David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 928 (2021-10-25)

Notes (S927)

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Notes (S929)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (2),  Minor Issues (7),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (13)
	Images from 2021-10-25 >>         [ Local Files >> ]
	LX200 - Proposed Polar Alignment Change

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-10-25)

Main aims

1. AstroAllSky. Perform a live test of AstroAllSky 3.12.7 with new TP2 handing
2. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by time & conditions.
3. Guiding Performance. Make further guiding runs with the recently installed new Dec Motor Unit and following a couple of changes since previous S927 session

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 1.3.2.367, UPB 1.5, ASCOM 6.5 SP1
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.10
   
• AstroMain 3.45.1,  AstroPlan 1.26  AstroShCap 1.3.2, AstroGuard 1.6.2,  AstroVOE 1.8,  AstroSN 1.6,  AstroProtect 1.6
  (AstroWeather 1.13, AstroAllSky 3.12.4 & 3.12.7 to 3.12.9,  AstroObsCam 1.6.7, AstroLaunch 1.7)

Highlights

•  AstroAllSky.   A series of trial fixes to AstroAllSky (3.12.7, 3.12.8) were made through the session and eventually a version 3.12.9 was built that seems to have resolved issues with a bring in a new feature to make the program more responsive to requests for immediate measurements of sky/cloud at current scope and next target positions.  
•  Targets.   Quite a few targets were imaged during the session before expected cloud developed around 22:15
   
•  Guiding Performance.   Guiding results/charts continue to show that guiding performance for targets lying west of Meridian hadn't been improved by recent installation of new Dec, and after attempted fixes since the last S927 session have probably got even worse.  This continues to be disappointing.

Notes:

  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) Gaps in plot are due to a number of AstroAllSky program restarts to install new program builds that were attempting to fix a bug associated with sending Cloud/Sky results back to the Observatory computer.

Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 18:40:22 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 18:40 & 06:01 18:40:25   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 18:54:01 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (18:54) 18:54:31 Session Created Live Session Created (2021-10-25 S00928, ImageSaveNum: 928001) 18:54:34   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 18:56:15   Services Started Observatory Services started 18:56:23 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 18:56:26 Session Pending Session pending (2021-10-25) 18:56:28 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-10-25) 18:56:30   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.26) 18:59:03   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 679) 18:59:27   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -15°C) 18:59:33   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 19:00:03 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 19:00:48   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 19:00:50 Session Running Session running 19:00:53   Queue Started Observing Queue started (45 targets selected) 19:00:54     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 20, HIP 98535) 19:02:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:06:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 19:09:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 19:09:06       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 19:11:34       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 19:13:32       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 19:13:52     Target Completed Target completed (Focus Field 20, HIP 98535) 19:13:55     Target Started (1/45) Target started (1/45, Vega) 19:14:00     Target Failed Target failed due to aborted (1/45, Vega) 19:14:02   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 19:17:05   Automapping Started Automapping started (12 points planned) 19:20:00 Program Hung TheSky6 and CCDSoft programs hung whilst linking map point 3/12 19:20:43 Obs.Monitor Frozen Obs.Monitor appears to be frozen at around 19:20 in section Monitor TheSky6 Scope 19:26:08 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2021-10-25 S00928, ImageSaveNum: 928004) 19:26:34   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 19:26:36   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 19:26:40   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:26:50   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 19:28:35   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:28:52   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 19:29:29   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -15°C) 19:31:39   Automapping Started Automapping started (12 points planned) 19:47:50   Automapping Completed Automapping completed (12 points mapped out of 12 points) 19:50:41   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 71s) 19:50:56   Telescope State Scope parked Turn scope off. (Handbox) 19:51:16   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 19:52:48   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 19:54:21   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:54:52   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 19:56:40 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:56 & 06:01 19:56:42 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 19:56:44 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:56) 19:57:04   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:57:08 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 19:57:12 Session Pending Session pending (2021-10-25) 19:57:14 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-10-25) 19:57:31   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 679) 19:57:43   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 19:57:49   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 19:58:13 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 19:58:15 Session Running Session running 19:58:18   Queue Started Observing Queue started (44 targets selected) 19:58:20     Target Missed (2/45) Target's time slot was missed (2/45, GCVS RR Lyr) 19:58:22     Target Missed (3/45) Target's time slot was missed (3/45, Vega) 19:58:24     Target Missed (4/45) Target's time slot was missed (4/45, 61 Cyg) 19:58:26     Target Started (5/45) Target started (5/45, NGC 6627 w/AT2021abkm) 20:10:10     Target Completed Target partially completed (5/45, NGC 6627 w/AT2021abkm) 20:10:13     Target Started (6/45) Target started (6/45, AT2021yel (CV)) 20:13:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:15:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 20:22:24     Target Completed Target completed (6/45, AT2021yel (CV)) 20:22:26     Target Started (7/45) Target started (7/45, AT2021zkf) 20:25:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:27:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 20:44:42     Target Completed Target completed (7/45, AT2021zkf) 20:44:44     Target Started (8/45) Target started (8/45, GCVS BL Lac) 20:48:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:50:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 20:55:13     Target Completed Target completed (8/45, GCVS BL Lac) 20:55:15     Target Started (9/45) Target started (9/45, UGC 12188 w/SN2021ucg) 21:00:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:02:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 21:16:22     Target Completed Target partially completed (9/45, UGC 12188 w/SN2021ucg) 21:16:25     Target Started (10/45) Target started (10/45, UGC 235 w/AT2021aazm) 21:19:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:21:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 21:38:01     Target Completed Target completed (10/45, UGC 235 w/AT2021aazm) 21:38:04     Target Started (11/45) Target started (11/45, WDS GRB 34) 21:40:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:42:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 21:44:51     Target Completed Target completed (11/45, WDS GRB 34) 21:44:54     Target Started (12/45) Target started (12/45, GCVS RX And) 21:47:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:49:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 21:53:12     Target Completed Target completed (12/45, GCVS RX And) 21:53:14     Target Started (13/45) Target started (13/45, GCVS SS Cyg) 21:57:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:59:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 22:04:52     Target Completed Target completed (13/45, GCVS SS Cyg) 22:07:26     Target Started (14/45) Target started (14/45, GCVS EV Lac) 22:10:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:13:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 22:14:35   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 22:16:10     Target Completed Target completed (14/45, GCVS EV Lac) 22:16:12   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 22:16:14 Session Suspended Session suspended 22:17:00   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 22:35:05     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/45, UGC 12354 w/SN2021tyw) due to cloud 22:46:15     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/45, GCVS HH And) due to cloud 22:57:12     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/45, AT2021yxa (CV)) due to cloud 23:09:35     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/45, AT2021vdq (CV)) due to cloud 23:19:08     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (19/45, GCVS Z And) due to cloud 23:30:15     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (20/45, AT2021abog (CV)) due to cloud 23:50:07     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/45, SN 2021yal) due to cloud 00:11:19     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/45, 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko) due to cloud 00:20:30     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/45, GCVS GK Per) due to cloud 00:30:45   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 00:31:03 User Intervention User request to close and finish session 00:31:05 Session Closing Session closing 00:31:07   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 22:17, closing time 50s) 00:32:06   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 55s), Az: 90.0 deg 00:33:29   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 77s) 00:33:44   Telescope State Scope parked Turn scope off. (Handbox) 00:34:04   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 00:34:55   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 00:34:57 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 00:35:03 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail 19:21:13 Obs.Monitor Obs.Monitor appears to be frozen in section Monitor TheSky6 Scope (last cycle at 19:20:42)

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Operational Issues (2021-10-25, S928)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (2)
• Minor Issues (7)
• Small Defects (1)
• Continuous Improvement (13)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• CCDSoft and TheSky6 hung whilst linking image for Map Point 3/12, causing ObsMonitor & Mapping Job to also freeze.  Resolved in session by parking scope using DeviceHub and killing observatory programs and restarting. .
  Resolved in-session 2021-10-25 (Session)
   
• Dec Guiding Performance seems to have got worse following tightening of Dec Motor Unit Limit Screw and change to cable routing. Wish I hadn't changed two things at once ! Ideal world but one hopes that one of the two things would work and the other would be at least neutral.   Not learning from this wo new things will be tried.  a) Take the Large Dec Gear (one with 180 teeth) off its two 'pins', and rotate it by 180 deg and reattach (this will utilise a fresh,  possibly never used section of gear teeth) , b) loosen the Dec Motor Limit Screw in the opposite direction (and thereby make more use of the dec assemblies spring adjustment).   This should be easier now that Resync/Short Mapping Run/Pointing Error issue is better understood.   If this doesn't work then goto Plan C (which is to perfect mount's polar alignment so the star drift is less significant and Dec Guiding issues are less significant.   So that instead of drifting say 6 arc secs across a guide run the star might drift by only 2 arc secs.  Dec Tension Limit Screw loosened but this hasn't produced any significant improvement. Polar Alignment Improved but some further adjustment needed
    Closed, as superceeded by more recent issues/improvements (LX200 Telescope)

Minor Issues

• TheSky6 produced an information/error message 'Failed to Save Document'.  The information/error message appeared twice during a short mapping run.  It is supposed that message relates to the saving of TPoint Model within the TheSky6 document.  Fix attempted by saving TheSky6 document with a new name which seems to have resolved issue.  
  Resolved in-session 2021-10-25 (Session)
   
• Each time AstroAllSky is restarted the AllSkyStars curve on the NightSummary6 plot starts at inappropriate point with some 15 stars of so less than expected value.   AstroAllSky is not normally restarted during a session and the issue is hidden, but this session involving testing a number of different AstroAllSky version builds and it exposed the issue. It is hypothesised that nAllStarStars has an initial value of 0 when AstroAllSky restarts.   But since the inappropriately plotted first point isn't at zero it is possible it uses a moving average method of selecting value to plot . A fix for separate issue (concerning sending of  nAllSkyStars=0 in the initial Synopsis record sent to AstroMain after AstroAllSky program is restarted) have have fixed this issue as well.  
  Fixed ? 2021-10-25 (AstroAllSky 3.12.8)
   
• New AstroAllSky version 3.12.7 failing to send back TP2 message with a valid datetime. AstroMain TeleComms listener producing exception whilst parising TP2 record 'TP2.DateTime=Nothing? (String was not recognized as a valid DateTime.'  Log file shows  "Exception In GetCloudInformation() routine - String was not recognized as a valid DateTime."  AstroAllSky closed and rolled back to version 3.12.4. On the positive side  TP.NextTarget(0).TargetName was set to Focus Field 20 at 19:00:55.02.   and result was seemingly returned at 19:00:57.03  (T+2s).    Fixed following a series of interations of 3.12.8.   Code tidied up and rebuilt as 3.13.
   Fixed 2021-10-25 (AstroAllSky 3.12.8  / 3.13)
   
• After resyncing the LX200 scope on a star or starfield and performing short mapping run the pointing errors not coming down after 6 points have been successfully mapped (nor after 12 have been mapped and run has completed).    This was seen in earlier S926A & S926B attempted sessions and it was thought that there must be a problem with the TPoint Model or something,  and a new TPoint Mapping run was finally performed in session S926C (2021-10-19) .   After seeing the same issue in this session (pointing error  of 24.80 arc min for map point 12/12), but seeing that the Telescope position was within 1-2 arc min of Linked Images (so look right), it was decided to Park the Scope, turn it off/on and restart the Scope.  Pointing errors after slews then showed as being at the expected 1-2 arc min level.   On the next occassion that a mapping job is run need to check whether simply disconnecting/reconnecting the telescope from TheSky6 would also work. When syncing the Telescope the MeadeGeneric ASCOM log reports
  19:31:23.245 SyncToTarget Executing
19:31:23.682 RightAscension Get - 20:42:23 convert to 20.7063888888889 20:42:23
19:31:23.682 SyncToTarget differ RA real 20.7063888888889 targeted 20.7057
19:31:23.744 Declination Get - +14[DF]47:45 convert to 14.7958333333333 14:47:45"
19:31:23.744 SyncToTarget differ DE real 14.7958333333333 targeted 14.8974055555556
  Resolved in-session 2021-10-25 (Session /TheSky6 / TPoint)
   
• 2 Images of AT 2021zkf failing to link during 'Analyse Reduced Folder' although image has plenty of stars. Linking fails with all 3 plate solutions methods (ASTAP, GSC and UCA/USNO) on 2 out of 5 of the 180s main frames.  The other 3 frames linked on with ASTAP which was tried first.   Image has plenty of stars (778) but it is failing because it has 'too many' stars for plate solutions too work. This is an occasional but ongoing issue. Workaround has ready been proposed which is to autoset Sextractor settings according to the number of inventory stars (remembering to reset DetectThreshold back to default setting of 8 at the end) but still needs to be implemented.  Fix implemented in AnalyseImageFull() routine in AstroMain 3.45.2 ( if number of stars (SmartStarsCount) > 400 then DetectThreshold set to 60, else if number of stars >  250 then DetectThreshold set to 30. This is done by calling existing objConsole.SetDetectThresh() routine which makes change to 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Software Bisque\CCDSoft Version 5\Configuration Files\DEFAULT.sxt'.  After changing threshold the Inventory is reshown and number of stars recounted).   Fix also resolves similar issue affecting the inking of DU 1 images in Session 912 (2021-09-07). Need to monitor future folder/image analysis as these first pass settings may need to be tweaked).  The fix only works for TheSky6 (GSC, UCA/USNO) linking, it doesn't change ASTAP's ability to plate solve.  A separate ticket item is added to use GSC/UCNO first if stars > 250 and ASTAP plate solution has failed on the first image from a given target.
   Fixed 2021-10-26 (AstroMain 3.45.2)  
   
• Fix side-effects of using Weather Forecast data sourced from OpenWeatherMap (2021-10-28, AstroAllSky.  OpenWeather 'minutely' data doesn't include a Precipiation Probability and AstroWeather sends on a precipProbability = vcNull (-99.0) to TCIP/IP clients.   AllSkyAstro program produces a scorecard chart in which "-9,900%" is written in the 'Rain Forecast' column. 
  AstroMain program stops receiving or stops parsing Scorecard/Synopsis records from AllSkyAstro program.  Either AstroWeather or AstroAllSky is wrongly multiplying vcNull value for 100 to get a % value  from fractional probability.   AstroAllSky is wrongly allowing a "," to be included in precipProbability field sent to AstroMain as "," is used as the field delimitor in parsing the synopsis record.
   Fixed 2021-10-28 (AstroAllSky 3.13.1)
   
• Fix side-effects of using Weather Forecast data sourced from OpenWeatherMap (2021-10-28, AstroMain).  OpenWeather 'minutely' data doesn't include a Precipiation Probability  AstroWeather sends on a precipProbability = vcNull (-99.0) to TCIP/IP clients, which AstroAllSky forwards on to AstroMain in Synopsis/Scorecard message.  AstroMain Manager tab needs to be updated to accomodate the absence of a Precipiation Probability value. No significant changes were required. Still dependant of Synopsos.CriticalRainThreat.
   Fixed 2021-10-28 (AstroMain 3.45.3)

Small Defects

• Make a number of small technical and cosmetic improvements to messages written to Report and Log File.  Including improvements/fixes to reporting & logging from MakeAutoMappingRun, ParkScope, ParkDome ()
  Done 2021-10-27 (AstroMain 3.45.2)
   

Continuous Improvement

• Swap 'Confirm Park Status' and 'Handbox shows' report lines around in Park Scope routine.
  Done 2021-10-25 (AstroMain 3.45.2)
   
• Store Sessions events for Mapping Runs. Reset scope pointing already stores session event, either side of map local points is a 'Telescope Pointing' event. The MakeAutoMappingRun() routine already stores sessions events 'Automapping Started' and 'Automapping Completed'.
  Done already (AstroMain)
   
• Display 'Mapping' as a highlighted event on session's Observing Results chart, based on occurence of  the 'Automapping Started' event
  Done 2021-10-26 (AstroPlan 1.26.1)
   
• When Session List or Plans List is closed using Close button the subsidary form like Session, Events,  Plan etc should also be closed.
  Done 2021-10-26 (AstroPlan 1.26.1)
   
• When refresh, none, all buttons are used in AstroLaunch, program should use 'Green' to show which programs are currently running.
  Done 2021-10-26 (AstroLaunch 1.7.1)
   
• Need to get Link Image button routines in Observatory Program Mode to report pointing error.   Implemented by calling CalculatePointingResults() if a linked has been achieved and the reporting SavedPointingError within a '- Link Check' report line.
  Done 2021-10-26 (AstroMain 3.45.2)
   
• Modify plate solution in Analyse Reduce Folder to use TheSky6 link methods before ASTAP if number of stars > 250 and ASTAP plate solution has failed on the first image from a given target.
  Done 2021-10-26 (AstroMain 3.45.2)
   
• Review GuideStats report for 7x5s imaging for Target 11/45 (WDS GRB 34) .  Add reporting like '7x5s'  to GuideSumm table for 'combined' short exposure imagesets.
   Using R filter...
Taking 5s image (R)...      Ok       [00928054] (2x2 5s, Full 2x2 5s R, 20:43:20 UT)
Taking 5s image (R)...      Ok       [00928055] (2x2 5s, Full 2x2 5s R, 20:43:33 UT)
Taking 5s image (R)...      Ok       [00928056] (2x2 5s, Full 2x2 5s R, 20:43:46 UT)
Taking 5s image (R)...      Ok       [00928057] (2x2 5s, Full 2x2 5s R, 20:43:59 UT)
Taking 5s image (R)...      Ok       [00928058] (2x2 5s, Full 2x2 5s R, 20:44:11 UT)
Taking 5s image (R)...      Ok       [00928059] (2x2 5s, Full 2x2 5s R, 20:44:24 UT)
Taking 5s image (R)...      Ok       [00928060] (2x2 5s, Full 2x2 5s R, 20:44:38 UT)
Guide Stats 1(7x5s) 1.5 min Ok 2.0"  1.0" / 1.7" (N: 21, SNR: 584, HFD: 4.7, Guide: 100%)
Guide Stats All 2.1 min     Ok 1.9"  1.0" / 1.6" (N: 27, SNR: 583, HFD: 4.7, Guide: 100%)
  Done 2021-10-28 (AstroMain 3.45.2)
   
• Add Weather Icons to 24 hour weather forecast chart generated from OpenWeather Forecast. AstroWeather weather forecast routines have recently been updated to run API request against OpenWeatherMap (providing a back-up to the forecast service from DarkSky.Net which will close in 2022). At present the display of weather icons hasn't been updated. This ticket item is to add weather icons to chart for forecasts generated from OpenWeatherMap forecast.   OpenWeather uses its own weather icon lookup values and icons.  I don't like these icons and will therefore need to create a look -up table to convert between OpenWeather's icons and the icons that I use in AstroWeather. Documentation for OpenWeather's Weather Conditions & Icons is here:  https://openweathermap.org/weather-conditions. Implemented in AstroWeathe 1.14 with limitation that PartCloud Snow and MostCloudy Snow use DayTime icons, as the OpenWeather Weather data doesn't distinguish between night and day snow, but uses a simple 'snow' (13d) icon for all snow/sleet conditions.
  Done  2021-10-28 (AstroWeather 1.14 )
   
• The 'Back to Top' hyperlink before the very first ReportLine in session report file should be obmitted. 'ReportLines' in the Session's report file were changed a few weeks ago to include a 'Back to Top' hyperlink  before the <hr> report line itself. These have proved very useful,  but the one that is included before the very first opening report line should be obmitted as it it meaningless in this position and cosmetically looks poor.
  Done  2021-10-29 (AstroMain 3.45.3)
   
• Create new Chart showing Rain Forecast for the next 60 mins.  Data taken from current weather forecast source (DarkSky.net or OpenWeather.org). Implemented in AstroWeather 1.14.1 which saves 60 minute precipitation forecast to "vwsRain60min.png", which is uploaded to website by AstroAllSky and displated on the Current Weather web page (2021-11-06).   AstroAllSky (3.13.3) updated so that forcast picture is uploaded to website within 10s of file being generated.
  Done 2021-11-06  (AstroWeather 1.14.1, AstroAllSky 3.13.3, Website)
   
• Merge common parts of TDarkSky and TOpenWeather classes. AstroWeather weather forecast routines have recently been updated to run API request against OpenWeatherMap (providing a back-up to the forecast service from DarkSky.Net which will close in 2022).  Some elements of the two classes are distinctly different (e.g. BuildRequest, ParseResponse). However other parts (Connect Clients etc) are common, and show be merged into common code.
  Done 2021-11-08 (AstroWeather 1.14.2)
   
• Develop a fully-inclusive and accurate contents table placed at top of a session's report file.  Initial attempt to develop a Hyperlinked Contents list of session report file is only partially successful since the Contents of the session can only be estimated at start of session.  The actual contents will change depend on number of session restarts, weather conditions (number of session suspension/resumptions), addition of extra observing plans, inclusion of targets of opportunity and whether the session finishes under automated control or crashes before the end.  It is proposed that href references/bookmarks are inserted into the report file in similar fashion to now (with inclusion of a 'session section number' to distinguish between multiple instances of the same activity) and that a contents .htm file with hyperlinks to the defined href/bookmarks is built up in the background which is 'auto-inserted' into the session's final Report File, replacing the initial contents.   This is to be done as a file read / file rewrite operationachievable (trying to include an html code section within a htm page can be done using scripts, but these don't run easily on a local machine.    Created new variables and routines : ContentsFileName, ContentsFile, ContentsFileInUse, OpenContentsFile()   , section in CloseAllFiles(),  ReportLineTitle()
  Done 2021-11-03 (AstroMain 3.46)
   
• Correct Mount's Polar Misalignment (19.5 arc min) in altitude and make a new TPoint Mapping Run.  Given the LX200's continuing Dec Guiding issues it is proposed to minimise them by improving the mount's polar alignment. Recent TPoint Mapping run on 2021-10-19 show a total polar misalignment of  19.3 arc minutes [ MA +44" (+0.7'), ME: -1159" (-19.3') ], Azimuthal misalignment is acceptable, but the altitude misalignment probably needs reducing regardless of the ongoing Dec Guiding Issue. Polar axis needs to be lowered by 18-19'  . Details of the proposed change are described in note below (See LX200 - Proposed Polar Alignment Change). Polar Axis adjustment made on 2021-11-23 (See LX200 - Polar Alignment Adjustment ) which lowered the polar axis by 17.7 mins, however follow-up Guiding indicators that Polar Axis is now slightly on the low side and needs to be raised. Existing TPoint Model was modified to work with new Polar Alignment by setting ME term to 0.  A New Model will be built at some future point,once scope is adjusted and rebalanced.
  Done or superceeded by more recent ticket (AstroMain 3.45.2)
   
• When Guiding on Comets (after Polar Alignment Change) the selection of  Dec Guide Mode for guide run needs to consider the expected N/S direction of comet motion. Previously when Dec Guiding with a misaligned polar axis the rate of N/S motion of comets was generally less that rate of star drift and therefore selection of Dec Guid Mode hasn't needed to consider the comet's direction of N/S motion.  But in future with lower expected star drift the selection of Dec Guide Mode for unidirectional guiding will need to consider the comets forecast N/S direction of motion.  Implemented included in AstroMain 3.61.1 in Feb 2023 (see Guiding for Comets,2023-02-09).
  Done 2023-02-09  (AstroMain 3.61.1)
   
• Develop a means to make a retrospective Contents List file with hyperlinks for older sessions
  To do 2021-10-27 (AstroMain 3.46+)

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LX200 - Proposed Polar Alignment Change

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