The Parameters Files

  ICE has made it easy for you to observe by providing a single word for data-collection: observe. However, this ease has not come at the cost of flexibility; instead, all the options have been buried in the parameter files. There are four of these parameter files which must be properly set, but which you will likely leave alone throughout the course of your run:

detpars

This parameter file controls the fundamentals of how the CCD detector is read. All items in this parameter file are crucial for correct operation of the CCD.

instrpars

This is the instrument parameter file, and at most telescopes is currently used by ICE only to add information to the picture headers. If you wish to use the scan-table at the 4-m PFCCD, however, instrpars must be modified by setting ``instrument" to ``pfccd".

obspars

This is the parameter file that is used by the astronomer to tailor the observe command to his/her liking, and to convey to the software fundamental aspects of how the observations, particularly focus frames, are to be executed.

telpars

This parameter file is used only to specify the protocol needed to communicate with the telescope computer in order to allow proper transfer of header information (time, telescope position and particulars) to ICE.

These parameter files can each be listed using the lpar command, e.g., lpar detpars

and may be edited using the parameter editor epar, e.g., epar detpars

(In fact, you can enter the parameter editor for detpars by simply typing detpars.) To change a value in the parameter editor move the cursor up and down with the arrow keys until you are on the correct line, and then simply type the new value, followed by [CR]. When done editing a parameter file, type CNTL-z (or CNTL-d, depending upon what you chose for an eof character when you ran obsinit; see Section B).

• detpars
• instrpars
• obspars
• telpars