Please follow the steps below to prepare ESI for the night's observing.

Summary

Check Account

  1. Consult the on-line Keck II observing schedule. Find the listing for today's date (note that the dates are HST, not UT dates).
  2. Under "Keck 2", the third column (Account) lists the instrument account you have been assigned.

Start Up VNC

ESI runs all instrument software within VNC desktops. Generally, VNC servers for your run should be up and running when you arrive to observe.

Waimea Startup Procedure

  1. Log in to primary seat. Log into the Remote Ops 2 computer with 4 screens arranged in a line using the user account. Your Staff Astronomer can give you the password
  2. Launch primary VNC desktops.
    1. Start a terminal: Right click in background -> Local xterm
    2. Run start_all_vnc.sh esi1, for user account esi1

Mainland Startup Procedure

The procedure for launching VNC desktops from remote sites varies from site to site, but generally follows this procedure:
  1. Log in. Log in to primary and (if applicable) secondary machines using account and password provided by the site manager.
  2. Get firewall access. If necessary, follow authentication procedure for access through Keck firewall.
  3. Launch VNC (pajama style) Run start_keck_viewers esiN, where N is 1-9
    -or-
  4. Launch VNC (old style) Execute the appropriate script to bring up VNC desktops. At sites with a single 4-headed machine execute the command 
    	kvncall esi esiN
    where N is the number of your ESI observing account. At sites with separate primary and secondary machines, execute this command on the primary machine: 
    	kvnctel esi esiN
    and this command on the secondary machine: 
    	kvncinst esi esiN

Check Instrument Status

  1. Start Firefox.
  2. Read the ESI News.
  3. Check instrument availability.

Prepare Observing Log

You now have the choice of maintaining paper or electronic logs for your observing run.

Electronic logsheets

The Keck Observing Log Archive (KEOLA) maintains an on-line log of your run which you can access through the browser window to view or edit. This log is generated whether or not you choose to use it, and is only accessible from within the Keck network, not from outside, so if you are observing remotely you must launch a browser within VNC to access the electronic logs. For full instructions, please refer to the KEOLA webpage.

Paper logsheets

If you prefer physical logsheets for note-taking, now would be a good time to prepare them. You can preview and print out copies of logsheets from the computer. To assist in your logging, you may find it helpful to launch the obslog window which provides a summary of your ESI exposures. From the ESI workspace menu, select ESI Utilities > Obslog Loop to launch this window.

Start up ESI

  1. Start up the ESI software.
  2. Verify windows.
    Check that the following windows appear:
  3. Configure user settings.

Check Detector Bias

  1. Take Bias
    1. Close hatch.
      If the Dashboard GUI indicates that the hatch is open, then close it by double-clicking on the hatch graphic to bring up the Hatch Panel. Click on the CLOSED option to effect the change.
    2. Turn off lamps.
      If the GUI indicates that any lamps are on, click the OFF button in the Lamps box.
    3. Set exposure parameters.
      In the CCD box on the GUI, set:
      • Object to Bias
      • ExpTime to 1 second
      Click on UpdateCCD to commit these changes.
    4. Start bias exposure.
      Click the Expose button to start the exposure.
    5. Verify exposure sequence.
      After you start the exposure, the brown CCD box will turn:
      • grey to indicate that the detector is erasing;
      • black to indicate that the detector is exposing a DARK (green if taking a shutter-open exposure);
      • yellow to indicate that the detector is reading out.
    6. Wait for readout.
      In about 45 seconds, the image should be read out and be displayed on the Figdisp window.
  2. Set display parameters in tk Figdisp:
    1. Zoom: "Normal"
    2. Zoom: "Center"
    3. "Hist Eq."
  3. Inspect the bias frame
    1. Click and drag with the middle mouse button on the image for a vector plot.
    2. Pixel values should be about 1000 DN

Set-Up ESI

Acquire arcs and flats

ESI uses a lookup table for its flexure compensation system (FCS). This lookup table is only valid when the telescope is above 5 degrees of elevation. We recommend waiting until the telescope is released before acquiring arcs and flats. You may take arcs and flats manually, or use the handy ESI Calibration Widget script to acquire the desired number of arcs, flats, pinhole flats, biases, and darks for each instrument setup. To do so:
  1. Close the ESI hatch to block dome light.
  2. Load your desired named setup
  3. If needed, launch the ESI Calibration Widget via the background menu via ESI Utilities > ESI Calibration Tool.
  4. Reset the ESI Calibration Widget by clicking "Reset"
  5. If needed, take a test 1 second Qz internal flat (use the goibuf command) and determine the appropriate exposure time for your flats (goal is about 30,000 DN maximum).
  6. Click GO to begin data acquisition. There is a handy time estimate on the calibration tool.

Create and verify target list

  1. Create and format your target list (``starlist'') as described here.
  2. Validate and install your starlist by selecting the item Instrument Utilities > Install Starlist from the ESI background menu. This script will check the syntax of your starlist and copy it into the appropriate directory.

Coordinate with the OA

Observing Assistants cutomarily arrive at the summit (or HQ, if remote controlling) around 5:30pm. Once they arrive, you can do the following:
  1. Greet the OA.
    Check whether your PictureTel link is muted, as indicated by a mute symbol labeled NEAR on the TV. If muted, press the MUTE button on the PictureTel control to un-mute. Introduce yourself to the OA and alert them to any immediate needs that you will have, such as wanting to take dome flats.
  2. Wait for the OA to get settled.
    Setting up computers and bringing up all of the telescope control systems requires some time, and things go wrong much more often than we would prefer. Be patient while the OA prepares the telescope for operation.
  3. Take calibrations.
    When the OA gives you permission to proceed, begin taking dome flats.
  4. Inform the OA about your starlist.
    Now would be a good time to let the OA know where your starlist is, so they can verify that they have access to it.

Select sounds

  1. Select sounds.
    The Eventsounds utility will make user-selectable noises when images are done exposing and reading out. Click on the available menus to select the sounds of your choice for your late-night entertainment.
  2. Play samples.
    You can play a sample of the currently-selected sound by clicking the right mouse button on the label for the sound. If you don't hear the sound immediately, verify that the computer speakers on the desk are powered on and that volume is turned up. If that doesn't fix the problem, you may need to run the audiocontrol program on the local desktop (i.e., outside of VNC) to ensure that Line out is selected. Adjust the volume using either the slider bar on the widget or the knob on the computer speakers.

Get dinner

You're tired and hungry and there's a long night ahead. Better get out the folder labeled Restaurant Dining Guide and select one of our fine local eateries to provide you with sustenance.