David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 941 (2021-12-13)

Notes (S940)

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Notes (S942)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (1),  Minor Issues (3),  Small Defects (5),  Continuous Improvement (6)
	Images from 2021-12-13 >>         [ Local Files >> ]
	DeviceHub 6.5.1.8 (2021-12-13)
	DeviceHub 6.5.1.9 (2021-12-14)

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-12-13)

Main aims

1. PHD2 Calibration. Perform Guiding Calibration in PHD2 for TS80/178MC profile.
2. SideOfPier Issue: Test MeadeGeneric and confirm that it has fixed 'SideOfPier' issue that was a showstopper for Guiding in last session (S940, 2021-12-10).
3. Observatory Computer.  Continue ironing out issues with new Observatory Computer (installed 2021-12-10)
4. Shutter Operations. Continue testing corrected code for managing shutter operations (AstroMain 3.48.2+)
5. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by time & conditions.

Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, DeviceHub 6.5.1.8,  MeadeGeneric 1.3.3.370, UPB 1.5, ASCOM 6.5 SP1
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.10
   
• AstroMain 3.48.3,  AstroPlan 1.29.1,   AstroShCap 1.3.12, AstroGuard 1.6.3,  AstroVOE 1.9,  AstroSN 1.7.1,  AstroProtect 1.6
  (AstroWeather 1.15.2, AstroAllSky 3.14.1,  AstroObsCam 1.8, AstroLaunch 1.8)

Highlights

•  PHD2 Calibration successfully achieved.  Used technique of driving scope north for 60 arc sec to take out all backlash before starting calibration.
•  SideOfPier Issue: Testing showed that SideOfPier issue has been successfully resolved by new MeadeGeneric driver (1.3.3.370).
• Shutter Operations. No problems encountered with dome shutter.
• Guiding Performance.  Guiding performance was generally fairly good (apart from large Dec jumps when switching Dec mode / being addressed)
• Observatory Computer.  Performance good / last few teething issues are getting sorted.
•  Targets. x Targets acquired in first part of the night
• Dome  Rotation. Dome Azimuth drift through session and affected final few targets.  (now fixed with a new calibration)

Notes:

• Second session using new Observatory Computer
  
  

  Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan

Observing Result

Dome & Scope Slewing Performance

Slew/Centering Performance Poor centering performance in Dec including two rogue jogs (eventually fixed 2021-12-16)

Guiding Performance Reasons for poor Dec guiding : Blacks point (13, 15,  18, 19, 20)   -  Red points (7)   - Orange points (2, 8)   - Yellow point (22)   - Yellow points (17, 22 ? )   - Green points  ()    -

Sky Conditions (Locate Frames) Sky Brightness measurements are invalid due to a SBIG camera bias level issue (eventually fixed 2022-01-02)

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 16:50:15   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -25°C) 16:50:18 Session Created Live Session Created (2021-12-13 S00941, ImageSaveNum: 941001) 16:50:27   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 16:50:29   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 16:50:33   Services Started Observatory Services started 16:55:41   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 16:57:24   Services Started Observatory Services started 16:58:34   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 17:08:24   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 47s) 17:41:02 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 17:41:05 Session Pending Session pending (2021-12-13) 17:41:07 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-12-13) 17:41:09   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.29.1) 17:41:46   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 694) 17:41:59   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 17:42:05   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 17:42:29 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 17:43:09 Session Running Session running 17:43:11   Queue Started Observing Queue started (46 targets selected) 17:43:14     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 23, HIP 113729) 17:44:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 17:47:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 17:49:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 17:49:33       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 17:51:44       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 17:53:31       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 17:53:49     Target Completed Target completed (Focus Field 23, HIP 113729) 17:55:11     Target Started (1/46) Target started (1/46, WDS GRB 34) 17:57:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 17:59:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 18:02:02     Target Completed Target completed (1/46, WDS GRB 34) 18:03:26     Target Started (2/46) Target started (2/46, C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS)) 18:09:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:11:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 18:20:31     Target Completed Target completed (2/46, C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS)) 18:20:35     Target Started (3/46) Target started (3/46, KIC 8462852) 18:22:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:25:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 18:29:16     Target Completed Target completed (3/46, KIC 8462852) 18:29:20     Target Started (4/46) Target started (4/46, AT2021aegs (CV)) 18:32:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:34:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 18:41:19     Target Completed Target completed (4/46, AT2021aegs (CV)) 18:41:23     Target Started (5/46) Target started (5/46, GCVS EV Lac) 18:44:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:46:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 18:49:39     Target Completed Target completed (5/46, GCVS EV Lac) 18:49:43     Target Started (6/46) Target started (6/46, (2) Pallas) 18:55:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:57:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 19:01:25     Target Completed Target completed (6/46, (2) Pallas) 19:01:29     Target Started (7/46) Target started (7/46, M31 w/AT2021aaxp) 19:04:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:06:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 19:12:48     Target Completed Target completed (7/46, M31 w/AT2021aaxp) 19:12:52     Target Started (8/46) Target started (8/46, UGC 2605 w/SN2021wvw) 19:15:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:17:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 19:34:27     Target Completed Target completed (8/46, UGC 2605 w/SN2021wvw) 19:34:31     Target Started (9/46) Target started (9/46, GCVS SS Cyg) 19:37:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:39:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 19:44:45     Target Completed Target completed (9/46, GCVS SS Cyg) 19:46:38     Target Started (10/46) Target started (10/46, AT2021aemj (CV)) 19:50:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:52:36       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 19:59:08     Target Completed Target completed (10/46, AT2021aemj (CV)) 19:59:12     Target Started (11/46) Target started (11/46, Nova Cas 2021) 20:03:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:05:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 20:12:29     Target Completed Target completed (11/46, Nova Cas 2021) 20:12:33     Target Started (12/46) Target started (12/46, GCVS HH And) 20:15:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:17:30       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 20:19:38     Target Completed Target completed (12/46, GCVS HH And) 20:19:42     Target Started (13/46) Target started (13/46, NGC 7501 w/SN2021wyw) 20:24:16       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 20:41:35     Target Completed Target completed (13/46, NGC 7501 w/SN2021wyw) 20:41:39     Target Started (14/46) Target started (14/46, GCVS RX And) 20:43:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:45:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 20:49:22     Target Completed Target completed (14/46, GCVS RX And) 20:49:41     Target Started (15/46) Target started (15/46, NGC 1400 w/AT2021hcz) 20:54:52       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 21:11:18     Target Completed Target completed (15/46, NGC 1400 w/AT2021hcz) 21:11:33     Target Started (16/46) Target started (16/46, GCVS SU Tau) 21:14:04       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:16:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 21:21:32     Target Completed Target completed (16/46, GCVS SU Tau) 21:21:36     Target Started (17/46) Target started (17/46, UGC 1977 w/AT2021irz) 21:23:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:25:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 21:38:28   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 21:43:27     Target Completed Target completed (17/46, UGC 1977 w/AT2021irz) 21:43:29   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 21:43:31 Session Suspended Session suspended 21:44:18   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 21:57:41   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 21:58:00   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 21:58:06 Program Closed Program closed by User 21:59:06 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2021-12-13 S00941, ImageSaveNum: 941149) 21:59:13   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 21:59:15   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 21:59:19   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:00:42   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:00:57   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 22:04:13   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 22:04:16 Program Closed Program closed by User 22:04:55 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2021-12-13 S00941, ImageSaveNum: 941149) 22:05:02   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 22:05:04   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 22:05:07   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:06:30   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:07:00   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 22:23:07 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:23:09 Session Pending Session pending (2021-12-13) 22:23:11 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-12-13) 22:23:19   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 694) 22:23:35   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 22:23:41   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 22:24:00 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 22:24:45   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 22:24:47 Session Running Session running 22:24:49   Queue Started Observing Queue started (28 targets selected) 22:24:51     Target Missed (19/46) Target's time slot was missed (19/46, UGC 1971 w/SN2021afkk) 22:27:35     Target Started (20/46) Target started (20/46, GCVS BL Lac) 22:30:18       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 22:34:34     Target Completed Target completed (20/46, GCVS BL Lac) 22:37:53     Target Started (21/46) Target started (21/46, AT2021axb) 22:41:25       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 22:57:57     Target Completed Target completed (21/46, AT2021axb) 22:59:45     Target Started (22/46) Target started (22/46, NGC 7446 w/SN2021agdd) 23:03:04       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 23:19:06     Target Completed Target completed (22/46, NGC 7446 w/SN2021agdd) 23:21:37     Target Started (23/46) Target started (23/46, 132P/Helin-Roman-Alu) 23:26:45       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 23:35:14     Target Completed Target completed (23/46, 132P/Helin-Roman-Alu) 23:36:03     Target Started (24/46) Target started (24/46, GCVS X TRI) 23:40:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:42:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 23:43:59   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 23:48:32     Target Completed Target partially completed (24/46, GCVS X TRI) 23:48:35   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 23:48:59 User Intervention User request to close and finish session 23:49:01 Session Closing Session closing 23:49:49   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 23:51:12   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 76s), Az: 90.0 deg 23:52:24   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 69s) 23:52:39   Telescope State Scope parked Turn scope off. (Handbox) 23:52:59   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 23:53:51   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 23:53:53 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 23:54:15 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail 18:29:58 Dome Discrepency Difference between Telescope Az and Dome Az is > 8 deg (AT2021aegs)

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Operational Issues (2021-12-13, S941)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (1)
• Minor Issues (3)
• Small Defects (5)
• Continuous Improvement (6)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• Dome Azimuth gradually drifted over the course of the session until the dome roof eventually blocked the telescope view of the sky. Calibration was undone during session S939 (2021-12-05), when the rubber trim along the inner roof flange detached and ended up stalling observatory movements.  A new calibration was attempted at the time but the dome rotated 4 times with success. A Home operation also failed.  This requires sorting out why the Dome encoder arm isn't able to recognise the home magenet and to then perform the re-calibration.  After a lot of attempts to recalibration on 2021-12-14 pm (5 or 6 attempts, with dome rotating 4-5 times each time) . A successful calibration was finally achieved after 2 hours  (Lessons (?) :  sensitive to magnet position (height) << lower rather than higher, sensitive to magnet positive (proximity) << push flange in where magnet resides,  cable connection to encoder << cables pulled out and reinserted ). Broken spring on encoder arm was finally replaced.  However it doesn't seem to have sufficient tension to hold the encoder wheel firmly against the dome flange for a full 360 deg rotation, it would miss stop revolving at certain points.  Tension was increased with the elastic tape that was previously used by itself.
  Fixed 2021-12-14 (Observatory, Pulsar Dome)

Minor Issues

• JPG Pictures (SBIG & 178MC Images) are still not available on the current session web page.  Again the JPG images are still not being generated even though ImageMagicK was installed onto the new observatory computer prior to the session. Investigating show that 'magick command strings generated by AstroMain's ConvertFitsToJpg() routine were being executed ok when run directly in cmd window.  Also the bat file generated by ConvertFitsToJpg() routine to execute 2 or 3 magick commands and to copy file was also executed ok when run directly in cmd window.  Therefore it would seem the ExecuteShell command is failing probably due to a permission issue or security block ?.   After testing and multiple attempts to change various security lines in KasperSky, it was eventually determined that although the command "magick" works from a cmd command line, when executing from a shell (on the new Observatory Computer) the command "C:\Program Files\ImageMagick\magick.exe" has to be used instead.    Using echo statements it can see that running from a cmd line the folder path "C:\Program Files\ImageMagick" is a member of %Path%,  but when running from a Shell command it isn't a member of %Path%.     Issue fixed in AstroMain 3.48.4 by using the full file path to magick.exe when writing the .bat file to perform the file conversion & annotations.
  Fixed 2021-12-14 (AstroMain 3.48.4)
   
• Telescope unexpectedly commanded to slew back to 'safe position'  (2021-12-15).   With Telescope tracking at around Az 183° Alt 3° (17:00:28) and user testing of set Tracking Rate testing ,  a telescope safety alert was unexpectedly issued  at 17:00 "Telescope has moved beyond Az 349°", and scope slewed back to 'safe position' at Az 245.0°, Alt 10.1° . The ObsPic images show scope slewing at Az 241°, Alt 12° at 17:00:59 and stationary, with tracking off at Az 245°, Alt 10° at 17:01:31.   ObsCam confirms scope at this position.   There is no evidence that scope was physical beyond Az 349° so presume a glitch / rogue value (in particular the ObsPic at 17:00:59 shows the scope slewing between Az 183° and Az 245°, not slewing between Az 349° and Az 245.  MeadeGeneric log shows Slewing = True at 17:00:45 with TargetDeclination of -4.5, Targer RA 18.3 (which corresponds to the Az 245.0 Alt 10.1 position).    Same issue happened whilst testing code / drivers the following day (2021-12-16).    Issue was eventually found to be due to a bug when using ST (set TrackingRate) via CommandBlind Method, which caused the Scope Azimuth value returned from driver to be momentarily become 1178 degs (due to "1" & "178" ). ObsManager modified to report rogue azimuth value but not to move the scope when the azimuth value is > 1000.  Colin Dawson (author of MeadeGeneric has been contacted regarding the apparent bug with CommandBlind.
  Fixed 2021-12-19 (AstroMain 3.48.7,  MeadeGeneric) 
   
• Observatory Computer unexpectedly restarted (2021-12-16).  Checking VNC connection with Observatory Computer at 2021-12-16 showed a logon screen as computer had evidently rebooted unexpectedly at some point earlier. Using Event Viewer looking at Window Logs/System and filter on Event 1074, User 32 showed restart was called by system for the following reason 'Operating System: Service Pack (Planned). '.  Working hours changed to 16:00 to  10:00  (from 09:00 to 17:00).    Event filters for shutdown events 41, 1074, 6005, 6006, 6008. WIndows Update configuration  changed to i) Not update other Microsoft products, and ii) Show a notification when PC requires a restart to finish updating'. Pause updates till end of month (has to be set on a rolling basis by the user which is inconvenient).
  Fixed 2021-12-16 (Observatory)
   
  Windows Updates are issued on 2nd Tuesday each month - known as 'Patch Tuesday' or 'Update Tuesday'. In addition out-of-band patches may be issued anytime to address a critical security issue.   Optional 'C' and 'D' patches are sometime available later in the month (with fixes to new features), but this are optional and are flagged up when user runs Windows Update, otherwise they wil be built into the regular Windows Update the following month.  https://www.zdnet.com/article/faq-how-to-manage-windows-10-updates/

Small Defects

• Jog Scope facility on AstroMain's MainScope/Tools/Polar Align tab isn't performing North/South Jog. It seems that N/S jog amount is associated with RA / Az move and not a Dec / Alt move. 
  Fixed 2021-12-14 (AstroMain 3.48.4)
   
• Jog Scope facility (using Simulator telescope at least) produces different jog distance for a 10' North Jog and a 10' South Jog.  Using the Jog Scope facility on AstroMain's MainScope/Tools/Polar Align tabs with a +/- 10.0' jog with star at Dec -8.0 with a TPoint Model.  The +10.0' Jog produces a 10.6' jog to North, whilst the -10.0 Jog only produces a 9.4' jog to South !. Issues have been seen with Jogs to south during live telescope sessions is this related in any way?.   A +2' jog produces a 2.53' jog to north, whilst a -2' jog produces a 1.47' jog to south.   A +1' jog produces a 1.58' jog to north, whilst a -1' jog produces a 0.42' jog to south.    A N/S jog <= 0.1' is ignored. Testing with a +0.11' jog produces the following: A +0.11' jog produces a 0.69' jog to north, whilst a -0.11'  jog produces a 0.46' jog to north (not to south,  i.e. a retrograde movement ! ). Again this is very consistent with results seen in live sessions where there is a clear bias in centering which favours an error to the north.  Without a TPoint Mode the +0.11' jog produces a 0.11' jog to north, whilst a -0.11' jog produces a  0.11' jog to south.   Similarly without TPoint Mode a +10' jog produces a 10' jog to north and a -10' jog produces a 10' jog to south.    Since a TPoint Model is used it would seem that TheSky6.Telescope.Jog method is not reliable for making smaller jogs, and Pulse Guiding may be a better way for nudging the telescope onto the precise target coordinates.  However there is balance to be struck between time taken to make the movement and the accuracy.   A 10' jog made using pulse guiding with at x0.90 guide speed (ie 13.537 arc sec/sec) would take around 44s to complete. This is much to slow to be practical and can we can live with a +/- 6% error in jog displacement, but a 2' jog would take only 8s to complete using which is more reasonable, and better than the +/-25% error in jog displacement and clearly better than the retrograde movement for very small jogs.  It is therefore proposed to implement pulse guiding for slews smaller than 2'.  New routine Scope.JogUsingPulseGuide() implemented in 3.48.4 for jogs <= 2'
  Done  2021-12-15 (AstroMain 3.48.4)
   
• 2' Jog West is producing a jog that is 2.05' W and 0.73' N. The north jog is due to issues caused by working with TPoint Model. This has been now resolved.  Jogs of <= 2' now use JogUsingPulseGuiding () routine to PulseGuide small movements of the scope, which is far more accurate that using TheSky.Telescope.Jog method.
  Resolved 2021-12-14 (AstroMain 3.48.4)
   
• AstroWeather log file bloated with Hourly Temp Values (from GetExtremeForecast) .  Unrequired log messages removed. 
  Fixed 2021-12-15 (AstroWeather 1.15.3)
   
• AstroAllSky log file bloated with overflow bytes from Forecast Record .  Unclear how to not 'receive' these extra bytes' . Workaround adopted by recreating the record from individual fields (Strings array)
  Fixed 2021-12-15 (AstroAllSky 3.14.2 )

Continuous Improvement

• AstroMain settings file (live) should be copied to Observatory Computers AstroMain VS Projects Bin folder after source files have been uploaded by AstroMove. This will allow program debugging to occur on the Observatory Computer with settings that are appropriate to the observatory environment.
  Done 2021-12-14 (AstroMove 1.8.1)
   
• Update TheSky6 connection routine in AstroMain to report the scope's SideOfPier property.  This is to check that pierEast/pierWest doesn't start to appear again following future releases of DeviceHub/MeadeGeneric.
  Done 2021-12-14 (AstroMain 3.48.4)
   
• Implement a 'Jog Using PulseGuide' routine for fine centering of targets.  pCurrent fine centering (centering less than 2 arc mins' seems to be affected by a TheSky6/TPoint issue, where testing using simulator scope indicates that for small jogs < 2 arc min the error in jog achieved is can be significant, particularly for logs in N/S direction and can sometimes lead to retrograde movement (target gets further away rather than closer).   PulseGuide is a synchronous action in MeadeGeneric driver and IsPulseGuiding always returns False.   To prevent program blocking  JogUsingPulseGuide will spawn a thread for calling objscope.PulseGuide and a custom readonly  IsPulseGuiding property / function built to provide monitoring functionality and means to prevent/reduce blocking of other calls to the Scope.
  Done 2021-12-16 (AstroMain 3.48.4)
   
• Disable block on starting AutoStart when MeadeGeneric is running.  Message should appear warning user before initiating autostart but if user accepts warning then there should not be a block. 
  Done 2021-12-16 (AstroMain 3.48.4)
   
• Disable information message regarding Targets Database's last update date when running on Development Computer. Message to only appear when running AstroMain program on the Observatory Computer.
  Done 2021-12-17 (AstroMain 3.48.7)
   
• Query: Is GuidePulse making full arc min changes in East/West Position or are they reduced due to Declination ?   Pulse Guide durations are calculated using rotational RA amounts, i.e. E/W movements in arc mins are converted to rotation movements using  Declination.
  Closed 2021-12-20 (AstroMain 3.48.7)

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DeviceHub 6.5.1.8

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DeviceHub 6.5.1.9 (2021-12-14)

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