Non-sidereal tracking with Subaru Telescope
Here are instructions to create non-sidereal tracking files using
- the Observation Control System (recommended), and
- the traditional procedure.
To track a target of non-sidereal movement, i.e. Solar System objects, the telescope control system needs right ascension (RA), declination (Dec), and geocentric distance to the target for the time period during which observation will take place. TSC accepts a file for each target for each run or each night.
Observers should prepare coordinates of the targets. Observers may prepare coordinates using the JPL HORIZONS System or create files using the Observation Control System at the telescope site or from Hale Pohaku. Please refer to the instruction. Observers may also follow the traditional procedure to use the software provided by the observatory to estimate coordinates.
Please send files or ask questions to the support astronomer.
#1 Ceres on July 26 HST +00.0000 +00.0000 ON% +0.000 UTC Geocentric Equatorial Mean Polar Geocentric ABS TSC 7 20010727000000.000 185406.057 -303521.41 1.953782861 2000.0000 20010727003000.000 185405.055 -303524.50 1.953904593 2000.0000 20010727010000.000 185404.053 -303527.59 1.954026432 2000.0000 20010727013000.000 185403.051 -303530.67 1.954148379 2000.0000 20010727020000.000 185402.050 -303533.75 1.954270432 2000.0000 20010727023000.000 185401.049 -303536.82 1.954392592 2000.0000 20010727030000.000 185400.049 -303539.90 1.954514860 2000.0000
An explanation of the various terms is given below. It is strongly recommended that you use the underlined parameters.
Line # | Options | Description |
---|---|---|
1 | Comment for the file (starting with #) | |
2 | (+/-)ss.ssss | RA proper motion (arcsec/yr) |
(+/-)ss.ssss | Dec proper motion (arcsec/yr) | |
ON%/OFF | E-term | |
(+/-)0.sss | Annual parallax (arcsec) | |
3 | UTC/TDT | |
Geocentric/Heliocentric/Barycentric | ||
Equatorial/Ecliptic | ||
Mean/Apparent | ||
XYZ/Polar | ||
Geocentric/Heliocentric | ||
4 | ABS/REL | |
5 | +/-/TSC | Flag for Az drive direction |
6 | Number of lines following this one | |
7+ (max 6000) |
YYYYMMDDhhmmss.sss | Date and time |
hhmmss.sss | Right ascension (J2000.0) | |
(+/-)ddmmss.ss | Declination (J2000.0) | |
rrr.rrrrrrrrr | Geocentric distance (AU) | |
yyyy.yyyy | Equinox |