Update power checks and paddle speed in checklist.md

Author: ojf

_pages/checklist.md

@@ -6,15 +6,15 @@ nav: true
 nav_order: 3
 ---
 
-Last Updated: June 14, 2025
+Last Updated: June 28, 2025
 
 This is a brief summary of the procedures you need to follow when observing at MRO. Observers should contact MRO staff prior to use of the telescope for the very latest information . If you are reading a printed copy, please check the revision date at the top against the latest version at [https://uwmro.github.io/checklist/](https://uwmro.github.io/checklist/).
 
 ### Arrival Checklist
 
 Note: Our septic system is a secret superhero, but its superpowers are limited to naturally occurring materials (and toilet paper). Do *not* put wipes or anything else into the system, or else you may experience what life was like before flushing toilets.
 
-Second Note: Propane should always be kept *outside*. If you use the grill it's okay to leave it outside during your stay, but never bring the propane inside the building. 
+Second Note: Never bring propane inside the building, it should always be kept *outside*. It's okay to leave it attached to the grill, as long as you leave the grill outside during your stay.  
 
 1. **Log the level of the water tank.** The light to the water tank room is (most inconveniently!) located on the left side of the doorway. Measure the water level by opening the valve to the gauge marked "**in. H2O**", which is located just above the water pump. The clear tubing will also match the level in the tank.
 
@@ -38,19 +38,19 @@ Weather data for wind speed and humidity are available from the wireless station
 
 2. **Setup the filter wheel.**  Under *Filters*, press *Home* to prepare the filter wheel for use. 
 
-4. **Open the dome at about sunset.**   From the power unit in the northeast corner of the dome, plug the upper shutter power cable (round end) into the appropriate socket located below the dome motor; you will need to rotate the plug, as well as rotate its locking ring to fully seal it into position. Once it is connected, push and hold the upper shutter control switch to open the upper door. After the upper shutter has moved a few inches, you can open the lower shutter by plugging in its (standard 3-prong) power cord and pushing on the lower shutter power switch located on the righthand side of the dome motor until the lower shutter is fully deployed. Unplug the 3-prong power cord when the lower half is fully deployed. The upper shutter will stop automatically, at which point you can unplug its power cord. Restow the cables using the carabiners attached to each power cord. Each of the carabiners should snap onto the U bracket which is mounted above the dome shutter motor -- make sure the plugs don't hang down, otherwise they might get caught as the dome rotates.
+4. **Open the dome around sunset.**   From the power unit in the northeast corner of the dome, plug the upper shutter power cable (round end) into the appropriate socket located below the dome motor; you will need to rotate the plug, as well as rotate its locking ring to fully seal it into position. Once it is connected, push and hold the upper shutter control switch to open the upper door. After the upper shutter has moved a few inches, you can open the lower shutter by plugging in its (standard 3-prong) power cord and pushing on the lower shutter power switch located on the righthand side of the dome motor until the lower shutter is fully deployed. Unplug the 3-prong power cord when the lower half is fully deployed. The upper shutter will stop automatically, at which point you can unplug its power cord. Restow the cables using the carabiners attached to each power cord. Each of the carabiners should snap onto the U bracket which is mounted above the dome shutter motor -- make sure the plugs don't hang down, otherwise they might get caught as the dome rotates.
 
-3. **Turn on the telescope.**  Turn on power to the telescope's motors with the key on the RA skirt (you will hear the *clunk* of a relay). On the right-hand control room computer, start Remmina and double-click to connect to the F1 Computer. If necessary, open *SiTech.exe* and click *SkyView*.
+3. **Turn on the telescope.**  Turn on power to the telescope's motors with the key on the RA skirt. You will hear the *clunk* of a relay and see green power lights on the Digiplan Stepping Motor Drive and the Xbox receiver. On the right-hand control room computer, start Remmina and double-click to connect to the F1 Computer. If necessary, open *SiTech.exe* and click *SkyView*.
 
-5. **Initialize telescope to zenith.**  If the telescope has been properly parked, it will be pointed at zenith. If you're not sure, use the bubble level and the hand paddle to bring to telescope to zenith. Resist the urge to make small adjustments--if the telescope appears to be very near zenith, it was almost certainly properly parked! After you have confirmed that the telescope is pointed at zenith, update the telescope's coordinates by clicking *Initialize to Zenith* in *Telescope Controls* on the left-hand computer (it's okay to click on OK in the dialog box that will appear on the right hand computer). The telescope will start tracking, so unless you're about to slew to a star, click STOP.
+5. **Initialize telescope to zenith.**  If the telescope has been properly parked, it will be pointed at zenith. If you're not sure, use the bubble level and the hand paddle to bring to telescope to zenith. Resist the urge to make small adjustments--if the telescope appears to be very near zenith, it was almost certainly properly parked! After you have confirmed that the telescope is pointed at zenith, update the telescope's coordinates by clicking *Initialize to Zenith* in *Telescope Controls* on the left-hand computer (it's okay to click OK in the dialog box that will appear on the right hand computer). The telescope will start tracking, so unless you're about to slew to a star, click STOP. **At this point the telescope can move. ALWAYS announce your slews and watch the lines when moving the telescope!!!** 
 
-6. **Remove the telescope covers.**  Move the telescope to cover position with the *Slew to Cover Position* button. **Make sure the data cables are free to move before moving the telescope. ALWAYS watch the lines when moving the telescope!!!** Use the ladder on the southeast end of the dome floor to remove the cover to the main telescope, as well as the 6" finder on the east side of the telescope. Store both covers on the table south of the telescope pier.
+6. **Remove the telescope covers.** Move the telescope to cover position with the *Slew to Cover Position* button. Use the ladder on the southeast end of the dome floor to remove the cover to the main telescope, as well as the 6" finder on the east side of the telescope. Store both covers on the table south of the telescope pier.
 
 7. **Take bias exposures.**  A bias exposure at this time will verify that the camera has cooled down and is functioning properly. If all is well, continue.
 
 8. **Take flats.** Take sky flats pointed approximately 20 degrees east of the zenith (west for morning flats). Take dome flats in Cover Position using the incandescent desk lamp pointed down to the floor. 
 
-9. **Fine tune the telescope pointing on a bright star.** Vega is a fine target for much of the summer. Find your target in *SkyView* (Ctrl-f), and slew by (left-) clicking and choosing GoTo. If your target does not appear in the ccd's field of view, use the finder to center the star until you can image it with Evora camera. Center the star in the ccd, and update the telescope's pointing by again clicking on it, but this time choose Sync.
+9. **Fine tune the telescope pointing on a bright star.** Vega is a fine target for much of the summer. Select your target in *SkyView* (Ctrl-f), and slew by (left-) clicking and choosing GoTo. It's likely that your target will not appear in the ccd's field of view, in which case you should change the paddle's speed to *Pan* (yellow light on F1), and use the finder to center the star. Once the star appears in the ccd, ensure you're zoomed out and use SiTech.exe to center the star. Finally, update the telescope's pointing by selecting it again, but this time choose Sync.
 
 10. **Focus the telescope on a faint star.**  Move the telescope to a dimmer star in the finder, then take images and adjust focus to minimize the PSF. 9000 is a reasonable move for donuts, 3000 is best when you can see stars. 1500 is the smallest reasonable move, only for fine tuning. Note that the focus position will change as the temperature changes over the course of the night, which may necessitate refocusing.
 
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ Weather data for wind speed and humidity are available from the wireless station
 
 Carefully go through these lists of tasks, which keep the telescope and the observatory safe and in working order. MRO users are liable for any and all damages to the equipment caused by failure to properly follow these guidelines.
 
-1. **Secure the Telescope.** You likely already turned off power to the telescope's motors, but double-check. The power to equipment in the mount should remain on, but the lights on the F1 should be "in blinky"). Confirm that Evora has been shutdown. If you haven't already, now is a good time to take a copy of your data.
+1. **Secure the Telescope.** You likely already turned off power to the telescope's motors, but double-check. The power to equipment in the mount should remain on, but the power lights on the Digiplan Stepping Motor Drive and the Xbox receiver should be off. Confirm that Evora has been shutdown. If you haven't already, now is a good time to take a copy of your data.
 
 2. **Clean the Observatory.** Aim to leave the observatory cleaner than you found it. Sweep from top to bottom. Clean up and wipe down the kitchen, the dining table, and the day room so there are no food particles left out to attract critters. Wipe down the  stove, microwave, counter, and sink. Scrub the bathrooms. Collect all the garbage and recycling to dispose of in the PAB loading dock.