This has been a poor month for AAVSOnet; it seems that everything is breaking! The telescopes that are working correctly are BSM_HQ (but won't be run for a week or two until the snow melts), BSM_South, BSM_Hamren and SRO.
TMO61 will be off the air for the next three weeks while Jon Holtzman attends a workshop.
BSM_Berry is undergoing commissioning. We need to do one software upgrade, and then insert the ACP Scheduler queues and set up the HQ transfer and pipeline. We're close to running.
BSM_NM needs to be polar aligned. We'll start commissioning tests with the new permanent pier and ST-10XME during this next week.
Coker30 seems to be having communications problems with the mount. This is similar to what happened with its predessor (W30), but whether this is a common fault with the Meades or a computer problem is unknown. It may take a week or two to diagnose.
OC61 appears to have burned out its dec drive controller. A new one is on order, but it will take about 3 weeks to deliver. Too bad - the eshell spectrograph was undergoing commissioning!
Hopefully most of these problems will be resolved during February. Our apologies to those programs that require the broken telescopes.
Arne
Hi Arne,
First, you have been doing a great job with the AAVSOnet.
Something I think that would add a great deal is for the system with the eSchel spectrograph is, once you get that up and working, a user manual and tutorial. Those would be a great help. Some sample proposals should be included.
These should describe the equipment and capabilities. A description of what can be done, limiting magnitude, declination limitations, sample projects and how to write a good proposal that will accomplish what is desired.
There are many parts to considered and I know some will be up to the equipment operator, but the requesting observer should help as much as possible.
This is very exciting as the eShel system is capable of some truly fantastic work. I look forward to when it is operational. While I have little experience with the eSchel spectrograph, I am very willing to help as I can, possible some test cases. Just let me know what I can do.
Jeff Hopkins (187283)
Hopkins Phoenix Observatory
Thanks, Jeff. We have everything in place for the eShell. The instrument selector was just completed, so it is simple to change from direct imaging to spectroscopy. The guider and instrument camera have been tested by the summer student at Mt. John. Just as they were planning on testing things, the dec drive broke. Sigh. We should be up fairly soon, but I was hoping for more success in January. This will be one of the first high-resolution automated spectroscopic telescopes.
Arne