User's Guide to the Gemini Twin-Arrays Infrared Camera


Table of Contents


Introduction
Quick Reference
What is Gemini?
Summary Table
Quick start - for the expert
Not so quick start - set-up
Graphical User Interface
More About Gemini
Signal-to-Noise Estimates
Filters
Sampling Modes
Writing Scripts
Observing Recipes
Computer Setup
Testing the Arrays
Instrument Maintenance and Trouble-Shooting
Logsheet

Mt. Hamilton Homepage

Not So Quick Start

In general, transportation and installation of Gemini on the 3-m telescope will be supported by the Lick Observatory staff and the IR Lab staff, but users are expected to be familiar with the safe operation of the instrument.

Gemini is a complex instrument with a large thermal mass and therefore a long cooldown period is required before it achieves a stable operating condition - usually 48 hours. After unloading at Lick, the instrument is fully assembled and cooled down in the instrument preparation room on the same level as the dome floor. Usually, but not always, the detectors are checked before the cooling begins; this required a slightly modified procedure than that given below. A Packing Check List is provided. All cables and connectors have labels. There are separate technical documents for commercial units (e.g. Lakeshore 330 temperature servo), there is an Instrument Assembly Document and there are Engineering Manuals.

PLEASE follow the steps summarized below:

NB: Steps that are in brown are done by the Lick Observatory staff and observers only need to make sure they have been done.

Mounting of the instrument on the telescope requires training - see the Assembly Document. There is also a video tape. At the end of each night the LN2 needs to be filled. In addition, it is very important to TURN OFF THE MOTOR DRIVERS at the end of each night; a power outage during the day could cause them to be randomly powered on, generating excess heat in the camera. FTP your data to gouda directory /data/gemini/.

At the end of the run, exit the program and switch off the computer system, switch off the Transputers and the Motor Controller, power-down the CCR and do not re-fill the liquid nitrogen. Set the temperature on the Lakeshore to 295 K and switch on the heater; this is only possible while the unit still has power from the telescope or has been transferred to the prep room again.


Last modified: Mon Dec 23 11:59:05 PST 2013 by Elinor Gates