Three_C

Main Menu - Telescope Control - Telescope Functions I

Telescope Functions I is the first list of ten telescope control functions that three_c can perform. A horizontal menu will appear that looks like the following:

F1-HP

F2-AV

F3-BK

F4-JP

F5-HS

F6-FS

F7-CO

F8-FO

F9-VU

F10-HM

The first item is a help screen, which simply translates the mnemonics of the menu into phrases that explain the functions. They are:

The hot keys for the Telescope Function menus are the function keys. The next three items in this menu (F2 - F4) refer to the sequences of filter combinations that make up the observing program. The detailed discussion of selecting an observing program is below under Telescope Functions II. Advancing in the program means selecting the next filter in the sequence. Backup refers to selecting the previous filter, and jump means moving ahead three places in the observing sequence. When any of these items is selected, the operations area on the status board reflects the selection (Advance, Backup, or Jump) and the filter area will also change. Each of these program manipulation functions provides full wrap around in both directions in the observing program.

Home Stages (F5) returns the offset stages to their home positions. Refer to the section on the operation of the hand paddle for the manual method of moving the offset stages.

Filter Select (F6) allows the user to select the filter. A window will appear with the full set of filters available. Press the first letter of the filter name and the filter wheels will rotate to that filter.

Comment (F7) allows the user to insert comments into the data record. A window will appear which will ask for the message. The comment will be placed onto any open I/O device (screen, disk, or printer). This item is useful for noting weather conditions that might affect the data, procedural problems, or hardware failures.

Focus (F8) drives a stepping motor on the secondary mount in order to focus the telescope. Make sure that there is a star in the field of view. The preferred method for acquiring the focus function is by pressing the top right button of the hand paddle. A pop-up window instructs the user to press the north or south hand paddle keys to focus and the top right button to disable the function.

Video Utilities (F9) brings up an extensive set of functions used for pattern recognition, which are described separately.

Home (F10) commands the telescope system to return to the HOME position (defined above). During this or any telescope move, make sure that the observing floor is clear and the telescope will not collide with the ladder.