David's Astronomy - Notes 2019-01-28 (S00651)

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Notes - Session 651 (2019-01-28)

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(S650)

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	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result - Night Summary Plot - Session Event Log

	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0), Major Issues (1), Minor Issues (3), Continuous Improvement (14)
	Autofocussing - FWHM & HFD Profiles

	Images from 2019-01-28 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2019-01-28)

Main aims

Targets. Acquire images of a range of targets (comets, variable stars, nearby stars and deep sky objects) during a night of expected very good weather conditions
Stability. Test stability of observatory programs and systems.

Equipment & Software

12" LX200 and ST-10XME
80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, PHD2, POTH Hub
Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
AstroMain 3.8.2, AstroPlan 1.6.2
(AstroMain 3.8.3 used for testing HFD V-Slope Focusing after main automated part of the session had finished)

Highlights

Images. Images from a number of targets were successfully acquired.
(Quality of images were unfortunately mostly rather poor due to poor sky transparency caused by high level cloud)
LX200 powered up remotely at start of session using Pegasus UPB (and later powered down by remote operation)
(Power Supply issues unfortunately surfaced during the session which appear to be due to voltage losses in the relatively thin-wired power extension cable used to reach the UPB)
Improvements in creation of HFD lines from inner and outer focus.

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan (2019-01-28, S651)

Observing Result (2019-01-28, S651)

Night Sky Summary Plot - 2019-01-28, S651
Top axis: Sky Brightness at Zenith (in ADU/s)
Lefthand axis: Local Time (hh LT). Righthand axis: Sun Altitude (degs)

Session Event Log (2019-01-28, S651)

Time		Event	Detail
20:43:22		Session Created	Live Session Created (2019-01-28 S00651, ImageSaveNum: 651001)
20:44:59		Obs.Manager Started	Obs.Manager started
20:45:05		Services Started	Observatory Services started
20:45:43		Observatory (Auto)	Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
20:45:46		Session Pending	Session pending (2019-01-28)
20:45:47		Plan Requested	Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan ()
20:46:44		Camera1 Connected	SBIG Camera Connected (set point -30°C)
20:49:21		Plan Loaded	Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-01-28 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 256)
20:49:28		Camera1 Connected	SBIG Camera Connected (set point -30°C)
20:49:30		Telescope Connected	Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
20:50:20		Shutter Opened	Shutter opened (opening time 45s)
20:50:21		Equilibration Started	Dome Equilibration started
20:54:21		Equilibration Ended	Dome Equilibration ended (4.0 mins total)
20:54:22		Queue Started	Observing Queue started (45 targets selected)
20:54:23		Target Started (1/45)	Target started (1/45, GCVS SU Tau)
21:01:59		Target Completed	Target completed (1/45, GCVS SU Tau)
21:08:48		Target Completed	Target completed (2/45, GCVS U MON)
21:08:49		Target Started (3/45)	Target started (3/45, GCVS Z And)
21:11:55		Focusing Started (Foc1)	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:14:57		Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
21:16:39		Services Started	Observatory Services started
21:18:46		Target Completed	Target completed (3/45, GCVS Z And)
21:23:00		Target Completed	Target completed (4/45, GCVS HH And)
21:23:01		Target Started (5/45)	Target started (5/45, GCVS FU Ori)
21:29:19		Target Completed	Target completed (5/45, GCVS FU Ori)
21:35:12		Target Completed	Target completed (6/45, GCVS CN Ori)
21:36:57		Target Started (7/45)	Target started (7/45, GCVS RZ LMi)
21:44:46		Target Completed	Target completed (7/45, GCVS RZ LMi)
21:48:15		Target Started (8/45)	Target started (8/45, C/2015 O1 (PANSTARRS))
21:58:24		Target Completed	Target completed (8/45, C/2015 O1 (PANSTARRS))
22:00:08		Target Started (9/45)	Target started (9/45, GCVS DY Per)
22:07:59		Target Completed	Target completed (9/45, GCVS DY Per)
22:09:25		Target Started (10/45)	Target started (10/45, WDS GRB 34)
22:14:49		Target Completed	Target completed (10/45, WDS GRB 34)
22:16:50		Target Started (11/45)	Target started (11/45, GCVS RX And)
22:22:51		Target Completed	Target completed (11/45, GCVS RX And)
22:39:21		Target Completed	Target completed (12/46, GCVS CM Tau)
22:41:12		Target Started (14/46)	Target started (14/46, GCVS FO Ori)
22:48:24		Target Completed	Target completed (14/46, GCVS FO Ori)
22:49:20		Target Started (15/46)	Target started (15/46, LAMOST-HVS1)
22:54:55		Target Completed	Target completed (15/46, LAMOST-HVS1)
22:58:16		Target Started (16/46)	Target started (16/46, GCVS U Gem)
23:00:23		Focusing Started (Foc1)	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:04:09		Focusing Aborted	Foc1 Focusing Aborted
23:04:30		Target Aborted (16/46)	Target aborted (16/46, GCVS U Gem) due to other condition
23:07:19		Target Started (17/46)	Target started (17/46, 38P/Stephan-Oterma)
23:14:39		Target Completed	Target completed (17/46, 38P/Stephan-Oterma)
23:17:25		Target Started (18/46)	Target started (18/46, 46P/Wirtanen)
23:33:46		Target Completed	Target completed (18/46, 46P/Wirtanen)
23:35:27		Target Started (19/46)	Target started (19/46, SN 2018kag)
23:50:48		Target Completed	Target completed (19/46, SN 2018kag)
23:52:19		Target Started (20/46)	Target started (20/46, GCVS DX Cnc)
23:59:09		Target Completed	Target completed (20/46, GCVS DX Cnc)
00:02:11		Target Started (21/46)	Target started (21/46, GCVS SY Cnc)
00:07:21		Target Completed	Target completed (21/46, GCVS SY Cnc)
00:11:20		Target Started (22/46)	Target started (22/46, Hickson 40)
00:30:38		Target Completed	Target completed (22/46, Hickson 40)
00:33:12		Target Started (23/46)	Target started (23/46, GCVS AM CVn)
00:38:53		Target Completed	Target completed (23/46, GCVS AM CVn)
00:42:15		Target Started (24/46)	Target started (24/46, GCVS RR Tau)
00:51:51		Target Completed	Target completed (24/46, GCVS RR Tau)
00:52:49		Target Started (25/46)	Target started (25/46, Hickson 47)
00:54:52		Critical Conditions Alert	Critical Conditions Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter
00:54:54		Target Aborted (25/46)	Target aborted (25/46, Hickson 47) due to cloud
00:54:58		Session Suspended	Session suspended
00:55:48		Shutter Closed	Shutter closed (closing time 49s)
00:57:03		Session Resuming	Session resuming
00:57:48		Shutter Opened	Shutter opened (opening time 45s)
01:14:41		Target Started (26/46)	Target started (26/46, NGC 3254 SN2019np)
01:28:25		Target Completed	Target completed (26/46, NGC 3254 SN2019np)
01:31:33		Target Started (27/46)	Target started (27/46, GCVS ER UMa)
01:37:31		Target Completed	Target completed (27/46, GCVS ER UMa)
01:41:21		Target Started (28/46)	Target started (28/46, GCVS S Cyg)
01:55:22		Target Completed	Target completed (28/46, GCVS S Cyg)
01:55:40		Target Started (29/46)	Target started (29/46, GCVS AM Her)
02:03:41		Target Completed	Target completed (29/46, GCVS AM Her)
02:05:51		Target Started (30/46)	Target started (30/46, Hickson 64)
02:24:53		Target Completed	Target completed (30/46, Hickson 64)
02:27:43		Target Started (31/46)	Target started (31/46, GCVS CN Leo)
02:31:28		Focusing Started (Foc1)	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:35:07		Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
02:42:34		Target Completed	Target completed (31/46, GCVS CN Leo)
03:01:53		Target Completed	Target completed (32/46, Hickson 62)
03:20:20		Target Completed	Target completed (33/46, Hickson 80)
03:23:49		Target Started (34/46)	Target started (34/46, GCVS BL Lac)
03:30:00		User Interventation	User Interventation in order to conduct focusing trials
03:31:03		Services Stopped	Observatory Services stopped
03:31:05		Program Closed	Program closed by User
03:32:34		Session Resumed	Live Session Resumed (2019-01-28 S00651, ImageSaveNum: 651317)
03:34:25		Obs.Manager Started	Obs.Manager started
03:34:32		Services Started	Observatory Services started
03:34:47		Telescope Connected	Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
03:34:54		Camera1 Connected	SBIG Camera Connected (set point -30°C)
03:37:25		Focusing Started (Foc1)	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:41:17		Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
04:00:46		Focusing Started (Foc1)	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:03:59		Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
04:18:51		Focusing Started (Foc1)	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:22:13		Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
04:35:30		Focusing Started (Foc1)	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:38:49		Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
04:38:50		Session Closing	Session Closing (Manual)
04:40:25		Shutter Closed	Shutter closed (closing time 63,684,333,626s)
04:43:19		Camera1 Disconnected	SBIG Camera closed down & disconnected
04:44:34		Services Stopped	Observatory Services stopped
04:45:00		Session Finished	Session Finished (Manual)

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Operational Issues (2019-01-28, S651)

Critical Issues (0)
Major Issues (1)
Minor issues (3)
Continuous Improvement (14)

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Critical Issues

None

Major Issues

Shutter unexpectedly closed itself Whilst performing a Pre-Target Focusing, the Shutter unexpectedly closed. Whilst the Focus Profile Run recognised that the focus star had been irretrievably lost and aborted itself, the reason for the shutter closure (like the unexpected shutter closure/ job suspension during S649 session) is unknown. Did the Relay triggered the closure ?
Resolved (2019) by changing the relay configuration & settings.

Minor issues

Target shouldn't be added to Observing Plan if it will later break Airmass Limit
Fix made to AstroPlan code (Q1 2019). Closed (2020)
Temperature Flag on ObsViewer (-1.2degC) is yellow. It should probably be Blue (for sub-zero)
Fixed 2019-01-31 (AstroMain 3.8.5)
Filter needs to reported as 2 chars instead of 1 char. Taking 60s Image (X) , should be (Xo), M1 CM Tau
Fixed 2019-Q1

Continuous Improvement

Automatically Update Session Options when NightDate Rolls forward. It would be helpful and avoid confusion if the Session Options could be automatically updated when the Nigjht Date changes. (Without this the new session options aren't immediately available/obvious when program runs across NightDate (when in Monitoring / Pending modes)
Fixed 2019-01-31 (AstroMain 3.8.5)
Dome Alignment Flag needs wider tolerance recognising reason why a difference between Telescope and slaved Dome will occur
Modification made to AstroMain ObsViewer Code 2019-Q1. Monitor to see if the tweak is sufficient.
Taking Darks, the Target field should be like "Dark Set 12/44" Field is currently used
Fixed 2019-01-31 (AstroMain 3.8.5)
Annotation Adjustment on AllSky CloudSensor Graphs. Annotation to be dropped a little lower to reduced interference with SkyT graph lines
Fixed 2019-01-31 (AstroWeather 1.5.2)
Need to add Barnard's Star to AstroDatabase (NearbyStars Project)
Fixed 2019-01-31 (Target added to AstroDatabase)
Need to ensure TelePosition (send) is automatically set as a default service on Live Sessions on Observatory Computer (Laptop9). Fixed in 2020, TelePosition set as a default Night Service.
Fixed 2020 (AstroMain)
Autoguiding Performance. New tools have been developed to show guiding performance in terms of individual guiding charts and summary guiding data for each session. Charts are uploaded in quasi -realtime to session website to enable thoughts on performance to be developed and quantified.
Closed, May 2020 (AstroMain)
Is it possible to Clear PHD2 History/GuideStats , x/y Plot using OpenPHD2guiding code or script. This requirement is no longer necessary since Individual Guiding Charts have been added as feature in AstroMain
Closed, May 2020 (AstroMain)
Potential program failure due to CCDSoft. Folders Object. Suggestion would be to remove CCDSoft.Folders and use VB.Net folder/directory equivalents. Eventually done in May 2021 (AstroMain 3.40.2)
Done 2021-05-28 (AstroMain 3.40.2)
Need new Routine to Flush Camera CCD between Targets . See Example of problem from Session. +
Review and Implement (AstroMain)
CCD Chip becoming oversaturated due to very bright star, leaving a ghost image on images from next target . The ghost remains even with flushing (1s darks repeated for 30s or so). Code should prehaps look at the final locate image and based on brightest star, identify whether it could give a problem at the exposure times planned, and then decide whether to cap the exposures to a safe limit
Review and Implement (AstroMain) / or at least create a warning
Final Locate Frames should be used to cap Target Frame Exposures. Need to look at the Star Mass of the Brightest star in final locate image and if there is risk of oversaturating the CCD, the Exposure time specified should be scaled back (in sensible measures, eg 60s > 20s, or 10s > 4s)
Review and Implement (AstroMain)
Crab Pulsar 'Locate and Centre' should do a full 4 step Locate. Currently does just a single locate & jog
Modify AstroMain / Crab Pulsar Tab (AstroMain)
Focus Snap images could be better named based on Type (Profile or FastFocus) or Point Type, Step, NearFocus, FinalFocus etc
Review and Implement (AstroMain)

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Autofocussing / HFD Profiles

Focus Profiles from Session, including new HFD measurements

Profile 1: Re-focusing prior to Target 10 (GCVS Z And)

Profile 2: Re-focusing prior to Target 22 (NGC 2585, Set 2)

Profile 3: Re-focusing prior to Target 33 (GCVS SY Cnc)
My Standard autofocus method has been thrown off by two anomalous
FWHM points at either end of range. HFD method performs ok.

Profile 4: Focusing Test
Focusing Test on planned Focus Star (GSC 1310:2696)
for Crab Pulsar Project. The focus star is a double star
and cause problems for autofocusing

Issues

Where there is insufficient data to produce a good quality inner or outer line, then line should either not be drawn or the default gradient line (if gradient is available) should be drawn as a dashed line through the largest HFD point (usually the first or last point as appropriate)
>> Extend code for drawing of inner and outer limit lines
Gradient of Inner and Outer Focus Lines (HFD) to be annotated on diagram
>> Extend code for drawing of inner and outer focus line gradients

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This Web Page:	Notes - Session 651 (2019-01-28)
Last Updated :	2024-10-09
Site Owner :	David Richards
Home Page :	David's Astronomy Web Site