| Telescope | MDM 1.3m |
| Date | 11/24/97 |
| Instrument | Echelle CCD |
| Filter | R |
| Exposure Time |
400 sec |
Problem:This squiggle appeared in a single 400sec image and runs about halfway through the image. Straight lines running through images are usually caused by meteors, asteroids, or satellites. In this case the motion perpendicular to the direction of the satellite's motion is very likely due to a high frequency oscillation of the telescope itself. What exactly caused this oscillation is not clear, but a very likely explanation would be wind hitting the telescope. |
Fix:This might be an indicator that the declination axis shaft-to-telescope joint is loose. This kind of problem is not easy to solve, and should be fixed by the telescope staff. As a quick fix, you might try to protect the telescope from exposure to strong wind. Suggestions would be to close the drop-out shutter in the dome and/or close other ventilation louvres, windows, or doors in the dome so as to not allow any kind of draft going through the dome. Keep in mind, though, that less ventilation in the dome can frequently cause the seeing to degrade. |