David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 730 (2019-12-17)

 
Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
 
Bullet Operational Issues
  - Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (3),  Minor Issues (8),  Continuous Improvement (3)
   
Bullet Images from 2019-12-17  >>
 
 
2019-12-18
Bullet LX200 Re-Balancing (3)
Bullet Melt water from overnight frost
 

Session Aims & Highlights (2019-12-17)

Main aims

  1. Targets: Acquire images of a selection of targets including variable stars, nearby stars and comets.
  2. Guiding:  Check guiding performance after recent changes

Equipment & Software

Highlights

Lowlights

 

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan
Image
  
Observing Result
Image
   
Slew/Centering Performance
Image
  
Dome Slewing Performance
Image
  
Sky Conditions (Locate Frames)
Image
  
Night Sky Summary Plot
Top axis: Sky Brightness at Zenith (in ADU/s)
Lefthand axis: Local Time (hh LT). Righthand axis: Sun Altitude (degs)
Image   
  
Pre-Session Weather Forecast (API data from darksky.net)
Forecast showed initially cloudy clear with some rain, but then clearing after midnight. Wind quite strong
In the event skies rain stopped at 17:00 and skies at 20:00
Observatory opened at 22:07 and Polar Alignment, BackLash Testing was conducted.
Main session was started at 02:20 and continued until 05:37 when session suspended
due to passing cloud and overall reducing star count.
Image   
  
Session Event Log
Time     Event Detail
18:40:43 Session Created Live Session Created (2019-12-17 S00730, ImageSaveNum: 730001)
18:41:34   Scope Switched On Scope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
18:43:18   Services Started Observatory Services started
18:43:53 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
18:43:56 Session Pending Session pending (2019-12-17)
18:43:58 Session Initiating Session initiating (2019-12-17)
18:44:00   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.6)
18:45:06   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-12-17 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 433)
18:45:19   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C)
18:45:24   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
18:45:32 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration
18:46:17   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 45s)
18:46:20   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started
18:50:18   Equilibration Ended Dome Equilibration ended (4.0 mins total)
18:50:20 Session Running Session running
18:50:22   Queue Started Observing Queue started (34 targets selected)
18:50:25 Program Crashed AstroMain program crashed and had to be restarted
18:57:13 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2019-12-17 S00730, ImageSaveNum: 730001)
18:57:26   Scope Switched Off Scope Power has been switched off via UPB Powerbox.
18:57:42   Scope Switched On Scope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
18:59:13   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started
18:59:15   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started
18:59:19   Services Started Observatory Services started
18:59:53   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C)
19:00:01   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
19:00:22 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
19:00:24 Session Pending Session pending (2019-12-17)
19:00:26 Session Initiating Session initiating (2019-12-17)
19:00:28   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.6)
19:01:44   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-12-17 V2 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 434)
19:01:49   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C)
19:01:52   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
19:02:05 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration
19:02:08   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started
19:02:10   Equilibration Skipped Dome Equilibration skipped by user
19:02:12 Session Running Session running
19:02:14   Queue Started Observing Queue started (34 targets selected)
19:03:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:05:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
19:05:18       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
19:06:51       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
19:06:53     Target Started (1/34) Target started (1/34, GCVS Z And)
19:09:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:11:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
19:15:21     Target Completed Target completed (1/34, GCVS Z And)
19:15:23     Target Started (2/34) Target started (2/34, GCVS TT Ari)
19:17:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:20:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
19:27:16     Target Completed Target completed (2/34, GCVS TT Ari)
19:27:19     Target Started (3/34) Target started (3/34, GCVS S Cyg)
19:30:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:32:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
19:42:15     Target Completed Target partially completed (3/34, GCVS S Cyg)
19:42:17     Target Started (4/34) Target started (4/34, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN))
19:45:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:47:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
19:55:38     Target Completed Target completed (4/34, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN))
19:55:40     Target Started (5/34) Target started (5/34, GCVS U And)
19:57:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:59:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
20:09:24     Target Completed Target partially completed (5/34, GCVS U And)
20:09:26     Target Started (6/34) Target started (6/34, GSC 1224:29)
20:12:15       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
20:16:54     Target Completed Target completed (6/34, GSC 1224:29)
20:16:56     Target Started (7/34) Target started (7/34, GCVS RX And)
20:19:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:21:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
20:23:47     Target Completed Target completed (7/34, GCVS RX And)
20:23:49     Target Started (8/34) Target started (8/34, GCVS DY Per)
20:26:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:28:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
20:33:30     Target Completed Target completed (8/34, GCVS DY Per)
20:33:32     Target Started (9/34) Target started (9/34, WDS GRB 34)
20:36:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:38:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
20:40:12     Target Completed Target completed (9/34, WDS GRB 34)
20:40:14     Target Started (10/34) Target started (10/34, GCVS AM Her)
20:45:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:47:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11)
20:53:34     Target Completed Target completed (10/34, GCVS AM Her)
20:53:36     Target Started (11/34) Target started (11/34, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs))
21:05:04     Target Completed Target completed (11/34, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs))
21:05:06     Target Started (12/34) Target started (12/34, GCVS FO Ori)
21:08:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:10:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12)
21:14:23     Target Completed Target completed (12/34, GCVS FO Ori)
21:14:25     Target Started (13/34) Target started (13/34, GCVS CI Cyg)
21:18:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:20:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13)
21:23:22     Target Completed Target partially completed (13/34, GCVS CI Cyg)
21:23:24     Target Started (14/34) Target started (14/34, GCVS BL Lac)
21:25:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:28:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14)
21:32:03     Target Completed Target completed (14/34, GCVS BL Lac)
21:32:06     Target Started (15/34) Target started (15/34, 61 Cyg)
21:34:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:36:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15)
21:38:06     Target Completed Target completed (15/34, 61 Cyg)
21:38:08     Target Started (16/34) Target started (16/34, GCVS SS Cyg)
21:40:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:42:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16)
21:45:51     Target Completed Target completed (16/34, GCVS SS Cyg)
21:49:45     Target Started (17/34) Target started (17/34, GCVS HH And)
21:52:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:53:59       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17)
21:55:36     Target Completed Target completed (17/34, GCVS HH And)
21:57:10     Target Started (18/34) Target started (18/34, GCVS RR Tau)
22:00:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:02:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18)
22:09:03     Target Completed Target completed (18/34, GCVS RR Tau)
22:09:05     Target Started (19/34) Target started (19/34, GCVS DX Cnc)
22:12:13       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
22:12:15       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
22:14:19       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19)
22:18:55     Target Completed Target completed (19/34, GCVS DX Cnc)
22:18:57     Target Started (20/34) Target started (20/34, GCVS NV Ori)
22:21:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:23:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20)
22:26:43     Target Completed Target completed (20/34, GCVS NV Ori)
22:26:45     Target Started (21/34) Target started (21/34, GCVS CN Ori)
22:29:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:31:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21)
22:34:33     Target Completed Target completed (21/34, GCVS CN Ori)
22:34:36     Target Started (22/35) Target started (22/35, NGC 109)
22:37:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:37:44 Program Crashed AstroMain program crashed whilst focusing and had to be restarted
22:43:49 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2019-12-17 S00730, ImageSaveNum: 730219)
22:44:10   Scope Switched Off Scope Power has been switched off via UPB Powerbox.
22:44:24   Scope Switched On Scope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
22:45:54   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started
22:45:56   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started
22:46:01   Services Started Observatory Services started
22:46:06 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
22:46:10 Session Pending Session pending (2019-12-17)
22:46:12 Session Initiating Session initiating (2019-12-17)
22:46:14   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.6)
22:47:16   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-12-17 V3 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 435)
22:47:29   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -25°C)
22:47:33   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
22:47:47 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration
22:47:50   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started
22:47:52   Equilibration Skipped Dome Equilibration skipped by user
22:47:54 Session Running Session running
22:47:56   Queue Started Observing Queue started (30 targets selected)
22:48:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:50:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23)
22:50:56       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
22:52:41       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24)
22:52:43     Target Started (1/30) Target started (1/30, WDS GRB 34)
22:54:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:56:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 25)
22:58:38     Target Completed Target completed (1/30, WDS GRB 34)
22:58:40     Target Started (2/30) Target started (2/30, GCVS Z And)
23:00:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:02:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 26)
23:06:28     Target Completed Target completed (2/30, GCVS Z And)
23:06:30     Target Started (3/30) Target started (3/30, NGC 2237). Using SharpCap
23:26:40     Target Completed Target completed (3/30, NGC 2237)
23:31:17     Target Started (4/30) Target started (4/30, GCVS CM Tau)
23:33:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:35:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 27)
23:50:10     Target Completed Target completed (4/30, GCVS CM Tau)
23:50:12     Target Started (5/31) Target started (5/31, NGC 109)
23:52:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:55:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 28)
00:12:01     Target Completed Target completed (5/31, NGC 109)
00:12:03     Target Missed (6/31) Target's time slot was missed (6/31, GCVS SU Tau)
00:12:05     Target Missed (7/31) Target's time slot was missed (7/31, GCVS GK Per)
00:12:07     Target Started (8/31) Target started (8/31, GCVS NV Ori)
00:14:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:16:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 29)
00:20:15     Target Completed Target completed (8/31, GCVS NV Ori)
00:20:17     Target Started (9/31) Target started (9/31, GCVS U Gem)
00:23:08       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:25:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 30)
00:28:45     Target Completed Target completed (9/31, GCVS U Gem)
00:28:47     Target Started (10/31) Target started (10/31, GSC 1224:29)
00:31:56       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
00:36:51     Target Completed Target completed (10/31, GSC 1224:29)
00:36:53     Target Started (11/31) Target started (11/31, GCVS FO Ori)
00:39:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:41:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 31)
00:45:07     Target Completed Target completed (11/31, GCVS FO Ori)
00:45:09     Target Started (12/31) Target started (12/31, GCVS FU Ori)
00:47:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:49:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 32)
00:52:11     Target Completed Target completed (12/31, GCVS FU Ori)
00:52:13     Target Started (13/31) Target started (13/31, K2-18)
00:56:41       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - unable to find a star (TCF-S)
01:03:32     Target Completed Target completed (13/31, K2-18)
01:03:34     Target Started (14/31) Target started (14/31, GCVS DX Cnc)
01:11:10     Target Completed Target completed (14/31, GCVS DX Cnc)
01:11:37     Target Started (15/31) Target started (15/31, Scholz's Star)
01:14:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:16:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 33)
01:32:18     Target Completed Target completed (15/31, Scholz's Star)
01:32:32     Target Started (16/31) Target started (16/31, GCVS U Mon)
01:34:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:36:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 34)
01:42:37     Target Completed Target completed (16/31, GCVS U Mon)
01:42:45     Target Started (17/31) Target started (17/31, GCVS CN Ori)
01:45:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:47:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 35)
01:50:44     Target Completed Target completed (17/31, GCVS CN Ori)
01:51:06     Target Started (18/31) Target started (18/31, GCVS RR Tau)
01:53:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:55:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 36)
02:02:28     Target Completed Target completed (18/31, GCVS RR Tau)
02:02:30     Target Started (19/31) Target started (19/31, LAMOST-HVS1)
02:03:13     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (19/31, LAMOST-HVS1)
02:10:37     Target Started (20/31) Target started (20/31, GCVS ER UMa)
02:14:19       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
02:18:22     Target Completed Target completed (20/31, GCVS ER UMa)
02:20:24     Target Started (21/31) Target started (21/31, GCVS SY Cnc)
02:23:24       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
02:26:52     Target Completed Target completed (21/31, GCVS SY Cnc)
02:29:33     Target Started (22/31) Target started (22/31, GCVS HH And)
02:33:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:35:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 37)
02:37:18     Target Completed Target completed (22/31, GCVS HH And)
02:37:20     Target Started (23/31) Target started (23/31, GCVS U And)
02:40:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:42:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 38)
02:52:40     Target Completed Target completed (23/31, GCVS U And)
02:52:43     Target Started (24/31) Target started (24/31, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs))
02:55:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:58:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 39)
03:06:58     Target Completed Target completed (24/31, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs))
03:07:00     Target Started (25/31) Target started (25/31, GCVS RZ LMi)
03:10:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:12:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 40)
03:18:26     Target Completed Target completed (25/31, GCVS RZ LMi)
03:18:28     Target Started (26/31) Target started (26/31, 38P/Stephan-Oterma)
03:22:49       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - unable to find a star (TCF-S)
03:28:14     Target Completed Target completed (26/31, 38P/Stephan-Oterma)
03:28:16     Target Started (27/31) Target started (27/31, GCVS AM CVn)
03:33:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:35:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 41)
03:38:41     Target Completed Target completed (27/31, GCVS AM CVn)
03:38:43     Target Started (28/31) Target started (28/31, GCVS R CrB)
03:41:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:43:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 42)
03:46:13     Target Completed Target completed (28/31, GCVS R CrB)
03:46:16     Target Started (29/31) Target started (29/31, GCVS AM Her)
03:54:41   Telescope Disconnected Telescope Disconected (TheSky6)
03:54:44   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
03:57:41     Target Completed Target partially completed (29/31, GCVS AM Her)
03:57:43     Target Started (30/31) Target started (30/31, GCVS S Cyg)
03:57:51     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (30/31, GCVS S Cyg)
04:07:07     Target Started (31/31) Target started (31/31, GCVS DY Per)
04:07:17     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (31/31, GCVS DY Per)
04:07:20   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
04:07:22 Session Continuing Session continuing
04:07:33   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.6)
04:07:49   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-12-17 V4 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 436)
04:07:51 Session Running Session running
04:07:53   Queue Started Observing Queue started (16 targets selected)
04:10:33     Target Started (1/16) Target started (1/16, LAMOST-HVS1)
04:10:42     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (1/16, LAMOST-HVS1)
04:19:29     Target Started (2/16) Target started (2/16, GCVS TT Ari)
04:19:32     Target Failed Target failed due to horizon limit (2/16, GCVS TT Ari)
04:31:24     Target Started (3/16) Target started (3/16, GCVS S Cyg)
04:31:31     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (3/16, GCVS S Cyg)
04:46:23     Target Started (4/16) Target started (4/16, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN))
04:46:25     Target Failed Target failed due to az limit (4/16, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN))
04:59:45     Target Started (5/16) Target started (5/16, GCVS U And)
04:59:47     Target Failed Target failed due to airmass limit (5/16, GCVS U And)
05:13:31     Target Started (6/16) Target started (6/16, GSC 1224:29)
05:13:34     Target Failed Target failed due to horizon limit (6/16, GSC 1224:29)
05:21:02     Target Started (7/16) Target started (7/16, GCVS RX And)
05:21:04     Target Failed Target failed due to airmass limit (7/16, GCVS RX And)
05:27:54     Target Started (8/16) Target started (8/16, GCVS DY Per)
05:28:03     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (8/16, GCVS DY Per)
05:37:37     Target Started (9/16) Target started (9/16, WDS GRB 34)
05:37:40     Target Failed Target failed due to az limit (9/16, WDS GRB 34)
05:44:18     Target Started (10/16) Target started (10/16, 38P/Stephan-Oterma)
05:44:26     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (10/16, 38P/Stephan-Oterma)
05:54:24     Target Started (11/16) Target started (11/16, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs))
05:54:34     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (11/16, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs))
06:05:54     Target Started (12/16) Target started (12/16, GCVS FO Ori)
06:05:57     Target Failed Target failed due to airmass limit (12/16, GCVS FO Ori)
06:15:13     Target Started (13/16) Target started (13/16, GCVS R CrB)
06:15:21     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (13/16, GCVS R CrB)
06:23:04     Target Started (14/16) Target started (14/16, GCVS AM CVn)
06:23:14     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (14/16, GCVS AM CVn)
06:32:07     Target Started (15/16) Target started (15/16, NGC 5496)
06:32:14     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (15/16, NGC 5496)
06:53:59     Target Started (16/16) Target started (16/16, GCVS SS Her)
06:54:08     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (16/16, GCVS SS Her)
06:54:11   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
06:54:15 Session Closing Session closing
06:55:10   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 50s)
06:55:40   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 30s)
06:55:50   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 9s)
06:56:35 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
06:57:06 Session Finished Session Finished
   

Back to Top


Operational Issues (2019-12-17, S730)

[ Prev | Next ]

Critical Issues

Major Issues

Minor Issues

Continuous Improvement

[ Prev | Next ]

Back to Top


2019-12-18


LX200 Re-Balancing (3)

As part of checking out the large and variable Declination Backlash (2019-12-10)) and associated poor autoguiding performance some improvements in telescope balance were achieved by moving the existing counterweights below the OTA further forward, and moving the piggybacked secondary scope further foward (see LX200 Re-Balancing (1) ), and by adding 1.3 kg of extra counterweight at a point below the OTA (just below the Dec Axis), made up of a 0.35 kg weight and a 1.0kg leaded ankle/wrist exercise weight (see LX200 Re-Balancing (2) )

1.35 kg of additional weights arrived today these were added to the new pendulum system in place of the 1.0 kg ankle/arm exercise weight which had been borrowed temporarily. This now makes a total of 1.7 kg of extra weight compared to original situation.

Balance with the OTA tube placed vertical is now just about right for the current setup but will be checked and adjusted after an upcoming modification to the imaging train to take out an AO-8 adaptive optics unit.  The latter will reduce the weight at the back of the scope in two ways:  directly from removing the 0.6kg unit and indirectly by bringing the heavy SBIG ST-10XE camera closer to the scope

LX200 rebalancing with additional weights

Image    Image
  

 
Forward Plan

- Review balance again after removing AO-8 unit
   Image  >> Waiting on modification to imaging train

Back to Top


Melt water from overnight frost (2019-12-18)

After a full night of observing with the shutter open all night and temperatures down to -3°C a fair amount of frost built up on the inside surfaces of the dome and shutter.  As this frost melted the next morning lines of of water ran down the inside faces of the dome. Previously this water would accumulate 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 and eventually drip down onto the floor.  But since the drilling of a series of drainage holes at the backs of the 2 widest areas of the roof rim last month (see 2019-11-18 notes) the excess water can now gradually drain to the exterior.

Lines of melt water from the frost that built-up during the previous
night's observing session which had experienced temperatures down to -3°C

Image    Image
  

Drainage holes showing water draining to exterior  (later pictures)

Image    Image

Back to Top