David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 887 (2021-04-16)

Notes (S886)

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Notes (S888A)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (4),  Small Defects (0),  Continuous Improvement (0)
	Images from 2021-04-16 >>     [ Local Files >> ]
	Aurora Images/Video from 2021-04-16 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-04-16)

Main aims

1. 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  2.6.9Dev4
   
• AstroMain 3.38.16,  AstroPlan 1.21.6,  AstroShCap 1.3.11, AstroGuard 1.6,   AstroVOE 1.7, AstroSN 1.5,  AstroProtect 1.6
  (AstroWeather 1.12.4, AstroAllSky 3.10.3, AstroObsCam 1.5.5 )

Highlights

•  StartUp.  Session Start Delayed due to an Initial AutoStart/Startup issue due to failure to connect to Telescope.
•  Humidity.  High humidity levels >98% caused session to be suspended several times between 01:52 and 04:00

Notes

• AutoStart Details
  
  Session begun using Autostart.
  
    Autostart Earliest StartTime          2021-04-14 21:12  (-12deg-40min) Actual StartTime : 21:29
    Plan created                          2021-04-14 21:32  ( -25mins  ) 
    Plan loaded                           2021-04-14 21:33
    Expected Shutter Opening    Info      2021-04-14 21:34  ( -23 mins )   Actual Opening :   21:34
    Expected Equilbrat'n Start  Info      2021-04-14 21:35  ( -22 mins )   Actual Start :     21:35  (equilibration skipped)
    Expected Run Start          Info      2021-04-14 21:40  ( -17 mins )
    Expected Near-Zenith Foc1   Info      2021-04-14 21:41  ( -16 mins )   Actual Foc1 start  21:41 (failed)
    Expected Near-Zenith Foc2   Info      2021-04-14 21:49  (  -8 mins )   Actual Foc2 start  21:45
    Sun Altitude -12 deg                  2021-04-14 21:52
    Expected Queue Start        Info      2021-04-14 21:55  (  -2 mins )   Actual Start 21:55
    Plan Queue Start            Info      2021-04-14 21:57  ( On Track )

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan

Observing Result

Dome & Scope Slewing Performance

Slew/Centering Performance

Guiding Performance Dec Notes : Run 2 (red) impacted by anomalous Dec jumps and periods of ineffective Dec guiding Run 10 (mauve) impacted by large backlash? and periods of ineffective Dec guiding

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)

Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 22:33:08 Session Created Live Session Created (2021-04-16 S00887, ImageSaveNum: 887001) 22:33:10   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 22:34:30   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:34:31 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode 22:44:22   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:44:48   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 22:44:51 Program Closed Program closed by User 22:44:53 Program Closed Program closed by User 22:47:08 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2021-04-16 S00887, ImageSaveNum: 887001) 22:49:52   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 22:49:54   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 22:49:57   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:50:24   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 22:50:38 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity starting between 22:50 & 03:45 22:50:39 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity starting between 22:50 & 03:45 22:50:40 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 22:50:42 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (22:50) 22:50:43 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (22:50) 22:51:03   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:51:12 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:51:14 Session Pending Session pending (2021-04-16) 22:51:16 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-04-16) 22:51:18   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.21.6) 22:52:47   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 626) 22:52:50   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 22:52:55   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 22:53:11 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 22:53:57   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 46s) 22:54:17 Session Running Session running 22:54:20   Queue Started Observing Queue started (21 targets selected) 22:55:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:59:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 23:01:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 23:01:30       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 23:03:53       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 23:05:44       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 23:06:01       Focusing Checked Foc2 Focusing Check Succeeded 23:06:15     Target Started (1/21) Target started (1/21, AT2021hkn) 23:10:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:12:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 23:18:41     Target Completed Target completed (1/21, AT2021hkn) 23:18:43     Target Started (2/21) Target started (2/21, Nova Per 2020 (CV)) 23:23:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:25:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 23:31:27   UPB.Switch Restart UPB.Switch has been restarted. 23:33:36     Target Completed Target completed (2/21, Nova Per 2020 (CV)) 23:33:38     Target Started (3/21) Target started (3/21, NGC 4227 w/SN2021biz) 23:38:26       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:40:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 23:56:19     Target Completed Target completed (3/21, NGC 4227 w/SN2021biz) 23:56:21     Target Started (4/21) Target started (4/21, NGC 4774 w/AT2021cjd) 00:01:05       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 00:18:37     Target Completed Target completed (4/21, NGC 4774 w/AT2021cjd) 00:18:40     Target Started (5/21) Target started (5/21, NGC 5018 w/SN2021fxy) 00:22:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:24:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 00:40:49     Target Completed Target completed (5/21, NGC 5018 w/SN2021fxy) 00:40:51     Target Started (6/21) Target started (6/21, IC 863 w/SN2021foa) 00:46:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:48:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 01:04:18     Target Completed Target completed (6/21, IC 863 w/SN2021foa) 01:04:20     Target Started (7/21) Target started (7/21, IC 992 w/SN2021dwg) 01:08:36       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 01:26:18     Target Completed Target completed (7/21, IC 992 w/SN2021dwg) 01:26:20     Target Started (8/21) Target started (8/21, GCVS CI Cyg) 01:29:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:31:30       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 01:35:07     Target Completed Target completed (8/21, GCVS CI Cyg) 01:35:09     Target Started (9/21) Target started (9/21, GCVS BL Lac) 01:39:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:41:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 01:44:59     Target Completed Target completed (9/21, GCVS BL Lac) 01:45:01     Target Started (10/21) Target started (10/21, NGC 3310 w/SN2021gmj) 01:48:31       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:52:29 Critical Humidity Alert Critical Humidity Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 01:52:31   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (high humidity) 01:52:34     Target Aborted (10/21) Target aborted (10/21, NGC 3310 w/SN2021gmj) due to high humidity 01:52:36   Queue Paused Queue paused For Session Suspension 01:52:39 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:53:29   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 02:00:42     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (10/21, NGC 3310 w/SN2021gmj) due to high humidity 02:22:34     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (11/21, NGC 4165 w/SN2021gno) due to high humidity 02:43:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (12/21, C/2020 T2 (Palomar)) due to high humidity 02:51:33     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (13/21, 61 Cyg) due to high humidity 02:59:45     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/21, GCVS HH And) due to high humidity 03:08:00     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/21, WDS GRB 34) due to high humidity 03:16:31     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/21, GCVS R CrB) due to high humidity 03:23:47 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:24:32   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 03:24:34 Session Running Session running 03:24:36     Target Started (17/21) Target started (17/21, GCVS U Her) 03:24:38   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:25:12 Critical Humidity Alert Critical Humidity Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 03:25:14   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (high humidity) 03:25:16     Target Aborted (17/21) Target aborted (17/21, GCVS U Her) due to high humidity 03:25:18   Queue Paused Queue paused For Session Suspension 03:25:20 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:26:07   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 03:27:27     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/21, GCVS U Her) due to high humidity 03:36:02     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/21, HIP 87937) due to high humidity 03:41:18 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:42:04   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 03:42:06 Session Running Session running 03:42:08     Target Started (19/21) Target started (19/21, 7P/Pons-Winnecke) 03:42:10   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:59:42     Target Completed Target partially completed (19/21, 7P/Pons-Winnecke) 03:59:44     Target Started (20/21) Target started (20/21, GCVS CY Lyr) 04:00:15 Critical Humidity Alert Critical Humidity Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 04:00:17   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (high humidity) 04:00:26     Target Aborted (20/21) Target aborted (20/21, GCVS CY Lyr) due to high humidity 04:00:28   Queue Paused Queue paused For Session Suspension 04:00:30 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:01:20   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 04:02:35 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:03:21   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 04:03:23 Session Running Session running 04:03:25   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:03:27     Target Started (20/21) Target started (20/21, GCVS CY Lyr) 04:09:32     Target Completed Target partially completed (20/21, GCVS CY Lyr) 04:09:34     Target Started (21/21) Target started (21/21, KIC 8462852) 04:12:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:14:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 04:17:48     Target Completed Target completed (21/21, KIC 8462852) 04:17:51   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 04:17:54 Session Closing Session closing 04:18:47   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 04:21:55   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 181s), Az: 90.0 deg 04:22:36   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 36s) 04:23:06   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 04:23:54   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 04:23:56 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 04:24:07 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail 22:34:31 Telescope Alert ASCOM Telescope not connnected 23:31:27 UPB.Switch disconnected UPB.Switch has unexpectedly disconnected. Restart will be attempted 23:31:29 UPB.Switch UPB.Switch has been successfully restarted.

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Operational Issues (2021-04-16 S887)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (4)
• Small Defects (0)
• Continuous Improvement (0)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Unable to start Autostart Session due to failure to connect to Telescope.   Autostart reported an issue at 22:34:30 when checking ASCOM scope ('There is a problem connecting to the ASCOM Telescope') and dropped back to Manual mode. Log file contained the message 'Failed to connect (MeadeLX200GPS.Telescope)'  at 22:34:22.  A manual attempt to connect telescope at 22:44 also produced the same message and PHD2 Listener  failed with exception '(Unable to read data from the transport connection: A blocking operation was interrupted by a call to WSACancelBlockingCall')  as PHD2 was held up because it couldn't connect to Scope.  Unclear why this happened. Observatory Programs were killed/restarted and the Session restarted. The Telescope connected ok this time.  Autostart worked fine and session proceeded normally.  In the absence of more information the issue is put down to being a 'start-up gremlin' and is closed. 
  Resolved In-Session 2021-04-16 (Session )
   
• AstroObsCam lost connection with IR NightCam.  Investigating why the ObsCam picture on the atest Session web page was out of date it was found that no new ObsCam pictures had been generated recently and AstroObsCam wasn't receiving any live feed images from the NightCam. Last Image was at 2021-04-16 05:45.  Tried reconnecting to camera / tried restarting AstroObsCam remotely , but each time Connect button was used a message popped up saying  'camera is not found'.   Eventually went out to observatory and disconnected/reconnected the USB cable to the NightCam.  After this,  AstroObsCam was able to successfully connect to the NightCam and ObsCam pictures began to be generated and uploaded to website again.
  To Session Fix  2021-04-17 (AstroObsCam / Observatory )
   
• Session Events table shows two 'Program Closed' events at 22:44 when only one database entry is necessary. AstroMain Program had to be closed to sort out a telescope connection issue. Two 'Program Closed' events with the description  'Program Closed by User' were sent to the database. One for 22:44:51 and the other for 22:44:53.  StoreSessionEvent("Program Closed", 1, 2, "Program closed by User") command is located at 3 different points in program. Fix attempted in AstroMain 3.39.8 to prevent two events being created for the same program closure.
  Fixed 2021-05-04 (AstroMain 3.39.8)
   
• Report file showing 'Session Status: Hold Session is suspended due to non-defined reason (20)' when it should be saying '.. due to high humidity' . This is reported for each target between 01:52 and 04:00.   Reason is correctly stated 5 report lines further on and is also correctly stated in Session Events.   his appears to be a case that the earlier fix to this issue was only partially applied or not completely successful.
  To fix 2021-04-18 (AstroMain 3.38.17)

Small Defects

• None

Continuous Improvement

• None

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