OBSERVING
This section describes the basics steps to observe with PMAS.

  • Telescope Pointing :

    • Select a bright star and move the telescope to it.
    • Center the star in the TV guider (in Acquisition mode).
    • Correct the telescope pointing.
    • Switch-off the TV guider.
    • Take an exposure using the AG control ()
      and identify the field (using a finding chart).
      It is recommended not to do the pointing directly to the lens array.
  • Telescope Focus :

    • Define a window in the AC control (), of 50"X50" around a bright star in the field, and select a short exposure time ()
    • Run the Focus script (). It will ask a first focus guess, the number of guessed focuses to try (N), and the increment of focus between them, using a prompt in the IDL terminal.
    • Wait until the script perform the N exposures and gives the the best focus guess.
    • Change the nominal telescope focus if necessary.
  • Telescope Offsets,

    • To perform a by hand offsets click and introducing the RA and DEC offsets by hand in the prompt on the IDL terminal.
    • To perform a by hand offsets that respect the window position on the sky (in case of Guiding Star selected) click and introducing the RA and DEC offsets by hand in the prompt on the IDL terminal.
      To ensure the offset, it is recommended to acquire an image of the field using the button.
    • To offset the telescope to set a certain object in the lens array click on , click over the selected object using the left mouse button and confirm your selection using the right mouse button.
  • Telescope Guiding :

    • Select a enough bright source from the field and define a window around it using the menu.
    • Take an exposure to ensure that your source is in the window using the button (down-left).
    • If the star is near the center press the button to start the guiding.
  • Target Acquisition :

    • Use the PMAS Instrument Control Software GUI.
    • Define your acquisition mode to using the menu.
    • Define your exposure time clicking on the menu.
    • Click on the button.