AuxTel Elevation Out of range

Overview

This procedure should be used when the AuxTel auxtel/correct_pointing.py script fails with the error

Rejected: elevation out-of-range.

Error diagnosis

• The auxtel/correct_pointing.py script fails with the following error traceback:

  lsst.ts.salobj.base.AckError: msg='Command failed',
  ackcmd=(ackcmd private_seqNum=942292490, ack=<SalRetCode.CMD_FAILED: -302>,
  error=6611, result='Rejected : elevation out of range')
  

• This occurs when the target search in the auxtel/correct_pointing.py script is not successful in the specified location in the sky within the mag_limit, mag_range, and radius.

Procedure Steps

To resolve this error while running the auxtel/correct_pointing.py script, follow these steps:

1. Try widening the target search.

   Run auxtel/correct_pointing.py with a configuration that represents a larger search area. The script defaults are:

   auxtel/correct_pointing.py default configuration

   az: 90.0
   el: 60.0
   mag_limit: 6.0
   mag_range: 4.0
   radius: 5
   

   You can adjust the above parameters to:

   • Decrease the mag_limit to target brighter sources.

   • Increase the search magnitude range (mag_range).

   • Increase the search radius in degrees.

   • Or a combination of the above.

2. If the script works, the pointing correction will center the target in the detector.

   If the problem persists, proceed to steps 2.a - 2.b:

   1. Find a target using the standard script auxtel/track_target.py with the following configuration:

      auxtel/track_target.py

      find_target:
         az: 90.0
         el: 60:0
         mag_limit: 8.0
      

   2. Run the external script auxtel/correct_pointing.py on the same area of the sky using the configuration. Modify az and el accordingly:

      run_command.py

      az: 90.0
      el: 60.0
      

3. Fill out the script failure information in the ticket OBS-186 for record-keeping.

4. Verify that the AuxTel is functioning correctly and the targets are centered in the detector.

Post-Condition

• AuxTel is properly pointed, with targets centered in the detector.

• System is ready for further observations.

Contingency

If the procedure was not successful, report the issue in the #summit-auxtel channel.

If the pointing is still not accurate, open a ticket to keep a record of the loss of pointing accuracy.