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| en:ost:ccds:ccdops [2016/11/10 21:58] – [Setting the temperature] rhainich | en:ost:ccds:ccdops [2017/01/14 01:31] (current) – [Mounting and connecting to the computer] rhainich |
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| [{{:ost:ccds:ccdops:ccdops_cameralink.jpg|connected}}] | [{{:ost:ccds:ccdops:ccdops_cameralink.jpg|connected}}] |
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| <code> Camera -> Focus</code> | <code> Camera -> Focus</code> |
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| [{{:ost:ccds:focus.jpg?direct|}}] | [{{:ost:ccds:ccdops:focus.jpg?direct|}}] |
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| <code>Track -> Calibrate...</code> | <code>Track -> Calibrate...</code> |
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| [{{ ost:ccds:track_calibrate_parameters.jpg | Calibration menu }}] | [{{ ost:ccds:ccdops:track_calibrate_parameters.jpg | Calibration menu }}] |
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| Select the exposure time, the temporal shifts in X and Y direction, the current declination, the number of shifts, and the CCD chip. The exposure time should not be too short so the calibration star can clearly be identified by CCDOPS. The temporal shifts in X and Y direction should also not be to small to allow an exact calibration. The calibration star should move approximately 100 pixel in each direction during the calibration. The temporal shifts (in X and Y direction) can be split in several individual steps. This number can be set in //**Steps**//. In most cases, the value can remain at 1. By giving a declination one can use any star for the calibration. The results will then be scaled to the observational target, so that calibration is valid there. The following figure depicts the result of such a calibration. If the movements in +X and -X (+Y and -Y, too) are about equal a good calibration has been achieved. The axes in the lower right part of the image don't necessarily have to be horizontal and vertical to facilitate a good tracking. | Select the exposure time, the temporal shifts in X and Y direction, the current declination, the number of shifts, and the CCD chip. The exposure time should not be too short so the calibration star can clearly be identified by CCDOPS. The temporal shifts in X and Y direction should also not be to small to allow an exact calibration. The calibration star should move approximately 100 pixel in each direction during the calibration. The temporal shifts (in X and Y direction) can be split in several individual steps. This number can be set in //**Steps**//. In most cases, the value can remain at 1. By giving a declination one can use any star for the calibration. The results will then be scaled to the observational target, so that calibration is valid there. The following figure depicts the result of such a calibration. If the movements in +X and -X (+Y and -Y, too) are about equal a good calibration has been achieved. The axes in the lower right part of the image don't necessarily have to be horizontal and vertical to facilitate a good tracking. |
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| [{{ ost:ccds:track_calibrate.jpg | Calibration result }}] | [{{ ost:ccds:ccdops:track_calibrate.jpg | Calibration result }}] |
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| Further tracking parameters can be set in: | Further tracking parameters can be set in: |
| //**Active Relays**// denotes the directions that shall be tracked actively. The //**X Direction**// must be switched between **Forward** and **Reverse**, if the telescope crosses the meridian. In //**Aggressiveness**// one can damp or amplify the corrections CCDOPS gives to the telescope. The corrections are applied without damping at an //**Aggressiveness**// level of 10, while only 50% of the corrections are applied at a level of 5. The different //**Noise Filter**//s can be helpful to achieve a successful tracking, if the guide star is relatively faint. If //**Log Tracking**// is activated, the corrections are recorded for further analyses. The //**X-**// and //**Y-Backlash**// can remain 0 for our mount. The settings //**Minimum move**// and //**Maximum move**// define the allowed correction ranges; they can be kept at their default values in most cases. | //**Active Relays**// denotes the directions that shall be tracked actively. The //**X Direction**// must be switched between **Forward** and **Reverse**, if the telescope crosses the meridian. In //**Aggressiveness**// one can damp or amplify the corrections CCDOPS gives to the telescope. The corrections are applied without damping at an //**Aggressiveness**// level of 10, while only 50% of the corrections are applied at a level of 5. The different //**Noise Filter**//s can be helpful to achieve a successful tracking, if the guide star is relatively faint. If //**Log Tracking**// is activated, the corrections are recorded for further analyses. The //**X-**// and //**Y-Backlash**// can remain 0 for our mount. The settings //**Minimum move**// and //**Maximum move**// define the allowed correction ranges; they can be kept at their default values in most cases. |
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| [{{ ost:ccds:autoguide_parameters.jpg }}] | [{{ ost:ccds:ccdops:autoguide_parameters.jpg }}] |
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| ==== Self Guiding ==== | ==== Self Guiding ==== |
| </WRAP> | </WRAP> |
| <WRAP half column> | <WRAP half column> |
| [{{ ost:ccds:ccdops:self_guide_image.jpg | Tracking box with a guide star }}] | [{{ ost:ccds:self_guide_image.jpg | Tracking box with a guide star }}] |
| </WRAP> | </WRAP> |
| </WRAP> | </WRAP> |
| <code>AO -> Setup...</code> | <code>AO -> Setup...</code> |
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| [{{ ost:ccds:ao_setup.jpg | Setup menu of the AO-7}}] | [{{ ost:ccds:ccdops:ao_setup.jpg | Setup menu of the AO-7}}] |
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| The options for //**Aggressiveness**//, //**Noise Filter**//, and the //**Log Tracking**// are equal to their counterparts in the standard guiding (see above, [[en:ost:ccds:ccdops#Calibration]]). The //**Slew rate**// allows an additional influence on the correction strength, besides the //**Aggressiveness**//. The default value of 500 should be sufficient for most observations. In case, the corrections are too strong, lower that value. In //**Relay threshold**// one can set the point when the mount is addressed to follow the guide star to keep it in the control range of the AO-7. If the option //**Adaptive Gain**// is active, the //**Aggressiveness**// is automatically readjusted. However, this option should only be activated by experienced observers. | The options for //**Aggressiveness**//, //**Noise Filter**//, and the //**Log Tracking**// are equal to their counterparts in the standard guiding (see above, [[en:ost:ccds:ccdops#Calibration]]). The //**Slew rate**// allows an additional influence on the correction strength, besides the //**Aggressiveness**//. The default value of 500 should be sufficient for most observations. In case, the corrections are too strong, lower that value. In //**Relay threshold**// one can set the point when the mount is addressed to follow the guide star to keep it in the control range of the AO-7. If the option //**Adaptive Gain**// is active, the //**Aggressiveness**// is automatically readjusted. However, this option should only be activated by experienced observers. |
| In the following window one can set the exposure time and the CCD to use. Additionally, one can activate the (debug) log. Furthermore, it is recommend to activate the option //**Calibrate from Corner**// as this gives better results. | In the following window one can set the exposure time and the CCD to use. Additionally, one can activate the (debug) log. Furthermore, it is recommend to activate the option //**Calibrate from Corner**// as this gives better results. |
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| [{{ ost:ccds:ao_calibrate_menu.jpg |Calibration menue of the AO-7}}] | [{{ ost:ccds:ccdops:ao_calibrate_menu.jpg |Calibration menue of the AO-7}}] |
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| The following image depicts the result of the calibration (very similar to the "normal guiding"), which in this case is (qualitatively) somewhere between the typical and optimal calibration result of the AO-7. In principle, the same criteria as described above for the "normal" guiding apply here. | The following image depicts the result of the calibration (very similar to the "normal guiding"), which in this case is (qualitatively) somewhere between the typical and optimal calibration result of the AO-7. In principle, the same criteria as described above for the "normal" guiding apply here. |
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| [{{ ost:ccds:ao_calibration_results.jpg | Calibration results of the AO-7 }}] | [{{ ost:ccds:ccdops:ao_calibration_results.jpg | Calibration results of the AO-7 }}] |
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| ==== Self Guiding ==== | ==== Self Guiding ==== |
| After clicking the ''OK'' button an exposure with the selected CCD is taken and shown along with the status menu (see the figure below). Select the guide star by moving the selection box on it and start the tracking process by clicking the ''Resume'' button. | After clicking the ''OK'' button an exposure with the selected CCD is taken and shown along with the status menu (see the figure below). Select the guide star by moving the selection box on it and start the tracking process by clicking the ''Resume'' button. |
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| [{{ ost:ccds:ao_self_guide.jpg |Self-guide status menu}}] | [{{ ost:ccds:ccdops:ao_self_guide.jpg |Self-guide status menu}}] |
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| This status menu presents some details, e.g. on the //**Guide Rate**//, which is the rate of corrections applied by the AO-7. Usually, the higher that value is, the better is the guiding. This can be reached by either by shorter exposure times or a smaller tracking box. The //**AO Position**// gives the deviation from the neutral position (50% x 50%) of the mirror. The //**RMS Wander**// is a measure for the efficiency of the guiding (smaller values are better), so try to reduce this value. //**Total Counts**// is the number of integrated counts of the tracking box (current and starting value). If //**Adaptive Gain**// has been activated in the setup menu, //**Adapt. Gain**// shows the applied amplification factor. | This status menu presents some details, e.g. on the //**Guide Rate**//, which is the rate of corrections applied by the AO-7. Usually, the higher that value is, the better is the guiding. This can be reached by either by shorter exposure times or a smaller tracking box. The //**AO Position**// gives the deviation from the neutral position (50% x 50%) of the mirror. The //**RMS Wander**// is a measure for the efficiency of the guiding (smaller values are better), so try to reduce this value. //**Total Counts**// is the number of integrated counts of the tracking box (current and starting value). If //**Adaptive Gain**// has been activated in the setup menu, //**Adapt. Gain**// shows the applied amplification factor. |