David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 856 (2021-01-31)

Notes (S855)

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Notes (S857)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (9),  Continuous Improvement (12)
	Images from 2021-01-31 >>     [ Local Files >> ]

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-01-31)

Main aims

1. Software. Test features and fixes added in AstroMain 3.35.7
2. 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  2.6.9Dev3
   
• AstroMain 3.35.7 & 3.35.8  AstroGuard 1.4.8,   AstroPlan 1.20.2, AstroShCap 1.3.10, AstroVOE 1.5.2, AstroSN 1.4,  AstroProtect 1.4.1
  (AstroWeather 1.10.14, AstroAllSky 3.6.4)

Highlights

• AutoStart.  Autostart worked to 1) kicked off initial session, 2) later to identify an issue with SBIG Camera Not Found and returned to Manual and 3) waited remainder of night for a clear interval, but not finding one before AutoStart end time, returned to Manual at 06:10.
• Foc2 Focusing.  A long standing bug in Foc2 Autofocusing was exposed allowing it to be identified and corrected.

•   Lens Cap.   Lens Cap had been accidently left on the LX200 Main Scope (from previous Dark Frame acquisition), preventing acquisition of light frames on targets at start of session including a transient in M31, when skies were initially clear.
•  SBIG Issue.    Issue occurred with comms with SBIG Camera during Foc1 Autofocusing for Target 3. Caused Job Queue to hang whilst waiting for execution from CCDSoft.Camera.TakeImage(). Requiring AstroMain to be killed and observatory software to be restarted.  Upon restarting session AutoStart was unable to begin because of a Camera Not Found error.  SBIG Camera had to be powered off/powered on in order to resolve issue. By then the skies had become overcast and no more observing was possible.
•  Cloud.    Weather conditions were poorer than expected
  
  Above bullet points noted to be identifcal as previous session (seems to be a duplicated text block !)

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 semi-clear conditions (cloud cover 28-55%) with very slight possibility of light rain showers at 03:00 to 05:00 Temperatures 2°C falling to 0°C by dawn.. Light Winds (11-14 mph)  In the event skies were initially clear 17:30-19:00 & 19:30-20:00 with passing cloud at 19:00, becoming overcast from around 20:00-20:45 onwards. Dry with light winds. Minimum temperature  -2°C

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 18:27:58 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity starting between 18:27 & 06:08 18:27:59 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (18:27) 18:28:29 Session Created Live Session Created (2021-01-31 S00856, ImageSaveNum: 856001) 18:28:31   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 18:30:30   Services Started Observatory Services started 18:30:39 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 18:30:41 Session Pending Session pending (2021-01-31) 18:30:43 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-01-31) 18:30:45   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.20.2) 18:31:41   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2021-01-31 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 591) 18:31:53   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -25°C) 18:31:58   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 18:32:08 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 18:32:55   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 46s) 18:33:40 Session Running Session running 18:33:41   Queue Started Observing Queue started (48 targets selected) 18:34:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:37:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 18:39:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 18:39:45       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 18:41:59       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 18:43:45       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 18:44:01       Focusing Checked Foc2 Focusing Check Succeeded 18:45:41     Target Started (1/48) Target started (1/48, NGC 684 w/SN2021ass) 18:49:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:51:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 19:06:53     Target Completed Target completed (1/48, NGC 684 w/SN2021ass) 19:08:02     Target Started (2/48) Target started (2/48, SN 2021xn) 19:11:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:14:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 19:30:04     Target Completed Target completed (2/48, SN 2021xn) 19:30:24     Target Started (3/48) Target started (3/48, M31 w/AT2021bfs) 19:33:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:35:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 19:51:53     Target Completed Target completed (3/48, M31 w/AT2021bfs) 19:52:16     Target Started (4/48) Target started (4/48, UGC 784 w/SN2021pc) 19:55:35       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 20:13:12     Target Completed Target completed (4/48, UGC 784 w/SN2021pc) 20:14:38     Target Started (5/48) Target started (5/48, WDS GRB 34) 20:18:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:19:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 20:21:31     Target Completed Target completed (5/48, WDS GRB 34) 20:22:53     Target Started (6/48) Target started (6/48, GCVS RX And) 20:26:04       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:27:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 20:30:31     Target Completed Target completed (6/48, GCVS RX And) 20:31:13     Target Started (7/48) Target started (7/48, GCVS TT Ari) 20:34:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:36:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 20:43:07     Target Completed Target completed (7/48, GCVS TT Ari) 20:43:09     Target Started (8/48) Target started (8/48, UGC 2505 w/AT2021bge) 20:46:35       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 21:04:03     Target Completed Target completed (8/48, UGC 2505 w/AT2021bge) 21:05:02     Target Started (9/48) Target started (9/48, GCVS FO Ori) 21:09:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:10:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 21:14:41     Target Completed Target partially completed (9/48, GCVS FO Ori) 21:14:43   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 21:14:57   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 21:14:59 Program Closed Program closed by User 21:15:01 Program Closed Program closed by User 21:16:16 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2021-01-31 S00856, ImageSaveNum: 856080) 21:16:21   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 21:16:23   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 21:16:27   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:17:42   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:17:53   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 21:18:13 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:18:17 Session Pending Session pending (2021-01-31) 21:18:19 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-01-31) 21:18:20   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2021-01-31 V1 ACTIVE PLAN S856, Plan ID: 591) 21:18:23   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -25°C) 21:18:30   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 21:18:41 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 21:18:43 Session Running Session running 21:18:45   Queue Started Observing Queue started (39 targets selected) 21:18:47     Target Started (10/48) Target started (10/48, GCVS FU Ori) 21:22:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:24:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 21:26:54     Target Completed Target completed (10/48, GCVS FU Ori) 21:26:56     Target Started (11/48) Target started (11/48, GCVS U Mon) 21:29:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:31:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 21:36:56     Target Completed Target completed (11/48, GCVS U Mon) 21:36:58     Target Started (12/48) Target started (12/48, GCVS U Gem) 21:40:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:42:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 21:45:05     Target Completed Target completed (12/48, GCVS U Gem) 21:45:07     Target Started (13/48) Target started (13/48, 156P/Russell-LINEAR) 21:48:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:50:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 21:57:46     Target Completed Target completed (13/48, 156P/Russell-LINEAR) 21:57:48     Target Started (14/48) Target started (14/48, Nova Per 2020 (CV)) 21:59:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:01:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 22:03:55 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 22:03:57   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 22:03:59     Target Aborted (14/48) Target aborted (14/48, Nova Per 2020 (CV)) due to cloud 22:04:01   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 22:04:03 Session Suspended Session suspended 22:05:01   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 22:10:12     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/48, Nova Per 2020 (CV)) due to cloud 22:31:22     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/48, BNR2017_J014710_463040) due to cloud 22:52:44     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/48, UGC 1436 w/SN2021nv) due to cloud 23:05:22     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/48, GCVS DY Per) due to cloud 23:14:18     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/48, GCVS GK Per) due to cloud 23:30:38 Session Resuming Session resuming 23:31:23   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 23:31:25 Session Running Session running 23:31:27     Target Started (19/48) Target started (19/48, AT2021rl) 23:31:29   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 23:39:55     Target Completed Target partially completed (19/48, AT2021rl) 23:39:57     Target Started (20/48) Target started (20/48, GCVS SY Cnc) 23:44:08       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:48:44     Target Completed Target completed (20/48, GCVS SY Cnc) 23:48:46     Target Started (21/48) Target started (21/48, NGC 4151 w/AT2021baf) 23:53:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:55:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 00:00:51   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 00:11:13     Target Completed Target completed (21/48, NGC 4151 w/AT2021baf) 00:11:15   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:11:17 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:12:07   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 00:27:52     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/48, Scholz's Star) due to cloud 00:39:18     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/48, LAMOST-HVS1) due to cloud 00:50:30     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/48, AT2021ayk (CV)) due to cloud 01:02:42     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/48, C/2020 M3 (Atlas)) due to cloud 01:13:16     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (26/48, GCVS RR Tau) due to cloud 01:23:19     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (27/48, GCVS ER UMa) due to cloud 01:43:41     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (28/48, NGC 4454 w/SN2020abgq) due to cloud 02:06:03     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (29/48, AT2021acn) due to cloud 02:18:29     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (30/48, GCVS SU Tau) due to cloud 02:32:29     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (31/48, 398P/Boattini) due to cloud 02:52:36     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (32/48, KUG 0830+278 w/SN2020adow) due to cloud 03:06:08     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (33/48, GCVS DX Cnc) due to cloud 03:21:40     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (34/48, KUG 1206+328 w/SN2020aeps) due to cloud 03:42:32     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (35/48, NGC 4631 w/AT2021biy) due to cloud 03:54:20     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (36/48, GCVS AM CVn) due to cloud 04:03:31     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (37/48, GCVS R CrB) due to cloud 04:13:42     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (38/48, GCVS AM Her) due to cloud 04:29:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (39/48, UGC 6930 w/SN2020rcq) due to cloud 04:51:11     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (40/48, MCG +6-30-84 w/SN2021K) due to cloud 05:05:03     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (41/48, AT2021azh (CV)) due to cloud 05:20:59     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (42/48, GCVS SS Cyg) due to cloud 05:31:32     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (43/48, GCVS RZ LMi) due to cloud 05:51:54     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (44/48, AT2021bgi) due to cloud 06:10:24     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (45/48, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN)) due to cloud 06:19:14     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (46/48, HIP 87937) due to cloud 06:27:44     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (47/48, GCVS CI Cyg) due to cloud 06:45:01     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (48/48, 61 Cyg) due to cloud 06:45:06   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:45:08 Session Closing Session closing 06:45:13   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 00:12, closing time 50s) 06:45:31   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 10s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:46:13   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 37s) 06:46:43   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:47:35   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:47:37 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:47:53 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail -- No Alerts                --

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Operational Issues (2021-01-31 S856)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (9)
• Continuous Improvement (12)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Cam1 AOI not displaying on Cam2 Guide Reference Frame Pictures.    Feature added in AstroMain 3.35.7 was found to not be working during the Live Session even though Guide Reference was linking ok.  Bug fixed in AstroMain 3.35.8 and successfully tested during the in second half of the session (issue was due to the Draw feature being originally only enabled when in test mode).
  Fixed in-session 2021-01-31 (AstroMain 3.35.8) 
   
• Telephone Number style hyperlinks appear on new Novae page when viewed on Safari/IPAD .  The text in the line 'Nova Per 2020 - 2020-12-20 (T+25.2d)' comes out with 2020 - 2020-12-20   with a blue underlined hyperlink. Easily fixed by adding a
  <meta content="telephone=no" name="format-detection">  line to the page's html header.
  Fixed 2021-02-01  (Website) 
   
• Target circle isn't being at current position of WDS GRB 34 on JPG pictures.  Fixed by setting Sky6 name to 'HIP 1475' .
  Fixed 2021-02-01 (Targets Database) 
   
• There is an issue with orientation of Nova Per 2020 images shown on website for session on 2021-01-16.
  Fixed 2021-02-01 (Store/Website) 
   
• Target circle isn't being drawn around comet objects on JPG Pictures.  RetrieveTarget() routine needs to be extended to add a target circle radius in similar fashion to targets like variable and nearby stars.
  Fixed 2021-02-01 (AstroMain 3.35.9) 
   
• Text on Current Session Web page still refers to Images being in raw orientation even though they are now rotated to North up orientation.
  Fixed 2021-02-01 (Website) 
   
• Small 382px main image pictures for WDS GRB 34 didn't have target circle drawn.  Target circle drawn ok for 500px wide main image JPG pictures. Problem didn't occur for any other targets during the session only this one target was affected so it is put down to an unexplained glitch.  Similar problem occured with small  (382) 2x2 JPG pictures for Target 5/49 (Andromeda's Parachute) in following session.  Issue fixed and tested.
  Fixed 2021-02-02 (AstroMain 3.35.10) 
   
• Most Recent Frame shown on current session website is frequently out of date.  It is frequently the 10th most recent frame. If frame isn't available then the second most recent frame should be shown as a stop-gap. AstroPlan's File Uploader routines to resolve problem.  Previous attempt to employ special handling for keep frame images and the .js index file in sync hasn't worked. A new variable 'ImageJsQueueNo'  now keeps track of the position of "Session.Images.js" in queue list and is used to directly upload the .js file whenever a new Image frame or target frame is uploaded to the web.     
  Fixed 2021-02-02 (AstroPlan 1.20.3) 
   
• Abort Job (return to Manual) during last frame of a target prevented the Target being recorded in Observing Result.  Target not recorded in Observing Result even though it was effectively completed. Need to either exit target more gracefully or need a new feature to explictitly abort after current target finishes.  New button added 'Abort At Next' with functionality to abort queue at the end of the current target and drop back to Manual.
  Fixed 2021-02-02 (AstroMain 3.35.10)  - to be tested

Continuous Improvement - None

• Adjust Reporting of Guide Reference Frame linking so that it is reported before the start of the new Guiding run (GuideID). Also include a blank line in-between.  It proved impossible to reorder the reporting due to the necessary ordering of operations, however a extra blank line is added to improve the reading of Report File messages.
  Done 2021-02-01 (AstroMain 3.35.9) 
   
• Don't show UPB H. (humidity) on Obs Viewer/ObsPics when UPD Humidity use is disabled.
  Done 2021-02-01 (AstroMain 3.35.9) 
   
• Add reason for any focusing failure to TargetInfo chart. Line should appear like
    Focus Target    Focusing Failed (star too dim)
  Done 2021-02-01 (AstroMain 3.35.9) 
   
• Remove or reconfigure the log message "Convert FITS to JPG loc2 >> copy Y/ .... ".
  Done 2021-02-01 (AstroMain 3.35.9) 
   
• Draw Target Circle/Ellipse on Cam2 Guide Reference JPG Pictures.   Need to store LocateInfo.Ra/Dec coordinates and use them to calculate LocateInfo2.x/y coordinates using Image.XYfromRaDec.
  Solution attempted 2021-02-01 (AstroMain 3.35.9) 
   
• Employ PHD2 Guide ROI to ensure selection of a guide star closer to image centre. This is to avoid issues of guidestar dropping out of view, reduced risk of development of any rotational errors for long guding runs  and avoid Guide Star overposting text at top/bottom of JPG pictures.  ROI adopted which that covers just the central area, created by excluding a 11% band at top, a 11% band at bottom and 11% bands on each side.  Resulting ROI height is 78% of frame height, ROI width is 78% of frame width.
  Done 2021-02-02 (AstroMain 3.35.10) 
   
• Add T.HostRa, T.HostDec and find coordinates upon TargetRetrieval for TNSId objects.  This is the first step in plotting host galaxy ellipse as well as transient object circle.
  Done 2021-02-02 (AstroMain 3.35.10) 
   
• It would be helpful if Cam2 linking preferentially prioritised GSC method instead of UCAC .  
  Done 2021-02-02 (AstroMain 3.35.10) 
   
• Adjust Transient Object Target Offsets when Transient is more than a certain distance between Transient and Host Galaxy coordinates.  This is to ensure that both transient and host galaxy are viewable in same field of view, or to centre on Transient if Host Galaxy centre is too far away.  Code modified to cap the Offset values so that Transient won't be more than 2.8'  N/S or more than 4.0' E/W of image centre when working LX200 at F/10.4  Plate Scale 1.4"/px at 3x3 binning).   If Host Galaxy centre lies more than 5.6' N/S or more than 8' E/W of Transient, the OffsetN and OffsetW are set to zero and the Transient will be centered in camera view.
  Done 2021-02-07 (AstroSN 1.4.1) 
   
• Consider option of using previous CamAOICorners for Cam1 AOI Recentangle when Cam2 Guide Reference Image doesn't link.   At present , if the Cam2 Guide Reference doesn't link then CamAOI drawing is disabled.
  Done 2021-02-09 (AstroMain 3.36) 
   
• Add grey period on plan & results charts between Dark (moon not yet risen) and Bright (moon risen and above certain phase and altitude). What altitude and is this easy to achieve ?  Implemented easily in PlanChart.DrawChart and AltitudePlan.DrawChart.   An altitude threshold of 3 deg has been chosen.
  Fixed 2021-09-27  (AstroPlan 1.25.1)
   
• If guide star lies in Focus Images' field of view it should be plotted on Focus Frames JPG picture.  This is tricky to implement since it requires reloading the final locate frame in order to calculate the XY position of the Cam2 Guide Star in Cam1 coordinates. Alternatively it might be possible to calculate XY coordinates by some form of rough interpolation using corner point information.
  To do (AstroMain)

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