MDM Observatory 2.4m Telescope Observer's Report for 2001 Jan 18

Observer(s): PI: Sackett; Observer: De Jong
Institution(s): Kapteyn Astronomical Institute

Instrument: MDM8K

Worked for 9 hours (all night)
Conditions were Photometric most of the night.
No equipment or software problems were encountered.

Seeing and Weather:
   Beg: Seeing 2.0 arcsec, Clear, Winds Calm, hazy
   Mid: Seeing 1.4 arcsec, Clear, Winds Calm
   End: Seeing 1.9 arcsec, Clear, Winds Calm

Observing Summary:

First half of night observed M31. Twice humidity went up and
had to stop observing for total 80 minutes. Around 23:30 problem
with TCS. Error message: 'RA encoder not responding'. Maybe 
because pointing at low angle? Also error message: 'Moving with
autodome off', while autodome was on.
Returned telescope to zenith and shut down TCS. After restarting
TCS 3 of the mirror covers don't open, only south cover opens.
Finally covers opened after tilting telescope to the east.
Second half of night observed several clusters.
Warm primary mirror all night, but most notably at beginning of
night.

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Submitted on 2001 Jan 19 [5:24:37]