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Notes (S889) |
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Observing Plan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Observing Result |
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Dome & Scope Slewing Performance Session using MeadeGeneric telescope driver (1.0.0.296). Scope paths appear as straight line segments instead of curved scope paths seen in earlier sessions using MeadeLX200GPS driver. Paths appear to cross the no-go region near to north celestrial pole where the scope can't physically move. (the physical scope rotates around the outside of the no-go area) (issue related to MeadeGeneric not correctly setting the telescope Slewing property) |
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Slew/Centering Performance Session using MeadeGeneric telescope driver (1.0.0.296). Poor centering performance is due to MeadeGeneric not correctly setting the telescope Slewing property. |
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Guiding Performance Dec Notes : Run 1 (orange) impacted by periods of ineffective Dec guiding |
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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) |
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Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast |
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Session Event Log | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Session Alerts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As part of investigating and attempting to fix a show-stopping issue where
connection can no longer be made to the Observatory's 12" LX200GPS scope (see
Investigation -
Unable to Connect to LX200GPS Scope, 2021-04-17) the then latest 1.0.0.296, 2021-03-02
version of Chris Dawson's ASCOM driver for Meade Telescopes
including the LX200GPS model was downloaded and installed onto the development
and observatory computers today (2021-04-19) .
Meade
Generic Website :
https://bitbucket.org/cjdskunkworks/meadeautostar497/wiki/Home
The
new telescope driver (named 'ASCOM.MeadeGeneric.Telescope' ) is listed as
'Meade Generic' in ASCOM Telescope Chooser. When active the driver is listed as
the 'ASCOM.Meade.net.Server.exe' process in the Windows Task Manager.
The set of fields on the Meade Generic Settings are quite different from those on LX200GPS/R Setting driver Telescope Driver properties. In particular there is no checkbox/fields for specifying AutoSet Time/Date or how coordinates are returned when the Scope is Parked. There is however a field for specifying Guiding Rate (default value 10.0779 arc seconds/second (67% of sidereal time). (I normally use a Guiding Rate of 90% of sidereal time, which would correspond to 13.53 arc seconds/second. or 0.003763944 arc deg/sec (0.90)
The Meade Generic Driver used for first time today (2021-04-20) during a daytime
test. Connection to scope was successful, but Time/Date is not AutoSet,
the Scope
initialises with Time 20:00:00 and the last used Date. Time/Date has to be
manually entered via the scope's AutoStar II handbox at the Date Prompts.
Site (CLAIR
ABZ) was found to have become set to UTC offset +01. This was changed back to correct value of +00,
but this then required scope to be resynced to Park Position in TheSky6 and the
Telescope's Park Position reset to current position using the scope's AutoStar
II handbox.
(Did this change cause the scope to slew from
Az 43.9/Alt 22 to Az 358.6/Alt 34.3 when making slew for Target 17/18 (Nova Per
2020) in session S888 (2021-04-20) ? )
(TPoint model in S888B Document was deleted to sync the scope
and prior S886 model will need to be reopened at next session.
The Meade Generic Driver was used a live night session for the first time
duuring session S888 (2021-04-20)
Supported Actions
The driver's
SupportedActions Array list indicates 2 available actions
handbox
site
Action parameters associated with 'handbox'
action are
readdisplay - returns the message displayed on
Autostar II handbox
enter
mode
longmode
goto
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
up, down, back, forward
?
Action parameters associated
with 'site' action are
count - returns 4
select
getname
setname
Whilst it seems helpful to develop routines using these Actions, e.g. Msg = Scope.Action("handbox", "readdisplay") these actions would only work if using MeadeGeneric driver and wouldn't work if using the MeadeLX200GPS driver. It is therefore probably better to use the Meade based command Msg = CommandString (":ED#, True) in order to give a driver independant solution.
Actions:
Create new AstroMain version that can optionally use the 'Meade Generic'
telescope instead of the 'Meade LX200GPS/R'
Create new function to set Telescope's UTC Date/Time and apply function when
first connecting to Telescope using 'Meade Generic'
Set DeviceHub.Telescope's trace level to True.
Update 2021-04-27 (1.1.0.337)
Key isssues with MeadeGeneric telescope driver (1.0.0.296) have now been fixed
(1.1.0.337, 2021-04-27), and the driver is believed to now be in a fit state to
use in live sessions moving forward (subsequently it was shown that the
driver still had a issue with tracking state, whereby the scope's actual
tracking state wasn't being turned on/turned off when requested by client.
(A workaround
had been found for the recent
show-stopping issue with the older MeadeLX200GPS driver so this was for a short
time available as
an alternate, ready-to go, back-up option, however trying to use
MeadeLX200GPS driver in session S898, 2021-05-22, showed a new issue in
accessing that the driver that prevented connection to scope. )
Update 2021-04-30 (Tracking State Issue)
During
session S893 (2021-04-30) is was discoved that telescope Tracking remained on even though Tracking was switched
off (02:09) though the MeadeGeneric driver . The problem was diagnosed
as being a bug in MeadeGeneric (basically a failure to command the
LX200GPS to turn off tracking). The issue has been communicated to the
author of MeadeGeneric Driver (2021-05-11) and logged as an issue in the
driver's bitbucket project site (https://bitbucket.org/cjdskunkworks/meadeautostar497/issues/24/get-set-tracking).
If no fix is forthcoming a workaround could be implemented using
CommandBlind and CommandString calls to interact directly with the scope. Until
the driver is fixed (or a workaround is implemented) it is proposed to switch
back to using the MeadeLX200GPS driver. (In session S898, 2021-05-22, it
became evident that there was a new issue in accessing that the MeadeLX200GPS
driver that prevented connection to scope. )
Update 2021-05-22 (AstroMain fix for Tracking State Issue)
A workaround has been added to AstroMain 3.40.1 (2021-05-22) so that calling
Set Scope.Tracking = False also sends a ":AL#" (Land Mode)
command to the scope to physically turn off tracking, and calling Set
Scope.Tracking = True also sends a ":AP#" (Polar Mode) command to the
scope to physically turn on tracking.
An attempt to use :GW# to read the
tracking state of the scope didn't seem to work (DeviceHub logs "Command
:GW#, Raw True (failed) " ) and causes performance issues to AstroMain's
Obs.Monitor. This is not a total showstopper, prrovided that
Tracking is turned off / turned off from AstroMain Client there is no problem.
An issue only arises if another application is used to turn on/off tracking as
this doesn't physically effect the tracking state of the scope and will confuse
AstroMain.
Update 2021-07-18 (1.2.0.344)
MeadeGeneric telescope
driver was updated to 1.2.0.344 (this followed issues with version 1.3.0.352
that was installed for testing on 2021-07-17).
The 1.2.0 version doesn't yet
include support for Get/Set Tracking and the earlier workaround in AstroMain
using AL and AP commands to set telescope Tracking state still needs to be used.
Update 2021-08-16 (1.3.1.361)
MeadeGeneric telescope
driver was updated to 1.3.1.361. This fixes an early limitationand means that
Set/GetTracking is now fully implemented and working for LX200GPS scope.
The GW command was also confirmed to now work.
MeadeGeneric Telescope
Driver (1.3.1)
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Issue : Intermittent issue during Target Centering Jogs '"Unable to start the direct slew!!!".
Description: During target centering TheSky6 frequently put up an 'ASCOM Device Hub' dialog box with the error message 'Unable to startthe direct slew!!!' This holds up the execution of Job Queue in AstroMain until the dialog box is acknowledged. If the dailog is not seen/not acknowledged, AstroMain's Obs.Overseer eventually intervenes to make the observatory safe (turning off tracking and closing the dome shutter). Session could only be kept going by remote monitoring and acknowledging the dialog box each time it appeared. Telescope Jogs appear to take place even though dialog box is shown ?.
Analysis :
Examining the Jog Operation associated with Centering 1 operation for Target
4/17 (Nova Per 2020) at 01:05
Report File shows :
Centering 1 2021-04-21 01:05 (Local)
Taking 10s image (C)... Ok [00888034] 00:05:53 (UT) Full Locate C
Linking image (UCA/USNO)... Ok Stars 29, Scale 1.402, Angle 179.3°
Reviewing position (1)... Ok Pointing Error: 3.44 arc mins (W: -2.54', N: -2.33')
Updating Slew Adjustment.. Ok Updated Adjustment W 0.8, N 1.7 [arc mins]
Reviewing position (1)... Ok Jog Required: 3.44 arc mins (W= 2.54', N= 2.33')
Applying JogW Adjustment Ok JogWAdj=0.13'
Jogging ... **
> Obs.Overseer Warning Telescope.Jog task In MakeJogCorrection/JogN Is taking a Long time? (01:06)
** Ok Est. Scope Change: 3.02 arc mins (W= -0.10', N= 3.01')
Log File shows
01:05:51.17 | Nova Per 2020 TakeLocateImage Info | Locate Image No. 1 01:05:51.17 | Nova Per 2020 Filter Info | Confirming C filter (1) 01:06:06.69 | Nova Per 2020 LinkImage Ok | IamAlive: ImageAndLink 01:06:08.50 | Nova Per 2020 Offset Data | 3.44 01:06:08.50 | Nova Per 2020 SepN Data | 2.327 01:06:08.50 | Nova Per 2020 SepW Data | 2.538 01:06:08.50 | Nova Per 2020 OffsetO Data | 3.44 | 01:06:09.50 | Nova Per 2020 Jog Data | Net Jog W: 2.67', N: 2.33' 01:06:09.50 | Nova Per 2020 Making Jog Info | 3.54 arc mins (W= 2.67', N= 2.33') 01:06:09.50 | Nova Per 2020 Telescope.GetRaDec Ok | IamAlive: MakeJogCorrection, PreJogPosition 01:06:09.56 | Nova Per 2020 Continue Ok | IamAlive: MakeJogCorrection 01:06:09.56 | Nova Per 2020 Making W Jog Info | W= 2.67' (3.71' at Dec 44.0) 01:06:09.56 | Nova Per 2020 Telescope.Jog Ok | IamAlive: MakeJogCorrection, JogW 01:06:13.01 | Nova Per 2020 Continue Ok | IamAlive: MakeJogCorrection 01:06:13.01 | Nova Per 2020 Jog Info | Sleeping For 0.5 secs 01:06:13.52 | Nova Per 2020 Making N Jog Info | N= 2.33' 01:06:13.52 | Nova Per 2020 Telescope.Jog Ok | IamAlive: MakeJogCorrection, JogN 01:06:55.91 | Observatory Overseer Check.Operation Info | Task In MakeJogCorrection/JogN is taking a Long time? (Telescope.Jog) 01:08:30.66 | Nova Per 2020 Continue Ok | IamAlive: MakeJogCorrection 01:08:30.66 | Nova Per 2020 Jog Info | Sleeping For 0.5 secs 01:08:31.17 | Nova Per 2020 Jog Ok | [W] [N] Jog Completed 01:08:31.17 | Nova Per 2020 Telescope.GetRaDec Ok | IamAlive: MakeJogCorrection, PostJogPosition 01:08:31.27 | Nova Per 2020 Continue Ok | IamAlive: MakeJogCorrection 01:08:31.27 | Nova Per 2020 Scope (Pre-Jog) Data | RA= 04 30 46.957 Dec= +43 59 35.88 | Current Epoch 01:08:31.27 | Nova Per 2020 Scope (Post-Jog) Data | RA= 04 30 47.534 Dec= +44 02 36.75 | Current Epoch 01:08:31.27 | Nova Per 2020 Scope Change Data | 3.02 arc mins (W= -0.10', N= 3.01') 01:08:31.27 | Nova Per 2020 Jog Discrepancy Data | 2.73 arc mins (W= -2.64', N= 0.69') 01:08:31.27 | Nova Per 2020 Get rawJogW Discrep. Data | rawJogW Discrepancy= -2.64' 01:08:31.27 | Nova Per 2020 Update JogWAdj Ok | JogWAdj updated to 0.18' (nJogs= 52) 01:08:31.27 | Nova Per 2020 Continue Ok | IamAlive: CentreTarget
Meade.Generic.Telescope trace file shows
01:06:09.595 SlewToCoordinatesAsync Ra=4.49347377511668, Dec=42.2326154754363 01:06:09.595 TargetRightAscension Set 4.49347377511668 01:06:09.595 TargetRightAscension Set :Sr04:29.61# 01:06:09.626 TargetDeclination Set 42.2326154754363 01:06:09.626 TargetDeclination Set :Sd+42*13.96# 01:06:09.922 DoSlewAsync Slewing to target 01:06:09.922 SlewSettleTime Get 0 Seconds 01:06:11.186 RightAscension Get - 04:29:53 convert to 4.49805555555556 04:29:53 01:06:11.592 Declination Get - +42[DF]13:29 convert to 42.2247222222222 42:13:29"
01:06:13.620 SlewToCoordinatesAsync Ra=4.49700257604004, Dec=42.2720129146783 01:06:13.620 TargetRightAscension Set 4.49700257604004 01:06:13.620 TargetRightAscension Set :Sr04:29.82# 01:06:13.651 TargetDeclination Set 42.2720129146783 01:06:13.651 TargetDeclination Set :Sd+42*16.32# 01:06:19.236 RightAscension Get - 04:29:40 convert to 4.49444444444444 04:29:40 01:06:19.266 Declination Get - +42[DF]14:27 convert to 42.2408333333333 42:14:27" 01:06:19.436 RightAscension Get - 04:29:40 convert to 4.49444444444444 04:29:40 01:06:19.476 Declination Get - +42[DF]14:27 convert to 42.2408333333333 42:14:27" 01:06:23.321 RightAscension Get - 04:29:43 convert to 4.49527777777778 04:29:43 01:06:23.384 Declination Get - +42[DF]14:43 convert to 42.2452777777778 42:14:43" 01:06:23.758 RightAscension Get - 04:29:45 convert to 4.49583333333333 04:29:45 01:06:24.148 Declination Get - +42[DF]14:46 convert to 42.2461111111111 42:14:46" 01:06:37.065 RightAscension Get - 04:29:55 convert to 4.49861111111111 04:29:55 01:06:37.096 Declination Get - +42[DF]16:23 convert to 42.2730555555556 42:16:23" 01:06:40.980 RightAscension Get - 04:29:56 convert to 4.49888888888889 04:29:56 01:06:41.012 Declination Get - +42[DF]16:24 convert to 42.2733333333333 42:16:24" 01:06:41.214 RightAscension Get - 04:29:56 convert to 4.49888888888889 04:29:56 01:06:41.246 Declination Get - +42[DF]16:24 convert to 42.2733333333333 42:16:24" 01:06:45.036 RightAscension Get - 04:29:56 convert to 4.49888888888889 04:29:56 01:06:45.114 Declination Get - +42[DF]16:24 convert to 42.2733333333333 42:16:24" 01:06:49.170 RightAscension Get - 04:29:54 convert to 4.49833333333333 04:29:54 01:06:49.202 Declination Get - +42[DF]16:23 convert to 42.2730555555556 42:16:23" 01:06:53.211 RightAscension Get - 04:29:55 convert to 4.49861111111111 04:29:55 01:06:53.242 Declination Get - +42[DF]16:23 convert to 42.2730555555556 42:16:23"
01:07:01.682 RightAscension Get - 04:29:56 convert to 4.49888888888889 04:29:56 01:07:01.713 Declination Get - +42[DF]16:23 convert to 42.2730555555556 42:16:23" 01:07:18.592 RightAscension Get - 04:29:55 convert to 4.49861111111111 04:29:55 01:07:18.623 Declination Get - +42[DF]16:23 convert to 42.2730555555556 42:16:23"
Hypothesis
Hypothesis is that dialog pops up when
Telescope.Jog (N/S) is sent before a preceeding Telescope.Jog (E/W) has
been completed.
Meade Generic Trace Log shows that Jog is being actioned
by called Scope.SlewToCoordinatesAsync. If execution returns
immediately then a second call to Jog could result in the message seen.
Conclusion:
Actions:
Add a button function to mark occurances of "Unable to start the Direct
Slew" dialog in log and report files. (btnRecordDirectSlewIssue)
Update 2021-04-24 (Issue Fixed)
MeadeGeneric driver has now been fixed (1.0.1.327) so that Slewing Property returns the correct/appropriate value (property corrected to show the value TRUE when the scope is physically slewing or is still settling after a slew). Issue confirmed to be fully fixed following in session S890 (2021-04-24).
Update 2021-04-30 (Two further cases)
Whilst the primary reason behind problem was solved with v 1.0.1.327 version of the MeadeGeneric driver, occasional residual cases of the issue evidently still occur. Two cases occurred in Session S893 (2021-04-30) which were investigated (see Investigation - JobQueue Freezing during Telescope.Jog, 2021-05-01 ). Problem may relate to delay in DeviceHub.Telescope moving to a fast polling rate when a slew is requested. Hypothesis is that after a call to Telescope.Jog the TheSky6 program doesn't see Slewing=True quick enough after requesting the slew and returns execution back to AstroMain client which then submits another jog before the first jog has finished. A Scope.Jog routine has been added to AstroMain (3.39.7), that monitors the telescope's slewing property and only proceeds and makes a second Jog once the first jog is truely finished.
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Issue : Majority of Slew Path on Slewing Chart are drawn as straight line paths and not the expected curved paths.
Description. Scope Slewing Graph on Dome/Scope Slewing Chart mostly show straight line path between starting coords and ending coordinates rather than curved path. Issue is believed to be due to use of MeadeGeneric driver (Whilst some straight line path segments have previously occured when using DeviceHub.Telescope with MeadeLX200GPS driver these earlier issues had been fixed.)
Analysis :
Examining the slew to Target 4/17 (Nova Per 2020) at 01:05, tabulated
as a 25s slew from Az 280.0/Alt 62.2 to Az 331.0/Alt 14.9.
The Log file
shows:
01:05:21.39 ObjectAzAlt
| Az = 331.7 Alt= 16.4 Airmass=3.52
01:05:21.76 SlewTheSkyScopeToRaDec |
Calling SlewTheSkyScope(RaDec)
01:05:21.76 PreSlew AzAlt(Scope) |
Az= 280.0 Alt=62.2
01:05:21.78 PreSlew Az(Dome)
| Az: 274.6
01:05:21.78 Set Telescope
| Setting Telescope.Asynchronous = 1
01:05:21.78 Slew Scope
| Calling Telescope.SlewToRaDec
01:05:21.78 Slew Scope(Coords)
| Ra= 04 30 44.435 Dec=+43 58 28.83 | Epoch Current
01:05:21.78 ScopePath
| Az: 280.04, Alt: 62.15, Slew: 0.000, Time: 0.0
01:05:23.51 ScopePath
| Az: 280.06, Alt: 62.14, Slew: 0.003, Time: 1.7
01:05:25.57 ScopePath
| Az: 280.06, Alt: 62.14, Slew: 0.003, Time: 3.8 Angular Change: 0.00 (Static)
01:05:25.75 ScopePath
| Az: 280.06, Alt: 62.14, Slew: 0.003, Time: 4.0 Angular Change: 0.00 (Static)
01:05:25.96 ScopePath
| Az: 280.06, Alt: 62.14, Slew: 0.003, Time: 4.2 Angular Change: 0.00 (Static)
01:05:26.16 ScopePath
| Az: 280.06, Alt: 62.14, Slew: 0.003, Time: 4.4 Angular Change: 0.00 (Static)
01:05:26.36 ScopePath
| Az: 280.06, Alt: 62.14, Slew: 0.003, Time: 4.6 Angular Change: 0.00 (Static)
01:05:26.57 ScopePath
| Az: 280.06, Alt: 62.14, Slew: 0.003, Time: 4.8 Angular Change: 0.00 (Static)
01:05:26.77 ScopePath
| Az: 280.06, Alt: 62.14, Slew: 0.003, Time: 5.0 Angular Change: 0.00 (Static)
01:05:26.97 ScopePath
| Az: 280.06, Alt: 62.14, Slew: 0.003, Time: 5.2 Angular Change: 0.00 (Static)
01:05:48.90 Set Telescope
| Setting Telescope.Asynchronous = 0
01:05:48.94 SlewAngle
| Total: 0.003, Direct: 102.065
01:05:48.94 SlewTime(Scope)
| Scope Slew Time = 24.7s
01:05:48.94 SlewTime(Dome)
| Dome Slew Time = 27.1s
01:05:48.94 SlewTime(Overall)
| Overall Slew Time =27.1s
01:05:50.46 PostSlewSettle
| Continuing (Telescope has already settled for >= 5 seconds)
01:05:50.46
PostSlew AzAlt(Scope) | Az= 331.0 Alt=14.9
01:05:50.50
SlewSpeed(Scope) | Scope Slew Speed= 4.1
deg/s | 102.1 degs in 25s
The slew is made using TheSky6.Telescope.SlewToRaDec in the Asynchonous mode. and the routine then enters a monitoring loop that examines objScope.Azimuth & objScope.Altitude. This loop indicates at a small initial movement of 0.003 degs but then no apparent movement of the scope during the perod 1.7s to 5s after the slew initiated The SlewTheSkyScope() routine assumes that the scope has finished slewing and stops further ScopePath tracing after 5s. The routine eventually realises that Scope Slew took a much longer time that the 1.7s initially recognised.
The Meade.Generic.Telescope trace file shows :
01:05:10.143
RightAscension
Get - 10:38:57 convert to 10.6491666666667 10:38:57
01:05:10.205 Declination
Get - +52[DF]00:51 convert to 52.0141666666667 52:00:51"
01:05:13.419
RightAscension
Get - 10:38:56 convert to 10.6488888888889 10:38:56
01:05:13.450 Declination
Get - +52[DF]00:56 convert to 52.0155555555556 52:00:56"
01:05:13.466
Altitude
62.1574785948659
01:05:13.669 RightAscension
Get - 10:38:56 convert to 10.6488888888889 10:38:56
01:05:13.700 Declination
Get - +52[DF]00:56 convert to 52.0155555555556 52:00:56"
01:05:13.700 Azimuth
Get
280.033201368113
01:05:14.059 RightAscension
Get - 10:38:56 convert to 10.6488888888889 10:38:56
01:05:14.090 Declination
Get - +52[DF]00:56 convert to 52.0155555555556 52:00:56"
01:05:14.152
RightAscension
Get - 10:38:56 convert to 10.6488888888889 10:38:56
01:05:14.183 Declination
Get - +52[DF]00:56 convert to 52.0155555555556 52:00:56"
01:05:14.308
RightAscension
Get - 10:38:56 convert to 10.6488888888889 10:38:56
01:05:14.355 Declination
Get - +52[DF]00:56 convert to 52.0155555555556 52:00:56"
01:05:17.522
RightAscension
Get - 10:38:58 convert to 10.6494444444444 10:38:58
01:05:17.600 Declination
Get - +52[DF]00:56 convert to 52.0155555555556 52:00:56"
01:05:17.600
Altitude
62.1530235230056
01:05:17.787 RightAscension
Get - 10:38:58 convert to 10.6494444444444 10:38:58
01:05:17.834 Declination
Get - +52[DF]00:56 convert to 52.0155555555556 52:00:56"
01:05:17.849 Azimuth
Get
280.038761474126
01:05:18.005 Slewing
Result = False
01:05:18.676 RightAscension
Get - 10:38:57 convert to 10.6491666666667 10:38:57
01:05:18.723 Declination
Get - +52[DF]00:52 convert to 52.0144444444444 52:00:52"
01:05:18.770
IsSlewingToTarget
IsSlewing = False : result =
01:05:18.801 RightAscension
Get - 10:38:57 convert to 10.6491666666667 10:38:57
01:05:18.832 Declination
Get - +52[DF]00:52 convert to 52.0144444444444 52:00:52"
01:05:18.879
RightAscension
Get - 10:38:57 convert to 10.6491666666667 10:38:57
01:05:18.926 Declination
Get - +52[DF]00:52 convert to 52.0144444444444 52:00:52"
(>>05:21.78
>> Calling Telescope.SlewToRaDec with asynchronous mode True << from
client log )
01:05:21.796 SlewToCoordinatesAsync
Ra=4.49683650985014, Dec=42.2146667961722
01:05:22.077 RightAscension
Get - 10:38:58 convert to 10.6494444444444 10:38:58
01:05:22.108 Declination
Get - +52[DF]00:56 convert to 52.0155555555556 52:00:56"
01:05:22.108
Altitude
62.1419165044871
01:05:22.108 TargetRightAscension Set
4.49683650985014
01:05:22.108 TargetRightAscension Set
:Sr04:29.81#
01:05:22.139 TargetDeclination Set
42.2146667961722
01:05:22.139 TargetDeclination Set
:Sd+42*12.88#
01:05:22.373 DoSlewAsync
Slewing to target
01:05:22.373 SlewSettleTime Get
0 Seconds
01:05:22.904 RightAscension
Get - 10:38:57 convert to 10.6491666666667 10:38:57
01:05:22.951 Declination
Get - +52[DF]00:56 convert to 52.0155555555556 52:00:56"
01:05:22.951 Azimuth
Get
280.055385597346
01:05:23.200 IsSlewingToTarget
IsSlewing = False : result = [7F]
01:05:23.200 Slewing
Result = False
(>>05:26.77 >> 5.0s after slew started << from client
log )
01:05:26.882 RightAscension
Get - 09:55:56 convert to 9.93222222222222 09:55:56
01:05:26.960 Declination
Get - +45[DF]26:18 convert to 45.4383333333333 45:26:18"
01:05:26.960
Altitude
52.5528141630356
01:05:27.319 RightAscension
Get - 09:55:51 convert to 9.93083333333333 09:55:51
01:05:27.677 Declination
Get - +43[DF]37:50 convert to 43.6305555555556 43:37:50"
01:05:27.677 Azimuth
Get
275.559882985181
01:05:27.958 IsSlewingToTarget
IsSlewing = False : result = [7F]
01:05:27.958 Slewing
Result = False
01:05:31.624 RightAscension
Get - 08:36:15 convert to 8.60416666666667 08:36:15
01:05:31.687 Declination
Get - +42[DF]15:18 convert to 42.255 42:15:18"
01:05:31.687 Altitude
39.9054840611718
01:05:31.983 RightAscension
Get - 08:16:14 convert to 8.27055555555556 08:16:14
01:05:32.014 Declination
Get - +42[DF]15:18 convert to 42.255 42:15:18"
01:05:32.030 Azimuth Get
292.111872198048
01:05:32.061 Declination
Get - +42[DF]14:09 convert to 42.2358333333333 42:14:09"
01:05:32.451
RightAscension
Get - 08:16:26 convert to 8.27388888888889 08:16:26
01:05:32.654
IsSlewingToTarget
IsSlewing = False : result = [7F]
01:05:32.654 Slewing
Result = False
01:05:36.320 RightAscension
Get - 06:56:54 convert to 6.94833333333333 06:56:54
01:05:36.382 Declination
Get - +42[DF]14:01 convert to 42.2336111111111 42:14:01"
01:05:36.398
Altitude
27.9895722724924
01:05:36.694 RightAscension
Get - 06:38:09 convert to 6.63583333333333 06:38:09
01:05:36.741 Declination
Get - +42[DF]14:01 convert to 42.2336111111111 42:14:01"
01:05:36.741 Azimuth
Get
308.709790435548
01:05:37.115 Declination
Get - +42[DF]15:42 convert to 42.2616666666667 42:15:42"
01:05:37.162
RightAscension
Get - 06:38:09 convert to 6.63583333333333 06:38:09
01:05:37.349
IsSlewingToTarget
IsSlewing = False : result = [7F]
01:05:37.349 Slewing
Result = False
01:05:41.000 RightAscension
Get - 05:18:04 convert to 5.30111111111111 05:18:04
01:05:41.094 Declination
Get - +42[DF]14:01 convert to 42.2336111111111 42:14:01"
01:05:41.094
Altitude
18.4121322706165
01:05:41.406 RightAscension
Get - 05:17:38 convert to 5.29388888888889 05:17:38
01:05:41.437 Declination
Get - +42[DF]14:01 convert to 42.2336111111111 42:14:01"
01:05:41.452 Azimuth
Get
322.552961088593
01:05:41.842 Declination
Get - +42[DF]14:27 convert to 42.2408333333333 42:14:27"
01:05:41.936
RightAscension
Get - 04:57:45 convert to 4.9625 04:57:45
01:05:42.061 IsSlewingToTarget
IsSlewing = False : result = [7F]
01:05:42.061 Slewing
Result = False
01:05:45.711 RightAscension
Get - 04:30:50 convert to 4.51388888888889 04:30:50
01:05:45.774 Altitude
14.9031767431447
01:05:45.992 RightAscension
Get - 04:29:50 convert to 4.49722222222222 04:29:50
01:05:46.039 Declination
Get - +42[DF]14:01 convert to 42.2336111111111 42:14:01"
01:05:46.054 Azimuth
Get
331.024002395054
01:05:46.257 IsSlewingToTarget
IsSlewing = False : result = [7F]
01:05:46.257 Slewing
Result = False
01:05:46.132 RightAscension
Get - 04:29:50 convert to 4.49722222222222 04:29:50
01:05:45.774 Declination
Get - +42[DF]14:01 convert to 42.2336111111111 42:14:01"
(>>05:48.94 >>
~ Slew Finished : << from client log)
01:05:50.017 Altitude
14.831139934357
01:05:50.750 Azimuth Get
331.032840343473
01:05:50.984 IsSlewingToTarget
IsSlewing = False : result = [7F]
01:05:50.984 Slewing
Result = False
01:05:54.931 Altitude
14.8238065637338
01:05:55.165 Azimuth Get
331.035757668424
01:05:55.336 IsSlewingToTarget
IsSlewing = False : result =
01:05:55.336 Slewing
Result = False
01:05:59.018 Altitude
14.8224452946673
01:05:59.252 Azimuth Get
331.041669370593
01:05:59.424 IsSlewingToTarget
IsSlewing = False : result =
01:05:59.424 Slewing
Result = False
Conclusion:
It would seem that Meade Generic isn't
updating the Slewing property, and DeviceHub therefore doesn't recognise that
Scope is slewing and doesn't move to Fast Polling.
The SlewTheSkyScope()
routine currently assumes that fast polling will have begun before 5s have
passed, and doesn't recognosize that the first coordinate set with
'significantly moved' coordinates may not be received until some 6s or 7s after
slewing has started.
It is likely that 5s settle period added by
Scope.SlewTheSkyScope() , isn't always getting added because AstroMains
sometimes think that scope hasn't moved for 5s so that a 5s settle has already
been taken up. This might explain why some images during session
show wobbly trailed star traces indicative of the scope still settling following
a slew.
Actions:
AstroMain. Modify AstroMain's SlewTheSkyScope() routine so that at least 8s is waited
before concluding that a telescope slew has finished.
Meade Generic. Contact MeadeGeneric author to report that Slewing Property isn't being
updated to True during a slew, and request a fix.
Meade Generic. Contact MeadeGeneric author to report inconsistency in formtting of Get
Property messages in the Meade.Generic.Telescope trace file.
Update 2021-04-24 (Issue Fixed)
MeadeGeneric driver has now been fixed (1.0.1.327) so that Slewing Property returns the correct/appropriate value (property corrected to show the value TRUE when the scope is physically slewing or is still settling after a slew). Issue confirmed to be fully fixed following in session S890 (2021-04-24).
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Issue : Scope appearing to slew anti-clockwise across the Due North Plane from Az 43.9° to Az 358.6° (a critical violation)
Description. Session S888 unexpectedly closed & finished before acquiring Target 18/18. Although logs say 'Script (Active Plan) was aborted by the user' it would seem that it was aborted by the Job queue manager when it was found that the scope had moved to unsafe area beyond Az 349° (ie the az 349 to 360°) with alt < 65° from a position at Az 43.9° / Alt 22°
> Telescope Safety Alert 2021-04-21 03:36 (Local)
> Telescope Safety Alert Telescope has moved beyond Az 349°
Turn Off Tracking.. Ok Telescope Tracking is OFF
> Telescope Safety Action Telescope will be moved to a safe position
Scope Speed: Info 24.5 deg/s (307.7 degs in 13s)
Slew table indicates that the scope moved from Az 43.9/Alt
22 to Az 358.6/Alt 34.3 (in 13s).
Az1 Az2 Alt1 Alt2 Time Angle Speed
C/2020
T2 (Palomar) 43.9 358.6 22.0 34.3 13s 307.7
24.50
Since the scope has seemed to have crossed from the NE sky to the adjacent NNW sky (moving across Az 0 (due north) this is taken to be a critical violation since equipment could be damaged due to cable wraping around the pier
Analysis :
Prior to slew to Target 17/18 (C/2020 T2 (Palomar) the scope was as at Az 43.9 / Alt 22.0. This appears to where the scope happened to be after
After waiting 8 minutes the scope attempted slew to Target 17/18
(C/2020 T2 (Palomar, Target Az 244.0 / Alt 55.1).
ObsPics show the
following
03:36:35 : scope at Az 44 / Alt 22 and slewing to Target C/2020
T2 (Palomar),
03:37:06 : scope at Az 283 / Alt 65 with Tracking Off and
Dome Closing.
03:37:38 : scope at Az 245 / Alt 10 with Tracking Off (Dome
nearly closed).
Log file show the following
03:36:34 : scope at Az
43.9 / Az 22.0.
03:36:49 : scope.SetTrackingOff,
03:36:51 : scope at Az= 358.6 Alt=34.3.
ObsCam Images show the following
03:36:37 : scope stationary at
position consistent with Az 43.9 / Alt 22.0
03:36:38 : scope beginning to
slew
03:36:39 to 43: scope slewing clockwise
03:36:44:
scope slewing clockwise at ~ Az 90 (but TeleComm fields reports
scope at Az 25.2 / Alt 21.7
03:36:49 : scope slewing clockwise at ~ Az
110 (but TeleComm fields reports scope slewing at Az 358.6 / Alt 34.3
03:37:00 : scope slewing clockwise at ~ Az 180 (but TeleComm fields
reports scope stationary at Az 108.9/ Alt 47.6
03:37:05 : scope slewing
clockwise at ~ Az 200 (but TeleComm fields reports scope stationary
at Az 282.9/ Alt 65.0
03:37:11 : scope at position at ~ Az 220 - 244.0
? / ? Alt 55 (but TeleComm fields reports scope stationary at
Az 261.3 Alt 65.6
Scope was being operated with MeadeGeneric 1.0.0.296 driver and DeviceHub
Conclusion:
It is would seem that telescope positions
reported from the driver somehow became incorrect at or before 03:36 and led to
the warning that the scope had appeared to have crossed clockwise over the Due
North Plane. It is absolutely clear from ObsCam images that the scope itself was
operating correctly and was rotating clockwise towards the Target 17/18
(C/2020 T2 (Palomar) with no danger of wrapping the cables around the pier or
crashing into the scope Azimuth stops.
It is concluded that the issue is
somehow related to flaw/issues in the MeadeGeneric 1.0.0.296 driver and/or
initialisation of the LX200 at startup. These flaws/issues have since been
corrected. The issue 'Scope appearing to slew across Due North Plane'
is therefore tentatively closed.
Update 2021-08-13
Issue resurfaced in some later
sessions, e.g S902 (2021-07-24) & S904 (2021-08-09). Reinvestigating the
issue an anomaly was found in the reporting of RA positions by the LX200GPS/R
telescope during certain slew. For example is S904 Target 12/17,
(AT2021hkn / Nova Cas 2021 (02:29:32 to 02:29:59) involved a slew from RA 00h
45’ / Dec 39° 45’ to Ra 23h 26’ / 61° 08’ (ie. a slew of about 24 degs).
Whilst the reported Dec positions show a normal path from 39° 45’ to 61° 08’,
the reported Ra positions show an unexpected “long-route path” route from 00h
45’ to 12h 00’ to 23h 26m , instead of the expected “short-route” & indeed
actual telescope path from 00h 45’ to 00h 00’ to 23h 59’ to 23h 26’.
A workaround was adopted in AstroMain 3.40.9 (2021-08-13 ) by making
SlewTheSkyScope() function access Scope.Az/Alt values direct from the telescope
rather calculating Az/Alt from the reported Scope.Ra/Dec position which may
sometimes have invalid values during slewing.
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This Web Page: | Notes - Session 888 (2021-04-20) |
Last Updated : | 2024-09-30 |
Site Owner : | David Richards |
Home Page : | David's Astronomy Web Site |