GETTING STARTED


Welcome to observing with PMAS. This cookbook is intended to introduce first-time users, and to assist as an online-help guide during observations.

The left column of the Cookbook main page points to information for all of the most common operations during an observing run (e.g. startup/shutdown, calibration, focussing, etc.). These guidelines are organized as checklists and should be followed step by step.
The right column provides lists, tables, and some useful links to Calar Alto pages (Utilities, Meteo).

NOTE:
Throughout the Cookbook, links to further information for a given topic are often displayed in a second window. It is useful to keep this window available (or iconized) since it allows one to track the major topic in the main window while keeping an eye on pictures, tables, etc. in the second one.


In order to help familiarizing yourself with the instrument, the major subunits and interfaces of PMAS are listed below, with links to pictures and further information.
On the bottom of this page you will find links to detailed explanations for special topics .
 

Instrument Modules:

  • Telescope Module
  • Spectrograph Module
  • Fiber Module
  • Electronics Module
  • User Interface

  •  

    Basic functional Units of the Instrument:

  • User Interface X-Terminal 1 (dospan:0.0, dospan:0.1)
  • User Interface X-Terminal 2 (cax13:0.0, cax13:0.1)
  • User Interface X-Terminal 3  (cax14:0)
  • Instrument Control Computer (SPARC Station rike )
  • VME Motor Controller lea )
  • Spectrograph CCD Controller spec ACE )
  • A&G Camera CCD Controller ag ACE )
  • Data Storage and Archiving PC (pmas)

  •  
  • Spectrograph CCD Camera
  • Spectrograph Focus Stages (Collimator and Camera)
  • Spectrograph Grating Rotator
  • Diffraction Gratings
  • Internal Acquisition and Guiding CCD Camera
  • A&G Camera Filter Stage + Filters
  • A&G Camera Focus

  •  
  • TMTOP Acquisition Stage
  • TMTOP Calibration Unit
  • Calibration Lamps and Shutters


  • Read more about:

    Instrument Control & User Interface
    Target Acquisition and Guiding
    Description of the Acquisition & Guiding GUI (pics_ag))
    Description of the main observing GUI (pics_gui))
    Description of the PMAS Status GUI

    last change : 07/12/2002 mmr | Comments AIP | CAHA