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 Notes - Session 871 (2021-03-16)

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Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
 
Bullet Operational Issues
  - Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (4),  Continuous Improvement (5)
Bullet Images from 2021-03-16 >>     [ Local Files >> ]
Bullet AstroMain - New Button Routine to Check/Reset Telescope Pointing
Bullet Camera Cable Re-Routing Results

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-03-16)

Main aims

  1. Reset Telescope Pointing feature. Test out new button feature for facilitating the checking & resetting of telescope pointing comprising 15s Locate Frame, Plate Solving using ASTAP,  and if achieved Telescope Syncing followed by automated Short Mapping Run.
  2. New Cable Routing.  Continue nighttime testing of new cable routing for SBIG power cable and ZWO USB 3 cable. Instead of passing from the back of the imaging train to the right hand fork & ground which might be affecting autoguiding performance (see Investigation - Guiding Issues (West of Meridian), 2021-01-16) , the cables are now taken back up to the OTA and then down to the right hand fork & ground.   The benefits or otherwise of the new cable routing couldn't be determined in the last session (S870, 2021-03-14) due to limited observing/guiding opportunities because of cloud & wind
  3. Targets. Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by conditions

Equipment & Software

Highlights

Lowlights

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan
Image
  
Observing Result
Image
   
Dome & Scope Slewing Performance
Image
  
Slew/Centering Performance
Image
  
Guiding Performance
Image
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)
Image
Image   
  
Session Event Log
Time     Event Detail
20:02:47 Session Created Live Session Created (2021-03-16 S00871, ImageSaveNum: 871001)
20:03:12   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
20:05:14   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started
20:05:16   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started
20:05:20   Services Started Observatory Services started
20:05:37   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
20:05:50   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -15°C)
20:06:44   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s)
20:09:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:12:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
20:13:55       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
20:14:21       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
20:16:43       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
20:18:37       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
20:18:53       Focusing Checked Foc2 Focusing Check Succeeded
20:33:52 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
20:33:55 Session Pending Session pending (2021-03-16)
20:33:57 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-03-16)
20:33:59   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.21.3)
20:35:24   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 609)
20:35:28   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -15°C)
20:35:33   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
20:35:44 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration
20:35:55 Session Running Session running
20:35:56   Queue Started Observing Queue started (28 targets selected)
20:35:59     Target Started (1/28) Target started (1/28, M31 w/Nova2021fbz)
20:40:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:44:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
20:56:44     Target Completed Target partially completed (1/28, M31 w/Nova2021fbz)
21:01:09     Target Started (2/28) Target started (2/28, AT2021ckv)
21:19:46     Target Completed Target partially completed (2/28, AT2021ckv)
21:19:48     Target Started (3/28) Target started (3/28, Nova Per 2020 (CV))
21:23:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:25:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
21:33:11     Target Completed Target completed (3/28, Nova Per 2020 (CV))
21:33:13     Target Started (4/28) Target started (4/28, AT2021dbp (CV))
21:35:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:37:27 Critical Wind Alert Critical Wind Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter)
21:37:29   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (wind)
21:37:43       Focusing Aborted Foc1 Focusing Aborted
21:37:45     Target Aborted (4/28) Target aborted (4/28, AT2021dbp (CV)) due to wind
21:37:47   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
21:37:50 Session Suspended Session suspended
21:38:37   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 47s)
21:42:23     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (4/28, AT2021dbp (CV)) due to wind
21:53:22 Session Resuming Session resuming
21:54:07   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s)
21:54:09 Session Running Session running
21:54:11     Target Started (5/28) Target started (5/28, 398P/Boattini)
21:54:13   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
22:02:38     Target Completed Target partially completed (5/28, 398P/Boattini)
22:02:41     Target Started (6/28) Target started (6/28, GCVS RZ LMi)
22:05:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:06:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
22:12:03     Target Completed Target completed (6/28, GCVS RZ LMi)
22:12:05     Target Started (7/28) Target started (7/28, NGC 4631 w/AT2021biy)
22:15:16       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
22:32:24     Target Completed Target completed (7/28, NGC 4631 w/AT2021biy)
22:32:26     Target Started (8/28) Target started (8/28, SN 2021xn)
22:38:10       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
22:55:35     Target Completed Target completed (8/28, SN 2021xn)
22:55:37     Target Started (9/28) Target started (9/28, UGC 5760 w/SN2020zoq)
23:01:17       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
23:19:07     Target Completed Target completed (9/28, UGC 5760 w/SN2020zoq)
23:19:09     Target Started (10/28) Target started (10/28, GCVS CN Leo)
23:22:29       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
23:31:14     Target Completed Target completed (10/28, GCVS CN Leo)
23:31:16     Target Started (11/28) Target started (11/28, NGC 4227 w/SN2021biz)
23:33:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:36:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
23:51:54     Target Completed Target completed (11/28, NGC 4227 w/SN2021biz)
23:51:56     Target Started (12/28) Target started (12/28, UGC 5829 w/LBV2021blu)
23:54:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:57:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
00:13:14     Target Completed Target completed (12/28, UGC 5829 w/LBV2021blu)
00:13:16     Target Started (13/28) Target started (13/28, NGC 3515 w/AT2021fmd)
00:16:44       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
00:34:29     Target Completed Target completed (13/28, NGC 3515 w/AT2021fmd)
00:34:50     Target Started (14/28) Target started (14/28, UGC 7607)
00:37:57       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S)
00:55:40     Target Completed Target completed (14/28, UGC 7607)
00:57:13     Target Started (15/28) Target started (15/28, UGC 8067)
01:02:11       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S)
01:04:24   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
01:04:49   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions
01:16:19   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
01:19:55     Target Completed Target completed (15/28, UGC 8067)
01:19:57   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
01:19:59 Session Suspended Session suspended
01:20:49   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s)
01:38:26     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/28, IC 863 w/AT2021foa) due to cloud
02:00:18     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/28, IC 992 w/SN2021dwg) due to cloud
02:21:30     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/28, C/2020 T2 (Palomar)) due to cloud
02:31:33     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (19/28, GCVS BL Lac) due to cloud
02:51:25     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (20/28, AT2021dtd) due to cloud
03:13:17     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/28, UGC 3502 w/AT2021cwc) due to cloud
03:35:09     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/28, NGC 4041 w/AT2021cek) due to wind
03:57:01     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/28, NGC 4774 w/AT2021cjd) due to cloud
04:08:27     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/28, GCVS R CrB) due to cloud
04:19:22     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/28, GCVS U Her) due to wind
04:28:43     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (26/28, GCVS SS Her) due to wind
04:36:54     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (27/28, HIP 87937) due to cloud
05:06:17     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (28/28, CGCG 056-009 w/SN2021apf) due to wind
05:06:22   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
05:06:24 Session Closing Session closing
05:06:29   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 01:20, closing time 50s)
05:07:20   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 43s), Az: 90.0 deg
05:07:54   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 27s)
05:08:24   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
05:09:11   Services Stopped Night Services stopped
05:09:13 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
05:09:29 Session Finished Session Finished
 
Session Alerts
Time     Alert Detail
00:00:02 Dome Alert DomeRecords have stopped updating
00:00:22 Dome Alert DomeRecords have resumed updating

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Operational Issues (2021-03-16 S871)

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Critical Issues

Major Issues

Minor Issues

Continuous Improvement

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AstroMain - New Button Routine to Check/Reset Telescope Pointing

Following the successful use of ASTAP in the previous session (S870, 2021-03-14) to identify where the telescope was pointing, a new button routine bas been built in AstroMain 3.38.5 to streamline the process of checking and resetting telescope pointing.   The process comprises a series of step with user confirmation at the commencement of each step and where necessary instructions for manual operation by the user where the step can't be achieved by the routine itself.

The new routine is accessed via a button 'Check/Reset Scope Pointing' located on the Main Scope / Sync&Align tab

The routine carries out the following steps :

  1. Take 15s (3x3 binned ) locate frame with ST-10 camera on the LX200 main scope using CCDSoft
       record the filepath to image and the current percieved pointing position (OBJCTRA /  OBJCTDEC)
       check the number of stars in the image is sufficient (a minimum of 10 stars is required)
  2. Execute ASTAP via Shell/Command Line to plate solve the image   (results written to .INI file)
    CMDLINE="C:\Program Files\astap\astap.exe" -f "C:\Data\CCD Imaging\New\2021-03-16 S00871\_FOCUS\Snap.2021.43.PointingCheck.FIT" -r 5 -wcs
  3. Review Plate Solution
     read .INI file and extract  Ra, Dec, Plate Scale, Rotation Angle (including necessary transforms & conversions)
     calculate the offset between the current perceived pointing position and the measured pointing position
  4. Reopen image file in CCDSoft and update OBJCTRA/OBJCTDEC with the measured pointing position.
  5. Image Link in TheSky6
  6.  Invite user to review the plate solution in TheSky6 and if acceptable ask them to perform series of manuals tasks to Sync Telescope to the measured pointing position in away that prepares TPoint for a Short Mapping Run.
  7. Commence Short Mapping Run
  8. Finish

The new button routine was used in session S871 (2021-03-16).  

 Extract from report file recording the new routine's action is shown below.

Check/Reset Telescope Pointing          2021-03-16 20:21  (Local)

  Locate Image                          2021-03-16 20:21  (Local)
  Taking 15s image (C)...     Ok        [0000] 20:21:43 (UT)  Full Locate C
    Initial RA:               Ok        07 49 01.199
    Initial Dec:              Ok        +04 19 51.47
    Star Count:               Ok        36 stars

  Plate Solving (ASTAP)                 2021-03-16 20:22  (Local)
  Plate Solution              Ok        Image Successfully Plate Solved in 1.0s
    RA:                       Ok        07 48 57.507
    Dec:                      Ok        +04 16 50.81
    Offset:                   Ok        3.15 min
    ImageScale:               Ok        1.399 arcsec/px
    Rotation:                 Ok        179.25 deg

  Check Location                        2021-03-16 20:22  (Local)
  Reopening Fits Image        Ok        
  Update FITS Header          Ok        Setting OBJCTRA/OBJTDEC based On ASTAP's Plate Solution

  Link Image (TheSky6)                  2021-03-16 20:22  (Local)
  Linking image (UCA/USNO*)...Ok        Stars 36, Scale 1.399, Angle 179.26°

Map Local Points                        2021-03-16 20:22  (Local)
  Checking CCD Temp...        Warning   Cooling Capacity [100%] is > 90% (Temp -20.0 °C)
  Checking Focuser ...        Ok        Tube Temp: 5.8 °C
  Getting telescope position  Ok        Az=181.0,  Alt=36.8
  Setting Point Offsets ...   Ok        2.00 degs
  Creating map list...        Ok        local.txt

Auto-Mapping Run                        2021-03-16 20:22  (Local)
  Reading map list ...        Info      local.txt
    Point 1            , 179.04, 34.76
    Point 2            , 179.04, 36.76
    Point 3            , 179.04, 38.76
    Point 4            , 181.04, 34.76
    Point 5            , 181.04, 38.76
    Point 6            , 183.04, 34.76
    Point 7            , 183.04, 36.76
    Point 8            , 183.04, 38.76
  Reading map list            Ok        (8 points)

  Commencing Auto-Mapping Run

1/8 - Preparing to map Point 1         Point 1

    (details for point 1/8 to 7/8 not shown here)

8/8 - Preparing to map Point 8         Point 8

  Checking Target                       2021-03-16 20:27  (Local)
    Declination :                       6.2 deg
    Altitude :                          38.76 deg (Az: 183.0 )
    Galactic Plane Offset :             15.3 deg
    Proposed exposure :                 10s (Zone: 2-2)

  Slewing                               2021-03-16 20:27  (Local)
  Turn Off Tracking..         Ok        Telescope Tracking is OFF
  Slewing (Az/Alt)...
  Slewing (Az/Alt)...         Ok        
  Slewing Time:               Info      10s (overall)
  Scope Speed:                Info      7.8 deg/s         (66.0 degs in 8s)
  Dome Speed:                 Info      NaN deg/s         (0.0 degs in 0s)
  Checking Dome Position ...  Ok        Dome Azimuth:     182.9 degs
  Checking Dome Position ...  Ok
  Turn On Tracking..          Ok        Telescope Tracking is ON

  Locate Frame                          2021-03-16 20:28  (Local)
  Taking 10s image (C)...     Ok        [00871008] 20:28:15 (UT)  Full Automap C

  Mapping Point                         2021-03-16 20:28  (Local)
  Telescope disconnected
    Image/Object              RAW       Map Point 8
    Exposure                  10s       [00871008] 3x3 10s C -20.4°C
  Inventory Num:              Ok        nInventory = 33
  Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok        Stars 31, Scale 1.399, Angle 179.2°
  Checking WCS...             Ok        WCS center matches that from image link 
  Linking Time:               Info      1.8s
    Pointing Error            ?         arc mins
    Scope Discrepancy         0.0       arc mins
    Camera Position Angle     179.2     deg
    Analysing stars ...       Ok        Stars= 31/31
    Normalised ZP             21.01     
    Altitude                  39.0      deg (Airmass 1.590)
    Sky Brightness            11.78     ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 428 ADU, dark: 197.5 ADU(C)
    FWHM                      3.5       arc sec (bright: 6.4, next4: 3.5)
  Link Check                  Ok        Successful Link (31 stars, UCAC2/USNO)
  Telescope re-connected
  Mapping point ...           Ok        Point 8 successfully mapped
  Mapping Success:            7 / 8     (87.5%)

Completed Auto-Mapping Run
  Mapped 7 out of 8 points

  Return to Original Position           2021-03-16 20:28  (Local)
  Checking Altitude ...       Ok        Altitude          36.7 degs
  Checking Azimuth ...        Ok        Azimuth           179.7 degs
  Slewing ...                 Ok        Starting Position
  Checking Dome Position ...  Ok
  Apparent Dome Speed...      Info      7.8deg/min (3.0 degs, 23s)

Operation...                  Completed

 

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Camera Cable Re-Routing Results

As part of an attempt to better understand and improve autoguiding performance issues (see Investigation - Guiding Issues (West of Meridian), 2021-01-16) the SBIG power cable and the ZWO 178MC USB 3 cable were rerouted ahead of the session (S870, 2021-03-14) . Instead of passing from the back of the imaging train to the right hand fork & then indirectly to floor  the cables were rerouted to take them back up to the OTA and then down to the right hand fork & then indirectly to the floor.   Due to poor conditions (Cloud/Wind) there was minimal opportunity for establishing the benefits or otherwise of the new cable routing.

Conditions in S871 (2021-03-16) were slightly better and there was some opportunity for looking at the guiding performance using the new routine.

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This Web Page: Notes - Session 871 (2021-03-16)
Last Updated : 2024-02-21
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