General Instruction

• Don't clean any optical surface ( strictly prohibited ).
• Observers are not allowed to repair or modify the Telescope and its default settings/instruments/software's and the position of the filters.
• Keep in mind the limits of the Telescope (at most 4 hours from the Zenith).
• If your have specific requirements related to the filters, please inform us one week before your observation.[ saurabh@aries.res.in and shekhar@aries.res.in ]
• Bring pen drive/hard-disk/blank DVD/CD for copying your data and Please DO NOT delete any file from the data server.
• You can see the 1.3m Observatory live weather conditions at Weather Conditions and Live Sky
• For reducing your data, a computer with SCISOFT installed on it is available at observatory building.
• Observatory vehicle is for official uses only.
• Please bring your objects name, RA DEC & Image's soft copy and hard copy both to the observatory .
• Please book your meals in advance. The nearest restaurant/shops is 8km away from the observatory and observatory is not going to provide vehicle for that.
• All science publications from 1.3m DFOT should have acknowledgment: :"We would like to thanks the scientific staff and observing assistance team at 1.3m DFOT, Devasthal, ARIES Nainital for their kind help and support during the observing run" .
• Feel free to contact Dr. Saurabh ( saurabh@aries.res.in ) for any query regarding to 1.3m Telescope.
• If any observer wants to come Devasthal Observatory form Haldwani by thier own vehical/taxi * [ Route: Haldawani-(5 km) - Kathgodam -(20 km)- Bheemtal -( 4 km )- Khutani ( 27km )- Dhanchuli Bend -(4 km) - Jarapani Market - (1.15 km) - ARIES Devasthal {Madakini Guest House} - ( 1.6 km ) - 1.3m DFOT Observatory ]

Before Observation!

• Before opening dome make sure that
  • * Telescope is parked at zenith.
  • * Mirror is closed.
  • *Weather condition is perfect (no clouds in the sky + relative humidity is lower than 80 percentage).
• Switch off all the lights and heat producing equipment in building.
• Before the start of observations, please make your object list according your preference / RA DEC in the TCS PC.
• Check the end/start of twilight time, sun/moon set/ rise time and moon phase before your observation, and all information are available in Sky6 software (Telescope PC)
• Turn on CCD + cool it down to -80 degrees, one hour before the flat time and check the filter motions.

During Observation

• Don't bring any eatable material in the TCS room, only drinking water you can carry.
• Use of air dryer/heat convectors are strictly prohibited in the telescope building.
• All observers are requested to fill online observation log during their observing run or as per their suitability but before 08:00am Online Observation log.
• Keep an eye on the All-sky camera, humidity, temp, wind speed and weather during observations Weather Conditions and Live Sky .
• Don't forget to take BIAS during the observations.

After Observation

• Copy your data( best time to start copying is in between the end of observation and the flat observing time ).
• Check CCD is properly reset to the room temperature & shutdown or not.
• Check mirror flap.
• Switch off filter unit at first slot position.
• Park Telescope at Zenith.
• Close dome properly.
• Shut down TCS PC.
• Put all waste material in to dust bin.
• After the end of observations, please fill the online feed back form, your feedback is very important for the observatory to improve its facility. Online Feedback Form
• Good Morning & go to sleep.

Before leaving observatory

• Please pay mess/canteen bill in time.
• For cleaning related issues please fill the form Cleaning Related issue-1.3m DFOT
• You can also inform verbally to the staff members of Devsthal about the problems you have faced during observations.
• Be sure that your data is being copied by you.
• Throw away food or waste material in dust bin and wash the dishes you have used.
• Leave your bedroom tidy.
• Please confirm before leaving that the bedroom windows are closed, geyser/heater are switched off and the water taps are tightened.
• Look around to be sure that you haven't forgotten anything!

Thank You
1.3m DFOT Team