I. Observatory Location and Weather
1. The observatories’ addresses and the nearest cities(weather forecast reference):
Gemini Observatory : Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, China.
Virgo Observatory: Pingliang City, Gansu Province, China.
2. Time zone:
Gemini and Virgo Observatories (local time): UTC+8
California: UTC-7, UTC-8 (daylight saving)
New York: UTC-5 (EST), UTC-4 (EDT)
Spain: UTC+1 (CET), UTC+2 (CEST)
Australia: UTC+10 (AEST), UTC+11 (AEDT)
3. Rainy Season:
Gemini Observatory : Cloudy nights gradually increase starting in May. From June to October the region enters the rainy season, during which only a limited number of clear nights are available for observations. Cloud cover then decreases from October onward, and the imaging season begins in November.
Virgo Observatory : Jul. to Aug. (to be completed)
4. The observatory long/lat, elevation, all-sky camera and local weather info:
Gemini Observatory: https://www.omiastro.com/gemini-status-observing-conditions
Virgo Observatory: https://www.omiastro.com/virgo-status-observing-conditions
II. Power and Remote Monitoring
1. Install the ‘Xiaomi Home’ app on your mobile device and provide your account to the administrator. You will then have access to the live monitor camera and may check the telescope status anytime. Please disable night-vision mode after viewing to avoid infrared interference with other imaging systems.
2. Install the ‘BroadLink’ app and share your account credentials including the password with the administrator. This allows smart-plug control of power for the mount, computer, camera, and related hardware.
3. Please set a daily power schedule in the app — typically ON at 18:00 (local time) and OFF at 07:00 (local time).
III. Dome / Roof Operation
1. On clear nights, the roof will normally be opened after 18:00 local time. A notification email will be sent when this occurs.
2. The roof will typically close after 07:00 local time in the morning. Usually, an email will also be sent to notify users.
3. If weather conditions deteriorate overnight (e.g., increasing cloud cover or humidity), the observatory will automatically close the roof to protect equipment and notify users by email.
4. When weather improves again later in the night, the roof currently does not reopen automatically. This functionality is under development. Fortunately, weather transitions from unsuitable back to suitable conditions are relatively uncommon at this location.
IV. Remote Desktop Access
1. Please install TeamViewer – Remote Desktop Client on your computer or mobile device. Email the administrator your TeamViewer ID(s) so we can authorize access. Once setup is complete, we will provide the ID and password for the telescope control computer.
2. The telescope PC will be preconfigured with common astrophotography software such as NINA, SGP, autofocus routines, PHD2 guiding, site information, filter setup, etc. You can directly create an imaging sequence to begin. Adjustments to autofocus, exposure strategy, or other software parameters are welcome. Additional software may be installed upon request.
V. Data Download
1. You do not need to download images directly from the telescope PC. An automated synchronization system uploads your data to a shared Dropbox folder approximately every 5 minutes.
2. Please ensure all data intended for synchronization is stored in the designated directory which will be created before your access, typically:
D:\OMI\BaiduSyncdisk\Gemini-D1\YOUR_NAME
Files placed outside this location will not be synced.
VI. Calibration Frames
1. We can provide fresh calibration frames if needed, though we recommend capturing your own to ensure settings (gain/offset, etc.) match your imaging data.
2. Dark frames can be taken at any time. Email the administrator, and we will confirm once the telescope is covered.
3. Flats are taken using a flat-panel light source. Please point the telescope to the zenith in advance and notify us so local staff can position the flat panel and adjust brightness. So some coordination is required to complete flat-frame acquisition.
VII. On-site Support
1. Occasionally hardware connection issues may occur. Most can be resolved by reconnecting cables. Please note on-site support is available only until midnight local time. Issues occurring later will be addressed the following day.