MIRCPLAN  v0.3   
  by Ming Zhao at the University of Michigan
  Last update: Sep 21, 2008
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1. HOW TO RUN THE PROGRAM?

To run the program, enter IDL and type:
> @mircplan


2. ANY REQUIREMENTS TO RUN THE PROGRAM?

Needs to use the UP-TO-DATE IDL Astrolib, which you can get from internet.  
It should work after you put the directory path of this software into the !path variable.
For example:  !path=!path+":"+expand_path('+'+'~/work/mplan:'),  where '~/work/mplan' is the FULL path of my mircplan directory.
 * Note: the IDL Astrolib needs to be up-to-date. 


3. WHERE TO RUN THE PROGRAM?

Currently, you should run the program under the mirc_plan directory.


4. HOW TO MAKE A TARGET LIST FILE?

Use example_targetlist.txt as an example.  It is better if you can input all information to the target list.
If not, the minimum requirements are: SOURCE  RA   DEC  WEIGHT  
The easy way is to add your targets directly after the example targets in the example_targetlist.txt.
 !!! PLEASE FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE STRICTLY, otherwise it may give you wrong output due to mis-reading the target list.


5. HOW TO USE:

A normal procedure is like this:
-------------------------
1. make a target list file according to example_targetlist.txt
2. input the path of the target list in the first box (upper left box).
3. Input observing time (default is the current date)
4. check the sky plot

5. goto the 2nd tool box (the right side one) and assign telescopes. Needs to be 3T or 4T !!! 

6. goto the 3rd tool box and set target priority IF the priorities are not set previously in the file. Normally this doesn't need to be changed.
7. Click Optimize and check the output files.
   Usually, one needs to go through the best POPs and choose the one that has the best hour angle coverage.
   !!! NOTE: CHARA has an 8-10 degs  zenith hole, please take this into account when you pick up your POPs!

8. If need to check POP coverage, goto the 2nd box. Assign POPs under the check box of each telescope.
    Click to check the pop coverage plot.

9. If want to fix certain pops for optimization, for example, if want to fix S1 to POP 2, E1 to POP 3, just type in the pop numbers for the telescopes and
     check the corresponding FIX POP boxes. Then go to the 3rd tool and optimize.


There are HELP buttons in each tool box. They may be helpful.
In the 2nd tab, UV & Vis2,  all info needs to be inputed, otherwise it may crash. Currently it only works for  4T !

NOTE: The current version ONLY works for 3 or 4 telescopes. If crash happens, re-compile the crashed pro and continue.