Cahill Remote Observing Facility User’s Manual

v 6.0 rc1 12 March 2011 RSW, AFB, & JWM

Table of Contents

1.Introduction

Caltech Astronomy and Caltech Optical Observatories (COO) maintain remote observing (RO) facilities in the Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics on the campus at Caltech. These facilities were developed and are typically used to support remote observing with the Keck Telescopes in Mauna Kea HI (§6), operated by the WM Keck Observatory (WMKO), but are used with other telescopes including the Palomar 200-inch (P200; §7).

The Caltech Remote Observing Facilities (ROF) are in rooms 118 (ROF1) and 144 (ROF2) Cahill, on the first floor in Cahill (see the first-floor plan drawing below). The Cahill ROF are administered by COO; reservations for the use of the ROF are handled exclusively by COO, and should be booked at least two weeks in advance to coordinate user support, and to avoid possible room conflicts.

Remote observing with the Cahill ROF and the Keck Telescopes is largely due to the development efforts of Judy Cohen (Caltech), and Robert Kibrick (UC Santa Cruz), whose vision and dedication have made Keck remote observing a reality all across the Keck consortia: at Caltech, Santa Cruz, Berkeley, UCLA, Irvine, other campuses in the UC system, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and even now at Keck partners Yale University and Swinburne University of Technology.

2.Cahill Building Layout

2.1.Cahill First Floor Layout

Figure 1: Cahill First Floor Layout

The Cahill ROF are in 118 and 144 Cahill, located near the center of the Cahill first floor (in Figure 1 above, the ROF locations are labeled near the center of the building). Access to Cahill is through the Front/NE Entrance (top right above), and restroom facilities are at the East end of the floor. Electronic key cards are need at all times after 6pm Pacific time to access the front and hall doors (see Accessing the Remote Observing Facilities Rooms for more details).

3.Cahill Remote Observing Facilities Guidelines

3.1. Scheduling a Remote Observing Session

Keck: Per WMKO policy, remote Keck observing with instrument control requests should be made not less than four (4) weeks in advance of the allocated observing nights; requests are made through a remote observation request web form linked from the WMKO Observer Login Page. WMKO remote observing instructions, including information required in the request message, are detailed at http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/inst/common/mainland_observing.html. Per WMKO policy, remote Keck eavesdropping (i.e. no remote instrument control) requests should be made not less than two (2) weeks in advance of the allocated observing nights. Eavesdropping requests are similarly made through the web form linked from the WMKO Observer Login Page. Remote participation requests with videocon only can be made at an arbitrary time, and will be handled on a best-effort basis.

[Remote observing requests made in email to mainland_observing@keck.hawaii.edu may continue to be serviced at WMKO’s discretion for the near future, but users are encouraged to use the WMKO web form described above.]

Approval of a Cahill ROF remote observing request is granted jointly from both WMKO and Caltech COO, and is required to use the Cahill ROF. Please note that all non-Caltech users will have to submit a signed Facilities Use Agreement to use the ROF. Approved remote observers will receive an email approval from COO assigning them a Cahill remote observing room (either 118 or 144 Cahill) for their remote observing session. If the status of a pending request is unclear, users can request a status confirmation from rof@astro.caltech.edu

Palomar: Remote P200 observing must be requested at least two (2) weeks in advance of the schedule P200 observing run, and the request must be made in email to palomar-remote@astro.caltech.edu. Palomar RO requests must be made by the named Principal Investigator (PI). Requesting observers will be notified on the status of their P200 RO request within three business days after their request is received. Approved P200 remote observers will receive an email approval from COO assigning them a Cahill remote observing room (either 118 or 144 Cahill) for their RO session. If the status of a pending request is unclear, users can request a status confirmation from rof@astro.caltech.edu. Any subsequent follow-up support (demo, connectivity tests) can be scheduled through email to rof@astro.caltech.edu.

3.2.ROF Demo Appointments

Pending approval of an RO request, an ROF walkthrough/demonstration appointment (demo appointment) can be scheduled up to four days immediately preceding the observing date. If the observing date is on a weekend, then the demo appointment will (normally) be scheduled for the preceding Friday. Experienced remote observers may elect to forgo the demo appointment, but all first-time ROF users are expected and encouraged to attend the demo appointment.

3.3.Accessing the Remote Observing Facilities Rooms

Some ROF users may not be on the access list for Cahill ROF rooms. For those individuals, ROF electronic key cards (keys) are available for temporary checkout from COO. The business day preceding a remote observing session it is incumbent upon the remote observer/participant to pick up keys they may need to access the Cahill ROF. Checkout of electronic keys to Cahill ROF is administered by Marcia Brown (123 Cahill; mjb@astro.caltech.edu), or if Marcia is not available Anna Marie Hetman (127 Cahill; amh@astro.caltech.edu). These keys will provide access to both remote observing rooms (118 and 144 Cahill), the Cahill first floor hall fire doors, and the Cahill main (East) door entrance/exit. Observers should keep their keys on them at all times after 6pm when the building is locked. Observers are fully responsible for any keys they checkout, and are expected to return them to Marcia not more than three business days after their observing session. A history of unreturned keys may be considered when considering future ROF requests.

4.Pre-Observing (Daytime & Nighttime) Tests & Coordination

There are often pre-observing tests & coordination discussions that are planned as part of any RO run. These are discussed below in this section:

Keck: There are two coordination tests that are often run before Keck remote observing sessions. The first continuity test is typically conducted at 3 or 4pm pacific time. This test is used to verify the video (Polycom) and computer (vnc, for instrument monitoring and/or control) connections are working properly to support remote observing. New observer will be introduced to the ROF during this test and should use it to ask any questions they may have about remote observing.

A second coordination meeting is often held at 4pm HST (7pm PDT), and is used to coordinate among Mauna Kea summit personnel, Waimea observers and instrument support astronomers, and remote observers and participants. Typically operations from the previous night, and any existing operational issues are discussed, as is the general plan for the coming night’s observations. Your assigned Keck support astronomer will advise you of the tests and meetings you will need to attend as part of your remote observing; remote observers will participate in both these meetings from their assigned remote observing room.

Palomar: Jennifer & Kevin -- Stuff about Palomar RO coordination here please…

5.Using ROF Videoconferencing Equipment

Figure 2: 118 Cahill Videoconference Equipment

The Cahill ROF rooms have integrated videoconferencing equipment by Polycom (http://www.polycom.com/), the standard selected for Keck & Palomar videoconferencing. ROF users will use this equipment to communicate with personnel in Hawaii or Palomar during (preparations for) remote observing. A demonstration of how to use this equipment will be included in the demo appointment in the previous section – users unfamiliar with this system are encouraged to attend the demo appointment. Figure 2 shows an image of the 118 Cahill/ROF1 Polycom equipment in use during a multi-point conference.

Under normal operating procedures the Polycom will already be powered up, either a blue or orange light in the middle of the Polycom base unit located on the shelf by the 118 Cahill door will indicate power-on status. Please note that it can take upwards to 25 seconds for the unit to come out of sleep mode. If no light is on, than it can be turned on by depressing the power button located on the front of the unit. The numbers for the Keck Remote Observing rooms can be found in the directory under favorites.

The video display monitor is mounted on the wall in the ROF. The monitor’s button power switch is located on the left bottom of the unit (as viewed from the front). This switch must be in the ON position for videoconferencing; please turn the monitor OFF when not in use.

Commonly used videoconference addresses (e.g. remote observing control rooms for Keck 1 and Keck 2, the P200 data room) are stored in the Polycom address book (see §9.7 below and on the ROF wall); these addresses can be used to initiate videoconference calls.

6.Keck Remote Observing via VNC

Figure 3: 118 Cahill Observing Computer During a Remote/VNC Session

6.1.Starting a Remote Instrument Control VNC Session

In order to remotely operate (or monitor) Keck instrumentation you will need to access the instrument control programs from computers in the ROF. WMKO uses VNC (Virtual Network Computing; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VNC) to map displays generated by instrument control programs running at Mauna Kea to computer displays running in WMKO HQ in Waimea or at “remote” locations such as Cahill ROF. In addition, for offsite use Keck is understandably concerned that only authorized users have access to these control programs and the computers they run on.

In order to establish a VNC connection for a Keck instrument from a Cahill ROF computer, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Log on to the ROF instrument control computer (mugu in ROF1/malibu in ROF2; see Figure 3):

Please note that all passwords are sanitized from the on-line version of this manual; contact your Keck support astronomer and/or your ROF support personnel at rof@astro.caltech.edu if you need password information.

STEP 2: Open a xterm window (we will call this “window1”; terminals can be open from the desktop by right clicking the background). To start a vnc session the instrument and instrument account number are needed. These can be found at http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/observing/schedule/index.php. In the xterm window run the following script

You will be prompted for two passwords, the first will create a hole in the firewall and the second is used to access the vnc windows. Note: you must enter the second password twice.

STEP 3: Depending on your instrument 3-6 vnc desktops will begin to open on the screens. These windows can be arranged on the screen by clicking the virtual desktop in the lower left part of the screen. The user can click and drag the windows inside the virtual desktop to position them as desired.

When observing is complete, shutdown VNC session by killing the vnc script – perform cntrl-c in “window1”.

6.2.Starting a Keck Remote Telescope Monitoring VNC Session

In addition to direct instrument access, during observations it is often useful to have visibility into the operations of the telescope. At WMKO telescope parameters are monitored by means of the Keck Facilities Summary, or Keck FACSUM utility (see http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/inst/common/facsum.html) FACSUM access requires a VNC connection to WMKO from a Cahill ROF computer. This can be accomplished as follows:

Open a (second) terminal window “window2” on the monitor in which you want the FACSUM to appear, start the script by running¹:

The instrument and account number will be the same as in STEP 2 in the previous section.

When observing is complete, shutdown VNC session by killing the vnc script – perform cntrl-c in “window2”.

6.3.Retrieving Data from Keck

To retrieve data to your own machine you can use the firewall hole method to allow for sftp connections to WMKO from your computer (i.e. laptop). Your WMKO instrument support astronomer can advise you on where to find your data, and you can retrieve it with another hole in the firewall.

1) In a terminal window open the WMKO firewall for access; type

This incantation cuts a temporary hole in the WMKO firewall to allow outside access from the IP of the machine where it is executed .Note that WMKO logs the IPs of machines that invoke this recipe.

2) Using sftp: Login in to the sftp account by using the instrument account number as the user. Please consult your support astronomer for the appropriate password to access your instrument account at WMKO. For example if the instrument account being used is nirc11²:

6.4.Ending a Keck Remote Observing Session

To end remote vnc sessions simply do a control C command in ”window1” (and “window2” if applicable). After ending the vnc session logout of the remote observing computers. Please make sure that the power is off on the Polycom and media display. If you will not be back during Caltech business hours please leave your ROF keys in the drop box inside 118 or 144 Cahill. In order to provide the best quality remote observing we ask that any problems and or suggestions be sent to rof@astro.caltech.edu. Observers should make sure to clean up after themselves when there session is over.

6.5.Keck Interferometer Remote Observing

The above instructions pertain to all Keck instrumentation except the Keck Interferometer (KI; see also http://nexsci.caltech.edu/missions/KI/). As of this writing, KI remote observing support is still experimental and rapidly evolving. So it’s likely that this material is either already out of date, or soon will be…

KI differs from other Keck instrumentation in that no user control of the instrument is permitted. So the main remote interaction with KI is through videoconference exchange with the KI operations team at Keck HQ/Waimea and the Mauna Kea summit basement.

In addition to verbal interaction with the KI operations team, users will want to access the KI real-time visibility tool, rtKvis (see http://ifplots.keck.hawaii.edu). rtKvis access is exclusively through username/password authentication. The rtKvis username is ‘ifplots’, but the required password is changed on a daily basis and must be supplied by KI support personnel the day of observing.

Finally, opening Keck FACSUM can be accomplished by following the recipe listed above.

[User comments on this section are particularly encouraged…]

7.Palomar Remote Observing via VNC

Remote observing (RO) for the Hale/P200 Telescope at Palomar Observatory is available in both ROF1 & ROF2 in Cahill. Palomar RO support includes both videoconference (Polycom; §5) connection to the P200 control room and VNC computer desktop sharing for instrument control. At the time of this writing (February 2011) RO is supported only for the TripleSpec (TSpec; http://www.astro.caltech.edu/palomar/200inch/TSpec/TSpec_spec.html) infrared spectrometer. RO with DBSP and WIRC may be offered in the future, but is not available at this time

7.1.Preparing for a P200 Remote Observing Session

A Palomar RO session must be scheduled in advance using the procedures outlined in §3.1. If desired, observers should schedule demonstration of the ROF prior to the actual observing date (see §3.2), and physical access . On the day of the RO session a series of coordination tests may be scheduled (§4); your Palomar Support Astronomer will advise you on any required pre-observing tests or coordination.

7.2.Palomar Remote Observing Operations

Starting a P200 RO session consists of (1) establishing a Polycom videoconference connection to the P200 data room to allow communication with the P200 telescope operator and support astronomer (see §5), (2) logging on to the ROF computers, (3) starting the remote desktops that allow the observer to control the instrumentation and telescope, (4) carrying out the observation program and (5) retrieving the data from the observatory computers.

7.2.1.Starting the Remote Observing Computer

The computers that support both Palomar and Keck RO in ROF1 and ROF2 (e.g. Figure 3); you will need to login to these computers to remotely operate/monitor Palomar instrumentation. Further, similarly to WMKO, Palomar uses VNC (Virtual Network Computing; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VNC) technology to map instrument control displays onto the RO workstations.

In order to establish a VNC connection for a Palomar instrument from a Cahill RO workstation, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Log on to the ROF instrument control computer (mugu in ROF1/malibu in ROF2; see Figure 3) as the Palomar user³:

STEP 2: At present TSpec is the only P200 instrument supported for RO. Start the TSpec VNC connection by clicking on the TSPEC spectrum icon:

Alternatively/equivalently open an xterm and invoke the TSPEC VNC script:

Both of these actions should open an xterm window on each of the three RO workstation display screens. The observer is then prompted for the vnc password in each of the xterm windows. The observer must enter the password 3 times (once for each vncviewer/remote desktop).

7.2.2.TSpec Remote Observing Configuration

TSpec operations involve the use of three separate desktops: (1) TSPEC_IMGR for controlling the guider and slit viewing camera, (2) TSPEC_SPEC for controlling the J, H, K spectrometer and (3) FACSUM the telescope monitoring and control system (see Figure 4). By default the TSPEC startup will open one VNC viewer in each of the three RO workstation monitors, however this configuration may be adjusted to suit the users preferences.

One of the displays provides access to the Palomar FACSUM facilities summary program, which includes displays for the current telescope positions and status and the ability to offset the telescope. Please inform the telescope operator when you intend to connect to the P200 telescope using the FACSUM software. Please note that only the telescope operator can carry out large slew moves from their console at the P200 dome. The FACSUM software allows the observers to selectively load object coordinates to the telescope but the telescope operator must execute the move (applies to all telescope moves greater than 6000 arc seconds). Small moves and adjustment of focus can be accomplished remotely but please keep the telescope operator informed concerning your activities.

Figure 4: Desktop configuration for remote TSpec operations

Operations of the TSPEC_IMGR and TSPEC_SPEC applications should work

7.3.Ending a P200 Remote Session

Concluding a remote observing session requires (1) closing the remote instrumentation desktops, (2) logging out of the remote observing facility computers, (3) finalizing the videoconference and shutting off the video equipment.

8.ROF Shut-Down

When you are done with an RO session at the end of the night we ask that you take a couple of minutes to do the following:

1. Pick-up after yourself: disposing of any leftovers & refuse appropriately, clean and store any dirty cups, dishes, and flatware. This usually goes without saying, but just in case…your attention to this point will be appreciated by all.

2. Finish your business on the ROF computers and log-out (or leave a note clearly indicating when you will log-out…)

3. End any videoconference with the remote site and power-down the plasma display (but note – not the Polycom unit!)

9.Useful Information

9.1.Temperature Control in Cahill ROF

Both ROF rooms have thermostat control for your comfort during room use. The units are adjusted using the sliders on the bottom of the units; sliding to the left (right) will decrease (increase) the target temperature. ROF users should feel free to adjust the thermostat target temperature to their comfort.

Figure 5: 118 Cahill Thermostat on N Wall

9.2.User Laptops in Cahill ROF

Many/most users will bring laptops into Cahill ROF, and will want network connectivity while there. Network connections in the ROF are provided through Caltech facility wireless and Cahill wired connections.

Caltech Wireless: wireless services are administered campus-wide by Caltech IMSS (Information Management Systems and Services). A general description of these services can be found within the IMSS documentation site at http://imss.caltech.edu/cms.php?op=wiki&wiki_op=view&id=536. If you are a guest at Caltech, you will probably only be able to use the ‘Caltech Guest’ wireless network – which will limit the network services available to you.

Wired Connection: Both observing rooms have Ethernet hubs on the worktables. These ports are DHCP-enabled, and should allow all users to have a full range of network services.

9.3.Printing/Scanning in Cahill ROF

We have added printing (e.g. finder charts) and scanning (e.g. observing log) capability to our ROF.

Printing: our ROF HP printers are on the Cahill printing network as color118 and color144. Cahill users and users logged into the instrument control machines should be able to access/print to these printers directly. (In addition we have a nearby high volume duplex printer bw135 in Cahill 135 – just West of the ROF rooms. Users are encouraged to use bw135 for larger jobs like science papers.)

Scanning: both ROF printers can also scan documents into jpg format. This is most conveniently done through the printer’s web interface. To scan a document start at the printer URL:

color118: http://131.215.193.124

color144: http:/131.215.193.132

At each URL the “Information” tab will provide a link to the “Webscan” application (e.g. http://131.215.193.124/webScan.htm). To protect against outside intrusion, entry to the Webscan application is protected by a username/password entry requirement⁴:

From this web interface you will be able to scan your original into a bitmap (jpeg) format and have the image returned to your browser (where you can save it or convert it into another format – e.g. PDF – for archiving – please note that you will have to enable popups from the printer URL in your browser). Alternatively the jpeg scan can be sent to an email account – this capability is provided through the printer control interface window directly on the printer unit.

9.4.Random Remote Observing Resources

We can’t tell you how to observe your program or use your instrument of choice, but we can provide you with some useful pointers that might make that easier (all links can be found on the website http://astro.caltech/remote_observing):

• Start at http://keckobservatory.org/observing for observing information such as instrument documentation and observing log sheets, exposure calculators, and things that are instrument-specific.

• The Mauna Kea Weather Center (http://hokukea.soest.hawaii.edu/ ) is your source for all things weather related for Hawaii

• Good sources for finding charts might be

  • IRSA/2MASS: http://irsa.ipac.caltech.edu/applications/FinderChart/)

  • Sloan: http://cas.sdss.org/astro/en/tools/chart/chart.asp

Nearest food and services:

• In front of room 118 Cahill there is a full size refrigerator/freezer, microwave, and coffee machine available for use to all remote observers.

• Groceries: Vons/Pavilion 845 E California Blvd (near NW corner of Lake & California)

• Coffee: Starbucks 575 S Lake Ave (NW corner of Lake & California)

• Fast Food: Subway Sandwiches 526 S Lake Ave (E-side of Lake, 1 block N of Lake & California)

• Heart Disease: Pie’n Burger 913 E California Blvd (quickly followed by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angioplasty or other coronary intervention)

• Online Delivery Service:

  • http://www.LAbite.com ($20 minimum order but delivers from a wide variety or restaurants)

9.5.Relevant Remote Observing Links

• WMKO Mainland Observing Web Page:

http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/inst/common/mainland_observing.html

• UC Berkeley Remote Observing Web Page:

http://astro.berkeley.edu/facilities/keckremote/

• UC Irvine Remote Observing Web Page:

http://www.physics.uci.edu/~barth/remoteobserving/

• Robert Kibrick’s Homepage:

http://www.ucolick.org/~kibrick/

• Cahill Printer Setup:

http://wikis.astro.caltech.edu/groups/cahill/wiki/a09e4/Cahill_Printer_Install_Summary.html

• Cahill ROF Calendars:

http://aries.caltech.edu/mrbs/month.php?room=24 (118 Cahill)

http://aries.caltech.edu/mrbs/month.php?room=25 (144 Cahill)

• Polycom Videoconferencing Information

http://www.polycom.com/ &

http://www.polycom.com/global/documents/support/setup_maintenance/products/video/viewstation_128_user_guide.pdf

9.6.Keck I and II Observing Limits

Figure 6: Keck Telescope Sky Coverage

9.7.Contact Numbers/Polycom IPs

To dial a long distance number press 9 follow by 1 and the number you wish to dial. After entering your number you will need to enter a long distance code which will be provided upon request.

9.8.Miscellaneous

9.8.1.Time Difference:

The Keck telescopes are located in the Hawaii Standard Time zone which is -3 hours Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), -2 hours Pacific Standard Time (PST) and -10 hours Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

9.8.2.Fire Alarm:

In the event of a fire alarm the remote observer is required to leave the building until the alarm has ended or the fire department has given the all clear. You should warn the summit of your situation.

9.8.3.What to do if you get Locked Out of the Remote Observing Facilities:

Remote observers should note that the ROF are locked at all times and can’t be unlocked without a key. In the event that an observer is locked out of the ROF and it is before 9pm on a weekday, locate Richard Walters in room 136 Cahill and he will let you back in. If it is after 9pm you may try to locate an astronomy graduate/faculty on the 2nd floor, their keys should work for both 118 and 144 Cahill.

10.Document Change Log

• 17 June 2009: v3.0 of the ROF Manual

• 27 June 2009: v3.0.1 added Palomar polycom addresses, some figure & captions, mods from RSW

• 29 Jun 2009: v3.0.2 deleted redundant paragraph and formatted tables.

• 06 July 2009: v3.0.3 Added text boxes, and added KI remote observing section

• 07 August 2009: v3.0.4 Updated the passwords and procedure to undo typing mistakes in vnc pop-up window.

• 06 October 2009: v4.0.0 Updated the log on procedure for starting a remote vnc session.

• 08 December 2009: v4.1.0 Updated the passwords.

• 05 April 2010: v4.1.1 Updated Polycom instructions for room 144

• 9 May 2010: v4.1.2 Updated the sftp login procedure.

• 02 December 2010 : v5 Updated the procedure for requesting observing night, how to work the polycom, and the polycom ip addresses. Included a section on how to print to the computers in each room and how to use the web scanner. Changed the account from remuser1 to remuser2. Added section numbers. Added other support information. Extensive format cleanup.

• 14 January 2011: v5.0.3 Redacted password construction information

• 18 February 2011: v6.0dev Initial integration of Palomar Remote Observing information