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4 Observing

Using TOFs:
Telescope Object Files (TOFs) are accessed by right clicking in the ACE interface. You can open an existing database, but make sure you don’t append it to one that is already open. You can make new databases by simply entering a Name, RA, Dec and Epoch in the given fields and then ADDing them to the list. If you'd like to save a new database to a file, right click in the ACE interface and following the "Save Database" instructions. All TOF’s are saved in the C:\ACE GO directory on Capilla. TOFs can be edited using Notepad.

Slewing the Telescope:
Double clicking on an entry in a TOF puts its coordinates and name in the appropriate fields in ACE. You can also enter the coordinates and name by hand. The name will go directly into the CIA Object Name field. After visual confirmation of the coordinates, click on GO TO and the telescope will begin the slew. Occasionally it might not quite lock onto its target, in which case the Cancel Move button and progress bars won’t go away. If this happens just hit Cancel Move and then GO TO again.

Dome Tracking:
The Dome will follow the telescope as long as the Auto Dome feature has been enabled from within ACE (2nd from the right, a light blue button).

Image acquisition:
First take a Test exposure to make sure the field is correct. You can move the telescope around with the soft Hand Paddle to orient the field as you wish. Once the field is correct, put in the first filter and set the exposure time. You are ready to take an image. Make sure that the Image type is Object; otherwise your image will not be saved. When the image is saved you can look at it on Capiraf.

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Updated: 9/14/99