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Notes - Session 619 (2018-08-19)
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Main aims of this nighttime session was to continue the ramp-up phase for the Clair3 Observatory including
1) Confirm resolution of target centering (precise poistioning) issue
that surfaced during previous session (notes
from S618)
(This is critical to achieving
useful image data)
2) Continue test of autoguiding using PHD2 and 80mm APO Guidescope with
autoguiding start/stop controlled by an executing QSO Job Queue with observatory
manager operating in fully automated mode.
(This is critical to achieving
qood quality image frames with exposures of >= 120secs, with minimum frame
wastage )
3) Perform further live test of Observatory System operating in Fully
Automated Mode,
in particular testing of newly corrected code
to perform precise positioning of targets (including N/W Offset).
4) Acquire some images of selected targets (subject to weather
conditions)
5) Continue checking stability of
POTH.Hub (Telescope + Dome) & Observatory Control Software, noting in
particular any further re-occurrences of the '203 error' or 'Blue Screen'
crashes.
Equipment & Software
- 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
- 80mm APO and
ZWO ASI 178MC
- CCDApp2,
TheSky6, CCDSoft 5, PHD2, POTH Hub,
Highlights
- ASCOM / POTH.Hub connected to scope ok and updated scope time/date
etc upon connection
(this had failed in the last session)
- Target Centering worked ok
(this had been problematic during the
last session)
- Automated Observatory Operations worked as expected
(shutter
closed when the clouds roll-in)
- Images of some Hickson galaxy clusters were obtained before the
expected clouds rolled-in
- Observatory system was stable during
main part of session. There were no 'Blue
Screen crashes (unlike previous session). There was, however, one initial instance of "Error code=213(0xd5)" with
poor/lost telescope communications & associated unresponsive CCDSoft5
(issue
was fixed by restarting entire observatory software suite and didn't reoccur
during the remainder of the session )
|
Observing Result (2018-08-19, S619) Observatory Operations started at 23:45, Fully-Automated Mode from 00:06 Job Queue started at 00:11, Shutter closed at 01:18 due to Cloud |
 |
| (Observation Status : Green=Completed, Yellow= Partially Completed, Red= Failed) |
|
Night Sky Summary Plot -
2018-08-19 Top axis: Sky Brightness at Zenith (in ADU/s) Lefthand axis: Local Time (hh LT). Righthand axis: Sun Altitude (degs) |
 |
Back to Top
Issues arising during the session:
- LX200 Telescope loosing connection
with TheSky6, Error Code = 213
Issue seems to be resolved at at end 2018 (Situation improved
since using a new Serial cable with embedded USB-Serial adapter)Back to Top
The Session (2018-08-19) was manually initiated in order to perform autofocussing and check star alignment .
After placing observatory into 'Fully-Automated' Mode the Fully-Automated cycle of operation immediately began, comprising the following session states : Pending, Initiating, Starting, Equilibrating, Running (or Suspended), Closing, Housekeeping, Finished, Back to Pending. (Session was placed back into Manual Mode before reaching Closing state, in order to close the session early and retrieve the laptop.)
The Session then moved to 'Equilibrating'. By end of allotted time CCD temperature had just about stabilised at the regulated set point of -15°C. Observatory to Ambient Temperature Difference remained at +1.4°C
Session Equilibrating 2018-08-20 00:07 (Local)
Dome Equilibration: Started 2018-08-20 00:07 (Local)
Turn off Dome Slaving... Ok Dome Slaving is OFF
Rotating Dome into wind Wind Direction 90°
Temperatures at 00:07 Open Amb. 9.0°C, Obs. 10.4°C (+1.4°C), Scope 10.3°C, CCD -10.2°C (-10.2°C)
Temperatures at 00:08 Open Amb. 9.0°C, Obs. 10.4°C (+1.4°C), Scope 10.4°C, CCD -16.1°C ( -1.1°C)
Temperatures at 00:09 Open Amb. 9.0°C, Obs. 10.4°C (+1.4°C), Scope 10.3°C, CCD -16.1°C ( -1.1°C)
Temperatures at 00:10 Open Amb. 9.0°C, Obs. 10.4°C (+1.4°C), Scope 10.2°C, CCD -14.8°C (+ 0.2°C)
Dome Equilibration: Stopped 4.0 mins (4.0 mins total)
After the allotted equilbration time the session moved to 'Running' and begun executing the Job Queue.
Session Running 2018-08-20 00:11 (Local)
NightDate: Ok 2018-08-19 (NightDate)
Turn on Dome Slaving... Ok Dome Slaving is ON
Turn On Tracking.. Ok Telescope Tracking is ON
Take Frame Jobs (Live MODE) 2018-08-20 00:11 (Local)
Checking Plan... Ok 2018-08-19 V1 BEST PLAN (Plan ID= 182)
Checking Targets... Ok 28 targets selected
AutoSave Folder... Ok C:\Data\CCD Imaging\New\2018-08-19 S00619
AutoSave Start Num... Ok 619001
Date/Time (TheSky6)... Ok 2018-08-20 00:11:25 (Local)
2018-08-19 23:11:25 (UT)
Lat/Long (TheSky6)... Ok 57 19 09.00 N / 02 00 24.99 W
CCD Regulation ... Ok Regulation is ON (Setpoint: -15.0 °C)
Checking CCD Temp... Ok -14.8 °C (72%)
Airmass Cutoff... Ok Airmass 3.3
Checking Targets ... Ok 28 targets selected
Setting Up RealTime VMA... Ok (1.2 Method)
Checking VMA Folders ... Ok
Reading Reference File ... Ok ..\Reference\ProjectStars.txt
After skipping 9 initial targets, which had planned schedule start times that had already been missed, the Job Queue was executed observations on 4 targets (EV Lac, Hickson 80, Hickson 88 and Hickson 94. This were completed successfully apart from the final 180s frames for Hickson 80 and Hickson 94 which was skipped due to avoid the following targets from missing their scheduled start times.
GCVS SS Her (1/28) 2018-08-20 00:11 (Local)
Observing Program: Ok Main Variables (ID: 12)
Target: Ok GCVS SS Her (ID: 172)
Object Type: Ok Mira variable
Checking Start Time ... Fail Planned Start Time (22:23) has been missed. Target will be skipped
[ lines removed for brevity ]
GCVS SS Cyg (9/28) 2018-08-20 00:11 (Local)
Observing Program: Ok Main Variables (ID: 12)
Target: Ok GCVS SS Cyg (ID: 13)
Object Type: Ok Variable
Checking Start Time ... Fail Planned Start Time (23:59) has been missed. Target will be skipped
GCVS EV Lac (10/28) 2018-08-20 00:11 (Local)
Observing Program: Ok Nearby Stars (ID: 11)
Target: Ok GCVS EV Lac (ID: 18)
Object Type: Ok Nearby Star
Constellation: Ok LAC
Observation Type: Ok Monitor
Filters: Ok V
Comment: Ok GJ 873
Checking Start Time ... Ok
Checking Target ... Ok RA: 22 46 49.703, Dec: +44 20 02.00, J2000 (GCVS EV Lac)
Checking Altitude ... Ok Altitude 68.5 degs
Checking Airmass ... Ok Airmass 1.07
Checking Declination... Ok Dec 44.40 degs
Including Offset ... Ok W 2.5, N -2.0 [arc mins]
Updating Target ... Ok RA: 22 46 35.723, Dec: +44 18 02.00, J2000
Slewing ... Ok
Waiting for scope... Ok 2.0s
Checking Dome Position ... Ok
Selecting Pointing Mode ... Ok Higher Precision Pointing (up to 4 locate images)
Selecting Locate Exp ... Ok 5s
Checking CCD Temp... Ok -14.8 °C (70%)
Checking Focuser ... Ok Tube Temp: 10.0 °C
Checking position (1)
Taking 5s image (C)... Ok [00619001] 23:12:18 (UT) Full Locate C
Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok Stars 12, Scale 1.330, Angle 179.9°
Linking Time: Info 2.3s
Analysing stars ... Ok (Stars= 12/12)
Normalised ZP 20.70
Altitude 68.6 deg (Airmass 1.074)
Sky Brightness 10.10 ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 289 ADU, dark: 199.6 ADU(C)
FWHM 2.0 arc sec (bright: 2.4, next4: 1.9)
Reviewing position (1)... Ok Pointing Error: 6.14 arc mins (W: 5.01', N: 3.55')
Reviewing position (1)... Ok Jog Required: 6.14 arc mins (W= -5.01', N= -3.55')
Jogging ... Ok Scope Change: 7.62 arc mins (W= -6.78', N= -3.49')
Jogging ... Info Residual: 1.77 arc mins (W= -1.76', N= 0.06')
Checking position (2)
Taking 5s image (C)... Ok [00619002] 23:13:31 (UT) Full Locate C
Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok Stars 10, Scale 1.330, Angle 179.9°
Linking Time: Info 3.2s
Analysing stars ... Ok (Stars= 10/10)
Normalised ZP 20.78
Altitude 68.6 deg (Airmass 1.074)
Sky Brightness 10.33 ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 291 ADU, dark: 199.6 ADU(C)
FWHM 2.0 arc sec (bright: 2.1, next4: 2.0)
Reviewing position (2)... Ok Pointing Error: 1.33 arc mins (W: -1.25', N: 0.47')
Reviewing position (2)... Ok Jog Required: 1.33 arc mins (W= 1.25', N= -0.47')
Jogging ... Ok Scope Change: 0.43 arc mins (W= -0.36', N= -0.23')
Jogging ... Info Residual: 1.62 arc mins (W= -1.60', N= 0.25')
Acceptance test ... Passed Pointing within 1.5 arc mins
Taking 10s image (V)... Ok [00619003] 23:14:44 (UT) Full 2x2 10s V
Taking 10s image (V)... Ok [00619004] 23:15:06 (UT) Full 2x2 10s V
Taking 10s image (V)... Ok [00619005] 23:15:31 (UT) Full 2x2 10s V
Taking 10s image (V)... Ok [00619006] 23:15:53 (UT) Full 2x2 10s V
Taking 10s image (V)... Ok [00619007] 23:16:15 (UT) Full 2x2 10s V
Taking 10s image (V)... Ok [00619008] 23:16:40 (UT) Full 2x2 10s V
Taking 10s image (V)... Ok [00619009] 23:17:03 (UT) Full 2x2 10s V
Hickson 80 (11/28) 2018-08-20 00:17 (Local)
Observing Program: Ok Hickson Groups (ID: 13)
Target: Ok Hickson 80 (ID: 474)
Object Type: Ok Galaxy Group
Constellation: Ok DRA
Observation Type: Ok Normal
Filters: Ok C
Comment:
Checking Start Time ... Ok
Checking Target ... Ok RA: 15 59 12.267, Dec: +65 13 32.96, J2000 (Hickson 80)
Checking Altitude ... Ok Altitude 55.1 degs
Checking Airmass ... Ok Airmass 1.22
Checking Declination... Ok Dec 65.18 degs
Slewing ... Ok
Waiting for scope... Ok 3.0s
Checking Dome Position ... Ok
Selecting Pointing Mode ... Ok Higher Precision Pointing (up to 4 locate images)
Selecting Locate Exp ... Ok 10s
Checking CCD Temp... Ok -15.2 °C (73%)
Checking Focuser ... Ok Tube Temp: 10.5 °C
Checking position (1)
Taking 10s image (C)... Ok [00619010] 23:18:56 (UT) Full Locate C
Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Failed No Acceptable Match Found
Linking Time: Info 15.2s
Linking image (GSC)... Ok (1) Stars 4, Scale 1.319, Angle 179.6°
Linking Time: Info 19.8s
Analysing stars ... Ok (Stars= 4/4)
Normalised ZP 20.93
Altitude 55.0 deg (Airmass 1.221)
Sky Brightness 9.16 ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 359 ADU, dark: 199.5 ADU(C)
FWHM 2.0 arc sec (bright: 2.3, next4: 2.8)
Reviewing position (1)... Ok Pointing Error: 4.80 arc mins (W: -4.25', N: 2.23')
Reviewing position (1)... Ok Jog Required: 4.80 arc mins (W= 4.25', N= -2.23')
Jogging ... Ok Scope Change: 3.82 arc mins (W= 2.97', N= -2.40')
Jogging ... Info Residual: 1.30 arc mins (W= -1.28', N= -0.17')
Checking position (2)
Taking 10s image (C)... Ok [00619011] 23:20:49 (UT) Full Locate C
Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok (1) Stars 4, Scale 1.319, Angle 180.3°
Linking Time: Info 18.4s
Analysing stars ... Ok (Stars= 4/4)
Normalised ZP 19.68
Altitude 54.7 deg (Airmass 1.225)
Sky Brightness 9.49 ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 365 ADU, dark: 199.8 ADU(C)
FWHM 2.5 arc sec (bright: 2.3, next4: 2.3)
Reviewing position (2)... Ok Pointing Error: 0.90 arc mins (W: -0.90', N: 0.09')
Reviewing position (2)... Ok Jog Required: 0.90 arc mins (W= 0.90', N= -0.09')
Jogging ... Ok Scope Change: 0.11 arc mins (W= 0.11', N= 0.02')
Jogging ... Info Residual: 0.80 arc mins (W= -0.79', N= 0.11')
Acceptance test ... Passed Pointing within 1.5 arc mins
Checking Connection ... Ok Using PHD2 (ZWO ASI178MC)
Start Looping ... Ok Exposure 2s
Send Guide Request
Guiding ... Ok Guide Request Returned
Lock Position OK X: 851.4, Y: 72.5
Star Selected OK X: 851.4, Y: 72.5
Guiding ... Ok Guiding Started
Settling Begun Ok
Star ... Fail Star lost - low SNR
Settling Done Ok Imaging can commence
Review Guiding ... Ok
Using C filter...
Taking 180s image (C)... Ok [00619012] 23:22:35 (UT) Full 3x3 180s C
Guide Stats rms error 0.9" 0.8" / 0.5", SNR:26.9, SM: 1619, Guide: 100% (Lost: 0%), n:90 (0)
Taking 180s image (C)... Ok [00619013] 23:25:45 (UT) Full 3x3 180s C
Guide Stats rms error 0.8" 0.7" / 0.4", SNR:31.0, SM: 1983, Guide: 100% (Lost: 0%), n:90 (0)
Taking 180s image (C)... Ok [00619014] 23:28:57 (UT) Full 3x3 180s C
Guide Stats rms error 1.0" 0.6" / 0.8", SNR:31.2, SM: 2014, Guide: 100% (Lost: 0%), n:90 (0)
Taking 180s image (C)... Ok [00619015] 23:32:09 (UT) Full 3x3 180s C
Guide Stats rms error 2.3" 0.6" / 2.2", SNR:32.3, SM: 2152, Guide: 100% (Lost: 0%), n:91 (0)
Taking 180s image (C)... Failed Image cancelled to prevent observation from overrunning its time slot
Guiding Results 11.8 mins (elapsed)
Guide Stats rms error 1.4" 0.7", 1.2", SNR:30.2, SM: 1933, Guide: 100% (Lost: 0%), n:363 (0)
Stop Guidescope Guiding
Hickson 88 (12/28) 2018-08-20 00:35 (Local)
Observing Program: Ok Hickson Groups (ID: 13)
Target: Ok Hickson 88 (ID: 481)
Object Type: Ok Galaxy Group
Constellation: Ok AQR
Observation Type: Ok Normal
Filters: Ok C
Comment:
Checking Start Time ... Ok
Waiting to Start... Wait Wait till 00:37 to commence target (1.8 mins)
Continue.. Ok 2018-08-20 00:35 (Local)
Target: Ok Hickson 88 (ID: 481)
Checking Target ... Ok RA: 20 52 22.753, Dec: -05 45 28.48, J2000 (Hickson 88)
Checking Altitude ... Ok Altitude 26.8 degs
Checking Airmass ... Ok Airmass 2.22
Checking Declination... Ok Dec -5.69 degs
Slewing ... Ok
Waiting for scope... Ok 2.0s
Checking Dome Position ... Ok
Selecting Pointing Mode ... Ok Higher Precision Pointing (up to 4 locate images)
Selecting Locate Exp ... Ok 10s
Checking CCD Temp... Ok -14.8 °C (82%)
Checking Focuser ... Ok Tube Temp: 10.4 °C
Checking position (1)
Taking 10s image (C)... Ok [00619016] 23:36:31 (UT) Full Locate C
Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok Stars 6, Scale 1.331, Angle 179.8°
Linking Time: Info 3.5s
Analysing stars ... Ok (Stars= 6/6)
Normalised ZP 20.07
Altitude 26.7 deg (Airmass 2.222)
Sky Brightness 30.17 ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 734 ADU, dark: 199.5 ADU(C)
FWHM 2.5 arc sec (bright: 2.0, next4: 2.4)
Reviewing position (1)... Ok Pointing Error: 0.91 arc mins (W: 0.26', N: -0.87')
Reviewing position (1)... Ok Jog Required: 0.91 arc mins (W= -0.26', N= 0.87')
Jogging ... Ok Scope Change: 1.25 arc mins (W= -1.00', N= 0.75')
Jogging ... Info Residual: 0.74 arc mins (W= -0.73', N= -0.12')
Acceptance test ... Passed Pointing within 1.5 arc mins
Activate Guidescope Guiding
Checking Connection ... Ok Using PHD2 (ZWO ASI178MC)
Start Looping ... Ok Exposure 2s
Send Guide Request
Guiding ... Ok Guide Request Returned
Settling Begun Ok
Settling... Fail Error: timed-out waiting for guider to settle
Review Guiding ... Fail Guiding failed to start
Using C filter...
Taking 180s image (C)... Ok [00619017] 23:38:00 (UT) Full 3x3 180s C
Guide Stats rms error 1.6" 1.3" / 1.0", SNR:29.3, SM: 1851, Guide: 100% (Lost: 0%), n:57 (0)
Taking 180s image (C)... Ok [00619018] 23:41:14 (UT) Full 3x3 180s C
Guide Stats rms error 2.1" 1.3" / 1.6", SNR:30.7, SM: 2025, Guide: 100% (Lost: 0%), n:94 (0)
Taking 180s image (C)... Ok [00619019] 23:44:28 (UT) Full 3x3 180s C
Guide Stats rms error 1.7" 1.5" / 0.9", SNR:28.7, SM: 1785, Guide: 100% (Lost: 0%), n:93 (0)
Taking 180s image (C)... Ok [00619020] 23:47:39 (UT) Full 3x3 180s C
Guide Stats rms error 1.8" 1.6" / 0.8", SNR:23.7, SM: 1216, Guide: 100% (Lost: 0%), n:93 (0)
Taking 180s image (C)... Ok [00619021] 23:50:53 (UT) Full 3x3 180s C
Guide Stats rms error 1.8" 1.2" / 1.2", SNR:25.9, SM: 1501, Guide: 100% (Lost: 0%), n:93 (0)
Guiding Results 14.8 mins (elapsed)
Guide Stats rms error 1.8" 1.4", 1.2", SNR:27.5, SM: 1662, Guide: 100% (Lost: 0%), n:430 (0)
Stop Guidescope Guiding
Hickson 94 (13/28) 2018-08-20 00:54 (Local)
Observing Program: Ok Hickson Groups (ID: 13)
Target: Ok Hickson 94 (ID: 483)
Object Type: Ok Galaxy Group
Constellation: Ok PEG
Observation Type: Ok Normal
Filters: Ok C
Comment:
Checking Start Time ... Ok
Waiting to Start... Wait Wait till 00:56 to commence target (2.6 mins)
Continue.. Ok 2018-08-20 00:54 (Local)
Target: Ok Hickson 94 (ID: 483)
Checking Target ... Ok RA: 23 17 16.441, Dec: +18 43 10.86, J2000 (Hickson 94)
Checking Altitude ... Ok Altitude 47.3 degs
Checking Airmass ... Ok Airmass 1.36
Checking Declination... Ok Dec 18.82 degs
Slewing ... Ok
Waiting for scope... Ok 2.0s
Checking Dome Position ... Ok
Selecting Pointing Mode ... Ok Higher Precision Pointing (up to 4 locate images)
Selecting Locate Exp ... Ok 10s
Checking CCD Temp... Ok -15.2 °C (80%)
Checking Focuser ... Ok Tube Temp: 9.8 °C
Checking position (1)
Taking 10s image (C)... Ok [00619022] 23:54:46 (UT) Full Locate C
Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Failed No Acceptable Match Found
Linking Time: Info 6.6s
Linking image (GSC)... Failed No Acceptable Match Found
Linking Time: Info 6.3s
Linking image (UCA/USNO*)...Failed No Acceptable Match Found
Linking image (GSC*)... Ok Stars 5, Scale 1.326, Angle 179.80°
Analysing stars ... Ok (Stars= 0/0)
Altitude 47.4 deg (Airmass 1.358)
Sky Brightness 10.15 ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 378 ADU, dark: 199.5 ADU(C)
FWHM 2.5 arc sec (bright: 2.6, next4: 3.4)
Reviewing position (1)... Ok Pointing Error: 3.09 arc mins (W: 3.03', N: 0.62')
Reviewing position (1)... Ok Jog Required: 3.09 arc mins (W= -3.03', N= -0.62')
Jogging ... Ok Scope Change: 5.00 arc mins (W= -4.97', N= -0.55')
Jogging ... Info Residual: 1.94 arc mins (W= -1.94', N= 0.07')
Checking position (2)
Taking 10s image (C)... Ok [00619023] 23:56:29 (UT) Full Locate C
Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Failed No Acceptable Match Found
Linking Time: Info 6.0s
Linking image (GSC)... Failed No Acceptable Match Found
Linking Time: Info 4.4s
Linking image (UCA/USNO*)...Ok Stars 6, Scale 1.326, Angle 179.69°
Analysing stars ... Ok (Stars= 0/0)
Altitude 47.5 deg (Airmass 1.356)
Sky Brightness 9.92 ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 374 ADU, dark: 199.5 ADU(C)
FWHM 5.0 arc sec (bright: 5.2, next4: 4.7)
Reviewing position (2)... Ok Pointing Error: 1.80 arc mins (W: -1.73', N: 0.51')
Reviewing position (2)... Ok Jog Required: 1.80 arc mins (W= 1.73', N= -0.51')
Jogging ... Ok Scope Change: 0.68 arc mins (W= -0.47', N= -0.49')
Jogging ... Info Residual: 2.20 arc mins (W= -2.20', N= 0.01')
Checking position (3)
Taking 10s image (C)... Ok [00619024] 23:57:47 (UT) Full Locate C
Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Failed Too few stars (SmartStarCount 2)
Linking image (GSC)... Failed Too few stars (SmartStarCount 2)
Linking image (UCA/USNO*)...Failed Too few stars (SmartStarCount 2)
Linking image (GSC*)... Failed Too few stars (SmartStarCount 2)
Analysing stars ... Ok (Stars= 0/0)
Altitude 47.6 deg (Airmass 1.354)
Sky Brightness 9.85 ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 373 ADU, dark: 199.8 ADU(C)
FWHM 2.5 arc sec (bright: 5.1, next4: 2.7)
Unable to Link Image.. Info Will try a longer exposure
Checking position (4)
Taking 20s image (C)... Ok [00619025] 23:58:16 (UT) Full Locate C
Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Failed No Acceptable Match Found
Linking Time: Info 18.1s
Linking image (GSC)... Ok Stars 8, Scale 1.330, Angle 179.8°
Linking Time: Info 2.8s
Analysing stars ... Ok (Stars= 8/8)
Normalised ZP 21.27
Altitude 47.6 deg (Airmass 1.353)
Sky Brightness 9.94 ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 552 ADU, dark: 200.1 ADU(C)
FWHM 2.0 arc sec (bright: 6.0, next4: 3.0)
Reviewing position (4)... Ok Pointing Error: 2.12 arc mins (W: -2.12', N: 0.11')
Reviewing position (4)... Ok Jog Required: 2.12 arc mins (W= 2.12', N= -0.11')
Jogging ... Ok Scope Change: 0.02 arc mins (W= 0.00', N= 0.02')
Jogging ... Info Residual: 2.12 arc mins (W= -2.12', N= 0.13')
Activate Guidescope Guiding
Checking Connection ... Ok Using PHD2 (ZWO ASI178MC)
Start Looping ... Ok Exposure 2s
Send Guide Request
Lock Position OK X: 1722.7, Y: 168.9
Star Selected OK X: 1722.7, Y: 168.9
Guiding ... Ok Guide Request Returned
Lock ... Fail Lock Posiition Lost
Star ... Fail Star lost - low mass
Lock Position OK X: 403.2, Y: 1360.3
Star Selected OK X: 403.2, Y: 1360.3
Guiding ... Ok Guiding Started
Settling Begun Ok
Settling Done Ok Imaging can commence
Review Guiding ... Ok
Using C filter...
Taking 180s image (C)... Ok [00619026] 00:00:34 (UT) Full 3x3 180s C
Guide Stats rms error 1.9" 0.9" / 1.7", SNR:21.1, SM: 924, Guide: 100% (Lost: 0%), n:94 (0)
Taking 180s image (C)... Ok [00619027] 00:03:45 (UT) Full 3x3 180s C
Guide Stats rms error 4.3" 0.9" / 4.2", SNR:21.5, SM: 952, Guide: 100% (Lost: 0%), n:91 (0)
Taking 180s image (C)... Ok [00619028] 00:06:57 (UT) Full 3x3 180s C
Guide Stats rms error 7.0" 1.1" / 6.9", SNR:20.2, SM: 846, Guide: 100% (Lost: 0%), n:83 (0)
Taking 180s image (C)... Ok [00619029] 00:10:10 (UT) Full 3x3 180s C
Guide Stats rms error 2.1" 1.0" / 1.8", SNR:13.2, SM: 362, Guide: 100% (Lost: 0%), n:89 (0)
Taking 180s image (C)... Failed Image cancelled to prevent observation from overrunning its time slot
Guiding Results 2.9 mins (elapsed)
Guide Stats rms error 4.3" 1.0", 4.1", SNR:19.0, SM: 775, Guide: 100% (Lost: 0%), n:360 (0)
Stop Guidescope Guiding
Clouds had started to cross the the site by this point and auto-guiding was starting to have issues holding station. During the course of slewing to and centering TT Ari the whole sky had become effectively covered. At 01:18 the Observatory Manager intervened to close the dome shutter and suspend the job queue. At this point and with little prospect of the sky clearing elected to put the Observatory Manager back into Manual Mode and close the session 'manually'.
The Observatory Manager would have eventually closed the session itself (parking the dome and the scope), but I was needing to retrieve the observatory laptop and go to bed (Ideally there would be a button & routine that could be used to force the Observatory Manager into 'Closing State' to take advantage of the cleaner and more streamlined operations offered by the Fully Automated code for 'closing down' and doing final 'housekeeping' )
GCVS TT Ari (14/28) 2018-08-20 01:13 (Local)
Observing Program: Ok Main Variables (ID: 12)
Target: Ok GCVS TT Ari (ID: 114)
Object Type: Ok Variable
Constellation: Ok Ari
Observation Type: Ok Monitor
Filters: Ok VR
Comment: Ok TT Ari
Checking Start Time ... Ok
Waiting to Start... Wait Wait till 01:16 to commence target (2.8 mins)
Continue.. Ok 2018-08-20 01:13 (Local)
Target: Ok GCVS TT Ari (ID: 114)
Checking Target ... Ok RA: 02 06 53.100, Dec: +15 17 41.99, J2000 (GCVS TT Ari)
Checking Altitude ... Ok Altitude 27.7 degs
Checking Airmass ... Ok Airmass 2.15
Checking Declination... Ok Dec 15.38 degs
Slewing ... Ok
Waiting for scope... Ok 5.0s
Checking Dome Position ... Ok
Selecting Pointing Mode ... Ok Higher Precision Pointing (up to 4 locate images)
Selecting Locate Exp ... Ok 10s
Checking CCD Temp... Ok -15.2 °C (85%)
Checking Focuser ... Ok Tube Temp: 9.8 °C
Checking position (1)
Taking 10s image (C)... Ok [00619030] 00:13:59 (UT) Full Locate C
Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Failed Too few stars (SmartStarCount 4)
Linking image (GSC)... Failed Too few stars (SmartStarCount 4)
Linking image (UCA/USNO*)...Failed Too few stars (SmartStarCount 4)
Linking image (GSC*)... Failed Too few stars (SmartStarCount 4)
Analysing stars ... Ok (Stars= 0/0)
Altitude 27.7 deg (Airmass 2.147)
Sky Brightness 11.17 ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 396 ADU, dark: 199.5 ADU(C)
FWHM 3.0 arc sec (bright: 3.2, next4: 4.0)
Unable to Link Image.. Info Will try a longer exposure
Checking position (2)
Taking 20s image (C)... Ok [00619031] 00:14:27 (UT) Full Locate C
Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok (1) Stars 5, Scale 1.330, Angle 179.6°
Linking Time: Info 20.3s
Analysing stars ... Ok (Stars= 0/5)
Altitude 27.8 deg (Airmass 2.143)
Sky Brightness 10.28 ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 577 ADU, dark: 199.9 ADU(C)
FWHM 3.0 arc sec (bright: 3.4, next4: 3.3)
Reviewing position (2)... Ok Pointing Error: 4.60 arc mins (W: 4.35', N: -1.51')
Reviewing position (2)... Ok Jog Required: 4.60 arc mins (W= -4.35', N= 1.51')
Jogging ... Ok Scope Change: 6.65 arc mins (W= -6.51', N= 1.33')
Jogging ... Info Residual: 2.18 arc mins (W= -2.17', N= -0.18')
Checking position (3)
Taking 20s image (C)... Ok [00619032] 00:16:02 (UT) Full Locate C
Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok Stars 7, Scale 1.330, Angle 179.6°
Linking Time: Info 3.4s
Analysing stars ... Ok (Stars= 7/7)
Normalised ZP 20.29
Altitude 28.0 deg (Airmass 2.132)
Sky Brightness 10.48 ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 571 ADU, dark: 200.1 ADU(C)
FWHM 3.0 arc sec (bright: 2.9, next4: 3.3)
Reviewing position (3)... Ok Pointing Error: 2.76 arc mins (W: -2.67', N: -0.68')
Reviewing position (3)... Ok Jog Required: 2.76 arc mins (W= 2.67', N= 0.68')
Jogging ... Ok Scope Change: 0.54 arc mins (W= 0.23', N= 0.49')
Jogging ... Info Residual: 2.45 arc mins (W= -2.44', N= -0.19')
Activate Guidescope Guiding
Checking Connection ... Ok Using PHD2 (ZWO ASI178MC)
Start Looping ... Ok Exposure 2s
Send Guide Request
Lock Position OK X: 663.6, Y: 141.0
Star Selected OK X: 663.6, Y: 141.0
Guiding ... Ok Guide Request Returned
Lock ... Fail Lock Position Lost
(>>>
Star ... Fail Star lost - low mass
Lock Position OK X: 410.6, Y: 1800.0
Star Selected OK X: 410.6, Y: 1800.0
Lock ... Fail Lock Posiition Lost
Star ... Fail Star lost - low SNR
Unknown Event ... Info Event : LoopingExposuresStopped
Settling... Fail Error: Image capture stopped
Review Guiding ... Fail Guiding failed to start
Image Group 1/3 [GSet 7]
Taking 45s image (V)...
Observatory Alert 2018-08-20 01:18 (Local)
Critical Cloud Conditions: Alert Observatory Manager will close the Dome Shutter
Session Suspended 2018-08-20 01:18 (Local)
Session: 2018-08-19 Info Session suspended
Close Shutter... Closing
Checking Conditions... Ok Conditions have improved
Observatory Manager: Action Opening Dome again
Turn On Tracking.. Ok Telescope Tracking is ON
Open Shutter... Opening
Observatory Alert 2018-08-20 01:18 (Local)
Critical Cloud Conditions: Alert Observatory Manager will close the Dome Shutter
Ok [00619033] 00:17:52 (UT) Full 3x3 45s V
Script Paused ...
Close Shutter... Ok Shutter is Closed (40s)
Observatory Mode 2018-08-20 01:31 (Local)
Setting Mode ... Ok Manual
(>>>>> Observatory Mode set to Manual)
Taking 45s image (R)... Failed ()
Script Aborting ...
Script Aborting ...
Script Aborting ... Aborted (Script aborted by user)
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An autofocussing run was performed at the start of the session .
The new data point (temperature 10.3°C) was used to update the current Focus
v. Temperature graph and provided a new temperature corrected focus equation
whose coefficients for setting focus positions at the next session
Focus Position = -141.9 * T + 4963, where T is temperature in °C
| Focus vs. Temperature Correlation (2018-08-19) |
 |
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| This Web Page: | Notes - Session 619 (2018-08-19) |
| Last Updated : | 2023-11-27 |
| Site Owner : | David Richards |
| Home Page : | David's Astronomy Web Site |