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This page contains information on some things which have not yet been completed in the new dome. This page is being updated regularly so interested parties should check it often.
The software for automating the focusing of the telescope is already installed on the dome computer. It cannot autofocus until it has characterised the system using its 'First Light Wizard'. On startup FocusMax connects to the telescope and reads out the temperature of the primary mirror and the distance of its focusing assembly along its travel. At this point it also states that it cannot autofocus as it has not characterised the system.
The wizard sequence has been attempted many times and it has failed for various reasons. The most recent attempt was almost successful. New students in charge of controlling the ART should research ways to solve the problem of autofocusing the telescope.
A useful source of information is the FocusMax User Group.
To prepare for a wizard sequence a clear night is needed. Centre a 3rd to 6th magnitude star in the field and bring it to a good focus manually. Now proceed with the wizard. It should handle the process automatically.
Whenever robotic focusing is functional, the focus will have to be adjusted upon each filter change. This is acceptable when doing long exposures for L-RGB colour imaging but when doing short, scientific exposures it would waste valuable time.
To find the filter offsets first a reference filter should be decided upon. The most logical choice is 'no filter'.
The data should be recorded in the filters setup window. Open MaxIm, go to the ''Camera Control'' window, on the ''Setup'' tab click ''Setup Filter'' under ''Camera 1''. Enter the data next to the appropriate filter and click ''OK''.
Now when the filter is changed by either MaxIm or ACP the focuser will move automatically according to the stored offset value.
'''Note: Autofocusing will need to be activated in ACP for this to work. Goto ''ACP'' -> ''Preferences'' -> ''Autofocus'' and enable ''Autofocus''.'''
Once the ART can be used completely remotely from inside the Observatory then the next step is for it to run automatically. The Planner lets an astronomer set out a list of observations. The Scheduler allows the astronomer to group the plans into different projects and can give each observation a different priority.
Students should learn how to use ACP, ACP Planner and ACP Scheduler.
The best way to do this is to go to the ACP Website.
There are instructional videos on how to use ACP on Bob Denny's Youtube Channel.
There are instruction manuals for ACP, Planner and Scheduler on the in dome computer.
The DC-3 Dreams Communication Center is a forum for supporting ACP users. Try to search the archives before beginning a new post. Any problems encountered with ACP might have been solved already. A login will be needed for this forum which can be requested from Simon Jeffery or Jack Wright.
The climate conditions inside the dome have been closely monitored since the mounting of the PlaneWave telescope in the dome. It is imperative that the humidity in the dome be kept as low a possible. Dew forming on the optics of the telescope would be fatal to the operation of the ART. As a result, there is a dehumidifier running in the dome at all times when the dome is not in use. It requires regular emptying.
The purpose of the heater in the dome is to prevent the dome from freezing. The temperature inside the dome, ideally, must be kept as close to the ambient temperature as possible, without the risk of condensation or frost appearing on the optics. Obviously, the heater needs to do a lot more work in winter than in summer time. Students who are in charge of looking after the new dome should experiment at all times of the year to find out what settings on the heater are required to keep the dome temperature stable. '''Note: The current heater will be removed from the dome at some stage and a replacement will be introduced.'''