This is a summary of normal IGRINS use for observers at the McDonald 2.7m telescope
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IGRINS & Atlas Computer Set Up
On Atlas
Log in with IGRINS account.
Ask for username and password if you do not already know it.
Open Browser (Firefox has all of the bookmarks).
In the IGRINS bookmarks folder open the following:
SNR Quicklook: For looking at the spectra taken throughout the night to verify observations are reaching the required SNR.
Nightly Observing Record: Keeps track of all of the IGRINS observations taken in a night. (Note: The date at the end of the link must be updated to the current observing date from the bookmarked date.)
House Keeping Package: Keeps track of the instrument health--always--monitor to ensure all of IGRINS parameters are within acceptable ranges.
IGRINS Digital Night Log: A google spreadsheet that will auto populate throughout the night per frame taken.
What Target is IGRINS Observing?: Tracks the coordinates put into the TCS, the position angle of the slit, and over-plots the slit onto a 2MASS K-band image of the target. Best if used in parallel with a finder chart, but can be helpful for verifying rotation orientation and pointing.
Open weather related monitoring pages from the McDonald weather links tab in the bookmarks. We recommend the Mt. Lock Live Weather, the McDonald Observatory Clear Sky Chart, and AccuWeather or Windy for cloud monitoring.
Open the VNC Viewer to view the IGRINS computer.
Applications → Internet → VNC Viewer
Input the IGRINS computer password.
On the VNC Viewed IGRINS Computer:
Open a terminal window.
> cd IGRINS_admin
> sh ./run_icshub.sh
The IGRINS Hub should appear--verify that the date of observation is correct.
If “Check Mount” is Failing:
Open a new terminal window.
> cd IGRINS_admin
sh ./mntrun
Enter the IGRINS computer password.
Click the “Check Mount” button in the IGRINS Hub, which should hopefully return the status to “Okay”.
If “Fail” again: remote into IGRINS detector computers. If not able to login [add link], check the computers are turned on in the electronics rack. If they are turned on, there is likely an issue with the fiber optic cable--contact observing support.
Click “run HKP” & verify the health of the instrument.
Open a new terminal window.
> cd IGRINS_admin
sh ./run_all_scripts.sh
The terminal for this should take up the entire length of the screen--it runs multiple scripts with outputs that are hard to read otherwise
This script runs multiple scripts that allow for the use of the firebase apps that update throughout the night (see the IGRINS Bookmarks tab on Atlas Firefox)--these improve quality of life greatly but are not strictly required.
Open a new terminal window.
> cd IGRINS_admin
sh ./run_file_transfer_daemon.sh
This script manages the file transfer between the ICC and the IGRINS computer. Do not close the pop-up window!
On Atlas, Launch the TCS (the first of the red buttons pinned to the Atlas taskbar).
In the IGRINS Hub click “run TCSProxy”.
Verify that the top of the pop-up says “TCSProxy HJST 107””.
Verify that the coordinates from TCSProxy match those in the TCS window on Atlas.
If all of the coordinates read as 0’s, then the Colossus computer might have failed. Phone for observing support locally.
In the IGRINS Hub click “run SCP” and “run DTP”.
On the SCP (Slit Camera Viewer), click “Single” in the Detector Control.
Verify that a slit camera image is produced.
On the DTP (Data Taking Package) click “Test Exposure” on the bottom left under the K-Band image box
Verify that an image is produced in H- and K-Band
Verify that the TCSProxy coordinates are not all 0’s (that the connection between IGRINS and TCS is good).
If all coordinates read as 0’s, then the Colossus computer might have failed. Phone for observing support locally.
If for whatever reason, either of these fail, phone for help!
To enable sounds from the IGRINS observing computer in the observing room:
Open a terminal in Atlas
> cd igrins_tools
> cd play_msg
> /home/igrins/miniconda3/envs/igos3/bin/python play_msg.py (running the script the enables the notification sounds).
On the Atlas computer open the following:
The MONET sky camera (pink “SKY” button pinned to the taskbar).
The HJST dome floor camera (pink “HJST” button pinned to the taskbar).
The HJST slit camera (pink “SLIT” button pinned to taskbar).
Taking Flats
Go out in the dome
Go to the old control room (Colossus Control Room) and press each of these buttons:
Go to the console and press "Reset". You will hear a click as the breaks preventing the telescope from moving are released. There should be no messages on the TCS now.
Point the telescope to Zenith
Go to the TCS, click the "Next" menu, click "Zenith", and click "Yes" on the warning message that pops up.
Click "Go Next" at the top of the TCS window.
Push the Autoslew button in the dome to move the telescope to the Zenith.
Use the console to open the telescope mirror cover
Set up IGRINS and telescope for taking calibrations
Raise the east platform so you can reach the top of IGRINS
Open the shutter on top of IGRINS is for taking flats
Be sure to secure the window cover arm using the velcro.
Move the telescope to the Flat position
Go to the TCS, click the “Next” menu, click “Flat”, and click “Yes” on the warning message that pops up.
Click “Go Next” at the top of the TCS window.
Push the Autoslew button to move the telescope to the Flat position.
Use the yellow hand paddle to move the upper wind screen all the way down to reveal the full flat screen.
Use the TCS to move the telescope dome to the “Park” position
Go to the TCS, click the “Tools”, click “Park”, and click “Yes” on the warning message that pops up.
In the Observing Room:
In the DTP on the ICC:
Click the “FLAT-OFF” button below the K-band image plot.
Click “Yes” on the pop-up that appears (this just fills in the Object Name and Exposure Time in the DTP)
This will fill the Seq Bar with 10 x E frames, change the object name, object type, and set the exposure time.
Change the exposure time to 20 seconds (if not already set to that).
Change the Object Name to “FLAT 20s” (if not already set to that).
When ready to take the FLAT-OFFs, click the “Start/Resume Sequence” button.
Flat Off frames should take about 10 minutes to complete. Computer will say "H finished", "K finished", “Sequence finished” when they are done.
Back to the dome to turn on the Flat lamps for FLAT ON frames
Move the rolling stairs from their stowed location to on platform east under the telescope
Ensure the location you place the rolling stairs is clear of the telescope
Raise the platform using the yellow hand paddle until you will be able to reach the plug for the flat lamps on the side of the telescope
!! Make sure you do not get close enough to bump IGRINS with the raising platform !!
Plug the flat lamp power cable into the side of the telescope, see images below
In the Observing Room:
In the DTP on the ICC...
Click the “FLAT-ON” button below the K-band image plot.
Click “Yes” on the pop-up that appears (this just fills in the Object Name and Exposure time in the DTP)
This will fill the Seq Bar with 10 x E frames, change the object name, object type, and set the exposure time.
Change the exposure time to 20 seconds (if not already set to that).
Change the Object name to “FLAT 20s” (if not already set to that).
When ready to take the FLAT-ONs, click the “Start/Resume Sequence” button.
Flat On frames should take about 10 minutes to complete. Computer will say "H finished", "K finished", and “Sequence finished” when they are done.
Turning off Flat Lamps/stowing wind screen
...
Close the telescope mirror cover on the console so nothing falls on the mirror when moving the upper wind screen
Move the upper wind screen back to its original position using the yellow hand-paddle
...
Glossary
ICC: Instrument Control Computer
HKP: House Keeping Package
DTP: Data Taking Package
SCP: Slitview Camera Package
QLP: Quick Look Package
DCC: Detector Control Computer
Dome Opening Procedure
To startup the telescope follow the dome opening procedure.
Start of Night
Check and zero the telescope pointing
Check telescope focus
TO DO
Record seeing in the night log on Atlas. Do this four times per night (if possible).
Note: RA and DEC that are saved in the digital log, from the DTP screen are the 'Next' coordinates on the TCS. The coordinates displayed in the SCP are the current epoch coordinates and these propagate the the FITS headers.
Note: Unless absolutely required for your science, please disable the autosave feature on the slit camera viewer. This will save 30GB of space each night.
Note: When keeping logs, track the A or B location of your frames. Your data reduction will be better in cases where you manually change the nod location or have bad frames.Note: When guiding, 'send AG offsets to TCS' must be selected for offset commands to be sent to the telescope.
Note: You need at least one 300s sky frame each night for the PLP to work correctly. If you will not get one of these for your science, then get one to help with reductions.
Note: The A and B box positions need to be verified each night because the slit moves in its holder up to 5 pixels between observing runs.
Glossary
ICC: Instrument Control Computer
HKP: House Keeping Package
DTP: Data Taking Package
SCP: Slitview Camera Package
QLP: Quick Look Package
DCC: Detector Control Computer
Dome Opening Procedure
To startup the telescope follow the dome opening procedure.
Start of Night
...
Check and zero the telescope pointing
Check telescope focus
...
TO DO
...
Any OFF frames for the night that are ~300s can also work in place of a dedicated sky frame--just note in digital log.