KELT Scripting Documentation

Sample night

Before dark the telescope continuously runs weather extraction script to read data from SALT or SuperWASP feeds. At 1 hour before 18 degree (astronomical) twilight, the preparation script is executed. Flats and biases are taken, and weather is checked. If all looks good, the opening script is executed, and then the observation script is executed. If weather is not good, standby script is executed. Observation script runs through the night. At astronomical dawn, the closing script is executed. After closing, the documentation script is run.

Preparation Script

Executed once at astronomical twilight.

• Check status of camera and mount: communication, CCD temperature

• slew to watch flatfield

• turn on flatfield lights

• take 5 flats and 5 biases, interspersed

• turn off flatfield lights

• check that flats and biases are reasonable quality, save quality info

• check weather file, make sure is current

• call opening script

Opening Script

• check PLC status, make sure all OK

• open roof

• check roof successfully opened

• call observation script