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This is a summary of normal IGRINS use for observers at the McDonald 2.7m telescope 

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Off-Slit Guiding (for experts only)

Using the DTP

Identifying A0V Stars

Kyle has written several A0V Star worklists that can be used to identify nearby A0V stars throughout the night. Each worklist has to be uploaded to your TCS user account (only once!) for you to be able to use them throughout the night. You can download the worklists from here the Wiki or from here on Google Drive to upload them to TCS. (upload directions would be helpful here--20241206)

The worklists are organized by magnitude, so if you notice there are not many available A0V stars nearby your target try using a fainter magnitude worklist!

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The Data Taking Package is used to acquire IGRINS spectra throughout a night of observing. Check out the simple instructions on how to use the DTP here and for a more detailed description of all the button options check out the DTP GUI outline here.

!! 300s SKY Frame each night !!

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  1. Move the telescope to the zenith.

  2. Click SKY at the bottom of the DTP window, next to the other calibration buttons.

  3. Click ‘Start Sequence’ to take one E exposure.

  4. Continue observing after you have the SKY frame.

Identifying A0V Stars

Kyle has written several A0V Star worklists that can be used to identify nearby A0V stars throughout the night. Each worklist has to be uploaded to your TCS user account (only once!) for you to be able to use them throughout the night. You can download the worklists from here the Wiki or from here on Google Drive to upload them to TCS. (upload directions would be helpful here--20241206)

The worklists are organized by magnitude, so if you notice there are not many available A0V stars nearby your target try using a fainter magnitude worklist!

Changing the Slit Position Angle on the Telescope

  1. Move the telescope to Zenith

    1. Using the TCS select Next → Zenith and click yes on all of the pop-up windows.

    2. Click “Go Next” at the top of the TCS window.

  2. Slew the telescope to Zenith by holding down the Autoslew botton on the dome floor console.

  3. Ensure the rolling ladder is not on the raising platform.

  4. Use the yellow hand paddle to raise platform east until you can comfortably reach the mount that connects IGRINS to the telescope.

    1. Not so high that IGRINS or the electronics rack will hit the platform floor!

  5. Get the wheel attachment from the red tool box on the opposite side of platform east (see image in step 7 below; found near the ladder that brings you to the second floor in the dome).

  6. There are four screws on the IGRINS rotator plate that need to be loosened.

    1. 3 should have star-like handles (boxed in pink in the image below) you can manually loosen (unless a Darrin has been applied recently… then good luck)

    2. The last screw is a large hex screw (on the corner of the rotator plate near the calibration unit; boxed in orange in the image below) that needs to be unscrewed using the large hex wrench (pointed to with the red arrow in the image below) kept on the top of the dome control console.

      193DF704-E948-4417-A815-37C9DCDE53A9_1_201_a-20241213-173905.jpeg
  7. Once all of the screws on the rotator plate are loosened, attach the wheel attachment to the rotator peg on the rotator plate.

    1. This can be a little fussy to attach because the wheel and peg have interlocking parts, so a headlamp or flashlight can be helpful for getting the right orientation of the wheel.

    2. You’ll know the wheel is in position when it is near flush against the rotator peg.

      CBB0262F-1F6F-4896-8A89-FF76DEEBEC23_1_201_a-20241213-173759.jpeg
  8. Turn the wheel to rotate IGRINS in the appropriate direction.

    1. This requires some elbow grease!

    2. If you have difficulty moving IGRINS with the wheel alone, attempt applying some pressure on the edges of the electronics rack to loosen the rotator plate.

    3. DO NOT PUSH ON THE CRYOSTAT

  9. Encoder settings for different position angles can be found here.

    1. Once you think you are close to your desired rotation position check the value on the encoder and adjust as needed.

  10. Once you reach the desired position

    1. Remove the wheel and return it to the tool box.

    2. Screw in the 3 star-handled screws on the rotator plate. They should be tight!

    3. Use the wrench to tighten the last special screw and return the wrench to it’s found location.

  11. Verify that the cooling cables are NOT UNDER THE PLATFORM before using the hand paddle on the dome floor console to lower platform east.

    1. This may require that you lower the platform a little, jump off, adjust the cables, and continue lowering the platform (repeat as needed).

  12. In the control room:

    1. In the ICC on the SCV GUI change the the rotator value (box 10) and on the TCSProxy change the rotator value.

    2. Resume observing!

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  1. Move the telescope to Zenith

    1. Using the TCS select Next → Zenith and click yes on all of the pop-up windows

  2. Close the IGRINS window cover

    1. Rotate IGRINS back to a PA of 90 degrees, if needed

    2. Raise the east platform using the yellow hand paddle

    3. Close the IGRINS window cover using the handle

    4. Be sure to secure the handle using the velcro strip

  3. Stow the telescope

    1. Using the TCS select Next → Stow and click yes on all of the pop-up windows

    2. Press and hold the button on the dome floor console to move the telescope to the stow position

  4. Close the Mirror Window Cover

    1. Using the button on the Colossus Console (the console in the dome with all the red buttons). You should hear the motor stop when it is fully closed.

  5. Close the dome

    1. Using the button on the Colossus Console. There will be a loud sound when it finishes closing.

  6. Put any wind screens that are over the dome slit back to their stow positions using the hand paddle

  7. Park the dome

    1. Using the TCS select Tools → Park Dome and click yes on all of the pop-up windows

  8. Close the dome doors

  9. Close the dome vents

    1. Using the control panel on the East side of the dome near the door

  10. E-stop the telescope

    1. Using the button on the Colossus Console

  11. Turn on the passage lights (only once dome is closed fully)

    1. Using the button on the Colossus Console

  12. From the control room

    1. Log-out of ATLAS

      1. Click the power button on top right hand side of the lower monitor

  13. Turn off the heater in the observing room

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