David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 784 (2020-05-24)

 
Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
 
Bullet Operational Issues
  - Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (14),  Continuous Improvement (8)
 
Bullet Images from 2020-05-24 >>
 
2020-05-25
Bullet Pegasus UPB - v1.6.0
Bullet TCF-S - Focus Temperature Compensation (12" LX200)
 

Session Aims & Highlights (2020-05-24)

Main aims

  1. Software Testing: Test new 3.22.3 version of AstroMain which has had multiple changes since 3.22.1. Check for absence of introduced bugs or new issues. Check bug fixes and new features/enhancements
  2. Targets: Acquire images of a number of targets if conditions allowed.   Weather conditions forecast to be marginal.

Equipment & Software

Highlights

Lowlights

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan
Image
  
Observing Result
Image
   
Dome & Scope Slewing Performance
Image
  
Slew/Centering Performance
Image
  
Guiding Performance
Image
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)
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
Image   
  
Session Event Log
Time     Event Detail
23:38:20   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -15°C)
23:38:22 Session Created Live Session Created (2020-05-24 S00784, ImageSaveNum: 784001)
23:38:39   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
23:40:21   Services Started Observatory Services started
23:40:54 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
23:40:57 Session Pending Session pending (2020-05-24)
23:40:59 Session Initiating Session initiating (2020-05-24)
23:41:01   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.15.1)
23:41:37   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2020-05-24 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 513)
23:41:40   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -15°C)
23:41:46   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
23:41:58 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration
23:42:44   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 47s)
23:42:47   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started
23:46:48   Equilibration Ended Dome Equilibration ended (4.1 mins total)
23:46:50 Session Running Session running
23:46:52   Queue Started Observing Queue started (11 targets selected)
23:48:16     Target Started (1/11) Target started (1/11, UGCA 317)
23:52:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:55:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
00:10:57     Target Completed Target completed (1/11, UGCA 317)
00:10:59     Target Started (2/11) Target started (2/11, PGC 49584)
00:13:00       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
00:14:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:16:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
00:32:53     Target Completed Target completed (2/11, PGC 49584)
00:32:55     Target Started (3/11) Target started (3/11, NGC 5609)
00:35:11       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
00:36:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:38:57       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star lost
00:55:02     Target Completed Target completed (3/11, NGC 5609)
00:55:04     Target Started (4/11) Target started (4/11, GCVS R CrB)
00:58:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:00:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
01:03:54     Target Completed Target completed (4/11, GCVS R CrB)
01:03:56     Target Started (5/11) Target started (5/11, UGC 11320)
01:07:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:11:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
01:27:14     Target Completed Target completed (5/11, UGC 11320)
01:27:17     Target Started (6/11) Target started (6/11, GCVS CY Lyr)
01:30:05       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:32:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
01:36:35     Target Completed Target completed (6/11, GCVS CY Lyr)
01:36:37     Target Started (7/11) Target started (7/11, GCVS S Cyg)
01:39:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:43:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
01:53:34     Target Completed Target completed (7/11, GCVS S Cyg)
01:53:37     Target Started (8/11) Target started (8/11, UGC 10297)
02:17:23     Target Completed Target completed (8/11, UGC 10297)
02:17:26     Target Started (9/11) Target started (9/11, GCVS U Her)
02:20:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:23:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
02:29:08     Target Completed Target partially completed (9/11, GCVS U Her)
02:29:10     Target Started (10/11) Target started (10/11, GCVS SS Her)
02:32:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:35:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
02:37:50     Target Completed Target partially completed (10/11, GCVS SS Her)
02:37:53     Target Started (11/11) Target started (11/11, HIP 87937)
02:40:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:43:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
02:46:32     Target Completed Target completed (11/11, HIP 87937)
02:46:35   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
02:46:38 Session Closing Session closing
02:47:25   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 45s)
02:48:08   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 43s)
02:49:02   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 49s)
02:49:32   Scope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Powerbox.
02:50:22   Services Stopped Night Services stopped
02:50:24 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
02:50:33 Session Finished Session Finished
   
Session Alerts
Time     Alert Detail
-- No Alerts                --                              

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Operational Issues (2020-05-24, S784)

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Critical Issues

Major Issues

Minor Issues

Continuous Improvement

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2019-05-25


Pegasus UPB - v1.6.0

A new version of UPB Software (v 1.6.0) was sent to be me today by Pegasus Astro (May 2020) for earlier testing.  The new version is not yet released on Pegasus Astro Website but should be shortly.  The new version was successfully installed onto Development Computer and Observatory Computer (2020-05-25) and new v1.6 firmware loaded on to the UPB Box.   Changes in v.1.6.0 according to its change log are:

 * UI: Fix graph exception when value is not numeric
* Feature: Display uptime (firmware v1.6)
* Bug: Display power on boot settings

Changes in v1.6 firmware include
- Better memory handling of parallel task processing
- New Stepper Backlash Algorth
- Stepper Motor Control rewrite to use less memory
- Fix issue that relative humidity was dropped from 99% -> 90%

Humidity Values
The first night of operation using new firmware showed that the problem with humidity readings had been fixed.

AstroSuite workarounds to handle the earlier '99->90% dropped down values will now be removed to prevent issues where 90% humidity values at start up of AstroMain or AstroWeather aren't  wrongly 'corrected' to 98% (99%)

Memory
16,200 k  Initial Memory (not connected to physical box)
83,800 k  Memory used after 15 hours  :

[ Pegasus Astro Support Page:  https://pegasusastro.com/support/ ]

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TCF-S - Focus Temperature Compensation (12" LX200)

After a review of best focus vs temperature data from recent session it is apparent that the temperature compensation gradient currently used (-133.6 steps/°C) is too agressive and needs to reduced. A new gradient of -100 steps/°C is proposed for use in the next session onwards. This will be used with a datum focus position of 3300 steps at 0°C and an initial focus correction offset of 0 steps.

The following graphs demonstrate reasonable fit between the proposed new gradient of -100 steps/°C with best focus data from 4 recent sessions.

Note that on any single night there is often quite a scatter in best focus for a given temperature. It is postulated that this is due to a combination of differences in airmass, atmosphere properties and possible primary mirror slop. 

Note that there is quite a range on focus offset between session which is postulated to be due to variation in atmospheric properties (temperature, pressure) between sessions. There is however some suspicion that there might be a very gradual slippage in the primary mirror over time (e.g. the focus position at 0°C datum varies between 4100 in S765 (2020-04-01) to 3150 in S784 (2020-05-24).   However this might be due to seasonal changes in the atmosphere.

Best Focus vs Temperature Graphs for 4 recent sessions
showing good fit between data and new proposed Temperature Coefficient of -100°C
S765 ( 2020-04-01), S779 (2020-05-05), S780 (2020-05-06), S784 (2020-05-24)
   Image
  
  

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Comparison of Safe/Unsafe Conditions & Criteria

As part of implementing more maintainable safety code including addition of new criteria a comparison was made of the safety critera used in the Observatory.

MUST CLOSE
(True if any of these are true)
           
  Cloud Sensor
Relay

State Safe/Unsafe
AstroMain
Obs.Manager
Function MustClose(reason)
AstroAllSky
Synopsis
State MustClose
     
              
Rain  > 1 > 0.3 (plus Trim)        
Clarity < 20 < 20        
Light > 20 (unless disabled) > 20 (unless disabled)        
    
Sun Altitude   > -2 (unless disabled)        
Wind   > 20        
Outside Humidity   > 97        
Outside Temperature   < -12        
              
Others   Synopsis.CriticalRain = Critical        
    Synopsis.CriticalRainThreat = Critical        
    Synopsis.CriticalCloud = Critical        
    Synopsis.CriticalWind = Critical        
             
    Minutes Since Last CloudSensor Data
> DataToleranceMinutes (5, 20, 45, 180)
       
              
CAN OPEN
(Only true if all criteria are true)
           
  Cloud Sensor
Relay
AstroMain
Obs.Manager
Function CanOpen(reason_can't)
AstroAllSky
Synopsis
State CanOpenWithCaution
AstroGuard    
              
Rain  not used, but dome  < 0.3 (plus trim)        
Clarity will close after >= 24        
Light 30s if Unsafe < 20 (unless disabled)        
             
Wind   < 15        
Outside Humidity   <= 97        
Outside Temperature   > -10        
             
Others   Synopsis.CriticalRain <> Critical        
    Synopsis.CriticalRainThreat <> Critical / Warning        
    Synopsis.CriticalCloud <> Critical        
    Synopsis.CriticalWind <> Critical        
             
    Minutes Since Last CloudSensor Data < 3        
    Minutes Since Last Synopsis Data < 3        
    Minutes Since Last Rain > 10        
             
             
             
Traffic Lights AstroMain
Manager Tab
AstroMain
Obs.Viewer
AstroAllSky
Synopsis
AstroGuard
Manager Tab
AstroGuard  
Rain Image  < 0.1 + RainTrim
Image  0.1 to 0.3+  RainTrim
Image  > 0.3 + RainTrim
Image  Synopsis.Rain = Normal
Image  Synopsis.Rain = Warning or
       Synopsis.RainThreat = Warning
Image  Synopsis.Rain = Critical or
       Synopsis.RainThreat = Critical
Image  < 0.1 + RainTrim
   (=Normal)
Image  0.1 to 0.3+  RainTrim
  (=Warning)
Image  > 0.3 + RainTrim
  (=Critical)
or vcNull and (Stars<=4
 or RainThreat=Critical)
Image  < 0.1
Image  .1 to .3
Image  > 0.3
Image  Synopsis.Rain = Normal
Image  Synopsis.Rain = Warning or
       Synopsis.RainThreat = Warning
Image  Synopsis.Rain = Critical or
       Synopsis.RainThreat = Critical
 
              
Rain Threat     Image  Cases not covered below
   (=Normal)
Image  precipNext15MinProb > 0.1 Or
(ER.precipNext15MinProb > 0.1 And precipNext15MinIntensity > 0.2 )
  (=Warning)
Image  (precipNext15MinProb > 0.5 Or
(precipNext15MinProb > 0.2 And precipNext15MinIntensity > 0.2))
 And  (Clarity = vcNull Or Clarity < 30)
  (=Critical)
     
              
Clarity Image  >32
Image 25 to 32
Image 20 to 24
Image  < 20
Image  Synopsis.Cloud = Normal
Image  Synopsis.Cloud = Warning
Image  Synopsis.Cloud = Critical
Image  >28 (=Normal)
Image 20 to 28 (=Warning)
Image  < 20 or
 (vcNull and Stars<5)
 (=Critical)
Image  >32
Image 25 to 32
Image 20 to 24
Image  < 20
Image  Synopsis.Cloud = Normal
Image  Synopsis.Cloud = Warning
Image  Synopsis.Cloud = Critical
 
              
Light Image  < 5
Image  5 to 15
Image 16 to 28
Image  > 28
Image  Synopsis.Light = Normal
Image  Synopsis.Light = Warning
Image  Synopsis.Light = Critical
Image  <15 (=Normal)
Image 15 to 28 or
SunAlt 0 to -2 or
ZenithAduRate > 100000 (=Warning)
Image  > 28 or
 (SunAlt > 0) or
 (vcNull and SunAlt >-2
 (=Critical)
Image  < 5
Image  5 to 15
Image 16 to 28
Image  > 28
Image  Synopsis.Light = Normal
Image  Synopsis.Light = Warning
Image  Synopsis.Light = Critical
 
              
Stars Image  > 20
Image 9 to  20
Image 3 to 8
Image  < 3
Image  > 20
Image 9 to  20
Image 3 to 8
Image  < 3
Image  > 20
Image 9 to  20
Image 3 to 8
Image  < 3
              
Wind Image  0  to 10
Image  10 to 20
Image  > 20
Image  Synopsis.Wind = Normal
Image  Synopsis.Wind = Warning
Image  Synopsis.Wind = Critical
Image  0  to 10 (=Normal)
Image  10 to 20 (=Warning)
Image  > 20 (=Critical)
not displayed Image  Synopsis.Wind = Normal
Image  Synopsis.Wind = Warning
Image  Synopsis.Wind = Critical
 
              
Outdoor Temperature Image   > 0
Image    0 to -5
Image   -5 to -10
Image  -10 to -12
Image
   < -12
Image   > 0
Image    0 to -5
Image   -5 to -12
Image   < -12
not displayed
              
Outdoor Humidity not displayed Image  0 to 93
Image  94 to 97
Image  > 97
  not displayed    
              
             
             
             
             



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