Automating Astronomical Automating Astronomical Instrument SetupInstrument Setup

Eric J. Dela RosaEric J. Dela RosaHawaii Island Akamai InternshipHawaii Island Akamai Internship

Canada France Hawaii TelescopeCanada France Hawaii TelescopeMentor : Gregory BarrickMentor : Gregory BarrickAdvisor: Sarah GajadharAdvisor: Sarah Gajadhar

Home Institution: Hawaii Community CollegeHome Institution: Hawaii Community College

Funding provided through the Center for Adaptive Optics, a Funding provided through the Center for Adaptive Optics, a National Science Foundation Science and Technology National Science Foundation Science and Technology

Center (STC), AST-987683Center (STC), AST-987683

OverviewOverviewESPaDOnSESPaDOnSSetup ProcessSetup ProcessProblem Problem SolutionSolutionConclusionConclusion

© Photo Credit: Sarah Anderson

ESPaDOnSESPaDOnS – – EEschelle schelle SSpectropectroPPololaarimetric rimetric DDevice for evice for

the the OObservatiobservationn of of SStarstarsSpectropolarimeter: Measures the Spectropolarimeter: Measures the

magnetic polarization of stars through a magnetic polarization of stars through a full spectrum.full spectrum.

Two Different ComponentsTwo Different Components• The Cassegrain Unit – The PolarimeterThe Cassegrain Unit – The Polarimeter• The Spectrograph The Spectrograph

The Cassegrain UnitThe Cassegrain Unit

The SpectrographThe Spectrograph

Setup ProcessSetup Process

Physical Setup – Takes 1 to 1.5 hrs to Physical Setup – Takes 1 to 1.5 hrs to completecomplete

Computer – Based Setup through the Unix Computer – Based Setup through the Unix Command Line – takes 3 to 4 hrs of user Command Line – takes 3 to 4 hrs of user interaction to complete.interaction to complete.

Physical Setup

Computer-Based Setup

Data Entry

Data Record

Mechanical Checks for

Cass & Spectro

Guider Alignment

Calibration

Detector NoiseTest

Focus and Alignment of CCD

Data RecordAnd

Entry

Calibrate Geometry And

Wavelength

Environmental Checks for

Cass & Spectro

Problem with the Computer-Based Problem with the Computer-Based setup processsetup process

Has to be done manuallyHas to be done manuallyNot time efficientNot time efficientOperator error likely to occurOperator error likely to occurData must be recorded by handData must be recorded by handData must be logged in and formatted on Data must be logged in and formatted on

CFHT websiteCFHT website

The SolutionThe SolutionAutomating the instrument setupAutomating the instrument setup

Cuts down timeCuts down timeError free – Operator less likely to make Error free – Operator less likely to make

errorserrorsOrganizedOrganizedEasy to UseEasy to Use

User InterfaceUser Interface

Tcl/Tk – scripting languageTcl/Tk – scripting languageTcl – Tool Command LineTcl – Tool Command Line

Code /syntax of the programCode /syntax of the program

Tk – Tool KitTk – Tool KitGUI – Graphical User InterfaceGUI – Graphical User InterfaceAlso uses code to create the interfaces.Also uses code to create the interfaces.

Tcl/Tk – ESPaDOnS CodeTcl/Tk – ESPaDOnS Code

Old ESPaDOnS SetupOld ESPaDOnS Setup

ESPaDOnS User InterfaceESPaDOnS User Interface

Results/ConclusionResults/Conclusion

Reduced time for instrument setup Reduced time for instrument setup 10 – 15 minutes user interaction10 – 15 minutes user interaction

Easy to use interfaceEasy to use interfacePrints and saves a reportPrints and saves a reportLogs data into CFHT websiteLogs data into CFHT website

Much Thanks toMuch Thanks to

Sarah AndersonSarah AndersonHilary O’BryanHilary O’Bryan Scott SeagrovesScott Seagroves

© Photo Credit: Sarah Anderson

Gregory BarrickGregory Barrick

Sarah Gajadhar Sarah Gajadhar

Grant Matsushige Grant Matsushige Tom BenedictTom BenedictWilliam Cruise William Cruise Kevin HoKevin Ho

The Entire CFHT OhanaThe Entire CFHT Ohana