David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 835  (2020-11-27)

 
Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
 
Bullet Operational Issues
  - Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (3),  Continuous Improvement (0)
Bullet Images from 2020-11-27 >>
 

Session Aims & Highlights (2020-11-27)

Main aims -

  1. Refocus Main Scope.  Move LX200 main mirror so that scope is at focus at around the middle of TCF-S focuser range
    ( i.e. at a position of around 3500-4000,  focuser range of 0 - 7000)
     (problems encountered in prior session (S833) where best focus was as low as 150 and profiles were being clipped)
  2. Targets. Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets and deep sky targets as allowed by bright moonlight conditions.
  3. Bug Fixes. Check that bug fixes made since last session haven't upset the program operation and are working where appropriate.

Equipment & Software

Dome position adjusted and resynced from 91.1 to 90.0 deg to achieve final park.

Highlights

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 cloudy skies throughout the first part of the night (cloud cover 90-100%) but clearing
slightly from 01:00 onwards (cloud cover 22-68%) with calm conditions (wind 4-7 mph),
Minimum temperature 2 degC.

In the event there was a clear spell from 18:00 to 20:40 with a more prolonged clear spell from 23:20 to 04:40 and
a further clear spell at 06:30 till dawn. Temperatures fell below 0 degC at 01:00 reaching a minimum of -1.5 degC. 
Winds were calm to very light.
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Session Event Log
Time     Event Detail
20:19:56 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity starting between 20:19 & 06:11
20:19:58 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (20:19)
20:20:29 Session Created Live Session Created (2020-11-27 S00835, ImageSaveNum: 835001)
20:20:31   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
20:22:26   Services Started Observatory Services started
20:22:34 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
20:22:38 Session Pending Session pending (2020-11-27)
20:22:40 Session Initiating Session initiating (2020-11-27)
20:22:42   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.17.5)
20:24:05   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2020-11-27 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 570)
20:24:18   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C)
20:24:22   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
20:24:32 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration
20:25:24   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s)
20:25:39 Session Running Session running
20:25:40   Queue Started Observing Queue started (43 targets selected)
20:26:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:31:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
20:32:34       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost
20:32:38       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
20:34:56       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
20:36:49       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
20:37:06       Focusing Checked Foc2 Focusing Check Succeeded
20:37:39     Target Started (1/43) Target started (1/43, 61 Cyg)
20:40:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:45:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
20:48:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
20:49:33     Target Completed Target partially completed (1/43, 61 Cyg)
20:49:35     Target Started (2/43) Target started (2/43, GCVS Z And)
20:51:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:54:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
20:58:31     Target Completed Target completed (2/43, GCVS Z And)
20:58:33     Target Started (3/43) Target started (3/43, GCVS RX And)
21:06:40     Target Completed Target partially completed (3/43, GCVS RX And)
21:06:42     Target Started (4/43) Target started (4/43, 184P/Lovas)
21:09:39       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
21:19:50     Target Completed Target completed (4/43, 184P/Lovas)
21:19:52     Target Started (5/43) Target started (5/43, WDS GRB 34)
21:22:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:25:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
21:27:28     Target Completed Target completed (5/43, WDS GRB 34)
21:27:31     Target Started (6/43) Target started (6/43, NGC 514)
21:30:26       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:33:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
21:44:21     Target Completed Target completed (6/43, NGC 514)
21:44:24     Target Started (7/43) Target started (7/43, C/2019 L3 (ATLAS))
21:46:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:49:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
21:55:36     Target Completed Target completed (7/43, C/2019 L3 (ATLAS))
21:55:38     Target Started (8/43) Target started (8/43, GCVS HH And)
21:57:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:00:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
22:02:02     Target Completed Target completed (8/43, GCVS HH And)
22:02:50     Target Started (9/43) Target started (9/43, GCVS S Cyg)
22:05:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:08:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
22:18:16     Target Completed Target completed (9/43, GCVS S Cyg)
22:18:18     Target Started (10/43) Target started (10/43, C/2020 M3 (Atlas))
22:22:08       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
22:23:40   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
22:26:20   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions
22:28:33     Target Completed Target completed (10/43, C/2020 M3 (Atlas))
22:29:06     Target Started (11/43) Target started (11/43, GCVS U And)
22:31:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:34:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
22:43:57     Target Completed Target completed (11/43, GCVS U And)
22:43:59     Target Started (12/43) Target started (12/43, GCVS SS Cyg)
22:46:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:49:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11)
22:53:09     Target Completed Target completed (12/43, GCVS SS Cyg)
22:58:25     Target Started (13/43) Target started (13/43, 156P/Russell-LINEAR)
23:01:35       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
23:11:01     Target Completed Target completed (13/43, 156P/Russell-LINEAR)
23:12:39     Target Started (14/43) Target started (14/43, GCVS GK Per)
23:14:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:17:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12)
23:20:15   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
23:20:41     Target Completed Target completed (14/43, GCVS GK Per)
23:20:43   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
23:20:45 Session Suspended Session suspended
23:21:35   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s)
23:29:31 Session Resuming Session resuming
23:30:03     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/43, GCVS FO Ori) due to other condition
23:30:16   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s)
23:30:18 Session Running Session running
23:30:20   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
23:30:22     Target Started (16/43) Target started (16/43, GCVS RR Tau)
23:32:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:35:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13)
23:41:32     Target Completed Target completed (16/43, GCVS RR Tau)
23:41:34     Target Started (17/43) Target started (17/43, GCVS SY Cnc)
23:44:40       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
23:48:47     Target Completed Target completed (17/43, GCVS SY Cnc)
23:51:01     Target Started (18/43) Target started (18/43, 398P/Boattini)
23:56:35       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S)
23:59:24   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
00:06:32     Target Completed Target completed (18/43, 398P/Boattini)
00:06:34   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
00:06:36 Session Suspended Session suspended
00:07:19   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 45s)
00:14:07     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (19/43, GCVS CN Ori) due to cloud
00:24:05     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (20/43, GCVS DY Per) due to other condition
00:30:51 Session Resuming Session resuming
00:31:36   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s)
00:31:38 Session Running Session running
00:31:40     Target Started (21/43) Target started (21/43, GCVS CM Tau)
00:31:42   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
00:42:07   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
00:42:12 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter)
00:42:14   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
00:43:24     Target Aborted (21/43) Target aborted (21/43, GCVS CM Tau) due to cloud
00:43:26   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
00:43:28 Session Suspended Session suspended
00:44:18   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 45s)
01:04:01     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/43, Scholz's Star) due to cloud
01:14:26     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/43, GCVS NV Ori) due to cloud
01:22:45     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/43, GCVS FU Ori) due to cloud
01:32:21     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/43, GCVS SU Tau) due to other condition
01:32:27 Session Resuming Session resuming
01:33:12   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s)
01:33:14 Session Running Session running
01:33:16     Target Started (26/43) Target started (26/43, GCVS U Mon)
01:33:18   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
01:35:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:38:42       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous)
01:44:18     Target Completed Target completed (26/43, GCVS U Mon)
01:44:20     Target Started (27/43) Target started (27/43, GCVS U Gem)
01:45:43   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
01:47:43     Target Failed Target failed due to cloud (27/43, GCVS U Gem)
01:47:45   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
01:47:47 Session Suspended Session suspended
01:50:08   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s)
01:52:22     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (27/43, GCVS U Gem) due to cloud
01:57:44   Camera1 SetPoint -25°C SBIG Camera Set Point Temperature Updated (new set point -25°C)
02:01:50 Session Resuming Session resuming
02:02:35   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s)
02:02:37 Session Running Session running
02:02:39   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
02:02:41     Target Started (28/43) Target started (28/43, NGC 2782)
02:18:46     Target Completed Target partially completed (28/43, NGC 2782)
02:18:48     Target Started (29/43) Target started (29/43, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN))
02:23:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:26:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15)
02:36:19     Target Completed Target partially completed (29/43, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN))
02:36:21     Target Started (30/43) Target started (30/43, GCVS DX Cnc)
02:39:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:42:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16)
02:47:06     Target Completed Target completed (30/43, GCVS DX Cnc)
02:47:08     Target Started (31/43) Target started (31/43, GCVS RZ LMi)
02:49:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:51:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17)
02:56:50     Target Completed Target completed (31/43, GCVS RZ LMi)
02:56:52     Target Started (32/43) Target started (32/43, UGC 6930)
02:59:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:02:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18)
03:12:46     Target Completed Target completed (32/43, UGC 6930)
03:12:49     Target Started (33/43) Target started (33/43, NGC 4277)
03:17:26       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S)
03:34:55     Target Completed Target completed (33/43, NGC 4277)
03:34:57     Target Started (34/43) Target started (34/43, LAMOST-HVS1)
03:37:36       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:40:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19)
03:43:39     Target Completed Target completed (34/43, LAMOST-HVS1)
03:43:59     Target Started (35/43) Target started (35/43, NGC 3643)
03:47:13       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
04:04:46     Target Completed Target completed (35/43, NGC 3643)
04:06:21     Target Started (36/43) Target started (36/43, M85)
04:09:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:12:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20)
04:21:14     Target Completed Target completed (36/43, M85)
04:21:23     Target Started (37/43) Target started (37/43, GCVS ER UMa)
04:23:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:26:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21)
04:30:30     Target Completed Target completed (37/43, GCVS ER UMa)
04:31:41     Target Started (38/43) Target started (38/43, GCVS CN Leo)
04:36:38       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
04:45:09     Target Completed Target completed (38/43, GCVS CN Leo)
04:45:12     Target Started (39/43) Target started (39/43, M61)
04:48:12       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
05:04:56     Target Completed Target completed (39/43, M61)
05:07:15     Target Started (40/43) Target started (40/43, GCVS AM CVn)
05:09:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
05:12:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22)
05:14:53     Target Completed Target completed (40/43, GCVS AM CVn)
05:16:48     Target Started (41/43) Target started (41/43, NGC 4559)
05:19:06       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
05:36:11     Target Completed Target completed (41/43, NGC 4559)
05:39:10     Target Started (42/43) Target started (42/43, UGCA 244)
05:41:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
05:44:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23)
06:00:25     Target Completed Target completed (42/43, UGCA 244)
06:01:32     Target Started (43/43) Target started (43/43, UGCA 220)
06:05:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
06:08:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24)
06:20:18   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
06:22:54   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions
06:36:55     Target Completed Target completed (43/43, UGCA 220)
06:36:58   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
06:37:00 Session Closing Session closing
06:37:55   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s)
06:38:53   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 51s), Az: 90.1 deg
06:39:40   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 42s)
06:40:10   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
06:40:57   Services Stopped Night Services stopped
06:40:59 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
06:41:20 Session Finished Session Finished
 
Session Alerts
Time     Alert Detail
04:22:31 Dome Discrepency Difference between Telescope Az and Dome Az is > 8 deg (GCVS ER UMa)
06:04:02 Dome Discrepency Difference between Telescope Az and Dome Az is > 8 deg (UGCA 220)

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Operational Issues (2020-11-27 S835)

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