David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 727 (2019-12-04)

 
Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
 
Bullet Operational Issues
  - Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (4),  Continuous Improvement (2)
   
Bullet SharpCap Update to v3.2.6137.0
Bullet Images from 2019-12-04  >>
 
2019-12-06 to 2019-12-09
Bullet Attempted Session (2019-12-06)
Bullet Attempted Session (2019-12-08)
Bullet Attempted Session (2019-12-09)
 

Session Aims & Highlights (2019-12-04)

Main aims

  1. Guiding Charts:  Conduct second live test of new guiding chart feature and begin to use them to improve guiding.
  2. Targets: Acquire images of a selection of new targets plus monitoring of previous variable stars, nearby stars and comets.

Equipment & Software

Highlights

Lowlights

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan
Image
  
Observing Result
Image
   
Slew/Centering Performance
Image
  
Dome Slewing Performance
Image
  
Sky Conditions (Locate Frames)
Image
  
Night Sky Summary Plot
Top axis: Sky Brightness at Zenith (in ADU/s)
Lefthand axis: Local Time (hh LT). Righthand axis: Sun Altitude (degs)
Image   
  
Pre-Session Weather Forecast (API data from darksky.net)
Forecast showed clear skies for first 3 hours, with light cloud continuing till dawn (max cloud cover 28%)
In the event after beginning observatory operations around 19:15 high cloud developed from 22:00 onwards
(becoming most noticeable around 02:00 and 05:00 onwards) which impacted the quality of images
(a feature that normally suspends operations when number of stars falls below a specific number couldn't be used due to moonlit conditions)
Image   
  
Session Event Log
Time     Event Detail
16:27:13 Session Created Live Session Created (2019-12-04 S00727, ImageSaveNum: 727001)
16:27:21   Scope Switched On Scope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
16:29:03   Services Started Observatory Services started
16:31:05 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
16:31:08 Session Pending Session pending (2019-12-04)
16:31:10 Session Initiating Session initiating (2019-12-04)
16:31:12   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.5)
16:32:04   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-12-04 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 427)
16:32:17   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -15°C)
16:32:21   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
16:37:00 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2019-12-04 S00727, ImageSaveNum: 727001)
16:37:17   Scope Switched Off Scope Power has been switched off via UPB Powerbox.
16:37:25   Scope Switched On Scope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
16:38:51   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started
16:38:53   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started
16:38:57   Services Started Observatory Services started
16:39:37 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
16:39:43 Session Pending Session pending (2019-12-04)
16:39:45 Session Initiating Session initiating (2019-12-04)
16:39:47   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.5)
16:40:53   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-12-04 V2 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 428)
16:41:07   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -15°C)
16:41:10   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
16:41:23 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration
16:48:54 Wait on Weather Waiting for acceptable weather conditions
16:53:56 Session Suspended Session suspended
16:53:58   Shutter Closed Shutter already closed (closure time is unknown)
16:54:00   Queue Started Observing Queue started (14 targets selected)
17:06:52     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (1/14, 68P/Klemola) due to cloud
17:14:39     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (2/14, 61 Cyg) due to cloud
17:33:33     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (3/14, UGC 11775) due to cloud
17:33:59   Camera1 SetPoint SBIG Camera Set Point Temperature Updated (new set point -20°C)
17:43:53     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (4/14, GCVS HH And) due to other condition
17:49:45 Session Resuming Session resuming
17:50:31   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 45s)
17:50:34 Session Running Session running
17:50:36   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
17:51:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
17:53:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
17:53:43       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
17:55:29       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
17:55:31     Target Started (5/14) Target started (5/14, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN))
18:02:23     Target Completed Target partially completed (5/14, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN))
18:02:25     Target Started (6/14) Target started (6/14, WDS GRB 34)
18:04:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
18:06:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
18:08:19     Target Completed Target completed (6/14, WDS GRB 34)
18:08:21     Target Started (7/14) Target started (7/14, WDS GRB 34)
18:08:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
18:10:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
18:12:33     Target Completed Target completed (7/14, WDS GRB 34)
18:12:36     Target Started (8/14) Target started (8/14, WDS GRB 34)
18:13:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
18:15:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
18:17:12     Target Completed Target completed (8/14, WDS GRB 34)
18:19:58     Target Started (9/14) Target started (9/14, WDS GRB 34)
18:21:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
18:22:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
18:24:37     Target Completed Target completed (9/14, WDS GRB 34)
18:27:23     Target Started (10/14) Target started (10/14, WDS GRB 34)
18:28:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
18:30:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
18:30:41       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
18:32:25       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
18:34:13     Target Completed Target completed (10/14, WDS GRB 34)
18:34:49     Target Started (11/14) Target started (11/14, GSC 1224:29)
18:39:13       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
18:44:09     Target Completed Target completed (11/14, GSC 1224:29)
18:44:40     Target Started (12/14) Target started (12/14, GSC 1224:29)
18:46:36       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
18:51:29     Target Completed Target completed (12/14, GSC 1224:29)
18:54:32     Target Started (13/14) Target started (13/14, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs))
18:58:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:00:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
19:09:07     Target Completed Target completed (13/14, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs))
19:09:09     Target Started (14/14) Target started (14/14, NGC 2308)
19:11:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:13:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
19:30:13     Target Completed Target completed (14/14, NGC 2308)
19:30:16   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
19:30:19 Session Continuing Session continuing
19:30:31   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.5)
19:31:12   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-12-04 V3 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 429)
19:31:14 Session Running Session running
19:31:16   Queue Started Observing Queue started (47 targets selected)
19:33:31     Target Started (1/47) Target started (1/47, GCVS SS Cyg)
19:36:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:38:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11)
19:41:58     Target Completed Target completed (1/47, GCVS SS Cyg)
19:47:53     Target Started (2/47) Target started (2/47, GCVS CI Cyg)
19:50:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:52:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12)
19:55:53     Target Completed Target completed (2/47, GCVS CI Cyg)
19:55:55     Target Started (3/47) Target started (3/47, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN))
19:58:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:00:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13)
20:09:35     Target Completed Target completed (3/47, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN))
20:09:37     Target Started (4/47) Target started (4/47, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs))
20:12:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:14:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14)
20:22:41     Target Completed Target completed (4/47, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs))
20:23:15     Target Started (5/47) Target started (5/47, GCVS RR Tau)
20:26:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:28:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15)
20:35:43     Target Completed Target completed (5/47, GCVS RR Tau)
20:35:45     Target Started (6/47) Target started (6/47, 61 Cyg)
20:38:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:40:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16)
20:42:24     Target Completed Target completed (6/47, 61 Cyg)
20:42:26     Target Started (7/47) Target started (7/47, GCVS U And)
20:44:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:47:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17)
20:57:35     Target Completed Target completed (7/47, GCVS U And)
20:57:37     Target Started (8/47) Target started (8/47, GSC 1224:29)
21:01:13       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
21:05:43     Target Completed Target completed (8/47, GSC 1224:29)
21:05:45     Target Started (9/47) Target started (9/47, UGC 11775)
21:08:08       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
21:24:47     Target Completed Target completed (9/47, UGC 11775)
21:26:13     Target Started (10/47) Target started (10/47, GCVS Z And)
21:28:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:30:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18)
21:34:24     Target Completed Target completed (10/47, GCVS Z And)
21:34:26     Target Started (11/47) Target started (11/47, GCVS TT Ari)
21:38:25       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
21:45:26     Target Completed Target completed (11/47, GCVS TT Ari)
21:45:38     Target Started (12/47) Target started (12/47, GCVS RX And)
21:50:11     Target Completed Target completed (12/47, GCVS RX And)
21:53:08     Target Started (13/47) Target started (13/47, GCVS SU Tau)
21:56:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:58:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19)
22:03:42     Target Completed Target completed (13/47, GCVS SU Tau)
22:03:44     Target Started (14/47) Target started (14/47, WDS GRB 34)
22:06:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:08:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20)
22:09:45     Target Completed Target completed (14/47, WDS GRB 34)
22:09:47     Target Started (15/48) Target started (15/48, NGC 7635). Using SharpCap
22:13:01       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
22:14:45       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21)
22:28:05     Target Completed Target completed (15/48, NGC 7635)
22:28:07     Target Started (16/49) Target started (16/49, M76). Using SharpCap
22:39:19     Target Completed Target completed (16/49, M76)
22:39:21     Target Started (17/50) Target started (17/50, NGC 6992). Using SharpCap
22:42:33       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
22:44:19       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22)
22:53:24     Target Completed Target completed (17/50, NGC 6992)
22:53:26     Target Started (18/51) Target started (18/51, NGC 6992). Using SharpCap
23:03:24     Target Completed Target completed (18/51, NGC 6992)
23:03:26     Target Missed (19/51) Target's time slot was missed (19/51, GCVS DY Per)
23:03:28     Target Missed (20/51) Target's time slot was missed (20/51, GCVS HH And)
23:03:30     Target Missed (21/51) Target's time slot was missed (21/51, GCVS DX Cnc)
23:03:32     Target Missed (22/51) Target's time slot was missed (22/51, GCVS RZ LMi)
23:03:34     Target Missed (23/51) Target's time slot was missed (23/51, GCVS S Cyg)
23:03:36     Target Started (24/51) Target started (24/51, GCVS GK Per)
23:06:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:09:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23)
23:11:58     Target Completed Target completed (24/51, GCVS GK Per)
23:12:00     Target Started (25/52) Target started (25/52, NGC 7023). Using SharpCap
23:12:02     Target Failed Target failed due to dec limit (25/52, NGC 7023)
23:12:04     Target Started (26/52) Target started (26/52, GCVS FU Ori)
23:16:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:18:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24)
23:20:58     Target Completed Target completed (26/52, GCVS FU Ori)
23:21:01     Target Started (27/53) Target started (27/53, M37). Using SharpCap
23:23:40       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
23:25:26       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 25)
23:34:27     Target Completed Target completed (27/53, M37)
23:34:29     Target Missed (28/53) Target's time slot was missed (28/53, GCVS FO Ori)
23:34:31     Target Missed (29/53) Target's time slot was missed (29/53, GCVS NV Ori)
23:34:33     Target Started (30/53) Target started (30/53, GCVS CM Tau)
23:38:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:40:55       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 26)
23:54:51     Target Completed Target completed (30/53, GCVS CM Tau)
23:54:53     Target Started (31/53) Target started (31/53, GCVS ER UMa)
23:58:52       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
00:03:01     Target Completed Target completed (31/53, GCVS ER UMa)
00:03:04     Target Started (32/53) Target started (32/53, NGC 2648)
00:06:26       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
00:22:54     Target Completed Target completed (32/53, NGC 2648)
00:24:14     Target Started (33/53) Target started (33/53, GCVS SY Cnc)
00:30:18     Target Completed Target completed (33/53, GCVS SY Cnc)
00:33:23     Target Started (34/53) Target started (34/53, NGC 2944)
00:37:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:39:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 27)
00:55:32     Target Completed Target completed (34/53, NGC 2944)
00:55:34     Target Started (35/53) Target started (35/53, GCVS U Gem)
00:59:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:01:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 28)
01:04:52     Target Completed Target completed (35/53, GCVS U Gem)
01:04:54     Target Started (36/53) Target started (36/53, UGC 4457)
01:07:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:09:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 29)
01:25:39     Target Completed Target completed (36/53, UGC 4457)
01:26:10     Target Started (37/53) Target started (37/53, NGC 2911)
01:29:26       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
01:45:42     Target Completed Target completed (37/53, NGC 2911)
01:48:02     Target Started (38/53) Target started (38/53, NGC 2914)
01:51:21       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
02:05:57 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter)
02:05:59   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (other condition)
02:06:04     Target Aborted (38/53) Target aborted (38/53, NGC 2914) due to other condition
02:06:06   Queue Paused Queue pausing for HardSuspend
02:06:09 Session Suspended Session suspended
02:06:58   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 49s)
02:08:12 Session Resuming Session resuming
02:08:58   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 45s)
02:09:00 Session Running Session running
02:09:02   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
02:09:54     Target Started (39/53) Target started (39/53, Scholz's Star)
02:12:27       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
02:28:28     Target Completed Target completed (39/53, Scholz's Star)
02:30:50     Target Started (40/53) Target started (40/53, GCVS U Mon)
02:33:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:35:12       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Quadratic)
02:42:06     Target Completed Target completed (40/53, GCVS U Mon)
02:42:08     Target Started (41/53) Target started (41/53, LAMOST-HVS1)
02:44:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:46:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 31)
02:49:46     Target Completed Target completed (41/53, LAMOST-HVS1)
02:49:59     Target Started (42/53) Target started (42/53, NGC 3239)
02:53:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:55:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 32)
03:11:39     Target Completed Target completed (42/53, NGC 3239)
03:11:51     Target Started (43/53) Target started (43/53, NGC 3561)
03:15:05       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
03:31:33     Target Completed Target completed (43/53, NGC 3561)
03:33:43     Target Started (44/53) Target started (44/53, UGC 5146)
03:37:10       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
03:53:24     Target Completed Target completed (44/53, UGC 5146)
03:55:35     Target Started (45/53) Target started (45/53, SHK 1)
03:58:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:00:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 33)
04:05:08   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
04:17:01     Target Completed Target completed (45/53, SHK 1)
04:17:03   Queue Paused Queue paused for SoftSuspend
04:17:05 Session Suspended Session suspended
04:36:19     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (46/53, NGC 3769) due to cloud
04:58:11     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (47/53, NGC 3821) due to cloud
05:20:03     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (48/53, PGC 38327) due to wind
05:41:55     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (49/53, SHK 352) due to wind
06:03:47     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (50/53, NGC 3799) due to wind
06:25:39     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (51/53, IC 737) due to cloud
06:27:16   Camera1 SetPoint SBIG Camera Set Point Temperature Updated (new set point -15°C)
06:38:15     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (52/53, 38P/Stephan-Oterma) due to wind
06:59:59     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (53/53, K2-18) due to wind
07:00:04   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
07:00:09 Session Closing Session closing
07:00:59   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 46s)
07:01:20   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 21s)
07:01:31   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 10s)
07:02:14 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
07:02:41 Session Finished Session Finished
   

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Operational Issues (2019-12-04, S727)

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Critical Issues

Major Issues

Minor Issues

Continuous Improvement

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SharpCap Update to v3.2.6137.0

Latest Development Version of SharpCap  (v3.2.6137.0, dated 2019-11-18) installed onto Observatory and Office Computers today 2019-12-06

https://www.sharpcap.co.uk/sharpcap/downloads

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2019-12-06 to 2019-12-09


Attempted Session (2019-12-06)

Session Attempted but cloud conditions didn't allow more than a few minutes of testing a new feature of graphing Telescope tracking behaviour with PHD2 guiding output disabled (ie turned off.)

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Attempted Session (2019-12-08)

Session Attempted but was spent on examining autoguiding behaviour or a test star fields sitting around near Declination 0.

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Attempted Session (2019-12-09)

Session Attempted but was was short-lived due to a bug in the Pulsar Dome System which stopped a Shutter Opening,  a bug in the AstroMain/CCDSoft  and sky conditions which rapidly deteriorated.

 

Session stuck in 'Resuming State' for 25 minutes until intervention made.   Session entered Resuming' State at 18:21:57 but was still in same state at 18:40 waiting for the Shutter to Open.   Program Log show a 'Sending OpenShutter command to Dome' message at 18:21:57.79 , but the Shutter Monitoring routine doesn't report that Shutter beginning to open.  ASCOM trace log shows the driver receiving and sending on the Open Shutter command at 18:21:57.812 and the Shutter Status changing from State 1 (Closed) to State 2 (Opening) at 18:21:57.812, confirmed as opening at 18:21:57.828.  But  at 18:21:58.249 and 18:21:58.795 the Shutter Status has changed back to State 1 (Closed).  An email detailing the incident has been sent to Pulsar Observatories on 2019-12-10 Added code to drop session state back to Suspended from Resuming if shutter hasn't opened after 100s .
Image Workaround added (AstroMain 3.18.3)

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