This is a summary of normal IGRINS use for observers at the McDonald 2.7m telescope 

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1. Go out in the dome

   1. Go to the old control room (Colossus Control Room) and press each of these buttons:

      

   2. Go to the console and press "Reset".  You will hear a click as the breaks preventing the telescope from moving are released. There should be no messages on the TCS now.

      

   3. Move the telescope to the Flat position

      1. On the TCS monitor in the dome, click the “Next” menu, click “Flat”, and click “Yes” on the warning message that pops up.

      2. Click “Go Next” at the top of the TCS window.

      3. Push the Autoslew button to move the telescope to the Flat position.

      4. Use the yellow hand paddle to move the upper wind screen all the way down to reveal the full flat screen.

         

   4. If the dome is not in the “Park” position, use the TCS to move the telescope dome to the “Park” position

      1. Using the TCS monitor in the dome, click the “Tools”, click “Park”, and click “Yes” on the warning message that pops up.

   5. Set up IGRINS and telescope for taking calibrations

      1. Raise the east platform so you can reach the top of IGRINS

      2. Open the shutter on top of IGRINS is for taking flats

      3. Be sure to secure the window cover arm using the velcro.

         

      4. Lower the east platform back down.

      5. Use the console to open the telescope mirror cover.

   6. Turn off all the lights in the dome and cover the TCS monitor in the dome with the blackout fabric.

2. In the Observing Room:

   1. In the DTP on the ICC:

      1. Click the “FLAT-OFF” button below the K-band image plot (box 1).

         1. Click “Yes” on the pop-up that appears (this just fills in the Object Name and Exposure Time in the DTP).

         2. This will fill the Seq Bar with 10 x E frames, change the object name, object type, and set the exposure time (boxes 7, 3, and 6).

      2. If there are 3 flat lamps working you will need 30 second exposures, if all 4 are working then 20 second exposures will do.

      3. Change the exposure time to 30 seconds (box 6; if not already set to that).

      4. Change the Object Name to “FLAT 30s” (box 3; if not already set to that).

      5. Verify that Frametype is “OFF”.

      6. When ready to take the FLAT-OFFs, click the “Start/Resume Sequence” button (box 8).

   2. FLAT OFF frames should take about 10 minutes to complete.  Computer will say "H finished", "K finished", “Sequence finished” when they are done.

3. Back to the dome to turn on the Flat lamps for FLAT ON frames

   1. Turn on the dome passage lights for safety.

   2. Move the rolling stairs from their stowed location to platform east near the telescope

      1. Ensure the location you place the rolling stairs is clear of the telescope and not off the moving platform entirely.

         

   3. Raise the platform using the yellow hand paddle until you will be able to reach the plug for the flat lamps on the side of the telescope

      1. !! Make sure you do not get close enough to bump IGRINS with the raising platform !!

   4. Plug the flat lamp power cable into the side of the telescope, see images below

      

   5. Turn off the dome passage lights.

4. In the Observing Room:

   1. In the DTP on the ICC...

      1. Click the “FLAT-ON” button below the K-band image plot (box 1).

         1. Click “Yes” on the pop-up that appears (this just fills in the Object Name and Exposure time in the DTP).

         2. This will fill the Seq Bar with 10 x E frames, change the object name, object type, and set the exposure time (boxes 7, 3, and 6).

      2. If there are 3 flat lamps working you will need 30 second exposures, if all 4 are working then 20 second exposures will do.

      3. The peak counts per FLAT exposure should be between 6,000 and 12,000 counts (H-band will always be higher than K-band). Inspect the FLATS in DS9 or check the peak flux counts in the SNR quicklook tool (see 1.b. in the Setup above).

      4. Change the exposure time to 30 (or 20) seconds (box 6; if not already set to that).

      5. Change the Object name to “FLAT 30s” (box 3; if not already set to that).

      6. Verify that Frametype is “ON”.

      7. When ready to take the FLAT-ONs, click the “Start/Resume Sequence” button (box 8).

   2. FLAT ON frames should take about 10 minutes to complete.  Computer will say "H finished", "K finished", and “Sequence finished” when they are done.

   3. If you changed the FLAT exposure time in the FLAT ON process, then retake the FLAT OFF exposures with the same exposure time.

   4. When the sequence is finished, in the dome turn off flat lamps and return the upper wind screen to its stow position using the hand paddle.

      1. Close the telescope mirror cover on the console so nothing falls on the mirror when moving the upper wind screen.

         

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1. In SVC Package window Nodding box, select “Custom (see the advanced pane)”

2. At the bottom of the SVC Package window, click the “Advanced Pane” checkbox

3. For Off-slit guiding we generally set “Every” underneath the “Stop Guide” button in the “Detector Control” box to 1.

4. In the Advanced Pane check the “Use Guide Position” checkbox

5. Under A-B Guide Box Position in the Advanced Pane…

   1. For nodding on slit (ABBA)…

      1. Make sure dA is set to -3.3 and 0.0 for SL and SW

      2. Make sure dB is set to 3.3 and 0.0 for SL and SW

   2. For nodding off (ON-OFF) slit with target centered on the slit …

      1. Set dA to 0.0 and 0.0 for SL SW. This will put your target at the center of the slit.

      2. Set dB to how far off you want to nod for the OFF. Make sure your guide star can still be seen. Alternatively you can manually nod to your OFF position using the digital hand paddle in the SVC Package. For example you could nod 300 arcsec North, take an off, then nod 300 arcsec South to go back. When you do this you need to move each time you change nods and take your A and B exposures one at a time.

      3. Click the “Select A-B & Guide Box Position” button.

6. To set the guide box position…

   1. Method 1: Unknown Offset (Target visible but faint) - click and guide. Off-slit guiding when you see the target and the guide star in a slit camera view but don't know the offsets. 

      1. Take a single SVC exposure

      2. Place the target on the reference position by clicking the target, and "Go R" button. It should then say “R” under “Current.” Take another exposure. Repeat “Go R” and taking single exposures until your target is as well centered as you can get it on the little circle. This is important because you want to center your target as well as you can on the slit when taking its spectrum. Once you are satisfied the target is well centered, do not take any more exposures.

      3. Click the guide star and then click the button "Sel G".

      4. Make sure the pink box moved on to the guide star. If it is not perfect, repeat clicking the guide star and “Sel G” until you are satisfied the guide box crosshairs are centered on the guide star.

      5. Click "Nod to A”. It should then say “A” under “Current.”

   2. Method 2: Known Offset in Slit_length (dSL) and Slit_width (dSW) Off-slit guiding with known offsets in slit length and slit width between a target and a guide star.

      1. IMPORTANT: Make sure in the “Move selected Target” box under “Current” it says A and not R. If it says R or ?, click SVC image near the slit, and then click the “go A” button.

      2. Under A-B & Guide Box position in the Advanced Pane, set dG SL and SW do your desired values.

      3. Click the “Select A-B & Guide Box Position” button.

      4. Take a single SVC exposure

      5. In the SVC image, click your guide star

      6. Under “Guide Box Position” in the Advanced pane, click the button “Go G”

      7. Make sure the guide box is centered on your guide star. If it is not perfect, take another SVC exposure, click the star, and then click the “Go G” button again. Repeat until you are satisfied the guide star is centered in the crosshairs of the guide box.

7. Take a single exposure. Check that the guide star is roughly centered in the guide box crosshairs. If it is not, click the star and click the button “Go G.”

8. Under “Device Control” click the button “Guide”. This will start the guiding.

9. Watch the guiding. Once you are satisfied the guiding is good, you can move over to the Data Taking Package and start your science exposures.

10. When you are finished taking data on a target, if your next target will use on slit guiding, reset the guiding settings.

    1. Uncheck the “Use Guide Position” checkbox

    2. Uncheck the “Advanced Pane” checkbox

    3. In the nodding box, select “A-B”

    4. Check that A and B boxes appear in the correct places over the slit

    5. You can probably set “Every” under “Detector Control” back to 2 for on slit guiding

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The Data Taking Package is used to acquire IGRINS spectra throughout a night of observing. Check out the simple instructions on how to use the DTP here and for a more detailed description of all the button options check out the DTP GUI outline here.

!! Taking a 300s SKY Frame each night !!

The PLP requires a 300s SKY frame for deriving the wavelength solution. If you do not observe a sky frame your wavelength solution will not be as accurate and you will frustrate whoever ends up reducing your data. A sky frame should be observed near the middle of the night if possible.

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Finally, calculate the exposure time using the K-band magnitude in SIMBAD required to reach at least the desired SNR of your target observation(s) using the equation found in the SNR Estimates and Guidelines at McDonald. If your A0V star does not meet the required SNR for your observations, even if your target reaches the required SNR, your final reduced data will not reach your required SNR.

Once your standard is observed, it is good practice to note what standard goes with what target in the IGRINS Digital Night Log in the comments field for the target and in your personal notes for the night. This is helpful when crafting recipe files for reductions to ensure the correct standard is paired with the correct target, especially in cases where multiple targets will share the same standard.

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1. Move the telescope to Zenith

   1. Using the TCS select Next → Zenith and click yes on all of the pop-up windows.

   2. Click “Go Next” at the top of the TCS window.

2. Slew the telescope to Zenith by holding down the Autoslew botton on the dome floor console.

3. NEW METHOD FOR NOW: Find the pipe titled “IGRINS ROTATOR TOOL” which might be behind and place it on the East Platform floor in a way to ensure it won’t roll off. You will use it as a lever to turn the instrument.

   

4. Ensure the rolling ladder for plugging in the flat lamps is not under the telescope.

5. Use the yellow hand paddle to raise platform east until you can comfortably reach the mount that connects IGRINS to the telescope.

   1. Not so high that IGRINS or the electronics rack will hit the platform floor!

6. OLD METHOD IGNORE FOR NOW: Get the wheel attachment and wrench from the red tool box on the opposite side of platform east (see image in step 7 below; found near the ladder that brings you to the second floor in the dome) or kept on the dome console.

7. There are four screws on the IGRINS rotator plate that need to be loosened.

   1. 3 should have star-like handles (boxed in pink in the image below) you can manually loosen (unless a Darrin has been applied recently… then good luck)

   2. The last screw is a large hex screw (on the corner of the rotator plate near the calibration unit; boxed in orange in the image below) that needs to be unscrewed using the large hex wrench (pointed to with the red arrow in the image below) kept on the top of the dome control console.

      

8. OLD METHOD IGNORE FOR NOW: Once all of the screws on the rotator plate are loosened, attach the wheel attachment to the rotator peg on the rotator plate.

   1. This can be a little fussy to attach because the wheel and peg have interlocking parts, so a headlamp or flashlight can be helpful for getting the right orientation of the wheel.

   2. You’ll know the wheel is in position when it is near flush against the rotator peg.

      

9. OLD METHOD IGNORE FOR NOW:Turn the wheel to rotate IGRINS in the appropriate direction.

   1. This requires some elbow grease!

   2. If you have difficulty moving IGRINS with the wheel alone, attempt applying some pressure on the edges of the electronics rack to loosen the rotator plate.

   3. DO NOT PUSH ON THE CRYOSTAT

10. NEW METHOD FOR NOW: Close the IGRINS shutter to ensure no dust or debris falls in when rotating with the pipe.

    

11. NEW METHOD FOR NOW: Place the IGRINS ROTATOR TOOL pipe between holes in the black bracket that mounts IGRINS to the telescope in such a way that you can then use the pipe as a lever to turn the instrument on the backend of the telescope. Place the pipe in the mounting bracket from on the side of IGRINS opposite of fromthe cold head and readout electronics to avoid accidently damaging those components and to be on the same side as the encoder. There are a couple ways you could place the pipe, but the location pictured below keeps the pipe angled below the back end of the telescope.

    

12. NEW METHOD FOR NOW: Push on the end of the pipe using it as lever to rotate the instrument to your desired position angle. This might require some strength. Be very careful not to run into hoses, wires, or the backend of the telescope. You might need to readjust the placement of the pipe Check the encoder to ensure you rotate IGRINS to the desired position angle.

    

13. Encoder settings for different position angles can be found here.

    1. Once you think you are close to your desired rotation position check the value on the encoder and adjust as needed.

14. Once you reach the desired position

    1. OLD METHOD IGNORE FOR NOW:Remove the wheel and return it to the tool box. NEW METHOD FOR NOW: Slowly remove the pipe and place it carefully on the floor of the East Platform. DO NOT FORGET: Reopen the IGRINS shutter.

    2. Screw in the 3 star-handled screws on the rotator plate. They should be tight!

    3. Use the wrench to tighten the last special screw and return the wrench to it’s found location.

15. Verify that the cooling cables are NOT UNDER THE PLATFORM before using the hand paddle on the dome floor console to lower platform east.

    1. This may require that you lower the platform a little, jump off, adjust the cables, and continue lowering the platform (repeat as needed).

16. NEW METHOD FOR NOW: Return the IGRINS ROTATOR TOOL pipe to where you originally found it.

17. In the control room:

    1. In the ICC on the SCV GUI change the the rotator value (box 10) and on the TCSProxy change the rotator value.

    2. Resume observing!

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1. Close the Mirror Window Cover

   1. Using the button on the Colossus Console (the console in the dome with all the red buttons). You should hear the motor stop when it is fully closed.

2. Move the telescope to Zenith

   1. Using the TCS select Next → Zenith and click yes on all of the pop-up windows

3. Close the IGRINS window cover

   1. Rotate IGRINS back to a PA of 90 degrees, if needed

   2. Raise the east platform using the yellow hand paddle

   3. Close the IGRINS window cover using the handle

   4. Be sure to secure the handle using the velcro strip

4. Stow the telescope

   1. Using the TCS select Next → Stow and click yes on all of the pop-up windows

   2. Press and hold the button on the dome floor console to move the telescope to the stow position

5. Close the dome

   1. Using the button on the Colossus Console. There will be a loud sound when it finishes closing.

6. Put any wind screens that are over the dome slit back to their stow positions using the hand paddle

7. Park the dome

   1. Using the TCS select Tools → Park Dome and click yes on all of the pop-up windows

8. Close the dome doors

9. Close the dome vents

   1. Using the control panel on the East side of the dome near the door

10. Turn on the passage lights (only once dome is closed fully)

    1. Using the button on the Colossus Console

11. E-stop the telescope

    1. Using the button on the Colossus Console

12. From the control room

    1. If you are observing for multiple nights in a row, it is okay to leave all of the ICC terminals and ATLAS internet tabs open from night to night, they will reopen in their same positions when you login for following nights. On ATLAS you will have to reopen TCS, VNC Viewer for ICC, and run the IGRINS sound script again between nights.

    2. If it is your last night, close all of the ATLAS tabs and the data taking GUIs on the ICC. Leave the HKP running on the ICC.

13. Fill out the Night Report!

    1. Record night hours observed, leave notes for the daytime team if you ran into technical issues, and then DO NOT SUBMIT the night report--instead click “Exit”. This allows the daytime team to respond to any concerns/report any fixes made during the day, they will submit the report.

    2. Logout of ATLAS.

14. Turn off the heater/AC in the observing room if used.

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