David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 811 (2020-09-18)

Notes (S810)

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Notes (S812)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (1),  Continuous Improvement (5)
	Images from 2020-09-18 >>
	DeviceHub 6.4.1.11 - Fast Poll Rates

Session Aims & Highlights (2020-09-18)

Main aims

1. Targets. Acquire images of a selection of deep sky targets, including collection of final mosaic frame for B106 that was missed during earlier session.
2.  DeviceHub 6.4.1.11. Use newly installed 6.4.1.11 version of Device Hub, with Telescope Fast Poll Rate option set 0.5s (lower than in 6.4.1.10)

Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, PHD2,  DeviceHub 4.6.1.11, UPB 1.5 
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.9
   
• AstroMain 3.28.8,  AstroGuard 1.4.3,   AstroPlan 1.16,  AstroShCap 1.2.23, AstroVOE 1.3.6, AstroProtect 1.4.1
  (AstroWeather 1.10.12, AstroAllSky 3.6)
  

Highlights

• DeviceHub Fast Polling. New faster polling rate option in DeviceHub 6.4.1.11 worked well and allowed smooth continuous Telescope Paths to be charted, rather than staggered path experienced when using 6.4.1.10
• Targets.  27 targets observed despite the two cloudy intervals when the session was suspended
• Session Suspension. Obs.Manager worked well and suspended and resumed session at the appropriate moments in response to the occurance of the two cloudy intervals (at 23:00-23:30  and 02:05-02:50)

Lowlights

• None.

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan

Observing Result

Dome & Scope Slewing Performance

Slew/Centering Performance

Guiding 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) Pre-Session Weather forecast showed dry and relatively clear conditons for the entire night ( 0-7% cloud cover) with temperature falling to minimum temperature of 9 °C by dawn and  fairly light winds (4-6 mph)  In the event conditions were dry and generally very clear, however cloudy intervals (high cloud) occurred at 23:00-23:30  and 02:05-02:50  Wind was light to calm throughout the nights  and temperature fell to minimum of 6.5°C just before dawn.

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 20:52:15 Session Created Live Session Created (2020-09-18 S00811, ImageSaveNum: 811001) 20:52:17   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 20:54:07   Services Started Observatory Services started 20:54:16 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 20:54:18 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity starting between 20:12 & 04:52 20:54:20   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 20:12 20:54:22   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to cloud 20:54:24 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (20:51) 20:54:26 Session Pending Session pending (2020-09-18) 20:54:28 Session Initiating Session initiating (2020-09-18) 20:54:30   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.16) 20:54:38   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2020-09-18 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 545) 20:54:49   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -10°C) 20:54:56   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 20:55:07 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 20:55:53   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 20:55:56   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started 20:55:58   Equilibration Ended Dome Equilibration ended (0.0 mins total) 20:56:00 Session Running Session running 20:56:02   Queue Started Observing Queue started (31 targets selected) 20:56:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:01:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 21:05:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 21:05:05       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:07:24       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 21:09:27       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 21:09:48       Focusing Checked Foc2 Focusing Check Succeeded 21:09:50     Target Missed (1/31) Target's time slot was missed (1/31, B110) 21:09:58     Target Started (2/31) Target started (2/31, GCVS FG Sge) 21:12:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:15:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 21:17:42     Target Completed Target completed (2/31, GCVS FG Sge) 21:18:09     Target Started (3/31) Target started (3/31, GCVS V Sge) 21:20:22       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is lost (TCF-S) 21:30:14     Target Completed Target completed (3/31, GCVS V Sge) 21:30:16     Target Started (4/31) Target started (4/31, UGC 6930) 21:33:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:36:36       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 21:47:35     Target Completed Target completed (4/31, UGC 6930) 21:47:37     Target Started (5/31) Target started (5/31, GCVS AM Her) 21:49:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:52:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 21:57:27     Target Completed Target completed (5/31, GCVS AM Her) 21:57:29     Target Started (6/32) Target started (6/32, B110, ToO) 21:59:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:02:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 22:05:47     Target Completed Target completed (6/32, B110, ToO) 22:05:49     Target Started (7/32) Target started (7/32, GCVS CY Lyr) 22:11:05     Target Completed Target completed (7/32, GCVS CY Lyr) 22:11:07     Target Started (8/32) Target started (8/32, 61 Cyg) 22:13:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:16:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 22:17:27     Target Completed Target completed (8/32, 61 Cyg) 22:17:29     Target Started (9/32) Target started (9/32, GCVS SS Cyg) 22:19:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:21:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 22:25:32     Target Completed Target completed (9/32, GCVS SS Cyg) 22:30:29     Target Started (10/32) Target started (10/32, UGC 11964) 22:33:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:35:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 22:52:01     Target Completed Target completed (10/32, UGC 11964) 22:52:51     Target Started (11/32) Target started (11/32, UGC 12304) 22:55:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:58:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 22:59:29 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 22:59:31   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 22:59:35     Target Aborted (11/32) Target aborted (11/32, UGC 12304) due to cloud 22:59:37   Queue Paused Queue pausing for HardSuspend 22:59:40 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:00:25   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 40s) 23:12:13     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (11/32, UGC 12304) due to cloud 23:29:42   Camera1 SetPoint SBIG Camera Set Point Temperature Updated (new set point -15°C) 23:30:35     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (12/32, NGC 7722) due to cloud 23:44:44 Session Resuming Session resuming 23:45:29   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 23:45:30 Session Running Session running 23:45:32   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 23:45:34     Target Started (13/32) Target started (13/32, UGC 695) 00:05:59     Target Completed Target partially completed (13/32, UGC 695) 00:06:01     Target Started (14/32) Target started (14/32, UGC 711) 00:08:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:11:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 00:27:13     Target Completed Target completed (14/32, UGC 711) 00:27:15     Target Started (15/32) Target started (15/32, UGC 1999) 00:29:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:33:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 00:49:07     Target Completed Target completed (15/32, UGC 1999) 00:49:09     Target Started (16/32) Target started (16/32, GCVS RX And) 00:51:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:54:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 00:57:05     Target Completed Target completed (16/32, GCVS RX And) 00:57:08     Target Started (17/32) Target started (17/32, GCVS Z And) 00:59:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:02:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 01:06:03     Target Completed Target completed (17/32, GCVS Z And) 01:06:05     Target Started (18/32) Target started (18/32, UGC 6) 01:07:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:10:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 01:26:58     Target Completed Target completed (18/32, UGC 6) 01:27:00     Target Started (19/32) Target started (19/32, NGC 910) 01:29:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:31:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 01:47:50     Target Completed Target completed (19/32, NGC 910) 01:47:52     Target Started (20/32) Target started (20/32, GCVS DY Per) 01:50:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:53:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 01:57:35     Target Completed Target completed (20/32, GCVS DY Per) 01:57:46     Target Started (21/32) Target started (21/32, UGC 542) 01:59:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:02:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 02:06:07 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 02:06:09   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 02:06:12     Target Aborted (21/32) Target aborted (21/32, UGC 542) due to cloud 02:06:14   Queue Paused Queue pausing for HardSuspend 02:06:16 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:07:02   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 49s) 02:17:08     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/32, UGC 542) due to cloud 02:30:40     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/32, GSC 1224:29) due to cloud 02:50:12     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/32, NGC 1128) due to cloud 03:00:12 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:00:57   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 03:01:00 Session Running Session running 03:01:02   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:01:04     Target Started (24/32) Target started (24/32, WDS GRB 34) 03:06:13     Target Completed Target completed (24/32, WDS GRB 34) 03:06:15     Target Started (25/32) Target started (25/32, NGC 2782) 03:10:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:13:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 03:25:52     Target Completed Target partially completed (25/32, NGC 2782) 03:25:54     Target Started (26/32) Target started (26/32, UGCA 33) 03:28:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:31:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 03:47:48     Target Completed Target completed (26/32, UGCA 33) 03:47:50     Target Started (27/32) Target started (27/32, Abell 370) 03:49:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:53:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 04:25:40     Target Completed Target completed (27/32, Abell 370) 04:25:42     Target Started (28/32) Target started (28/32, GCVS HH And) 04:28:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:30:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 04:32:32     Target Completed Target completed (28/32, GCVS HH And) 04:32:34     Target Started (29/32) Target started (29/32, GCVS U And) 04:34:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:37:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23) 04:47:10     Target Completed Target completed (29/32, GCVS U And) 04:47:12     Target Started (30/32) Target started (30/32, GCVS GK Per) 04:49:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:52:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24) 04:55:34     Target Completed Target completed (30/32, GCVS GK Per) 04:55:36     Target Started (31/32) Target started (31/32, GCVS FO Ori) 04:58:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:01:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 25) 05:05:02     Target Completed Target completed (31/32, GCVS FO Ori) 05:05:04     Target Started (32/32) Target started (32/32, GCVS RR Tau) 05:06:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:09:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 26) 05:15:36     Target Completed Target completed (32/32, GCVS RR Tau) 05:15:39   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 05:15:41 Session Closing Session closing 05:16:29   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 45s) 05:16:55   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 25s), Az: 90.0 deg 05:17:41   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 40s) 05:18:12   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Powerbox. 05:19:01   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:19:03 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:19:20 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail -- No Alerts                --

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Operational Issues (2020-09-18 S811)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (1)
• Continuous Improvement (5)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Unable to change TCF-S COM Port using 'SendKeys to TCF-S Commander' method  on Windows 7.  Whilst the SendKeys method to  change the TCF-S COM Port  works on Development Computer (Windows 10) it doesn't work on Observatory Computer (Window 7) due to a problem getting focus to switch from main TCF-S Commander Form  to the Device Setup Dialog Form.   C:\Users\David\AppData\Roaming\Optec\TCF_S\SingleInstance.  This method was only written as the location where TCF-S Settings were stored couldn't be found in either registry or the TCF-S program folder.  Looking harder it was found the settings are held in the file
  C:\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\Optec\TCF_S\SingleInstance\TCFSettings.XML where the COM Port is located in the attribute SerialPortName:
    <SerialPortName>COM1</SerialPortName>
  Fixed 2020-09-19 (AstroMain 3.28.9)
  

Continuous Improvement

• Adjust Start PHD2 Services,  so that Connect Camera and Connect Mount are shown on separate lines.  At the moment the Connect Equipment message warps around to a second line,  so having two distinct report lines will be cosmetically clearer and better looking.
  Done 2020-09-19 (AstroMain 3.28.9)
   
• Add a blank report line between Plan Queue Start and next row (typically Open Dome). 
  Done 2020-09-19 (AstroMain 3.28.9)
   
• Are there particular points where the UI is running slow enough to cause the log warnings to appear.   When do the warnings occur, is there a pattern, does extra time allowance need to be given. Code modified in AstroMain 3.29.0 to give a more precise UI response time (previously the response time could be overestimated by up to 99ms). 
  In S812 of 129 instances or UI running slow (ie elapsed >= 200ms) of which 34 cases 200-299ms elapsed,  23 cases 300-399ms elapsed,  30 cases 400-499ms elapsed, 26 cases 500-599ms elapsed, 4 cases 600-699ms elapsed,  5 cases 700-799ms elapsed,  7 cases 800-899ms elapsed,  0 cases 900-999ms elapsed,  9 cases > 1000ms (pending), 0 cases  >2000ms (frozen) .  The 'UI is Pending' cases :
  1) 20:32:41 - Session Starting, 2) 20:36:22 - Focus Field 19, Focus Point : 4/21*, 3) 20:49:38 - U Her, Locate 2, 4) 00:25:03 - UGC 695, Locate 2
  5) 00:37:14 - UGC 695, Main Imaging, 6) 02:59:02 - UGC 542, Focus Point : 6/14 , 7) 03:16:38 - UGC 542, Main Imaging 5/5
  8) 04:41:36 - U And, Main Imaging, 9) 04:51:27 - NGC 1128, Focus Point 6/14
  There is no pattern here, the occurances seem totally random.  Last 4 cases happened at times when there was definately no possibility of user interaction with computer / AstroMain.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.38  following major re-factoring to provide greater isolation of the UI Thread from the business code.  Deemed fixed by tests during the final part of session S867 (2021-03-05).
  Resolved 2021-03-06 (AstroMain 3.38)
   
• Are there particular points where 'Obs.Monitor is Pending/Frozen' kick-in. Where do the warnings occur.  'All clear message should be given when warning or alert clears. RunObservatoryMonitoring() code modified in AstroMain 3.29.0 to show exact time taken by over-running Monitor cycles, to show when an overran monitor cycle has finished.   Monitor cycles are set to have a fixed 2.5s interval time (except where overrun)  instead of a fixed 2s sleep at the end of each and every cycle.   Data will help answer this question. Finally fixed in AstroMain 3.38.1 (2021-03-08) by preventing access to Focuser1 properties whilst Focuser1.Moving is True.
  Done 2021-03-08 (AstroMain 3.38.1)
   
• Add Kill 'ASCOM.OptecTCF_S.Server.exe' process to AstroMain's Restart TCF-S Focuser routine
  Done 2020-09-19 (AstroMain 3.29.0)

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DeviceHub 6.4.1.11 - Fast Poll Rates

DeviceHub 6.4.1.11 was installed onto Observatory Computer and Development Computer today (2020-09-18).   Taking advantage on new Fast Polling Rate options available with this version, Telescope Fast Poll Rate was set to 0.5s  and Dome Fast Poll Rate was set to 1.0s.   New DeviceHub version was used for first time with Session S811, and the benefit on new Telescope Fast Poll rate was immediately seen.    The graphs below compared Telescope Slewing Chart for the S811 session (using DeviceHub 6.4.1.11) with two older sessions (using DeviceHub 6.4.1.10).

Slew Charts from Session S811 showing well resolved, smooth telescope tracks [  DeviceHub 6.4.1.11 ]

Slew Charts from Session S806 showing some poorly resolved telescope slew paths including one path passing over the North Celestrial Pole a no-go area for Fork Mounted LX200  [ DeviceHub 6.4.1.10 ]

Slew Charts from Session S806 showing some poorly resolved,  jagged telescope paths [ DeviceHub 6.4.1.10 ]

 

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