Fig 1.  Switching COM Port for Pulsar Observatories Dome



Fig 2.  Job Queue Frozen after checking GCVS SS Cyg coordinates

With key hardware powered up (Observatory Laptop, Dome, Telescope and CCD Camera),  key software running (TheSky6, CCDSoft5 and CCDApp2), key observatory services started (Observatory Manager, Weather/Cloud Sensor, ASCOM Dome, ASCOM Scope, PHD2) the observatory manager control was placed into 'Fully-Automated' Mode.

 

---

Start Observatory Services              2018-08-23 23:42 (Local)
  TempMonitor:                Ok        Already active
  Observatory Monitor:        Ok        Already active
  Weather Station:            Ok        Already active
  Cloud Sensor:               Ok        Already active
  ASCOM Dome:                 Ok        Started (Connected to POTH->Pulsar Observatories Dome / POTH.Dome)
  ASCOM Scope:                Ok        Started (Connected to POTH->LX200GPS/R / POTH.Telescope)
  Scorecard:                  Ok        Started
  TelePosition:               Ok        Started
  TelePosition Listener:      Ok        Started

Connect PHD2 Guiding software
  Connecting PHD2 ...         Ok        Connected (IP: 127.0.0.1 Port: 4400)
  Checking datastream ...     Ok        
  - Profile                   Yes       ZWO ASI178MC         (ID: 1)
  - Current Equipment                     (<<<  Code needs to add 'Connect Devices' here )
      Camera                  Yes       ZWO ASI178MC         (Connected)
      Mount                   Yes       POTH->LX200GPS/R     (Connected)
      Aux Mount               No        
  - Equipment Connected       Yes       
  - Calibration               Yes       
  - Binning                   Ok        1
  - Pixel Scale               Ok        1.03132 arc sec/px

---

Observatory Mode                        2018-08-23 23:43 (Local)
  Setting Mode...             Ok        Fully-Automated

---

 

This initiated the Fully-Automated Cycle of Operation, comprising the following session states : Pending, Initiating, Starting, Equilibrating, Running (or Suspended), Closing, Housekeeping, Finished, Back to Pending. 

---

Session Pending                         2018-08-23 23:43 (Local)
  NightDate:                  Ok        2018-08-23       (NightDate)

---

Session Initiating                      2018-08-23 23:43 (Local)
  NightDate:                  Ok        2018-08-23       (NightDate)
  Import Observing Plan...

---

Create Observing Plan                   2018-08-23 23:43 (Local)
  Request Observing Plan...   Ok
  Generate Night Plan...      Ok        SqlForms2/Schedule Builder has completed
  Selecting Plan...           Ok        2018-08-23   V1   BEST PLAN   (Plan ID: 186)
  Retrieving Targets ...      Ok        23 Targets. 
  Reading Start Time...       Ok        2018-08-23 22:09 (Scheduled StartTime, Local)

---

Session Starting                        2018-08-23 23:45 (Local)
  Session:                    Ok        2018-08-23       (NightDate)

---

Connect Camera                          2018-08-23 23:45 (Local)
  Connecting camera...        Ok
  Temperature Regulation...   Ok
  Temperature Set Point...    Ok        -20 °C
  TempMonitor:                Ok        Already active

---

Connect Telescope                       2018-08-23 23:45 (Local)
  Establishing link...        Ok
  Telescope Coords...         Ok        Az: 180.7, Alt: 2.7

---

  Turn Off Tracking..         Ok        Telescope Tracking is OFF  (<<<< This line should be with Connect Telescope )
Session                                 2018-08-23 23:45 (Local)
  Session Name:               Ok        2018-08-23 S00621 (Session)
  Creating session folder ... Ok        .\New\2018-08-23 S00621
  Creating analysis folder ...Ok        .\...\2018-08-23 S00621
  Creating subfolders ...     Ok        .\...\2018-08-23 S00621\_RAW, \_REDUCED etc
  Stopping CCDSoft            Ok        
  Setting Autosave Number     Ok        621001
  Restarting CCDSoft
  Creating Camera object...   Ok        CCDsoft.Camera
  Creating Autoguider object..Ok        CCDsoft.Camera
  Creating Folder object..    Ok        CCDSoft.Folder
  Reconnecting camera ...

---

Connect Camera                          2018-08-23 23:45 (Local)
  Connecting camera...        Ok
  Temperature Regulation...   Ok
  Temperature Set Point...    Ok        -20 °C
  TempMonitor:                Ok        Already active

---

  Setting AutoSave Folder ... Ok        .\New\2018-08-23 S00621

---

The Session then moved to 'Equilibrating'. By end of allotted time CCD temperature had just about reached the regulated set point of -20°C. Observatory to Ambient Temperature Difference rose from +1.7 to +1.9°C during the allotted time rather than fell

---

Session Equilibrating                   2018-08-23 23:45 (Local)
  Dome Equilibration:         Started   2018-08-23 23:45 (Local)
    Rotating Dome into wind             Wind Direction 270°
    Temperatures at 23:45     Open      Amb.  7.3°C, Obs.  9.0°C (+1.7°C), Scope  8.5°C, CCD + 5.8°C (+ 5.8°C)
  Open Shutter...             Opening      (<<<< Shutter should be opened fully before equilibration starts)
    Temperatures at 23:46     Opening   Amb.  7.3°C, Obs.  9.0°C (+1.7°C), Scope  8.6°C, CCD  -7.7°C (+12.3°C)
  Open Shutter...             Ok        Shutter is open (45s) 
    Rotating Dome into wind             Wind Direction 270°
    Temperatures at 23:48     Open      Amb.  7.2°C, Obs.  9.0°C (+1.8°C), Scope  8.6°C, CCD -15.7°C (+ 4.3°C)
    Temperatures at 23:49     Open      Amb.  7.1°C, Obs.  9.0°C (+1.9°C), Scope  8.5°C, CCD -20.9°C ( -0.9°C)
  Dome Equilibration:         Stopped   4.1 mins (4.1 mins total)

---

 

After the allotted equilibration time the session moved to 'Running' and begun executing the Job Queue.   The first 14 targets were skipped as their schedule start times had already been missed.  Imaging commenced with SS Her but images were poor due to residual flush of frost

---

Session Running                         2018-08-23 23:49 (Local)
  NightDate:                  Ok        2018-08-23       (NightDate)
  Turn on Dome Slaving...     Ok        Dome Slaving is ON
  Turn On Tracking..          Ok        Telescope Tracking is ON

---

Take Frame Jobs (Live MODE)             2018-08-23 23:49 (Local)
  Checking Plan...            Ok        2018-08-23   V1   BEST PLAN            (Plan ID= 186)
  Checking Targets...         Ok        23 targets selected
  AutoSave Folder...          Ok        C:\Data\CCD Imaging\New\2018-08-23 S00621
  AutoSave Start Num...       Ok        621001
  Date/Time (TheSky6)...      Ok        2018-08-23 23:49:58 (Local)
                                        2018-08-23 22:49:58 (UT)
  Lat/Long (TheSky6)...       Ok        57 19 09.00 N / 02 00 24.99 W
  CCD Regulation ...          Ok        Regulation is ON (Setpoint: -20.0 °C)
  Checking CCD Temp...        Warning   Temp [-21.3 °C] is 1.3 °C below setpoint
  Airmass Cutoff...           Ok        Airmass 3.3
  Checking Targets ...        Ok        23 targets selected
  Setting Up RealTime VMA...  Ok        (1.2 Method)
  Checking VMA Folders ...    Ok        
  Reading Reference File ...  Ok        ..\Reference\ProjectStars.txt

---

GCVS RX And  (1/23)                     2018-08-23 23:49 (Local)
  Observing Program:          Ok        Main Variables (ID: 12)
  Target:                     Ok        GCVS RX And (ID: 20)
  Object Type:                Ok        Variable
  Checking Start Time ...     Fail      Planned Start Time (22:09) has been missed. Target will be skipped

 [ lines removed for brevity ]

GCVS R CrB  (14/23)                     2018-08-23 23:49 (Local)
  Observing Program:          Ok        Main Variables (ID: 12)
  Target:                     Ok        GCVS R CrB (ID: 98)
  Object Type:                Ok        Variable
  Checking Start Time ...     Fail      Planned Start Time (23:47) has been missed. Target will be skipped

---

GCVS SS Her  (15/23)                    2018-08-23 23:49 (Local)
  Observing Program:          Ok        Main Variables (ID: 12)
  Target:                     Ok        GCVS SS Her (ID: 172)
  Object Type:                Ok        Mira variable
  Constellation:              Ok        HER
  Observation Type:           Ok        Monitor
  Filters:                    Ok        VR
  Comment:                    Ok        Her SS
  Checking Start Time ...     Ok        
  Waiting to Start...         Wait      Wait till 23:53 to commence target (3.1 mins)

  Continue..                  Ok        2018-08-23 23:49 (Local)
  Target:                     Ok        GCVS SS Her (ID: 172)

  Continue..                  Ok        2018-08-23 23:49 (Local)
  Target:                     Ok        GCVS SS Her (ID: 172)
  Checking Target ...         Ok        Sidereal Target (GCVS SS Her)
  Checking Coordinates ...    Ok        RA: 16 32 55.502, Dec: +06 51 30.00, J2000 (GCVS SS Her)
  Checking Altitude ...       Ok        Altitude 19.5 degs
  Checking Airmass ...        Ok        Airmass 2.99
  Checking Declination...     Ok        Dec 6.82 degs
  Slewing ...                 Ok        
  Waiting for scope...        Ok        4.0s
  Checking Dome Position ...  Ok
  Selecting Pointing Mode ... Ok        Higher Precision Pointing (up to 4 locate images)
  Selecting Locate Exp ...    Ok        15s
  Checking CCD Temp...        Ok        -20.4 °C (65%)
  Checking Focuser ...        Ok        Tube Temp: 8.5 °C

  Checking position (1)
  Taking 15s image (C)...     Ok        [00621001] 22:50:46 (UT)  Full Locate C
  Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Failed    Too few stars (SmartStarCount 4)
  Unable to Link Image..      Info      Will try a longer exposure

  Checking position (2)
  Taking 30s image (C)...     Ok        [00621002] 22:51:15 (UT)  Full Locate C
  Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Failed    Too few stars (SmartStarCount 4)
  Unable to Link Image..      Info      Will try a longer exposure

  Checking position (3)
  Taking 60s image (C)...     Ok        [00621003] 22:52:06 (UT)  Full Locate C
  Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Failed    Too few stars (SmartStarCount 2)
  Unable to Link Image..      Info      Will try a longer exposure

  Checking position (4)
  Taking 60s image (C)...     Ok        [00621004] 22:53:29 (UT)  Full Locate C
  Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Failed    Too few stars (SmartStarCount 2)
    Analysing stars ...       Ok        (Stars= 0/0)
    Altitude                  19.1      deg (Airmass 3.055)
    Sky Brightness            73.12     ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 7912 ADU, dark: 198.2 ADU(C)
    FWHM                      5.0       arc sec (bright: 5.1, next4: 5.1)
  Unable to Link Image..      Info      Maximum number of attempts reached
  Acceptance Test ...         Failed    Will continue on, assuming that pointing is ok

  Current AllSky Meas...      Ok        Clear (Cloud ADU rate: 69.6)

  Image Group 1/3 [GSet 2]
  Taking 20s image (V)...     Ok        [00621005] 22:54:57 (UT)  Full 3x3 20s V
  Taking 10s image (R)...     Ok        [00621006] 22:55:34 (UT)  Full 3x3 10s R
  
  Image Group 2/3 [GSet 3]
  Taking 20s image (V)...     Ok        [00621007] 22:56:09 (UT)  Full 3x3 20s V
  Taking 10s image (R)...     Ok        [00621008] 22:56:47 (UT)  Full 3x3 10s R
  
  Image Group 3/3 [GSet 4]
  Taking 20s image (V)...     Ok        [00621009] 22:57:22 (UT)  Full 3x3 20s V
  Taking 10s image (R)...     Ok        [00621010] 22:57:59 (UT)  Full 3x3 10s R
  Current AllSky Meas...      Ok        Clear (Cloud ADU rate: 82.4)

---

GCVS Z And  (16/23)                     2018-08-23 23:58 (Local)
  Observing Program:          Ok        Main Variables (ID: 12)
  Target:                     Ok        GCVS Z And (ID: 23)
  Object Type:                Ok        Symbiotic variable
  Constellation:              Ok        AND
  Observation Type:           Ok        Monitor
  Filters:                    Ok        BVR
  Comment:                    Ok        And Z
  Current AllSky Meas...      Ok        Clear (Cloud ADU rate: -2.1)
  Checking Start Time ...     Ok        

  Checking Target ...         Ok        Sidereal Target (GCVS Z And)
  Checking Coordinates ...    Ok        RA: 23 33 39.999, Dec: +48 49 05.99, J2000 (GCVS Z And)
  Checking Altitude ...       Ok        Altitude 65.6 degs
  Checking Airmass ...        Ok        Airmass 1.10
  Checking Declination...     Ok        Dec 48.86 degs
  Including Offset ...        Ok        W 3.5, N -3.7 [arc mins]
  Updating Target ...         Ok        RA: 23 33 18.737, Dec: +48 45 23.99, J2000
  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        5s
  Checking CCD Temp...        Ok        -20.4 °C (76%)
  Checking Focuser ...        Ok        Tube Temp: 7.9 °C

  Checking position (1)
  Taking 5s image (C)...      Ok        [00621011] 22:59:44 (UT)  Full Locate C
  Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok        Stars 19, Scale 1.330, Angle 179.9°
  Linking Time:               Info      3.9s
    Analysing stars ...       Ok        (Stars= 19/19)
    Normalised ZP             21.56     
    Altitude                  65.8      deg (Airmass 1.097)
    Sky Brightness            13.98     ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 321 ADU, dark: 197.4 ADU(C)
    FWHM                      3.0       arc sec (bright: 4.1, next4: 2.9)
  Reviewing position (1)...   Ok        Pointing Error:  9.49 arc mins (W: 8.00', N: 5.10')  
  Reviewing position (1)...   Ok        Jog Required:    9.49 arc mins (W= -8.00', N= -5.10')
  Jogging ...                 Ok        Scope Change:    10.00 arc mins (W= -8.54', N= -5.20')

  Checking position (2)
  Taking 5s image (C)...      Ok        [00621012] 23:00:52 (UT)  Full Locate C
  Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok        Stars 20, Scale 1.330, Angle 179.9°
  Linking Time:               Info      4.1s
    Analysing stars ...       Ok        (Stars= 20/20)
    Normalised ZP             21.62     
    Altitude                  65.8      deg (Airmass 1.097)
    Sky Brightness            13.76     ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 319 ADU, dark: 197.4 ADU(C)
    FWHM                      2.5       arc sec (bright: 4.1, next4: 3.1)
  Reviewing position (2)...   Ok        Pointing Error:  1.74 arc mins (W: -0.62', N: -1.62')  
  Reviewing position (2)...   Ok        Jog Required:    1.74 arc mins (W= 0.62', N= 1.62')
  Jogging ...                 Ok        Scope Change:    1.42 arc mins (W= 0.00', N= 1.42')

  Checking position (3)
  Taking 5s image (C)...      Ok        [00621013] 23:02:02 (UT)  Full Locate C
  Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok (1)    Stars 21, Scale 1.330, Angle 179.9°
  Linking Time:               Info      6.3s
    Analysing stars ...       Ok        (Stars= 22/22)
    Normalised ZP             21.60     
    Altitude                  65.9      deg (Airmass 1.095)
    Sky Brightness            13.97     ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 321 ADU, dark: 197.5 ADU(C)
    FWHM                      2.5       arc sec (bright: 4.0, next4: 3.6)
  Reviewing position (3)...   Ok        Pointing Error:  0.87 arc mins (W: -0.84', N: 0.22')  
  Reviewing position (3)...   Ok        Jog Required:    0.87 arc mins (W= 0.84', N= -0.22')
  Jogging ...                 Ok        Scope Change:    0.17 arc mins (W= 0.16', N= -0.05')
  Acceptance test ...         Passed    Pointing within 1.5 arc mins

  Current AllSky Meas...      Ok        Clear (Cloud ADU rate: 0.4)

  Image Group 1/3 [GSet 6]
  Taking 15s image (B)...     Ok        [00621014] 23:03:21 (UT)  Full 3x3 15s B
  Taking 5s image (V)...      Ok        [00621015] 23:03:53 (UT)  Full 3x3 5s V
  Taking 5s image (R)...      Ok        [00621016] 23:04:16 (UT)  Full 3x3 5s R
  
  Image Group 2/3 [GSet 7]
  Taking 15s image (B)...     Ok        [00621017] 23:04:45 (UT)  Full 3x3 15s B
  Taking 5s image (V)...      Failed    Image cancelled to prevent observation from overrunning its time slot
  Taking 5s image (R)...      Failed    Image cancelled to prevent observation from overrunning its time slot
  
  Image Group 3/3 [GSet 8]
  Taking 15s image (B)...     Failed    Image cancelled to prevent observation from overrunning its time slot
  Taking 5s image (V)...      Failed    Image cancelled to prevent observation from overrunning its time slot
  Taking 5s image (R)...      Failed    Image cancelled to prevent observation from overrunning its time slot

---

WDS GRB 34  (17/23)                     2018-08-24 00:05 (Local)
  Observing Program:          Ok        Nearby Stars (ID: 11)
  Target:                     Ok        WDS GRB 34 (ID: 24)
  Object Type:                Ok        Nearby Star
  Constellation:              Ok        AND
  Alias Names:                Ok        Groombridge 34
  Observation Type:           Ok        Monitor
  Filters:                    Ok        R
  Comment:                              
  Checking Start Time ...     Ok        

  Checking Target ...         Ok        Sidereal Target (WDS GRB 34)
  Checking Coordinates ...    Ok        RA: 00 18 22.900, Dec: +44 01 22.99, J2000 (WDS GRB 34)
  Checking Altitude ...       Ok        Altitude 57.5 degs
  Checking Airmass ...        Ok        Airmass 1.19
  Checking Declination...     Ok        Dec 44.12 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        -20.0 °C (77%)
  Checking Focuser ...        Ok        Tube Temp: 8.1 °C

  Checking position (1)
  Taking 10s image (C)...     Ok        [00621018] 23:05:50 (UT)  Full Locate C
  Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok        Stars 17, Scale 1.330, Angle 179.8°
  Linking Time:               Info      4.1s
    Analysing stars ...       Ok        (Stars= 17/17)
    Normalised ZP             21.74     
    Altitude                  57.6      deg (Airmass 1.185)
    Sky Brightness            12.81     ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 424 ADU, dark: 197.5 ADU(C)
    FWHM                      3.5       arc sec (bright: 3.6, next4: 3.6)
  Reviewing position (1)...   Ok        Pointing Error:  9.43 arc mins (W: 8.92', N: 3.08')  
  Reviewing position (1)...   Ok        Jog Required:    9.43 arc mins (W= -8.92', N= -3.08')

  Checking position (2)
  Taking 10s image (C)...     Ok        [00621019] 23:07:09 (UT)  Full Locate C
  Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok (1)    Stars 17, Scale 1.330, Angle 179.8°
  Linking Time:               Info      7.4s
    Analysing stars ...       Ok        (Stars= 17/17)
    Normalised ZP             21.74     
    Altitude                  57.7      deg (Airmass 1.183)
    Sky Brightness            12.75     ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 423 ADU, dark: 197.6 ADU(C)
    FWHM                      2.5       arc sec (bright: 2.5, next4: 2.6)
  Reviewing position (2)...   Ok        Pointing Error:  8.28 arc mins (W: 8.28', N: 0.02')  
  Reviewing position (2)...   Ok        Jog Required:    8.28 arc mins (W= -8.28', N= -0.02')

  Checking position (3)
  Taking 10s image (C)...     Ok        [00621020] 23:08:13 (UT)  Full Locate C
  Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok        Stars 20, Scale 1.330, Angle 179.8°
  Linking Time:               Info      3.6s
    Analysing stars ...       Ok        (Stars= 20/20)
    Normalised ZP             21.70     
    Altitude                  57.7      deg (Airmass 1.182)
    Sky Brightness            12.81     ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 424 ADU, dark: 197.5 ADU(C)
    FWHM                      3.0       arc sec (bright: 9.7, next4: 3.4)
  Reviewing position (3)...   Ok        Pointing Error:  0.79 arc mins (W: -0.79', N: 0.03')  
  Reviewing position (3)...   Ok        Jog Required:    0.79 arc mins (W= 0.79', N= -0.03')
  Acceptance test ...         Passed    Pointing within 1.5 arc mins
  Current AllSky Meas...      Ok        Clear (Cloud ADU rate: -1.7)

  Taking 5s image (R)...      Ok        [00621021] 23:09:16 (UT)  Full 2x2 5s R
  Taking 5s image (R)...      Ok        [00621022] 23:09:35 (UT)  Full 2x2 5s C
  Taking 5s image (R)...      Ok        [00621023] 23:09:52 (UT)  Full 2x2 5s R
  Taking 5s image (R)...      Ok        [00621024] 23:10:09 (UT)  Full 2x2 5s R
  Taking 5s image (R)...      Failed    Image cancelled to prevent observation from overrunning its time slot
  Taking 5s image (R)...      Failed    Image cancelled to prevent observation from overrunning its time slot
  Taking 5s image (R)...      Failed    Image cancelled to prevent observation from overrunning its time slot

---

GCVS TT Ari  (18/23)                    2018-08-24 00:10 (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        

  Checking Target ...         Ok        Sidereal Target (GCVS TT Ari)
  Checking Coordinates ...    Ok        RA: 02 06 53.100, Dec: +15 17 41.99, J2000 (GCVS TT Ari)
  Checking Altitude ...       Ok        Altitude 21.4 degs
  Checking Airmass ...        Ok        Airmass 2.74
  Checking Declination...     Ok        Dec 15.38 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        15s
  Checking CCD Temp...        Ok        -20.0 °C (83%)
  Checking Focuser ...        Ok        Tube Temp: 8.1 °C

  Checking position (1)
  Taking 15s image (C)...     Ok        [00621025] 23:11:13 (UT)  Full Locate C
  Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok (1)    Stars 4, Scale 1.329, Angle 179.6°
  Linking Time:               Info      29.6s
    Analysing stars ...       Ok        (Stars= 5/6)
    Normalised ZP             21.09     
    Altitude                  21.5      deg (Airmass 2.725)
    Sky Brightness            23.81     ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 829 ADU, dark: 197.7 ADU(C)
    FWHM                      5.0       arc sec (bright: 5.6, next4: 4.8)
  Reviewing position (1)...   Ok        Pointing Error:  6.78 arc mins (W: 5.99', N: -3.18')  
  Reviewing position (1)...   Ok        Jog Required:    6.78 arc mins (W= -5.99', N= 3.18')

  Checking position (2)
  Taking 15s image (C)...     Ok        [00621026] 23:13:24 (UT)  Full Locate C
  Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok        Stars 8, Scale 1.332, Angle 179.6°
  Linking Time:               Info      3.7s
    Analysing stars ...       Ok        (Stars= 8/8)
    Normalised ZP             21.14     
    Altitude                  21.7      deg (Airmass 2.696)
    Sky Brightness            23.32     ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 818 ADU, dark: 197.7 ADU(C)
    FWHM                      4.5       arc sec (bright: 4.3, next4: 4.7)
  Reviewing position (2)...   Ok        Pointing Error:  2.11 arc mins (W: -2.02', N: -0.62')  
  Reviewing position (2)...   Ok        Jog Required:    2.11 arc mins (W= 2.02', N= 0.62')

  Checking position (3)
  Taking 15s image (C)...     Ok        [00621027] 23:14:40 (UT)  Full Locate C
  Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok        Stars 8, Scale 1.330, Angle 179.6°
  Linking Time:               Info      3.4s
    Analysing stars ...       Ok        (Stars= 8/8)
    Normalised ZP             21.07     
    Altitude                  21.9      deg (Airmass 2.676)
    Sky Brightness            22.64     ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 798 ADU, dark: 197.5 ADU(C)
    FWHM                      5.5       arc sec (bright: 4.7, next4: 5.4)
  Reviewing position (3)...   Ok        Pointing Error:  3.07 arc mins (W: -3.06', N: -0.18')  
  Reviewing position (3)...   Ok        Jog Required:    3.07 arc mins (W= 3.06', N= 0.18')
  Jogging ...                 Ok        Scope Change:    2.64 arc mins (W= 2.64', N= 0.00')

  ( <<<<< Why no Checking position (4) ?   Pointing Error 3.07,   Allowed Tolerance 1.5 )

  Activate Guidescope Guiding
    Checking Connection ...   Ok        Using PHD2 (ZWO ASI178MC)
    Start Looping ...         Ok        Exposure 3s
    Send Guide Request
    Guiding ...               Ok        Guide Request Returned
    Lock Position             OK        X: 2877.1, Y: 268.4
    Star Selected             OK        X: 2877.1, Y: 268.4
  Lock ...                    Fail      Lock Position Lost
    Star ...                  Fail      Star lost - low SNR
    Lock Position             OK        X: 2888.9, Y: 269.2
    Star Selected             OK        X: 2888.9, Y: 269.2
    Guiding ...               Ok        Guiding Started
    Settling Begun            Ok        
    Unknown Event ...         Info      Event : GuidingStopped
    Unknown Event ...         Info      Event : LoopingExposuresStopped
  Lock ...                    Fail      Lock Position Lost
    Settling...               Fail      Error: Image capture stopped
    Review Guiding ...        Fail      Guiding failed to start


  Image Group 1/3 [GSet 18]
  Taking 45s image (V)...     Ok        [00621028] 23:16:14 (UT)  Full 3x3 45s V
  Taking 45s image (R)...     Ok        [00621029] 23:17:17 (UT)  Full 3x3 45s R
  
  Image Group 2/3 [GSet 19]  ( <<< Autoguiding manual initiated here)
  Taking 45s image (V)...     Ok        [00621030] 23:18:26 (UT)  Full 3x3 45s V
    Guide Stats  rms error    3.6"      3.5", 0.5", SNR:8.0, SM: 141, Guide: 20% (Lost: 80%), n:10 (8)
  Taking 45s image (R)...     Failed    Image cancelled to prevent observation from overrunning its time slot
  
  Image Group 3/3 [GSet 20]
  Taking 45s image (V)...     Failed    Image cancelled to prevent observation from overrunning its time slot
  Taking 45s image (R)...     Failed    Image cancelled to prevent observation from overrunning its time slot

  Guiding Results             0.4       mins (elapsed)
    Guide Stats  rms error    3.6"      3.5", 0.5", SNR:8.0, SM: 141, Guide: 20% (Lost: 80%), N:10 (8

---

At 00:22 the Observatory Manager intervened to suspend the Job Queue and Close the Shutter because of overhead cloud.
This was despite the fact that the sky is clear at the current target (GSC 1224:29)

Overhead

---

GSC 1224:29  (19/23)                    2018-08-24 00:19 (Local)
  Observing Program:          Ok        Nearby Stars (ID: 11)
  Target:                     Ok        GSC 1224:29 (ID: 122)
  Object Type:                Ok        Nearby Star
  Constellation:              Ok        ARI
  Alias Names:                Ok        Teegardens Star
  Observation Type:           Ok        Monitor
  Filters:                    Ok        C
  Comment:                              
  Checking Start Time ...     Ok        

  Checking Target ...         Ok        Sidereal Target (GSC 1224:29)
  Checking Coordinates ...    Ok        RA: 02 52 47.078, Dec: +16 57 13.64, J2000 (GSC 1224:29)
  Checking Altitude ...       Ok        Altitude 17.8 degs
  Checking Airmass ...        Ok        Airmass 3.27
  Checking Declination...     Ok        Dec 16.99 degs
  Including Offset ...        Ok        W -1.6, N -2.5 [arc mins]
  Updating Target ...         Ok        RA: 02 52 53.769, Dec: +16 54 43.64, J2000
  Slewing ...                 Ok        
  Waiting for scope...        Ok        4.0s
  Checking Dome Position ...  Ok
  Selecting Pointing Mode ... Ok        Higher Precision Pointing (up to 4 locate images)
  Selecting Locate Exp ...    Ok        15s
  Checking CCD Temp...        Ok        -20.0 °C (85%)
  Checking Focuser ...        Ok        Tube Temp: 7.9 °C

  Checking position (1)
  Taking 15s image (C)...     Ok        [00621031] 23:20:03 (UT)  Full Locate C
  Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok        Stars 8, Scale 1.332, Angle 179.5°
  Linking Time:               Info      3.3s
    Analysing stars ...       Ok        (Stars= 8/8)
    Normalised ZP             21.05     
    Altitude                  17.8      deg (Airmass 3.263)
    Sky Brightness            25.54     ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 877 ADU, dark: 197.7 ADU(C)
    FWHM                      4.5       arc sec (bright: 4.6, next4: 4.5)
  Reviewing position (1)...   Ok        Pointing Error:  6.19 arc mins (W: 4.05', N: -4.68')  
  Reviewing position (1)...   Ok        Jog Required:    6.19 arc mins (W= -4.05', N= 4.68')
  Jogging ...                 Ok        Scope Change:    6.17 arc mins (W= -4.33', N= 4.40')

  Checking position (2)
  Taking 15s image (C)...     Ok        [00621032] 23:21:23 (UT)  Full Locate C
  Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok        Stars 8, Scale 1.333, Angle 179.5°
  Linking Time:               Info      3.7s
    Analysing stars ...       Ok        (Stars= 8/8)
    Normalised ZP             21.08     
    Altitude                  18.0      deg (Airmass 3.225)
    Sky Brightness            25.09     ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 866 ADU, dark: 197.7 ADU(C)
    FWHM                      4.5       arc sec (bright: 4.7, next4: 4.5)
  Reviewing position (2)...   Ok        Pointing Error:  0.79 arc mins (W: -0.61', N: -0.49')  
  Reviewing position (2)...   Ok        Jog Required:    0.79 arc mins (W= 0.61', N= 0.49')
  Jogging ...                 Ok        Scope Change:    0.36 arc mins (W= 0.21', N= 0.29')
  Acceptance test ...         Passed    Pointing within 1.5 arc mins

  Current AllSky Meas...      Ok        Clear (Cloud ADU rate: -25.3)  ( <<< clear at target)

---

Observatory Alert                       2018-08-24 00:22 (Local)
Critical Cloud Conditions:    Alert     Observatory Manager will close the Dome Shutter   ( responds to Clarity)

---

Session Suspended                       2018-08-24 00:22 (Local)
  Session: 2018-08-23         Info      Session suspended
  Close Shutter...            Closing   
  Close Shutter...            Ok        Shutter is Closed (45s)

 

  Script Paused ...

---

At 03:54 there was an anomalous Critical Conditions alert from the Observatory Manager who intervened to close the Shutter, before Opening it again a few moments later.  Its thought that this was triggered by a delay in a scorecard coming through from the AllSky Computer, and the prior Can_Open flag was invalidated after a number of minutes (? 3 minutes).   The rule is that observatory should be closed when operating in Full-Automated Mode unless data saying that it is safe to have the shutter open.

Observatory Manager has access to other data independant of the scorecard so unless this was delayed, the executive program should have been able to fill in the data and not have to momentarily shut the observatory.

(It's unclear why the V2 Plan contained two planned observations of GK Per, let alone why they were back-to-back. Current rule has it that a Target can only be included once within a plan. This is the first time this has been seen

---

GCVS GK Per  (22/23)                    2018-08-24 03:48 (Local)
  Observing Program:          Ok        Main Variables (ID: 12)
  Target:                     Ok        GCVS GK Per (ID: 71)
  Object Type:                Ok        Variable
  
 [ lines removed for brevity ]

  Image Group 1/3 [GSet 43]
  Taking 15s image (V)...     Ok        [00621189] 02:51:30 (UT)  Full 3x3 15s V
  Taking 10s image (R)...     Ok        [00621190] 02:52:03 (UT)  Full 3x3 10s R
  
  Image Group 2/3 [GSet 44]
  Taking 15s image (V)...     Ok        [00621191] 02:52:38 (UT)  Full 3x3 15s V
  Taking 10s image (R)...     Ok        [00621192] 02:53:10 (UT)  Full 3x3 10s R
  
  Image Group 3/3 [GSet 45]
  Taking 15s image (V)...     Ok        [00621193] 02:53:45 (UT)  Full 3x3 15s V
  Taking 10s image (R)...     

---

Observatory Alert                       2018-08-24 03:54 (Local)
Critical Conditions:          Alert     Observatory Manager will close the Dome Shutter

---

Session Suspended                       2018-08-24 03:54 (Local)
  Session: 2018-08-23         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   
  Open Shutter...             Ok        Shutter is open (10s)
Ok        [00621194] 02:54:18 (UT)  Full 3x3 10s R                     ( <<< displaced report line)
  Current AllSky Meas...      Ok        Clear (Cloud ADU rate: 4.5)    ( <<< displaced report line)

---

GCVS GK Per  (23/23)                    2018-08-24 03:54 (Local)
  Observing Program:          Ok        Main Variables (ID: 12)
  Target:                     Ok        GCVS GK Per (ID: 71)
  Object Type:                Ok        Variable

  [ lines removed for brevity ]

  Image Group 1/3 [GSet 47]
  Taking 15s image (V)...     Ok        [00621196] 02:55:54 (UT)  Full 3x3 15s V
  Taking 10s image (R)...     Ok        [00621197] 02:56:27 (UT)  Full 3x3 10s R
  
  Image Group 2/3 [GSet 48]
  Taking 15s image (V)...     Ok        [00621198] 02:57:02 (UT)  Full 3x3 15s V
  Taking 10s image (R)...     Ok        [00621199] 02:57:34 (UT)  Full 3x3 10s R
  
  Image Group 3/3 [GSet 49]
  Taking 15s image (V)...     Ok        [00621200] 02:58:08 (UT)  Full 3x3 15s V
  Taking 10s image (R)...     Ok        [00621201] 02:58:42 (UT)  Full 3x3 10s R
  Current AllSky Meas...      Ok        Clear (Cloud ADU rate: 5.0)

Operation...                  Completed

---

After Job Queue completed the Session moved to 'Closing', before moving to 'Housekeeping' and finally 'Finished'

---

Session Closing                         2018-08-24 03:58 (Local)

  Begin Shutdown              Ok        2018-08-23 S00621(Session)

  Close Shutter                         
  Close Shutter...            Ok        Shutter is Closed (45s)

  Park Dome                             
  Park Dome...                Ok        Dome is Parked

  Park Telescope                        
  Park Telescope ...
  Park Telescope ..           Ok        Telescope is Parked
  Disconnect Telescope ...    Ok        Telescope is Disconnected (TheSky6)

  Close Camera                          
  Turnoff CCD Cooling ...     Ok        CCD Cooling is OFF
  Turnoff CCD Fan ...         Ok        CCD Fan is OFF
  Wait for CCD to re-warm...            CCD Temperature : -14.8°C
  Wait for CCD to re-warm...  Ok        CCD Temperature : -6.1°C
  Disconnect Focuser ...      Ok        Focusser is Disconnected
  Disconnect Camera ...       Ok        Camera is disconnected

  Shutter Stats                         
  - Opening                   Info      Open Shutter Requests:  1 (Completed: 1)
  - Closing                   Info      Close Shutter Requests: 2 (Completed: 1)

---

Session Housekeeping                    2018-08-24 04:01 (Local)

  Begin Housekeeping          Ok        2018-08-23 S00621(Session)

  Cleanup FITS files
  Preparing clean-up ...      Ok        
  Cleaning file names ...     Fail      Problem renaming 00621034.17h45m01.4s_03d14m44sN.FIT
                              Ok        201 fits files have been tidied up
  Removing .SRC files ...     Ok        202 src files have been deleted

  Create FITS summary file
  Preparing Summary file ..   Ok        Fits Summary.dat
  Writing Summary file ..     Ok        202 fits files have been summarised

  Transfer FITS Files
  Preparing transfer...       Ok        
  Transferring Files...       Ok        Copying .fits files
                              Ok        Copying Fits Summary.dat
                              Ok        202 fits files have been copied to the ./_RAW folder  (178.0 MB)
  Copying focus images ...    Ok        55 images have been copied to the ./_RAW/_FOCUS folder  (19.4 MB)

  Archive Session Files                 
  Archiving Files ...         Ok        (.log, .htm, .dat etc)

---

Session Finished                        2018-08-24 04:01 (Local)
  Waiting till next night...

---

TeleComms Service refers to Telescope Communication Service between Main Computer and AllSky Computer for the purposes of
a) display status of telescope and dome shutter on the Observatory Scorecard & on the Night Summary Plot
b) display of telescope/current target position and upcoming target positions on Annotated AllSky Images
c) inform the Main Computer of the cloud cover prevailing at the current telescope/target position and at the upcoming target positions

(Current telescope /current target position and upcoming target positions are updated throughout execution of a job queue on Main Observatory Computer.  AllSky Images, Night Summary Plot  and Scorecard are produced on AllSky Computer every 30s)

When the service is running on the Main Computer the following data is sent to the AllSky Computer every 5s
 1) Date-Time
 2) Status  as string
 3) Shutter Status as string
 4) Scope Target Name
 5) Scope Ra
 6) Scope Dec

  7) Next Target1 Name
 8) Next Target1 RA
 9) Next Target1 Dec

10) Next Target2 Name
11) Next Target2 RA
12) Next Target2 Dec

13) Next Target3 Name
14) Next Target3 RA
15) Next Target3 Dec

- Data is taken from the TP object (TP.ShutterState, TP.Scope and TP.NextTarget() )
- ShutterState is populated from objDome object (POTH.Dome) by the Observatory Monitor every 2s.

- TP.Scope is populated via calls to TP.ShowScope subroutine (which might call TP.SetScopeCoords depending on whether Ra/Dec are provided or not) . 

Calls to TP.ShowScope (with RA,Dec) is made by ImageTargetT, ImageTargetT_QSO, ImageMosaicT,  ImageMosaicT_QSO
after slewing to a target.

, whilst calls to TP.Scope (without RA,Dec) is made by several routines, including RunMeasureFocusProfile, RunMappingRun1, TakeManualObject

- Scope is set hidden by a call to TP.HideScope. Calls to HideScope are made as a Post-Job task for RunTakeFrameJobs & RunTakeFrameJobsQSO

- TP.NextTarget() array is populated by calls to UpdateTpnNextTargets() that are made from within the LoadShootList and  DisplayShootListQSO routines (i.e. each time that  listTargetImaging  and listTargetImagingQSO  are updated respectively) .  NextTargets are set hidden by a call to TP.HideNextTargets

 

Data is sent over Port :   xxxx

If no new data is received by the AllSky Computer for 3.5 minutes, the last received data is treated as being Invalid, except for ShutterState which is treated as Invalid after 6 minutes.

The following data is sent back to the Main Computer every 2s
 1) Date-Time
 2) Scope Target Name
 3) Scope Cloud Value
 4) Scope Cloud ADU rate

  5) Next Target1 Name
 6) Next Target1 Cloud Value
 7) Next Target1 ADU rate

  8) Next Target2 Name
 9) Next Target2 Cloud Value
10) Next Target2 ADU rate

11) Next Target3 Name
12) Next Target3 Cloud Value
13) Next Target3 ADU rate

(Note data, except for DataTime, will only change with each new AllSky Images ,

Data is taken from IV record. IV record is populated with Cloud Information after processing each new AllSky Image ( i.e. every 30s or so)

Code connected with PHD2 Autoguiding is held in a VB.Module  'Phd2.vb'

Guiding Activation

PHD2 Autoguiding is activated by call to Phd2.StartPHD2Guiding()

After checking PHD2 connection the following steps are undertaken
a) a 'get_exposure' request is sent to get current exposure setting
b) a 'loop' request is sent in order to begin looping frame
c) a 'guide' request is sent to initiate guiding (following parameters are sent  "pixels": 1.5, "time": 5, "timeout": 20 )
d) responses from PHD2 are monitored, looking initially for a 'StartGuiding' event to see that guiding has starting and waiting ideally for a 'SettleDone' event to to know that PHD2 guiding has settled and that main imaging can commence.

 

The guide' method should do whatever it needs to start guiding and to report when guiding is settled and stable. It is understood to include auto-selected a guide star if one is not already selected. Sending a loop request is not absolutely necessary as the 'guide' method will start capturing of camera isn't looping already.

Given that Guide request generally doesn't result in PHD2 locking on to a suitable guidestar, the options would seem to be

i) add a delay between sending loop request and the guide request to ensure that guide will start by looking at a fresh image from the new target rather an image from the last target.

ii) find a way to de-select the current (last) guide star, if one exists, before sending the 'guide' request

ii) send a 'find_star' request, after 'loop' and before 'guide'. This method  will return the lock position of the selected star, otherwise it returns an error object

 

Guiding Monitoring

 

Guiding Suspension

PHD2 Autoguiding is stopped by a call 'Phd2.StopPHD2Guiding'
a) a 'stop_capture' request is set to stop looping/guiding
 ('get_appstate' is used to confirm that looping/guiding has stopped

 

More on PHD2 Event Monitoring (https://github.com/OpenPHDGuiding/phd2/wiki/EventMonitoring)

 

---

  Checking position (1)
  Taking 15s image (C)...     Ok        [00621025] 23:11:13 (UT)  Full Locate C
  Reviewing position (1)...   Ok        Pointing Error:  6.78 arc mins (W: 5.99', N: -3.18')  
  Reviewing position (1)...   Ok        Jog Required:    6.78 arc mins (W= -5.99', N= 3.18')

  State after 0.5s            Ok        Scope Change:    8.06 arc mins (W= -7.49', N= 2.98')   << 0.5 sec
  State after 1.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    8.05 arc mins (W= -7.49', N= 2.97')
  State after 1.5             Ok        Scope Change:    8.05 arc mins (W= -7.49', N= 2.97')
  State after 2.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    7.83 arc mins (W= -7.25', N= 2.97')
  State after 2.5s            Ok        Scope Change:    7.83 arc mins (W= -7.25', N= 2.97')
  State after 3.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    8.28 arc mins (W= -7.73', N= 2.97')
  State after 3.5s            Ok        Scope Change:    8.06 arc mins (W= -7.49', N= 2.98')
  State after 4.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    8.06 arc mins (W= -7.49', N= 2.98')
  State after 5.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    8.05 arc mins (W= -7.49', N= 2.96')
  State after 6.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    8.05 arc mins (W= -7.49', N= 2.96')
  State after 7.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    7.83 arc mins (W= -7.25', N= 2.96')
  State after 8.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    8.05 arc mins (W= -7.49', N= 2.96')
  State after 9.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    8.06 arc mins (W= -7.49', N= 2.98')
  State after 10.0s           Ok        Scope Change:    8.06 arc mins (W= -7.49', N= 2.98')
  State after 11.0s           Ok        Scope Change:    7.83 arc mins (W= -7.25', N= 2.96')
  State after 12.0s           Ok        Scope Change:    8.05 arc mins (W= -7.49', N= 2.96')
  State after 13.0s           Ok        Scope Change:    8.06 arc mins (W= -7.49', N= 2.98')
  State after 14.0s           Ok        Scope Change:    8.06 arc mins (W= -7.49', N= 2.98')
  State after 15.0s           Ok        Scope Change:    8.06 arc mins (W= -7.49', N= 2.98')

  Checking position (2)
  Reviewing position (2)...   Ok        Pointing Error:  2.11 arc mins (W: -2.02', N: -0.62')  
  Reviewing position (2)...   Ok        Jog Required:    2.11 arc mins (W= 2.02', N= 0.62')

  State after 0.5s            Ok        Scope Change:    0.51 arc mins (W= -0.25', N= 0.44')
  State after 1.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    0.66 arc mins (W= -0.49', N= 0.44')
  State after 1.5s            Ok        Scope Change:    0.85 arc mins (W= -0.73', N= 0.44')
  State after 2.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    0.85 arc mins (W= -0.73', N= 0.44')
  State after 2.5s            Ok        Scope Change:    1.07 arc mins (W= -0.97', N= 0.44')  << 2.5 sec
  State after 3.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    1.07 arc mins (W= -0.97', N= 0.44')
  State after 15.0s           Ok        Scope Change:    1.07 arc mins (W= -0.97', N= 0.44')
 

  Checking position (1)
  Reviewing position (1)...   Ok        Pointing Error:  9.43 arc mins (W: 8.92', N: 3.08')  
  Reviewing position (1)...   Ok        Jog Required:    9.43 arc mins (W= -8.92', N= -3.08')

  State after 0.5s            Ok        Scope Change:    3.07 arc mins (W= 0.00', N= -3.07')  << 1 sec
  State after 1.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    3.07 arc mins (W= 0.00', N= -3.07')
  State after 1.5s            Ok        Scope Change:    3.07 arc mins (W= 0.00', N= -3.07')
  State after 2.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    3.07 arc mins (W= 0.00', N= -3.07')
  State after 2.5s            Ok        Scope Change:    3.07 arc mins (W= 0.00', N= -3.07')
  State after 3.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    3.14 arc mins (W= 0.00', N= -3.14')
  State after 3.5s            Ok        Scope Change:    3.15 arc mins (W= -0.17', N= -3.14')  << 3.5 sec
  State after 15.0s           Ok        Scope Change:    3.08 arc mins (W= -0.17', N= -3.07')

  Checking position (2)
  Taking 10s image (C)...     Ok        [00621019] 23:07:09 (UT)  Full Locate C
  Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok (1)    Stars 17, Scale 1.330, Angle 179.8°
  Linking Time:               Info      7.4s
    Analysing stars ...       Ok        (Stars= 17/17)
    Normalised ZP             21.74     
    Altitude                  57.7      deg (Airmass 1.183)
    Sky Brightness            12.75     ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 423 ADU, dark: 197.6 ADU(C)
    FWHM                      2.5       arc sec (bright: 2.5, next4: 2.6)
  Reviewing position (2)...   Ok        Pointing Error:  8.28 arc mins (W: 8.28', N: 0.02')  
  Reviewing position (2)...   Ok        Jog Required:    8.28 arc mins (W= -8.28', N= -0.02')

  State after 0.5s            Ok        Scope Change:    0.03 arc mins (W= 0.00', N= 0.03')
  State after 1.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    8.62 arc mins (W= -8.62', N= 0.05')   << 1 sec
  State after 1.5s            Ok        Scope Change:    8.62 arc mins (W= -8.62', N= 0.05')
  State after 2.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    8.62 arc mins (W= -8.62', N= 0.05')
  State after 2.5s            Ok        Scope Change:    8.62 arc mins (W= -8.62', N= 0.02')
  State after 3.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    8.62 arc mins (W= -8.62', N= 0.02')
  State after 5.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    8.80 arc mins (W= -8.80', N= 0.03')
  State after 10.0s           Ok        Scope Change:    9.16 arc mins (W= -9.16', N= -0.02')  << 10 sec
  State after 15.0s           Ok        Scope Change:    9.16 arc mins (W= -9.16', N= 0.02')

 

  Checking position (3)
  Taking 10s image (C)...     Ok        [00621020] 23:08:13 (UT)  Full Locate C
  Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok        Stars 20, Scale 1.330, Angle 179.8°
  Linking Time:               Info      3.6s
    Analysing stars ...       Ok        (Stars= 20/20)
    Normalised ZP             21.70     
    Altitude                  57.7      deg (Airmass 1.182)
    Sky Brightness            12.81     ADU/sq.arc sec/sec, bkgd: 424 ADU, dark: 197.5 ADU(C)
    FWHM                      3.0       arc sec (bright: 9.7, next4: 3.4)
  Reviewing position (3)...   Ok        Pointing Error:  0.79 arc mins (W: -0.79', N: 0.03')  
  Reviewing position (3)...   Ok        Jog Required:    0.79 arc mins (W= 0.79', N= -0.03')

  State after 0.5s            Ok        Scope Change:    0.00 arc mins (W= 0.00', N= 0.00')
  State after 1.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    0.72 arc mins (W= 0.72', N= 0.00')
  State after 1.5s            Ok        Scope Change:    0.54 arc mins (W= 0.54', N= 0.00')  << 1.5 sec
  State after 2.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    0.54 arc mins (W= 0.54', N= 0.00')
  State after 2.5s            Ok        Scope Change:    0.54 arc mins (W= 0.54', N= 0.00')
  State after 3.0s            Ok        Scope Change:    0.54 arc mins (W= 0.54', N= 0.00')
  State after 15.0s           Ok        Scope Change:    0.54 arc mins (W= 0.54', N= 0.00')

Using simple thresholds the occurrence of a sub-20 clarity value would trigger the closing of the dome shutter (if it were open) since low clarity is normally associated with thick cloud and potential rain.   However if the sub-20 clarity point was a bad or corrupted reading then closing the shutter would be rather wasteful loosing one of two frames or even a whole target depending on the event occurred.  

An example of a bad reading was noted on 2018-08-25 Night Summary Plot & corresponding Annotated AllSky Image at 22:25 where Clarity value falls to 19 from 33. Using simple thresholds the occurrence of a sub-20 clarity value would have trigger the closing of the dome shutter and then be followed 30s later by a reopening of the dome when clarity value of 33 were again seen.

Review of "CloudSensor_Data.csv" produced by "Cloud Sensor III" software showed that among the data readings taken at 5s interval there was a single row of bad data at 21:25:23 with anomalous values for sky temperature (-3.1) and clarity value (18.7).   It was pure fluke/bad luck that this particular reading was the one read and associated with the 30s image and 30s scorecard .

In order not to trigger false closures of the dome bad readings such as this need to be either identified and rejected, or lost in the averaging with several adjacent good values (say a 30s or 60s moving average)

Job Queue Frozen after checking GCVS SS Cyg coordinates

Time	Temp.	Sky_Temp	Clarity
21:24:51	15.6	-18.0	33.5
21:24:56	15.6	-17.9	33.4
21:25:01	15.6	-18.1	33.7
21:25:07	15.6	-17.9	33.5
21:25:12	15.6	-18.4	34.0
21:25:18	15.6	-18.0	33.6
21:25:23	15.6	-3.1	18.7
21:25:28	15.6	-18.0	33.5
21:25:34	15.6	-17.9	33.5
21:25:39	15.6	-18.3	33.9
21:25:45	15.6	-18.3	33.9
21:25:50	15.6	-18.0	33.6
21:25:56	15.6	-17.9	33.5

HP Desktop Computer used for monitoring and operating the observatory remotely has been given problems ever since it had Windows 10 installed along with a GeForce 730 graphic card, whereby every 10-15 mins the screen will freeze , then go totally black before appearing again a few seconds later . These events correspond to events termed 'Hardware failures' in Windows Reliablity data.  Sometimes the computer will freeze totally and the power button has to pushed in for several seconds in order to turn the computer off, before turning it on again.  More recently it has developed Windows problem such has not be able to open the Windows Start Menu.  Internet Explorer & Edge very slow or freeze.   A data folder (downloaded Software zips and installation files) is corrupted and couldn't be opened.

Initial attempts to check and repair the drive using CheckDisk /Scan Disk didn't work. nor did an attempt to repair windows. In the end it was decided to a fresh install of Windows 10 on 2018-08-25  . This proceeded ok and restored the computer to working condition again . However the problems with the screen, believed to be an issue with the  GeForce GT 730 graphics adapter, still occurred   Attempting to update the drivers for the adapter through Device Manager produced a message say the drivers (2017) were already the latest available available. Not content with the status quo I looked up the available NVIDIA drivers for GeForce GT 730 card and found that there was a version "391.35 - WHQL" dated 2018-03-27 ( https://www.geforce.co.uk/drivers ) which was more recent than the one provided by Windows.  The driver was download and installed on 2018-08-25.  So far the screen display has been working smoothly without incident.

Latest Driver for GeForce GT 730 Graphics Adpater

Latest Driver installed