eric: any feedback on this?

hassan, please see the example [here|https://github.com/naojsoft/g2cam/blob/master/examples/stream_status.py.]

OK, so that gives us a (nice!) mechanism.

Can you also point out which keywords we should be paying attention to and what the interesting values would be? There are a few configuration changes we will want to notice:

• starting/ending a new science field. We talked about using keywords which indicate that guiding is turned on/off.
• taking calibration data. Is it possible to detect whether the telescope is pointed at the screen and/or that lamps are on?

eric: Could you respond to Craig's questions above please?

 There is a list of aliases here, if you access within the VPN.  But it is a bit old and may not have all the values or descriptions.  If you don't find what you are looking for there, you should just let me know what specific conditions you are interested in; that is quickest way to get you the information you need. 

starting/ending a new science field. We talked about using keywords which indicate that guiding is turned on/off.

There is no status keyword that says "we are on a new science field".  One that is probably useful is STATL.TELDRIVE. This will have a value of "Pointing", "Tracking*" or "Guiding*" (* means there are possible following characters).  Starting with "Tracking" or "Guiding" means the telescope is locked on to a coordinate. But it doesn't necessarily mean that they are taking data or on a science field, or even that the dome is open.  But at least you can detect that the telescope is fixed on a coordinate.  I am looking up the status for dome open or closed.  I know we are reporting that in statmon.

taking calibration data. Is it possible to detect whether the telescope is pointed at the screen and/or that lamps are on?

You can probably determine this by the elevation (>= 89.*), STATL.TELDRIVE == "Pointing" and the status for calibration lamps wattage.  I'm looking up the latter.

Thanks, that STAL.TELDRIVE point is definitely what we were looking for – our earlier discussions made those limitations clear. I'll look through that list.

[ For others, I can get to the wiki when connected to the "Users" VPN group but not to the "PFS" VPN group. I'll ask about that issue elsewhere. ]

Dome open/close status via STATL.DOMESHUTTER_POS.  Values are "" (blank), "OPEN" and "CLOSE".  You should be able to use this to know when you are pointing at sky or dome.

Which GEN2HOST should I use? And is it always safe/allowed to connect and fetch/stream queries if I use that mechanism?

"g2db.sum.subaru.nao.ac.jp" for StatusClient, "g2stat.sum.subaru.nao.ac.jp" for StatusStream.  I sent you access info by DM.

You can connect anytime.  But let's keep it to one stream for now.

Works like a charm, as far as I can tell. If you ever find out about lamp power please append to this ticket, even though closed.

I'll try to confirm them during HSC flats tonight.