After some extensive testing, and discussions with Software Bisque, it has been determined that the problems we were having are with the Telescope Control System (TCS). We tried new cables, USB extenders, serial ports, even changed to a different computer running TheSkyX, and the issue still persisted.
The TCS for the RRRT is currently a Software Bisque MKS 4000 model. We were repeatedly having comm timeout errors, and narrowed it down to the port on the TCS. Software Bisque says this is not an uncommon issue, especially given the age of the device.
The good news is that we have identified the issue. The bad news is that it requires replacing the TCS. To make matters slightly worse, Software Bisque no longer makes the MKS 4000, so we will need to upgrade to the newer MKS 5000.
The UVa Astronomy department has agreed to fund the replacement of the TCS. We are currently in the process of working with Software Bisque on the purchase, which will include having them configure the new MKS 5000 unit with the parameters that we extracted from the MKS 4000.
Another wrench that will be thrown into all of this is that unfortunately the MKS 5000 is not supported by TheSky6, only TheSkyX. We have been using TheSky6 to control the telescope, and will now need to switch over to TheSkyX, which the UVa Astronomy department already has a license for. We had previously tested out TheSkyX on the RRRT with Skynet and repeatedly had problems. There were some issues between Terminator (the Skynet software that runs on the computer) and TheSkyX, that did not exist between Terminator and TheSky6. What this means is that once the MKS 5000 is installed, there will still be a decent amount of on-sky testing that will need to happen. The telescope will be placed back on Skynet, but expect periodic error messages to take it offline. Depending on how things go, we may even take the telescope offline when we aren't available to watch it, for safety reasons, but that remains to be seen.
We realize this downtime has had an effect on those trying to use the RRRT as part of their classes, and will continue to be an issue at least until the new TCS is installed. Please know we are working as quickly as we can to fix these issues.
We will post updates to this blog as we move forward, so please check back for status updates. If you have questions, you can also post comments to any of these blog posts, and we will do our best to respond.
Team,
ReplyDeletethank you for the hardwork. We look forward to it being online again for helping us with the ATLAS Project. We thank you.
Hi, Jimmy!
ReplyDeleteI know you guys are probably swamped trying to get the RRRT back up and running, but could you post a quick update? We've got some alternatives to use if we need to.
We really appreciate all the work you're doing.
Hello. I have just posted a long overdue update on the blog. The hope is to have it back online by the end of January.
DeleteIf you don't mind me asking, what do you use the RRRT for (you are listed as Unknown, so I don't know who this is)? If you prefer not to post details here, please send me a email, I would love to know what work you are doing.
looking for a kind update please. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHello World Wide Variable Star Hunters! I just posted a long overdue update. The hope is to have it back online by the end of January.
DeleteI assume you are looking for variable stars. If you have any interesting results from RRRT data, we would love to hear about them. You can post on the blog or send us an email.