David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 730 (2019-12-17)

Notes (S729)

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Notes (S731)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (3),  Minor Issues (8),  Continuous Improvement (3)
	Images from 2019-12-17  >>
	2019-12-18
	LX200 Re-Balancing (3)
	Melt water from overnight frost

Session Aims & Highlights (2019-12-17)

Main aims

1. Targets: Acquire images of a selection of targets including variable stars, nearby stars and comets.
2. Guiding:  Check guiding performance after recent changes

Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, PHD2,  POTH Hub
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.6dev3
   
• AstroMain 3.18.6 ,  Astroguard 1.2.9,   AstroPlan 1.13.6,  AstroShCap 1.2.10, AstroVOE 1.3.4, UPB 1.4.17  (AstroWeather 1.8.2, AstroAllSky 3.5.1)

Highlights

• Targets. x targets acquired.

Lowlights

•   Slew Errors started at 03:57:51.  Error code = 219 (0xdb) developed on each slew attempt from 03:57:51 onwards

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan

Observing Result

Slew/Centering Performance

Dome Slewing Performance

Sky Conditions (Locate Frames)

Night Sky Summary Plot Top axis: Sky Brightness at Zenith (in ADU/s) Lefthand axis: Local Time (hh LT). Righthand axis: Sun Altitude (degs)

Pre-Session Weather Forecast (API data from darksky.net) Forecast showed initially cloudy clear with some rain, but then clearing after midnight. Wind quite strong In the event skies rain stopped at 17:00 and skies at 20:00 Observatory opened at 22:07 and Polar Alignment, BackLash Testing was conducted. Main session was started at 02:20 and continued until 05:37 when session suspended due to passing cloud and overall reducing star count.

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 18:40:43 Session Created Live Session Created (2019-12-17 S00730, ImageSaveNum: 730001) 18:41:34   Scope Switched On Scope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 18:43:18   Services Started Observatory Services started 18:43:53 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 18:43:56 Session Pending Session pending (2019-12-17) 18:43:58 Session Initiating Session initiating (2019-12-17) 18:44:00   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.6) 18:45:06   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-12-17 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 433) 18:45:19   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 18:45:24   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 18:45:32 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 18:46:17   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 45s) 18:46:20   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started 18:50:18   Equilibration Ended Dome Equilibration ended (4.0 mins total) 18:50:20 Session Running Session running 18:50:22   Queue Started Observing Queue started (34 targets selected) 18:50:25 Program Crashed AstroMain program crashed and had to be restarted 18:57:13 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2019-12-17 S00730, ImageSaveNum: 730001) 18:57:26   Scope Switched Off Scope Power has been switched off via UPB Powerbox. 18:57:42   Scope Switched On Scope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 18:59:13   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 18:59:15   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 18:59:19   Services Started Observatory Services started 18:59:53   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 19:00:01   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 19:00:22 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 19:00:24 Session Pending Session pending (2019-12-17) 19:00:26 Session Initiating Session initiating (2019-12-17) 19:00:28   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.6) 19:01:44   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-12-17 V2 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 434) 19:01:49   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 19:01:52   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 19:02:05 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 19:02:08   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started 19:02:10   Equilibration Skipped Dome Equilibration skipped by user 19:02:12 Session Running Session running 19:02:14   Queue Started Observing Queue started (34 targets selected) 19:03:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:05:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 19:05:18       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 19:06:51       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 19:06:53     Target Started (1/34) Target started (1/34, GCVS Z And) 19:09:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:11:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 19:15:21     Target Completed Target completed (1/34, GCVS Z And) 19:15:23     Target Started (2/34) Target started (2/34, GCVS TT Ari) 19:17:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:20:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 19:27:16     Target Completed Target completed (2/34, GCVS TT Ari) 19:27:19     Target Started (3/34) Target started (3/34, GCVS S Cyg) 19:30:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:32:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 19:42:15     Target Completed Target partially completed (3/34, GCVS S Cyg) 19:42:17     Target Started (4/34) Target started (4/34, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN)) 19:45:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:47:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 19:55:38     Target Completed Target completed (4/34, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN)) 19:55:40     Target Started (5/34) Target started (5/34, GCVS U And) 19:57:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:59:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 20:09:24     Target Completed Target partially completed (5/34, GCVS U And) 20:09:26     Target Started (6/34) Target started (6/34, GSC 1224:29) 20:12:15       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 20:16:54     Target Completed Target completed (6/34, GSC 1224:29) 20:16:56     Target Started (7/34) Target started (7/34, GCVS RX And) 20:19:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:21:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 20:23:47     Target Completed Target completed (7/34, GCVS RX And) 20:23:49     Target Started (8/34) Target started (8/34, GCVS DY Per) 20:26:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:28:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 20:33:30     Target Completed Target completed (8/34, GCVS DY Per) 20:33:32     Target Started (9/34) Target started (9/34, WDS GRB 34) 20:36:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:38:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 20:40:12     Target Completed Target completed (9/34, WDS GRB 34) 20:40:14     Target Started (10/34) Target started (10/34, GCVS AM Her) 20:45:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:47:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 20:53:34     Target Completed Target completed (10/34, GCVS AM Her) 20:53:36     Target Started (11/34) Target started (11/34, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs)) 21:05:04     Target Completed Target completed (11/34, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs)) 21:05:06     Target Started (12/34) Target started (12/34, GCVS FO Ori) 21:08:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:10:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 21:14:23     Target Completed Target completed (12/34, GCVS FO Ori) 21:14:25     Target Started (13/34) Target started (13/34, GCVS CI Cyg) 21:18:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:20:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 21:23:22     Target Completed Target partially completed (13/34, GCVS CI Cyg) 21:23:24     Target Started (14/34) Target started (14/34, GCVS BL Lac) 21:25:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:28:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 21:32:03     Target Completed Target completed (14/34, GCVS BL Lac) 21:32:06     Target Started (15/34) Target started (15/34, 61 Cyg) 21:34:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:36:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 21:38:06     Target Completed Target completed (15/34, 61 Cyg) 21:38:08     Target Started (16/34) Target started (16/34, GCVS SS Cyg) 21:40:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:42:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 21:45:51     Target Completed Target completed (16/34, GCVS SS Cyg) 21:49:45     Target Started (17/34) Target started (17/34, GCVS HH And) 21:52:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:53:59       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 21:55:36     Target Completed Target completed (17/34, GCVS HH And) 21:57:10     Target Started (18/34) Target started (18/34, GCVS RR Tau) 22:00:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:02:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 22:09:03     Target Completed Target completed (18/34, GCVS RR Tau) 22:09:05     Target Started (19/34) Target started (19/34, GCVS DX Cnc) 22:12:13       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:12:15       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:14:19       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 22:18:55     Target Completed Target completed (19/34, GCVS DX Cnc) 22:18:57     Target Started (20/34) Target started (20/34, GCVS NV Ori) 22:21:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:23:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 22:26:43     Target Completed Target completed (20/34, GCVS NV Ori) 22:26:45     Target Started (21/34) Target started (21/34, GCVS CN Ori) 22:29:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:31:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 22:34:33     Target Completed Target completed (21/34, GCVS CN Ori) 22:34:36     Target Started (22/35) Target started (22/35, NGC 109) 22:37:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:37:44 Program Crashed AstroMain program crashed whilst focusing and had to be restarted 22:43:49 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2019-12-17 S00730, ImageSaveNum: 730219) 22:44:10   Scope Switched Off Scope Power has been switched off via UPB Powerbox. 22:44:24   Scope Switched On Scope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 22:45:54   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 22:45:56   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 22:46:01   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:46:06 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:46:10 Session Pending Session pending (2019-12-17) 22:46:12 Session Initiating Session initiating (2019-12-17) 22:46:14   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.6) 22:47:16   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-12-17 V3 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 435) 22:47:29   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -25°C) 22:47:33   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 22:47:47 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 22:47:50   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started 22:47:52   Equilibration Skipped Dome Equilibration skipped by user 22:47:54 Session Running Session running 22:47:56   Queue Started Observing Queue started (30 targets selected) 22:48:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:50:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23) 22:50:56       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:52:41       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24) 22:52:43     Target Started (1/30) Target started (1/30, WDS GRB 34) 22:54:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:56:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 25) 22:58:38     Target Completed Target completed (1/30, WDS GRB 34) 22:58:40     Target Started (2/30) Target started (2/30, GCVS Z And) 23:00:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:02:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 26) 23:06:28     Target Completed Target completed (2/30, GCVS Z And) 23:06:30     Target Started (3/30) Target started (3/30, NGC 2237). Using SharpCap 23:26:40     Target Completed Target completed (3/30, NGC 2237) 23:31:17     Target Started (4/30) Target started (4/30, GCVS CM Tau) 23:33:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:35:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 27) 23:50:10     Target Completed Target completed (4/30, GCVS CM Tau) 23:50:12     Target Started (5/31) Target started (5/31, NGC 109) 23:52:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:55:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 28) 00:12:01     Target Completed Target completed (5/31, NGC 109) 00:12:03     Target Missed (6/31) Target's time slot was missed (6/31, GCVS SU Tau) 00:12:05     Target Missed (7/31) Target's time slot was missed (7/31, GCVS GK Per) 00:12:07     Target Started (8/31) Target started (8/31, GCVS NV Ori) 00:14:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:16:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 29) 00:20:15     Target Completed Target completed (8/31, GCVS NV Ori) 00:20:17     Target Started (9/31) Target started (9/31, GCVS U Gem) 00:23:08       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:25:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 30) 00:28:45     Target Completed Target completed (9/31, GCVS U Gem) 00:28:47     Target Started (10/31) Target started (10/31, GSC 1224:29) 00:31:56       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:36:51     Target Completed Target completed (10/31, GSC 1224:29) 00:36:53     Target Started (11/31) Target started (11/31, GCVS FO Ori) 00:39:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:41:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 31) 00:45:07     Target Completed Target completed (11/31, GCVS FO Ori) 00:45:09     Target Started (12/31) Target started (12/31, GCVS FU Ori) 00:47:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:49:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 32) 00:52:11     Target Completed Target completed (12/31, GCVS FU Ori) 00:52:13     Target Started (13/31) Target started (13/31, K2-18) 00:56:41       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 01:03:32     Target Completed Target completed (13/31, K2-18) 01:03:34     Target Started (14/31) Target started (14/31, GCVS DX Cnc) 01:11:10     Target Completed Target completed (14/31, GCVS DX Cnc) 01:11:37     Target Started (15/31) Target started (15/31, Scholz's Star) 01:14:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:16:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 33) 01:32:18     Target Completed Target completed (15/31, Scholz's Star) 01:32:32     Target Started (16/31) Target started (16/31, GCVS U Mon) 01:34:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:36:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 34) 01:42:37     Target Completed Target completed (16/31, GCVS U Mon) 01:42:45     Target Started (17/31) Target started (17/31, GCVS CN Ori) 01:45:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:47:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 35) 01:50:44     Target Completed Target completed (17/31, GCVS CN Ori) 01:51:06     Target Started (18/31) Target started (18/31, GCVS RR Tau) 01:53:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:55:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 36) 02:02:28     Target Completed Target completed (18/31, GCVS RR Tau) 02:02:30     Target Started (19/31) Target started (19/31, LAMOST-HVS1) 02:03:13     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (19/31, LAMOST-HVS1) 02:10:37     Target Started (20/31) Target started (20/31, GCVS ER UMa) 02:14:19       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:18:22     Target Completed Target completed (20/31, GCVS ER UMa) 02:20:24     Target Started (21/31) Target started (21/31, GCVS SY Cnc) 02:23:24       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:26:52     Target Completed Target completed (21/31, GCVS SY Cnc) 02:29:33     Target Started (22/31) Target started (22/31, GCVS HH And) 02:33:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:35:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 37) 02:37:18     Target Completed Target completed (22/31, GCVS HH And) 02:37:20     Target Started (23/31) Target started (23/31, GCVS U And) 02:40:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:42:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 38) 02:52:40     Target Completed Target completed (23/31, GCVS U And) 02:52:43     Target Started (24/31) Target started (24/31, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs)) 02:55:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:58:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 39) 03:06:58     Target Completed Target completed (24/31, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs)) 03:07:00     Target Started (25/31) Target started (25/31, GCVS RZ LMi) 03:10:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:12:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 40) 03:18:26     Target Completed Target completed (25/31, GCVS RZ LMi) 03:18:28     Target Started (26/31) Target started (26/31, 38P/Stephan-Oterma) 03:22:49       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 03:28:14     Target Completed Target completed (26/31, 38P/Stephan-Oterma) 03:28:16     Target Started (27/31) Target started (27/31, GCVS AM CVn) 03:33:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:35:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 41) 03:38:41     Target Completed Target completed (27/31, GCVS AM CVn) 03:38:43     Target Started (28/31) Target started (28/31, GCVS R CrB) 03:41:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:43:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 42) 03:46:13     Target Completed Target completed (28/31, GCVS R CrB) 03:46:16     Target Started (29/31) Target started (29/31, GCVS AM Her) 03:54:41   Telescope Disconnected Telescope Disconected (TheSky6) 03:54:44   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 03:57:41     Target Completed Target partially completed (29/31, GCVS AM Her) 03:57:43     Target Started (30/31) Target started (30/31, GCVS S Cyg) 03:57:51     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (30/31, GCVS S Cyg) 04:07:07     Target Started (31/31) Target started (31/31, GCVS DY Per) 04:07:17     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (31/31, GCVS DY Per) 04:07:20   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 04:07:22 Session Continuing Session continuing 04:07:33   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.6) 04:07:49   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-12-17 V4 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 436) 04:07:51 Session Running Session running 04:07:53   Queue Started Observing Queue started (16 targets selected) 04:10:33     Target Started (1/16) Target started (1/16, LAMOST-HVS1) 04:10:42     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (1/16, LAMOST-HVS1) 04:19:29     Target Started (2/16) Target started (2/16, GCVS TT Ari) 04:19:32     Target Failed Target failed due to horizon limit (2/16, GCVS TT Ari) 04:31:24     Target Started (3/16) Target started (3/16, GCVS S Cyg) 04:31:31     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (3/16, GCVS S Cyg) 04:46:23     Target Started (4/16) Target started (4/16, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN)) 04:46:25     Target Failed Target failed due to az limit (4/16, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN)) 04:59:45     Target Started (5/16) Target started (5/16, GCVS U And) 04:59:47     Target Failed Target failed due to airmass limit (5/16, GCVS U And) 05:13:31     Target Started (6/16) Target started (6/16, GSC 1224:29) 05:13:34     Target Failed Target failed due to horizon limit (6/16, GSC 1224:29) 05:21:02     Target Started (7/16) Target started (7/16, GCVS RX And) 05:21:04     Target Failed Target failed due to airmass limit (7/16, GCVS RX And) 05:27:54     Target Started (8/16) Target started (8/16, GCVS DY Per) 05:28:03     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (8/16, GCVS DY Per) 05:37:37     Target Started (9/16) Target started (9/16, WDS GRB 34) 05:37:40     Target Failed Target failed due to az limit (9/16, WDS GRB 34) 05:44:18     Target Started (10/16) Target started (10/16, 38P/Stephan-Oterma) 05:44:26     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (10/16, 38P/Stephan-Oterma) 05:54:24     Target Started (11/16) Target started (11/16, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs)) 05:54:34     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (11/16, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs)) 06:05:54     Target Started (12/16) Target started (12/16, GCVS FO Ori) 06:05:57     Target Failed Target failed due to airmass limit (12/16, GCVS FO Ori) 06:15:13     Target Started (13/16) Target started (13/16, GCVS R CrB) 06:15:21     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (13/16, GCVS R CrB) 06:23:04     Target Started (14/16) Target started (14/16, GCVS AM CVn) 06:23:14     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (14/16, GCVS AM CVn) 06:32:07     Target Started (15/16) Target started (15/16, NGC 5496) 06:32:14     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (15/16, NGC 5496) 06:53:59     Target Started (16/16) Target started (16/16, GCVS SS Her) 06:54:08     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (16/16, GCVS SS Her) 06:54:11   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:54:15 Session Closing Session closing 06:55:10   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 50s) 06:55:40   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 30s) 06:55:50   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 9s) 06:56:35 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:57:06 Session Finished Session Finished

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Operational Issues (2019-12-17, S730)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (3)
• Minor Issues (8)
• Continuous Improvement (3)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• AstroMain crashed at 18:50 just after session entered 'Running' state due to a NullReference Exception. Exception occurred in ReportTime routine in statement 'JD = Utils.ComputerJulianDate'  as the Utils objects was not set (ie was Nothing).  This is not explainable as the Utils is normally always set up at the beginning of program.  The offending statement will be placed within a 'Try, Except, End Try' block
  Fixed 2019-12-19 (AstroMain 3.18.7)
   
• AstroMain crashed at 22:37 whilst taking a focus profile due to a InvalidOperation Exception. Exception occurred in DrawGraphFocusProfile routine in statement g.Drawline(...). Exception occurred when Focus Graph was clicked on whilst attenpting to Draw  Focuser Graph at same time. The offending statement /routine will be placed within a 'Try, Except, End Try' block
  Fixed 2019-12-19 (AstroMain 3.18.7)
   
• Slew Errors started at 03:57:51.  Error code = 219 (0xdb) produced on each slew attempt from 03:57:51 onwards.  No obvious cause or reason. Scope tracking continued,  dome however stopped moving although it was still showing as being slaved.  Scope and Dome both parked ok at end of session.  (There was an early single slew error at 02:03 (Target 19/31, LAMOST-HVS1) which may or may not be related.   There is not enough information to diagnose and fix the problem.   It may just be an isolated glitch.  Closed pending further information /detail about the issue
  Closed.

Minor Issues

• AstroVOE crashed due to overflow exception. AstroVOE program crashed due to an overflow exception whilst waiting for a server reconnection in 'WaitForConnection' routine.  Lost in connection to GCN_Server Atlantic_2  occurred at 04:43 .  Exception occurred at 05:37  when prepared a 32nd attempt  to reconnect to server when nAttempt of 32 was used in the statement WaitSecs= 2 ^ (nAttempts - 1)
  Fixed 2019-12-19 (AstroVOE 1.3.5)
   
• Continued issue with the calculated Cloud Cover being unrepresentive of actual cloud cover state. Improvements can/should be made by using AllSky Star Count as one of the indicators
  >> To be fixed (AstroAllSky)
   
• Automated Dew Heater control has stopped working and produces a 0%/0% Dew Heater values in UPB Powerbox. Problem began in middle of last session .  This is the first time this problem has been seen, and whilst the issue was resolved by using UPB's own automated de heater control and later resolved by restarting UPB PowerBox Software/Server and restarting the UPB Switch Connection from AstroMain the glitch could occur again.  
  Fixed 2020-Jan (AstroMain)
   
• Graph lines on CCDTemp Chart are too ragged.  Lines were ok on the first part of graph is session S729, but became ragged in second part of S729  and are again ragged on the graph from session S730 . Fixed by setting graphics smoothing mode to anti-alias (g.SmoothingMode = System.Drawing.Drawing2D.SmoothingMode.AntiAlias)
  Fixed 2019-12-20 (AstroMain 3.18.7)
   
• Shift Lock values on Guiding Charts for Comets are incorrect.  Shift Lock values shown on Guiding Charts are either Null values (-99) in case of first comet observation or incorrect values.  Values actually used for guiding are believed to be correct and this is purely a display bug.  Reviewing code shows that the values displayed are those of the lock position due to a programming bug
  Fixed 2019-12-20 (AstroMain 3.18.7)
   
• Continued issue with the drawing of Dec Limit circle on Telescope Slew Graph.  Various attempts to diagnose & fix the problem don't work consistently such that the problem continued to occurs during some Live Sessions (but not others or during test sessions).  It seems that there is some issue with operation of the TheSky6 class Utlils.  Finally resolved by not using Utils method but drawing a slightly flattened circle of approximately the correct size instead
  Fixed 2019-12-19 (AstroMain 3.18.7)
   
• Guidescope Locate Frames are not being taken at 2x2 (though specified).  After taking and plate solving an image taken through Main Scope using ST-10XME  camera & CCDSoft5, the routine proceeds to take a 1x1 binned image through Secondary Scope using ZWO ASI178MC camera & SharpCap. However this image can't be linked in TheSky6 (complains that image contains too few stars).  The option to take a 2x2 binned isn't acted upon. The manual workaround of resizing to 50% scale (ie to size of a 2x2 binned image) and then resizing back to full size gets around the issue but it is cumbersome to use.  In seems that the latest AstroShCap script file (1.2.11) hadn't been uploaded to the Observatory Computer, which was still operating with 1.2.10  version
  Fixed 2019-12-19 (ShCap 1.2.11)
   
• Reduced FITS Pointing Errors reported as '?' Unclear why '?' values are written to the Report file and -99.0 (null) are written to the (reduced) Pointing File.  Routine was recently changed to overcome earlier erronous values, but had been working ok.  Reopening AstroMain and rerunning seem to fix the issue.
  Fixed 2020  (AstroMain 3.18.6)

Continuous Improvement

• Add Guiding Rate, Tracking Rate to Guiding Chart . Also add  Backlash Compensation details if possible.
  Guiding Rate & Calibration Ra & Dec Rates added to Guiding Chart. Backlash Compensation details don't seem to be available through the PHD2 server (no references found on the OpenPHDGuiding/phd2/wiki/EventMonitoring webpage)
  Done 2019-12-20 (AstroMain 3.18.7)
   
• Allow AutoGuiding on Comet to recognise when Guide Star reaches edge of image and autoselect a fresh guide star
  'LockPositionShiftLimitReached' event can be used to indicate when Guide Star has reached edge of image
  NB. There is a risk that 'LockPositionShiftLimitReached' is not the actual event name (cf 'ConfigurationChange' and 'GuideParamChange')
  Done 2019-12-20 (AstroMain 3.18.7)
   
• Remove StarMass (SM) column from Guiding Sunmary Table and replace with Altitude instead
  Done 2019-12-20 (AstroMain 3.18.7) 

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2019-12-18

LX200 Re-Balancing (3)

As part of checking out the large and variable Declination Backlash (2019-12-10)) and associated poor autoguiding performance some improvements in telescope balance were achieved by moving the existing counterweights below the OTA further forward, and moving the piggybacked secondary scope further foward (see LX200 Re-Balancing (1) ), and by adding 1.3 kg of extra counterweight at a point below the OTA (just below the Dec Axis), made up of a 0.35 kg weight and a 1.0kg leaded ankle/wrist exercise weight (see LX200 Re-Balancing (2) )

1.35 kg of additional weights arrived today these were added to the new pendulum system in place of the 1.0 kg ankle/arm exercise weight which had been borrowed temporarily. This now makes a total of 1.7 kg of extra weight compared to original situation.

Balance with the OTA tube placed vertical is now just about right for the current setup but will be checked and adjusted after an upcoming modification to the imaging train to take out an AO-8 adaptive optics unit.  The latter will reduce the weight at the back of the scope in two ways:  directly from removing the 0.6kg unit and indirectly by bringing the heavy SBIG ST-10XE camera closer to the scope

LX200 rebalancing with additional weights

 
Forward Plan

- Review balance again after removing AO-8 unit
     >> Waiting on modification to imaging train

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Melt water from overnight frost (2019-12-18)

After a full night of observing with the shutter open all night and temperatures down to -3°C a fair amount of frost built up on the inside surfaces of the dome and shutter.  As this frost melted the next morning lines of of water ran down the inside faces of the dome. Previously this water would accumulate on the flat inside rim particularly in the wide area beneath the shutter and on its counter part on the opposite side of the dome and eventually drip down onto the floor.  But since the drilling of a series of drainage holes at the backs of the 2 widest areas of the roof rim last month (see 2019-11-18 notes) the excess water can now gradually drain to the exterior.

Lines of melt water from the frost that built-up during the previous night's observing session which had experienced temperatures down to -3°C
Drainage holes showing water draining to exterior  (later pictures)

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