Remote Observing

Remote observing allows you to run the observatory from any computer exactly as if you were in the control room. We use TightVNC remote desktop software to access the observatory computer. Because the computer is behind USTs firewall, Off campus users will have create an SSH tunnel through the department server.

Initial Setup

  1. If you are off campus, Set up tunneling

  2. Set up Remote Desktop access

  3. Set up the Webcam Software

Begin a remote observing session at the observatory

  1. If you are off campus, start the SSH tunnel

  2. Run TightVNC Viewer.

  3. Enter the observatory computer’s address:

    • On Campus

      _images/VNC_OnCampus.PNG

    • Off Campus

      _images/VNC_OffCampus.PNG

  4. Click Connect and you should see the observatory computer desktop.

Access the Dome Webcam

  1. If you haven’t already, set up the webcam

  2. Start up the ReoLink client

  3. Hovering the mouse over the image brings up a menu in the lower right. Click the PTZ button to bring up the camera control dialog

    _images/Reolink_MainWindow.png

  4. In the PTZ dialog, click the Presets button to bring up some useful preset positions

    _images/Reolink_PTZ.png

Start the SSH tunnel

  1. If you haven’t already, set up tunneling.

  2. Run MobaXTerm and select Tunneling from the ribbon

    _images/MobaMain2_scaled.PNG

  3. On the tunneling dialog, click the start button next to your observatory and webcam tunnels.

    _images/MobaTunnel2p.PNG

  4. Enter your password if asked.

  5. That’s it! Your tunnel to the observatory is running!

Set up Tunneling

  1. Install MobaXTerm

  2. Run MobaXTerm and select Tunneling from the ribbon

    _images/MobaMain2_scaled.PNG

  3. In the tunneling dialog, click the New Tunnel button

    _images/MobaTunnel1p.PNG

  4. Fill in the New Tunnel dialog as shown below. In the username field, put in the username that you received from the observatory administrator.

    _images/MobaNewTunnel_scaled.PNG

  5. Give your new tunnel a name (like Observatory or Bob)

  6. click the New Tunnel button again

  7. Fill in the New Tunnel dialog as shown below. In the username field, put in the username that you received from the observatory administrator.

    _images/MobaNewTunnel2.PNG

  8. Give your new tunnel a name (like Webcam or Other Bob)

  9. Click the Exit button.

Set up the TightVNC Viewer

  1. Download and run the installer for TightVNC .

  2. Accept the License Agreement

  3. On the Choose Setup Type screen choose Custom.

  4. On the Custom Setup screen, deselect TightVNC Server since you likely do not want to make your computer available for remote access.

    _images/VNC_ViewerOnly.png

  5. Select the defaults for the rest of the installation.

  6. TightVNC is ready to run!

Set up Webcam

  1. Download and install the ReoLink Client

  2. Click the Add Device button in the upper right hand corner of the Reolink window

    _images/ReoLink1.png

  3. Put in the IP address and the Port and click the Add button

    On Campus

    _images/Reolink_on_campus.png

    Off Campus

    _images/Reolink_off_campus.png

  4. Enter the password when prompted.