System status

All the status information coming from the observing system has been stored up until now in simple log files. Over the last few months this information has been migrated to a database so it can be queried in a more efficient way. In the process, the messages from the TCS have been integrated into the system status logs, which makes it easier to follow the exact flow of operations when trying to figure out the cause of a problem. A specialised interface to query this data-base, e.g., by type of information or over different time-scales, will be developed in the near future.

Also, a web interface has been implemented for the Talker logging system, including the TCS messages, allowing to view the information all together. In similar fashion, a web application that allows for on-the-fly conversion of FITS images to PNG format has been developed to allow for easy and quick visualisation of any image taken at the telescope directly through a web browser. Both these things can now easily be viewed through the web from anywhere without the need to access the different computers that are part of the observing system. This has proven very useful in situations where remote support has been required, and could also prove valuable for remote observing runs.