David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1094 (2023-01-29)

Notes (S1093)

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Notes (S1095)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (2)  Small Defects (6),  Continuous Improvement (11)
	Images from 2023-01-29 >>
	StarNet V2 Software
	PHD2 Update 2.6.11dev4

Session Aims & Highlights (2023-01-29)

Main aims

1. AstroMain. Test new AstroMain version (3.60.14). several changes and additions.
2. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
3. Secondary Scope Imaging/Stacking.  Continue testing of secondary scope imaging with automated in-session stacking of ZWO 178MC frames using and AstroMain's StackCam2Frames() routine, Siril-cli and a Siril script (OSC_stackframes.ssf).

 Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, DeviceHub 6.6.1.1,  MeadeGeneric 1.3.5.414, UPB 1.5, ASCOM 6.6
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.11dev2, Siril 1.0.6, deCONZ 1.18.2, ASCOM 6.6 SP1
   
• AstroMain 3.60.14, AstroPlan 1.35.12,   AstroShCap 1.3.14, AstroGuard 1.10.2
  AstroVOE 1.12.2  AstroSN 1.9,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.9.8
  (AstroWeather 1.19.9, AstroAllSky 3.17.3,  AstroObsCam 1.11.2, AstroLaunch 1.10.7

Highlights

• AstroMain. There were no new issues introduced by the new AstroMain version (3.60.14)
• Targets. Only 2 out of 28 planned targets, plus one inserted ToO target were completed with an additional 2 targets partially completed.  Observatory closed due to threat of rain and wind.  User interventation to shutdown the observatory & close the session at 23:32 due to developing high winds.
• Secondary Scope Imaging/Stacking.  Secondary Scope Image of inserted ToO target NGC 2281 worked well. A revised .bat file construct was used which successfully wrote the putput from Siril stacking to a log file (siril.log).
• Dome Slews.  No hold-ups (Hold Up Stats: 0/7 slews affected, 0%, 0.0 minutes total hold-up time).

Notes:

• Wind Speed Trace data from AstroMain analysed and compared with Forecast Speeds logged by AstroPlan
    Time 21:00, Forecast WindSpeed: 27.1 mph
    Time 22:00, Forecast WindSpeed: 27.6 mph
  
    Time 21:31, Current WindSpeed : 19.1 mph
    Time 22:00, Current WindSpeed : 19.3 mph
  
  Data shows a Current Speed Factor of 0.70  (this corresponds with the value of SU.WindScaleFactor that is used to modify the CurrentWindSpeed after reading Synoposis Record). 
   
• Rotated dome by 0.5 deg to correctly align two halves of induction charger for the Shutter Battery and resynced dome at 90 deg Az. (2023-02-01)
• Exception from PHD2 in CaptureGuideImage "Cannot capture single frame when capture is currently active"
  

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)

Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 21:22:56 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:22 & 06:06 21:22:57   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to threat of rain 21:25:12 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:25) 21:25:32   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 21:25:46 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2023-01-29 S01094, ImageSaveNum: 1094001) 21:26:12   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 21:27:56   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:28:03 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:28:07 Session Pending Session pending (2023-01-29) 21:28:09 Session Initiating Session initiating (2023-01-29) 21:28:11   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.35.12) 21:29:34   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 867) 21:29:57   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -20°C) 21:30:34   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:30:53 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 21:31:38   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 21:31:41 Session Running Session running 21:31:43   Queue Started Observing Queue started (28 targets selected) 21:31:44     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 8, HIP 39357) 21:31:58       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 21:36:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:38:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 21:40:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 21:40:47       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:42:42       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 21:44:26       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 21:44:43     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 8, HIP 39357) 21:44:47     Target Started (1/28) Target started (1/28, IC 418) 21:47:52       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 21:57:25     Target Completed Target completed (1/28, IC 418) 21:57:30     Target Started (2/29) Target started (2/29, NGC 2281, ToO). Using SharpCap 21:59:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:01:30       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 22:08:12 Obs.Monitor Frozen Obs.Monitor appears to be frozen at around 22:08 in section 'Refresh Dome Picture/Label Dome Azimuth' 22:13:52 Obs.Monitor Frozen Obs.Monitor appears to be frozen at around 22:13 in section 'Refresh Dome Picture/Label Dome Azimuth' 22:15:27   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -20°C) 22:15:30     Target Completed Target completed (2/29, NGC 2281, ToO) 22:15:32     Target Started (3/29) Target started (3/29, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 22:21:33     Target Completed Target partially completed (3/29, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 22:21:37     Target Started (4/29) Target started (4/29, AT2023nf (CV)) 22:24:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:26:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 22:42:33     Target Completed Target completed (4/29, AT2023nf (CV)) 22:42:37     Target Started (5/29) Target started (5/29, NGC 2283 w/SN2023axu) 22:52:02       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 22:52:37   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 22:52:39   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain) 22:52:40     Target Aborted (5/29) Target aborted (5/29, NGC 2283 w/SN2023axu) due to threat of rain 22:52:42   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 22:52:44 Session Suspending Session suspending 22:53:27   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 45s) 22:53:29 Session Suspended Session suspended 22:57:57     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (5/29, NGC 2283 w/SN2023axu) due to wind 23:19:57     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (6/29, NGC 2528 w/SN2023jo) due to wind 23:32:51 User Intervention User request to close and finish session 23:32:54   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 23:32:56 Session Closing Session closing 23:33:01   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 22:53, closing time 45s) 23:33:58   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 49s), Az: 90.0 deg 23:35:08   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 65s) 23:35:18   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 23:35:40   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 23:37:03   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 23:37:06 Session Housekeeping Session Housekeeping started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 23:37:11 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 22:08:44 Red Alert Obs.Monitor Obs.Monitor appears to be frozen in section 'Refresh Dome Picture/Label Dome Azimuth' (last cycle at 22:08:12) 22:09:44 Green Alert Obs.Monitor Obs.Monitor has resumed again (22:09) after 1.5 mins 22:14:26 Red Alert Obs.Monitor Obs.Monitor appears to be frozen in section 'Refresh Dome Picture/Label Dome Azimuth' (last cycle at 22:13:52) 22:14:55 Green Alert Obs.Monitor Obs.Monitor has resumed again (22:14) after 1.0 mins

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Operational Issues (2023-01-29, S1094)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (2)
• Small Defects (6)
• Continuous Improvement (11)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

•  None

Minor Issues

• Images taken with LX200/ST-10 System showing poor transparency deteriorating through session. This session (S1094) and the previous two or three sessions (S1093 - S1091) show relatively poor transparency (low normalised ZP values) that seems to deteriorate through the session. Although the loss of transparency doesn't effect the imaging of stars (at least not to a noticeable level), the effect on galaxies and other faint objects is much more noticeable. Daylight investigation shows condensation on the primary mirror, which is a probable ongoing consequence of the incident in session S1088 when snow slid off shutter onto front of LX200 onto front of telescope (notes).  Although an attempt was made to dry out the interior of the LX200 telescope tube after session S1089 (notes) it is presumed that the sufficient humidity remains that condensation still forms on the primary mirror when it is pointing towards the cold sky, loosing temperature in the process.  A new attempt was made to dry out the interior of the scope on 2023-02-01, using a 12" dew band at the position of the primary mirror, a hairdryer blowing hot air into the telescope tube via the visual back alternating with vacuum cleaner with extension inserted into visual back extracting air from the telescope tube.  Camera to be reattached ahead of next session (S1095) and its rotation and pointing to be adjusted at start of the next session.  This new attempt to fix the internal condensation issue failed to resolve the problem which continued by very badly affecting the following S1095 session (2023-02-04). Problem fixed on 2023-02-09+ using a Lymax SCT cooler to remove the humid air from the inside the telescope.  Telescope was successfully used in session S1096 (2023-02-10),  SBIG Camera Images were back to normal.
  Fixed 2023-02-10 (LX200, SBIG Camera Images)  
   
• Foc1FieldsUpdater frozen several hours and eventually led to GUI freezing (2023-02-02).  Foc1FieldsUpdater frozen since at tleast start of 2023-02-02 general sesssion at 09:00. Later in day (17:19) tried to use Disconnect Camera via 'X' button in AstroMain.  AstroMain GUI froze ad CCDSoft Program 'not responding'.  Problem also seen on the following day during further testing of TakeCam1ReferenceFrame code.  It is suspected that the issue probably relates to Foc1FieldsUpdater and TempMonitor attempting to access the CCDSoft Camera when it has been disconnected for using as the Guide Camera in PHD2 or whilst atttempting to access it too soon when the SBIG Camera is reconnected to CCDSoft.
  Fix attempted 2023-02-03  (AstroMain 3.61)  

Small Defects

• Extract Spectra routine creating picture with incorrect file name (post-session analysis).  Extract Spectra for on the combined S Filter image for Target IC 418 produced a spectra chart picture with the filename 'SpectraChart.IC_418.20230129.im1094010-14.av5x60s.S.png', instead of the expected file name 'IC_418.20230129.im1094010-14.av5x60s.S.spectra.png'. Fixed in AstroMain 3.60.15.
  Fixed  2023-01-30 (AstroMain 3.60.15)  
   
• AutoStart set to run but didn't happen (2023-01-30).  It is probable that the Observatory was returned to manual mode before Window Executed, however log of user action is unable to diagnose the precise sequence of actions. User request to be logged even when the request doesn't actually proceed due to pre-checks.  btnSetAutoStartObservatoryMode_Click() routine updated to include mor user action / pre-check logging. Implemented in AstroMain 3.60.15. Some existing messages have small defects (eg "is" used instead of "isn't" ) and have been also been fixed.
  Fixed  2023-01-31 (AstroMain 3.61)  
   
• Cloud Sensor Outage time reported by AstroMain's ObsOverseer is incorrect (2023-02-01).   During general monitoring a Red Alert was issued with the message "Cloud Sensor data has been inactive for more than 5 minutes". This was followed by a Green All Clear shortly afterwards with the message "Cloud Sensor data is active again (outage 0.7 min)"  whilst the real outage was most-likely around 5.7 min. This might be  equivalent to the 0.0 min outage reporting issue seen and fixed for Obs.Overseer's thread monitoring.  Examining the log file shows that the 'outage' time (0.7 min) is correctly calculated and the problem lies with the issuing of the Red Alert.  This was at 22:19:04 (which was less than 1 min after the AstroMain program was restarted ( 22:18:11).  The 5 min Alert is issued when Env.TimeOfLastUpdate(EProp.CloudSensor) and
  Env.MinutesSinceLastUpdate(EProp.CloudSensor) > 5.   This equates to:  when CloudSensorData.LastCloudSensorTime <> vcNullDate and MinutesSince(CloudSensorData.DateX) > 5.    When program was started and cloud sensor listening loop was begun,  CloudSensorData.LastCloudSensorTime is set to Now().  It was previously set to vcNullDate but was changed 2022-06-26 (SD S1019) so that it can track cases when CloudSensor data receipt doesn't begin.   AstroMain 3.61 updated 2023-02-02 so that CloudSensorData.DateX is set to vcNullDate when starting CloudSensor listening, a new variable CloudSensorData.StartedMonitoringTime is added and set to Now() when CloudSensor Listening loop starts,  and ObsOverseer's Conditions are modified to ensure that MinutesSince(CloudSensorData.StartedMonitoringTime) > 5 before it issues an alert, added an 'or bCloudSensorDataIssueReported' condition.
  Fixed  2023-02-02 (AstroMain 3.61)  
   
• Guide02_F1's jpg picture contains inappropriate/incorrect content and isn't drawn north up (22:03).  The F1 frame picture shows a yellow rectangle Cam1 FOV. This is inappropriate for a Guide Frame taken with the Cam1 System (which is the case when Imaging will be conducted with Cam2 system (ie ShCap Imaging)  ).  Image is also drawn in north down orientation instead of being rotated to north up.  Currently SaveGuideImageToJpg() and SaveReferenceImageToJpg() both automatically set CamID to 2 before calling ConvertFitsToJpg().  "Reference and Guide  Images are for time being all assumed to be Cam2".   With the use of Guiding with CamID2 , these routines are modified to set CamID based on the value of gGuidingScope. With CamID set correctly to 1, the JPG picture shouldn't show the Cam1 FOV and should be rotated to be North Up.
  Fixed  2023-02-02 (AstroMain 3.61)   
   
• Guide Reference image failed to be captured (22:01).  During the start of guiding of Target 2/29 (NGC 2281) using the Cam1 system (LX200/ST10) the 'Capture (Guide) Reference Frame' task at 22:01 failed with report message "Failed to capture frame (see log file for details)".  Log files shows message "Single Frame Capture has timed out (exp: 10s)" plus a message indicating an exception in SaveGuideFrameImage, "No image available".  The logfile shows the disconnection of SBIG camera from CCDSoft, but doesn't record connection of SBIG Camera to PHD2  (this is presumed to represent a gap in the messages that AstroMain sends to log file).  The failure to capture a 10s Reference Frame is presumed to be that equipment has only just be connected and it possibly not looping at this point. May need to send a 'loop' method request to PHD2.   Investigating revealed that, unlike with the ZWO 178MC CMOS Camera,  PHD2 needs to put the SBIG  ST-10 Camera through a loop cycle before attempting to call 'capture_single_frame'.  Fix implemented in AstroMain 3.61 and tested as far as possible using a Test Session on the Observatory Computer.
  Fixed 2023-02-03 (AstroMain 3.61)
   
• File name for Guide02_F1 frame uses the wrong exposure time (22:03).  The F1 file name of the ShCap Target 'NGC 2281' was named "Guider.20230129.220327.Guide02_F1_10.0s.NGC_2281.FIT" and implies that exposure time was 10s. Examining the files's FITS Header shows that it's actual exposure was in fact the expected exposure time (1.5s).  The exposure time (1.5s) is correct in the annotation on the F1 JPG picture. Problem may be a consequence of the prior issue where there was a failure to capture a 10s guide reference frame. Investigating revealed that, unlike with the ZWO 178MC CMOS Camera,  PHD2 needs to put the SBIG  ST-10 Camera through a loop cycle before attempting to call 'capture_single_frame'.  Fix implemented in AstroMain 3.61 and tested as far as possible using a Test Session on the Observatory Computer.
  Fixed 2023-02-03 (AstroMain 3.61)
   
• During code testing AstroMain found to be consistently issuing red Session Events "AstroMain UI appears to have stopped responding" (2023-02-02).  The event "AstroMain UI appears to have stopped responding" event and associated log message "UI is Not Responding (6s)" is produced when Starting Services (incl Obs Overseer & GuiChecker) after having just stopped all Services.   The message are generated when GuiStatus.elapsedSecs > 5.   Since 5s would place the last UI activity to well before the time that services were stop the issue is most likely a setup issue associated with restarting the GuiChecker.  This is proving somewhat problematic to fix.  Some changes made to ObsOverseer and GuiChecker which might have fix part of the problem.
  Fix attempted 2023-02-03  (AstroMain 3.61)  
   
• During code testing for Guide Reference fix problems encountered with Foc1FieldsUpdater and TempMonitor freezing. It is suspected that the issue probably relates to Foc1FieldsUpdater and TempMonitor attempting to access the CCDSoft Camera when it has been disconnected for using as the Guide Camera in PHD2 or whilst atttempting to access it too soon when the SBIG Camera is reconnected to CCDSoft.
  Fix attempted 2023-02-03  (AstroMain 3.61)  
   
• During coding work on AstroMain it was noticed that there has been an unintentional editing error in the constant declations in globals.vb module section . It seems that code associated was Const cdBeforeDownload has been accidently removed from one part of the module and pasted into another part sometime around 2023-01-30. A quick fix was made to allow the code to compile ok. Investigating showed that with in the 'Camera Object Events' section the declaration of Const cdBeforeDownload As Integer = 14 had been removed and the declaration of Const cdAfterDownload As Integer = 15 was corrupted.  Whilst in the 'SkDisplayPropertyObjectType' section a 'Const cdAfterDot cdBeforeDownload As Integer = 14' had been commented out this was the quick fix made around 2023-01-30.   Code declarations repaired by comparison with a 'known good' archived copy of globals.vb file.
  Fixed 2023-02-08  (AstroMain 3.61.1)  

• Add a Gain field to Target FrameSet form and be able to save it to database and carry it through to Secondary Scope Imaging. Gain field is partially implemented as it can be set and used for AdHoc images. Targets using Secondary Scope Imaging that are retrieved from the database are currently hardcoded to use a gain of 200.    ( When loading or unloading a FrameSet in AstroPlan Targets form its information is put into a global array variable 'FrameSet() As TFrameRecord' ; this is a risk and a separate CI ticket has been previously raised to rationalise this).  Existing ShCap Targets in database have had Gain (200) added to their respective FrameSets records.
  Done 2023-01-31 (AstroPlan 1.36,  Database   AstroMain 3.61, AstroVOE 1.13)       ** Database Table changed  2023-01-31
   
• Replace use of global FrameSet(10) in AstroPlan by T.IC(10) handling. When loading or unloading a FrameSet in AstroPlan Targets form its information is put into a global array variable 'FrameSet() as TFrameRecord' ; this is a risk and a separate Small Defect ticket has been previously raised to rationalise this (2022-11-29, S1065).    This new tickets acts as a reminder to perform this improvement.   Implemented in AstroPlan 1.36.
  Done 2023-01-31 (AstroPlan 1.36)   
   
• Download and try out StarNet tool for creating starless image from a regular astro Image. StarNet V2 (Windows, GUI and CLI) versions downloaded from official Star Net site  ( https://www.starnetastro.com/ ) . More Info about StarNet V2 on the CloudyNights site ( https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/808556-starnet-v2) .  StarNet shown to successfully remove stars from image. Input needs to be a 16 bit TIF image (see notes below StarNet V2 Software with examples).
  Done 2023-01-30 (StarNet)  
   
• Add Siril and StarNet launch buttons to AstroLaunch.
  Done 2023-01-30 (AstroLaunch 1.10.8)   
   
• Modify the General Alerts and General Events table to show date and time in separate columns. Implemented in AstroPlam 1.36 (2023-02-04). Also changed the Alert Column to show 'Green | Clear' instead of 'Green | Alert'. Also implemented Column Min-Widths.
  Done 2023-02-04 (AstroPlan 1.36)   
   
• Take a Cam2 Reference Picture after Centering when GuideScope is 1. When Target will be imaged with Cam2 (ie ShCap Imaging), a JPG picture is currently only shown for Cam2 once all frames have been acquired and then stacked using Siril. There is a need to generate and show an annotated JPG picture of the Cam2 view at the start he start of main images that it can be posted to current session web page and to form an archival reference picture for later access or problem diagnosis. The special "Take Reference Image using Camera2" task is currently taken when guiding won't be conducted (ie when Exposure will be very short and T.GuidingScope = 0).  The condition is extended in AstroMain 3.61 so that this task will also occur when T.GuidingScope = 1.
  Done 2023-02-02 (AstroMain 3.61)   
   
• Change Camera binning on PHD2's LX200/ST10 profile to 2x2.  There are several advantages for using 2x2 binning when using the LX200/ST10 guiding profile (gGuidingScope=1) as opposed to the current usage using 1x1 binning : download time for full frames is much faster (3s vs 8s), Calibration and Finding/Selecting Guide stars will be quicker and if subframes downloads are slightly faster as well guide perforamce will be better / more timely. Guide Refererence images will be 1/4 the size of 1x1 images. There are no disadvantages with using 2x2 binning . The pixel scale for ST-10 on 12" LX200 scope is 0.94"/px at 2x2 binning, which is more than adequate for guiding the TS80 scope where the lowest pixel scale for the ZWO 178MC Camera (Cam2) is 1.03"/px at 1x1 binning.   Although a revised calibration has been entered to set RA & Dec Rates to 14.4 px/sec (equivalent to 13.5 "/sec at Dec 0 using pixel scale of 0.936"/px)  the profile may still require a re-calibration in order for 2x2 binned guiding to give the expected guide performance
  Done 2023-02-03 (PHD2) 
   
• Add "Meas. Rotation" buttons to AstroMain Scope 1 & Scope 2 tabs that report current Rotation Angle of respective Camera/Scope.  Create buttons and associated run-by-thread routines that access existing routines to taken an image and link (plate-solve) it, and finish by reporting the Camera Angle (SavedBestRotation). Aim is to to more easily aid the task of adjusting the SBIG ST-10 on LX200 to camera angle of 180.0 deg, and adjusting the ZWO 178MC on the TS80 scope to a camera angle of 0.0 deg. 
  Done 2023-02-04 (AstroMain 3.61)   
  
  Query Public Const cdAfterDot cdBeforeDownload As Integer = 14 ' Called immediately before CCDSoft downloads the CCD image.
  cdAfterDownload
   
• Allow Plan Targets and AdHoc Targets to acquire ShCap images with half frame, quarter frame sizes. CCDSoft Camera Images can be acquired with sizes other than Full-Frame.  Some targets dont require full frames using the TS80/178MC (Cam2) system.  Smaller images can have several advantages : reduce disk usage, speed up file copying, speed up image processing . The aim is to use quarter-frame images to create colour images of selected Planetary Nebula targets. 
  To do  2023-02-04 (AstroMain 3.61+, AstroShCap) 
   
• Create special Adhoc Imaging Mode, that assists manual directed ShCap imaging.  The new mode would slew to , centre targets, setup guiding as per current mode,  and set up Target Name in ShCap but not proceed to command ShCap images but enter a wait loop, allowing user to conduct manually directed ShCap Imaging, setting exposures, gains, frame sizes manually and collect image sets as required.  A finish target would Stop PHD2 Guiding etc. and close out the imaging.  Target would be stored in Session Result etc.
  To do  2023-02-04+ (AstroMain 3.61+) 
   
• Rationalise large number of legacy & seldom used buttons in AstroMain's Observatory Mode. Review buttons that aren't routinely used or have been previously moved to legacy pages.  Decide whether buttons and association routines are i) unneeded and should be careful removed, ii) potentially useful but need to be checked, updated if neccesary, and brought back to a regularly used tab and iii) not generally needed but should be checked and moved to or reconfirmed on clean-up legacy tabs.
  To do  2023-02-04+ (AstroMain 3.61+) 

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StarNet V2 Software

StarNet is software written by Mikita Misiura that can remove stars from an astronomical image.

• Official Website :  https://www.starnetastro.com/
• Source code on GitHub :  https://github.com/nekitmm/starnet .
• More Info about StarNet V2 on the CloudyNights site:  https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/808556-starnet-v2 . 

V2 (Windows, GUI and CLI) versions were downloaded today (2023-01-29) from the official StarNet site  ( https://www.starnetastro.com/ ) .

StarNet GUI and CLI versions were both tested and shown to successfully remove stars from astronomical image, with the caveats that
input needs to be a 16 bit TIF image and the output name needs to be different to the input name.

Results are impressive. Examples of images created with StarNet V2 working on images acquired during an earlier session (S1088, 2023-01-18) are shown below:

M33 - Normal Image

Colour CMOS Image (25% size, asinh stretched, cropped) 22 x 30s exposure (stacked), 1x1 binning, gain 375 2023-01-19 00:35 UT (#00_36_11) TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2 Auto-guided using 12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME Frames acquired using SharpCap Processed & displayed using SiriL 1.0.6

M33 - Starless Image

Colour CMOS Image (25% size, asinh stretched, starless, cropped) Processed to remove stars in StarNet v2 Image details as above

M42 - Normal Image

Colour CMOS Image (16% size, asinh stretched) 20 x 20s exposure (stacked), 1x1 binning, gain 325 2023-01-19 01:14 UT TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2 Auto-guided using 12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME Frames acquired using SharpCap Processed & displayed using SiriL 1.0.6

M42 - Starless Image

Colour CMOS Image (16% size, asinh stretched, starless) Image details as above Stars removed using StarNet v2 GUI

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PHD2 Update 2.6.11dev4

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