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 Notes - Session 742 (2020-01-18)

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Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
 
Bullet Operational Issues
  - Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (2),  Minor Issues (3),  Continuous Improvement (5)
   
Bullet Investigation:  AstroMain Program Hung at 04:23
Bullet Guiding Performance
Bullet SharpCap Notes - Area Selection for FWHM Measurement
 
Bullet Images from 2020-01-18  >>
 

Session Aims & Highlights (2020-01-18)

Main aims

  1. Targets: Acquire images of selected variable and nearby stars and a few specifically selected deep sky objects

Equipment & Software

Highlights

Lowlights

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan
Image
  
Observing Result
Image
   
Dome Slewing Performance
Image
  
Slew/Centering 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  85-95% cloud cover clearing around 03:00 with strong winds (20-26 mph)
In the event skies were clear the whole night but winds were strong throughout the night, peaking at around 02:00
Conditions were too windy for quality imaging and the observatory was operated for
3 hour period between 21:45 and 00:55 for a TPoint Mapping Run.
Image   
  
Session Event Log
Time     Event Detail
20:13:03 Session Created Live Session Created (2020-01-18 S00742, ImageSaveNum: 742001)
20:13:17   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
20:14:46   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started
20:14:48   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started
20:14:53   Services Started Observatory Services started
20:18:14   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
20:18:30   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C)
20:19:29   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 45s)
20:31:43       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope)
20:32:44       Focusing Failed Foc2 Focusing Failed - star lost
20:33:08       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
20:34:27       Focusing Failed Foc2 Focusing Failed - star lost
20:36:52       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
20:39:24       Focusing Failed Foc2 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Quadratic)
20:41:54 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
20:42:00 Session Pending Session pending (2020-01-18)
20:42:02 Session Initiating Session initiating (2020-01-18)
20:42:04   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.10)
20:50:01 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode
20:53:43   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped
20:54:38 Program Closed Program closed by User
20:56:24 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2020-01-18 S00742, ImageSaveNum: 742009)
20:57:31   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started
20:57:33   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started
20:57:37   Services Started Observatory Services started
20:58:57   Services Started Observatory Services started
21:00:22   Services Started Observatory Services started
21:01:04   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
21:02:03   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C)
21:02:51 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
21:02:52 Session Pending Session pending (2020-01-18)
21:02:54 Session Initiating Session initiating (2020-01-18)
21:02:56   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.10)
21:03:42   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2020-01-18 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 456)
21:03:46   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C)
21:03:50   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
21:04:03 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration
21:04:06   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started
21:04:08   Equilibration Skipped Dome Equilibration skipped by user
21:04:10 Session Running Session running
21:04:12   Queue Started Observing Queue started (23 targets selected)
21:04:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:07:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
21:07:35       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
21:09:08       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
21:09:10     Target Started (1/23) Target started (1/23, GCVS DY Per)
21:11:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:15:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
21:19:42     Target Completed Target completed (1/23, GCVS DY Per)
21:19:44     Target Started (2/23) Target started (2/23, GCVS U Gem)
21:23:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:26:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
21:29:23     Target Completed Target completed (2/23, GCVS U Gem)
21:29:25     Target Started (3/23) Target started (3/23, GCVS SY Cnc)
21:33:11       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
21:36:50     Target Completed Target completed (3/23, GCVS SY Cnc)
21:38:13     Target Started (4/23) Target started (4/23, GCVS ER UMa)
21:40:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:43:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
21:47:14     Target Completed Target completed (4/23, GCVS ER UMa)
21:48:31     Target Started (5/23) Target started (5/23, GCVS GK Per)
21:51:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:54:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
21:57:12     Target Completed Target completed (5/23, GCVS GK Per)
21:57:14     Target Started (6/24) Target started (6/24, NGC 1964)
22:00:37       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
22:22:36     Target Aborted (6/24) Target aborted (6/24, NGC 1964) due to GRB Alert
22:22:38     Target Started (7/25) Target started (7/25, NGC 185)
22:25:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:32:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
22:54:16     Target Completed Target completed (7/25, NGC 185)
22:54:18     Target Started (8/26) Target started (8/26, 3C 58)
23:21:48     Target Completed Target completed (8/26, 3C 58)
23:21:50     Target Started (9/27) Target started (9/27, NGC 718)
23:43:32     Target Completed Target completed (9/27, NGC 718)
23:43:34     Target Missed (10/27) Target's time slot was missed (10/27, GCVS CM Tau)
23:43:36     Target Missed (11/27) Target's time slot was missed (11/27, GCVS CN Ori)
23:43:38     Target Missed (12/27) Target's time slot was missed (12/27, GCVS RR Tau)
23:43:40     Target Missed (13/27) Target's time slot was missed (13/27, GCVS FU Ori)
23:43:42     Target Missed (14/27) Target's time slot was missed (14/27, GCVS NV Ori)
23:43:44     Target Missed (15/27) Target's time slot was missed (15/27, GCVS U Mon)
23:43:46     Target Missed (16/27) Target's time slot was missed (16/27, GCVS FO Ori)
23:43:48     Target Missed (17/27) Target's time slot was missed (17/27, GCVS SU Tau)
23:43:50     Target Missed (18/27) Target's time slot was missed (18/27, GCVS U And)
23:43:52     Target Started (19/27) Target started (19/27, GCVS RX And)
23:46:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:48:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11)
23:51:12     Target Completed Target partially completed (19/27, GCVS RX And)
23:51:14     Target Started (20/27) Target started (20/27, GCVS Z And)
23:54:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:56:55       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12)
00:00:21     Target Completed Target partially completed (20/27, GCVS Z And)
00:00:23     Target Started (21/27) Target started (21/27, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs))
00:13:15     Target Completed Target completed (21/27, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs))
00:13:17     Target Started (22/27) Target started (22/27, GCVS RZ LMi)
00:17:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:20:30       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13)
00:25:24     Target Completed Target completed (22/27, GCVS RZ LMi)
00:25:26     Target Started (23/27) Target started (23/27, GCVS AM CVn)
00:29:04       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:31:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14)
00:34:36     Target Completed Target completed (23/27, GCVS AM CVn)
00:34:38     Target Started (24/27) Target started (24/27, GCVS AM CVn)
00:35:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:38:36       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15)
00:41:26     Target Completed Target completed (24/27, GCVS AM CVn)
00:41:28     Target Started (25/27) Target started (25/27, GCVS AM Her)
00:45:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:48:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16)
00:53:31     Target Completed Target completed (25/27, GCVS AM Her)
00:53:34     Target Started (26/27) Target started (26/27, GCVS AM Her)
00:54:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:57:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17)
01:02:41     Target Completed Target completed (26/27, GCVS AM Her)
01:02:43     Target Started (27/27) Target started (27/27, GCVS S Cyg)
01:05:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:08:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18)
01:18:27     Target Completed Target completed (27/27, GCVS S Cyg)
01:18:30   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
01:18:33 Session Continuing Session continuing
01:18:44   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.10)
01:19:05   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2020-01-18 V2 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 457)
01:19:44 Session Running Session running
01:19:47   Queue Started Observing Queue started (21 targets selected)
01:24:44     Target Started (1/21) Target started (1/21, GCVS FO Ori)
01:28:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:31:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19)
01:35:23     Target Completed Target completed (1/21, GCVS FO Ori)
01:35:25     Target Started (2/21) Target started (2/21, GCVS U Gem)
01:37:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:41:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20)
01:43:58     Target Completed Target completed (2/21, GCVS U Gem)
01:44:00     Target Started (3/22) Target started (3/22, NGC 4222)
01:47:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:50:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21)
02:05:46     Target Completed Target completed (3/22, NGC 4222)
02:05:48     Target Started (4/23) Target started (4/23, IC 737)
02:26:25     Target Completed Target completed (4/23, IC 737)
02:26:27     Target Started (5/24) Target started (5/24, IC 4182)
02:42:48     Target Completed Target completed (5/24, IC 4182)
02:42:50     Target Missed (6/24) Target's time slot was missed (6/24, GCVS RZ LMi)
02:42:52     Target Missed (7/24) Target's time slot was missed (7/24, GCVS AM CVn)
02:42:54     Target Missed (8/24) Target's time slot was missed (8/24, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs))
02:42:56     Target Missed (9/24) Target's time slot was missed (9/24, GCVS GK Per)
02:42:58     Target Missed (10/24) Target's time slot was missed (10/24, GCVS SY Cnc)
02:43:00     Target Started (11/24) Target started (11/24, GCVS DY Per)
02:45:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:48:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22)
02:51:46     Target Completed Target partially completed (11/24, GCVS DY Per)
02:51:48     Target Started (12/24) Target started (12/24, GCVS RR Tau)
02:54:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:57:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23)
03:03:02     Target Completed Target completed (12/24, GCVS RR Tau)
03:03:04     Target Started (13/24) Target started (13/24, GCVS CM Tau)
03:03:30     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (13/24, GCVS CM Tau)
03:18:23     Target Started (14/24) Target started (14/24, GCVS SU Tau)
03:21:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:24:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24)
03:28:23     Target Completed Target completed (14/24, GCVS SU Tau)
03:28:25     Target Started (15/24) Target started (15/24, GCVS ER UMa)
03:31:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:34:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 25)
03:37:34     Target Completed Target completed (15/24, GCVS ER UMa)
03:38:37     Target Started (16/24) Target started (16/24, 38P/Stephan-Oterma)
03:42:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:45:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 26)
03:50:00     Target Completed Target completed (16/24, 38P/Stephan-Oterma)
03:50:02     Target Started (17/24) Target started (17/24, GCVS U Her)
03:52:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:55:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 27)
04:03:02     Target Completed Target completed (17/24, GCVS U Her)
04:03:04     Target Started (18/24) Target started (18/24, GCVS R CrB)
04:07:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:10:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 28)
04:12:55     Target Completed Target completed (18/24, GCVS R CrB)
04:12:57     Target Started (19/24) Target started (19/24, GCVS AM Her)
04:15:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:18:55       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 29)
04:23:00 Program Hung AstroMain Job Queue hung
04:35:07   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 49s)
04:35:19   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
04:45:39   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
04:55:25   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
04:56:10   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
04:57:19   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions
05:06:41   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
05:07:00   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
05:13:26   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions
05:15:46   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
05:17:12   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
05:27:43   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
05:38:14   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
05:48:45   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
05:51:14   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions
05:59:16   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
06:09:47   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
06:20:18   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
06:23:02   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
06:30:49   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
06:41:20   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
06:51:51   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
07:02:22   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
07:12:52   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
07:23:23   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
07:33:55   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
07:44:26   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
07:54:56   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
08:05:27   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
08:11:00 User Intervention User intervention to park telescope
08:11:52   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 45s)
08:15:58   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position)
   

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Operational Issues (2020-01-18, S742)

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Critical Issues

Major Issues

Minor Issues

Continuous Improvement

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Investigation:  AstroMain Program Hung at 04:23

Job Queue hung at 04:23 whilst finishing V2 plan Target 19/24  (GCVS AM Her).  The Obs. Overseer intervened to make the observatory safe at 04:35, (closing shutter, parking dome and turning off scope tracking)  AstroGuard was running and providing safety backup.  

Time Line

04:22:07.39 | GCVS AM Her Start Ok | IamAlive: TakeMainImage
04:22:37.65 | Observatory Overseer Check    UserInterface Alert | UI is Running Slow elapsed
04:22:43.27 | GCVS AM Her Continue Ok | IamAlive: TakeMainImage
04:22:43.29 | GCVS AM Her Continue Ok | IamAlive: TakeMainScopeFrames

04:23:47.00 | GCVS AM Her Continue Ok | IamAlive: TakeMainImage
04:23:47.00 | GCVS AM Her Continue Ok | IamAlive: TakeMainScopeFrames

04:23:47.39 | GCVS AM Her Convert ImageToJPG Ok | Converting Image 742260 to JPG
04:23:47:43*   WriteTimingsRecord("Imaging",)
                      | ReportComment(Tab2 + "Stop Guidescope Guiding")
04:23:48.12 | GCVS AM Her Copy GuideSumm Ok | Session.GuideData file has been updated
                      | Write GuideSumm  ( GCVS AM Her 4.8 mins 1.0" 0.8" 0.7"  etc)
04:23:48.25 | GCVS AM Her StopGuidingMonitor Info | Stopping PHD2 Guide Monitor
04:23:48.45 | Stop PHD2 Guiding (2020-01-19 04:23:48 LT)
04:23:48.45 | GCVS AM Her Check.PHD2AppState Info | Checking PHD2 App State (Result=Guiding)
04:23:48.56 | GCVS AM Her StopPHD2Guiding Info | Checking PHD2 App State (Result=Guiding)
04:23:48.76 | GCVS AM Her StopPHD2Guiding Info | Checking PHD2 App State (Result=0)
04:23:49.18 | GCVS AM Her Stop PHD2 Guiding Try | Stopping PHD2 Capture & Guiding
04:23:49.70 | GCVS AM Her StopPHD2Guiding Info | Checking PHD2 App State (Result=Stopped)

????             | Call GetCloudInformation

Missing        | ReportComment (Current AllSky Meas...      Ok 
Missing        | StoreSessionEvent("Target Completed"
Missing        | ObservingDB.UpdatePlanObservationState(T)
Missing        | WriteTimingsRecord("Target", )
Missing        | GCVS AM Her TargetLoop Ok | IamAlive: ExecuteQueue

04:34:18.49 | Observatory Overseer Check. Info | Task in TakeMainScopeFrames/Continue appears to be frozen
04:34:18.49 | Observatory Overseer Check. Info | Last IamAlive message was from TakeMainScopeFrames/Continue/ at 04:23

Conclusion
Although a comprehensive time line has been established and the code reviewed, it isn't possible to ascertain what caused the Job Queue to hang
Image Issue closed, pending information on any repeat occurences of the problem.

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Guiding Performance

Target Name Interval RMS.Err RMS.RA RMS.Dec 

Guide Run 2
GCVS DY Per 30s (V) 1.2" 0.9" 0.9" 
GCVS DY Per 20s (R) 1.4" 0.8" 1.2" 
GCVS DY Per 50s (VR) 1.3" 0.8" 1.0" 
GCVS DY Per 30s (V) 1.8" 0.7" 1.6" 
GCVS DY Per 20s (R) 1.7" 0.8" 1.5" 
GCVS DY Per 50s (VR) 1.7" 0.7" 1.6" 
GCVS DY Per 30s (V) 5.4" 1.0" 5.3" 
GCVS DY Per 20s (R) 5.5" 0.6" 5.5" 
GCVS DY Per 50s (VR) 5.5" 0.9" 5.5" 
GCVS DY Per 4.4 mins 3.5" 0.8" 3.4"
Affected by wind (surface or jet stream). Star jumps up to 8"
GuideMode (S) set during settling/focusing period (hour angle +34.6)
Guide star appears to have jumped to a separate star during Set 3 ?

CI 'Guide Run No.' to be written to GuideSumm data file.
Guide Run 3
GCVS U Gem 45s (V) 1.3" 1.0" 0.7" 
GCVS U Gem 45s (V) 1.3" 1.0" 0.8" 
GCVS U Gem 45s (V) 1.5" 1.2" 0.9" 
GCVS U Gem 2.7 mins 1.4" 1.1" 0.8"
Good (RMS 1.4").  Clear Drift Direction. GuideMode (N) set during settling/focusing period (hour angle -42.6)
Guide Run 4
GCVS SY Cnc 45s (V) 2.1" 1.1" 1.8" 
GCVS SY Cnc 45s (V) 1.7" 0.9" 1.5" 
GCVS SY Cnc 45s (V) 1.6" 1.5" 0.7" 
GCVS SY Cnc 2.8 mins 1.8" 1.2" 1.4"
Ok (RMS 1.8"),  Focusing Failed.   so just 60s or so of settling.   Clear Drift Direction.
GuideMode (N) set during Frame 1 (hour angle -56.6)
CI Probably need a minimum of 120s since TimeGuideMonitorStarted before setting flag bReadyForImaging=True
Guide Run 5
GCVS ER UMa 60s (V) 1.1" 0.8" 0.8" 
GCVS ER UMa 60s (V) 0.9" 0.8" 0.4" 
GCVS ER UMa 60s (V) 0.9" 0.7" 0.6" 
GCVS ER UMa 3.6 mins 1.0" 0.8" 0.6" 
Very Good (RMS <= 1"). Clear Drift Direction.  
GuideMode (N) set during settling/focusing period (hour angle -66.5)

Guide Run 6
GCVS GK Per 15s (V) 1.4" 1.2" 0.7" 
GCVS GK Per 10s (R) 1.5" 1.0" 1.0" 
GCVS GK Per 25s (VR) 1.4" 1.1" 0.9" 
GCVS GK Per 15s (V) 2.5" 1.1" 2.2" 
GCVS GK Per 10s (R) 2.7" 0.7" 2.6" 
GCVS GK Per 25s (VR) 2.6" 0.9" 2.4" 
GCVS GK Per 15s (V) 3.9" 1.1" 3.7" 
GCVS GK Per 10s (R) 4.4" 0.6" 4.3" 
GCVS GK Per 25s (VR) 4.1" 0.9" 4.0" 
GCVS GK Per 2.8 mins 2.9" 1.0" 2.7" 
No Dec Guiding, although Guiding Chart shows 'North' (bug !)
Clear Drift Direction (S). (hour angle +30.5)

Guide Run 7
NGC 1964 120s (C) 3.2" 1.5" 2.9" 
NGC 1964 120s (C) 3.8" 1.4" 3.5" 
NGC 1964 120s (C) 4.5" 1.5" 4.2" 
NGC 1964 120s (C) 5.6" 2.0" 5.2" 
NGC 1964 120s (C) 4.8" 1.7" 4.5" 
NGC 1964 120s (C) 4.4" 1.3" 4.2" 
NGC 1964 120s (C) 6.1" 1.5" 5.9" 
NGC 1964 180s (D) 6.6" 1.6" 6.5" 
NGC 1964 180s (D) 4.8" 1.4" 4.6" 
NGC 1964 21.2 mins 5.1" 1.5" 4.8" 
Affected by wind (surface or jet stream). Star jumps up to 5"
Focusing Failed. Unclear Dec drift (Hour Angle 2.2). Dec Mode (S) set during beginning of Frame 1
probably based on poor seeing rather than real dec drift
South guides unable to bring star back to lock position (Dec -22, Alt 11)

Guide Run 8
NGC 185 180s (D) 5.9" 2.4" 5.4" 
NGC 185 180s (D) 6.3" 2.2" 5.9" 
NGC 185 180s (D) 4.9" 1.7" 4.6" 
NGC 185 180s (D) 3.8" 1.1" 3.7" 
NGC 185 180s (D) 4.6" 2.1" 4.1" 
NGC 185 180s (D) 3.1" 1.7" 2.7" 
NGC 185 180s (D) 4.1" 1.6" 3.7" 
NGC 185 22.0 mins 4.8" 1.9" 4.4" 
Affected by wind (surface or jet stream). Star jumps up to 8"
Focusing took 7 minutes !
Unclear Dec drift (Hour Angle 2.2). Dec Mode (S) set during settling/focusing period (hour angle 82.4)
Guiding unable to cope. Chasing the seeing !
Problem with plotting History Frame Legend for Frames 5,6,7

Guide Run 9
3C 58 180s (D) 2.4" 0.8" 2.3" 
3C 58 180s (D) 2.0" 0.9" 1.8" 
3C 58 180s (D) 1.7" 0.7" 1.6" 
3C 58 180s (D) 1.6" 0.7" 1.5" 
3C 58 180s (D) 1.5" 0.7" 1.3" 
3C 58 180s (D) 1.5" 0.7" 1.3" 
3C 58 180s (D) 1.2" 0.7" 1.0" 
3C 58 22.0 mins 1.7" 0.7" 1.6" 
Affected by wind (surface or jet stream). Star jumps up to 5"
Focusing Failed. Unclear Dec drift (Hour Angle 69.4). Dec Mode (S) set during beginning of Frame 1
Dec guding too aggressive.   Dec guide issue during Frame1. Guide overshot by 4" ! 
taking up to 1.4 min for star to drift back to lock position.
3" star jumps with 3" S guides cause star to overshoot by 3".
Problem with plotting History Frame Legend for Frames 7 (shouldn't be plotted)

Guide Run 10
NGC 718 180s (C) 2.1" 1.3" 1.6" 
NGC 718 180s (C) 3.2" 1.4" 2.8" 
NGC 718 180s (C) 2.4" 1.5" 1.9" 
NGC 718 180s (C) 2.5" 1.6" 2.0" 
NGC 718 180s (C) 2.5" 1.5" 2.0" 
NGC 718 15.6 mins 2.6" 1.4" 2.1" 
Focusing Failed. Unclear Dec drift (Hour Angle 79). Should be S but North Dec Mode chosen
Seeing jumps up to 3"

Guide Run 11
GCVS RX And 10s (V) 1.5" 1.2" 0.9" 
GCVS RX And 8s (R) 2.4" 1.0" 2.2" 
GCVS RX And 18s (VR) 2.0" 1.1" 1.7" 
GCVS RX And 10s (V) 3.5" 1.6" 3.1" 
GCVS RX And 8s (R) 4.6" 1.1" 4.4" 
GCVS RX And 18s (VR) 4.1" 1.4" 3.8" 
GCVS RX And 10s (V) 6.0" 0.7" 6.0" 
GCVS RX And 18s (VR) 6.0" 0.7" 6.0" 
GCVS RX And 2.1 mins 4.0" 1.1" 3.8" 
No Dec Guiding, although Guiding Chart shows 'North' (bug !)
Clear Drift Direction (S). (hour angle +96.1). Seeing jumps +/- 1"
Guide Run 12
GCVS Z And 15s (B) 8.8" 1.6" 8.6" 
GCVS Z And 5s (V) 9.8" 2.0" 9.6" 
GCVS Z And 5s (R) 11.6" 4.1" 10.8" 
GCVS Z And 25s (BVR) 10.0" 2.8" 9.6" 
GCVS Z And 15s (B) 11.8" 1.7" 11.7" 
GCVS Z And 5s (V) 12.9" 1.1" 12.9" 
GCVS Z And 5s (R) 13.4" 1.2" 13.4" 
GCVS Z And 25s (BVR) 12.6" 1.4" 12.5" 
GCVS Z And 15s (B) 14.3" 0.9" 14.3" 
GCVS Z And 5s (V) 15.3" 0.7" 15.3" 
GCVS Z And 25s (BVR) 14.7" 0.9" 14.7" 
GCVS Z And 3.3 mins 12.3" 1.9" 12.2" 
No Dec Guiding
Clear Drift Direction (S). (hour angle +121.1). Seeing jumps +/- 1"

Guide Run 13
C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs) 45s (C) 1.8" 0.9" 1.6" 
C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs) 45s (C) 1.3" 1.0" 0.9" 
C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs) 45s (C) 1.5" 0.8" 1.2" 
C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs) 45s (C) 1.3" 0.8" 1.1" 
C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs) 45s (C) 1.1" 1.0" 0.6" 
C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs) 45s (C) 0.9" 0.5" 0.8" 
C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs) 45s (C) 1.3" 0.9" 1.0" 
C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs) 45s (C) 1.0" 0.8" 0.7" 
C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs) 45s (C) 1.0" 0.5" 0.9" 
C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs) 8.1 mins 1.3" 0.8" 1.0" 
Ok (1.3" RMS). Focusing Failed. Clear Drift Direction
Dec Mode (S) set during Frame 1, but settled quickly
Overshots of 2". Probably too aggressive.

Guide Run 14
GCVS RZ LMi 90s (C) 1.3" 1.2" 0.7" 
GCVS RZ LMi 90s (C) 1.1" 0.8" 0.6" 
GCVS RZ LMi 90s (C) 1.2" 1.1" 0.6" 
GCVS RZ LMi 4.8 mins 1.2" 1.0" 0.6" 
Good (RMS 1.2").  Clear Drift Direction. GuideMode (N) set during settling/focusing period (hour angle -28.1)
Took 8 consecutive guides to work out the backlash.
Guide Run 15
GCVS AM CVn 45s (V) 0.9" 0.7" 0.6" 
GCVS AM CVn 45s (V) 1.1" 0.8" 0.7" 
GCVS AM CVn 45s (V) 1.0" 0.9" 0.5" 
GCVS AM CVn 2.7 mins 1.0" 0.8" 0.6" 
Very good (RMS 1.0").  Clear Drift Direction. GuideMode (N) set during settling/focusing period (hour angle -66.1)
Took 6 consecutive guides to work out the backlash.  Thereafter only little guides used to keep star on position.
CI. Need to spot the point where backlash has been worked out,  may not need to wait 60s after the Scope.Imnaging is set.

Guide Run 16
GCVS AM CVn 45s (V) 1.5" 1.3" 0.7" 
GCVS AM CVn 45s (V) 1.0" 0.8" 0.5" 
GCVS AM CVn 45s (V) 1.0" 0.9" 0.4" 
GCVS AM CVn 2.7 mins 1.2" 1.0" 0.6" 
Good (RMS 1.2").  Clear Drift Direction. GuideMode (N) set during settling/focusing period (hour angle -64.5)
Took 1 guide to work out the backlash.  Thereafter only little guides used to keep star on position.

Guide Run 17
GCVS AM Her 20s (C) 1.8" 0.7" 1.6" 
GCVS AM Her 45s (V) 1.6" 0.8" 1.4" 
GCVS AM Her 65s (CV) 1.7" 0.8" 1.4" 
GCVS AM Her 20s (C) 1.9" 0.8" 1.7" 
GCVS AM Her 45s (V) 1.3" 1.1" 0.7" 
GCVS AM Her 65s (CV) 1.5" 1.0" 1.2" 
GCVS AM Her 20s (C) 1.7" 0.9" 1.5" 
GCVS AM Her 45s (V) 2.0" 0.9" 1.8" 
GCVS AM Her 65s (CV) 1.9" 0.9" 1.7" 
GCVS AM Her 4.7 mins 1.7" 0.9" 1.5" 
Ok (RMS 1.7").  Moderately clear Drift Direction. GuideMode (N) set during settling/focusing period (hour angle -147.2)
Took 2-3 guides to work out the backlash.  Tendancy for guides to overshoot by 2" and take 1.5 mins to drift back to lock position.

Guide Run 18
GCVS AM Her 20s (C) 1.8" 0.6" 1.7" 
GCVS AM Her 45s (V) 1.9" 1.0" 1.6" 
GCVS AM Her 65s (CV) 1.9" 0.9" 1.6" 
GCVS AM Her 20s (C) 2.1" 0.7" 2.0" 
GCVS AM Her 45s (V) 1.5" 0.9" 1.2" 
GCVS AM Her 65s (CV) 1.8" 0.8" 1.6" 
GCVS AM Her 20s (C) 1.0" 0.7" 0.7" 
GCVS AM Her 45s (V) 1.4" 0.6" 1.2" 
GCVS AM Her 65s (CV) 1.2" 0.7" 1.0" 
GCVS AM Her 4.8 mins 1.6" 0.8" 1.4" 
Ok (RMS 1.6").  Somewhat ambiguous Drift Direction. GuideMode (N) set during settling/focusing period (hour angle -147.2)
Took 4 guides to work out the backlash.  Stayed overshoot for up to 2 minutes at a time.

Guide Run 19
GCVS S Cyg 120s (V) 1.2" 0.8" 0.9" 
GCVS S Cyg 15s (R) 1.0" 0.6" 0.8" 
GCVS S Cyg 10s (I) 1.2" 0.5" 1.1" 
GCVS S Cyg 145s (VRI) 1.2" 0.7" 0.9" 
GCVS S Cyg 120s (V) 1.1" 0.7" 0.9" 
GCVS S Cyg 15s (R) 1.3" 0.4" 1.2" 
GCVS S Cyg 10s (I) 1.3" 0.8" 1.0" 
GCVS S Cyg 145s (VRI) 1.2" 0.7" 1.0" 
GCVS S Cyg 120s (V) 1.4" 0.9" 1.0" 
GCVS S Cyg 15s (R) 1.4" 1.0" 1.0" 
GCVS S Cyg 10s (I) 1.5" 0.8" 1.3" 
GCVS S Cyg 145s (VRI) 1.4" 0.9" 1.1" 
GCVS S Cyg 9.7 mins 1.2" 0.8" 1.0" 
Ok (RMS 1.2").  Somewhat ambiguous Drift Direction. GuideMode (N) set during settling/focusing period 
(hour angle -169.2) Took 2 guides to work out any backlash.  Seeing jumps up to 1-2"

Guide Run 20
GCVS FO Ori 15s (B) 1.5" 1.0" 1.1" 
GCVS FO Ori 8s (V) 2.1" 1.8" 1.1" 
GCVS FO Ori 5s (R) 2.4" 1.2" 2.1" 
GCVS FO Ori 28s (BVR) 2.0" 1.3" 1.5" 
GCVS FO Ori 15s (B) 3.2" 1.2" 2.9" 
GCVS FO Ori 8s (V) 4.0" 1.1" 3.8" 
GCVS FO Ori 5s (R) 4.7" 1.0" 4.6" 
GCVS FO Ori 28s (BVR) 3.9" 1.1" 3.7" 
GCVS FO Ori 15s (B) 5.1" 0.7" 5.0" 
GCVS FO Ori 8s (V) 5.9" 0.8" 5.8" 
GCVS FO Ori 5s (R) 6.6" 1.1" 6.5" 
GCVS FO Ori 28s (BVR) 5.8" 0.9" 5.7" 
GCVS FO Ori 3.8 mins 4.2" 1.1" 4.0" 
No Dec Guiding
Clear Drift Direction (S) (hour angle +55.6). Seeing jumps +/- 1"

Guide Run 21
GCVS U Gem 45s (V) 2.3" 1.3" 1.9" 
GCVS U Gem 45s (V) 1.3" 0.9" 1.0" 
GCVS U Gem 45s (V) 1.0" 0.9" 0.4" 
GCVS U Gem 2.8 mins 1.7" 1.1" 1.3" 
Ok (RMS 1.7").  Somewhat ambiguous Drift Direction. 
GuideMode (S) set during settling/focusing period(hour angle 21.2)
Took 2-3 minutes of continuous south guides to work out backlash, or issue with balance ?


Guide Run 22
NGC 4222 180s (C) 1.2" 1.0" 0.6" 
NGC 4222 180s (C) 1.4" 1.2" 0.8" 
NGC 4222 180s (C) 1.4" 1.0" 0.9" 
NGC 4222 180s (C) 1.5" 1.3" 0.8" 
NGC 4222 180s (C) 1.7" 1.3" 1.0" 
NGC 4222 15.5 mins 1.4" 1.2" 0.8" 
Ok (RMS 1.4").  lear Drift Direction. 
GuideMode (N) set during Frame 1 (hour angle -41.7)
Took just guide to put star onto lock position.
Guide Run 23
IC 737 180s (C) 1.7" 1.2" 1.3" 
IC 737 180s (C) 1.5" 1.2" 0.9" 
IC 737 180s (C) 1.5" 1.1" 1.0" 
IC 737 180s (C) 1.3" 1.1" 0.7" 
IC 737 180s (C) 1.5" 1.2" 0.9" 
IC 737 15.5 mins 1.5" 1.2" 1.0" 
Ok (RMS 1.5").  Focusing Failed. Clear Drift Direction. 
GuideMode (N) set during Frame 1 (hour angle -29.0)
Took just 2 guides to put guide star onto Lock Position. Thereafter small nudges kept star on position.

Guide Run 24
IC 4182 90s (C) 2.3" 1.1" 2.0" 
IC 4182 90s (C) 1.5" 0.9" 1.2" 
IC 4182 90s (C) 1.7" 1.1" 1.3" 
IC 4182 90s (C) 1.3" 1.0" 0.8" 
IC 4182 90s (C) 1.3" 1.0" 0.8" 
IC 4182 90s (C) 1.3" 0.9" 1.0" 
IC 4182 90s (C) 1.1" 0.8" 0.7" 
IC 4182 11.4 mins 1.5" 1.0" 1.2" 
Ok (RMS 1.5").  Focusing Failed. Clear Drift Direction. 
GuideMode (N) set during Frame 1 (hour angle -43.3)
Took 10 consecutive guides to put guide star onto Lock Position. 
Thereafter small nudges used, but often overshooting by 2-3".

Guide Run 25
GCVS DY Per 90s (C) 1.1" 0.9" 0.7" 
GCVS DY Per 90s (CR) 1.1" 0.9" 0.7" 
GCVS DY Per 90s (C) 1.1" 0.8" 0.7" 
GCVS DY Per 90s (C) 1.1" 0.8" 0.7" 
GCVS DY Per 90s (C) 1.1" 0.8" 0.7" 
GCVS DY Per 3.4 mins 1.1" 0.8" 0.7" 
Good (RMS 1.1").  Clear Drift Direction. RA striction event during settling (10")
GuideMode (S) set during settling/focusing period (hour angle 118.6)
Took 5 consecutive guides to take out backlash 
Thereafter small nudges used to keep guide star on position

Guide Run 26
GCVS RR Tau 45s (B) 1.2" 0.8" 0.9" 
GCVS RR Tau 15s (V) 1.1" 0.9" 0.5" 
GCVS RR Tau 10s (R) 1.5" 1.3" 0.8" 
GCVS RR Tau 70s (BVR) 1.2" 0.9" 0.8" 
GCVS RR Tau 45s (B) 1.0" 0.8" 0.5" 
GCVS RR Tau 15s (V) 2.0" 1.6" 1.2" 
GCVS RR Tau 10s (R) 1.3" 0.9" 0.9" 
GCVS RR Tau 70s (BVR) 1.3" 1.1" 0.8" 
GCVS RR Tau 45s (B) 1.8" 1.6" 0.9" 
GCVS RR Tau 15s (V) 1.7" 0.9" 1.5" 
GCVS RR Tau 10s (R) 2.1" 1.1" 1.8" 
GCVS RR Tau 70s (BVR) 1.9" 1.3" 1.3" 
GCVS RR Tau 5.9 mins 1.5" 1.1" 1.0" 
Ok (RMS 1.5").  Clear Drift Direction. 
GuideMode (S) set during settling/focusing period (hour angle 74.5)
Took 16 consecutive guides to take out backlash,  with a further 16 guides to take out more backlash
Thereafter small nudges used to keep guide star on position, but instances of overshoot ~
and later on (frame 3) a failure to bring star back to lock position


Guide Run 27
GCVS SU Tau 30s (V) 1.3" 1.2" 0.5" 
GCVS SU Tau 20s (R) 1.7" 1.1" 1.3" 
GCVS SU Tau 50s (VR) 1.5" 1.2" 1.0" 
GCVS SU Tau 30s (V) 1.3" 1.1" 0.8" 
GCVS SU Tau 20s (R) 1.4" 1.2" 0.8" 
GCVS SU Tau 50s (VR) 1.4" 1.1" 0.8" 
GCVS SU Tau 30s (V) 1.6" 1.3" 0.9" 
GCVS SU Tau 20s (R) 1.5" 1.3" 0.8" 
GCVS SU Tau 50s (VR) 1.5" 1.3" 0.9" 
GCVS SU Tau 4.2 mins 1.5" 1.2" 0.9" 
Ok (RMS 1.5").  Clear Drift Direction. 
GuideMode (S) set during settling/focusing period (hour angle 78.8)
Took 8 consecutive guides to take out backlash
Thereafter small nudges used to keep guide star on position, but instances of 2" overshoot


Guide Run 28
GCVS ER UMa 60s (V) 1.5" 1.0" 1.1" 
GCVS ER UMa 60s (V) 1.5" 1.3" 0.9" 
GCVS ER UMa 60s (V) 1.1" 0.8" 0.8" 
GCVS ER UMa 3.4 mins 1.4" 1.0" 0.9" 
Ok (RMS 1.4").  Somewhat ambiguous Drift Direction. 
GuideMode (S) set during settling/focusing period (hour angle 21.8)
Took 3 consecutive guides to take out backlash
Thereafter taking up to 5 guides to bring star back to lock position.
Balance issue ?


Guide Run 29
38P/Stephan-Oterma 30s (C) 1.3" 1.1" 0.6" 
38P/Stephan-Oterma 30s (C) 1.0" 0.9" 0.4" 
38P/Stephan-Oterma 30s (C) 1.1" 1.0" 0.6" 
38P/Stephan-Oterma 30s (C) 1.4" 1.1" 0.9" 
38P/Stephan-Oterma 30s (C) 1.3" 1.2" 0.7" 
38P/Stephan-Oterma 30s (C) 1.0" 0.9" 0.4" 
38P/Stephan-Oterma 30s (C) 1.6" 1.5" 0.5" 
38P/Stephan-Oterma 4.3 mins 1.3" 1.1" 0.6" 
Good (RMS 1.3").  Clear Drift Direction.  One 4" RA excursion during settling period.
GuideMode (N) set during settling/focusing period (hour angle -40.1)
Took 2 consecutive guides to bring star back to lock position
Thereafter small nudges kept star on position.

Guide Run 30
GCVS U Her 45s (B) 1.7" 1.3" 1.1" 
GCVS U Her 10s (V) 1.5" 1.0" 1.1" 
GCVS U Her 2s (R) 2.0" 1.1" 1.7" 
GCVS U Her 1s (I) 1.6" 1.2" 1.0" 
GCVS U Her 58s (BVRI) 1.7" 1.2" 1.2" 
GCVS U Her 45s (B) 1.4" 0.9" 1.0" 
GCVS U Her 10s (V) 1.7" 1.4" 1.0" 
GCVS U Her 2s (R) 1.5" 1.5" 0.4" 
GCVS U Her 1s (I) 1.3" 0.9" 0.9" 
GCVS U Her 58s (BVRI) 1.5" 1.1" 0.9" 
GCVS U Her 45s (B) 1.7" 1.1" 1.4" 
GCVS U Her 10s (V) 1.4" 1.1" 0.9" 
GCVS U Her 2s (R) 1.5" 1.0" 1.0" 
GCVS U Her 1s (I) 1.8" 1.2" 1.4" 
GCVS U Her 58s (BVRI) 1.7" 1.1" 1.3" 
GCVS U Her 7.5 mins 1.6" 1.1" 1.1" 
Ok (RMS 1.6").  Clear Drift Direction, but noisy seeing (up to 4" jumps).  
GuideMode (N) set during settling/focusing period (hour angle -72.6)
Took 1 guide (6") to bring star back to lock position
Thereafter small nudges more or less kept star on position. Some seeing related overshoots.

Guide Run 31
GCVS R CrB 10s (C) 1.5" 1.4" 0.5" 
GCVS R CrB 15s (V) 1.3" 0.7" 1.0" 
GCVS R CrB 25s (CV) 1.3" 1.0" 0.9" 
GCVS R CrB 10s (C) 2.6" 1.2" 2.3" 
GCVS R CrB 15s (V) 3.2" 1.0" 3.1" 
GCVS R CrB 25s (CV) 3.0" 1.1" 2.8" 
GCVS R CrB 10s (C) 4.5" 0.8" 4.4" 
GCVS R CrB 15s (V) 6.6" 1.0" 6.5" 
GCVS R CrB 25s (CV) 5.7" 0.9" 5.7" 
GCVS R CrB 2.7 mins 3.9" 1.0" 3.8" 
No Dec Guiding
Clear Drift Direction (N) (hour angle -59.6). Seeing jumps +/- 1"
Chart shows Dec Mode=North (?bug)

Guide Run 32
GCVS AM Her 20s (C) 0.9" 0.7" 0.6" 
GCVS AM Her 45s (V) 1.1" 0.8" 0.7" 
GCVS AM Her 65s (CV) 1.1" 0.8" 0.7" 
GCVS AM Her 20s (C) 1.0" 0.8" 0.5" 
GCVS AM Her 45s (V) 1.0" 0.8" 0.6" 
GCVS AM Her 65s (CV) 1.0" 0.8" 0.6" 
GCVS AM Her 20s (C) 0.9" 0.7" 0.5" 
GCVS AM Her 45s (V) 1.1" 0.7" 0.8" 
GCVS AM Her 65s (CV) 1.0" 0.7" 0.7" 
GCVS AM Her 4.8 mins 1.0" 0.8" 0.7" 
Very good (RMS 1.0").  Clear Drift Direction.  
GuideMode (N) set during settling/focusing period (hour angle -72.6)
Took 7 consecutive guides to take out backlash
Thereafter small nudges more or less kept star on position.

Examples of guiding results from the session are shown below:

 

Examples of Good Guiding Performance from Session S742
Image
    
  Image
   
Image
  
Image
   
Example of Poor/Anomalous Guiding Performance from Session S742
Image
  
Image
  
Image
  
Image
  
  


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SharpCap Notes - Area Selection for FWHM Measurement

Focusing of TS 80mm GuideScope using SharpCap Multi-Star FWHM Measurement has not given sufficiently satisfactory results. When there is a good star field with a lot of stars the process works ok,   but it seems to rely on SharpCap being able to detect more than 10 stars even when stars are out of focus (which must envitably happen during focusing).   More often than not SharpCap doesn't find enough stars when starting the focus profile and give null  (20.0) FWHM results, and after 6 successive focus steps with null FWHM results  AstroMain's Automated Focusing Routine will abort or have insufficient data to determine a best focus position, e.g.

   Num.  Position   FWHM  Stars  
    1/14     9300  20.00      6  
    2/14     9250  20.00      8  
    3/14     9200  20.00      9  
    4/14     9190  20.00      8  
    5/14     9180  20.00      9  
    6/14     9170   4.72     11  
    7/14     9160  20.00      8  
    8/14     9150  20.00      7  
    9/14     9140  20.00      9  
   10/14     9130   4.91     11  
   11/14     9120  20.00      8  
   12/14     9110   4.50     11  
   13/14     9060  20.00     10  
   14/14     9010  20.00      8  

It is proposed instead to use FWHM Measurement on a single star, however the problem has been how to specifiy the star to be used and automatically define the Selection Rectangle to be used.   However a section in the SharpCap manual on scripting indicates the following method

  SharpCap.Transforms.SelectionRect = Rectangle(755,825,100,100)   # Rectangle ( x,y, width, height ) where Rectangle is imported from clr.System.Drawing

With this method identified and tested it is now possible to define and implement the following new workflow.

- Use ShCap server to request SharpCap to take a single frame and save to a FITS file
- Import the resulting FITS field to AstroMain program. Use CCDSofts's ShowInventory method/properties to find a suitable star and define its coordinates

- Use ShCap server to  to begin taking  FWHM Measurements at the star's coordinates using a new ShCap routine (see below)
- Access FWHM Measurements taken at different Focuser Position and graph the results to find position of best focus using quadratic curve fitting.

RunFwhmMonitor2 (Count, Exposure, Gain, StarX, StarY):
#===================
import clr
clr.AddReference("System.Drawing")
from System.Drawing import Rectangle

# Define Selection Rectangle
boxSize = 120
boxX = StarX - boxSize/2
boxY = StarY - boxSize/2

# Apply Selection Rectangle
SharpCap.Transforms.SelectionRect = Rectangle(boxX,boxY,boxSize,boxSize)
SharpCap.Transforms.AreaSelection = True

# Begin FWHM Measurements
# ----------------------------------------

SharpCap.Transforms.SelectTransform('FWHM Measurement')

etc..

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This Web Page: Notes - Session 742 (2020-01-18)
Last Updated : 2024-02-20
Site Owner : David Richards
Home Page : David's Astronomy Web Site