characterize issues

• Look at something pretty!

Action Items/Things Done

Mirror Doors

1. South mirror door took at least 3s longer to open than others

2. East mirror door made a sound – it seems like it was under tension for the last second or so and it was released as it fell into position.

3. Mirror doors opened successfully, otherwise

Connected CMOS

Pointed at Deneb. No joy.

Fabric was in the way. Onkar removed.

Attempted to point at Deneb again. No Joy.

Removed CMOS, confirmed it worked directly to Data Computer.

Checked optical path. Was good.

Reconnected CMOS.

Pointed at Deneb. No joy, confirmed with spotter scope.

Pointed at Jupiter. 

Moved scope around and eventually found it. Pointing was just off. We didn't understand the range of values the CMOS was giving.

Centered on Deneb again and adjusted focus to get optimal seeing. Around 3(arcsec?). Optimal focus was 1914 per DFM TCS.

Roy talked AT LENGTH about detector linear regions and saturation.

Roy talked about sources of error (Darks, Flats, Biases). 

Tara will look into how CCD technology differs from CMOS technology.

Closed up shop.

1. Disconnected CMOS from SharpCap

2. Stowed Scope at Zenith and disabled Tracking

3. Closed mirror doors

4. Closed dome shutters

5. Disconnected scope from TheSky6

6. Disconnected CMOS and USBA-C from GAM and LBD

7. Turned DFMTCS Off

8. Stored CMOS

9. Halted all Motors (red button), turned motor driver chassis off, turned drives off

Notes

Anti-glare material is completely removed. We need to talk to Erik about this.

LUM of dark sky in CMOS is less than 100 for 0 gain and 0.5s.

Pointing was not perfectly preserved between sessions.