The commands you'll be using to take data. See the checklist also.

Remote Observing
You should all by now know the username and password for the project account.

1. Log into cutthroat, the PC on the back wall of LGRC 623.
2. Login to fcrao with the project username (use ssh).
3. Type di cutthroat to tell fcrao to display on cuttroat.
4. Type xterm & to open an extra xterminal to work with the data.
5. Type mterm to start the remote observing program. Type REFR to refresh the screen. Remember you must use all CAPS and tap a key to get the computer's attention before typing.
6. When you eventually tell the telescope to do something, you will be prompted for a username. Enter your last name (first 8 characters), and the mterm password.

1. The main status screen of the observatory is SCREEN 1.
2. The only other screen we use a lot is the one for pointing and focus results, SCREEN 19
3. Other screens of interest may be:
   • SCRE 9: User-defined functions
   • SCRE 15: Receiver status, contains QANG info
   • Check the user manual for an old but almost accurate list, or the sheet taped to the VT200 terminal in the observatory control room, for more.

• at the beginning of each shift, and
• after the sun has set or risen.

Safeguards
There are a few things you should keep in mind while observing, especially remotely:

1. Be prepared to go to the observatory in a pinch.
2. Have important numbers handy (Mark or Judy, at work or home, and in that order, respectively).
3. Except for very low declination sources (dec <0^o, see source list), avoid observing below 25-30^o elevation.
4. Except for very low declination sources, don't bother observing when TSYS is high (¹³CO: TSYS > 400 K; ¹²CO: TSYS > 1200 K). DROP and then HALT before exiting.
5. Record info on the log sheets from the SCREEN, not from the data table.
6. Watch the weather carefully, and know what it will be like if you plan to temporarily log out of mterm. It is easy to not notice that it has started raining while you are remotely observing (watch TSYS vigilantly).
7. Know how long a map will take and plan accordingly. If you have to exit mterm and no one can check up on the observing, you should not observe (DROP and then HALT before exiting).
8. If necessary, have the permission of the observer before you to stop their program if it is still running when your time begins. Rely on mail and the "talk" feature. Remain out of mterm unless you're actively observing.
9. At the end of each shift, you should stow the telescope in its "safe" position by typing DROP. Once it has reached the final elevation of 1.5 degrees, type HALT.
10. Always exit mterm when you're done so someone else may observe remotely.

Tips and Troubleshooting

Problem	Possible Solution(s)
Telescope not moving	HALTed? POINT Locked out? Wait or call/talk/email other observer.
Scan takes forever	Correct off position? REF SAME AZOFF -.2 Correct integration time? TMAI/REF 15 RPT 3
APOI won't converge	OFFS 1 Make TMAI & TREF longer (< 11) Pick a brighter source If due to bad weather, stop
Spectra generally crappy	Weather sucks, stop Check elevation Bad cal (check TSYS), start over RAST 0 REF SAME AZOFF -.2 TMAI/TREF 15 RPT 3 FSOFF Call Mark
In frequency switch mode	FSOFF
Pointing source not in user catalog	CATA FCRAO
Spectra look all wavy	FSOFF
Spectra have many data points (fuzzy)	CONF 1 QEF Looking at pointing data? Check header (head, plot, list) Modread again.
No spectrum in CLASS/FCRAO	Try another pixel or offset (pixel may be shut off), @m:pix, set off... FCRAO>syy tot, then plot it again Wrong offsets, set of * * and find again Bad cal (check TSYS), do over Call Mark after next scan recorded