Exp402T Imaging Specialist Report

Summary

During Exp402T sediments were mainly recovered. Imaging specialist assignments were done. General imaging duties/services provided:

• Headshot posters

• Inventory for Image Office and Microscope Lab and support for others.

• Microscopes cleaning, setting, assistance and issues resolved.

• Paleo Lab assistance

• SHIL calibration and support

• Special request photography

• General activities photography

• Group photography

• Inventory

• Equipment connections record.

System Status

PICAT -

Setup, Use and Maintenance –

Clean and setup of the system was done at the beginning of the expedition. No Thin Section images were created.

Closeup Station –

Setup, Use and Maintenance –

Close-up camera and flash system worked properly, settings were confirmed using a light meter. A calibration profile was created in Lightroom for future reference, if required.

Microscopes -

Setup and Maintenance –

At the beginning of the expedition microscopes setup was done. After School of Rock ends a service to microscopes is planned. Service to the microscopes includes cleaning of eye pieces and objectives, then center of condenser, stage and objectives, and finally setup of Kohler illumination.

Use –

Microscopes were used by JR Academy and School of Rock participants. All three Stereo Discovery.V8, as well as the AxioPlan, and Axio Imager microscopes in the Microscope Lab were used. The Axio A1 microscope in the smear slides area was used by School of Rock only. Assistance in setting, acquire images and solve issues was provided during the expedition.

Issues –

Since 401 Expedition the microscope used in the TS lab present a halo when Reflected Light is used, most notable with a low magnification objective, as 2.5X was used. Luminous field diaphragm is not working as the pushrod is difficult to move, if possible. Reset of the diaphragm blades was tried but with no success. TS specialist has been able to work with it this way although it doesn’t display the best image quality.

New SPOT InSight cameras have shown an issue when trying to display a real time image, interference is displayed on top of a black image on the screen. This has been solved by restarting the computer. Even I don’t know the reason it may be because since the cable connection is secured by bolts and as long as it is connected to a turned-on computer it will remain turned on also. Then we have been unplugging the camera connection and after this only turn it on when it is going to be used, then the issue has not been displayed again.

Axioplan Microscope workstation, located left of the PICAT, presented the following issues:

Computer Monitor didn’t get power to mouse and keyboard, but solved by attaching them directly to the front of PC. The Monitor has been changed and connections for mouse and keyboard work properly.

Camera SPOT Flex 90818 (SN 242234) present an issue shown in a previous expedition where the power suddenly turns off, solved temporarily by moving a bit the connector. Test was done with another cable but still have the same result.

Also, image from microscope camera was not displayed. In Image Capture, when Acquire image was selected in order to open the SPOT camera software or suddenly when software was already open a couple of messages were displayed: “No response from camera” or No cameras or interface cards found”. Because of the power issue I was misled to think that was a camera problem, but changed the camera and the results were the same. Attachment of the communication cable from another computer has also been tested and the camera works properly.

SPOT Flex camera was replaced, and MCS changed the Firewire card in the PC. Through testing was done during a couple of days with the SPOT Flex camera connected with no connection failure message while image displayed properly. SPOT camera used was previously on microscopes lab Axio Imager A2, where a SPOT InSight 12MP is now installed. Scale bar calibration was done at the end of the process.

SPOT Flex camera removed was checked by ET and did some fix on the power connection. After that it was tested, although its problem was not persistent, it seems that is solved.

At the moment we carry two SPOT Flex and one InSight 2MP extra microscope cameras onboard that could be used as replacement if required, both are boxed in the large Vidmar cabinet in the Image Office. In any case remember that scale bar calibration should be done after any camera or computer changes, even if Image Capture has been reinstalled or the configuration file changed.

Miscellaneous –

Remember to check oil provided to microscope users to be not expired, if possible. Any oil bottles not in use may be kept in the Core entry fridge. The same should be done with the optical glue used for attaching slide covers.

Keep Dust covers on microscopes when not in use and remind the scientists to unplug/turn off the cameras.

If future configuration changes of microscopes are required–

If change of stages is requested be mindful that some stages might look similar but they are model specific. A sticker below with the model they are supposed to work with has been attached to the last sets bought and/or changed.

If Image Capture software is reinstalled, the scale bar setup is reset. In case it happens or cameras are interchanged microscopes scale bar settings must be changed by proceeding with the standard procedure using a micrometer to define proportional difference, document with instructions included in confluence.

SHIL -

SHIL calibration was performed at the beginning of the expedition. Demonstration of SHIL workflow and procedures was done to JR Academy participants. There were no issues and no changes.

Photography-

Basic keyword and metadata were added to all the images taken by the Imaging specialist. Ratings are added as part of the metadata, suggesting 2 & 3 Stars rated images to keep and upload in Merlin One. Some new keywords were added where none of the present match for the basic keywording.

JR Academy participants were not comfortable with their images taken and if so several restrictions were added to their releases including the ways the photos should or not be use, then, no images of them were taken.

Headshot photos were taken for some IODP staff that requested for ID badges and passports.

The HDD used to transfer Imaging Specialist files was not sent at the beginning of the expedition. It’s expected that it arrives at the end of 402T so this and previous, 402, expeditions files are sent to College Station.

Printer Epson Stylus 4900 -

It was used to print group photos.

A setting to make the printer make a basic and simple clean every time it is turned on was checked, then it is recommended that even if it is not in use keep turning it on at least a couple of days a week or more so that nozzles don’t get stuck.

Ink levels are still good for more than one regular expedition printing work and a new set of cartridges is in storage.

Printer Epson ecotank 8550

No issues. Regular cleaning of nozzles was carried out.

Items Received

• Epson Stylus 4900 printer ink cartridges, Cyan and Light Black.

• Epson ecotank 8550 ink bottles, Black and Gray.

• Two boxes of Epson Luster Ultra-Premium Photo Paper, letter size

Items Shipped to shore

Materials and equipment not necessary for next expedition found in the Image Office was sent back to College Station.

Items Ordered

None.

Miscellaneous

As a main job for this expedition Microscope Lab and Image office inventory was done to help streamlined demob process.

Record of instruments connections was recorded and images uploaded to confluence Imaging notebook in order for anyone who will reinstall the equipment at College Station.