From: "Camron Hastings" Subject: 3.5-meter Night Log 981001 Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 05:50:59 -0600 Thursday, October 1st 1998 APACHE POINT OBSERVATORY 3.5-meter Observing Log ACTUAL ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ASTRONOMER OBSERVER(S) INSTRUMENT DATE START FINISH ---------------------------------------------------------------------- B.Gillespie K.Gloria/C.Hastings SPIcam 10/1-2 20:10 05:36 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- INST SCHEDULED OBS WEATH EQUIP DAY NOTUSED I/RS/DN START FINISH D B D B D B USE D B ---------------------------------------------------------------------- EN01/S 20:10 05:36 2.3 3.3 0 3.8 0 0 0 0 0 -------- ACTIVITY LOG -------- 1st half observing specialist: Karen Gloria We had a fairly intense thunderstorm that began late in the afternoon but tapered off by 22:00. After waiting for the humidity to drop, we opened at 00:00MDT. Russet McMillan and I took some pinhole images with SPIcam to see how the new NA2 baffle is working. The first images showed condensation on the camera window. I blew the condensation off with canned air, but that stirred up a lot of dust in front of the camera window, so now there's a big dust spot where the condensation was. The camera window ought to be cleaned and I'll need help and input from Stubbs and Brinkman on how best to do that. The pinhole images - The images taken with the new Na2 baffle (which is a series of thin rings) show almost no scattered light coming from the inside of the Nasmyth port, which was the purpose of this baffle. The instrument can still see around the tertiary mirror, though. So, this baffle doesn't eliminate that source of scattered light (which is quite significant). We also took images with the "cut-out" foam baffle that has often been used in the past. These show that this baffle doesn't really block that scattered light coming from around the tertiary mirror. With the new Na2 baffle in, this old foam baffle doesn't contribute anything to the scattered light reduction. Lastly, we took images with the "full" foam baffle in. This is the baffle that goes deep into the Na2 port and blocks the guider's view of the sky. This baffle has just the right size opening to block the instrument's view around the tertiary mirror, eliminating that source of scattered light. 2nd half observing specialist: Camron Hastings The weather held out for us, and Karen started Russet and me on pointing models. After a quick test model, I ran 2 more models, both with good results. I created a new pointing model data file with the best of the two, a 96 point series, and installed it as telmod.dat;85 while the previous model is still present if needed. (telmod.dat;84) Russet completed the closure procedures by herself this evening as training She seems to feel comfortable with mounting and removal of instruments, opening and closing of the enclosure, LN2 fills on GRIM II, and basic TCC commands to accomplish these tasks. She has also become familiar with the guider and is learning the commands to accomplish guiding effectively, as well as using the UW "guider monitor" program. (Eric Deutsch: Did that guest account ever get created for Obs Spec use?)Russet also is now familiar with the filling, setup, and closure of the IR cloud scanner. FOCUS LOG October 1st 1998 Best Telescope Temp Wind Seeing Time Instrmt Focus Az El Air/Truss Dir MPH filter FWHM" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- No Focus Data This Evening ---------- WEATHER LOG October 1st 1998 Wind Time Temp-F Dewp-F MPH Direction Dust Sky Precip ------------------------------------------------------------------ 16:01 55 51 22 193 (SSW) ---- Ptly Cldy None 17:01 57 52 24 209 (SSW) ---- Cloudy Rain 18:01 54 50 20 209 (SSW) ---- Cloudy Rain 19:01 51 50 11 177 (S) ---- Cloudy None 20:01 51 50 16 205 (SSW) ---- Cloudy Rain 21:01 51 50 18 218 (SW) ---- Cloudy Rain 22:01 50 48 18 264 (W) ---- Cloudy Rain 23:01 52 43 15 251 (WSW) ---- Ptly Cldy None 00:01 51 37 18 275 (W) ---- Mstly Clr None 01:01 51 30 17 288 (WNW) ---- Mstly Clr None 02:01 50 26 11 300 (WNW) ---- Mstly Clr None 03:01 50 20 17 280 (W) ---- Mstly Clr None 04:01 48 20 14 280 (W) ---- Mstly Clr None 05:01 48 19 11 277 (W) ---- Mstly Clr None note: the wind was coming from the azimuth listed. The convention used is north=0 degrees, east=90 degrees. The dust count is for the particles > 1 micron per 0.1 cu.ft. TELESCOPE STATUS Primary, secondary, and tertiary mirrors in place and collimated. Primary support system operational. Mirror ventilation system in place. Telescope drives operational. Current Remark version: 2.42a Current guide software version: GIm Ctrl v3.0b 15.out - Karen Gloria, Camron Hastings, Russet McMillan