David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 804 (2020-09-03)

 
2020-09-03 (Session 804)
Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
 
Bullet Operational Issues
  - Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (2),  Minor Issues (3),  Continuous Improvement (6)
 
Bullet Images from 2020-09-03 >>
Bullet Investigation - "Powerbox Port Lost" message after turning on Scope Power
 

Session Aims & Highlights (2020-09-03)

Main aims

  1. Targets. Acquire images of a number of targets if conditions allow.
  2. Obs.Manager. Examine response of Obs.Manager to the loss of AllSky/Weather information in the case that the AllSky/Weather computer crashes, hibernates or otherwise goes offline, which was considered a likely event given the number of daytime outages in past 48 hours.
    (in the event the AllSky/Weather computer remained responsive for the entire session.)

Equipment & Software

Highlights

Lowlights

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan
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Observing Result
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Dome & Scope Slewing Performance
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Slew/Centering Performance
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Guiding Performance
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Sky Conditions (Locate Frames)
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Night Sky Summary Plot
Top axis: Sky Brightness at Zenith (in ADU/s)
Lefthand axis: Local Time (hh LT). Righthand axis: Sun Altitude (degs)
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Pre-Session Weather Forecast (API data from darksky.net)
Pre-Session Weather forecast showed dry conditons for the night with minimum temperature of 13°C,  but fairly cloudy in first part of night (52 to 72% cloud cover) but gradually clearing towards dawn (37 - 4% cloud cover). Wind was forecast to be moderate (20 mph), and it was not expected that conditions would be suitable for an observing session.

In the event conditions were less windy that expected and after seeing sky clearing at 01:00 - 01:30 a session was initiated via AutoStart around 01:30.
Cloud unfortunately developed around 02:30 which persisted till Dawn. Minimum outside temperature was 13.5°C.
Image   
  
Session Event Log
Time     Event Detail
21:14:33 Session Created Live Session Created (2020-09-03 S00804, ImageSaveNum: 804001)
21:14:35   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
21:14:37   UPB Port Lost UPB Powerbox Port Lost
21:16:26   Services Started Observatory Services started
21:16:35 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
21:16:37 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity starting between 21:00 & 04:15
21:16:39   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 21:00
21:16:41   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to cloud
21:16:43 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:14)
21:16:45 Session Pending Session pending (2020-09-03)
21:16:47 Session Initiating Session initiating (2020-09-03)
21:16:49   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.16)
21:18:10   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2020-09-03 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 538)
21:18:22   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -10°C)
21:18:28   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
21:18:39 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration
21:19:24   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s)
21:19:28   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started
21:23:05   Equilibration Ended Dome Equilibration ended (3.7 mins total)
21:23:07 Session Running Session running
21:23:09   Queue Started Observing Queue started (40 targets selected)
21:24:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:29:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
21:31:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
21:31:52       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
21:34:23       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
21:36:25       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
21:36:45       Focusing Checked Foc2 Focusing Check Succeeded
21:36:48     Target Missed (1/40) Target's time slot was missed (1/40, GCVS BL Lac)
21:36:50     Target Started (2/40) Target started (2/40, NGC 6704)
21:37:53   UPB.Switch Restart UPB.Switch has been restarted.
21:39:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:42:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
21:47:28     Target Completed Target completed (2/40, NGC 6704)
21:47:30     Target Started (3/40) Target started (3/40, GCVS SS Her)
21:49:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:52:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
21:55:48     Target Completed Target completed (3/40, GCVS SS Her)
21:55:50     Target Started (4/40) Target started (4/40, GCVS CY Lyr)
21:57:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:00:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
22:04:11     Target Completed Target completed (4/40, GCVS CY Lyr)
22:05:33     Target Started (5/40) Target started (5/40, GCVS FG Sge)
22:07:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:10:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
22:12:37     Target Completed Target completed (5/40, GCVS FG Sge)
22:13:44     Target Started (6/40) Target started (6/40, Berkeley 43)
22:15:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:18:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
22:24:57     Target Completed Target completed (6/40, Berkeley 43)
22:25:44     Target Started (7/40) Target started (7/40, HIP 87937)
22:28:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:31:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
22:34:58     Target Completed Target completed (7/40, HIP 87937)
22:35:00     Target Started (8/40) Target started (8/40, GCVS AM Her)
22:37:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:39:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
22:44:52     Target Completed Target completed (8/40, GCVS AM Her)
22:44:54     Target Started (9/41) Target started (9/41, NGC 2782, ToO)
22:44:56     Target Failed Target failed due to az limit (9/41, NGC 2782, ToO)
22:44:58     Target Started (10/41) Target started (10/41, GCVS S Cyg)
22:45:01     Target Failed Target failed due to slew error (10/41, GCVS S Cyg)
22:46:17     Target Aborted (11/41) Target aborted (11/41, WDS GRB 34) due to GRB Alert
22:46:19     Target Started (12/42) Target started (12/42, UGC 6930, ToO)
22:49:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:52:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
23:03:24     Target Completed Target completed (12/42, UGC 6930, ToO)
23:07:21     Target Started (13/42) Target started (13/42, GCVS SS Cyg)
23:10:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:13:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11)
23:16:40     Target Completed Target completed (13/42, GCVS SS Cyg)
23:22:32     Target Started (14/42) Target started (14/42, GCVS CI Cyg)
23:24:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:28:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12)
23:31:42     Target Completed Target completed (14/42, GCVS CI Cyg)
23:31:44     Target Started (15/42) Target started (15/42, 61 Cyg)
23:33:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:36:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13)
23:37:12     Target Completed Target completed (15/42, 61 Cyg)
23:38:19     Target Started (16/42) Target started (16/42, GCVS Z And)
23:40:36       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:43:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14)
23:47:03     Target Completed Target completed (16/42, GCVS Z And)
23:47:05     Target Started (17/42) Target started (17/42, GCVS RX And)
23:49:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:52:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15)
23:55:03     Target Completed Target completed (17/42, GCVS RX And)
23:55:28     Target Started (18/42) Target started (18/42, GCVS TT Ari)
23:57:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:00:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16)
00:07:05     Target Completed Target completed (18/42, GCVS TT Ari)
00:07:24     Target Started (19/42) Target started (19/42, Basel 10)
00:09:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:12:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17)
00:18:16     Target Completed Target completed (19/42, Basel 10)
00:19:24     Target Started (20/42) Target started (20/42, GCVS DY Per)
00:21:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:24:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18)
00:28:46     Target Completed Target completed (20/42, GCVS DY Per)
00:29:32     Target Started (21/42) Target started (21/42, GSC 1224:29)
00:32:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:35:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19)
00:39:41     Target Completed Target completed (21/42, GSC 1224:29)
00:40:14     Target Started (22/42) Target started (22/42, GCVS GK Per)
00:42:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:45:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20)
00:48:01     Target Completed Target completed (22/42, GCVS GK Per)
00:48:55     Target Started (23/42) Target started (23/42, Berkeley 69)
00:51:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:52:29       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star lost
00:59:11     Target Completed Target completed (23/42, Berkeley 69)
01:00:55     Target Started (24/42) Target started (24/42, GCVS ER UMa)
01:03:55       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is lost (TCF-S)
01:09:02     Target Completed Target completed (24/42, GCVS ER UMa)
01:11:13     Target Started (25/42) Target started (25/42, GCVS HH And)
01:13:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:16:36       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22)
01:18:10     Target Completed Target completed (25/42, GCVS HH And)
01:19:28     Target Started (26/42) Target started (26/42, GCVS U And)
01:21:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:23:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23)
01:33:27     Target Completed Target completed (26/42, GCVS U And)
01:33:34     Target Started (27/42) Target started (27/42, GCVS Z And)
01:35:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:38:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24)
01:42:04     Target Completed Target completed (27/42, GCVS Z And)
01:42:23     Target Started (28/42) Target started (28/42, GCVS RX And)
01:44:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:46:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 25)
01:49:26     Target Completed Target completed (28/42, GCVS RX And)
01:50:44     Target Started (29/42) Target started (29/42, GCVS TT Ari)
01:53:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:56:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 26)
02:02:36     Target Completed Target completed (29/42, GCVS TT Ari)
02:02:38     Target Started (30/42) Target started (30/42, Basel 10)
02:05:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:08:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 27)
02:13:28     Target Completed Target completed (30/42, Basel 10)
02:14:39     Target Started (31/42) Target started (31/42, GCVS DY Per)
02:16:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:16:32   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
02:17:22 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter)
02:17:24   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
02:17:32       Focusing Aborted Foc1 Focusing Aborted
02:17:34     Target Aborted (31/42) Target aborted (31/42, GCVS DY Per) due to cloud
02:17:36   Queue Paused Queue paused for SoftSuspend
02:17:41 Session Suspended Session suspended
02:17:43   Queue Paused Queue pausing for HardSuspend
02:18:27   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 46s)
02:24:17     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (31/42, GCVS DY Per) due to other condition
02:24:28 Session Resuming Session resuming
02:25:13   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s)
02:25:15 Session Running Session running
02:25:17   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
02:25:19     Target Started (32/42) Target started (32/42, 68P/Klemola)
02:29:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:31:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 29)
02:40:02     Target Completed Target completed (32/42, 68P/Klemola)
02:40:04     Target Started (33/42) Target started (33/42, Berkeley 72)
02:43:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:48:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 30)
02:54:21     Target Completed Target completed (33/42, Berkeley 72)
02:54:23     Target Started (34/42) Target started (34/42, GCVS RR Tau)
02:57:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:59:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 31)
03:05:41     Target Completed Target completed (34/42, GCVS RR Tau)
03:05:44     Target Started (35/42) Target started (35/42, Berkeley 17)
03:07:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:10:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 32)
03:15:55     Target Completed Target completed (35/42, Berkeley 17)
03:15:57     Target Started (36/42) Target started (36/42, GCVS CM Tau)
03:17:37       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
03:32:10     Target Completed Target completed (36/42, GCVS CM Tau)
03:34:06     Target Started (37/42) Target started (37/42, GCVS SU Tau)
03:35:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:38:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 33)
03:42:31     Target Completed Target completed (37/42, GCVS SU Tau)
03:44:02     Target Started (38/42) Target started (38/42, C/2020 F8 (SWAN))
03:46:50       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S)
03:51:46   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
03:51:56   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions
04:01:21     Target Completed Target completed (38/42, C/2020 F8 (SWAN))
04:01:23     Target Started (39/42) Target started (39/42, GCVS FO Ori)
04:03:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:06:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 34)
04:09:48     Target Completed Target completed (39/42, GCVS FO Ori)
04:10:12     Target Started (40/42) Target started (40/42, GCVS FU Ori)
04:10:17   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 45s)
04:10:21     Target Aborted (40/42) Target aborted (40/42, GCVS FU Ori) due to cloud
04:10:23   Queue Paused Queue pausing for HardSuspend
04:10:25 Session Suspended Session suspended
04:10:27   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 04:10, closing time 45s)
04:12:28 Session Resuming Session resuming
04:14:08 Session Suspended Session suspended
04:14:10   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 04:10, closing time 45s)
04:16:13 Session Resuming Session resuming
04:16:38   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 10s)
04:17:54 Session Suspended Session suspended
04:17:56   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 04:16, closing time 10s)
04:18:22     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (40/42, GCVS FU Ori) due to light conditions
04:19:58 Session Resuming Session resuming
04:20:18   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 10s)
04:21:39 Session Suspended Session suspended
04:21:41   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 04:20, closing time 10s)
04:23:44 Session Resuming Session resuming
04:23:54   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 5s)
04:25:24 Session Suspended Session suspended
04:25:26   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 04:23, closing time 5s)
04:27:29 Session Resuming Session resuming
04:29:10 Session Suspended Session suspended
04:29:12   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 04:23, closing time 5s)
04:30:02     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (41/42, Berkeley 26) due to light conditions
04:31:14 Session Resuming Session resuming
04:31:39   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 10s)
04:32:55 Session Suspended Session suspended
04:32:57   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 04:31, closing time 10s)
04:35:00 Session Resuming Session resuming
04:35:25   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 15s)
04:36:40 Session Suspended Session suspended
04:36:42   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 04:35, closing time 15s)
04:38:45 Session Resuming Session resuming
04:38:55   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 5s)
04:40:26 Session Suspended Session suspended
04:40:28   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 04:38, closing time 5s)
04:42:30 Session Resuming Session resuming
04:44:11 Session Suspended Session suspended
04:44:13   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 04:38, closing time 5s)
04:49:20     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (42/42, GCVS U Gem) due to light conditions
04:49:26   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
04:49:31 Session Closing Session closing
04:49:36   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 04:38, closing time 5s)
04:49:50   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 14s), Az: 90.1 deg
04:50:30   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 38s)
04:51:00   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Powerbox.
04:51:47   Services Stopped Night Services stopped
04:51:49 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
04:52:13 Session Finished Session Finished
   
Session Alerts
Time     Alert Detail
21:37:53 UPB.Switch UPB.Switch has been successfully restarted.
04:09:32 Unexpected Dome Closure Dome is unexpectedly closing (Good Conditions)
04:49:50 Dome Position Issue Reported park angle (90.1 degs) shows a discrepency of 0.1 degs

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Operational Issues (2020-09-03, S804)

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Investigation - "Powerbox Port Lost" message after turning on Scope Power

Issue: After UPB.Switch was used to turn on Scope Power a "Powerbox Port lost" message is reported.

Description:
At 23:14 Observatory Night Services were started via AutoStarted, which included Turning on Telescope Power using UPB.Switch.   An information message "Powerbox Port lost at 2020-09-03 21:14:34" was immediately reported by AstroMain and a "UPB Port Lost" session event sent to the database at 21:14:37  (UPB Powerbox Port Lost). .
   Obs.Manager, PowerboxPort:  Fail      Powerbox Port lost at 2020-09-03 21:14:34 
( There should be really be some reference to the event written to the logfile, but currently this is not written )

Event didn't stop the telescope from powering up it would seem the problem is not necessary critical.

Analysis

Since the event didn't stop the telescope from powering up it would seem the problem is not necessary critical. Later on at 21:37:53 and as a precaution the UPB.Switch was restarted (Stopped and Started (Pegasus Powerbox Switch) ) using the manual button ("Restart UPB Switch").

It is unclear if UPB Port Lost event had a materially effect on being able to access the UPB.Switch. At 21:16, 21:23 & 21:37dew heaters were left 0% which presumably required reading dew heater power level from the UPB Powerbox (but 0 may have been a pseudo value ?). It was not until 22:29 that dew point temperature situation require dew heaters to be increased to 20%, but this was after the UPB Switch was restarted.

The error message is produced in Obs.Manager Main Loop when
    PowerBox.Port <> PowerBox.PortWhenConnected,   and PowerBox.Port = ""

Whilst PowerBox.Port is initialised to "" when PowerBox object is created, this happens when the program is first opened. 

Once basic services are started  the PowerBox.Port is set in RunObservatoryMonitoring() routine every 2s.
   PowerBox.Port = PowerBox.GetSerialPort()

It is conjectured that a temporary situation might arise when PowerBox.Port is accessed by Obs.Manager Main loop before it is set by RunObservatoryMonitoring and might therefore have the value of "" and produce this initial erroronous message.  But another possibility is that the list of ports examine in GetSerialPort() function might temporarily not contain the UPB PowerBox's primary or secondary COM port for some unknown reason.

Since Obs.Manager and ObservatoryMonitoring are both already running when Night Services are started it is unclear how a simple timing issue can be responsible, but the observation that this was the only UPB Port Lost event in the session, that it came at the point it did and the fact that the exact same happened in the following session (S805) and in earlier sessions (S799 & S802) firmly suggests the issue must be in someway conditional rather than completely random.
(The event wasn't triggered in sessions S798, S800, S801 or S803 however, indicating the event triggering is very subtle)

Examination of code shows there is a short period of time during PowerBox.Connect routine when PowerBox.PortWhenConnected is set to "" before being set to PowerBox.GetSerialPort() a short moment later. This could provide the opportunity for Obs.Manager (running as separate thread)  to see PowerBox.Port <> PowerBox.PortWhenConnected, but it wouldn't explain why PowerBox.Port = ""

Action
Code modified in AstroMain 3.28.4 so that PowerBox.PortWhenConnected is only set to ""  when connection to all 3 UPB Ascom Drivers fail. 

Status
Review on 2021-06-04 shows that there have been no reoccurances of problem and it is concluded that the fix of 2019-08-05 was successful.
Fixed.
Image Fixed 2019-08-05 (AstroMain 3.28.4) 
 

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