APPENDIX A

GENERAL OBSERVING NOTES:

  • If you have to pull, push, twist, or pry more than usual. DO NOT push, pull, twist, or pry harder. Contact Eric Howard or Mike Skrutskie for guidance or leave a note for the daytime maintenance staff.
  • If you are uncertain about a procedure or what course of action to take during a problem, call Eric Howard.
  • Check that the green tabbed cables are attached to the telescope camera electronics. These may have been disconnected due to the threat of lightning. See Appendix I for reconnection procedures and Appendix J, figures L through O.
  • Check that the switches in the dome are in their proper positions. There are yellow tags to show the correct positions on the following devices. See Appendix J, figures Q through R.

    1. Dome incandescent lights
    2. Dome power control (The power switch should be left in the off position until instructed to turn it on)
    3. Telescope Mirror covers.
    4. Camera temperature readout.

  • Keep the control/dome room door closed when operating telescope.
  • Entry/exit should be through the control room outside door only when you are observing.
  • Only go in or out of the control room through the outside door.
  • The camera temperatures (red gauges) (see Appendix J, Figure S) should ALWAYS read -192(Northern), -190(Southern), if not, check that the camera has not run out of LN2. Otherwise, notify Mike Skrutskie immediately.
  • Always check camera temperatures at the beginning, the end, and periodically throughout the night.
  • When operating telescope keep lighting to a minimum in order to maintain dark adaptation for monitoring the weather.
  • Always return ladders and other obstacles from the floor of the dome to their proper places as soon as you are done with them.
  • Stow the power cable for the dome after using it to open the slit and flap.
  • Put tools back where you found them, ESPECIALLY THE FLASHLIGHTS.
  • If you bring food into the control room or dome, ALWAYS take it out when you leave in the morning. Eating in the mountain kitchen/dining area is preferred.
  • Guard against introducing contaminants (ie. water) into the camera LN2 fill line. There is a fine filter deep inside the dewar that will capture any debris and eventually become clogged.
  • NEVER use teflon tape on junctions along the LN2 flow.
  • Inspect fill line fixturing for debris when assembling and disassembling pipe fixturing. Be especially wary of old teflon tape in the threads.
  • If the camera fill line becomes clogged. Call Mike Skrutskie Immediately. To unplug the line requires the camera warm up completely. Do not attempt to clear the line without Mike's approval.

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    Appendix A

    Version 2.3 - October 4, 1998
    Version 2.4 - January 8, 1999