Shane AO

Procedure: Afternoon Activities

: 1. Check Schedules
: 2. Verify Instrument Status
: 3. Data Management
: 4. Enable System
: 5. Align
: 6. Reference Centroids
: 7. Disable System
: 8. Junk File(s) & Delete Exposure Information
: 10. Dome Flat Fields & Calibrations
: 11. Sky Flat Fields & Calibrations
: 12. Process PAM Files

1. Check Schedules

Check technicians' support schedule. Determine if operations are limited, and responsibilities for opening enclosure prior to sunset.

Monitor current and forecast weather trends:
- Compare ambient with operational temperatures.

If LGS operations scheduled, then before 16:00 on a weekday:
- Check LGS Spotter Schedule for assignments and local start time.
  Local start time determines times of advance telephone calls to FAA (15 mins).
- Check availability of Predictive Avoidance Authorization Message (PAM) files for appropriate JDAY (e.g. via Space-Track
  ).
  Current UT and JDAY can be determined using the following unix/linux command:
```
date -u "+%A, %FUT%T; JDAY=%j"
```
  If PAM files are not available, then
  contact Laser Clearing House/US Space Command to determine status.
  Normal LCH hours are 08:00--17:00 PT Mo-Fr. 805-605-4763 or 805-606-7410.
  For emergency actions outside regular business hours the phone number is 805-605-3514 to request on-call support.
  Note: Prior to October 2022, the contact telephone number for USAF Space Command (duties subsequently assumed by USSF) was: 805-605-6546.)
- Monitor electronic mail for notifications of additional closures due to recent space events, circulated to mh-laser.ucolick.org.

2. Verify Instrument Status

Ensure Pointing model set to AO in POCO GUI.

Ensure Loops open in ShaneAO loop control GUI (saocon_gui).

Via aopococ GUI:
- Ensure TUB angle is set to 74.0.
- Verify Airmass. Typically releases, alignments, calibrations, optimizations, etc. should be performed with telescope at zenith.

Verify diagnonal mirror sdiagmir_fe in position 3.
Verify enclosure status (in preparation for dome flat fields, etc.)

Verify Messages window:
- Messages of the following form indicate a problem, which can result in poor performance of the Shane AO system:
```
 
   Aug  1 11:05:59 real kernel: last message repeated 14476 times 
   Aug  1 11:07:00 real kernel: last message repeated 14475 times 
   Aug  1 11:08:01 real kernel: last message repeated 14476 times 
   
```
  Messages containing the text: SW-IOMMU indicate a problem.
  In such cases:
  Locate the terminal labelled shaneao; Place cursor in this window to make it the active window; Hit return/enter key to acquire a python (>>>) prompt; At the python prompt, type exit(). This stops the underlying shaneao software process(es).
  Having stopped the process(es), at the python (>>>) prompt, type shaneao. This (re-)starts the underlying shaneao software process(es).

Verify ShARCS ion pump status:

user@covert > gshow -s sharcspump -date "48 hours ago" PRESSURE HVPOWER

should return values of the following example form:

 
   2020-10-29T20:15:13.2324     PRESSURE = 4.7e-07 
   2020-10-29T20:15:45.2450     PRESSURE = 4.8e-07 
   2020-10-29T20:16:06.5801     PRESSURE = 6.8e-07 
   2020-10-29T20:16:17.2441     PRESSURE = 5e-07 
   2020-10-29T20:16:27.8981     PRESSURE = 4.8e-07 
   2020-10-29T20:16:38.5706     PRESSURE = 4.9e-07 
   2020-10-29T20:16:49.2029     PRESSURE = 4.8e-07 
   2020-10-29T20:17:53.1040     PRESSURE = 4.7e-07 
   2020-10-29T20:18:03.7274     PRESSURE = 4.8e-07

3. Data Management

If new observing run, then:

Archive data:
```
user@covert.ucolick.org > archclear
```

Select mon_sharcs.config (usually 1 in list).
Respond y to delete archived files.
If files are not deleted, then troubleshoot archive system before continuing.

In sharcs_fe GUI: Set Obs # to 1

4. Enable System

Execute the following command (enables brushless motors, which can be vulnerable to power fluctuations, and sets them to default positions):
user@shimmy /u/user/observers/lgs/scripts/daily_startup.tcl
Alternatively, in ShaneAO loop control GUI (saocon_gui):
- Use Instrument setups option to load approprate configuration, e.g. ngs16cog
- Verify/set NGS mode explicitly via Python prompt >>> ngs()
- Verify/set WFS camera rate, WFScam rate(Hz) to 250 Hz, e.g. via Python prompt >>> rate(250)
- Verify/set TT Cam rate, TTcam rate(Hz)to 500 Hz, e.g. via Python prompt >>> ttrate(500)
- Optional: Initialize software via Python prompt >>> e.g. init(16)
- Optional: Enable woofer communications via Python prompt >>> woof('on')
- Optional: Enable tweeter communications via Python prompt >>> mems('on')
- Optional: Set centroiding algorithm e.g. via Python prompt >>> cent('bin')
- Optional: Load appropriate refcent file via Python prompt >>> e.g. refcent('data/hs-2014-08-13-BINQUAD_16xLGS.fits')

In ShaneAO motor control GUI (saomot_gui):
- Verify/set TT Dichroic to Splitter
- Verify/set Lenslet to 16x

In ShaneAO Power Controls GUI (saopower_ui), verify/set the following:

B5 Woofer ON

B6 Heartbeat failsafe ON

B7 635nm laser diode OFF

B8 White light OFF

C4 Argon Lamp OFF

C7 Galil 7 ON

5. Align

Refresh mirror shape: Over time, successively saved mirror flats acquire more and more problems. Therefore, periodically (every few days, or more frequently if needed), the mirror status must be refreshed by commanding the actuator voltages on both Woofer and Tweeter to go to zero in 2 sequential phases.
In ShaneAO loop control GUI:
- Actions...
- Shape...
- Go to bias zero
- Actions...
- Shape...
- Go to zero

Align and acquire new mirror flat:
- In ShaneAO motor controls GUI (saomot_gui):
  - Verify/set TT Dichroic to Splitter
  - Insert calibration stage into the beam.
    
    Cal X White Light
    
    Cal Y Open or White Light
- Ensure the White light source is OFF, via ShaneAO Power Controls GUI:
  
  B8 White light OFF
- Acquire new background sample: WFS camera dark background, via ShaneAO loop control GUI. Alternatively (via Python prompt): dark()
- Illuminate the White light source, via ShaneAO Power Controls GUI:
  
  B8 White light ON
- Close WFS loop (Gain=0.2 for 16x; Gain=0.1 for 8x), via ShaneAO loop control GUI.
- Ensure woofer values ty and tx are each less than 1.0 via ShaneAO - peeko GUI (peeko).
- Adjust Cal X and Cal Y stages in order for ty and tx to converge to zero, via ShaneAO motor control GUI (saomot_gui):
  Cal X adjusts ty, recommended move size: 500 load encoder counts.
  Cal Y adjusts tx, recommended move size: 10 load encoder counts.
- In ShaneAO loop control GUI, acquire new mirror flat:
  - Actions...
  - Shape...
  - Save as flat
  Alternatively (via Python prompt >>>) save_flat()
  This should set the foc: value in the ShaneAO - peeko GUI near to the expected value of approximately +2.00 (+/- 1.5).
- Ensure Loops open on completion.

6. Reference Centroids

For each mode (16x, BINQUAD; 16x COG; 16x QUAD; 8x, BINQUAD; 8x, COG; 8x, QUAD), sample performance of ShaneAO + ShARCS. Determine if image sharpening is required.

In ShARCS wheel control GUI (saowheels_gui), set the following:

Filter #1 Open

Filter #2 FeII

Filter #3 Open
Ensure the White light source is OFF, via ShaneAO Power Controls GUI:

B8 White light OFF
In sharcs_fe GUI, set:
- Exposure 0.11 seconds.
- Ncoadds 3.
- Window: Select Windows..., Window...
  In resulting Sharcs Window GUI, set the following:
  start x: 1085
  end x: 1184
  start y: 700
  end y: 799

In ShaneAO loop control GUI, acquire new background sample: WFS camera dark background. Alternatively dark()

In ShaneAO Power Controls GUI, illuminate the White light source:

B8 White light ON
In ShaneAO loop control GUI, close WFS loop. Alternatively close() or gain(0.2), where 0.3 is the Tweeter+woofer gain.

In Image Browser GUI, ensure fwhm tool is enabled.

In sharcs_fe GUI, take exposure: Expose

In sharcsdisp GUI, inspect resulting image for Airy rings, circularity, aberrations.

In sharcsdisplay terminal:
- Inspect values of (x / y)fwhm" for circularity and optimization.
- Inspect values of strehl ratio for optimization.
  If strehl ≤ 0.65 perform Image Sharpening using scriptproc.tcl GUI.

On completion, ensure Loops open.

Ensure the White light source is OFF, via ShaneAO Power Controls GUI:

B8 White light OFF

7. Disable System

Execute the following command (disables brushless motors, making them less vulnerable to power fluctuations):
user@shimmy /u/user/observers/lgs/scripts/daily_shutdown.tcl

In ShaneAO Power Controls GUI (saopower_ui), verify/set the following:

B5 Woofer OFF

B6 Heartbeat failsafe OFF

B7 635nm laser diode OFF

B8 White light OFF

C4 Argon Lamp OFF

C7 Galil 7 OFF

8. Junk File(s) & Delete Exposure Information

The ShARCS detector/electronics has the property that when the windowed is re-sized from a small area to a larger or full frame, spurious electronic signal/noise is introduced into the first data frame following the geometry change.

In sharcs_fe GUI, set:
- Exposure 1.5 seconds.
- Ncoadds 1.
- Window: Select Windows..., Window..., Full
  In the resulting Sharcs Window, the geometry should be the following:
  start x: 0
  end x: 2047
  start y: 0
  end y: 2047
- Acquire at least one exposure with Object specified as "Junk".
- Delete Exposure Information: Select Take Darks..., Delete Exp Info..., Reload

10. Dome Flat Fields & Calibrations

Verify status of Shane 3-m Telescope Mirror Cover and Lights.

Verify/set diagnonal mirror sdiagmir_fe to position 3.

Remove calibration stage from the beam, via ShaneAO motor controls GUI (saomot_gui):

Cal X White Light

Cal Y Open

In ShARCS wheel control GUI (saowheels_gui), configure filter(s) and acquire dome flat field exposures:

J Red 45.0

H Red 15.0

Ks Red 9.0

BrG-2.16 Sup_Blue Dimmer [100] 1.5

FeII Sup_Blue Dimmer [100] 1.5

J + CH4-1.2 Sup_Blue Dimmer [100] 1.5

H2-2.122 Sup_Blue Dimmer [100] 1.5

CH4-2.4 Blue 6.0

Optional: Acquire accompanying Darks.

11. Sky Flat Fields & Calibrations

Configure ShaneAO and ShARCS for sky calibrations and arrange for enclosure to be opened, e.g. via electronic mail to: mh-techs@ucolick.org. Optionally, circulate to shane-observers@ucolick.org, notifying of any acquired dome flat fields and/or dark frame calibrations:

 
   Subject: Conditions permitting, please open 3m + M1 cover ca 1-hr pre-sunset

 
   Conditions permitting, please open Shane enclosure and mirror cover circa 1-hour before sunset to enable enclosure to thermalize and (if desired) observer(s) to acquire sky flat fields. 
    
   System is configured for sky flat fields, pending input of observer contact information. 
    
   Expect to commence on-sky optimization circa 20--30 minutes post-sunset. 
    
   Scheduled observers: Please note the following afternoon calibrations: 
    
   0XXX--0XXX  Dome Flat  J         60.0 s  counts~10000 (Red lamp). 
   0XXX--0XXX  Dome Flat  H         12.0 s  counts~11000 (Red lamp). 
   0XXX--0XXX  Dome Flat  BrG-2.16   3.0 s  counts~13000--14000 (Sup Blue Dimmer 100%). 
    
   0XXX--0XXX  Dark                  3.0 s. 
   0XXX--0XXX  Dark                 12.0 s. 
   0XXX--0XXX  Dark                 18.0 s. 
   0XXX--0XXX  Dark                 60.0 s.

12. Process PAM Files

If LGS operations scheduled, process Predictive Avoidance Authorization Message (PAM) files. It is important to process PAM files promptly (before 16:00) to allow for Laser Clearing House (LCH) to be contacted for a resolution during regular business hours.

Normal LCH hours are 08:00--17:00 PT Mo-Fr. (805) 605-4763 or (805) 606-7410.

For emergency actions outside regular business hours the phone number is (805) 605-3514 to request on-call support.

Save PAM files (e.g. PAM_Lick_589nm_13kHz_T-003_30JUN2023_For_JDAY185_AZEL-1.txt; PAM_Lick_589nm_13kHz_T-003_30JUN2023_For_JDAY185_RADEC-1.txt; PAM_Lick_LLAMAS_355nm_T-000_23AUG2023_For_JDAY236_AZEL-1.txt; PAM_Lick_LLAMAS_355nm_T-000_23AUG2023_For_JDAY236_RADEC-1.txt) and copy to appropriate destination:
```
scp PAM_Lick_*_JDAYXXX_*.txt user@shimmy.ucolick.org:/u/user/observers/lgs/PAM/
```

Parse PAM files:

user@shimmy.ucolick.org: /usr/local/lick/bin/lsmParse /u/user/observers/lgs/PAM/PAM_Lick_*_JDAYXXX_AZEL-1.txt

user@shimmy.ucolick.org: /usr/local/lick/bin/lsmParse /u/user/observers/lgs/PAM/PAM_Lick_*_JDAYXXX_RADEC-1.txt

Check UT date vs JDAY:

user@shimmy.ucolick.org: /usr/local/lick/bin/lsmCheck 2023MonXXUT

Match object names for UT date:

user@shimmy.ucolick.org: /usr/local/lick/bin/lsmNames 2023MonXXUT

Monitor electronic mail for notifications of additional closures due to recent space events, circulated to mh-laser.ucolick.org.

Change Log

2024-09-18: Updated.
2023-08-24: Updated: Change PAM filename root.
2023-07-03: Updated: Change PAM filename root.
2023-05-07: Updated: Change destination of PAM files.
2021-05-29: Updated.
2020-10-29: Updated.
2019-02-20: Updated.
2018-12-22: Updated.
2018-10-29: Updated save mirror flat procedure.
2017-12-30: Updated LGS file names for 2018.
2017-08-05: Updated window.
2017-06-09: Updated shimmy replaces shred.
2014-05-09: First version.


	This document last updated (UTC): Tuesday 04 March 2025

Shane AO

Procedure: Afternoon Activities

Contents

Change Log