1.3m Port Server Reset

If the 1.3m TCS reports a connection issue with the telescope servers, it may be an issue with the TCS port server.  

Open a terminal (as user obs13m on mdm13ws1).  Type:

telescope status <enter>

A list of three servers will be displayed.  If any are not running, type:

telescope stop <enter>

telescope start <enter>

This will reset the servers.  Using telescope status, you can verify whether or not the servers are all running.  If running, try to reconnect within the TCS GUI.  If this fails, likely one or more servers has again stopped responding.  If so, the port server in the TCS chassis, on the wall to the right in the computer room likely needs to be reset.  Carefully open the chassis and locate the port server in the top-left corner, as seen in Figure 1.  Next, using a small device (like the tweezers on the window sill next to the TCS chassis), press the "Reset" button momentarily.  Finally, try reconnecting the servers again via the terminal window on mdm13ws1, as described above and reconnect within the TCS GUI.

Figure 1: Port Server within the TCS

Figure 2: Port Server Reset

After reseting the port server, telescope hour angle is often off by roughly 12 minutes.  If adjusting the telescope pointing is necessary, shut off tracking and point to zenith with the command:

point ha=0 dec=31:57:12 nodome

and note the tilt sensor values.  True zenith is somewhere around -005/+004.  Note the discrepancy between these values and what the indicators display.  These typically correspond to a differential of ~12 minutes in HA.  To zero this, approach the nominal values with the command:

point ha=0:12 dec=31:57:12 nodome

Tilt sensor values should now be much closer to nominal.  Fine tuning can now be performed using the virtual handpaddle.  Set the handpaddle value to '60' and move until the coordinates roughly match the nominal values.  Once satisfied, zero the coordinates with the command:

zero ra=SI:DE:RE dec=31:57:12 equinox=nnnn.nnn

where SI:DE:RE is the sidereal time roughly 10 seconds in the future and nnnn.nnn is the current equinox as displayed in the TCS.  As the local sidereal time is roughly 2 seconds away from the typed value, strike <enter> to zero the coordinates.  Telescope coordinates are now roughly aligned.  You can further touch them up on a bright star from here.

For a full primer on reseting telescope coordinates, visit the 1.3m Pointing Reset page.