Hale Telescope Control Desk Operator's Manual

Hale Telescope
Control Desk
Operator's Manual

Copyright © 2008 Selden Ball
All rights reserved.

This is a brief description of the simulated Control Desk. It controls devices within the observatory as well as the pointing of the telescope.

Although it's similar to the real thing, some artistic license has been taken. For example, the real desk doesn't have an on/off button at the lower left. Also, a second desk has been added to the left for control of the simulation's demonstration features, which are not available in reality.

To start, click on the on/off button at the lower left corner of the desk's surface. That will activate the displays and switches. The button is blue when off, green when on.

Contents

Displays on Upright Surface
Displays on Horizontal Surface
Switches
Switches on Upright Surface
Switches on Horizontal Surface
Spinner knobs
Motion Control Buttons

Displays on Upright Surface

[Back to Contents]

Displays on Horizontal Surface

[Back to Contents]

Switches

A switch identification number is at the bottom of each implemented switch plate. This is artistic license for conveniencc. The switches on the real console are not numbered.

To manipulate a switch, click on the appropriate label on the switch plate. If you look closely, you'll see the buttons which actually activate the commands. Some labelled switches are unimplemented and have buttons which only move the switch. Unlabelled switches are unimplemented and have buttons which do nothing but move the switch. Some blank plates have buttons which do nothing.

Switches on Upright Surface

Left side
Right side [Back to Contents]

Switches on Horizontal Surface

Lower left: right to left Lower right: left to right [Back to Contents]

Spinner knobs

Causing these manual control knobs to spin with a mouse gesture would have been too hard, so three directional buttons are used instead.

[Back to Contents]

Motion control buttons

Contents

Displays on Upright Surface
Displays on Horizontal Surface
Switches
Switches on Upright Surface
Switches on Horizontal Surface
Spinner knobs
Motion Control Buttons