David's Astronomy - Notes 2020-05-06 (S00780)

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Notes - Session 780 (2020-05-06)

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

	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0), Major Issues (0), Minor Issues (5), Continuous Improvement (26)

	Best Focus Chart

	Images from 2020-05-06 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2020-05-06)

Main aims

Berkeley Clusters: Commence project to image clusters from the Berkeley Catalogue of Open Clusters
Guidescope Focusing: Test out fixes to new method of focusing Guidescope (fmodeSharpCapV3).

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 3.21.6, AstroGuard 1.2.11, AstroPlan 1.14.4, AstroShCap 1.2.21, AstroVOE 1.3.6, UPB 1.4.17
(AstroWeather 1.8.7, AstroAllSky 3.5.1)

Highlights

Berkeley Targets. Images of 10 Berkely open clusters obtained.
Guidescope Focusing. V3 focusing finally worked under automated operation.

Lowlights

Seeing. Seeing slightly poorer than recent nights.

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan

Observing Result

Dome & Scope Slewing Performance

Slew/Centering Performance

Guiding 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)
Pre-Session Weather forecast showed variable skies range from 5 to 50% cloud cover,
light winds (wind 7mph) and a minimum temperature of 6°C.

In the event conditions were clear and calm through the whole night, with a minimum temperature of around 4°C

Session Event Log

Time	Event	Detail
22:25:21	Session Created	Live Session Created (2020-05-06 S00780, ImageSaveNum: 780001)
22:25:33	Camera1 Connected	SBIG Camera Connected (set point -15°C)
22:25:41	Telescope Connected	Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
22:25:53	Session Equilibration	Session ready for dome & camera equilibration
22:28:49	Shutter Opened	Shutter opened (opening time 44s)
22:28:52	Equilibration Started	Dome Equilibration started
22:38:05	Equilibration Ended	Dome Equilibration ended (9.3 mins total)
22:38:07	Session Running	Session running
22:38:09	Queue Started	Observing Queue started (23 targets selected)
22:39:16	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:40:09	Focusing Failed	Foc1 Focusing Failed - star lost
22:40:12	Focusing Started	Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
22:42:16	Focusing Completed	Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
22:42:17	Target Started (1/23)	Target started (1/23, Berkeley 19)
22:52:09	Target Completed	Target partially completed (1/23, Berkeley 19)
22:52:11	Target Started (2/23)	Target started (2/23, Berkeley 71)
22:54:38	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:58:05	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
23:03:30	Target Completed	Target completed (2/23, Berkeley 71)
23:03:32	Target Started (3/23)	Target started (3/23, C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS))
23:07:28	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:10:30	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
23:30:35	Target Completed	Target partially completed (3/23, C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS))
23:30:37	Target Started (4/23)	Target started (4/23, Berkeley 69)
23:33:17	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:37:05	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
23:42:27	Target Completed	Target partially completed (4/23, Berkeley 69)
23:42:29	Target Started (5/23)	Target started (5/23, Berkeley 89)
23:45:25	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:48:11	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
23:54:02	Target Completed	Target completed (5/23, Berkeley 89)
23:54:04	Target Started (6/23)	Target started (6/23, Berkeley 90)
23:55:59	Focusing Started	Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
23:58:05	Focusing Completed	Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
23:58:58	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:01:47	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
00:06:17	Target Completed	Target partially completed (6/23, Berkeley 90)
00:06:19	Target Started (7/23)	Target started (7/23, Berkeley 91)
00:09:47	Focusing Started	Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
00:11:49	Focusing Completed	Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
00:18:44	Target Completed	Target partially completed (7/23, Berkeley 91)
00:18:46	Target Started (8/23)	Target started (8/23, Berkeley 97)
00:21:32	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:24:13	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
00:29:43	Target Completed	Target completed (8/23, Berkeley 97)
00:29:46	Target Started (9/24)	Target started (9/24, NGC 4277)
00:54:10	Target Completed	Target completed (9/24, NGC 4277)
00:54:12	Target Missed (10/24)	Target's time slot was missed (10/24, GCVS ER UMa)
00:54:14	Target Missed (11/24)	Target's time slot was missed (11/24, GCVS CN Leo)
00:54:16	Target Started (12/24)	Target started (12/24, NGC 3643)
00:56:54	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:59:56	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11)
01:15:54	Target Completed	Target completed (12/24, NGC 3643)
01:15:56	Target Started (13/24)	Target started (13/24, Berkeley 50)
01:28:38	Target Completed	Target completed (13/24, Berkeley 50)
01:28:40	Target Started (14/24)	Target started (14/24, Berkeley 51)
01:30:33	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:33:22	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12)
01:38:49	Target Completed	Target completed (14/24, Berkeley 51)
01:38:51	Target Started (15/24)	Target started (15/24, M92)
01:52:29	Target Completed	Target partially completed (15/24, M92)
01:52:31	Target Started (16/24)	Target started (16/24, GCVS AM Her)
02:03:04	Target Completed	Target completed (16/24, GCVS AM Her)
02:03:06	Target Started (17/24)	Target started (17/24, GCVS CY Lyr)
02:06:08	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:08:58	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13)
02:12:26	Target Completed	Target completed (17/24, GCVS CY Lyr)
02:12:28	Target Started (18/24)	Target started (18/24, GCVS CI Cyg)
02:14:13	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:17:04	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14)
02:20:46	Target Completed	Target completed (18/24, GCVS CI Cyg)
02:20:48	Target Started (19/24)	Target started (19/24, Biur 1)
02:22:44	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:25:24	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15)
02:31:03	Target Completed	Target completed (19/24, Biur 1)
02:31:05	Target Started (20/24)	Target started (20/24, Berkeley 49)
02:32:53	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:35:43	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16)
02:41:13	Target Completed	Target completed (20/24, Berkeley 49)
02:41:26	Target Started (21/24)	Target started (21/24, GCVS R CrB)
02:45:23	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:47:59	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17)
02:51:01	Target Completed	Target completed (21/24, GCVS R CrB)
02:51:04	Target Started (22/24)	Target started (22/24, GCVS U Her)
02:53:41	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:56:31	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18)
03:04:05	Target Completed	Target completed (22/24, GCVS U Her)
03:04:07	Target Started (23/24)	Target started (23/24, GCVS SS Her)
03:06:34	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:09:31	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19)
03:12:47	Target Completed	Target completed (23/24, GCVS SS Her)
03:12:49	Target Started (24/24)	Target started (24/24, HIP 87937)
03:15:54	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:18:45	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20)
03:21:12	Target Completed	Target completed (24/24, HIP 87937)
03:21:15	Queue Completed	Job Queue completed
03:21:18	Session Closing	Session closing
03:22:06	Shutter Closed	Shutter closed (closing time 45s)
03:22:51	Dome Parked	Dome parked (parking time 45s)
03:23:02	Telescope Parked	Telescope parked (parking time 9s)
03:23:32	Scope Switched Off	Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Powerbox.
03:24:22	Services Stopped	Night Services stopped
03:24:24	Session Housekeeping	Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
03:24:37	Session Finished	Session Finished

Operational Issues (2020-05-06, S780)

Critical Issues (0)
Major Issues (0)
Minor Issues (5)
Continuous Improvement (26)

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Critical Issues

None

Major Issues

None

Minor Issues

Focus Frame Boxes for Foc2 Focusing (V3) are too small. ShCap Foc2 Focus Frames boxes are sized at 120x120 and whilst Foc2 Focusing is working the frame boxes are too small and the stars can end up too close to the edges of the box. Foc1 boxes 150 x 150 (2x2 binning) equate to a FOV of 2.06 x 2.06 arc mins whilst in comparison current Foc2 boxes 120x120 (1x1 binning) equate to a FOV of only 2.21 x 2.21 arc mins. It is proposed to increase Foc2 Focus Frames to 150x150 which will give 2.57 x 2.57 arc min FOV. The difference in download time, focus frame analysis is not significant.
Fixed 2020-05-07 (AstroShCap 1.2.22) .
ToO target not entering active Job Queue. Three attempts were made to submit NGC 4277 as a ToO target (Next Target) at 23:34, 23:38 and 00:15. Whilst the submission was recognised by AstroMain in each case (see below), the target wasn't entered into the active job queue.
  Recieved ToO Request        Ok        1 observation requested
  Loading ToO                 Ok        NGC 4277 (priority 2) imported at 23:24:47
Normally a third message 'Inserting ToO Target ...   Ok ' would be reported but this didn't happen for these 3 cases.   There is no accompancy log messages to indicate why the ToO target wasn't inserted.   Target was well placed at the above times.    Investigating shows that the ToO Target NGC 4277 was inserted into the Job Queue at 00:18 (this is presumed to be in response to the third submission at 00:15 but that begs the question why there was no definate response to first two submissions minutes (or why it took 44 minutes to respond to the very first attempt). Assuming insertion of the ToO into queue was related to the third request at 00:15 was recieved during Target 7/23 (Berkeley 91), it could have been expected that the ToO would have acquired as Target 8/24 displacing the plans original Target 8/23 (Berkeley 97) since there was a full 2 minute period during which the ToO target could have been inserted.   However it took 3 minutes for the ToO to be inserted and the job queue had already started Target 8/23 (Berkeley 97) before inserted the ToO target into queue as Target 9/24

Insertion into queue (either insert or append) is carried out by HandleToO() routine which is potentially called every 5s when the session state is 'Running' and PendingToO is set to a non-zero number. The routine will however ignore the PendingToO in a number of situations (but allowing the PendingToO to be retested on the next cycle). In the case of NGC 4277 the target was ignored as the successive existing targets in the queue (Berkeley clusters in this case) were all flagged as 'MUST INCLUDE' targets and NGC 4277 only had a level 2 priority. First 2 attempts are presumed to have failed when the the ToO timed-out. The third attempt was finally handled when it was able to displace ER UMa which was first target in plan to be not marked as 'Must Include'
Closed 2020-05-10 (AstroMain)
Start Time for Best Focus and Focus Temperature Charts didn't match. Best Focus Chart had start time of 21:30 whilst the Focus Temperature Chart had a start time of 22:00. The mismatch means that the data doesn't line up when displayed on webpage which is less than ideal. Start times should be made to match. Resolved by having a MasterGraphStartTime variable accessed by calling GetGraphStartTime (time). The first graph calling GetGraphStartTime sets the MasterGraphStartTime for the other graphs.
Done 2020-05-12 (AstroMain 3.22.1)
Pointing Errors for multiple images reported as ' ? ' during Reduced Folder analysis. Investigating quickly showed images from all 10 Berkeley Open Cluster targets has the 'Pointing Error ? issue. At present the Reduced Folder analysis only calculates pointing error when the Target Name or TheSky6 target name is able to match up with an object in TheSky6. The Berkeley targets all use Explicit Coordinate for targeting and don't have a name that matches to any TheSky6 Object Name. A Continuous Improvement ticket will be be added so that Pointing Error can be generated for such targets. Note that in the case of Berkeley targets, it is possible to utilise Sky6 Name field in Targets Database to use the 'SAC Berk xx' object name. e.g. using SAC Berk 4' for 'Berkeley 4'
Closed 2020-05-07 (AstroMain) .
Stars trailed on the first 3 locate images from 1st Target. Images #780001, 02 & 03 from this session shows trailed stars that suggest scope was still moving / still settling when images were taken. The longest trail was on first locate frame, and diminished in severity towards the 3rd frame. Issue is similar to 779068 & 69 locate frames in the last session. It is unclear what the precise problem is. An original 4s wait period was relaxed and this might give rise to this occassional issue.
Monitor situation (Session)

Continuous Improvement

Time Gaps in 'Process All' Reduction should be reduced. At present there is a 5s gap between the processing of each raw folder set. Around one minute of total time could be saved during reduction of each session if this gap could be significantly reduced. Some gap is necessary as the only way to tell if CCDSoft has finished reducing a folder is for the routine to monitor / identify when new reduced frame files have stopped being created. However the allowed waiting time is too long and is now reduced from 5s to 2s.
Done 2020-05-12 (AstroMain 3.22)
Swap the Centre and Target Cross styles on Locate Frame Jpgs. Swap over the cross styles on Locate Frame Jpgs in 'ConvertFitsToJpg' routine so that the centre cross is a thin white cross and the target cross is a thicker coloured cross.
Done 2020-05-12 (AstroMain 3.22)
Modify Focus Temperature Chart to add Line Colours in Legend, Add focus profile points in Legend, Hide Legend Values from Final Plot legend & remove Right Axis ticks & label (Best Focus).
Done 2020-05-12 (AstroMain 3.22)
Modify CCD Temperature Chart to Show Legend in Final Chart (without latest values)
Done 2020-05-12 (AstroMain 3.22)
Modify Zenith FWHM chart to show legend on Final Chart
Done 2020-05-12 (AstroMain 3.22)
Add features to Analysis/Image Sets tab that autoselect certain sub-tabs to facilitate a slightly more effficient work flow
Done 2020-05-12 (AstroMain 3.22)
Provide better 'Insert Report Line' functionality for maintaining correct line feed in Report File. When inserting time critical messages into Report Stream (normally messages outside of job queue or main line Observatory State reporting, such as weather related events, ToO messages) any prior uncompleted AddComment messages should be flagged and associated ReportComment suitably indented after posting the Time Critical Message. e.g.
Taking 45s image (C)...               .. continued below .. (see **)
Recieved ToO Request      Ok     1   observation requested
**                                            Ok    [00780037] 22:24:33 (UT) Full 3x3 45s C
Also look at prefixing time critical messages with "> " indent instead of a normal Tab2 indent.
> Recieved ToO Request     Ok      1   observation requested
> Loading ToO                       Ok      NGC 4277 (priority 2) imported at 23:24:47
Done 2020-05-12 (AstroMain 3.22)
Add messages to log file record the fetching, import and handling of ToO targets. These are to supplement messages already sent to Console & Report File .
Done 2020-05-12 (AstroMain 3.22)
Report reason why a ToO target is being deferred or cancelled . These are to allow the user to understand why a ToO target (that has been submitted via AstroPlan or via AstroVOE) hasn't been executed at anticipated time, ToO might have timed out or not be allowed to displace a 'Must Include' target, a current ToO target or a long duration (60+ min) target
Done 2020-05-12 (AstroMain 3.22)
Correct spelling - change 'recieve' / 'reciever' to 'receive' / 'receiver' across AstroMain Code. Correct spelling of all affected objects, variables and text output
Done 2020-05-12 (AstroMain 3.22)
Deprecate VWS 36 hour graphs from Current Weather web page.
graphs deprecated are : vws737, vws739, vws758 , vws760, vws1177, vws1765, vws1766, vws1770, vws1775, vws1777
Done 2020-05-10 (VWS, Website)
Consider using a rolling average temperature value for calculating temperature compensated focus position. 10 min rolling average is written to MonitorFoc1AvTemperature and accessed via Focuser1.Temperature.
Done 2020-05-21 (AstroMain 3.22.4)
Add Near Zenith Focus Field slews to Slew Details table and Slewing Performance charts. Functionality added using a new routine 'SlewScopeNearZenith()' which calls the existing 'Scope.SlewTheSkyScopeToRaDec()' routine
Done 2020-05-12 (AstroMain 3.22)
Add Telescope Park / Dome Park slews to Slew Details table and Slewing Performance charts. This will require special versions of existing slew routines/slew data collecting procedures since Scope and Dome are parked separately.
Done 2020-05-19 (AstroMain 3.22.3)
Modify Automated Dew Heater control to significant reduce / switch off dew heaters when dome closed and humidity < 75%. Dew heaters unnecesssary for warm days when humidity drops.
Done 2020-05-12 (AstroMain 3.22)
Manual Focus Near Zenith routine requires user confirmation beforehand. The Focus Near Zenith job (which involves a telescope slew) must be confirmed first by the user.
Done 2020-05-12 (AstroMain 3.22)
Add 3 letter day names to 8 hour, 16 hour and 5 day Weather Graphs.
Done 2020-05-11 (AstroWeather 1.9)
Add UPB Env Temperature to 5 day Pulsar Dome Temperature Plot (graph 15)
Done 2020-05-11 (AstroWeather 1.9)
Add 16h barometer, 16h wind & 16h humidity charts to Website (graphs 12, 49 & 51)
Done 2020-05-11 (AstroWeather 1.9)
Deprecate 3h & 5h plots (graphs 2,3 )
Done 2020-05-11 (AstroWeather 1.9)
Deprecate file://Laptop7 location references from Current Weather page. This is to improve page performance and ease web page maintainance. It also data to be better accessed via local Web Page Images reference will thus all point to 'http://www.astro-richweb.net' locations
Done 2020-05-11 (Website)
Have a easy backdoor means to load ObsEnv file from Observatory Computer to AllSKy/Weather computer. This facility would be helpful to update ObsEnv file on AllSky/Weather computer (Laptop7) after the computer has been offline for a period of time. This will enable Weather/Observatory graphs to be made using all available data (ie no gaps).
A new button 'Import ObsEnv' & routine have been added to AstroWeather to import ObsEnvData.dat file from Observatory Computer
Done 2020-05-11 (AstroWeather 1.9)
Implement a means to store the normal Cloud Sensor Relay threshold values for Clarity, Rain & Lights and use them to show when Relay is expected to activated. Relay Fields added to Program Setup Form, saved to/loaded from program settings file and displayed on Observatory Manager Tab with 'R' against Clarity, Rain & Light where Relay is expected to be activated. User has to ensure themself that values align with those in the Cloud Sensor Head (Note: AstroMain has no means to directly read the Cloud Sensor settings)
Done 2020-05-12 (AstroMain 3.22)
Add Field to AstroVOE to show number of GRB alerts that are above horizon and within tolerable pointing (these are the potential targets that could have been observed from the observatory if it has been operating). Implemention changed to show number of 'missed GRBs' - these are GRB's within the slewing range of the scope, occuring at time when sunalt < -12 deg and are missed because the observatory is not open / not running (due to weather conditions/choice/downtime).
Done 2020-10-05 (AstroVOE 1.4)
Pointing Errors to be calculated during Reduced Folder analysis for targets that use Explicit Coordinates. During S780 all 10 Berkeley Open Cluster targets has the 'Pointing Error ? issue when Analysing Reduced Images. At present the Reduced Folder analysis only calculates pointing error when the Target Name or TheSky6 target name is able to match up with an object in TheSky6. The Berkeley targets all use Explicit Coordinate for targeting and don't have a name that matches to any TheSky6 Object Name. Extra code and support infrastructure (e.g. data addition to FITS header) should be added to allow Pointing Error to be generated. Target Ra2000 and Dec2000 coordinates (including any offsets) for all targets, including those with explicit coords, are now saved in FITS File headers using the keywords TAG-RA and TAG-DEC. TAG coordinates if available are used for Analysis of Reduced Folder. If not available the existing method of using the TheSky6Name or Target Name is used. Pointing Error is also correctly calculated for Mosaic Points, since the target coordinates for the image are taken as Tag Coordinates (which are taken from the Mosaic Points File (MIS.M(P).Ra / MIS.M(P).Dec)) not the Target Object. It needs to be checked whether this causes a unwanted sideeffect for Analyse Mosaic function where the offsets from the Target Object is required not the offset from the TAG coordinates.
Done 2020-10-05 (AstroMain 3.30.8)
Add new chart that cross-plots best focus position vs temperature for the session. Building on existing chart code it should be possible to display two graphs side by side. One showing the cross plot for the current session. and a second chart that compares current session with the last 5 sessions.
To add (AstroMain)

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Best Focus Chart

Following charts illustrate a clear relationship between Focus Temperature and Best Focus.

Best Focus & Focus Temperature (Session S780)

This Web Page:	Notes - Session 780 (2020-05-06)
Last Updated :	2024-02-21
Site Owner :	David Richards
Home Page :	David's Astronomy Web Site

David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 780 (2020-05-06)

Session Aims & Highlights (2020-05-06)

Operational Issues (2020-05-06, S780)

Best Focus Chart

David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 780 (2020-05-06)