User's Guide to the Tauchmann 22-inch Telescope

Table of Contents

Startup Checklist

1. A few days in advance, get permission to use the Tauchmann Telescope and arrange to pick up keys by emailing the Support Astronomers.
2. After picking up the keys, unlock the Tauchmann door. There is a padlock and the door lock. The door sticks, so might take some effort to get it open and closed.
3. In the storage room turn on the power:
   1. Turn on master switch.
   2. Turn on the light.
   3. Turn on all circuit breakers.
4. Turn on dome lights.
5. Open dome floor hatch if necessary and head up to the dome floor.
6. When everyone is on the dome floor, close the hatch and install the safety railing. There are gaps in the floor around the telescope pier and an uneven floor, so everyone must always watch their step.
7. Remove, fold, and store tarps from the desk and telescope.
8. Check settings on the oscillator/signal generator:
   • Function set to Sine Wave
   • Range at 10x
   • All Attenuators out
9. Turn on oscillator by setting turning the Output Level to mid-range.
10. Turn on ALTEC amplifier using toggle switch on back of the unit.
11. Unlock the dome shutter by pulling the cable at the slit with the green handle.
12. Untie the yellow dome shutter ropes from their cleats.
13. Open the dome shutter using the yellow dome shutter ropes and handles at the bottom of the dome shutter.
14. When dome is fully open:
    • Tie off the right dome shutter rope to the right cleat.
    • Tie off the left dome shutter rope to the left cleat.
    • Stow the dome lock red and green handle cables in the clip on the right-hand dome shutter door.
15. Remove the Secondary Mirror Cover and place on desk for safe keeping.
16. Open the Primary Mirror cover.
17. Turn on the following lights from the Telescope Control Box:
    • Red Light
    • Circle Lights
    • Panel Light
18. Turn on the Telrad. Please remember to turn it off when not in use.
19. Choose a target to observe.
20. Turn off the white dome lights from the Telescope Control Box.
21. Release the RA & Dec Clamps.
22. Use telescope positioning handles to point telescope to the desired HA/RA and Dec.
23. Carefully rotate dome to align with telescope. Make sure no one is too close the dome rotation motor & counterweight or leaning on the dome. Also make sure the dome shutter ropes don't get caught on the desk.
24. Follow the detailed Pointing Procedure to acquire a star via the Telrad, Finder Scope, and Eyepieces and adjust tracking rate as needed, for each target.
25. Enjoy observing, always being vigilant regarding safety.