David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 858 (2021-02-10)

Notes (S857)

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Notes (S859)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (8),  Continuous Improvement (13)
	Images from 2021-02-10 >>     [ Local Files >> ]
	PHD2 Update 2.6.9dev4

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-02-10)

Main aims

1. Software. Test features and fixes added in AstroMain 3.35.10 / AstroMain 3.36
2. Targets. Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets and deep sky targets as allowed by conditions.

Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, PHD2,  DeviceHub 6.5.1.0,  UPB 1.5, ASCOM 6.5 SP1
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.9Dev3
   
• AstroMain 3.35.10  AstroGuard 1.5,   AstroPlan 1.20.4, AstroShCap 1.3.10, AstroVOE 1.5.2, AstroSN 1.4.1,  AstroProtect 1.5
  (AstroWeather 1.10.14, AstroAllSky 3.6.4)

Highlights

• Clear Night.  Skies were clear all night
• Telescope Sync & Map. A resynchronisation of the Main scope pointing  was performed at start of the session followed by followed a short mapping job to refresh the existing T Point model . This allow much better slewing performance than previous two sessions.
• Low Temperature Operations.  Observatory operated successfully at -10°C.  At or close to the lowest its been operated at.  CCD Camera operating at regulated set point temperature of -35°C for majority of session which required the collection of Dark Frame sets at the end of session (no Master Darks have been previously collected for ST-10 camera from this low temperature before).

Lowlights

•   Cold Temp/Focus.    Due to very cold atmosphere and cold ambient tempeartures (down to -10°C) the main telescope was operatating at the extreme end of TCF-S focusing range (ie at round 7000 steps) and it was too cold to visit the observatory and make the required change to main mirror focus position. Foc1 autofocusing generally failed due to range issue / ambiguous result and was images were sub-optimally focussed , but still tolerable.
•   Software. Due to a stability/UI lock issue with the new AstroMain 3.36 containing a weeks worth of improvements, added features and fixes it was deemed that this version was installation in the observatory for a live session.  Instead AstroMain 3.35.10 was used.

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) (Data file from first part of night lost due to a problem with AllSky program)

Pre-Session Weather Forecast (API data from darksky.net) (Data file lost to problem with AllSKy/Weather computer (loss of G Drive when moving files)

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 19:35:11 Session Created Live Session Created (2021-02-10 S00858, ImageSaveNum: 858001) 19:35:26   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 19:37:26   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:37:40   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 19:38:07   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -30°C) 19:38:24   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -30°C) 19:39:18   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 49s) 19:42:36       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 19:44:37       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 19:53:08       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:55:43       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Quadratic) 20:15:13       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 20:17:36       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 20:17:53       Focusing Checked Foc2 Focusing Check Succeeded 20:18:05       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 20:20:28       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 20:20:44       Focusing Checked Foc2 Focusing Check Succeeded 20:21:11 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 20:21:13 Session Pending Session pending (2021-02-10) 20:21:15 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-02-10) 20:21:17   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.20.4) 20:22:24   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2021-02-10 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 593) 20:22:27   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -30°C) 20:22:34   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 20:22:46 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 20:23:11 Session Running Session running 20:23:14   Queue Started Observing Queue started (31 targets selected) 20:24:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:25:20       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 20:25:22     Target Started (1/31) Target started (1/31, M31 w/AT2021bfs) 20:29:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:30:51       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 20:46:50     Target Completed Target completed (1/31, M31 w/AT2021bfs) 20:46:52     Target Started (2/31) Target started (2/31, UGC 1436 w/SN2021nv) 20:51:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:52:01       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 21:08:16     Target Completed Target completed (2/31, UGC 1436 w/SN2021nv) 21:08:25     Target Started (3/31) Target started (3/31, UGC 2505 w/SN2021bge) 21:13:31       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 21:30:50     Target Completed Target completed (3/31, UGC 2505 w/SN2021bge) 21:30:52     Target Started (4/31) Target started (4/31, Nova Per 2020 (CV)) 21:33:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:34:13       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 21:42:36     Target Completed Target completed (4/31, Nova Per 2020 (CV)) 21:45:09     Target Started (5/31) Target started (5/31, 398P/Boattini) 21:47:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:48:50       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 21:58:10     Target Completed Target completed (5/31, 398P/Boattini) 21:59:24     Target Started (6/31) Target started (6/31, GCVS DX Cnc) 22:03:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:04:58       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 22:10:10     Target Completed Target completed (6/31, GCVS DX Cnc) 22:10:13     Target Started (7/31) Target started (7/31, M31 w/AT2021clj) 22:13:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:14:53       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 22:30:33     Target Completed Target completed (7/31, M31 w/AT2021clj) 22:31:58     Target Started (8/31) Target started (8/31, NGC 684 w/SN2021ass) 22:35:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:36:47       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 22:52:55     Target Completed Target completed (8/31, NGC 684 w/SN2021ass) 22:54:21     Target Started (9/31) Target started (9/31, AT2021bhf (CV)) 22:57:47       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:04:27     Target Completed Target completed (9/31, AT2021bhf (CV)) 23:06:12     Target Started (10/31) Target started (10/31, AT2021ckv) 23:08:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:09:35       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Quadratic) 23:26:05     Target Completed Target completed (10/31, AT2021ckv) 23:30:41     Target Started (11/31) Target started (11/31, UGC 5760 w/SN2020zoq) 23:33:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:33:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 23:50:22     Target Completed Target completed (11/31, UGC 5760 w/SN2020zoq) 23:50:24     Target Started (12/31) Target started (12/31, NGC 4227 w/SN2021biz) 23:52:51       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:09:35     Target Completed Target completed (12/31, NGC 4227 w/SN2021biz) 00:12:18     Target Started (13/31) Target started (13/31, UGC 6930 w/SN2020rcq) 00:15:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:16:59       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 00:27:54     Target Completed Target completed (13/31, UGC 6930 w/SN2020rcq) 00:27:56     Target Started (14/32) Target started (14/32, 7P/Pons-Winnecke, ToO) 00:46:28     Target Completed Target completed (14/32, 7P/Pons-Winnecke, ToO) 00:46:30     Target Started (15/33) Target started (15/33, C/2020 T2 (Palomar), ToO) 00:49:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:50:41       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 01:04:30     Target Completed Target completed (15/33, C/2020 T2 (Palomar), ToO) 01:04:32     Target Missed (16/33) Target's time slot was missed (16/33, KUG 1206+328 w/SN2020aeps) 01:04:34     Target Started (17/33) Target started (17/33, SN 2021xn) 01:12:53     Target Completed Target partially completed (17/33, SN 2021xn) 01:12:55     Target Started (18/33) Target started (18/33, NGC 4041 w/AT2021cek) 01:15:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:17:02       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 01:33:14   Dome Running test to see if Dome Driver is stalled 01:33:35   Dome Dome Driver/Dome Slaving found to be ok. 01:33:45     Target Completed Target completed (18/33, NGC 4041 w/AT2021cek) 01:33:47     Target Started (19/33) Target started (19/33, NGC 4151 w/AT2021baf) 01:36:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:37:44       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 01:54:06     Target Completed Target completed (19/33, NGC 4151 w/AT2021baf) 01:54:08     Target Started (20/33) Target started (20/33, UGCA 275) 01:56:46       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:14:09     Target Completed Target completed (20/33, UGCA 275) 02:15:30     Target Started (21/33) Target started (21/33, UGCA 279) 02:18:05       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:35:28     Target Completed Target completed (21/33, UGCA 279) 02:37:52     Target Started (22/33) Target started (22/33, GCVS RZ LMi) 02:40:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:42:04       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 02:47:08     Target Completed Target completed (22/33, GCVS RZ LMi) 02:49:40     Target Started (23/33) Target started (23/33, UGC 5829 w/LBV2021blu) 02:50:08   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 02:52:28   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 02:52:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:53:50       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 03:09:25     Target Completed Target completed (23/33, UGC 5829 w/LBV2021blu) 03:11:33     Target Started (24/33) Target started (24/33, UGCA 262) 03:15:03       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:32:34     Target Completed Target completed (24/33, UGCA 262) 03:33:54     Target Started (25/33) Target started (25/33, NGC 4145A) 03:36:35       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:54:00     Target Completed Target completed (25/33, NGC 4145A) 03:56:16     Target Started (26/33) Target started (26/33, UGCA 289) 03:59:46       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 04:17:13     Target Completed Target completed (26/33, UGCA 289) 04:18:38     Target Started (27/33) Target started (27/33, NGC 4775) 04:21:18       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 04:38:51     Target Completed Target completed (27/33, NGC 4775) 04:41:00     Target Started (28/33) Target started (28/33, UGC 9083 w/AT2021buk) 04:44:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:45:35       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 05:01:31     Target Completed Target completed (28/33, UGC 9083 w/AT2021buk) 05:02:52     Target Started (29/33) Target started (29/33, UGC 7125) 05:06:36       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:08:04       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 05:23:44     Target Completed Target completed (29/33, UGC 7125) 05:25:15     Target Started (30/33) Target started (30/33, NGC 4631 w/AT2021biy) 05:28:12       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 05:45:32     Target Completed Target completed (30/33, NGC 4631 w/AT2021biy) 05:47:06     Target Started (31/33) Target started (31/33, GCVS U Her) 05:50:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:51:16       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 05:58:26     Target Completed Target completed (31/33, GCVS U Her) 05:58:29     Target Started (32/33) Target started (32/33, GCVS CY Lyr) 06:01:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:02:23       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 06:05:54     Target Completed Target completed (32/33, GCVS CY Lyr) 06:08:50     Target Started (33/33) Target started (33/33, HIP 87937) 06:12:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:14:07       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 06:16:46     Target Completed Target completed (33/33, HIP 87937) 06:16:49   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:16:51 Session Closing Session closing 06:17:44   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 06:18:21   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 27s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:18:58   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 30s) 06:19:28   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:20:16   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:20:18 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:21:24 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail 01:14:22 Dome Discrepency Difference between Telescope Az and Dome Az is > 8 deg (NGC 4041) 01:25:44 Dome Dome has been unexpectedly stationary for more than 12 mins 01:33:30 Dome Dome Movements have begun again (outage 19.8 mins) 01:33:35 Dome Dome Driver/Dome Slaving found to be ok following Slew Tests.

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Operational Issues (2021-02-10 S858)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (8)
• Continuous Improvement (13)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• AllSky Program failed at around 01:30 resulting in outage of AllSky data to Main Observatory Control program and prevented weather and All Sky data from being uploaded to website.  Auto restart attempts (max 5) also failed. This was fortunately noticed and the AllSky Program restarted. This required restarting TheSky & CCDSoft (AllSky Program restart wasn't sufficient by itself). Initial exception was a late binding exception at AstroAllSky.globals2.GetSunMoonInfo.
  System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x80010105): The server threw an exception. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80010105 (RPC_E_SERVERFAULT))at Microsoft.VisualBasic.CompilerServices.LateBinding.LateGet(Object o, Type objType, String name, Object[] args, String[] paramnames, Boolean[] CopyBack) at Microsoft.VisualBasic.CompilerServices.NewLateBinding.LateGet(Object Instance, Type Type, String MemberName, Object[] Arguments, String[] ArgumentNames, Type[] TypeArguments, Boolean[] CopyBack) at AstroAllSky.globals2.GetSunMoonInfo(Double& SunAlt, String& SunNote, Double& MoonAlt, Double& Moonphase, Boolean SetIV) in C:\Users\David\Documents\Visual Studio 2017\Projects\AstroAllSky\globals.vb:line 19972 at AstroAllSky.globals2.AllSkyTakeFrames() in C:\Users\David\Documents\Visual Studio 2017\Projects\AstroAllSky\globals.vb:line 14610
  Later exceptions when atttempting to restart programme was a late binding exception in AstroAllSky.globals2.GetSunAlt() .   It is presumed that underlying issue was a failure in TheSky.   The last AllSky problem of this type was on 2021-01-06 (S846), also 0x80010105 (RPC_E_SERVERFAULT / late binding exception of scorecard data from AllSky Computer was recorded by AstroGuard, but no intervention was made (it is presumed that clarity data was used to confirm continuing clear skies).  Loss of information not specifically recorded by AstroMain (clarity data would have been used to confirm continuing clear skies. ObsPics show that AllSKyCount become 'unknown/null' during this outage.  Data was required/relied on since supply of clarity values continued and remained about 40 (ie clear skies).
  Resolved 2021-02-10 (Session) 
   
• NightSummary6 plot from first part of night was lost when AstroAllSky was restarted at 02:50 following an exception at 01:30. The last AllSky problem of this type was on 2021-01-06 (S846) and this also involved NightSummary6 plot loosing the data that was graphed earlier in the night.  Workaround fix is required so that the original NightSummary6 , NightSummary5 and DaySummary6 plots are backed-up when restarting AstroAllSky.   Also it would be helpful if the data file that is normally relied on to indicate the position reached was backed-up on ongoing basis so that it can be accessed when a problem has occured and the program can seamingless recover the chart rather than starting a new graph.  Solution attempted 2021-02-11 (AstroMain 3.7) but first indications are that
  Done 2021-02-11  (AstroAllSky 3.7) 
   
• Copies of NightSummary5 plots not being saved to  /NorthSky Summary folder.  Copies of NightSummary 5 plots not being saved to intended folder with errors being generated indicated a problem with the file path being given to CopyFile.  Bug fixed (file copy was being directed to the non existant folder /NightSky Summary, instead of correct one). File path fixed in AstroMain 3.7
  Done 2021-02-11  (AstroAllSky 3.7) 
   
• Unable to Save TheSky Document. After perform a Sync followed by short mapping job, it was possible to save teh current TheSky document.  Resolved by using SaveAs and giving the document a new name, which was more appropriate in any case.
  Resolved 2021-02-10 (Session) 
   
• AllSky/Weather computer's G Drive went offline. Unclear if AllSky data from nightdate 2021-02-10 was successfully transferred for the night or it has been lost. Reinstate drive and check for missing data. Drive resinstated by disconnecting and then reconnecting its USB lead.Only 37 GB left on drive out of 1.81 TB capacity. Data from 2021-02-10 was not present on the drive and is therefore confirmed as lost. Drive was reporting some errors and a Scan/Repair operation was performed and confirmed that there were no errors with the disk. Operation being run today (2021-02-11) to compress the drive.
  Closed 2021-02-11  (AllSky Computer )
   
• Dome was unexpectedly stationary for 19.8 minutes between 0:13 and 01:33. Control Program automatically ran tests which confirmed that the Dome driver hadn't stalled (as happened occasionally in earlier verisons of DeviceHub) . Telescope at Dec 62 and tracking from Az 59/Alt 78 to Az 56/Alt 80 through this time.  Dome slaved and comfortable at Az 69 (no movements required) for the duration of NGC 4041 target.  Issue can be closed.
  Closed 2021-02-11  (Session)
   
• AstroMain 3.35.10 (beta) UI freezing due daylight testing trials prior to session.  Issue appears to be a continuation of issues where UI is suspended when the Scope makes slew to Single Target (Observing Tab) noticed during development testing and target replaying .Issue would have been classed as major if the executable had been utitised for the session S858 as original planned as we would have compromised the session and probably triggered other startup/restart issues. The suspicion is that the issue is caused by code changes to SlewTheSkyScope on 2021-02-02 version of AstroMain  that were designed to fix a scope path plotting issue that was seen in S857 where slew to NGC 4145 showed an invalid straight cutting across the scope's high Dec exclusion zone. Records however suggest this fix was put into 3.35.10 , the 2021-02-04 version of which was used for the S858 session (after seeing problems with 3.36).  That problems were seen with 3.35.10 (dated 2021-02-04)  suggests that this can't be the source of the issue and it must be due to something added/changed in 3.36 coding between 2021-02-05 and c. 2021-02-07 when the problems were first noticed.   Having using 3.35.10 (dated 2021-02-04) on development computer clearly shows an issue with the UI locking up following slew.  This happened first time round but not on second and third attempts.  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)
   
• Foc1 autofocusing failing due to invalid quadratic function / ambiguous results. Due to very cold atmosphere and cold ambient tempeartures (down to -10°C) the main telescope was operatating at the extreme end of TCF-S focuser's focus range (ie at round 7000 steps) and it was too cold to visit the observatory to make the required change to the main mirror focus position. Focus offsets were manually adjusted to set focus position at c. 6950. Images were sub-optimally focussed.  Main mirror position needs to be adjusted at start of next winter season.
  Issue Understood (Observatory/Session)

Continuous Improvement

• Develop a protection/backup system for the AllSky/Weather computer so that AllSkyAstro can be automtically restarted in the event of its failure.  This could be activated by AllSkyAstro high level manager when it encounters an exception in the main loop that it cannot resolve after say 3 interval restart attempts (rather than existing 5 attempts), and/or by AstroWeather if it detects AllSkyAstro itself has frozen.  Process would involve either a flag file to AstroLaunch to run a routine to firstly kill existing  AstroAllSky, TheSky6 and CCDSoft application processes and then secondly to re-start TheSky6, CCDSoft and AstroAllSky applications.   
  Done 2021-02-11 (AstroAllSky 3.7/AstroLaunch 1.5)
   
• AstroAllSky to ensure than G Drive is functioning and has sufficient free space before attempting to move Night Session to Drive. This might help prevent future data loss. Files are deliberately 'moved' by batch job (which deletes original file on C Drive) rather than copied as it removes the need for housekeeping and risk of C Drive filling up.
  Done 2021-02-11 (AstroAllSky 3.7)
   
• Try to find a way to speed up the process of selecting the required save folder in PaintShopPro for the current object.  If the current object is new sorting list of folders in PaintShopPro's SaveAs dialog is relatively straightforward as the click on DateModified column allows the latest folder to be brought to to top of list.   But where folder is an older existing one, the list has to be sort by name and the list scrolled to find the one required.    A large saving in Session Analysis/Image Preparation can be made if this step can be streamlined. Experimenting shows that a manually-created folder shortcut can be seen in SaveAs Dialog (albeit it appears at the bottom of the A-Z sorted list (as it is of a different type), but appears the shortcut appears top if it is freshly created. So this can provide the basis of a solution, if the creation of shortcut can be programmatically achieved.  A routine was found on line at checktechno.blogspot.com/2013/03/create-shortcut-using-computer-code.html  and adopted to create shortcut file '_Objectname.lnk'.   The routine  'CreateShortCut()'  utilizes WScript.Shell to build and save the shortcut. The old shortcut file is automatically deleted when a new shortcut is saved with the same name which saves on housekeeping. The new  routine is called at end of OpenStoreFolder() routine which is run whenever the using 'Store' button is used.  Thi
  Done 2021-02-12 (AstroMain 3.36)
   
• Create new facility to allow a job running in AstroMain to be aborted without requiring access to UI.  AstroMain 3.36 (beta) has a bug that causes the UI to sometimes totally freeze up whilst a job is running, but continue working again when the job finishes.  Earlier versions of AstroMain also suffered from problems with the UI freezing.  Whilst killing the AstroMain program is a workaround during testing on Development computer, it must always be a method of last resort on the Observatory Computer as it requires stopping and restarting other software, can require parking the telescope first and can lead to an overall delay or even complete de-stablisation of the operations.  Until the underlying issue is resolved and as a extra backdoor capability it is proposed to add Button/Routine to the AstroLaunch application that enable a job running on AstroMain to be aborted.   The system requires a listening thread in AstroMain that will respond to abort messages from AstroLaunch.  Implemented and tested 2021-02-13.  
  Done 2021-02-13 (AstroMain 3.36 , AstroLaunch 1.5.1 )
  
  (Note this solution doesn't prevent UI freezes from happening and may not unfreeze all freeze-ups )
   
• Query : Clicking GUI check button on AstroMain's Controller tab causes the UI to lock up for a period of time. What's it purpose.  Functionality of this button is purposely tie-up the GUI for 60s for testing purposes only.
  Done 2021-02-13  (AstroMain 3.36) 
   
• When an image is subsititued during testing it would be preferrable if the result of initial image was reported as ok rather than Fail. Implemented in AstroMain 3.36
  Done 2021-02-13  (AstroMain 3.36)  
   
• Create a routine that can retrospectively create GuideSummChart2 charts for sessions prior to introduction of these realtime session charts and add to each session's web notes.  Ra (RMS) & Dec (Rms) Guiding Summary Charts were introduced for session S784 (2020-05-24) some time after the original Av RMS/Worst Frame RMS charts which were introduced for session S749 (2020-02-01).   An understanding of guiding issues (particularly the Dec Guide issue west of Meridain) can be provided by Ra RMS /Dec RMS charts in a way not possible but looking at the numeric values alone.   It is proposed to retrospectively create these charts for sessions S749-783 by opening a chart for each session and plotting data taken from the session's (guidesumm).dat and (slewtable).dat files by means of a custom routine.
  Done 2021-02-15  (AstroMain 3.36, Session, Web)  
   
• Commence a web page containining images of objects from SAC's 110 Best of the NGC List
  Web Page opened and will be gradually filled out with objects/images as time allows
   SAC's 110 Best Of The NGC Page
  Done 2021-02-15  (Website)
   
• Reminder of an older item to add a WebCam to observe/check telescope position. Need to look at how audio can be heard remotely.
  Web Cam has been purchased from Amazon today (2021-01-14)  to progress this proposal.  Web Cam arrived 2021-01-15 and an initial prototype for capturing built same day (Prototype was replaced with new program AstroObsCam the following day)
  Done 2021-02-15 (Observatory)
   
• Build application "AstroObsCam" that can capture pictures of the Observatory Interior for upload to Current Session WebPage Prototype built as VB application utitlising Forge DirectShow.Net and sample program by IronRazerz (on social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums, see here)
  Done 2021-02-16 (AstroObsCam 1.0)
   
• Update AstroMove and AstroLaunch to support use and development of AstroObsCam.
  Done 2021-02-16 (AstroMove 1.6, AstroLaunch 1.5.2)
    
• Consider option of using PinPoint or other solution (ASTAP) to plate solve images that won't link using CCDSoft/TheSky.  PinPoint was briefly used in 2003-2005 period as part of VMA program.   ASTAP has been recently found to be successful for linking images where Ra/Dec position in Fits Header is several degrees from its true position and has a Command Line Interface (CLI) that has been successfully employed in a new button routine for checking/reset the telescope position (2021-03-15).    Need to work out how it can be employed for Locate Images,  ZWO 178MC images and for Reduction Images.  Solution implemented using ASTAP to plate solve images containing a lot of stars.
  Implemented using ASTAP 2021-05-22 (AstroMain 3.40)
   
• Understand if there is any way to prevent CCDSoft's Camera dialog to always appear when starting AstroMain.  Or show message box to remind user to close dialog before using tasks that involve sending  SendKeys to CCDSoft.  Possibly can be prevented by avoiding create Camera object when using Reduced, Analysis or VMA , but may depend on whether camera dialog was open or not when CCDSoft was last closed. Eventually delivered in AstroMain 3.52.2 by moving the CreateCCDSoftObjects() routine from the CreateObjects() routine (which is called during program Load() ) to new positions within LaunchObservatoryForm() and LaunchSolarForm() routines,  with execution controlled by a new global variable bCameraObjectExists to ensure Camera / Autoguider objects are created only once.
  Done  2022-07-05 (AstroMain 3.52.2)

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