Running the Dual-Coronagraphs...I: The Red Coronagraph

Objective: to record time-lapse images of interesting region(s)
	   of the limb as seen in H-alpha light.
	   This instrument can record events such as limb
	   flares and coronal surges which can be used in
	   conjunction with Yohkoh data and (sometimes) MCCD
	   data to understand the dynamics of these events.


RED LINE CORONAGRAPH GENERAL OPERATING PROCEDURES

1) First thing in A.M.:
   In Control Room: switch on power for H-alpha VCR and confirm
	cable hook-ups to one-from-right input in Archer box.
	(which controls 'VCR' button)  Unless tape is at an end,
	do not rewind tape - simply continue with the recording
	from yesterday's stopping point.
	Check time on the VCR vs. Heathkit - reset if not w/in a couple
	of seconds.

   In Dome: Switch on power-strip to H-alpha coronagraph Cohu camera.
	    Open dust cover (manually) 
	    On the monitor, switch to internal sync
	    	and remove polarimeter cable, and insert coronagraph cable.
	    Switch on Cohu camera
	    Adjust alignment of occulting disk if needed.  

2) Begin Recording: 
   In Control Room:
     1) Log: (in log book)
	Date
	UT start time
	Sky brightness & conditions (cirrus, clear, etc)

     Default recording:
	120H, i.e. one image every sec.

     2) Begin recording by pressing 'Record' only.  Watch on video
		monitor, with Archer box on 'vcr'
     3) after a few seconds, press 'Rec Review' once - it will scan
		over the last couple of frames, to check that the
		images are indeed being recorded.
   In Dome:
     4) Do a 'Limb Tour', by guiding with the pointing dials (black) on the
		coronagraph, stopping at different limb positions
		for about 10 sec.  (Five frames on the video or so).  This
		should be done at least twice per day - once in the
		morning, once later in the afternoon but still at 
		a time when the adjusting handles are reachable.
		At the same time the alignment of the occulting
		disk can be checked & adjusted.
     4) Position image on interesting region (W is up, N is to the
		left) for long-term recording.  An interesting region
		is usually determined as one with active-region morphologies,
		e.g. active post-flare loops or brightenings.  Quiescent
		prominences are the target otherwise.
     5) Switch back to external sync., and switch co-ax cables on
		monitor. (back to the polarimeter)

   Flare or Activity Recording:
	Log time of any activity.
   Fog or other pauses:
	Clost the Dust Cover.
	Log time of pauses.

3) Periodically:
   In Dome:
     1) Check the alignment of the occulting disk and adjust if necessary.
		The alignment drifts almost continuously over the
		day and needs to be checked often.  This can be
		performed while recording.
     2) While adjusting the coalignment, do a limb-tour.

3) End Recording
	1) Log end time and VCR counter reading.
	2) turn off VCR power, DO NOT REWIND
	3) close dust cover, turn off power to coronagraph & cohu camera

4) Switching Tapes:  a tape should last a couple of months of every-day
   observing.  The machine should sound a buzzer when the end-of-tape
   is reached.  Rewind the tape (buzzer should stop at this point)
   and re-load another tape.  Label tape with starting and ending date,
   and which instrument (i.e. Red-Line).  Ship to Manoa.

5) Switching Recording Modes: (If there is a desire to record at a faster
   or slower time-lapse rate)
	1) Make sure VCR is either stopped or on "pause"
	2) press 'page' button. (in Program area...)
	3) press 'shift position (down)' until in the memory record
		rate field.
	4) Press + or - button and scroll until at desired selection
	5) press 'page' button again to get back to normal (5 times)
	6) scroll with 'time mode' button + or - until time mode
		on screen matches that programmed into memory.
	(entire switching process takes about 30 sec)

6) Playing back tape recordings: using the instructions given in #4 above, set
   the VCR to 2 hour time-lapse mode then set tape to desired starting point
   and press the PLAY button.