Possible Improvements to All Telescopes

_______________________________________________________________________

This page gives details about possible improvements that might be made
to SMARTS and the suite of SMARTS telescopes.
_______________________________________________________________________

SMARTS GENERAL
_______________________________________________________________________


      put standardized documentation on web (0.9m and 1.0m first)

           a. how to open/close telescope
	   b. how to operate TCS
	   c. how to operate instrument
	   d. trouble-shooting common problems

      use new SMARTS logo by Subasavage

      create inventory of spare parts for SMARTS telescopes

      schedule and record routine maintenance, e.g. mirror cleaning

      cross-train SMARTS staff on various telescopes

      get new copier for SMARTS observers

      buy humidifier filters (expensive)

      inventory spare keyboards and mice

      get spare ARCON computer (yikes)

      add tip-tilt to telescopes

      cut openings in dome for (like 4.0m) for ventilation



      make all night reports uniform?

      provide consistent data recording (DVDs?) at all four telescopes?

      create web interface to submit service observing templates?

      put OpenOffice on all Linux machines?



2008  fix tiles surrounding buildings

2008  paint domes and buildings

2007  get new chairs for observers

_______________________________________________________________________

0.9m TELESCOPE
_______________________________________________________________________


DEC?  redo cabling in observing room

DEC?  remachine/smooth out focus mechanism on secondary

****  upgrade dome drives ($3K)

      get new air conditioner

      get more disk space on ARCON computer

      replace ARCON control system

      get new whiteboard in observing room

      fix dome light leaks

      change quartz lamps to LEDs (like 1.3m done by Darren Depoy)

      improve high speed photometry capability

      add clear glass to I filter to make VRI parfocal (a bit scary)

      open telescope tube (very scary)

2009  develop non-sidereal tracking capability

2007  get new data-writing/web-cruising computer

2006  put in new floor

2003  replace TCS

_______________________________________________________________________

1.0m TELESCOPE
_______________________________________________________________________


****  upgrade dome drives ($3K)

****  realuminize primary ($1K)

      enable auto slit narrowing/dome offset to reduce jitter (Juan's trick)

2007  get new data-writing/web-cruising computer

_______________________________________________________________________

1.3m TELESCOPE
_______________________________________________________________________


      fix noisy fans in telescope drives

      get spare parts for TCS

      get spare parts for instrument computer (from OSU)

DONE? make new pointing model --- need Dave Harvey help?

_______________________________________________________________________

1.5m TELESCOPE
_______________________________________________________________________


****  upgrade dome drives ($3K)

****  realuminize primary ($1K)

****  replace TCS

      get more disk space on ARCON computer

      replace ARCON control system

      get spare DEC drive engine (none as of AUG 2009)

      get readout for slit width to show correct values in obs room

      put in new floor/carpet

DONE? get flatscreen monitors

_______________________________________________________________________