This document covers taking images with any of our SBIG Cameras

1. Log in to the Dell machine (telescope2):

   • If you do not have an account, and want to take images, send an email to either:
       c13{at}umbc.edu
     or
       jnzeng{at}umbc.edu
     and we will set one up for you.

2. Start the CCDOpsLite software:

   • Open a terminal window (this varies).
   • Type: ccdOpsLite at the prompt.
   • If you get errors, check that /usr/local/bin is in your path

3. Connect to the camera:

   • Click on the Link Setup button.
   • Choose the method of connection:
     • STL-11000M is on USB
     • ST-8E is on LPT1
   • Click on the Establish button.
   • Close the Link Setup window, by clicking Close
   • If you get connection errors try unplugging the camera, waiting a few seconds, and plugging it back in.
   • If that doesn't work, you probably need to run sudo /usr/local/sbin/load_usb or sudo /usr/local/sbin/load_lpt, depending on whether you're trying to connect through the printer port (load_lpt) or USB (load_usb).
   • If that doesn't work, try unplugging the camera from its power source, and the computer. Run sudo /usr/local/sbin/unload_usb or sudo /usr/local/sbin/unload_lpt. Then, before powering up the camera and plugging it in, run sudo /usr/local/sbin/load_usb or sudo /usr/local/sbin/load_lpt. Then power on the camera and plug it in to the computer.
     • The sudo is important.
   • Finally, if nothing works, send an email to one of the above addresses

4. Set up the camera:

   • Click on the Camera Setup button
   • Change the setpoint temperature (~20 degrees below ambient).
   • Activate the CCD cooler, by selecting Active and clicking Update (clicking OK also updates the cooling status).
   • Select the resolution at which you want to grab images:
     • Low does 3x3 binning.
     • Medium does 2x2 binning.
     • High does full resolution readout.
   • Select the CCD you want to use (undoubtebly the Imaging CCD).
   • Click the OK button.

5. Focus the telescope:

   • Click on the Focus button.
   • In the Focus window, click on the Grab Frame(s) button.
     • This will take a full frame at the selected resolution.
   • Click on the Select Region button, and select a region to zoom in on (ie a star). Click the Done button when satisfied.
   • If you then check the box labeled Repeat and click the Grab Frame(s) button again, the camera will take repeated exposures of the selected subframe, and produce a plot of the row with the highest data number.
     • While taking frames adjust the focus of the telescope and try to get the peak as sharp as possible. This indicates a good focus.
     • When satisfied press the Stop button. You must only click this button once to stop, and it may take a few seconds to stop, so be patient.

6. Grab Images:

   • Click on the Grab button.
   • Set the exposure time (in seconds).
   • Choose how to take dark frames.
     • None - no dark frame is taken.
     • Also -
       • If taking a single frame the dark will be subtracted.
       • If taking multiple images a separate dark frame will be taken and displayed, and the images will not be dark subtracted.
     • Only - only a dark frame is taken.
   • Choose the frame size:
     • Full - takes a full frame at the earlier specified resolution.
     • Half - takes only the center half of the chip.
     • Quarter - takes only the center quarter of the chip.
   • Choose the number of exposures to take.
   • Click on the Grab button (or the Cancel button if you wimp out).
   • Your exposures will come up shortly in separate windows, where you can save them as fits files or as proprietary SBIG files.
   • If you click the Grab button again you must decide if you want to keep your unsaved images.
   • If you close the Save Image dialog box, without saving YOUR IMAGE WILL BE LOST!!
   • You can save images to telescope2:/data/thyme/shared, but please try to keep the directory structure, and file system clean.

7. Call it a night.