David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 733 (2019-12-30)

Notes (S732)

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Notes (S734)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (3),  Minor Issues (6),  Continuous Improvement (3)
	Images from 2019-12-30  >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2019-12-30)

Main aims

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

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  2.6.6dev3
   
• AstroMain 3.18.8 / 3.18.9 ,  Astroguard 1.2.9,   AstroPlan 1.13.6,  AstroShCap 1.2.10, AstroVOE 1.3.4, UPB 1.4.17  (AstroWeather 1.8.2, AstroAllSky 3.5.1)

Highlights

• Targets. x targets acquired.

Lowlights

•   Auto-Dew Heating Control.   Auto-dew heating control failed for second session and allowed the OTA temperature to dip below Dew Point.

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  In the event skies

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 18:22:24 Session Created Live Session Created (2019-12-30 S00733, ImageSaveNum: 733001) 18:22:40   Scope Switched On Scope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 18:24:50   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 18:24:52   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 18:24:56   Services Started Observatory Services started 18:25:07   Services Started Observatory Services started 18:25:54 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 18:25:56 Session Pending Session pending (2019-12-30) 18:25:58 Session Initiating Session initiating (2019-12-30) 18:26:00   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.7) 18:26:57   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-12-30 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 439) 18:27:11   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 18:27:15   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 18:27:27 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 18:28:13   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 46s) 18:28:16   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started 18:32:13   Equilibration Ended Dome Equilibration ended (4.0 mins total) 18:32:15 Session Running Session running 18:32:17   Queue Started Observing Queue started (52 targets selected) 18:32:19     Target Started (1/52) Target started (1/52, AT2019vys) 18:35:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:37:24       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Quadratic) 18:54:11     Target Completed Target completed (1/52, AT2019vys) 18:54:13     Target Started (2/52) Target started (2/52, NGC 7640) 18:56:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:58:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 19:18:14     Target Completed Target completed (2/52, NGC 7640) 19:18:16     Target Started (3/52) Target started (3/52, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN)) 19:19:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:22:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 19:30:49     Target Completed Target completed (3/52, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN)) 19:30:52     Target Started (4/52) Target started (4/52, GCVS SS Cyg) 19:33:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:35:22       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Quadratic) 19:39:03     Target Completed Target completed (4/52, GCVS SS Cyg) 19:43:49     Target Started (5/52) Target started (5/52, GCVS TT Ari) 19:46:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:48:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 19:55:03     Target Completed Target completed (5/52, GCVS TT Ari) 19:55:15     Target Started (6/52) Target started (6/52, WDS GRB 34) 19:57:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:59:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 20:00:55     Target Completed Target completed (6/52, WDS GRB 34) 20:02:40     Target Started (7/52) Target started (7/52, GCVS RR Tau) 20:06:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:08:09       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Quadratic) 20:14:45     Target Completed Target completed (7/52, GCVS RR Tau) 20:14:47     Target Started (8/52) Target started (8/52, GCVS HH And) 20:17:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:19:57       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Quadratic) 20:21:39     Target Completed Target completed (8/52, GCVS HH And) 20:21:41     Target Started (9/52) Target started (9/52, 61 Cyg) 20:23:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:25:44       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Quadratic) 20:27:03     Target Completed Target completed (9/52, 61 Cyg) 20:27:43     Target Started (10/52) Target started (10/52, GCVS Z And) 20:30:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:32:21       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Quadratic) 20:36:06     Target Completed Target completed (10/52, GCVS Z And) 20:36:08     Target Started (11/52) Target started (11/52, GCVS U And) 20:38:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:40:45       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Quadratic) 20:41:26       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope) 20:43:33       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 20:54:28     Target Completed Target completed (11/52, GCVS U And) 20:54:30     Target Started (12/52) Target started (12/52, GCVS SU Tau) 20:57:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:59:13       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Quadratic) 21:03:28     Target Completed Target partially completed (12/52, GCVS SU Tau) 21:03:30     Target Started (13/52) Target started (13/52, GCVS DY Per) 21:06:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:08:10       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Quadratic) 21:12:33     Target Completed Target partially completed (13/52, GCVS DY Per) 21:12:35     Target Started (14/52) Target started (14/52, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs)) 21:15:05       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:17:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 21:25:46     Target Completed Target partially completed (14/52, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs)) 21:25:48     Target Started (15/52) Target started (15/52, GSC 1224:29) 21:27:58       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 21:32:42     Target Completed Target completed (15/52, GSC 1224:29) 21:32:44     Target Started (16/52) Target started (16/52, GCVS GK Per) 21:34:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:36:35       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Quadratic) 21:36:38       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:38:16       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 21:41:17     Target Completed Target completed (16/52, GCVS GK Per) 21:41:19     Target Started (17/52) Target started (17/52, GCVS CM Tau) 21:43:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:45:40       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Quadratic) 21:59:59     Target Completed Target completed (17/52, GCVS CM Tau) 22:00:02     Target Started (18/52) Target started (18/52, GCVS RX And) 22:00:25     Target Failed Target failed due to aborted (18/52, GCVS RX And) 22:00:27   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 22:01:09   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 22:01:17 Program Closed Program closed by User 22:02:18 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2019-12-30 S00733, ImageSaveNum: 733172) 22:03:28   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 22:03:30   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 22:03:36   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:04:20 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:04:24 Session Pending Session pending (2019-12-30) 22:04:26 Session Initiating Session initiating (2019-12-30) 22:04:28   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-12-30 V1 ACTIVE PLAN S733, Plan ID: 439) 22:04:31   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 22:04:37   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 22:04:55 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 22:04:58   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started 22:06:16   Equilibration Skipped Dome Equilibration skipped by user 22:06:18 Session Running Session running 22:06:20   Queue Started Observing Queue started (34 targets selected) 22:07:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:09:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 22:09:35       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:11:12       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 22:11:14     Target Started (19/52) Target started (19/52, GCVS CN Ori) 22:13:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:15:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 22:18:59     Target Completed Target completed (19/52, GCVS CN Ori) 22:19:01     Target Started (20/52) Target started (20/52, GCVS FO Ori) 22:21:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:23:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 22:27:20     Target Completed Target completed (20/52, GCVS FO Ori) 22:27:22     Target Started (21/52) Target started (21/52, GCVS FU Ori) 22:30:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:32:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23) 22:35:04     Target Completed Target completed (21/52, GCVS FU Ori) 22:35:06     Target Started (22/52) Target started (22/52, GCVS U Gem) 22:37:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:39:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24) 22:43:39     Target Completed Target completed (22/52, GCVS U Gem) 22:43:41     Target Started (23/52) Target started (23/52, GCVS DX Cnc) 22:45:45       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:50:41     Target Completed Target completed (23/52, GCVS DX Cnc) 22:50:43     Target Started (24/52) Target started (24/52, GCVS SY Cnc) 22:52:35       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 22:56:19     Target Completed Target completed (24/52, GCVS SY Cnc) 22:58:13     Target Started (25/52) Target started (25/52, GCVS NV Ori) 23:00:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:02:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 25) 23:05:44     Target Completed Target completed (25/52, GCVS NV Ori) 23:05:57     Target Started (26/52) Target started (26/52, Scholz's Star) 23:08:37       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:24:13     Target Completed Target completed (26/52, Scholz's Star) 23:26:53     Target Started (27/52) Target started (27/52, LAMOST-HVS1) 23:32:09     Target Completed Target completed (27/52, LAMOST-HVS1) 23:35:49     Target Started (28/52) Target started (28/52, GCVS U Mon) 23:38:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:40:18       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Quadratic) 23:46:29     Target Completed Target completed (28/52, GCVS U Mon) 23:46:31     Target Started (29/52) Target started (29/52, GCVS RZ LMi) 23:49:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:51:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 27) 23:56:56     Target Completed Target completed (29/52, GCVS RZ LMi) 23:57:20     Target Started (30/52) Target started (30/52, NGC 4774) 00:00:33       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 00:06:13     Target Aborted (30/52) Target aborted (30/52, NGC 4774) due to Prority 1 ToO Target 00:06:16     Target Started (31/53) Target started (31/53, ARP 250) 00:07:32   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 00:07:52 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 00:07:54   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 00:08:10     Target Aborted (31/53) Target aborted (31/53, ARP 250) due to cloud 00:08:12   Queue Paused Queue paused for SoftSuspend 00:08:13 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:08:16   Queue Paused Queue pausing for HardSuspend 00:09:03   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 49s) 00:14:03     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (31/53, ARP 250) due to cloud 00:27:29 Session Resuming Session resuming 00:28:14   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 45s) 00:28:17 Session Running Session running 00:28:19   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 00:28:21     Target Started (32/53) Target started (32/53, NGC 5410) 00:40:20 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 00:40:22   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 00:40:27     Target Aborted (32/53) Target aborted (32/53, NGC 5410) due to cloud 00:40:29   Queue Paused Queue pausing for HardSuspend 00:40:31 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:41:15   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 44s) 00:44:11 Session Resuming Session resuming 00:44:56   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 45s) 00:44:58 Session Running Session running 00:45:00   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 00:45:02     Target Started (33/54) Target started (33/54, NGC 2388) 01:01:22   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 01:03:48 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 01:03:50   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 01:03:54     Target Aborted (33/54) Target aborted (33/54, NGC 2388) due to cloud 01:03:56   Queue Paused Queue paused for SoftSuspend 01:03:59 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:04:01   Queue Paused Queue pausing for HardSuspend 01:04:48   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 49s) 01:04:50     Target Missed (34/54) Target's time slot was missed (34/54, IC 3247) 01:11:14     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (35/54, GCVS AM CVn) due to cloud 01:30:51     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (36/54, SHK 1) due to cloud 01:52:43     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (37/54, NGC 4216) due to cloud 02:14:35     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (38/54, Rose 29) due to cloud 02:36:27     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (39/54, Rose 9) due to cloud 02:48:15     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (40/54, GCVS ER UMa) due to other condition 03:08:07     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (41/54, IC 603) due to cloud 03:29:59     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (42/54, NGC 4330) due to cloud 03:51:51     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (43/54, SHK 352) due to other condition 04:13:43     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (44/54, IC 716) due to other condition 04:22:31 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:23:16   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 45s) 04:23:19 Session Running Session running 04:23:21   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:23:23     Target Started (45/54) Target started (45/54, IC 893) 04:41:36     Target Completed Target partially completed (45/54, IC 893) 04:41:38     Target Started (46/54) Target started (46/54, NGC 5211) 04:43:13   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 04:44:22   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 04:44:28       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 04:46:53   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 04:56:54   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 05:00:55     Target Completed Target completed (46/54, NGC 5211) 05:00:57     Target Started (47/54) Target started (47/54, NGC 5496) 05:05:22       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 05:13:35   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 05:15:15   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 05:17:45   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 05:19:56   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 05:22:03     Target Completed Target completed (47/54, NGC 5496) 05:22:19     Target Started (48/54) Target started (48/54, Rose 18) 05:25:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:27:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 28) 05:38:37   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 05:44:20     Target Completed Target completed (48/54, Rose 18) 05:44:22   Queue Paused Queue paused for SoftSuspend 05:44:24 Session Suspended Session suspended 05:45:13   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 49s) 05:55:09 Session Resuming Session resuming 05:55:54   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 45s) 05:55:56 Session Running Session running 05:55:58   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 05:56:00     Target Started (49/54) Target started (49/54, NGC 5058) 06:09:40     Target Completed Target partially completed (49/54, NGC 5058) 06:09:42     Target Started (50/54) Target started (50/54, Rose 15) 06:12:20       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 06:21:32   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 06:22:42   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 06:28:50     Target Completed Target completed (50/54, Rose 15) 06:28:52     Target Started (51/54) Target started (51/54, GCVS CN Leo) 06:31:21       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 06:32:02   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 06:36:33 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 06:36:35   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 06:36:37     Target Aborted (51/54) Target aborted (51/54, GCVS CN Leo) due to cloud 06:36:39   Queue Paused Queue paused for SoftSuspend 06:36:41 Session Suspended Session suspended 06:36:43   Queue Paused Queue pausing for HardSuspend 06:37:28   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 49s) 06:40:07     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (51/54, GCVS CN Leo) due to cloud 06:50:03     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (52/54, 38P/Stephan-Oterma) due to cloud 06:58:09     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (53/54, GCVS R CrB) due to cloud 07:18:34     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (54/54, GCVS U Her) due to cloud 07:18:40   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 07:18:42 Session Closing Session closing 07:18:47   Shutter Closed Shutter already closed (closed at 06:37, closing time 49s) 07:19:57   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 71s) 07:20:12   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 14s) 07:20:57 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 07:21:21 Session Finished Session Finished

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Operational Issues (2019-12-30, S733)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (3)
• Minor Issues (6)
• Continuous Improvement (3)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• Auto-Dew Control set dew heaters to 0%, leading to OTA dropping below dew point.  This is the second session running where this problem had occured. Luckily the problem was probably spotted before too much dew had formed.   Problem repeated after restarting session using AstromMain 3.18.9, and again only spotted after some 45 mins.  Problem occurs  when sessionstate switches to 'Starting'  but stays like this.   Code was examined but no explanation was found.  Extra log trace lines added to 3.18.10 helped to narrow down the root cause to a specific Select Case SessionState Block in 'ObservatoryManager.CheckAutoDewControl' routine    Stepping through code in test environment showed that error was caused by an extra comma is Select Case block which prevented the proposed DewHeaterPower variable from being set.
  Fixed 2020-01-02 (AstroMain 3.18.11)
   
• Several seemingly valid Focus Profiles (Foc1) failed validation checks on quadratic equation. This occured because the existing validation check required the c term to be >50, but the profiles had c term values of 41, 45 etc .  Problem was fixed in the session by uploading a revised version of AstroMain program (3.18.9) where the validation check on the c term is relaxed to >35
  Done 2019-12-30 (AstroMain 3.18.9)
   
• Observatory session was operated without full compliment of Cloud Sensor Relays enabled. Cloud & Light were disabled when Dusk Flats were taken on 2019-12-25 and weren't reenabled again.   Relay setting for Rain was enabled ok so risk of damage was small. Difficult to stop this happening again.   A message after exiting Take Dusk Flats would be helpful, and a reminder at start of next live session
  User Awareness 2019-12-31 (Laptop7 / Cloud Sensor III)

Minor Issues

• Sky Conditions Graph data from previous session weren't cleared when starting new session, leading to misleading graphs.
  Fixed 2019-12-30 (AstroMain 3.18.9)
   
• OTA Temperature line on FocusTemp Chart goes flat over certain intervals.  It seems the line goes flat when the  session is suspended or when focusing is interrupted. Fixed by using MonitorFocuser1Temperature which doesn't go constant.
  Fixed 2019-12-30 (AstroMain 3.18.10)
   
• Query.  Why did T2 PanStarrs guiding fail ?. Images were sharp with plenty of stars (no cloud or transparency issues). Unable to determine what caused the issue on this occasion.  Since this session Guide Reference pictures are saved which can now better aid diagnosis.
   Closed 2021-02-09 (AstroMain/Session)
   
• Query.  'Insert Foc2 Focus Profile' (using PHD2) failed to be uploaded to website. Fixed or irrelevant with new Foc2 Focusing (ShCap V3 method) in AstroMain 3.22
  Closed 2020-05-12 (AstroMain 3.22)
    
• Query.  'Focus Temp Data values ahead of the last points drawn on line graph. Code reviewed doesn't show any indication that this behaviour would occur.
  Closed 2019-12-31 (AstroMain)
   
• Extra pair of Dust Mottes appeared on C Filter images in middle of session ( from image ~ 733123 onwards.). Subsequently it was found that the extra mottes were also present on images taken with other filters, but had much less effect due to the shorter exposures taken with BVRI filter.  This shows that the new dust is located on the Camera's optical window.   Issue resolved in short term by acquiring and using new Sky Flats for C Filter (2x2 & 3x3) and DB 3x3 /Nd 2x2 filters.
  Partly resolved  2019-12-31 (New C Flats)

Continuous Improvement

• Get rid of 4s delay after slewing for new Sky Flats point.  Delay reduced to 2s (field on Set Up /Pointing Tab Settings)
  Done 2020-01-02 (AstroMain/Observatory)
   
• Get rid of slew to new Sky Flats point if scope had recently slew to Sky Flats point. This occurs when it is too dark to take flats with one filter/bin configuration and the routine moves on to the next configuration.
  Done 2020-01-02 (AstroMain 3.18.11)
   
• Remove SBIG Camera/Filter Wheel from scope and clean CCD sensor and optical window on scope.  Also install recently arrived new M42 (T-Mount) to 2" adapter, and perform a final re-balancing of scope.  Completed prior to session S739 (see changes prior to session S739 (Optical Cleaning, Rebalancing, Refocusing, Updated Plate Scale) )
  Done 2020-01-08 (Observatory)

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Flat Frames (2019-12-31)

During monitoring of the S733 session it was noticed at a pair of new overlapping dust doughnuts were affecting the raw images.   These were due to dust grains that had evidently fallen onto the optical window of the CCD Camera/CFW10 Filter Wheel since the session S732 on 2019-12-24 and the set of flats taken on that same day.

To enable the successful reduction of galley (C filter) images from session S733 a new set of Sky Flats was taken using the C (clear) Filter at 3x3 and at 2x2 binning.

To fill in with flats not taken on 2019-12-24 a set of Sky Flats were also taken with the Ha (H-alpha) Filter at 3x3 binning and with the Nd (neutral density) Filter at 2x2 binning.  These confirmed the new dust doughnuts were being produced by new dust specks on the camera/filter wheel optical window (making a common artifact for all filters) rather than dust on the C filter. This means that all the other filter flats taken on 2019-12-24 had become compromised by the new dust.

(A complete new set of Flats were later taken through all filters/bins on 2020-01-09 after cleaning the filters, Camera/Filter Wheels optics window and CCD Sensor window, see Flats Frames, 2020-01-09)

Results

	New Sky Flats - 2019-12-31, S733 Containing an extra pair of overlapping dust dougnuts that appear on all filters		Earlier Sky Flats - 2019-12-24, S732 Taken after installation of new C Filter and new DB (dualband) filter & removal of AO-8 unit
	Master Flat, New C filter (3x3), 2019-12-31 (Average Median for 25 frames, 50% size )		Master Flat, New C filter (3x3), 2019-12-24 (Average Median for 25 frames, 50% size)
	Master Flat, Ha filter (3x3), 2019-12-31 (Average Median for 15 frames, 50% size)
			Ha (3x3) not taken  on 2019-12-24
	Master Flat, Nd filter (2x2), 2019-12-31 (Average Median for 12 frames, 35% size)
			Nd (2x2) not taken  on 2019-12-24
			Master Flat, New DB filter (3x3), 2019-12-24 (Average Median for 15 frames )
	DB (3x3) not taken  on 2019-12-31

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