MDM Trouble Report for 2017 Jan 26

Telescope: 2.4m
Observer(s): Jessica Klusmeyer (MDM)
Instrument: OSMOSB4k

Problem(s) Encountered:
Normally let dewar fill until steady flow however tonight I waited too long and when moving back tank dropped dolly creating hole/chipped paint.  
This is my fault as I should have been paying more attention.
Went to clean up mess and more paint chipped away, not sure if this causes any issues outside of cosmetics



As mentioned thought issues with telescope from previous day were caused by seeing/weather or improper focusing.  Used the prospero script call focus4k####
could not get rid of coma-like appearance.  Followed instructions from Eric's email however same results when focusing with B filter.
results were the same with/without filter.  (Same results with OIII filter too.)  Ran movie on 1k and moved through focus just in case I missed something
I am unaware of anything else I can do to fix this issue and believe it is something with collimation
Have multiple request for imaging in queue however can not get usable data with these conditions




Went on to try spectroscopy and dome was off 20 degrees each move.  This is a problem I have encountered multiple times and will move dome to home after turning off auto dome,
reset leads in dome encoder box, set dome encoders to home (320).  This normally fixes the problem for the night however that was not the case tonight.  This problem reoccurred 
three times, each time I reset as above.  Also noted that when homing for end of night dome was off again.  (the yellow light also appears to be out in computer room)



When taking some images noticed double star/ trails.  I have also had this occur in previous run and knew resetting TCS should solve the issue.  Parked scope and followed  
http://mdm.kpno.noao.edu/index/Lightning_Hiltner_files/TCS_reboot.pdf
During first reset TCS Link was still down after TCINIT in prospero.  Not sure what caused this but tried check-list again, it worked.


Had to establish pointing with the telescope after reset and as mentioned zenith tilt sensor readings require 4K readout to find star.  I don't remember having to use 4K in previous runs, it's not a real problem as star
is in image but it is time consuming.




Tried to move telescope to -2h HA and heard loud thump.  Went out to check and as suspected the west mirror cover was closed.  Moved telescope to +4H to see if gravity would open
cover but did not.  Climbed up and opened cover.  Tried to move telescope to another target and same issue.  I checked gauge in dome and pressure was normal.  I know Eric warned of
this in an email however I thought it was only an issue during closing.  Moved telescope back to +4h HA and opened mirror cover again.  Thought about using rope to keep mirror
cover open but considering the focus and all other issues tonight decided against it.  When moving back Zenith heard mirror cover close again, went back out and opened to have cover close in correct order.  
Moved telescope to ~2h HA to close however mirror covers closed in wrong order.



I am a little tired and frustrated with all the events for tonight so I am leaving covers as is and will be up to talk to Eric tomorrow 




 
 

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Submitted on 2017 Jan 27 [1:51:38]