MDM Trouble Report for 2006 Mar 12

Telescope: 2.4m
Observer(s): John Thorstensen, Holly Sheets (Dartmouth)
Instrument: echelle CCD + 2 in FW

Problem(s) Encountered:
Long-recurring problem with the tracking in cold weather.  
Occurred largely with the telescope E of the meridian, but
that is uncertain.  The symptom is that the guide star jumps
out of the box toward the E, then it's very hard to get it back
in.  The telescope can slip quite a ways.  The telescope lurches
in RA at a rate of a bit more than 1 Hz.  The usual.

The guider monitor seems small and dim, but that may just be my
faulty memory.  In any case it would be good to have a larger, 
healthier one.  I found a B&W 12-in monitor with a BNC connector 
on the web for $189, so maybe we can spring for one or two. 
Turns out security-supplies companies sell these, for the local
Kwik-E-Mart I'm sure. 

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Submitted on 2006 Mar 13 [6:57:11]