David's Astronomy - Notes 2021-01-03 (S0844)

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Notes - Session 844 (2021-01-03)

Notes
(S843)

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Notes
(S845)

	2021-01-04

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

	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0), Major Issues (0), Minor Issues (4), Continuous Improvement (1)

	Images from 2021-01-03 >>

	PHD2 Upgrade 2.6.9dev3
	SharpCap Upgrade 3.2.6473.0

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-01-03)

Main aims

Targets. Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets and deep sky targets as allowed by conditions.

Equipment & Software

12" LX200 and ST-10XME
80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, PHD2, DeviceHub 6.5.1.0, UPB 1.5, ASCOM 6.5 SP1
Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
SharpCap 3.2, PHD2 2.6.9Dev2
AstroMain 3.33.3 AstroGuard 1.4.6, AstroPlan 1.18 AstroShCap 1.3.6, AstroVOE 1.5.2, AstroSN 1.1, AstroProtect 1.4.1
(AstroWeather 1.10.13, AstroAllSky 3.6)

Highlights

Shutter Operation. Shutter operations worked flawlessly.
AstroMain UI. AstroMain operated without hanging even though windows were being manipulated during session monitoring.
(previously program has appear to hung when program windows were clicked/bright to front. Earlier issue can be considered resolved, as there have been no unexplained hanging of the AstroMain program during the last 35 sessions / last 3.5 months).
Cloud

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan

Observing Result

Dome & Scope Slewing Performance

Slew/Centering Performance

Guiding Performance

Sky Conditions (Locate Frames)

Chart unavailable for this session

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 initial rain showers followed by semi-clear skies in first part of evening (42-50% cloud cover), with skies becoming progressively more cloudy (56-76% cloud cobver) with possibility of light rain showers throughout night.
Minimum tempertaure of 3 degC and light-moderate wind (9-13 mph).

In the event skies there were sufficiently clear for observing in first half of night with passing cloud/light rain showers,
But second half of night was mainly cloud with only occassional clear patches
Minumum Temperature of 1 to 2 degC. Winds relatively light, but bringing showers in from the North Sea.

Session Event Log

Time	Event	Detail
20:29:46	Session Monitoring	AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity starting between 20:29 & 06:37
20:29:47	Session AutoStarting	Session autostarting (20:29)
20:30:16	Session Created	Live Session Created (2021-01-03 S00844, ImageSaveNum: 844001)
20:30:19	Scope Switched On	Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
20:32:16	Services Started	Observatory Services started
20:32:25	Observatory (Auto)	Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
20:32:27	Session Pending	Session pending (2021-01-03)
20:32:29	Session Initiating	Session initiating (2021-01-03)
20:32:31	Plan Requested	Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.18)
20:33:43	Plan Loaded	Observing Plan loaded to queue (2021-01-03 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 579)
20:33:55	Camera1 Connected	SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C)
20:34:00	Telescope Connected	Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
20:34:10	Session Equilibration	Session ready for dome & camera equilibration
20:35:12	Dome Opened	Dome opened (opening time 45s)
20:35:27	Session Running	Session running
20:35:30	Queue Started	Observing Queue started (42 targets selected)
20:36:41	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:39:42	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
20:41:20	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
20:41:23	Focusing Started-Foc2	Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
20:43:39	Focusing Completed	Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
20:45:21	Focusing Completed	Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
20:45:36	Focusing Checked	Foc2 Focusing Check Succeeded
20:47:27	Target Started (1/42)	Target started (1/42, GCVS U And)
20:49:48	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:51:38	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
21:01:16	Target Completed	Target completed (1/42, GCVS U And)
21:01:33	Target Started (2/42)	Target started (2/42, 277P/LINEAR)
21:01:58	Target Failed	Target failed due to slew error (2/42, 277P/LINEAR)
21:02:50	Target Aborted (3/42)	Target aborted (3/42, GCVS GK Per) due to Priority 1 ToO Target
21:02:52	Target Started (4/43)	Target started (4/43, 277P/LINEAR, ToO)
21:05:57	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:07:52	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
21:14:55	Critical Cloud Alert	Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter)
21:14:57	HardSuspend Called	Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
21:15:00	Target Aborted (4/43)	Target aborted (4/43, 277P/LINEAR, ToO) due to cloud
21:15:02	Queue Paused	Queue paused for Session Suspension
21:15:04	Session Suspended	Session suspended
21:16:00	Dome Closed	Dome closed (closing time 50s)
21:22:06	Session Resuming	Session resuming
21:22:51	Dome Opened	Dome opened (opening time 45s)
21:22:53	Session Running	Session running
21:22:55	Queue Resumed	Observing Queue resumed
21:26:44	Target Started (5/43)	Target started (5/43, GCVS RX And)
21:29:00	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:31:01	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
21:33:37	Target Completed	Target completed (5/43, GCVS RX And)
21:35:04	Target Started (6/43)	Target started (6/43, AT2020acxk)
21:36:57	Critical Cloud Alert	Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter)
21:36:59	HardSuspend Called	Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
21:37:20	Target Aborted (6/43)	Target aborted (6/43, AT2020acxk) due to cloud
21:37:22	Queue Paused	Queue paused for Session Suspension
21:37:25	Session Suspended	Session suspended
21:38:12	Dome Closed	Dome closed (closing time 50s)
21:39:28	Session Resuming	Session resuming
21:40:13	Dome Opened	Dome opened (opening time 45s)
21:40:15	Session Running	Session running
21:40:17	Queue Resumed	Observing Queue resumed
21:40:19	Target Started (6/43)	Target started (6/43, AT2020acxk)
21:51:00	Target Completed	Target completed (6/43, AT2020acxk)
21:51:02	Target Started (7/43)	Target started (7/43, UGC 1161 w/SN2020acch)
21:53:18	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
22:10:05	Target Completed	Target completed (7/43, UGC 1161 w/SN2020acch)
22:10:07	Target Started (8/43)	Target started (8/43, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann)
22:12:08	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:14:00	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
22:20:16	Target Completed	Target completed (8/43, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann)
22:21:48	Target Started (9/43)	Target started (9/43, 398P/Boattini)
22:25:19	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:27:26	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
22:35:20	Target Completed	Target completed (9/43, 398P/Boattini)
22:36:04	Target Started (10/43)	Target started (10/43, GCVS CN Ori)
22:38:43	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:40:35	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
22:44:05	Target Completed	Target completed (10/43, GCVS CN Ori)
22:45:14	Target Started (11/43)	Target started (11/43, M33 w/AT2021bl)
22:46:24	Critical Cloud Alert	Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter)
22:46:26	HardSuspend Called	Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
22:46:28	Target Aborted (11/43)	Target aborted (11/43, M33 w/AT2021bl) due to cloud
22:46:30	Queue Paused	Queue paused for Session Suspension
22:46:32	Session Suspended	Session suspended
22:47:24	Dome Closed	Dome closed (closing time 45s)
23:04:06	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (11/43, M33 w/AT2021bl) due to other condition
23:05:11	Session Resuming	Session resuming
23:05:56	Dome Opened	Dome opened (opening time 45s)
23:05:58	Session Running	Session running
23:06:00	Queue Resumed	Observing Queue resumed
23:07:06	Target Started (12/43)	Target started (12/43, GSC 1224:29)
23:07:25	Target Aborted (12/43)	Target aborted (12/43, GSC 1224:29) due to User Intervention
23:07:27	Target Started (13/44)	Target started (13/44, M33 w/AT2021bl, ToO)
23:09:35	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
23:26:51	Target Completed	Target completed (13/44, M33 w/AT2021bl, ToO)
23:26:53	Target Started (14/44)	Target started (14/44, GCVS RR Tau)
23:33:59	Target Completed	Target partially completed (14/44, GCVS RR Tau)
23:34:01	Target Started (15/44)	Target started (15/44, Nova Per 2020 w/AT2020abap)
23:36:00	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S)
23:36:58	SoftSuspend Called	Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
23:43:34	Critical Cloud Alert	Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter)
23:43:36	HardSuspend Called	Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
23:43:39	Target Aborted (15/44)	Target aborted (15/44, Nova Per 2020 w/AT2020abap) due to cloud
23:43:41	Queue Paused	Queue paused for Session Suspension
23:43:43	Session Suspended	Session suspended
23:44:24	Dome Closed	Dome closed (closing time 45s)
23:52:27	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (16/44, GCVS FO Ori) due to cloud
00:11:42	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (17/44, GCVS CM Tau) due to cloud
00:32:08	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (18/44, Scholz's Star) due to cloud
00:53:30	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (19/44, NGC 2782 w/SN2020scc) due to cloud
01:04:40	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (20/44, GCVS FU Ori) due to cloud
01:17:36	Session Resuming	Session resuming
01:18:22	Dome Opened	Dome opened (opening time 45s)
01:18:24	Session Running	Session running
01:18:26	Target Started (21/44)	Target started (21/44, KUG 0830+278 w/SN2020adow)
01:18:28	Queue Resumed	Observing Queue resumed
01:23:52	Critical Cloud Alert	Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter)
01:23:54	HardSuspend Called	Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
01:23:57	Target Aborted (21/44)	Target aborted (21/44, KUG 0830+278 w/SN2020adow) due to cloud
01:23:59	Queue Paused	Queue paused for Session Suspension
01:24:02	Session Suspended	Session suspended
01:24:47	Dome Closed	Dome closed (closing time 45s)
01:42:04	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (22/44, UGC 6930 w/SN2020rcq) due to cloud
01:53:50	Session Resuming	Session resuming
01:54:35	Dome Opened	Dome opened (opening time 45s)
01:54:37	Session Running	Session running
01:54:39	Target Started (23/44)	Target started (23/44, SN 2020aagy)
01:54:41	Queue Resumed	Observing Queue resumed
02:07:11	Critical Cloud Alert	Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter)
02:07:13	HardSuspend Called	Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
02:07:16	Target Aborted (23/44)	Target aborted (23/44, SN 2020aagy) due to cloud
02:07:18	Queue Paused	Queue paused for Session Suspension
02:07:21	Session Suspended	Session suspended
02:08:11	Dome Closed	Dome closed (closing time 50s)
02:17:38	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (24/44, C/2020 M3 (Atlas)) due to cloud
02:27:19	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (25/44, LAMOST-HVS1) due to cloud
02:41:56	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (26/44, M85) due to cloud
02:57:33	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (27/44, KUG 1206+328 w/AT2020aeps) due to cloud
03:08:27	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (28/44, GCVS SY Cnc) due to cloud
03:18:30	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (29/44, GCVS ER UMa) due to cloud
03:28:18	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (30/44, GCVS U Gem) due to cloud
03:39:35	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (31/44, GCVS DX Cnc) due to cloud
03:50:03	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (32/44, GCVS RZ LMi) due to cloud
04:10:25	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (33/44, NGC 5331 w/AT2020abir) due to cloud
04:32:47	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (34/44, UGC 10909 w/AT2020abkz) due to cloud
04:47:09	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (35/44, AT2020adcx) due to cloud
04:56:35	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (36/44, GCVS R CrB) due to cloud
05:06:46	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (37/44, GCVS AM Her) due to cloud
05:26:23	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (38/44, NGC 4414 w/AT2021J) due to cloud
05:38:11	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (39/44, GCVS AM CVn) due to cloud
05:58:18	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (40/44, NGC 4454 w/SN2020abgq) due to cloud
06:20:10	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (41/44, MCG +6-30-84 w/AT2021K) due to cloud
06:38:40	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (42/44, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN)) due to cloud
06:50:20	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (43/44, GCVS U Her) due to cloud
07:09:41	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (44/44, GCVS SS Her) due to cloud
07:09:46	Queue Completed	Job Queue completed
07:09:49	Session Closing	Session closing
07:09:54	Dome Closed	Dome already closed (closed at 02:08, closing time 50s)
07:11:02	Dome Parked	Dome parked (parking time 61s), Az: 90.0 deg
07:11:51	Telescope Parked	Telescope parked (parking time 46s)
07:12:21	Telescope Switched Off	Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
07:13:11	Services Stopped	Night Services stopped
07:13:13	Session Housekeeping	Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
07:13:24	Session Finished	Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time		Alert	Detail
21:40:37		Dome	Dome position has been static for more than 5 mins

Operational Issues (2021-01-03 S844)

Critical Issues (0)
Major Issues (0)
Minor Issues (4)
Continuous Improvement (1)

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Critical Issues

None

Major Issues

None

Minor Issues

AllSky Images showing signs of condensation inside Camera Hemisphere covering. cMoisture in hemisphere needs to be manually wiped. Timer control for AllSky Camera Heater needs to be reset as timing is very likely to be out of sync due to power outages whilst supply was turned off during kitchen refurbishment over the summer months. No condensation inside hemisphere when checked in daytime. Timer control required adjustment as expected.
Closed (AllSky Camera, Observatory)
Query: PHD2 Multi-Star Guiding seemed to turn off by itself. At one point when Cloud interrupted guiding is seemed that Mutlistar Guiding setting turned itself off and guiding then returned to single star guiding. Multi-Star Guiding Checkbox had to be reticked for multistar guiding to resume on following target. Issue may have been fixed by installation of new development snapshot (2.6.9dev3) which reportedly include a fix do not automatically reset the Use MultiStar option in the UI. PHD2 behaviour will be monitored over the next few sessions.
Possibly fixed 2020-01-04 (PHD2 2.6.9dev3)
There is too much delay when starting a Foc2 Focus Profile (TS80/1878MC). Unclear what precise issue is. but delay seems to be some 20s before the profile is started and 1st point is taken. Delay is considered to be due to the time required to take out backlash associated with moving focuser to 1st position in profile.
Closed (AstroMain/AstroShCap)
Next Target Missing from Annotated AllSky Image whilst Session Resuming. Whilst session was suspended, at 21:16:22 to 21:22:04 AllSky Images showed 'Suspended' and '0 (GCVS RX And)' annotations, At 21:22:35 Image showed 'Resuming' and '0 (GCVS RX And)' annotations. But AllSky images between 21:23:06 and 21:26:43 Image showed 'Resuming' annotation only, until 'GCVS RX And' was shown as active target in image at 21:27:45. This was therefore a full 3.1/2 mins where the 'GCVS RX And' target wasn't getting displayed. This caused confusion regarding the scope's forward plan of operation. Closed after review 2021-11-01 after review and recent improvements in TelePosition Messaging.
Closed (AstroMain/AstroAllSky)

Continuous Improvement

If 1st attempt to close shutter doesn't work during session suspension the second attempt should be begun within 60s (not 120s as per current. Dome Controller/Dome Shutter can sometimes appear to go to sleep and not respond to a close request. Any attempted shutter closures should be quickly followed up to ensure that observatoryis adequately protected from rain . Implemented within CloseShutterTask (up to 3 attempts made) every 6s. If SessionState=Suspended and ShutterOpen then further attempts to Close Shutter are made every 60s.
Done 2021-01-10 (AstroMain 3.33.5)

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2021-01-04

PHD2 Upgrade 2.6.9dev3

The observatory computer's PHD2 application was upgraded to the new 2.6.9dev3 version (dated 02 Jan 2021) today (2021-01-04). This development snapshot includes two particular fixes for the new multi-star guiding feature.

- Multi-star: correctly report guide star distance to imaging apps
- Multi-star: do not automatically reset the Use MultiStar option in the UI

The later item might fix the query/issue noted during the S844 session where PHD2 Multi-Star Guiding seemed to turn off by itself.

SharpCap Upgrade 3.2.6473.0

The observatory computer's SharpCap application was upgraded to the new 3.2.6473.0 version (dated 03 Jan 2021) today (2021-01-04). This development snapshot includes a fix for compatibility with ASCOM Platform 6.5SP1, plus some other bug fixes.

Although no problem was noticed when running the previous 3.2.6383.0 version against the ASCOM 6.5SP1 platform in sessions S843 and S844 the use of SharpCap in these sessions was relatively limited and it seems prudent to preempt any possible issues further down the line by installing the latest version.