David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 906 Attempt (2021-08-17)

Notes (S905)

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Notes (S906)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (5),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (7)
	No Images >>      [ Local Files >> ]
	2021-08-21
	RSpec Update (2.0.0)

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-08-17)

Main aims

1. Targets. Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by time & conditions
2. AstroMain. Test Scope Slewing graph after fix in AstroMain 3.40.9 to use Az/Alt positions direct from Telescope instead of using Az/Alt positions calculated from Ra/Dec position.

Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, PHD2 2.6.10,  DeviceHub 6.5.1.4,  MeadeGeneric 1.3.1.361, UPB 1.5, ASCOM 6.5 SP1
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.10
   
• AstroMain 3.41.1,  AstroPlan 1.22.4,  AstroShCap 1.3.11, AstroGuard 1.6,   AstroVOE 1.7,  AstroSN 1.5.1,  AstroProtect 1.6
  (AstroWeather 1.12.4, AstroAllSky 3.10.4, AstroObsCam 1.5.7)

Highlights

•   AutoMain.  AstroMain 3.41.1 worked ok following fixes to issues in previous S905 session

Lowlights

• None

Notes:

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan

Observing Result

Dome & Scope Slewing Performance

Slew/Centering Performance

Guiding Performance

Session Suspended/Finished before activation of any autoguiding.

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)

Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 23:23:33 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 23:23 & 03:45 23:23:33   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to cloud 03:25:56 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (03:25) 03:26:37   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -5°C) 03:26:39 Session Created Live Session Created (2021-08-17 S00906, ImageSaveNum: 906001) 03:26:41   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 03:28:22   Services Started Observatory Services started 03:28:29 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 03:28:31 Session Pending Session pending (2021-08-17) 03:28:33 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-08-17) 03:28:35   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.22.4) 03:29:42   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 646) 03:29:49   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -10°C) 03:29:54   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 03:30:09 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 03:30:56   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 46s) 03:31:31 Session Running Session running 03:31:33   Queue Started Observing Queue started (2 targets selected) 03:31:35     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 0, HIP 106) 03:32:36       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:35:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 03:37:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 03:37:15       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 03:39:26       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 03:41:14       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 03:41:34     Target Completed Target completed (Focus Field 0, HIP 106) 03:43:31     Target Started (1/2) Target started (1/2, GCVS BL Lac) 03:46:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:48:02 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 03:48:04   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 03:48:11       Focusing Aborted Foc1 Focusing Aborted 03:48:13     Target Aborted (1/2) Target aborted (1/2, GCVS BL Lac) due to cloud 03:48:15   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:48:17 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:49:02   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 49s) 03:52:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (1/2, GCVS BL Lac) due to cloud 04:11:59     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (2/2, WDS GRB 34) due to cloud 04:12:04   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 04:12:09 Session Closing Session closing 04:12:14   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 03:49, closing time 49s) 04:13:35   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 72s), Az: 90.0 deg 04:14:58   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 76s) 04:15:13   Telescope State Scope parked Turn scope off. (Handbox) 04:15:33   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 04:16:21   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 04:16:23 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 04:16:25 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail -- No Alerts                --

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Operational Issues (2021-08-17, S906A)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (5)
• Small Defects (1)
• Continuous Improvement (7)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Guide Reference Images all failed to link using the ASTAP method. Images failed to link even though the number of stars was easily sufficient. Several of these images linked ok when they rolled over to GSC /UCA2 linking.  ASTAP was introduced to link images that had too many stars such that they failed to link using the CCDSoft/TheSky6 method of plate solution.  An alternative strategy would be to to implement the newly developed method/idea of auto-adjusting the Sextractor properties (specifically DETECT_THRES) based on number of inventory stars.  Looking back shows that issue has existed all the time back to when ASTAP linking method was introduced in AstroMain 3.40.6  (sessions S902+).     Log file shows that method submits the following command:   C:\Program Files\astap\astap.exe -f "C:\Data\CCD Imaging\New\2021-08-17 S00906\_AutoGuide\Guider.20210818.034530.Guide01_Ref_10.0s.GCVS_BL_Lac.FIT" -fov 0.19 -r 2 -speed slow -wcs
  But the resulting .ini file contains 'PLTSOLVD=F' indicated that plate solving failed.  Linking the .FIT file in the ASTAP program itself works ok.  This uses FOV = 0.8 deg, however the command line uses '-fov 0.19'.  Adjusting the command line fov (field height of image in degs) value to 0.60 (from 2080/(60*60)/1.03)  and running 'Link Image (ASTAP)' routine from Analysis/Analysis Tab (which accesses PlateSolveWithASTAP() ) achieves a successful image link.
  PlateSolveWithASTAP() modifed in AstroMain 3.41.2 to include a new fov_height parameter  that is incorporated into the command line sent to ASTAP, rather than using former hard coded value of 0.19.     New routine, GetFovHeightDeg (),  added for assigning appropriate value for fov_height paramater.  The value is assigned based in  Image.Keyword(INSTRUME) :   0.60 for TS80/178MC),  0.19 for 12"LX200/ST-10ME (SBIG). Later it might be possible/appropriate to assign FoVHeightDeg value based on Image.Height,  Image.BinningY and ImageScale.
   Fixed 2021-08-20  (AstroMain 3.41.2)
   
• Running 'Link Image (ASTAP)' proceeds to attempt GSC and USCA/USNO links even if ASTAP link has succeeded. .
   Fixed 2021-08-20  (AstroMain 3.41.2)
   
• Unable to build image descriptions for older image sets. Whilst trying to compile previously unanalysed images for a particular old session (S627, 2018-09-08) it was found that image descriptions couldn't be built using AstroMain's ImageSet Analysis  'Build Image Description. Not possible for this image set'. Instead image descriptions e.g. '5x180s (average combine), 3x3 C,  2018-09-09 00:10 UT (#627133-37)'  had to be manually compiled. Is there anyway that descriptions can be built for older image sets.
   Fixed 2021-08-22  (AstroMain 3.41.2)
   
• Access to an 'Attempted Session' is producing an InvalidCastException: 'Conversion from string "0904 Attempt" to type 'Integer' is not valid'. Exception is occuring in GetSessionIdFromName() routine when trying to derive the session id (CInt(SName.Substring(J + 2 - 1))) from "2021-08-08 S00904 Attempt".  Fixed by testing Session.Name (sname) string for the presence of "Attempt" and handling the calculation of Session.SessionID and new variable Session.Attempt (string) accordingly
   Fixed 2021-08-22  (AstroMain 3.41.2)
   
• Unable to Build or Rebuild Session Pictures.htm file for an 'Attempted Session'.  Problem is partly due to an exception that occurs in GetSessionIdFromName() routine when trying to derive the session id (CInt(SName.Substring(J + 2 - 1))) from "2021-08-08 S00904 Attempt", and partly due to the different than normal session folder name format (e.g. '2021-08-08 S00904 Attempt' ). Issue fixed (2021-08-22).
   Fixed 2021-08-22  (AstroMain 3.41.2)

Small Defects

• Session Pictures page (local htm file) not showing an AllSky Camera Image for the last target in the session.   Bug fixed in AstroMain 3.41.2 (issue related to way the last target was dealt with ahead of closing an html table).
   Fixed 2021-08-20  (AstroMain 3.41.2)

Continuous Improvement

• Modify report message when there is no image link when using ASTAP plate solution method. Current mesage is  "No Acceptable Match Found (Time 4.5)" . For consistency in reporting this message should be changed to the format used by CCDSoft based plate solution method:  "Unsolved in 4.5s (No Match Found)".
   Done 2021-08-20  (AstroMain 3.41.2)
   
• Qualify 'Focus Telescope (1) / (2)' report message with 'Foc.System 1 / 2' message. e.g.  For example 'Focus Telescope (1)' message would be qualified with '12in LX200GPS/R + ST-10XME'
   Done 2021-08-20  (AstroMain 3.41.2)
   
• Remove 'Stop Guidescope Guiding' report message that appears at end of each target.  Message refers to a standard action performed at end of each target and it isn't necessary to report it.  Report file looks cleaner without the message.  Message to be removed, but check that equivalent message is sent to log file.   Fixed in AstroMain 3.41.2.  Similar messages when suspending and when finishing AutoFocusScope2 with PHD2 are also hidden.
   Done 2021-08-20  (AstroMain 3.41.2)
   
• Review 'Current AllSky Meas    Ok    Clear   (5)' message.   Message at end of each target feels a bit out of place.  Is there a better place/better way of presenting this information.   Could it be shown for each image ?    Message removed form end of each target.   Measurement is added to each image report line. eg.   "Taking 5s image (C)...   Ok    [00904031]      ( Full Locate C,  01:45:57 UT,  Heavy Cloud [66] ).  Item implemented in AstroMain 3.40.2 but monitor next session to understand any side effects or problems.   The new code makes use of new variable szTargetNameLite in order to pass T.TargetNameLite to TakeImage() routine, with variable being closed after job queue is exited.
   Done 2021-08-20 (AstroMain 3.41.2)
   
• Add 'BadGuiding' as an additional observation failure mode to AstroMain/AstroPlan. .
   Done 2021-08-22 (AstroMain 3.41.2 / AstroPlan 1.22.5).
   
• Extend Session Pictures page to show AllSky Camera images associated with failed targets.  This means show all-sky images for targets that fail due to cloud etc.  Improvement is is not readily feasible due to current program/file design. It is difficult since the associated AllSky Camera Image don't include the Target Name (they are suffixed with 'suspended' instead) and there are no JPG pictures of failed targets and it there presences which drives the building of Session Pictures.   Item is put on-hold
  Done 2021-11-01  (AstroMain 3.45.5, AllSky 3.13.1)
   
• Develop a routine that can autoset the size and position of the RSpec Window for achieving consistent graph sizes between sessions.  Using windows hwnd calls etc prototype a routine that can autoset the size and position of the RSpec Window.  This is with the aim of trying to ensure that graphs can be prepared & captured that are of a specific size.  At the moment the size of RSpec Graphs is beholden to any manual changes in window size which can never be precisely sized by using mouse movements alone.  WinListener used to find ClassName "TfrmRSpec" that corresponds to RSpec. Prototype routine 'TestResizeWindow()' successfully  written and tested with code
     hWindow = FindWindow2("TfrmRSpec", vbNullString)
     MoveWindow(hWindow, 100, 100, 1200, 900, 1)
  Whilst the routine can be used to precisely resize the RSpec window the size of the Graph Profile is beholden to any changes user has made to the split between left and right panes (though it is possible to toggle the left pane done to a minimum size and back), and between the upper and lower parts of the right hand pane, and whether synthesize is on or not which all affect the graph size.  For the time being this Improvement/New Feature will be placed on hold.
   On Hold (AstroMain / RSpec)

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2021-08-21

RSpec Update (2.0.0)

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