MI/B&C Observing Procedures

1. Accessing Data Acquisition Computer (LLama)

• Username: obsmag1b
• Password: check with the staff
• Open an xterm window
• cd /home/obsmag1b/data
• mkdir 20020914_15 (e.g.)
• cd 20020914_15

2. Start Detector Control Window in LLama

• From xterm window type 'ccd' to open detector control window
• Before the CCD control window appears you have to select 4 parameters from the menu:
  • Uniblitz
  • Marconi1
  • 50
  • magellan1
• On the CCD control window select Gain 1
• On the CCD control window select Subraster and enter the following values:
  • 1 2048 140 480
  • Save spectra.subr
  • Apply
  • Done
• Open an IRAF window and go to the recently created directory (20020914_15)
• Load the 'bnc' package twice
• Open XImtool
• In IRAF window reset stdimage=imt27

3. Open Flat Field Screen Lamp Window

• From any window type 'ffs' to open Flat Field Screen Lamp Window
• From any window type 'bnc' to open bnc GUI

4. Check instrument setup

• Set Decker to 35, and Prism to 0 in bmc GUI
• Take a He Ar lamp to make sure that wavelength range is correct. Adjust grating tilt accordingly
• Check that arc lines are properly aligned with columns
• Check focus of spectrograph (near collimator value of 925)

5. Dome Flats

• Set Decker to 35, and Prism to 100 in bmc GUI, and micrometer to 300 microns
• Turn ON quartz light at the platform and adjust voltage
• Turn OFF platform lights
• In Flat Field Screen Lamp Window click IN to move screen into place
• In CCD window set exposure time and object to "Dome Flat", imtype="flat"
• Exposure times:
  • 300u slit : 60 sec (voltage=4.0)
  • 500u slit : 25 sec (voltage=4.0)
• Start sequence with START botton
• When the sequence of flats is complete turn OFF quartz lamp
• In Flat Field Screen Lamp Window click OUT to move screen into place
• Take a sequence of bias frames (Set Exptime=0, Imtype=zero, Loop=15)

6. Observing

• Set Imtype=object
• ASk NA to enable PA automatic rotation
• In CCD window set exposure time, object to "object name", and click START to begin exposure
• To take arc lamp click IN to move screen into place, click He and Ar (both of them), and take a 20-sec arc exposure (don't forget to remind the NA to disable guider)
• Click OUT to move screen into place, and click He and Ar to turn OFF the lamps

7. Before going to bed

• After finishing the darks turn OFF monitors in control room
• Complete Observing Run Report Form
  
  mhamuy@lco.cl