REMOTE+'automated'+imaging+runs+using+ACP+plans

Automated imaging runs are best for Supernova searches and other tasks that require images of multiple objects to be taken.

The following observing procedure assumes that, at the start of observations:-
 * The observatory has no technical issues
 * The weather is ok
 * The telescope driver is running, and the telescope is parked
 * ACP Aquire images script is running
 * The web cam is running
 * Cartes Du Ciel is running and the telescope is connected

Note: Cartes Du Ciel is used for monitoring the postion of the telescope only. **No SYNC is to be done in Cartes Du Ciel**.

The following procedure uses ACP plans to undertake automated imaging runs

NEEDS UPDATING FOR THE DOME AND RUNOFF ROOF!!!!!!!


 * To perform an AUTOMATED observing run, follow the procedure below:-**
 * 1) Read the USER GUIDE on line
 * 2) Gain access to the observatory PC using VNC.
 * 3) Look at the LED indicator panel lights in the web cam to see if it is OK to observe. Also, check the status of the Observatory Auxiliary Control screen to ensure that it is consistent with the web cam. If not then wait!
 * 4) Goto ACP and ensure that the telescope and camera are connected by clicking (top tool bar of the ACP window) on Telescope and then Camera in turn. If they are Disconnected then click it to change them to Connected.
 * 5) The telescope driver will connect to ACP. MaxImDL (the camera control software) will start up (if it was not Connected). Power to the camera is automatically applied when the dome is opened.
 * 6) If the observing run was aborted that night, or on a previouse night (either manually by clicking Abort, or by ACP automatically due to cloud etc) goto 18. If not then goto 7.
 * 7) Go back to ACP and click on RUN on the lower right of the window. A new window will now appear.
 * 8) Navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\Datscope\My Documents\ACP Astronomy\Plans\Supernovae search plans
 * 9) Click on the ACP plan required (ensure that the constellation is in view and well above the horizon or it will not complete the whole plan). NOTE: Determine if a command statement is required, or not, at the end of the plan. See 11 and 12 below.
 * 10) The telescope will now automatically slew to the object and the dome will open. Use the web cam and the Observatory Auxiliary Control screen to monitor the enclosure status. Look at Cartes Du Ciel to monitor the telescope position on sky.
 * 11) ACP/MaxImDL will take the required images automatically when on target. Use MaxImDL to monitor the images. Do not interrupt the programme or stop it from imaging.
 * 12) Images are automatically saved in a folder of the days date on the Weather station hard drive. See Access to Images
 * 13) When the observing run is completed, ACP will stop sidereal tracking and wait for the next command. But, if the plan has #SHUTDOWN at the end of the plan, then ACP will automatically disconnect the camera, park the telescope and close the dome.
 * 14) To perform another automated observing run goto step 3. If a longer observing run is required, ACP plans can be chained together using the #CHAIN statement in the observing plan. To learn more of how to modify ACP plans (#CHAIN plans together) click here.
 * 15) If the enclosure does not close. Use the Observatory Auxiliary Control screen to try and close the enclosure by first clicking on Operate Enclosure, or by un-checking the Enable Enclosure box.
 * 16) When the plan is complete goto step 3
 * 17) If observations are complete goto bed!
 * 18) In windows explorer (not ACP) navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\Datscope\My Documents\ACP Astronomy\Plans\Supernovae search plans
 * 19) Open the plan you wish to run by double clicking on it. This will open the plan in a a text window.
 * 20) Check that there is nothing above the line #INTERVAL 20
 * 21) If there is, then delete it and save the file. The text may look somethink like:- #startsetnum 2 ; Persistent set numbering added by ACP
 * 22) If there was text above #INTERVAL 20, then this had been added automatically by ACP if the plan was aborted, and so will need to be removed if the plan is to start from the beginning. Otherwise it will pick up from where it left off last time it was run.
 * 23) Goto step 7.

Any issues check USER GUIDE (20 inch F4) FAILURE RECOVERY

For other modes of operation see USER GUIDE (20 inch F4) eof