David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 929 (2021-10-29)

Notes (S928)

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Notes (S930)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (1),  Minor Issues (6),  Small Defects (5),  Continuous Improvement (3)
	Images from 2021-10-29 >>         [ Local Files >> ]

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-10-29)

Main aims

1. AstroAllSky. Perform a live test of AstroAllSky 3.12.7 with new TP2 handing
2. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by time & conditions.
3. Guiding Performance. Make further guiding runs with the recently installed new Dec Motor Unit and following a couple of changes since previous S927 session

Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, PHD2 2.6.10,  DeviceHub 6.5.1.4,  MeadeGeneric 1.3.2.367, UPB 1.5, ASCOM 6.5 SP1
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.10
   
• AstroMain 3.45.3,  AstroPlan 1.26  AstroShCap 1.3.2, AstroGuard 1.6.2,  AstroVOE 1.8,  AstroSN 1.6,  AstroProtect 1.6
  (AstroWeather 1.14, AstroAllSky 3.13.1,  AstroObsCam 1.7.1, AstroLaunch 1.7.1)

Highlights

•  AstroAllSky.   A series of trial fixes to AstroAllSky (3.12.7, 3.12.8) were made through the session and eventually a version 3.12.9 was built that seems to have resolved issues with a bring in a new feature to make the program more responsive to requests for immediate measurements of sky/cloud at current scope and next target positions.  
•  Targets.   Quite a few targets were imaged during the session before expected cloud developed around 22:15
   
•  Guiding Performance.   Guiding results/charts continue to show that guiding performance for targets lying west of Meridian hadn't been improved by recent installation of new Dec, and after attempted fixes since the last S927 session have probably got even worse.  This continues to be disappointing.

Notes:

  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)

Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 23:17:15 Session Created Live Session Created (2021-10-29 S00929, ImageSaveNum: 929001) 23:17:39   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 23:17:41   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 23:17:45   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:17:56   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -15°C) 23:18:36   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 23:20:01   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:22:21   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:23:28   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:26:25   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:26:57   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 23:29:30   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 23:33:27 Telescope Running 'ResetScopePointing' under user supervision 23:34:18   Telescope Telescope pointing failed (no link) 23:35:31 Telescope Running 'ResetScopePointing' under user supervision 23:36:13   Telescope Telescope pointing successfully synced 23:36:42   Telescope Pointing Mapping run started 23:36:51   Automapping Started Automapping started (12 points planned) 23:42:38   Automapping Aborted Automapping aborted (0 points mapped out of 12 points) 23:42:40   Telescope Pointing Mapping run finished (Mapped 0 / 12) 23:51:37   Automapping Started Automapping started (12 points planned) 00:04:01   Automapping Completed Automapping completed (12 points mapped out of 12 points) 00:11:14   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 69s) 00:11:29   Telescope State Scope parked Turn scope off. (Handbox) 00:11:49   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 00:12:43   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 00:13:24   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 00:14:47   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:18:28   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 00:20:44 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 00:20 & 06:09 00:20:46 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 00:20:48 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (00:20) 00:21:06   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:21:11 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 00:21:15 Session Pending Session pending (2021-10-29) 00:21:17 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-10-29) 00:21:19   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.26.1) 00:23:24   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 680) 00:23:36   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -15°C) 00:23:42   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 00:24:06 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 00:24:08 Session Running Session running 00:24:11   Queue Started Observing Queue started (26 targets selected) 00:24:13     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 2, HIP 9508) 00:25:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:28:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 00:31:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 00:31:15       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 00:33:43       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 00:35:38       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 00:35:54     Target Completed Target completed (Focus Field 2, HIP 9508) 00:35:56     Target Started (1/26) Target started (1/26, Vega) 00:43:02     Target Completed Target completed (1/26, Vega) 00:43:05     Target Started (2/26) Target started (2/26, GCVS RR Lyr) 00:47:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:49:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 00:58:38     Target Completed Target completed (2/26, GCVS RR Lyr) 00:58:40     Target Started (3/26) Target started (3/26, Vega) 01:04:02     Target Completed Target completed (3/26, Vega) 01:04:04     Target Started (4/26) Target started (4/26, GCVS SS Cyg) 01:06:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:08:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 01:13:58     Target Completed Target completed (4/26, GCVS SS Cyg) 01:17:57     Target Started (5/26) Target started (5/26, NGC 9 w/SN2021zju) 01:23:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:24:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 01:41:17     Target Completed Target completed (5/26, NGC 9 w/SN2021zju) 01:41:19     Target Started (6/26) Target started (6/26, GCVS RX And) 01:44:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:46:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 01:50:03     Target Completed Target completed (6/26, GCVS RX And) 01:50:05     Target Started (7/26) Target started (7/26, GCVS BL Lac) 01:52:44       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:56:58     Target Completed Target completed (7/26, GCVS BL Lac) 01:58:27     Target Started (8/26) Target started (8/26, WDS GRB 34) 02:00:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:02:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 02:05:06     Target Completed Target completed (8/26, WDS GRB 34) 02:06:42     Target Started (9/26) Target started (9/26, UGC 235 w/AT2021aazm) 02:09:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:11:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 02:28:18     Target Completed Target completed (9/26, UGC 235 w/AT2021aazm) 02:28:34     Target Started (10/26) Target started (10/26, M31 w/AT2021aceg) 02:31:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:33:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 02:49:36     Target Completed Target completed (10/26, M31 w/AT2021aceg) 02:50:26     Target Started (11/26) Target started (11/26, NGC 1166 w/SN2021zby) 02:56:36       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 03:05:30   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 03:05:55   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 03:12:37     Target Completed Target completed (11/26, NGC 1166 w/SN2021zby) 03:12:39     Target Started (12/26) Target started (12/26, GCVS GK Per) 03:14:16   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 03:17:02       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 03:21:03     Target Completed Target completed (12/26, GCVS GK Per) 03:21:05   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:21:07 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:21:52   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 45s) 03:39:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (13/26, AT2021zkf) due to cloud 04:01:41     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/26, IC 190 w/SN2021abko) due to cloud 04:18:03     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/26, Nova Per 2020) due to cloud 04:37:45     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/26, 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko) due to cloud 04:52:00     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/26, C/2019 L3 (ATLAS)) due to cloud 05:04:59     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/26, Nova Cas 2021) due to cloud 05:20:59     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (19/26, C/2021 A1 (Leonard)) due to cloud 05:30:23     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (20/26, GCVS NV Ori) due to cloud 05:49:59     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/26, Scholz's Star) due to wind 06:00:47     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/26, GCVS U Gem) due to wind 06:12:04     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/26, GCVS DX Cnc) due to wind 06:27:44     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/26, 15P/Finlay) due to rain 06:37:38     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/26, GCVS SY Cnc) due to rain 06:57:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (26/26, LAMOST-HVS1) due to rain 06:57:54   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:57:56 Session Closing Session closing 06:58:01   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 03:21, closing time 45s) 06:59:13   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 64s), Az: 90.0 deg 07:00:37   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 77s) 07:00:52   Telescope State Scope parked Turn scope off. (Handbox) 07:01:12   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 07:02:03   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 07:02:05 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 07:02:17 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail 01:18:36 Dome Discrepency Difference between Telescope Az and Dome Az is > 8 deg (NGC 9)

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Operational Issues (2021-10-29, S929)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (1)
• Minor Issues (6)
• Small Defects (5)
• Continuous Improvement (3)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• Unable to connect to LX200 telescope using DeviceHub/MeadeGeneric driver. Connection failed. Issue appeared to be due to telescope neing on secondary port (COM8) rather than its primary port (COM7).  Resolved by going to MeadeGeneric Properties from DeviceHub Telescope setting and manually setting com port to COM8 from blank, and then initiating connection from DeviceHub directly (trying to connect first from AstroMain failed, however connecting afterwards from AstroMain worked ok).  Looking at ASCOM   Profile Explorer shows that MeadeGeneric is set to COM7.     Telescope connection from AstroMain is meant to check telescope's COM Port and change it in MeadeGeneric's profile, before initiating connection.   Fixed in AstroMain 3.45.4 (the code which is meant to set Port Name in MeadeGeneric's Profile had a line which ove-rrode the identified COM8 port by "COM7".  Fixed worked in session S930 (2021-10-30)
  Fixed 2021-10-30 (AstroMain 3.45.4)

Minor Issues

• After syncing scope, and starting a short mapping run, frames wouldn't map even though they linked ok.   Dec clutch was loosened prior to session in order to access Dec Motor/Gears to make adjustments that would hopefully improve Dec Guiding.  This neccessiated re-syncing the scope and performing a short mapping job to get greatest accuracy from the TPoint Model.  After syncing and starting the mapping run (12 points centered +/-2 degs around the sync point) the first 4 or 5 points failed to map even even though they linked ok (pointing errors of 21-25 arc min).  The run was aborted. Resolved in session by slewing to various points around the sync star, where at each point a (3x3, 15s) locate frame was taken and imaging linked and then mapped using the 'Map' button on TheSky6 'Image Link Information' After taking 5 or 6 points, a short automated mapping was run, with 12/12 points successfully mapping.  Scope was parked and restarted (again it is isn't clear this 'park' step is necessary or not but it is known to be reliable).
  Fixed in-session 2021-10-30 (Session )
   
• A recent improvement to 'on-the-fly linking of a 'Snap' image (generally 3x3, 15s or 20s) to show Pointing Error isn't working. Feature was added to AstroMain 3.45.2 /3.45.3 and although tests showed it to be working prior to the session during the live session itself it was reporting the pointing error is reported as -99.0 (vcNull) arc mins. Fixed in AstroMain 3.45.5 (the problem was largely due to the Snap images taken in live session have the object name 'Snap'  which the CalculatePointingError treats as a real object, rather than a pseudo object.  Special handling added to the routine to deal with 'Snap' frames.  Problem could be fixed also by changing the post-capture code for Snap images to add TagRa, TagDec coordinates to the Fits Header.  Snap images plate solved with ASTAP were also reporting a vcNull pointing error but for a different reason. This was also fixed.
  Fixed 2021-10-30 (AstroMain 3.45.4)
   
• AstroObsCam capturing "Target.Imaging" images that are too dark.  Times show that images are being captured just after the ObsCam is turned on after being turned off for an interval whilst the target is being imaged.   A few targets where .Imaging' picture is taken just at the start of imaging are of the normal brightness.  Camera takes a couple of seconds or more for exposure settings to be autoadjusted to a suitable brightness level.   Fixed by adding a 4s delay in AstroMain 3.45.4 between flagging the start of imaging and sending a trigger to switch off the camera.  This provides AstroObsCam sufficient time to capture the required ObsCam frame.   Fix confirmed as working in Session S930 (2021-10-30)
  Fixed 2021-10-30 (AstroMain 3.45.4)
   
• AstroObsCam showing GCVS GK Per as target in frames that were auto saved every 30 min and during Parking operations.   GCVS GK Per finished at 03:25 when session suspended due to cloud. It's name continued to be shown as target for several hours until telescope was parked at 07:00.  Fixed attempted in AstroObsCam 1.7.2  so that Target Name in console and in saved frames shows NextTarget(0) which show roll over to the various target. Also modified AstroObsCam to save a Target.Suspended frame for each target that is rolled over during session session.  Also modified AstroMain to send ObservationUid = vcNull to AstroObsCam when scope is parking, parked or disconnected.
  Fixed 2021-10-30 (AstroObsCam 1.7.2,  AstroMain 3.45.4)
   
• AstroObsCam going into some form of loop and saving 100's-1000's of images to disk (slew_01,slew_02). Unclear what the issue was. Resolved in-session by disconnecting camera and restarting services.  A separate ticket has already been raised to make a detailed review of bLockCapture.   This ticket can widen its scope to include this issue.  Issue reviewed 2025-12-07, and since this issue hasn't occurred for at least 2 years, it can be deemed closed
  Closed after review 2025-12-07 (AstroObsCam)
   
• RR Lyr target showing large RA guiding anomalies during imaging.  This was also noticed during the previous session (?).  Are cables catching at a certain sky position or there is issue with a particular section of RA gear train. Make daytime check by slewing to location from the prior location and examine tracking behaviour.   Possibly follow up with a nightime test.  A similar issue affected NGC 9 in the following S930 session. See note LX200 - Occasional Large RA Spikes (2021-10-30). Continue to monitor issue.  
  To monitor (Session, Telescope)

Small Defects

• Make further tweak to tabulation of guiding results in the (guidesumm).dat file. Tabulation has been recently modified to add a dividing line between images sets composed of multiple filter frames (VR (VR) VR (VR).   A further dividing line should be added between the last image set and a following set comprised of a series of frames of same frame set like (CCC).
  Done 2021-11-01  (AstroMain 3.45.5)
   
• Make fixes and improvements to recently added code for adding a fully functional contents section to session's finalised Report File.  A new contents section feature has been added to AstroMain 3.45.3 Its functionality and appearance require some small tweaks.
  Done 2021-10-30 (AstroMain 3.45.4)
   
• Slew and Residual Centering Errors for Vega target aren't being displayed on Centering Chart.  Unlike other targets where pointing errors are determined from a plate solution, the pointing error for Vega is determined using 'brightest star' method.   This assumes that the brightest star in image is the target star (Vega in this case).   This is generally fine, when overall accuracy of the telescope pointing / TPoint model is good.  Where pointing error after slewing is <3-4 arc mins then it can be safely assumed that Veag will be positioned on the CCD Image and the calculated pointing error is correct.  SO in general it is appropriate that stars like Vega should be added to the centering chart.  It is proposed that instead of colur filled points (green, yellow red etc), the points from stars using Brightest Star Method should be filled with white colour to distinguish them.  They could sometime be wrong .
  Done 2021-11-01  (AstroMain 3.45.5)
   
• Make number of improvements to reporting of a Auto-Mapping Run.  Several cosmetic and small technical improvements. Also fixed issue that final table of map points shows lines for points beyond the point that run was aborted.
  Fixed 2021-10-30 (AstroMain 3.45.4)

Continuous Improvement

• Set Az/Alt coordinates for Local Mapping Points be values rounded to nearest 0.25 deg. Implemented in AstroMain 3.45.4 by rounded the origin point to nearest 0.25deg, which then leads to map points to automatically take on values that are rounded to 0.25 deg (whether using +/- 0.5 deg, +/-2 deg or +/-5 deg mapping arrays).
  Done 2021-10-30 (AstroMain 3.45.4)
   
• Allow Near Zenith Focusing to make a 'TargetInfo' chart like a standard target does.  This is to allow NearZenithFocusing (focusing) details and results and associated pictures (AllSky & ObsCam frames) to be included within the session Local Pictures page. Implemented in AstroMain 3.45.4 and tested in Session S930 (2021-10-30).
  Done 2021-10-30 (AstroMain 3.45.4)
   
• Add code to check for a validity of spectra box and before extracting a realtime spectra.  Either don't extract spectra or produce spectra chart or mark charts as suspect..
  To do (AstroMain 3.45.6)

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