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SCC Observatory Operations Manual V 1.4Sunshine Coast Centre

Royal Astronomical Society of Canada

4480 Hilltop Rd, Sechelt, BC

Latitude: 49⁰ 27′ 37″ N

Longitude: 123⁰ 42 ′ 49.3 ″ W

Elevation: 105 m

Time Zone: -8 (PST)

SCC Observatory Operations Manual

Table of Contents:

Revision History Pg 3References Pg 4Overview Pg 5Chapter 1: Security Protocol Pg 7Chapter 2: SCC Observatory Training Pg 10Chapter 3: Observatory Equipment Pg 11Chapter 4: Observatory Opening Procedure Pg 19Chapter 5: Observatory Closing Procedure Pg 33Appendix 1: Opening and Closing Checklists Pg 36Appendix 2: Maintenance Schedule Pg 39Appendix 3: Telescope Glossary Pg 40


Revision History:

This SCC Observatory Operations Manual was prepared during the first year of operation of the observatory. It is expected that it will evolve as experience is gained and lessons are learned.

October 2015 V 1.0 C. Ennis, M. Bradley: SCAC Observatory Committee

November 2015 V 1.1 C. EnnisNovember 2015 V 1.2 C. EnnisFebruary 2016 V 1.22 C. EnnisJuly 2016 V 1.3 C. EnnisJanuary 2017 V 1.4 C. Ennis


References

Skywatcher EQ8 Equatorial Mount

http://www.skywatcher.com/downloads/EQ8_100113V1.pdf

Synscan V3.36 Hand Controller

http://www.skywatcher.com/downloads/Synscan%20V3%20Hand%20Control%20Manual_SSHCV3-F-141110V1-EN.pdf

Celestron Edge HD C14

http://www.celestron.uk.com/en/pdf/EdgeHD_Optics_Manual.pdf

Celestron Edge HD C14 0.7x Focal Reducer

https://www.google.ca/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=kVe2VZ26Oaqi8wei8LfwDA&gws_rd=ssl#q=celestron+edge+hd+14+manual

Mallincan Exterminator Camera

http://www.mallincam.net/manuals--guides.html

SCAC Equipment manual Observatory library shelf


http://www.mallincam.net/manuals--guides.html




http://www.celestron.uk.com/en/pdf/EdgeHD_Optics_Manual.pdf



http://www.skywatcher.com/downloads/EQ8_100113V1.pdf

Overview:

This is the operating manual for the Sunshine Coast Centre (SCC) Observatory built and operated by the Sunshine Coast Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. The SCC Observatory opened on 27 June 2015. Our SCC Observatory is located at the back of the Sunshine Coast Regional Airport (Sechelt Airport), an active airfield, so some of the procedures that follow have to do with making sure that we are all safe and secure there and that our activities do not compromise the safety of the aviators using this airfield. Our usage of the observatory must comply with Transport Canada regulations as well as other statutes concerning airports. Some of the procedures that follow have to do with preserving the night vision and safety of the astronomers using the facility.

SCC observers who successfully complete orientation training on the SCC Observatory equipment will become certified as Qualified Observers (QO) to independently operate the SCC Observatory as part of the Observatory Users Group. Each QO will be given an access key to the observatory. One of the QOs will be appointed Observatory Director, whose responsibility is the management of the Observatory Users Group as well as operations and maintenance of the SCC Observatory.

Observatory:

The SCC Observatory is a 12 ft X 12 ft wooden building with a metal clad roll off roof. Scaffolding on the North side of the SCC Observatory supports the roof when it is rolled open. The SCC Observatory is aligned North-South with the entrance door on the South side and the roof support scaffolding on the North side.

The SCC Observatory is solar powered with a 12 volt DC battery system and electrical inverter. Our main telescope is a Celestron 14 inch Edge HD Schmidt Cassegrain on a Sky Watcher EQ8 equatorial mount which can be run using either a hand control or by using a computer using ASCOM compatible software. It also has a Malincam Exterminator Pro video camera which can be used with various telescopes.

Community Benefits:

1. Public Education. Members of the SCC RASC have developed and practiced a comprehensive public outreach program that effectively communicates astronomical information in a direct and accessible fashion through public talks, classes, star parties, and observing sessions at our SCC Observatory. Members of the SCC RASC have structured the program to accommodate various levels of knowledge. The SCC Observatory provides the perfect platform to support the educational outreach program.

2. Cultural/Recreational Appreciation. Appreciation and wonder of the night sky is a natural human heritage. Our astronomical observatory provides our members and the public a safe and exciting avenue of exploration. A visit to the observatory will provide local individuals and families with another venue for appreciation of our Sunshine Coast environment, and also be an attractive opportunity for tourists to further enrich their vacation experience.


3. Development of student and youth potential for career and intellectual growth. SCC RASC members are honoured to have the opportunity to be in a position to possibly influence and contribute to youth development by offering introduction to the excitement and challenge of astronomy and science. Student and youth visitors to the observatory outreach program will be encouraged to learn and invited to join the team of observatory volunteers that deliver the outreach program.

4. Wheelchair access to direct visual observation. The SCC observatory is wheelchair accessible and is equipped with a camera system and large screen to facilitate viewing.

5. Scientific contributions. A significant portion of the scientific observations made for astronomy are made by amateurs using equipment such as the telescope installed in our SCC Observatory. Realizing the scientific research potential of our public observatory will raise awareness and promote the status of the facility. The near proximity and endorsement of the observatory by astrophysics departments at UBC, SFU, the University of Victoria, and Western Washington University offer a huge potential for future development. The SCC Observatory can do observations for scientific organizations such as the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, International Astronomical Union Minor Planet Centre, and many others.

Member Benefits:

Each of the Qualified Operators of the Observatory Users Group of the SCC RASC shall be given a key to the main gate of the Sunshine Coast Regional Airport and SCC Observatory. This access provides a safe dark site for member observing and toilet facilities.

All SCC members are entitled to, and encouraged to compose and present educational presentations at the SCC Observatory in contribution to our public program after a synopsis of the talk or demonstration is approved by the Observatory Director.


Chapter 1

Security Protocol:

1 The Observatory Director shall be notified of all access to the observatory grounds. The Observatory Director will inform the Sunshine Coast Regional Airport Manager of our presence at the observatory; this notification can be done by phone or e mail. The Airport Manager has a list of contacts in our Users Group. A list of the proposed viewing sessions, both for members and the public, is to be provided to the airport manager every year and updated as required.

2. There will be two Qualified Operators jointly responsible for the complete opening and lock up of the facility. The senior Qualified Operator will be the Lead Observer. It may be that only one Qualified Operator has the actual keys, but both Qualified Operators of the observer team will share equally the responsibility to ensure that all security procedures are followed.

3. Members and guests are restricted to the fields surrounding the observatory. No one is allowed to go down the road towards the active runway.

4. No dogs are allowed on the airfield.

5. No food or drinks are to be left on site and no food or drinks may be brought into the telescope room. Beverages accidentally spilled on the telescope mount could damage electrical equipment. Food scraps or crumbs can attract rodents who can chew wiring or bears who may damage the observatory trying to get in.

6. The use of laser pointers is prohibited at the airport due to Transport Canada regulations. This is to prevent pilots on approach to the runways being blinded.

Guests:

7. Guests are welcome for viewing the skies through the observatory equipment and/or members telescopes at the observatory site, but the member who invited those guests must take responsibility for them. Problems have arisen in the past when guests decide to leave long before most others on site. This means that a member has to drive down to the gate to let them out and re-secure the gate. This can compromise the night vision adaptation of members on site. If you are inviting guests, please brief them on what is expected of them and ask them:

To meet at the gate at the agreed time and convoy into the site.

To use red or amber night lighting rather than regular flashlights.

To exercise consideration for the other amateur astronomers on site.

Parking:


On public viewing nights parking is on the north side of the access road (the side opposite the observatory) with headlights pointing away from the observatory. This helps eliminate the glare from headlights in the observing area. Qualified Observers and SCC members may park next to the observatory while unloading equipment. Orange sawhorse barricades have been provided to block areas where parking is not allowed. A traffic vest is stored in the observatory for use by members directing traffic.

Traffic cones and orange saw horse barricades are available to direct traffic into the site and keep it out of the active airport and runway.


Emergency Contact Information:Charles Ennis [email protected] 778-839-4702Mike Bradley [email protected] 604-740-8244Adrian Payne [email protected] 604-886-6527Neil Sandy [email protected] 604-886-8356Greg Caple (airport

manager)[email protected] 604-885-4222


mailto:[email protected]





Chapter 2

SCC Observatory Training:

Qualified Operator (QO) training is conducted during hands on sessions at the SCC Observatory. Candidates are expected to have general astronomy knowledge and telescope operating skills. The SCC QO course focuses on the practical skills of opening the observatory, setting up the telescope for observation, conducting an observing session, shutting down the telescope and closing the observatory. Successful completion of the QO training will require multiple sessions at the SCC Observatory to learn and demonstrate mastery of the skill set. Successful completion of the QO course requires the instructor to certify that the candidate is qualified to safely open, operate, and properly close the SCC Observatory in a lead observer capacity.

Qualified Observer Skills

1 Open Observatory: Follow Opening Protocol and Checklist.Attach optical accessories

2 Operate Telescope- Perform Warm Start – Retain pointing model. Add alignment points on

both sides of the Meridian- Perform Cold Start – Build new pointing model from scratch. Add multiple

alignment points on both sides of Meridian3 Conduct Public Session guiding the scope to multiple targets.4 Perform Scope Shut down

- Shut down scope, store in PARK position- Remove Optical Accessories, store equipment properly

5 Close Observatory: Follow Closing Protocol and Checklist. Complete logbook.6 Recover from non-sunny day scenarios.


Chapter 3

Observatory Equipment:

The SCC Observatory contains the following equipment:Item Location Note

Reference Manuals & Logbook

Computer Desk (North East corner)

Stored in Plastic box containing: Logbook (Sign In, Sign Out, Notes) and manuals

Battery Box North East corner under desk top

Controls 12 V power to telescope mount, Observatory lights, wall outlets, PC.

Storage Unit North Corner Eyepieces, filters, Diagonal, Optec TCF focuser, adjustment tools, other equipment.

Celestron Edge HD C14 Pier Schmidt-Cassegrain OTA

Hyperstar compatible

D=350 mm; FL = 3910 mm

SkyWatcher EQ8 Pier MountSynScan Hand

ControllerPier Hand Controller: Velcro

to PierEye Pieces & Filters Storage Unit North

West CornerSee below

Laptop Kept off-site to maintain charge levels

WI-FI internet Supported.

Observatory Power:

The SCC Observatory is off grid and is solar powered. The two solar panels on the south side of the roll off roof and the two mounted on the south wall of the observatory charge the batteries in the box located in the Northeast corner of the observatory under the work desk. The charging unit with its display is mounted on the wall above this desk. The south wall solar panels are permanently wired into the charging system. The roof solar panels plug into the batteries with a cable which plugs into an outlet on the inside of the roof above the desk. Before opening or closing the observatory roof the roof solar panels MUST be unplugged from the outlet. Once the roof is open the panels can be plugged back in to an outlet on the south outside wall of the roll off roof which ends up over this desk when the roof is open. Failure to unplug the solar power system before moving the roof will result in damage to the plug.


A power inverter is connected to the battery system to provide 120V power for laptops, etc. The inverter is located on the north Observatory wall above the batter box under the left end of the work table. The receptacles for 120V power are located at one end of the power inverter box.

The telescope pier is hard wired into the power system through a control box mounted on the north side of the pier. It operates on 12v DC.

The charging system is designed to shut off power to the pier if the voltage from the batteries drops below a certain level. This is meant to protect the lead acid batteries, which could be damaged if the charge level gets too low. The charger indicator is located just below where the system plugs into the solar panel outlet on the back wall. If the batteries are charging, there will be a pair of arrows bracketing a battery with a smiling face on the lower indicator screen. The voltage is shown in the upper right of the screen. In the illustration below it is indicating 12.3 volts. If the charger shuts off power to the pier due to low charge, the battery symbol will flash and the voltage reading will be 11.8 volts or lower.

If you experience such a power outage, the telescope will be left pointing in a direction other than the “park” position. An auxiliary power pack can be used to power the telescope to finish the session and leave the telescope parked at the end of the session.


Backup Power:

The telescope can be powered from a 12-volt battery pack. This plugs into the socket on top of the telescope mount, and a special cord with the appropriate plug for the mount receptacle and a “cigarette lighter” style socket on the other end to plug into the battery pack is stored in the storage cabinet where telescope accessories are kept.

Lighting:

Red LED lighting is planned for lighting the observatory and the access ramp. White lighting will also be provided for use when preservation of night vision is not a priority concern.

Telescope:

The Celestron Edge HD C14 is an f11 optical tube assembly (OTA) and by virtue of its length has a narrow field of view with most regular eyepieces.

Optical Tube Assembly CharacteristicsFocal Length = 3910 mm

Aperture= 355.6 mm (14 in)F Ratio = f11

Resolution (Raleigh) = 0.39 arcsecResolution (Dawes) = 0.33 arcsec

Light Gathering Power = 2581x human eyeSecondary Mirror Obstruction = 114 mm

Secondary Mirror Obstruction (by diameter) = 32%

Secondary Mirror Obstruction (by area) = 10%

OTA Length = 31 in / 787 mmOTA weight = 45 lbs / 20 kg

2 speed focuserHyperstar Compatible Secondary

The OTA has a Celestron 10 X 50 finder scope with a cross hair sight.

It is planned to mount an Orion 100 mm F6 refractor on the OTA as a tracking scope.

Eye Piece Inventory:

Our Celestron OTA was supplied with a standard 23mm 2” “Luminos” eyepiece. This eyepiece will provide a 170x magnification factor and an 82⁰ apparent field of view. This Luminos eyepiece has a pop-up eye-shield for use if needed.


We also have a dedicated Focal Reduction lens, 0.7x power. This is for use on occasions when the f11, 3910mm focal length are not ideal, such as viewing objects that are wider than the actual eyepiece field of view or astrophotography of deep sky objects where faster imaging times are preferable. The Focal reducer is attached between the rear cell of the scope and the diagonal or camera/spacer combination. The Actual FOV is increased by 43% when the Focal reducer is in use.

More eyepieces will be added to this inventory in future.

Members are encouraged to use their own eyepieces with the scope and to record their results in the logbook. These comments may be used to guide future purchases.

Effect of the Focal Reducer

The main telescope has a focal reducer which can be installed on the main telescope in order to increase the telescope’s field of view.

M13 viewed through the main telescope M13 viewed with Focal Reducer in place

Focuser:

An Antares focuser has been installed on the OTA to facilitate fine focussing. The very coarse focussing adjustments can still be managed with the focus knob on the back of the OTA. The silver knob on the Antares focuser is for routine coarse focus. The gold knob is for fine focus.

This focuser is held onto its mounting ring by three small Allen screws. If these become loose, the focuser can separate into two parts. Occassionally check the tension of these Allen screws with the Allen wrench in the toolbox.


Humidity control

The telescope’s dew control system is powered with the box mounted on the south side of the pier. The dew control system is used to provide continuous low level heat to the telescope when it is parked in cold weather and covered with its thermal cover to prevent formation of condensation on the telescope or mount when the telescope is not in use. The heater box is mounted to the pier so that when the telescope cover is in place it will warm the enclosed space within the cover. The heater box is plugged into the auxiliary socket. The metal heater box has a small fan in it to circulate air: You can hear the soft hum in the observatory when it is operating. The heater box also contains a couple of resistors which generate heat to keep the area inside the telescope cover warm. Switches on the humidity control box switch the fans and/or the heater on and off.


The thermal cover is not needed in the summer months. Leaving it on in the warm weather leaves the OTA unable to dissipate heat so that when you roll back the roof for a viewing session it takes longer for the OTA to acclimatize.

The Observatory Director will make a decision based on weather patterns as to when we switch from “summer storage mode” to “winter storage mode” and require the use of the telescope cover.

OTA Ventillation:

When not in use a filter is installed in the eyepiece diagonal at the end of the OTA which allows ventilation while keeping particulate matter and pollen out of the tube.

One of the documented problems with the Celestron EDGE SCT is the time it takes for the enclosed OTA tube to cool down and acclimatize, and the air currents in front of the main mirror that interfere with focussing during the cool down. Two ventilation fans have replaced the vents at the base of the OTA. These fans circulate air to keep the telescope tube acclimatized to ambient temperature. These are wired into the pier.


Telescope Mount

The SkyWatcher EQ8 equatorial mount is set up so that the telescope is polar-aligned. That is, the telescope is pointing at celestial north (which is about one degree away from Polaris). The mount has two clutches and motors that slew the telescope to the correct altitude and azimuth. These clutches do not lock the telescope rigidly into position. They are meant to have a little “slip”. The problem with this is that if someone bumps into the telescope or runs into it with something, it can knock the OTA out of alignment. If you see that the counterweight for the telescope is not in its lowest position when the telescope is parked, then it is likely that the OTA has been knocked out of alignment and needs to be realigned. To check this: Look through the viewfinder telescope when the telescope is parked. If

the telescope is properly polar-aligned, you should see Polaris. If you don’t, then the telescope is out of alignment.

Sky Watcher EQ PRO Mount and SynScan Hand Controller:

A hand controller, joystick controller, or a laptop planetarium program can be used to control the equatorial SkyWatcher EQ8 telescope mount.


The SynScan hand controller for the telescope mount is pictured here. Once the telescope mount is turned on the screen at the top of the hand controller glows red-orange.

It is possible for the buttons on the handset to stick when pressed down. If this happens, whatever operation you are in the middle of in directing the mount will freeze. If the mount


freezes, check to see if any of the handset keys are stuck in the down position. If so, wiggle the key loose and everything should return to normal operation.

Computer Control of the Telescope:

The OTA’s equatorial mount can be fully controlled by a computer and joystick combination. The mount is compatible with the ASCOM open source standard and any astro-software that follows this standard should work. We have verified that the EQMOD protocol works with the scope and the club laptop is currently equipped with Cartes de Ciel planetarium software that uses this. The EQMOD protocol supports the use of a computer style joystick and one is available at the observatory for use when the laptop is in the use.

Tools:

Adjustment Allen wrenches and spanners for the telescope mount clutches are located in the utility drawers in the storage unit in the north corner.

Mouse Traps:

Since the construction phase our observatory has experienced problems with field mice trying to nest in the observatory. Mice can get through a hole as small as a dime. A local exterminator has installed a feeding station under the observatory at the base of the concrete pillar which supports telescope pier. This will be periodically recharged. One of the principal concerns is that mice are carriers of Hanta virus. Any droppings or waste found on surfaces should be cleaned up with a bleach solution. Any paper or books soiled should be thrown out. There is a flip top plastic bin in the observatory in which the log book and instruction manuals are to be kept in order to keep them out of reach of mice: Please ensure that at the end of a viewing session you store documents and books in this bin.

Wasp Traps:

Wasps have made nests on and around the observatory and the potable toilet facility. A wasp trap has been installed in the portable toilet and should be checked occasionally.


Chapter 4

SCC Observatory Opening Procedure:

Airport Entrance Gate:

The entrance gate (Sechelt Airport gate 2) is at the top of Field Rd at the T intersection next to the sign listing the airport businesses.

First remove the stanchions from the holes in front of the airport gate. These were installed by the airport after multiple incidents of vehicles being pursued by the RCMP crashing the gate. The stanchions have padlocks on the bottom but these don’t actually lock to anything: They are there for appearances. You can lean the stanchions against the fence on either side of the gate when not in use.

Next open the lock box on the gate with the combination and use the key to unlock the padlock securing the gate chain. Open the gates and let the observers into the airfield site. If it is a public viewing session, leave the gates open and put out the observatory sign. If it is a members-only session or a work session, close the gate. It is not necessary to lock it: You can secure the chain with the padlock by “dummy locking” it: That is, use the padlock to secure the chain without actually closing the padlock to lock it, leaving the padlock unlocked but looking as if it is closed except on close inspection. This allows members arriving late to let themselves in.


NOTE: There are TWO padlocks on the chain which secures Gate 2: One belongs to the SCC and the other belongs to the airport and is used by the airport staff and drag racers using the airport. Once everyone is in, close the gate and relock it, making sure to lock our padlock to the other padlock and NOT to the chain: This allows the airfield personnel to open the gate with their padlock. If you use our padlock to lock the ends of the chain together you’re locking the airfield personnel out of their airfield.

After re-securing the gate, put the key back in the lock box and spin the combination dial to display four zeros to hide the opening combination from anyone who might examine the lock box later.

Parking:

All parking at the observatory is on the north side of the road (the side of the road across from the observatory). Encourage people to park with their headlights away from the observatory; Parking in this manner protects the observers from the headlight glare should one of these vehicles start up their car in the middle of the observing session when someone goes to leave. The only exception to this parking procedure is members unloading equipment for the session: They may park next to the observatory.

Observatory Door:

Unlock the observatory door and open the lower portion wide to get it clear of the upper panel. There is a handle to the right as you enter, hanging from the ceiling on a cord.


Pull this handle to open the upper door panel. Hang the handle on the red hook on the roof frame to the right.

Logbook:

The logbook is a vital part of the observatory. In this book maintenance, adjustments, and upgrades to the observatory equipment are recorded, problems and damage noted, and suggestions and observations documented. This helps the Observatory Manager and Qualified Operators keep track of changes and problems so that they can keep on top of things and avoid problems that others have encountered. Get the logbook out of the storage container under the desk and enter the names of the users, the time and date, and the number of people attending into the logbook.

Roof Retraction Mechanism:

The roof retraction mechanism uses a winch system mounted on the east side of the SCC Observatory within reach of the access ramp. One person can easily turn the winch handle to retract the roof. Cables run from the winch to the ends of the support beam for the east side rail, through pulleys, then back to the two hold down claws on the roof structure.

One Qualified Operator should operate the crank handle to retract the roof while the other Qualified Operator keeps an eye on the roof to ensure that there are no obstructions as it retracts or closes. If an obstruction is seen, that QO on watch can bring it to the attention of the QO on the crank handle so that he can stop and let the obstruction be cleared. The crank handle is close enough to the north end of the observatory that the QO on the crank can easily peek around the north end of the observatory building to monitor how far the roof has travelled.


To operate the roof retraction winch, first use the crank handle to take the tension off of the cable. This frees the direction selector bar on the left side of the winch, which has three positions:

Right or Up to retract the roof

Neutral

Left or Down to close the roof

Choose the direction selector bar position for the direction you want to move the roof. Then simply turn the crank handle until the roof arrives at the end of the rails. The rails have stops welded on the ends which keep the roof from running off the ends of the rails.


As a safety precaution, it is best to keep the area of the ramp and east side of the roof rail structure clear while a qualified operator opens or closes the roof. That way, if a cable should come loose or snap, it will not hit anyone standing in this area.

Opening and Closing the Observatory Roof:

The observatory roof is locked in the closed position with two steel pins on the lower edge of the north end of the roof. These locking pins slide down through holes drilled through the roof frame and building frame. These locking pins each have a large bright orange knob on the end. Pull out the orange locking pins and set these pins aside.


Unplug the solar panels from the charging system before sliding the roof back: The receptacle hatch has a tooth on the inside which engages with a flange on the plug. Lift the receptacle hatch, pull the plug out, and let the receptacle hatch close to cover the receptacle. The plug can be left on the work desk. NOTE: If you forget to unplug the solar system you may pull the wires out of the charging system when you retract the roof.


Next close the lower door completely before rolling back the roof. The lower door has a board across the top edge designed to hold the upper door closed when the lower door is locked: This projects up above the height of the side walls and will run into the lower edge of the roof as it retracts if you leave the lower door wide open. It is best to either have one of the QOs hold the door shut or lock it temporarily: We’ve had gusts of wind blow the door open while opening or closing the roof, causing the door to collide with the moving roof.

Roll back the roof until it stops against the brackets at the end of the rails using the roof retraction winch accessible from the ramp on the east side of the observatory. Once the roof is rolled back, either open the lower door wide to get it out of the way and hook it open with the hook and eye or leave it closed completely: If it is partially open the telescope may collide with it while slewing.

NOTE: If it is daytime and you need the solar array plugged in, you can reconnect the solar charging system by plugging in the power plug to the receptacle on the outside wall of the south side of the roof (this ends up over the desk inside when the roof is retracted). Simply lift the receptacle hatch and plug in the cord. The tooth on the inside of the receptacle door will engage the flange on the plug and hold it in place.


Now you can open the lower door completely. It can be hooked open with a hook on the door and eye bolt on the diagonal support frame of the side walls.

Remove the telescope cover (beige) using the step ladder or step stool to facilitate this. Remove the pier cover (blue). Store both covers out of the way. Care must be taken in removing the telescope cover to ensure that it does not snag any of the equipment on the telescope.

If the grey dew recording device (the size of a felt marker) has been left on the mount, set it aside on the desk.

NOTE: In the past we’ve discovered that removing the telescope cover can disturb the adjustment screws on the finder scope, sending it out of alignment with the main scope. Please take care when you remove the cover not to snag the finder scope and upset the alignment.

Unplug the dew control heater, mounted on the pier, from the auxiliary power socket of the control box on the side of the pier.

Dew Shield:

The main telescope has a removable dew shield. This dew shield will usually be installed during any night time viewing session, even when the air feels dry. The reason sounds a bit strange but is actually simple physics – Space is very cold, earth and the telescope is much warmer, so when the scope is pointed skywards it will be losing heat to space. When the


telescope loses heat and cools down, condensation will form on surfaces. The Dew Shield that we have is quite a long one and its function is to limit the amount of “outer space” that the scope corrector plate is “exposed to”. If condensation does still occur, we can add some heat around the corrector plate by plugging the Dew Shield heating band into the Dew controller on the pier.

The dew shield for the main telescope is not kept on the OTA when not in use as:

The dew shield’s length would interfere with the roof retraction, and

The telescope cover for the moisture control system doesn’t fit over the telescope when the dew shield is in place.

At the beginning of a viewing session the dew shield is placed on the telescope and plugged in. At the end of a session it is unplugged and stored until the next time the telescope is used. The dew control system is controlled with the box mounted on the south side of the pier.

Simply fit the dew shield around the corrector plate end of the OTA, positioning the rectangular notch in the dew shield over the support rail beneath the OTA, using the Velcro closures to secure it in place. The dew shield will fit right over the top accessory rail of the OTA which supports the tracking telescope.


The dew heater is a band installed around the upper end of the OTA and has a short cable which plugs into a cable mounted on the side of the OTA. The control box for the dew shield heater is located on the side of the telescope pier. Turn on the dew shield heater by turning the heater switch knob clockwise. When it is on the Dew LED on the front panel will be on.

It is planned to install another dew heater on the eyepiece in future.

GPS:

The telescope mount has a GPS device wired into it. This speeds up the start up procedure.


Telescope Handset Start Up Procedure:

Remove telescope end caps and remove end caps of the tracking scope and finder scope. Always store these end caps face upward, to keep dew and dust off of the interior surface of the caps. You don’t want to put caps full of dust and/or dew on the telescope when you close up for the day.

Install diagonals or other equipment for eyepieces or camera on the telescope.

Turn on the power to the mount using the switch on top of the mount housing.

There are 2 ways to start up the scope.

“Warm Start”: Once the scope is accurately polar aligned and a good 2 or 3 star alignment is achieved the operator at the end of a session may go to the home position and then use the hibernate feature. Hibernate allows the next user to awaken the scope with its alignment intact so most of the start up routine is bypassed and the scope is ready for immediate use. One of the nice features of using hibernate aside from not having to do all the alignments every time is that the telescope can go to planets and bright stars in daylight or early twilight.

“Cold Start”: If the hibernate function was not used when the telescope was shut down at the last viewing session, then you need a “cold start” procedure.

Cold Start Procedure:


If when you turn the telescope on you discover that the scope has lost alignment or whoever shut it down when it was last used forgot to use the hibernate mode, this is how you start from the beginning with a Cold Start Procedure:

The handset will announce that it has discovered the GPS and will take a few minutes to find itself with the GPS. Once it has done this, it will now ask you the “Time Zone”. The Time Zone is pre set at the correct setting (-8 hours, which is the difference between our time zone and Greenwich/UT). Press enter to confirm. Do not adjust for Daylight Savings: the handset will ask you about that later.

Now the handset will ask you if you are operating in Daylight Savings Time. If you are, enter “Yes”, if not, enter “No”.

The handset will ask you if you are at “Auto Home” and ask if your reply is “1: Yes” or “2: No”. Select 2 and press “Enter” to answer No.

The telescope will then go through a brief “dance” where it weaves around confirming the park position before sending you the message “Home Position Established”. Press “Enter” to confirm this.

The handset will then ask you if you want to “Add Declination Offset?” Use the arrows at the bottom of the handset to select “No” and press “Enter”.

The handset will then ask if you want to use the Syn Scan version 03.37 software installed. Choose “Yes” and press “Enter”.

The handset will then give you a warning about pointing the telescope at the sun. Press “Enter” to acknowledge.


The handset will now ask you to enter the location. It will display the last location entered, which is the position of the observatory in latitude and longitude. Since this is the correct location, just press “Enter”.

The handset will display the Polaris position. Press enter to accept this.

The handset will now display the angle of Polaris. Press enter to accept this.

Now the handset will begin the alignment process, asking if you are ready. Enter “Yes”. The handset then gives you a choice of 1, 2, or 3 star alignment. Choose which one you prefer and follow the prompts the handset gives you.

Warm Start Procedure:

This is how you start from the beginning with a Warm Start Procedure:

The handset will announce that it has discovered the GPS and will take a few minutes to find itself with the GPS. Once it has done this, it will now ask you the “Time Zone”. The Time Zone is pre set at the correct setting (-8 hours, which is the difference between our time zone and Greenwich/UT). Press enter to confirm. Do not adjust for Daylight Savings: the handset will ask you about that later.

Now the handset will ask you if you are operating in Daylight Savings Time. If you are, enter “Yes”, if not, enter “No”.

The handset will ask you if you are at “Auto Home” and ask if your reply is “1: Yes” or “2: No”. Select 1 and press “Enter” to answer yes.

The handset will then ask if you want to use the Syn Scan version 03.37 software installed. Choose “Yes” and press “Enter”.

The handset will then give you a warning about pointing the telescope at the sun. Hit “Enter” to acknowledge.

The handset will now display the Setup menu, which allows you to go straight to lists of objects to view.

Handset Unplugged:

If the handset becomes unplugged in the middle of a session: Plug the cord back in to the handset. The handset will indicate that the system is initializing, just as it does when you first turn the power on. The handset will then tell you that the scope parked in a “non home” position, and will go through a dance to re-establish home position. Once it has done this, it will start to run through the start up procedure from the beginning. Run through the procedure as if doing a warm start up and you’ll get back to operation in no time.”

Telescope Diagonal:


The telescope diagonal is attached to the bottom of the OTA with a locking ring which screws onto the base plug of the telescope. This allows the QO to loosen the ring to rotate the diagonal into the best position for viewing, depending on the orientation of the OTA. Simply loosen the ring by turning counter-clockwise, turn the diagonal to the desired position, then tighten the ring finger tight.

NOTE: We’ve discovered that the diagonal with an eyepiece in it acts as a lever: If you twist the diagonal slightly counter-clockwise, it can loosen the ring and cause the whole diagonal assembly to suddenly swivel eyepiece downward. If the eyepiece isn’t securely attached to the diagonal, there is a danger of the eyepiece dropping out of the diagonal and falling to the observatory floor. If you twist the diagonal slightly clockwise, this can tighten the ring to the point that it is impossible to loosen with your hands. Experienced and careful QOs will likely not have much problems with this, but the observatory is regularly visited by members of the public who have a tendency to hold on to the diagonal and/or eyepiece and can inadvertently loosen or tighten the ring. If you discover that the ring has locked up, you’ll find an adjustable filter wrench in the three-drawer caddy in the corner of the observatory which may be used to unlock the locking ring.


Chapter 5

Observatory Closing Procedure:

Enter any concerns or repairs that need attention and any suggestions or observations that would help other Qualified Operators in the logbook and note the time and date that you closed the observatory. This assists the Observatory Manager to keep on top of maintenance and repairs and procedures for the Operations Manual. Members are personally responsible to repair or replace any damage to the property that inappropriate use may have caused. Store the logbook in the plastic storage container to keep it free of moisture.

To return the telescope to the “parked” position on its mount (telescope facing Polaris, ie. towards the North end of the observatory) with the handset, press the “Escape” button to get out of the programs you’ve been using. Then choose the “Utility” function on the handset and then use the arrow buttons at the bottom of the handset to choose “Park Scope”. Hit “Enter”. The telescope will then slew to its parked position facing Polaris. Once the telescope has parked in that position the handset will indicate that it is safe to power down the telescope. You may power down the telescope using the power switch on top of the telescope mount. Turn off the zero finder and any other accessories. All electrical appliances must be turned off or to normal (as was) operating status upon leaving facility.

Turn off the dew shield heater and unplug the dew shield heater from the auxiliary power socket of the pier control box. Remove the dew shield from around the corrector plate end of the OTA. Store the dew shield in the northwest corner of the observatory on the floor.

Remove eyepieces, diagonals, or other equipment for eyepieces or camera and store. Replace all telescope end caps, ensuring that there is no dust or moisture inside the caps. If there is moisture on the corrector plate of the OTA at closing, use the hair dryer to dry it before replacing the end cap at eyepiece end of the OTA.

Plug the moisture control system back into the auxiliary socket on the control box on the pier. You can tell it is working when you hear the soft hum of the fan in the heater box.


Replace the grey dew recording device (the size of a felt marker) on the mount, if it is in use.

Put the pier cover on the telescope. The pier cover is the blue cover with the silver interior and the Velcro strips. The Velcro strips should face the entrance door.

If this is the time of year when the cover is in use, put the telescope cover on the telescope, using the step ladder or step stool to facilitate this. The telescope cover is the beige cover with the silver interior. It is shaped so that it fits one way over the tilted OTA. Care must be taken in replacing the telescope cover to ensure that it does not snag any of the equipment on the telescope. Always install the cover with the beige side outside and the silver side inside


.

NOTE: In the past we’ve discovered that removing or replacing the cover can disturb the adjustment screws on the finder scope, sending it out of alignment with the main scope. Please take care when replacing the cover.

No food or drinks are to be left on site. All garbage must be cleaned up and carried out of the observatory as it attracts rodents who may damage or soil the equipment or bears who may cause a lot of damage trying to get in. Any disruption to materials shall be returned to “as was” condition.

Once everything is shut down and stored away in the observatory, close the lower door to give the roof clearance for closing. It is best to either have one of the QOs hold the door shut or lock it temporarily: We’ve had gusts of wind blow the door open while opening or closing the roof, causing the door to collide with the moving roof.

Unplug the solar power system if it is plugged in. Roll back the roof to its closed position. The crank handle for the roof retraction system is close enough to the north end of the observatory that the QO on the crank can peek around the north end to monitor how far the roof has travelled. Reinsert the orange locking pins at the back wall. Plug in the solar panels to the charging system for the batteries. Unhook the cord holding the upper door open and close the upper door. Close the lower door and lock it.

Open the lock box on airport gate 2 with the combination and use the key to unlock the gate. Open the airport gates and let the observers out of the airfield site. Once everyone is out, close the gates and relock them, making sure to lock our padlock to the other padlock and NOT to the chain: This allows the airfield personnel to open the gate with their padlock. If you use our padlock to lock the ends of the chain together you’re locking the airfield personnel out of their airfield. Spin the combination dial on the lock box to conceal the combination code from strangers. Replace the stanchions in the holes in front of the gate to prevent gate crashers from accessing the site.


Appendix 1

Opening and Closing Checklists:SCC OBSERVATORY OPENING CHECK LIST

Action Note1 Unlock Airport gates Lock padlock to padlock, not to the

chain!1a Display Observatory

sandwich board signFor public viewing sessions only

2 Unlock Observatory3 Raise upper door Handle hanging from ceiling, red hook

on east side wall4 Sign into Logbook Check notes from previous users and

note any issues they want you to be aware of5 Remove and store telescope

and pier coversBeige telescope cover, blue pier

cover. Store in grey bin6 Unplug moisture control

heater from auxiliary power socketControl unit on telescope pier

6a Remove portable temperature recording device from pier

On top of pier, set aside on work table

7 Get out eyepieces, diagonal, and filters from storage unit. Stage on desk.

8 Remove end caps from telescope, tracking scope, and finder scope

Store caps face up to keep dew and dust out of the interior of the cap

9 Remove orange roof locking pins

Bottom of north end wall

10 Unplug solar charging system Plug on wall above desk11 Close lower door This is to clear the roof when it

retracts12 Open observatory roof Check Clearance of scope and roof!12a If daytime session: Plug in

solar charging system once roof is retracted

Receptacle on south wall to right of entrance door

13 Install dew shield Plug into cord mounted on the side of the main telescope tube. Control mounted on side of pier.

14 Turn on telescope mount Rocker switch on top of mount15 Remove telescope back plug Store in diagonal box16 Install diagonals and

eyepiece17 Select start up process Choose one:

1) Warm Restart: scope parked properly in home position (usual method)


2) Cold Start: build new alignments from park position.

18 Perform alignments Make sure zero finder and finder scope are aligned with main scope.

SCC OBSERVATORY CLOSING CHECK LISTAction Note

1 Return main telescope to park position

Use hibernate mode to preserve alignments

2 Turn off mount Rocker switch on top of mount3 Remove eyepieces, diagonal,

and accessories and storeStore in storage unit

4 Replace end caps on telescope, finder scope, and tracking scope.

5 Turn off zero finder and store6 Turn off dew heater, unplug

from receptacle on side of main telescope, and remove and store dew shield

Controller on side of pier

6a Return portable temperature recording device to top of pier

7 Replace pier cover Blue pier cover, Velcro towards door, Beige telescope cover, drawstrings toward entrance door

8 Plug in moisture control system to auxiliary socket and replace telescope covers

You will hear the hum of the fan when the heater is plugged in.

9 Make final entries in logbook and store in storage box

9a If daytime use, unplug solar charging system

Receptacle on south wall to right of entrance door

10 Close lower door This is to clear the roof when it closes11 Close observatory roof Check Clearance of scope and roof!12 Replace orange roof locking

pinsBottom of north end wall

13 Plug in solar charging system Plug on wall above desk14 Clear out any trash15 Open lower door To clear the upper door when it closes16 Drop upper door Unhook from hook on east side of the

room17 Lock Observatory18 Secure Observatory sign19 Lock Airport gates Padlock to padlock!


Appendix 2

Maintenance ScheduleTask Frequency NotesCheck for abrasion on

winch cables6 months

Check for wear on winch hub

6 months

Lubricate roof rails 6 monthsStaining deck and

railings1 year Cetol stain for rails,

Thompson’s Water Seal for decking

Battery system TBAClean solar panels As required


Appendix 3

Telescope Glossary

(adapted from The Backyard Astronomer’s Guide)

The following terms represent the most important optical specifications of any telescope.

Aperture and Light-Gathering Power:

Telescopes are rated by their aperture. A 4-inch instrument has a main lens or mirror 4 inches in diameter. The larger the lens or mirror, the more light it collects, providing brighter and sharper images. An 8-inch telescope has four times the surface area, and therefore light-gathering power, of a 4-inch, making its images four times brighter.

Central Obstruction:

While the secondary mirror in a reflector blocks some light, the loss is not significant. The noticeable effect is the smearing of image contrast caused by the added diffraction of light from the obstruction. This effect is proportional to the diameter of the secondary mirror. As such, central obstruction should be stated as a percentage of the diameter of the aperture. An 8-inch scope with a 2.75-inch-diameter secondary mirror has a central obstruction of 34 percent. To make the numbers seem smaller, some companies state obstruction as a percentage of area (12 percent in this example). In general, a central obstruction of 20 percent or lower by diameter produces a negligible effect.

Collimation:

The optical performance of a Schmidt Cassegrain telescope is directly related to the alignment of its optical system, this is referred to as its collimation. You can determine whether the telescope requires collimation by defocusing the image of a star and observing it while you move back through proper focus, then defocusing in the other direction. If the central black spot is off-center from the set of rings in the images, as shown in this diagram (shamelessly copied from one of the Celestron SCT manuals), then the scope needs to be collimated.

However, unless the telescope has been jarred or shaken significantly, collimation should not be required and the defocused image will look like this:


http://www.backyardastronomy.com/

NB If collimation does seem to be required please report this to the Observatory Director. Do not attempt to adjust it yourself.

Diffraction-Limited:

A promise of diffraction-limited optics means aberrations in the optics are small enough that image quality is affected primarily by the wave nature of light and not by errors in the optics. This is equivalent to stating that the optics provide a final error at the eyepiece of only one-quarter of a wavelength of light (the wavefront error), meeting the so-called Rayleigh criterion, a minimum standard for amateur telescopes. Anything worse, and planets will look soft, if not blurry. Contrary to some ad claims, diffraction-limited does not mean the optics cannot be improved upon. Premium telescopes can do better, with wavefront errors of 1/6 to 1/8 wave. Under good conditions, tests have proved that the difference is noticeable, but the performance edge over 1/4-wave optics comes at a high cost.

Focal Length:

The length of the light path from the main mirror or lens to the focal point (the location of the eyepiece) is the focal length. With Maksutov- and Schmidt-Cassegrains, the optical path is folded back on itself, making the tube shorter than the focal length.

Focal Ratio:

The focal ratio is the focal length divided by the aperture. For example, a 100mm telescope with a focal length of 800mm has a focal ratio of f/8. For photography, faster f/4 to f/6 systems yield shorter exposure times (therefore, these are known as fast focal ratios). But when used visually, image brightness depends solely upon the aperture. Focal ratio has nothing to do with it.

Resolution:

In theory, an 8-inch telescope can resolve twice as much detail as can a 4-inch instrument. The resolving power of a telescope can be estimated using a simple formula: Resolving power (in arc seconds) = 4.56 divided by the aperture of the telescope (inches); or 116 divided by the aperture of the telescope (mm). This is the empirical rule devised by William


Dawes in the 19th century. When manufacturers list a resolving power, they are merely stating the Dawes limit for the aperture of the telescope, not a measured performance value for that specific model.

Types of Telescopes

Achromatic Refractor:

Uses a doublet lens with elements made of crown and flint glass. In f/10 to f/15 focal ratios, chromatic aberration is negligible.

Apochromatic Refractor:

To eliminate false colour, some apos use triplet lenses with elements of Super ED glass. Others use fluorite doublets or small corrector lenses near the focuser.

Newtonian Reflector:

Invented by Isaac Newton in 1668, this classic design uses a concave primary mirror (preferably with a parabolic curve) with a flat secondary mirror.

Schmidt-Cassegrain:

An aspherical corrector plate compensates for aberrations in the f/2 spherical mirror. A convex secondary folds the light path down the stubby tube.

Maksutov-Cassegrain:

Based on a design invented by Dmitri Maksutov in 1941, the Mak-Cass uses a steeply curved corrector lens. The all-spherical surfaces are easy to mass-produce.

Schmidt-Newtonian:

This hybrid design, usually f/4 or f/5, combines a Schmidt corrector with Newtonian optics to reduce the off-axis coma inherent in fast Newtonians.

Maksutov-Newtonian:

Usually made in f/6 focal lengths, this design boasts a view free of aberrations across a wide field of view at low power and refractor-like images at high power.


Appendix 4

Common Problems and Fixes

Problem Source SolutionHandset operation frozen Key on handset stuck Check handset for stuck

key, free key and should return to normal operation


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