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2009-12-27 LX200R Autostar II / HBX Problems (2009-12-27) LX200R Autostar II - Timeline to Handbox & Autostar Problems (2009-12-11 to 2009-12-27) Aladin Software (IC 65) Aladin (M101) >
Also lost connection with LX200R at end of session after AIS program crash. A visit to the observatory showed that scope was not working using the Autostar II controller and could be neither Parked or Slewed to its normal closedown position.
Elected to power down the scope and then restarted scope. Unlike session S405 (when the Autostar II wouldn't come back at all), this time the scope restarted normally and was able to be slewed back to its rough park position. Noted that the scope will need to be aligned on a suitable bright star at the start of the next session.
[ Attempted a follow up session on 2009-01-02 but was aborted as it was not possible to start up the LX200R scope. All attempts to start Autostar II failed, with either a blank handbox screen and with initialisation failing to get past the Meade copyright message. It was eventually shown that attempts to upload a clean copy of the LX4.2g.rom firmware would consistently fail at exactly the same point (just after 1% completion). (see 2009-01-02 Notes), After concluding that problem was most-likely related to a failed Flash Memory the scope was eventually returned to dealer for circuit board repair/replacement under warranty ]
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12" LX200R (ACF) Scope
Ordered 12" LX200R from Pulsar Optical on 2009-01-07. Received
around 1-2 weeks later.
Scope Installed in a Roll-Off Roof Observatory or permanent pier & Polar Aligned. Autostar II Version 4.2g. Scope powered by 12V Supply (AC317 12V IC-Regulated AC Mains Power Supply Unit 1200mA / 12 months old).
First Light Session for 12" LX200R on 2009-03-09 (S356)
Scope generally operated using TheSky software running on a observatory laptop
(Windows Vista), using a Prolific USB to Serial connection (COM5).
Subsequent
sessions demonstrated full connectivity to Autostar using Remote Handbox
controller in CCDWare PemPro, including the download/upload of PEC curve data.
but haven't needed to use Autostar Suite.ASU connection before problems in late
Dec 2009.
2009-12-11 (S404)
48th Session with LX200R scope. 5.8 hr session. Min Temp -1.5 degC.
Scope operating normally to both handbox and laptop commands (TheSky)
2009-12-12. (S405)
Autostar II failure 1.5 hrs into session at -2.5 degC,
whereby LX200 scope wouldn't respond to programmed slew commands (0.9 hrs
of imaging data wasted). Autostar screen blank or unreadable text.
Autostar still not responding correctly after turning LX200 off /on a few times.
Slew buttons responding to presses ok, and the scope was finally 'roughly'
parked (without the need to unlock the RA clutch). Given the low
temperature this was clearly a job that needed daylight hours to sort out
(perhaps the Autostar firmware had become corrupted ?)
Reviewed postings on "LX200 GPS" Yahoo Group and
noted problems with starting up Autostar II/LX200 have been seen by a number of
other people with LX200 GPS or LX200R scopes. Noted that problem might relate to
Handbox or the internal electronics of the LX200. Problems seem to occur
more often in cold weather. Postings talk of corrupted firmware
(reloading of Autostar II firmware), problem with HBX lead (swapping round the
HBX lead), poor contacts inside the Handbox (replacement of handbox unit),
dying AC adapter (try batteries), faulty electronics in LX200R due to poor
quality control (return to Meade). electrical problem due to induction currents
during thunderstorms (return to Meade).
Autostar II Handbox Problem [ http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/LX200GPS/message/110229
]
Dead Lx200GPS [ http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/LX200GPS/message/97394
]
Blank Hand Paddle [ http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/LX200GPS/message/93958
]
HELP: AUTOSTAR AND/OR SCOPE IS DEAD! [ http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/LX200GPS/message/91098
]
A post by "autostaretx"/ rseymour (Dick) suggest that starting a session which is significantly colder than the previous session(s) could be a factor in garbaged displays. http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/LX200GPS/message/82369
Tried the scope the next day in daylight conditions. and fortunately found that the
Autostar II contol box was again responding normally and the LX200 started up ok as it
should (the previous night's problem was put down to either just a 'gremlin' or
problem related to a combination of low temperature (-3 degC) and and onset of freezing conditions. Performed a
blind sync (correct to to nearest 5-10 degs) and parked the scope.
A few evenings later the scope was aligned on a star field and then correctly
parked ready for session S406.
2009-12-21 (S406)
Very cold session (6.5 hrs, minimum temp. -8.0 degC).
Autostar II/LX200 performing normally
One single
unexplained erroneous jog where a particular
westward Jog of 0.49 arc min resulted in scope movement of 28 arc min.
2009-12-25 (S407)
Cold session (4.3 hrs, minimum temp. -3.5 degC). Autostar
II/LX200 performing normally
2009-12-26 (S408)
Cold session (4.3 hrs, minimum temp. -7.5 degC). Autostar
II/LX200 performing normally
2009-12-27 (S409)
Cold session (3.6 hrs, minimum temp. -3.5 degC). Autostar
II/LX200 performing normally for 3 hrs, but then lost connection with LX200R
near the end of session after control program crash on laptop. Visit to
observatory showed that scope was not working using the Autostar II HBX
controller and could be neither Parked or Slewed to its normal closedown
position. Elected to power down the scope and then restarted scope. Unlike
session S405 (when the Autostar II wouldn't come back at all), this time the
scope restarted normally and I was able to slewed the scope back to its rough
park position (within 5-10 deg). Scope was then powered down recognising that
scope will needed to be aligned on a suitable bright star at the start of the
next session).
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Experimented with Aladin Software (Downloadable from http://aladin.u-strasbg.fr/aladin.gml )
Aladin is an interactive software sky atlas allowing the user to visualize digitized astronomical images, superimpose entries from astronomical catalogues or databases, and interactively access related data and information from the Simbad database, the VizieR service and other archives.
Screen Capture of Aladin Application with DSS2 Image view of area surrounding IC 65 |
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IC 65 with SN 2009mf (Andromeda) |
CCD Image (Linear Scale, cropped) 5 x 90s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter 2009-12-27 22:55 hUT (#409219-23) 12" LX200R (at f/5.7) + ST-10XME |
IC 65 - Negative Image |
Negative CCD Image (Linear Scale, cropped) Image details as above |
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Aladin Display with DSS2 image
loaded |
Aladin Display with FITS image
loaded (#409219-23) - incorrect orientation |
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Aladin Display with FITS image
loaded (#409219-23) - correct orientation |
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It should be noted that performing an Image
Link in CCDSoft and a horizontally flipped To ease the process a routine was added to
my AIS program that would in 'one step' (Create Mirror Image) A number of additional associated
facilities were also added to AIS program that would automatically
ensure
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Earlier image of M101 - 2009-08-24 |
CCD Image (75% size) 9 x 60 sec (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter 2009-08-24 22:00 h UT (#386001-10) 12" LX200R (at f/5.7) + ST-10XME |
M101 - detail developed in Aladin |
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False Colour CCD Display Dual Linear, Rainbow spectrum, 75% size Created in Aladin (Image details as above) |
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CCD Display POW2, Grey Scale, 75% size Created in Aladin (Image details as above) |
Simbad Objects witin image field - Aladin Display |
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(#386001-10) |
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Object investigation using Aladin Display What is object maked by white cross-hairs ? |
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CCD Image (100% size, cropped) 9 x 60 sec (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter 2009-08-24 22:00 h UT (#386001-10) 12" LX200R (at f/5.7) + ST-10XME |
Aladin display of NED (extragalactic) objects overlaid on FITS image |
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Answer : Object is SDSS J140216.95+542445 A galaxy lying at a redshift of 0.099437 ( a light distance of 1.249 Gyr ) [SDSS J140216.95+542445 - database details]
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This Web Page: | Notes - Session 409 (2009-12-27) |
Last Updated : | 2015-05-16 |
Site Owner : | David Richards |
Home Page : | David's Astronomy Web Site |