David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 714 (2019-10-24)

 
Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
 
Bullet Operational Issues
  - Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (2),  Minor Issues (3),  Continuous Improvement (3)
 
Bullet Detached Rubber Trim
Bullet SharpCap Notes
 
Bullet Images from 2019-10-24  >>
 
 

Session Aims & Highlights (2019-10-24)

Main aims

  1. SharpCap:  Execute the third live session test involving integrated SharpCap/AstroMain imaging, under better sky conditons
  2. Targets: Acquire images of a selection of new targets and monitoring of previous variable stars, nearby stars and comets.

Equipment & Software

Highlights Image

Lowlights Image

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan
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Observing Result
Image
   
Slew/Centering Performance
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Dome Slewing Performance
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Sky Conditions (Locate Frames)
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Night Sky Summary Plot
Top axis: Sky Brightness at Zenith (in ADU/s)
Lefthand axis: Local Time (hh LT). Righthand axis: Sun Altitude (degs)
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North Sky Sky Summary Plot
Auroral Activity 19:30 to 00:30
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Pre-Session Weather Forecast (AstroWeather 1.7.8)
Forecast showed patchy cloud up to 00:00 and then cloud thickeneing until total cloud cover at 04:00
In the event therre was a moderately clear interval between 23:00 and 00:45.
Operations suspended at 23:42 and remained that way until the morning  
Image   
  
Session Event Log
Time     Event Detail
20:23:57 Session Created Live Session Created (2019-10-24 S00714, ImageSaveNum: 714001)
20:24:12   Scope Switched On Scope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
20:25:47   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started
20:25:49   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started
20:25:54   Services Started Observatory Services started
20:26:59 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
20:27:04 Session Pending Session pending (2019-10-24)
20:27:06 Session Initiating Session initiating (2019-10-24)
20:27:08   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.12.8)
20:27:54   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-10-24 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 399)
20:28:07   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C)
20:28:12   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
20:28:25 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration
20:29:10   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 45s)
20:29:13   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started
20:33:11   Equilibration Ended Dome Equilibration ended (4.0 mins total)
20:33:13 Session Running Session running
20:33:15   Queue Started Observing Queue started (6 targets selected)
20:34:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:36:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
20:36:58     Target Started (1/6) Target started (1/6, 61 Cyg)
20:40:00     Target Completed Target completed (1/6, 61 Cyg)
20:40:02     Target Started (2/6) Target started (2/6, GCVS HH And)
20:42:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:44:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
20:46:03     Target Completed Target completed (2/6, GCVS HH And)
20:46:05     Target Started (3/6) Target started (3/6, WDS GRB 34)
20:48:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:50:34       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Range)
20:52:20     Target Completed Target completed (3/6, WDS GRB 34)
20:52:22     Target Started (4/6) Target started (4/6, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN))
20:55:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:56:54       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Range)
21:05:38     Target Completed Target completed (4/6, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN))
21:05:40     Target Started (5/6) Target started (5/6, GSC 1224:29)
21:08:17       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
21:13:25     Target Completed Target completed (5/6, GSC 1224:29)
21:15:35     Target Started (6/6) Target started (6/6, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs))
21:18:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:20:34       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Range)
21:28:58     Target Completed Target completed (6/6, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs))
21:29:01   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
21:29:06 Session Continuing Session continuing
21:29:18   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.12.8)
21:29:48   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-10-24 V2 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 400)
21:29:50 Session Running Session running
21:29:52   Queue Started Observing Queue started (6 targets selected)
21:32:18     Target Started (1/6) Target started (1/6, 61 Cyg)
21:34:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:36:25       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Range)
21:37:58     Target Completed Target completed (1/6, 61 Cyg)
21:39:22     Target Started (2/6) Target started (2/6, GCVS HH And)
21:40:11     Target Failed Target failed due to aborted (2/6, GCVS HH And)
21:40:13   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted
21:40:36 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
21:40:40 Session Pending Session pending (2019-10-24)
21:40:42 Session Initiating Session initiating (2019-10-24)
21:40:44   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.12.8)
21:41:51   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-10-24 V3 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 401)
21:41:54   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C)
21:41:58   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
21:42:11 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration
21:42:14   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started
21:42:16   Equilibration Skipped Dome Equilibration skipped by user
21:42:18 Session Running Session running
21:42:20   Queue Started Observing Queue started (15 targets selected)
21:43:40     Target Started (1/15) Target started (1/15, 61 Cyg)
21:46:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:47:40       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Range)
21:48:53     Target Completed Target completed (1/15, 61 Cyg)
21:50:44     Target Started (2/15) Target started (2/15, IC 5067). Using SharpCap
22:01:13     Target Completed Target completed (2/15, IC 5067)
22:07:26     Target Started (3/15) Target started (3/15, M39). Using SharpCap
22:14:23     Target Completed Target completed (3/15, M39)
22:19:48     Target Started (4/15) Target started (4/15, NGC 7243). Using SharpCap
22:26:41     Target Completed Target completed (4/15, NGC 7243)
22:32:10     Target Started (5/15) Target started (5/15, NGC 7243). Using SharpCap
22:38:03     Target Completed Target completed (5/15, NGC 7243)
22:44:32     Target Started (6/15) Target started (6/15, WDS GRB 34)
22:46:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:48:21       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Range)
22:50:14     Target Completed Target completed (6/15, WDS GRB 34)
22:51:57     Target Started (7/15) Target started (7/15, WDS GRB 34)
22:53:08       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:54:33       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Range)
22:56:18     Target Completed Target completed (7/15, WDS GRB 34)
22:59:22     Target Started (8/15) Target started (8/15, NGC 518)
23:01:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:03:30       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Range)
23:19:47     Target Completed Target completed (8/15, NGC 518)
23:21:14     Target Started (9/15) Target started (9/15, NGC 518)
23:22:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:23:01       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Quadratic)
23:39:10     Target Completed Target completed (9/15, NGC 518)
23:39:28   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted
23:39:48   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped
23:40:13   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started
23:40:15   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started
23:40:20   Services Started Observatory Services started
23:42:02   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
00:12:24       Focusing Aborted Foc1 Focusing Aborted
00:12:26       Focusing Aborted Foc1 Focusing Aborted
00:15:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13)
00:16:38 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
00:16:42 Session Pending Session pending (2019-10-24)
00:16:44 Session Initiating Session initiating (2019-10-24)
00:16:46   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.12.8)
00:17:17   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-10-24 V4 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 402)
00:17:21   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C)
00:17:25   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
00:17:38 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration
00:17:41   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started
00:17:43   Equilibration Skipped Dome Equilibration skipped by user
00:17:45 Session Running Session running
00:17:47   Queue Started Observing Queue started (32 targets selected)
00:19:42     Target Started (1/32) Target started (1/32, NGC 7814). Using SharpCap
00:25:58     Target Completed Target completed (1/32, NGC 7814)
00:36:24     Target Started (2/32) Target started (2/32, WDS GRB 34)
00:38:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:40:36       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14)
00:40:59     Target Completed Target partially completed (2/32, WDS GRB 34)
00:41:01   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted
00:42:07   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped
00:42:25 Program Closed Program closed by User
00:45:30 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2019-10-24 S00714, ImageSaveNum: 714124)
00:45:40   Scope Switched On Scope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
00:46:59   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started
00:47:01   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started
00:47:06   Services Started Observatory Services started
00:47:26 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
00:47:31 Session Pending Session pending (2019-10-24)
00:47:33 Session Initiating Session initiating (2019-10-24)
00:47:35   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-10-24 V4 ACTIVE PLAN S714, Plan ID: 402)
00:47:44   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C)
00:47:49   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
00:48:02 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration
00:48:05   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started
00:48:07   Equilibration Skipped Dome Equilibration skipped by user
00:48:09 Session Running Session running
00:48:11   Queue Started Observing Queue started (30 targets selected)
00:49:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:51:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14)
00:51:08     Target Started (3/32) Target started (3/32, GCVS TT Ari)
01:00:17     Target Completed Target completed (3/32, GCVS TT Ari)
01:00:19     Target Started (4/32) Target started (4/32, GSC 1224:29)
01:02:55       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
01:07:29     Target Completed Target completed (4/32, GSC 1224:29)
01:07:31     Target Started (5/32) Target started (5/32, GCVS RX And)
01:09:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:11:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15)
01:14:14     Target Completed Target completed (5/32, GCVS RX And)
01:14:16     Target Started (6/32) Target started (6/32, GCVS U And)
01:16:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:18:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16)
01:28:41     Target Completed Target completed (6/32, GCVS U And)
01:28:44     Target Started (7/32) Target started (7/32, GCVS DY Per)
01:31:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:33:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17)
01:38:24     Target Completed Target completed (7/32, GCVS DY Per)
01:38:26     Target Started (8/32) Target started (8/32, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN))
01:40:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:43:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18)
01:51:54     Target Completed Target completed (8/32, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN))
01:51:56     Target Started (9/32) Target started (9/32, GCVS SS Cyg)
01:53:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:55:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19)
01:59:42     Target Completed Target completed (9/32, GCVS SS Cyg)
02:03:38     Target Started (10/32) Target started (10/32, GCVS BL Lac)
02:07:06       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
02:11:21     Target Completed Target completed (10/32, GCVS BL Lac)
02:13:26     Target Started (11/32) Target started (11/32, GCVS Z And)
02:15:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:17:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20)
02:21:51     Target Completed Target completed (11/32, GCVS Z And)
02:21:53     Target Started (12/32) Target started (12/32, GCVS HH And)
02:24:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:26:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21)
02:28:24     Target Completed Target completed (12/32, GCVS HH And)
02:28:50     Target Started (13/32) Target started (13/32, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs))
02:32:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:34:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22)
02:42:58     Target Completed Target completed (13/32, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs))
02:43:01     Target Started (14/32) Target started (14/32, GCVS DX Cnc)
02:45:25       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
02:50:19     Target Completed Target completed (14/32, GCVS DX Cnc)
02:52:27     Target Started (15/32) Target started (15/32, NGC 3245A)
02:55:05       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
03:11:24     Target Completed Target completed (15/32, NGC 3245A)
03:14:19     Target Started (16/32) Target started (16/32, GCVS GK Per)
03:25:43     Target Completed Target completed (16/32, GCVS GK Per)
03:25:45     Target Started (17/32) Target started (17/32, GCVS FO Ori)
03:28:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:29:59       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23)
03:34:02     Target Completed Target completed (17/32, GCVS FO Ori)
03:34:04     Target Started (18/32) Target started (18/32, GCVS CM Tau)
03:36:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:38:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24)
03:52:41     Target Completed Target completed (18/32, GCVS CM Tau)
03:52:43     Target Started (19/32) Target started (19/32, GCVS SY Cnc)
03:55:23       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
03:58:39     Target Completed Target completed (19/32, GCVS SY Cnc)
03:58:57     Target Started (20/32) Target started (20/32, GCVS ER UMa)
04:02:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:07:30       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Range)
04:11:36     Target Completed Target completed (20/32, GCVS ER UMa)
04:11:38     Target Started (21/32) Target started (21/32, GCVS FU Ori)
04:14:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:16:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 26)
04:18:56     Target Completed Target completed (21/32, GCVS FU Ori)
04:18:58     Target Started (22/32) Target started (22/32, GCVS CN Ori)
04:21:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:23:30       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 27)
04:27:01     Target Completed Target completed (22/32, GCVS CN Ori)
04:27:03     Target Started (23/32) Target started (23/32, GCVS NV Ori)
04:29:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:31:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 28)
04:34:42     Target Completed Target completed (23/32, GCVS NV Ori)
04:34:44     Target Started (24/32) Target started (24/32, GCVS RR Tau)
04:36:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:38:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 29)
04:45:32     Target Completed Target completed (24/32, GCVS RR Tau)
04:45:34     Target Started (25/32) Target started (25/32, NGC 2506)
04:47:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:49:55       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Quadratic)
04:58:22     Target Completed Target completed (25/32, NGC 2506)
04:58:24     Target Started (26/32) Target started (26/32, Scholz's Star)
05:01:04       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
05:03:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 31)
05:18:55     Target Completed Target completed (26/32, Scholz's Star)
05:18:57     Target Started (27/32) Target started (27/32, NGC 2548)
05:21:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
05:23:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 32)
05:29:49     Target Completed Target completed (27/32, NGC 2548)
05:29:57     Target Started (28/32) Target started (28/32, NGC 3044)
05:32:13       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
05:48:34     Target Completed Target completed (28/32, NGC 3044)
05:51:49     Target Started (29/32) Target started (29/32, GCVS U Mon)
05:53:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
05:55:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 33)
06:02:03     Target Completed Target completed (29/32, GCVS U Mon)
06:02:05     Target Started (30/32) Target started (30/32, NGC 2421)
06:05:16       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
06:10:04     Target Completed Target completed (30/32, NGC 2421)
06:12:08     Target Started (31/32) Target started (31/32, LAMOST-HVS1)
06:15:08       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
06:17:39       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Quadratic)
06:20:39     Target Completed Target completed (31/32, LAMOST-HVS1)
06:21:04     Target Started (32/32) Target started (32/32, GCVS RZ LMi)
06:22:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
06:24:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 35)
06:30:01     Target Completed Target completed (32/32, GCVS RZ LMi)
06:30:02   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
06:30:04 Session Closing Session closing
06:31:00   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 50s)
06:31:19   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 20s)
06:31:29   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 9s)
06:32:14 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
06:32:47 Session Finished Session Finished
   

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Operational Issues (2019-10-24, S714)

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Critical Issues

Major Issues -

Minor Issues

Continuous Improvement

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Detached Rubber Trim

At some point during the session on the night 2019-10-24 the Reinforced rubber edge trim that normally sits around the dome flange edge became detached and then proceeded to peel itself off as the dome rotated. This was only noticed when the observatory was visited the next morning. No damage seems to have been done apart from some abrasion to the rubber strip as it was forced through one of the metal roof retaining clamps.  It is assumed that the incident happened at 03:14 when one particular slew (to GCVS GK Per) took an anomalously long time taking 6.9 mins to complete a 137deg  azimuthal slew (i.e. a speed of only 20 deg/min). 

The rubber strip was re-fitted to the flange taking care to press the reinforcement tighter in order to make it fit tighter to the dome flange especially at the the two ends.  I think this is the second time that this has happened.

Pictures showing the Reinforced Rubber Trim that had detached from
dome roof flange during previous night's session

Image    Image
  
   Re-securing Rubber Trim with Pair of Pliers (later picture)
   Image
  

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SharpCap Notes

LiveStacking Tabs contain Filter on Brightness Checkbox (with Min Brightness limit) and Filter on FWHM checkbox (with Max FWHM limit). How to use and modify these in scripting ?

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