David's Astronomy - Notes 2021-03-11 (S0868)

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Notes - Session 868 (2021-03-11)

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

	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0), Major Issues (0), Minor Issues (3), Continuous Improvement (4)

	Images from 2021-03-11 >> [ Local Files >> ]

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-03-05)

Main aims

AstroMain. Continue to AstroMain 3.38/3.38.2 for stability and presence/absence of UI lockups following major refactoring
Targets. Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & 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 3.38.2, AstroGuard 1.6, AstroPlan 1.21.2, AstroShCap 1.3.11, AstroVOE 1.7, AstroSN 1.5, AstroProtect 1.6
(AstroWeather 1.11, AstroAllSky 3.10.2, AstroObsCam 1.5)

Highlights

AstroMain 3.38.2 No UI lockups confirming that earlier problem with locks had been fixed by the major refactoring that has taken place in AstroMain 3.8, and hasn't been reintroduced in 3.38.1/3.38.2
ObsMonitoring. Fixes to prevent 2-5s hang-ups in ObsMonior loop when Focuser1 is moving are confirmed as successful. Occassional hangs up of 0.5 - 3s during CCD taks and Foc1 Fields tasks have been identified.
Wind & High Clouds. Winds and high clouds combined to produce very poor conditions for imaging and guiding during first part of session.

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)

Session Event Log

Time	Event	Detail
19:16:41	Session Monitoring	AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity starting between 19:16 & 04:38
19:16:42	Session AutoStarting	Session autostarting (19:16)
19:17:14	Session Created	Live Session Created (2021-03-11 S00868, ImageSaveNum: 868001)
19:17:16	Scope Switched On	Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
19:19:15	Services Started	Observatory Services started
19:19:24	Observatory (Auto)	Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
19:19:27	Session Pending	Session pending (2021-03-11)
19:19:29	Session Initiating	Session initiating (2021-03-11)
19:19:31	Plan Requested	Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.21.2)
19:20:54	Plan Loaded	Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 606)
19:21:09	Camera1 Connected	SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C)
19:21:15	Telescope Connected	Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
19:21:26	Session Equilibration	Session ready for dome & camera equilibration
19:22:12	Dome Opened	Dome opened (opening time 45s)
19:22:28	Equilibration Started	Dome Equilibration started
19:27:28	Equilibration Ended	Dome Equilibration ended (5.0 mins total)
19:27:30	Session Running	Session running
19:27:32	Queue Started	Observing Queue started (32 targets selected)
19:28:37	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:31:32	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
19:33:51	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
19:33:56	Focusing Started-Foc2	Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
19:36:22	Focusing Completed	Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
19:38:16	Focusing Completed	Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
19:38:33	Focusing Checked	Foc2 Focusing Check Succeeded
19:39:28	Target Started (1/32)	Target started (1/32, UGC 2505 w/SN2021bge)
19:49:08	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
20:03:28	Target Completed	Target partially completed (1/32, UGC 2505 w/SN2021bge)
20:03:31	Target Started (2/32)	Target started (2/32, Nova Per 2020 (CV))
20:07:01	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
20:16:26	Target Completed	Target completed (2/32, Nova Per 2020 (CV))
20:21:26	Target Started (3/32)	Target started (3/32, NGC 304 w/SN2021dnn)
20:40:16	Target Completed	Target partially completed (3/32, NGC 304 w/SN2021dnn)
20:40:19	Target Started (4/32)	Target started (4/32, UGC 1436 w/SN2021nv)
20:48:31	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S)
21:02:39	Target Completed	Target partially completed (4/32, UGC 1436 w/SN2021nv)
21:02:41	Target Started (5/32)	Target started (5/32, AT2021dbp (CV))
21:06:12	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
21:13:34	Target Completed	Target completed (5/32, AT2021dbp (CV))
21:13:37	Target Started (6/32)	Target started (6/32, SN 2021xn)
21:17:41	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
21:34:57	Target Completed	Target completed (6/32, SN 2021xn)
21:34:59	Target Started (7/32)	Target started (7/32, AT2021ckv)
21:39:08	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
21:56:36	Target Completed	Target completed (7/32, AT2021ckv)
21:56:38	Target Started (8/32)	Target started (8/32, Scholz's Star)
22:00:51	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
22:17:36	Target Completed	Target completed (8/32, Scholz's Star)
22:17:57	Target Started (9/32)	Target started (9/32, GCVS DX Cnc)
22:21:37	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
22:27:43	Target Completed	Target completed (9/32, GCVS DX Cnc)
22:28:39	Target Started (10/32)	Target started (10/32, GCVS RZ LMi)
22:31:59	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:33:56	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
22:38:59	Target Completed	Target completed (10/32, GCVS RZ LMi)
22:40:27	Target Started (11/32)	Target started (11/32, NGC 3254)
22:41:09	SoftSuspend Called	Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
22:43:44	SoftSuspend Cancelled	Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions
22:44:52	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:47:04	Focusing Failed	Foc1 focusing failed - star lost
22:47:14	SoftSuspend Called	Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
23:01:20	SoftSuspend Cancelled	Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions
23:02:52	Target Completed	Target completed (11/32, NGC 3254)
23:02:54	Target Started (12/32)	Target started (12/32, UGC 5829 w/LBV2021blu)
23:06:02	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S)
23:06:25	SoftSuspend Called	Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
23:07:35	SoftSuspend Cancelled	Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions
23:20:51	SoftSuspend Called	Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
23:23:26	Target Completed	Target completed (12/32, UGC 5829 w/LBV2021blu)
23:23:28	Queue Paused	Queue paused for Session Suspension
23:23:31	Session Suspended	Session suspended
23:24:21	Dome Closed	Dome closed (closing time 50s)
23:35:33	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (13/32, AT2021bxp (CV)) due to wind
23:55:55	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (14/32, UGC 5760 w/SN2020zoq) due to wind
00:07:49	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (15/32, GCVS SY Cnc) due to cloud
00:18:00	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (16/32, LAMOST-HVS1) due to wind
00:33:42	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (17/32, UGC 6930 w/SN2020rcq) due to wind
00:44:30	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (18/32, GCVS AM CVn) due to wind
01:04:07	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (19/32, NGC 4227 w/SN2021biz) due to cloud
01:26:29	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (20/32, UGCA 281) due to wind
01:48:51	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (21/32, UGC 7774) due to wind
02:10:43	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (22/32, UGC 3502 w/AT2021cwc) due to wind
02:32:35	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (23/32, NGC 4631 w/AT2021biy) due to wind
02:53:47	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (24/32, C/2020 T2 (Palomar)) due to cloud
03:13:24	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (25/32, IC 992 w/SN2021dwg) due to wind
03:25:42	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (26/32, GCVS BL Lac) due to wind
03:29:01	Session Resuming	Session resuming
03:29:46	Dome Opened	Dome opened (opening time 45s)
03:29:48	Session Running	Session running
03:29:50	Target Started (27/32)	Target started (27/32, AT2021dtd)
03:29:52	Queue Resumed	Observing Queue resumed
03:33:55	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:35:51	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
03:51:56	Target Completed	Target completed (27/32, AT2021dtd)
03:51:58	Target Started (28/32)	Target started (28/32, LEDA 1634284 w/SN2021bkw)
03:56:36	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
04:14:17	Target Completed	Target completed (28/32, LEDA 1634284 w/SN2021bkw)
04:14:19	Target Started (29/32)	Target started (29/32, GCVS U Her)
04:18:55	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:20:34	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
04:27:58	Target Completed	Target completed (29/32, GCVS U Her)
04:28:00	Target Started (30/32)	Target started (30/32, GCVS CY Lyr)
04:36:05	Target Completed	Target partially completed (30/32, GCVS CY Lyr)
04:36:08	Target Started (31/32)	Target started (31/32, HIP 87937)
04:39:37	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:41:25	Focusing Failed	Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous)
04:43:46	Target Completed	Target completed (31/32, HIP 87937)
04:43:48	Target Started (32/32)	Target started (32/32, CGCG 056-009 w/SN2021apf)
04:46:46	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:48:36	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
05:04:14	Target Completed	Target completed (32/32, CGCG 056-009 w/SN2021apf)
05:04:17	Queue Completed	Job Queue completed
05:04:19	Session Closing	Session closing
05:05:14	Dome Closed	Dome closed (closing time 50s)
05:05:51	Dome Parked	Dome parked (parking time 29s), Az: 90.0 deg
05:06:27	Telescope Parked	Telescope parked (parking time 30s)
05:06:57	Telescope Switched Off	Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
05:07:52	Services Stopped	Night Services stopped
05:07:54	Session Housekeeping	Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
05:08:12	Session Finished	Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time		Alert	Detail
--		No Alerts	--

Operational Issues (2021-03-11 S868)

Critical Issues (0)
Major Issues (0)
Minor Issues (3)
Continuous Improvement (4)

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Critical Issues

None

Major Issues

None

Minor Issues

CCD and Foc1 Fields sections of Obs.Monitor experience occasional hangups of 1 - 3s. The Hangs-ups typically come when Focuser1 section is also taking 500-600ms. Hang-ups of CCD and Foc1 Fields also seem to came at the same time. Hangups are only present when session is running / and images are being taken. No hangups of CCD & Foc1 Fields sections occured when the session was suspended between 23:24 and 03:29. UpdateFoc1Fields() routine accesses Camera.FilterIndexZeroBased twice each time it's called, so the association between hang-ups of the Foc1 Fields and CCD Sections is explainable. Examining timings shows that CCD object becomes locked/unaccessible when it is downloading an image. This time is predictable based on when Camera.TakeImage is called and the delay and exposure time used. These hang-ups could potentially be fixed by using asynchronous camera ops but this requires very careful implementation, therefore the issue will be fixed in the shorterm by using a flag and time point (bCamera1TakingImage and Camera1ExpectedStartDownloadTime ) to indicate when the Camera is / isn't available. Add a txtCam1TimeAllowance field (VM.Cam1TimeAllowance) with default value of 5.0s so that Camera isn't accessed during last 5s of taking an image when CCDSoft employs very fast refreshing of its Camera Status field which seemingly blocks other processes trying to access the CCDSoft.Camera object
Fixed 2021-03-12 (AstroMain 3.38.3)
1 or 2 targets per Observing Plan aren't being posted on Az/Alt Plan Chart. It is presumed that this is due to exceptions associated with accessing Az/Alt. Exception trapping was added in AstroPlan 1.21.1 (2021-03-06) as a fatal exception occurred in S867 when an Az value of NaN (returned from GetAzmiuth) tried to be used for Az/Alt plotting. Fixed bug in ConvertRaDecToAzAlt() routine (degree values where being divided by 57.2938, rather than 180/PI() = ~ 57.29577951 when converting to radians which was causing the ACos value to lie slightly less than -1 or slightly more than +1 which then produced a NaN result in the statement 'Az = radToDeg(Math.Acos(CosA))' )
Fixed 2021-03-13 (AstroPlan 1.21.3)
Several targets suffering from very poor guiding due to cloud. Attempts to guide under very poor conditions (cloud/wind) probably make the image results even poorer than they would otherwise be. The need for smarter Autoguiding has been raised before. Closed after review 2022-04-26.
Closed after review 2022-04-26 (AstroMain)

Continuous Improvement

Text introduction at beginning of slewing section on Web Page to be improved. Text refers to table below and doesn't mention Plan and Actual Scope Slew Plots.
Fixed 2021-03-12 (Website)
Add black border around each Guiding Perforrmance chart on website. This should be fairly straightfoward to add..
Fixed 2021-03-12 (Website)
Add Up/Down buttons to 'Too Few Stars'. This is to make it easier to edit the field without risk of inappropriate value being assigned to VM.TooFewStars variable which can come from editing the field by text editing. Implemented using NumericUpDown control. Also added Up/Down control to RainTrim field.
Done 2021-03-12 (AstroMain 3.38.3)
On nights when wind speeds are forecast to be relatively high consider biasing Observing Plan towards targets that are 180 deg opposite to the dominant wind direction in order to protect the scope from the wind and reduce the number of wasted images. Wind affected session S926D (2021-10-20) and such as feature would have been very useful (Wind Speed 25 mph from NW and poor imaging/guiding for targets in NW-W sky). Requires several things to be in place :
- AstroWeather 1.14.2 modified pass back wind direction (at peak wind) to AstroAllSky (2021-11-08)
- AstroAllSky 3.13.4 modified to pass wind direction on to AstroMain (2021-11-08)
- AstroMain(3.46.1) modified to receive wind direction data (2021-11-08)
- AstroMain to decide if observing should discreminate targets based on wind direction
- AstroMain to pass WindBasedDiscrimination flag and wind direction to AstroPlan
- AstroPlan to read WindBasedDiscrimination flag and wind direction and if flag raised to disciminate against unfavourably placed targets.
This has been resolved early in 2022, by not including targets in observing plan that require scope to face into a strong wind. Closed after review 2022-04-26
Done, Closed 2022-04-26 (AstroMain/AstroPlan)

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This Web Page:	Notes - Session 868 (2021-03-11)
Last Updated :	2024-09-30
Site Owner :	David Richards
Home Page :	David's Astronomy Web Site

David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 868 (2021-03-11)

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-03-05)

Operational Issues (2021-03-11 S868)

David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 868 (2021-03-11)