Bell Observatory Automation Script

This code is an attempt to create a fully-automated observatory experience with one click. Observers create a TargetList.txt file using the template, and then running the AutomationScript.vbs script will trigger a filename input. Users then input the target list file name (".txt"-inclusive), and the observatory will start up, run the targets, and shut down with no further user input.

Installation/Usage

Please see the code for comments and specific documentation This code was built for Windows (hence .vbs) using an ACE SmartDome, PlaneWave Instruments 4 Telescope and Shutter software, and MaximDL for imaging and file saving.

Roadmap/Bugs

Current Features/Outline of Script

• Prefix for FITS images is created (kYYMMDD). The DD is for the "following day", or the UTC-time day, since we usually observe starting past 6pm.
• Log file is created, and this log file takes input from pretty much every step in the process (it's detailed!)
• Checks that dome is already closed/stationary; if not, makes it so!
• Before observatory starts up, script calls a Python AstroPy query to determine if the solar altitude is low enough to observe (<-8d)
  • If too high, will cycle 10 minute check loop
  • If low enough, proceeds to startup observatory
• All components of Observatory start up
  • Bug light on stepladder turns off
  • Camera connects to MaximDL, starts cooling (needs to get to -20C) (~180 seconds total)
  • Dome homes (if it isn't already) and simultaneously opens (~120 seconds total)
  • Telescope connects to PWI4 and starts homing (~30 seconds total). Telescope commands are run via closed, internal PWI server.
  • The Camera cooling, Dome opening, and Telescope homing all run simulataneously to save time. After 180 seconds, script checks if $|(-20 - T_{Cam})|<3$. If yes, then proceed. If not, then loop 10 seconds for check.
  • This is because sometimes in the summer, the ambient temp will reach +35C!
• Take bias frames
  • Script reads BiasList.txt (basically, just goes to Polaris).
  • Calls Process subroutine which reads through each line of the text file, doing different things based on what the line says (see [Process subroutine] in main code for details).
  • When Process first reads the RA/Dec combo in the text file, scope will slew to target, and then dome will follow scope azimuth after about 10 seconds. Then, checks every 5 seconds to see if dome azimuth is within 3 degrees of scope azimuth.
  • Before every exposure, calls Python AstroPy query to determine if sun is too high (>-8d) or if moon is too close to target (<20d) or if target is too low in sky (<30d).
    • If sun too high or moon too close, runs EndOfNight subroutine and then shuts down.
    • If sun low enough and moon far enough from target, proceeds
  • Also before every exposure, runs dome azimuth check to adjust to slightly-new scope azimuth (from sky rotation).
  • Takes 9 bias frames, save them into data folder as kYYMMDD####.
• Open Optical Tube Assembly (OTA) shutters
• Take light frames
  • Script reads BiasList.txt (basically, just goes to Polaris).
  • Calls Process subroutine which reads through each line of the text file, doing different things based on what the line says (see [Process subroutine] in main code for details).
  • When Process first reads the RA/Dec combo in the text file, scope will slew to target, and then dome will follow scope azimuth after about 10 seconds. Then, checks every 5 seconds to see if dome azimuth is within 3 degrees of scope azimuth.
  • Before every exposure, calls Python AstroPy query to determine if sun is too high (>-8d) or if moon is too close to target (<20d) or if target is too low in sky (<30d).
    • If sun too high or moon too close, runs EndOfNight subroutine and then shuts down.
    • If sun low enough and moon far enough from target, proceeds
  • Also before every exposure, runs dome azimuth check to adjust to slightly-new scope azimuth (from sky rotation).
• All components of observatory shut down (called via EndOfNight subroutine)
  • This runs once last line of TargetList text file is read
  • Disables camera cooler and connection
  • Disables both telescope motor axes
  • Turns on bug light
  • Closes OTA shutters
  • Closes PWI4 software and shutter software
  • Closes dome, waits 40 seconds, then parks it.
  • Closes dome software.
  • Quits script. ### Features of TargetList
• Can input RA/Dec of target in hh:mm:ss and dd:mm:ss format
• Can also input altitude and azimuth
• Can choose from 10 different filters (unfiltered, B, V, R, Ha, OIII, SII, NII, GRISM)
• Can expose same target multiple times, changing filters if needed
• Script stores images with relevant FITS header information (coords, time, exp time, filter, observatory info, etc.) ### Upcoming Features
• Once flat field screen is installed, create code block between shutter opening block and light frames block
  • This code block will function very similar to the bias block, but it will slew to a fixed altitude and azimuth and then turn off tracking via scope commands to stay fixed on flat field screen.
• Possible implementation of Python-based target list generator (feed coordinates, filters, exposures, etc., and will output TargetListYYMMDD.txt)
• Re-run through TargetList.txt and expose targets that were initially missed due to moon and/or target altitude.

Credits

The "barebones" of this code (specifically the Process, TakeExposure, and PrepareToImage subroutines, and the GetSequenceNumber function) were initially written by ACP Observatory Control Software. See [https://diffractionlimited.com/maxim-dl-extras/] for the original code, specifically "Sequenced Image Acquisition". I cannot find the original author yet.