The "Automated Functions" view is designed as a container for a series of functions that mimic the idea of a script. These functions will run automatically without any or very little interaction from the user. It is important to remember that these are NOT tcl scripts running within LOIS or LOUI.
Dither Function
The first function that is implemented within this view is the dither function:
The dithering is composed of three independent actions; TCS offset, filter move, and an exposure. The input is a pattern file:
"TYC 2531-01739-1" 2.0 0.0 30.0 U "first dither (0,30) - U" "TYC 2531-01739-1" 2.0 30.0 0.0 B "second dither (30,0) - B" "TYC 2531-01739-1" 2.0 0.0 -30.0 V "third dither (0,-30) - V" "TYC 2531-01739-1" 2.0 -30.0 0.0 R "fourth dither (-30,0) - R" "TYC 2531-01739-1" 2.0 30.0 30.0 I "fifth dither (30,30) - I" "TYC 2531-01739-1" 2.0 0.0 0.0 OPEN "origin"
Each input line is composed of
- object title - string composed of any valid ASCII character surrounded by double quotation (")
- exposure time - float/double (seconds)
- offset 1 (xi) - float/double (arc-seconds)
- offset 2 (eta) - float/double (arc-seconds)
- filter name - string that has to match the display filter name (no spaces allowed)
- comment - string composed of any valid ASCII character surrounded by double quotation (") - optional
The input is not fixed width and is validated when loaded. The validation checks for correct number of parameters, correct numerical format and correct filter names. The offset command is an absolute TCS offset command in TPLANE mode. Both parameters are in arc-seconds with a maximum allowed value that is set in the configuration file:
<tcs-dither-limit>900.0</tcs-dither-limit>
If a pattern needs to be repeated, the loop count can be increased. Other wise a pattern will run only once. The initial action is to "Load Pattern File" which will present a dialog box for sleeking the input file. The default extension is *.txt but the dialog box allows selection of other types even though they are dimmed. The "Execute" button will be enabled after the input has been processed and validated.