David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 723 (2019-11-18)

Notes (S722)

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Notes (S724)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (2),  Minor Issues (8),  Continuous Improvement (8)
	Investigation - Observatory Manager and GUI became frozen at 06:31
	Investigation - Slew Failures (PemPro related)
	Secondary Scope - Focusing
	Drainage Holes for Condensation Puddles
	Images from 2019-11-18  >>
	2019-11-25
	AllSky/Weather Computer Outages

Session Aims & Highlights (2019-11-18)

Main aims

1. PHD2 / Mount:  Run new PHD2 guiding calibration after setting ZWO ASI 178MC camera at a new angle.   Run number of tests (StarCross,  Guiding Assistent, Measure Backlash) and resolve certain issues such as Declination backlash.
   (This part of the session was conducted prior to midnight and took longer than expected during the experimenting with different Declination Backlash settings in the LX200 telescope mount)
   
2. Targets: Acquire images of a selection of new targets plus monitoring of previous variable stars, nearby stars and comets.
   (This part of the session only began after midnight and was expected to be interrupted by rain or sleet showers)
   

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
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.6dev2
   
• AstroMain 3.17.8 (new) ,  Astroguard 1.2.9,   AstroPlan 1.13.2,  AstroShCap 1.2.10, AstroVOE 1.3.4, UPB 1.4.17  (AstroWeather 1.7.9, AstroAllSky 3.5)

Highlights

• Observatory System. Observatory system worked well closing shutter and suspendig session when there was cloud and threat of rain in the 15min forecast.
• PHD2 Calibration:  New calibration obtained for the newly positioned camera. 
• Declination Backlash : Declination backlash measured and largely eliminated by setting the Anti-Backlash value for the LX200's Dec axis  to 150%.   (This was achieved by measuring the backlash using PHD2's Guiding Assistent, changing the  Anti-Backlash setting for the scope using virtual handbox  in PemPro, and then remeasuring the backlash.  

Lowlights

• Small bugs/issues.  There were a few minor issues  associated with recently added features

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan

Observing Result

Slew/Centering Performance

Dome Slewing Performance

Sky Conditions (Locate Frames)

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

Pre-Session Weather Forecast (API data from darksky.net) Forecast showed clear skies for first 3 hours, with light cloud continuing till dawn (max cloud cover 28%) In the event after beginning observatory operations around 19:15 high cloud developed from 22:00 onwards (becoming most noticeable around 02:00 and 05:00 onwards) which impacted the quality of images (a feature that normally suspends operations when number of stars falls below a specific number couldn't be used due to moonlit conditions)

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 17:03:46 Session Created Live Session Created (2019-11-18 S00723, ImageSaveNum: 723001) 17:04:10   Scope Switched On Scope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 17:05:53   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 17:05:55   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 17:06:00   Services Started Observatory Services started 17:11:44 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 17:11:47 Session Pending Session pending (2019-11-18) 17:11:49 Session Initiating Session initiating (2019-11-18) 17:11:51   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.3) 17:13:36   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-11-18 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 421) 17:13:48   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -25°C) 17:13:53   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 17:14:06 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 17:14:08 Wait on Weather Waiting for acceptable weather conditions 17:19:08 Session Suspended Session suspended 17:19:10   Shutter Closed Shutter already closed (closure time is unknown) 17:19:12   Queue Started Observing Queue started (46 targets selected) 17:21:57     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (1/46, 68P/Klemola) due to other condition 17:29:04 Session Resuming Session resuming 17:29:49   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 45s) 17:29:50 Session Running Session running 17:29:52   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 17:30:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 17:33:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 17:33:19     Target Started (2/46) Target started (2/46, GCVS BL Lac) 17:36:51     Target Completed Target partially completed (2/46, GCVS BL Lac) 17:36:53     Target Started (3/46) Target started (3/46, GCVS HH And) 17:39:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 17:41:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 17:42:45     Target Completed Target completed (3/46, GCVS HH And) 17:42:48     Target Started (4/46) Target started (4/46, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN)) 17:54:28     Target Completed Target completed (4/46, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN)) 17:54:30     Target Started (5/46) Target started (5/46, GCVS CI Cyg) 17:57:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 17:58:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 18:02:41     Target Completed Target completed (5/46, GCVS CI Cyg) 18:02:43     Target Started (6/46) Target started (6/46, GCVS V Sge) 18:04:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:07:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 18:15:13     Target Completed Target completed (6/46, GCVS V Sge) 18:15:15     Target Started (7/46) Target started (7/46, GCVS CY Lyr) 18:18:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:20:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 18:24:42     Target Completed Target completed (7/46, GCVS CY Lyr) 18:24:44     Target Started (8/46) Target started (8/46, GCVS S Cyg) 18:27:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:28:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 18:28:54       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 18:30:33       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 18:41:01     Target Completed Target completed (8/46, GCVS S Cyg) 18:41:03     Target Started (9/46) Target started (9/46, 61 Cyg) 18:43:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:45:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 18:46:35     Target Completed Target completed (9/46, 61 Cyg) 18:46:37     Target Started (10/46) Target started (10/46, GCVS FG Sge) 18:48:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:51:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 18:53:42     Target Completed Target completed (10/46, GCVS FG Sge) 18:53:44     Target Started (11/46) Target started (11/46, GCVS AM Her) 18:56:43       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 19:03:16     Target Completed Target completed (11/46, GCVS AM Her) 19:03:18     Target Started (12/46) Target started (12/46, GCVS WZ Sge) 19:07:06       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 19:13:38     Target Completed Target completed (12/46, GCVS WZ Sge) 19:13:40     Target Started (13/46) Target started (13/46, GCVS RX And) 19:15:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:17:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 19:20:27     Target Completed Target completed (13/46, GCVS RX And) 19:20:29     Target Started (14/46) Target started (14/46, GCVS RX And) 19:21:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:23:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 19:25:50     Target Completed Target completed (14/46, GCVS RX And) 19:27:27     Target Started (15/46) Target started (15/46, GCVS RX And) 19:28:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:30:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 19:32:57     Target Completed Target completed (15/46, GCVS RX And) 19:34:57     Target Started (16/46) Target started (16/46, GCVS RX And) 19:35:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:37:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 19:40:18     Target Completed Target completed (16/46, GCVS RX And) 19:42:27     Target Started (17/46) Target started (17/46, WDS GRB 34) 19:44:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:46:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 19:48:25     Target Completed Target completed (17/46, WDS GRB 34) 19:49:52     Target Started (18/46) Target started (18/46, GCVS U And) 19:52:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:53:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 19:53:53       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 19:55:45       Focusing Failed Foc2 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Quadratic) 20:06:12     Target Completed Target completed (18/46, GCVS U And) 20:06:14     Target Started (19/46) Target started (19/46, GCVS FG Sge) 20:09:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:11:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 20:13:47     Target Completed Target completed (19/46, GCVS FG Sge) 20:13:49     Target Started (20/47) Target started (20/47, NGC 718) 20:33:51     Target Completed Target completed (20/47, NGC 718) 20:33:53     Target Started (21/48) Target started (21/48, NGC 209) 20:34:17     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (21/48, NGC 209) 20:34:19     Target Missed (22/48) Target's time slot was missed (22/48, GCVS AM Her) 20:34:21     Target Missed (23/48) Target's time slot was missed (23/48, GCVS WZ Sge) 20:34:23     Target Started (24/48) Target started (24/48, GCVS WZ Sge) 20:36:05     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (24/48, GCVS WZ Sge) 20:43:36     Target Started (25/48) Target started (25/48, GCVS RX And) 20:46:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:48:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 20:50:38     Target Completed Target completed (25/48, GCVS RX And) 20:51:06     Target Started (26/48) Target started (26/48, GCVS RX And) 20:52:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:54:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 20:56:49     Target Completed Target completed (26/48, GCVS RX And) 20:56:52     Target Started (27/49) Target started (27/49, NGC 209) 21:18:39     Target Completed Target completed (27/49, NGC 209) 21:18:41     Target Missed (28/49) Target's time slot was missed (28/49, GCVS TT Ari) 21:18:43     Target Missed (29/49) Target's time slot was missed (29/49, WDS GRB 34) 21:18:45     Target Started (30/49) Target started (30/49, GCVS U And) 21:21:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:23:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 21:23:04       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:24:54       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 21:35:06     Target Completed Target completed (30/49, GCVS U And) 21:35:08     Target Started (31/49) Target started (31/49, GCVS Z And) 21:35:52     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (31/49, GCVS Z And) 21:39:02     Target Started (32/49) Target started (32/49, GCVS SS Cyg) 21:41:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:43:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 21:47:00     Target Completed Target completed (32/49, GCVS SS Cyg) 21:47:47     Target Aborted (33/49) Target aborted (33/49, GCVS SS Cyg) due to GRB Alert 21:47:49     Target Started (34/50) Target started (34/50, NGC 7814). Using SharpCap 22:00:00     Target Completed Target completed (34/50, NGC 7814) 22:07:45     Target Started (35/50) Target started (35/50, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs)) 22:11:31       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:19:58     Target Completed Target completed (35/50, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs)) 22:21:30     Target Started (36/50) Target started (36/50, GCVS CM Tau) 22:23:32       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:23:35       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:25:26       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23) 22:39:41     Target Completed Target completed (36/50, GCVS CM Tau) 22:41:00     Target Started (37/50) Target started (37/50, GSC 1224:29) 22:48:58     Target Completed Target completed (37/50, GSC 1224:29) 22:50:52     Target Started (38/50) Target started (38/50, GCVS RR Tau) 22:53:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:55:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24) 22:55:55       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope) 22:58:57       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 25) 23:05:36     Target Completed Target completed (38/50, GCVS RR Tau) 23:05:39     Target Started (39/50) Target started (39/50, GCVS FU Ori) 23:08:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:10:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 26) 23:12:47     Target Completed Target completed (39/50, GCVS FU Ori) 23:12:49     Target Started (40/50) Target started (40/50, GCVS DX Cnc) 23:19:57     Target Completed Target completed (40/50, GCVS DX Cnc) 23:19:59     Target Started (41/50) Target started (41/50, GCVS GK Per) 23:22:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:24:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 27) 23:27:08     Target Completed Target completed (41/50, GCVS GK Per) 23:27:11     Target Started (42/50) Target started (42/50, GCVS NV Ori) 23:30:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:32:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 28) 23:35:42     Target Completed Target completed (42/50, GCVS NV Ori) 23:35:44     Target Started (43/50) Target started (43/50, GCVS U Gem) 23:39:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:41:30       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 29) 23:44:36     Target Completed Target completed (43/50, GCVS U Gem) 23:44:38     Target Started (44/50) Target started (44/50, GCVS SU Tau) 23:46:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:48:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 30) 23:53:29     Target Completed Target completed (44/50, GCVS SU Tau) 23:53:31     Target Started (45/50) Target started (45/50, GCVS DY Per) 23:56:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:58:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 31) 00:03:26     Target Completed Target completed (45/50, GCVS DY Per) 00:03:28     Target Started (46/50) Target started (46/50, GCVS FO Ori) 00:06:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:08:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 32) 00:12:05     Target Completed Target completed (46/50, GCVS FO Ori) 00:12:07     Target Started (47/50) Target started (47/50, GCVS CN Ori) 00:14:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:16:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 33) 00:19:54     Target Completed Target completed (47/50, GCVS CN Ori) 00:19:56     Target Started (48/50) Target started (48/50, GCVS ER UMa) 00:27:36     Target Completed Target completed (48/50, GCVS ER UMa) 00:28:08     Target Started (49/50) Target started (49/50, GCVS RZ LMi) 00:32:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:34:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 34) 00:40:12     Target Completed Target completed (49/50, GCVS RZ LMi) 00:40:15     Target Started (50/50) Target started (50/50, LAMOST-HVS1) 00:44:20       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 00:47:31     Target Completed Target completed (50/50, LAMOST-HVS1) 00:47:34   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 00:47:36 Session Continuing Session continuing 00:47:48   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.3) 00:48:04   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-11-18 V2 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 422) 00:48:06 Session Running Session running 00:48:08   Queue Started Observing Queue started (28 targets selected) 00:50:49     Target Started (1/28) Target started (1/28, GCVS HH And) 00:54:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:56:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 35) 00:57:55     Target Completed Target completed (1/28, GCVS HH And) 00:58:14     Target Started (2/28) Target started (2/28, GCVS DY Per) 01:00:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:02:30       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 36) 01:07:16     Target Completed Target completed (2/28, GCVS DY Per) 01:07:31     Target Started (3/28) Target started (3/28, GCVS CI Cyg) 01:07:34     Target Failed Target failed due to airmass limit (3/28, GCVS CI Cyg) 01:15:44     Target Started (4/28) Target started (4/28, GCVS GK Per) 01:18:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:20:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 37) 01:23:09     Target Completed Target completed (4/28, GCVS GK Per) 01:23:35     Target Started (5/28) Target started (5/28, GCVS CY Lyr) 01:23:38     Target Failed Target failed due to horizon limit (5/28, GCVS CY Lyr) 01:33:04     Target Started (6/28) Target started (6/28, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN)) 01:35:38       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:44:22     Target Completed Target completed (6/28, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN)) 01:44:46     Target Started (7/28) Target started (7/28, GCVS S Cyg) 01:48:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:51:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 38) 02:01:22     Target Completed Target completed (7/28, GCVS S Cyg) 02:01:24     Target Started (8/28) Target started (8/28, GCVS RR Tau) 02:04:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:06:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 39) 02:13:17     Target Completed Target completed (8/28, GCVS RR Tau) 02:13:19     Target Started (9/28) Target started (9/28, GCVS U Mon) 02:18:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:20:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 40) 02:26:16     Target Completed Target completed (9/28, GCVS U Mon) 02:26:18     Target Started (10/28) Target started (10/28, GCVS AM Her) 02:26:20     Target Failed Target failed due to airmass limit (10/28, GCVS AM Her) 02:31:25     Target Started (11/28) Target started (11/28, LAMOST-HVS1) 02:35:04       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 02:38:05     Target Completed Target completed (11/28, LAMOST-HVS1) 02:40:22     Target Started (12/28) Target started (12/28, GCVS RX And) 02:43:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:45:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 41) 02:48:20     Target Completed Target completed (12/28, GCVS RX And) 02:48:23     Target Started (13/28) Target started (13/28, GCVS CN Ori) 02:51:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:53:40       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Quadratic) 02:57:05     Target Completed Target completed (13/28, GCVS CN Ori) 02:57:08     Target Started (14/28) Target started (14/28, GCVS FU Ori) 02:58:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:00:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 43) 03:03:30     Target Completed Target completed (14/28, GCVS FU Ori) 03:03:32     Target Started (15/28) Target started (15/28, GCVS U Gem) 03:05:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:07:55       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 44) 03:11:04     Target Completed Target completed (15/28, GCVS U Gem) 03:12:04     Target Started (16/28) Target started (16/28, GSC 1224:29) 03:15:40       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:20:19     Target Completed Target completed (16/28, GSC 1224:29) 03:21:56     Target Started (17/28) Target started (17/28, GCVS FO Ori) 03:23:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:25:37       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Quadratic) 03:29:32     Target Completed Target completed (17/28, GCVS FO Ori) 03:30:04     Target Started (18/28) Target started (18/28, GCVS CM Tau) 03:32:05       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:34:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 46) 03:48:14     Target Completed Target completed (18/28, GCVS CM Tau) 03:49:34     Target Started (19/28) Target started (19/28, GCVS SU Tau) 03:51:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:53:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 47) 03:58:24     Target Completed Target completed (19/28, GCVS SU Tau) 03:58:40     Target Started (20/28) Target started (20/28, Scholz's Star) 04:01:11       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 04:16:24     Target Completed Target completed (20/28, Scholz's Star) 04:19:36     Target Started (21/28) Target started (21/28, C/2019 Q4 (Borisov)) 04:23:55       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 04:52:32     Target Completed Target completed (21/28, C/2019 Q4 (Borisov)) 04:53:36     Target Started (22/28) Target started (22/28, NGC 209) 04:53:39     Target Failed Target failed due to horizon limit (22/28, NGC 209) 05:15:26     Target Started (23/28) Target started (23/28, NGC 4222) 05:18:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:20:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 48) 05:36:51     Target Completed Target completed (23/28, NGC 4222) 05:37:18     Target Started (24/28) Target started (24/28, GCVS ER UMa) 05:39:34       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 05:43:29     Target Completed Target completed (24/28, GCVS ER UMa) 05:47:06     Target Started (25/28) Target started (25/28, GCVS RZ LMi) 05:51:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:53:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 49) 05:58:44     Target Completed Target completed (25/28, GCVS RZ LMi) 05:58:46     Target Started (26/28) Target started (26/28, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs)) 06:01:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:03:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 50) 06:11:40     Target Completed Target completed (26/28, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs)) 06:11:42     Target Started (27/28) Target started (27/28, GCVS DX Cnc) 06:14:59       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 06:19:47     Target Completed Target completed (27/28, GCVS DX Cnc) 06:20:29     Target Started (28/28) Target started (28/28, GCVS CN Leo) 06:23:59       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 06:31:11     Target Completed Target completed (28/28, GCVS CN Leo) 06:31:14   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:45:00 User Intervention User intervention to close and restart AstroMain Program (which had become frozen) 06:46:41 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2019-11-18 S00723, ImageSaveNum: 723637) 06:47:46   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 06:47:48   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 06:47:50   Services Started Observatory Services started 06:48:12 User Intervention User request to close and finish session 06:48:14 Session Closing Session closing 06:49:01   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 50s) 06:49:42   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 40s) 06:49:51   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 10s) 06:50:36 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:51:23 Session Finished Session Finished

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Operational Issues (2019-11-18, S723)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (2)
• Minor Issues (8
• Continuous Improvement (8)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• Observatory Manager & GUI  froze towards end of session and meant that the session didn't automatically proceed with closing the session, shutting down the observatory and finishing the session.  Astroguard was running and would have provided the next line of defence in event of deterioration in the weather and would eventually have shut the observatory at Sun -6 deg.  In the event the problem was noticed at 06:45 and intervention made to restart the AstroMain program and click the 'Close & Finish Session' to make the observatory safe and gracefully end the session.  (see Investigation - Observatory Manager and GUI became frozen at 06:31 ).  Issue closed on 2021-01-04 following a review that showed that the AstroMain was essentially stable (following a series of improvements and fixes), with an absence of any unexplained program hangs or crashes during the 35 sessions between  2020-09-18 & 2021-01-03.
  Closed 2021-01-04 (AstroMain 3.33)
   
• Declination guiding errors in PHD2 are frequently oscillating North and South.
  This follows use of guiding assistent at the start of session S571 which found a backlash of 3600 ms and the adoption of an Anti-Backlash setting on the LX200 Main Scope of 160%. After some changes in the S572 session (reduced the  Dec AntiBacklash setting on scope from 160% to 120%, and later on reduced Dec aggression from 80% to 60%.) and further changes, with Dec Anti-Backlash reduced to 80% and later to 60%, and experiments with different Dec guding algorithms/different aggresssion settings, the problem continues.
  Resolved by changing to uni-directional Dec Guiding (LX200 / Observatory)

Minor Issues

• 3 targets failed due to slew errors. 3 targets 21/48 (NGC 209), 24/48 (WZ Sge) & 31/49 (Z And) failed during session with 'slew errors'.
  Issue was investigated and found to be due to the user connecting to Telescope via PemPro in order to change the sccope's anti-backlash settings. See Investigation - Slew Failures (PemPro related)
  User Awareness  2019-11-19 (AstroMain)
   
• Focus Profile 21 failed to written as a GIF file. Error message noticed during monitoring and picture file didn't appear on website.  Although error reported at the time,  a file with name FocusProfile.20191118.profile21.gif was produced.  Nothing extra to add from looking at logs other that it seems the error occurred during an initial or intermediary writing of the file.  The final file as written ok. Error is put down as a random windows os glitch .
  Closed 2019-11-19 (AstroMain) 
   
• Slight clipping of S (south) on Centering Plot.  Also change text 'JogWAdj'  to 'Jog Adjustments, W'
  Fixed  2019-11-19 (AstroMain 3.17.9) 
   
• Fix to resolve multiple target per plan has still to be resolved.   In V1 plan,  RX And appeared  x6, U And x2, SS Cyg x2. This is no longer an issue (sessions in 2023-2024) and this ticket can be deemed closed.
  Closed, 2024 (AstroPlan)
   
• When a target is repeated in succession (due to above issue), the pointing error data from the second/third observations are appended to the original Pointing Data record and look anomalous.    
    e.g.   GCVS RX And   9.85   0.08    0.25    0.65    0.23.       Eventually fixed in AstroMain 3.40 (2021-05-22)
  Fixed  2021-05-22 (AstroMain 3.40) 
   
• Session events table on webpage still has issues with column widths. The problem only occurs when browsing on IPad (Safari) view. The table looks ok in Windows (Internet Explore).   The problem on IPAD occurs for both the small and full tables. Problem appears to be a bug in Safari (the problem presents sometimes but not other times and probably is affected by what else in drawn in the page), workaround have so far failed to resolve the issue.
  Known problem, difficult to resolve (AstroMain/Website)
   
• GRB Alert / Standdown text is being cropped in AstroVOE.  (specifically . 'ToO Submission is ab'  is cropped  where word 'aborted' has been cropped to 'ab'
  Fixed (AstroVOE)
   
• Target 33/49 (GCVS SS Cg) was reported as failed due to GRB Alert.    Whilst target was indeed cancelled to make way for another target (NGC 7814), this was a user-added non-GRB ToO (target of opportunity) target,  that was taken using SharpCap and not a GRB ToO.
  Fixed Sep 2020 (AstroMain) 

Continuous Improvement

• Move Latest CCD Temperature data down by 10-15 px on CCD Temp Chart
  Done 2019-11-19 (AstroMain 3.17.9) 
   
• Check that there are no other logic errors in code involving the use of "Double.IsNaN (d)" in AstroMain
  Done 2019-11-19
   
• Improvement to upload NightSummary6 plot each time Scope Pic is made is still outstanding.
  Done 2019-11-19 (AstroPlan 3.5.1) 
   
• Add note to current session web page to explain the coloured crosses that are drawn on Locate Frame pictures
  Done 2019-11-19 (Website) 
   
• Query : what is the second column on reporting LiveStack results in AstroShCap ? Column has values 5, 6  5, 5, 5 etc.
   Answer is "Star Count".  A header has now been added to the table that lists the columns
  Done 2019-11-19 (AstroShCap 1.2.11) 
   
• Background on SharpCap LiveStack picture looking much too blue / purple. Is this an effect of the moonlight condition ? A slight reduction to blue histogram resolved it but required user intervention.  SharpCap Live Stacking is no longer part of the workflow used due to frame registation/stacking & colour balance issues. This ticket can therefore be closed.
  Closed after review, 2024 (SharpCap / AstroShCap)
   
• Consider option to save Focus Images taken with SharpCap to help diagnose any issues that arise. Focus frame saving automatically occurs with ShCap's new  V3 focusing method.
  Done  2020-06-06 (AstroShCap 1.2.21) 
   
• Carry SlewAdjN and SlewAdjW through to following session. User just needs to remember to reset the adjustments if a telescope resync has been performed.
  >> To do (AstroMain) 

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Investigation - Observatory Manager and GUI became frozen at 06:31

This review looks at freezing up of AstroMain's Observatory Manager & GUI  froze towards the end of session which meant that the session didn't automatically proceed with closing the session, shutting down the observatory and finishing the session.  Astroguard was running and would have provided the next line of defence in event of deterioration in the weather and would eventually have shut the observatory at Sun -6 deg.  In the event the problem was noticed at 06:45 and interventation made to restart the AstroMain program and click the 'Close & Finish Session

Time Line

06:31:13.56 | Job Executor Completed Info | Job Queue has completed
06:31:14.59 | Job Executor Finish TakeFrameJobsQSOInfo | Setting RunningFrameJobs to False & Finishing Thread
06:31:15.74 | **************************************************************************************************
06:31:15.74 | Observatory Manager  Change State Info | Session Closing

06:31:16.34 | Observatory Overseer Check - UI is Pending
06:31:20.33 | Observatory Overseer Check - UI is Not Responding
06:31:25.34 | Observatory Overseer Check - UI is Not Responding
06:31:25.34 | Observatory Overseer Check - Obs.Worker is Frozen
06:31:30.35 | Observatory Overseer Check - Obs.Manager is Frozen

06:31:50.52 | Exception encountered in RunTempMonitor:
06:31:50.53 | System.OverflowException: Arithmetic operation resulted in an overflow. at
                       CCDApp2.Charts.TCcdTempChart.ExtendGraph(DateTime TimeX) in .. Charts.vb:line 2062
                       CCDApp2.Charts.TCcdTempChart.AddData(String Time, Double CcdTemp, Double CcdSetPoint,
                       Double CoolingTemp, Double       CoolingPower, Double AmbientTemp) in  Charts.vb:line 2161
                       CCDApp2.Services.RunTempMonitor() in Services.vb:line 572

Code Review

Conclusions

Its unclear what precisely triggered the event at 06:31:16+ , but is notionally connected to the Job Queue finishing and the Session moving from running state to the Closing  State.  The expected action immediately after going to Closing State would be for the Shutter to be closed, but there is no indication that this point was reached.

Exception in RunTempMonitor at 06:31:50 came 35s after the original point of program freeze and was in any case caught and a report message produced "Exception encountered. Temp Monitor is closing".  Exception is viewed a sideeffect of the underlying primary issue.

Program freeze at / just after start of 'Closing' has been seen on one previous occasion (<< check for session no.)

Actions:

- check previous sessions for similar event.

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Investigation - Failed Slews

This review looks at 3 slew failures that occured during the session

1) Target 21/48 (NGC 209),  ToO
Slew Failure at 20:33
Failed Scope Position Check. "Scope isn't pointing to the target (Ang Sep. = 29.3 arc degs)".
 It seems that scope simply didn't slew when commanded (even though the dome slewed ok)

2) Target 24/48 (WZ Sge) ,
Slew Failure at 20:34
Failed Scope Position Check. "Scope isn't pointing to the target (Ang Sep. = 77.8 arc degs)".

Logfile shows that the scope started to slew but and only moved around 10 deg before coming to a halt well short of its target.

3) Target 31/49 (Z And)
Slew Failure at 21:35
Failed Scope Position Check. "Scope isn't pointing to the target (Ang Sep. = 6.0 arc degs)".

Logfile shows that the scope started to slew but and moved around 24 deg before coming a halt well short of its target.

Analysis
The slew failures for NGC 209 and WZ Sge (20:33 & 20:34) occur just after the time that PemPro Activation was recorded (20:30)
The slew failures for Z And (21:35) occurs just after the time that PemPro Activation was recorded (21:35)

Conclusions
It's seems almost certain that all 3 slew failures where unintentionally caused by the user having the LX200 connected in PemPro and virtual handbox open whilst making changes to the LX200's Anti-Backlash setting for Declination axis at same time as the slew was being requested from TheSky6 via call to slew from Job Queue/Scope object.

Actions:

- User awareness of the possible impact to automated operation when connecting to LX200 scope from PemPro whilst the job queue is running. Connection can be made, but the queue should paused in some way.

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Secondary Scope - Focusing

Secondary Scope focusing is now working reasonably well.  Focus Profile examples from the session  are shown below:

Automated Focus Profiles taken on Secondary Scope,  2019-11-18 Orange dots are MultiStar FWHM measurements from SharpCap Blue dots are single star HFD measurements from PHD2

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Drainage Holes for Condensation Puddles

After a full night of observing with the shutter open all night a considerable amount of dew can build up on the inside surfaces of the dome and its shutter.  Much of this condensation eventually runs down the inside faces of the dome and accumulates on the flat inside rim particularly in the wide area beneath the shutter and on its counter part on the opposite side of the dome.  If the amount of condensation isn't too much it doesn't cause a problem and it eventually evaporates away over the course of several hours (though not without keeping observatory humidity levels high during the process). If there is a lot of condensation the rim puddles can overflow to become floor puddles. Typically the puddle from the beneath the shutter ends up on the floor by the door since the closed shutter intentionally lies over the door when the dome is parked.

Fed up with this situation a number of small holes where made at the backs of the 2 widest areas of the roof rim that will hopefully allow the water of condensation to drain to the exterior of the observatory and reduce the problem inside.

Condensation Puddles on Dome Flange Rim and on Floor
Drainage holes drilled to help allow condensation puddles to drain to exterior
Drainage holes showing water draining to exterior  (later pictures)

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2019-11-25

AllSky/Weather Computer Outages

There were 4 outages of AllSky/Weather Computer Services during the last 3 or 4 days.  Whilst these incidents didn't occur at times when the observatory wasn't conducting an observing session they did interfer with collection of AllSky and Weather/Environmental data and its upload to the website.   Each time the observatory was visited to check the computer creen was found blank and the computer was non-responsive even though it was powered.  The computer had to be powered down and restarted each time in order to resume services.  The Windows event monitor didn't identify any particular cause or explanation to the problem other than recording that the computer had restarted without being shut-down properly each time.

Only the outage at 2019-11-25 07:03 (lasting to 17:27 when the computer was restarted) appeared to result in actual data loss.  This suggests that computer programs where still running during earlier outages, but internet uploads, screen, keyboard became disabled.

It was noticed that a number of Windows Game Apps which automatically install with Windows 10 were appearing on the Program List even though they were deleted a year ago after they were identified as being behind of a long series of computer outages AllSky Computer Problems (2018-08-07 to 2018-10-27) .  These were game apps like 'Candy Crush Saga', Bubble Witch Saga etc.

The game apps were uninstalled  2019-11-25 17:20 and so far (2019-11-27) there have been no further outages. 

It was noticed that the game apps didn't appear under the older control panel Programs and Features Settings, but only under the new Windows 10 Apps Settings. It was noticed that two of the programs were submarked as 'Loading'.    Previously it had been noticed that the problems seemed to be related to the fact that Windows had the programs install updates every few days or more often.

Notes from 2018  record that  'App Updates were finally turned off from the Microsoft Store. This done by clicking on the '3 dots' on right hand side of Store window, selecting 'Settings' , then setting 'Update apps automatically' to OFF' .   Checking today (2019-10-2)  showed that App Updates were still showing as being turned off.

Separately at 2019-11-25 18:30 there was a 2 hour power outage in the neighbourhood. This disabled both computers in the observatory which either hibernated or otherwise turned off, and neither could be activated remotely after the power & network came back.  This required a visit to the observatory to sort out.

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