David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1056 (2022-11-06)

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Notes (S1057)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (1),  Minor Issues (0),  Small Defects (5),  Continuous Improvement (14)
	Images from 2022-11-06 >>        [ Local Files >> ]

Session Aims & Highlights (2022-11-06)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
2. AstroMain.  Check new AstroMain version (3.56.13) for any issues introduced by recent changes and additions.
3. CCDSoft / SBIG : Continue to check for  issues with CCDSoft .Camera (lockups, freezes, exceptions)
4. Dome Slews : Check if dome slews are less prone to hold-ups or not following cleaning of roof flange and outer drive wheel. Up to 22% of dome slews in the previous session (S1054) were affected by hold-ups during slewing..

 Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, DeviceHub 6.6.0.16,  MeadeGeneric 1.3.5.414, UPB 1.5, ASCOM 6.6
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.11dev2
   
• AstroMain 3.56.13, AstroPlan 1.33.1,   AstroShCap 1.3.12, AstroGuard 1.10.1
  AstroVOE 1.12  AstroSN 1.8.6,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.9.4
  (AstroWeather 1.19.2, AstroAllSky 3.17.1,  AstroObsCam 1.10.1, AstroLaunch 1.10.3

Highlights

• Targets. x out of x planned targets where successfully acquired
• Guiding Performance. Mixed results, guiding on some targets totally failure (due to cloud/poor sky transparency, low SN) 
• Sky Conditions. Very poor sky conditions with high cloud or haze giving poor sky transparency particularly for targets below 40 deg altitude. 
• AstroMain. Both AstroMain 3.56.10 & 3.56.11 worked without problem or issue.
• CCDSoft/SBIG Camera/AstroMain. No issues/failures/exceptions from CCDSoft.Camera. No unplanned RestartCCDSoft operations required.

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 00:56:18 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 00:56 & 05:27 00:56:21 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (00:56) 00:56:41   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 00:57:06   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -20°C) 00:57:08 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2022-11-06 S01056, ImageSaveNum: 1056001) 00:57:27   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 00:59:10   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:59:17 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 00:59:21 Session Pending Session pending (2022-11-06) 00:59:23 Session Initiating Session initiating (2022-11-06) 00:59:25   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.33.1) 01:00:20   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 818) 01:00:32   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -15°C) 01:00:38   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 01:01:02 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 01:01:47   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 01:02:27 Session Running Session running 01:02:30   Queue Started Observing Queue started (15 targets selected) 01:02:33     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 4, HIP 18637) 01:02:45   Dome Unparked Dome unparked 01:06:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:08:59       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 01:10:55       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 01:10:57       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 01:12:55       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 01:14:37       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 01:14:54     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 4, HIP 18637) 01:15:53     Target Started (1/15) Target started (1/15, GCVS BL Lac) 01:19:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:21:36       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 01:25:29     Target Completed Target completed (1/15, GCVS BL Lac) 01:25:59     Target Started (2/15) Target started (2/15, NGC 7448 w/SN2022wsp) 01:27:05     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 291.8° (Delay 45s) 01:31:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:33:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 01:49:50     Target Completed Target completed (2/15, NGC 7448 w/SN2022wsp) 01:49:54     Target Started (3/15) Target started (3/15, GCVS U And) 01:50:58     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 269.0, 268.7, 267.4° (Total delay 50s) 01:54:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:56:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 02:07:30     Target Completed Target completed (3/15, GCVS U And) 02:07:34     Target Started (4/15) Target started (4/15, AT2022oif) 02:10:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:12:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 02:29:21     Target Completed Target completed (4/15, AT2022oif) 02:29:25     Target Started (5/15) Target started (5/15, Nova Per 2020) 02:31:34     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 247.3, 223.4, 222.5° (Total delay 91s) 02:42:41     Target Completed Target completed (5/15, Nova Per 2020) 02:42:45     Target Started (6/15) Target started (6/15, AT2022zkn (CV)) 02:45:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:47:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 02:53:07     Target Completed Target completed (6/15, AT2022zkn (CV)) 02:53:11     Target Started (7/15) Target started (7/15, AT2022dcp) 02:54:55     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 247.3, 223.4, 222.4° (Total delay 57s) 02:57:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:59:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 03:16:11     Target Completed Target completed (7/15, AT2022dcp) 03:16:15     Target Started (8/15) Target started (8/15, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 03:19:37       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:25:36     Target Completed Target completed (8/15, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 03:26:07     Target Started (9/15) Target started (9/15, NGC 3938 w/SN2022xlp) 03:31:36       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 03:47:51     Target Completed Target completed (9/15, NGC 3938 w/SN2022xlp) 03:48:07     Target Started (10/15) Target started (10/15, C/2020 V2 (ZTF)) 03:51:06       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 04:08:42     Target Completed Target completed (10/15, C/2020 V2 (ZTF)) 04:10:27     Target Started (11/15) Target started (11/15, UGC 6983 w/SN2022pru) 04:14:00       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 04:31:05     Target Completed Target completed (11/15, UGC 6983 w/SN2022pru) 04:32:27     Target Started (12/15) Target started (12/15, NGC 3705 w/SN2022xxf) 04:37:44       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 04:53:51     Target Completed Target completed (12/15, NGC 3705 w/SN2022xxf) 04:54:27     Target Started (13/15) Target started (13/15, NGC 3859 w/AT2022zia) 04:58:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:00:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 05:16:42     Target Completed Target completed (13/15, NGC 3859 w/AT2022zia) 05:16:46     Target Started (14/15) Target started (14/15, 81P/Wild) 05:22:12       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 05:34:00     Target Completed Target completed (14/15, 81P/Wild) 05:34:04     Target Started (15/15) Target started (15/15, UGC 8379 w/AT2022qza) 05:39:51       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 05:57:05     Target Completed Target completed (15/15, UGC 8379 w/AT2022qza) 05:57:08   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 05:57:11 Session Closing Session closing 05:58:01   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 45s) 05:58:22   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 14s), Az: 90.0 deg 05:59:43   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 75s) 05:59:58   Telescope State Scope parked Turn scope off. (Handbox) 06:00:20   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:01:13   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:01:15 Session Housekeeping Session Housekeeping started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:01:31 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 04:10:40 Yellow Alert Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 67.1° (T+8.4s) 04:54:33 Yellow Alert Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 117.4° (T+1.5s)

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Operational Issues (2022-11-06, S1056)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (1)
• Minor Issues (0)
• Small Defects (5)
• Continuous Improvement (14)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• AstroMain 3.57 (beta) stops shortly after opening Observatory Session with a JIT Unhandled Exception. When attempting to run AstroMain 3.57 (beta) from a 'live' environment ('C:/More Programs/AstroMain') a unhandled System.IO.FileNotFoundException arises (Could not load file or assembly 'WebSocket4Net, Version=0.15.2.11, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=eb4e154b696bf72a' or one of its dependencies. The system cannot find the file specified). The issue occurs in Zigbee.StartService() routine at the line 'OpenWebSocket()' .  This was a predicted issue associated with absence of necessary assembly file 'WebSocket4Net.dll' ,and was deliberately staged to prove the hazard and to add appropriate handling and mitigation.   Fixed by copying 'WebSocket4Net.dll'  to the live program folder on both Observatory and Development Computers. A Try..Catch..End Try is added around the 'OpenWebSocket()' command which only raises the Zigbee.bWebSocketRunning flag if WebSocket has been successfully opened.   The flag can be used by Obs.Manager to prevent 'AutoStart' or 'FullyAutomated' operations from being initiated.
  Fixed 2022-11-08 (AstroMain 3.57)

Minor Issues

• None

Small Defects

• For a brief moment when starting AstroMain's ObsViewer a thick yellow circle is drawn in place of dome roof instead of an arc representing the dome's Shutter (2022-11-08). Issue has only arisen after making additions to the start Zigbee Service.  It is presumed that there is a longer delay before ObsViewer get the neccessary information to draw correct picture of the dome. Fixed by avoiding the drawing of thickYellow 'arc' when OpenFactor is vcNull. In fixing this problem it exposed a sideeffect whereby a roll-off roof upon starting whilst OpenFactor = vcNull or Obs.bDomeConnected = false.
  Fixed 2022-11-08 (AstroMain 3.57)
   
• Reporting in AstroMain console window hangs whilst manually started sessions initialise.   Fix by running OpenSession as a threaded operation.  Code connected with the UI neccessiated running as objconsole.invoke (sub() .... )
  Fixed 2022-11-07 (AstroMain 3.57)
   
• Observatory Alarms page is showing ' '  as a text string instead of a space in the special row breaks when starting a new session.   Problem caused by javascript  .innertext =  " ";   Worked around problem using  .innertext =  " ";  (unclear if  .innertext =  ' ';  would have worked ?)
  Fixed 2022-11-07 (Website / Observatory Alarms)
   
• AstroMain 3.57 (beta) reporting spurious Shutter and Dome closure events every 50 mins. AstroMain 3.57 (beta) contain new WebSocket listener that monitors events from the Observatory's Zigbee Network. The HandleSensorEvents() routine handles events coming from Observatory Door and Observatory Shutter open/close sensors.  Every 50 mins (50.0-50.4 mins) each sensor communicates a pair of events containing same data but in different formats (both contain "e":"changed" & "t":"event"). 
  
  08:45:07.06 |  {"config":{"battery":100,"on":true,"reachable":true,"temperature":600},"e":"changed","id":"2","r":"sensors","t":"event" }
08:45:07.07 |  {"e":"changed","id":"2","r":"sensors","state":{"lastupdated":"2022-11-09T08:45:07.069","open":false},"t":"event"}
  Even though the actual state of both sensors remained closed  (ie "open":false)  throughout a period of 8 hours. Each of these events was interpreted HandleSensorEvents() to be a change in state, such that if event shows "open":false, and event is marked  "e":"changed", then it assumes the sensor must have previously been "open":true and therefore the events marks the closing of the door/shutter.  This assumption is clear incorrect,  and routine needs to record and utilise the previous state of the open/close sensor in making its assessment on whether the door/shutter has opened or closed.  Fixed 2022-11-09.  Similar fix made to HandleLightEvents even though they are permanently connected (non battery) and don't produce theseperiodic  'pseudo changed' events . Changed  '.LastOnOffTime' & 'LastOpenCloseTime' to '.LastStateTime'
  Fixed 2022-11-09 (AstroMain 3.57)
   
• AstroLaunch's AllSky tab not showing program version numbers on Development Computer.   Versions show ok on AllSky/Weather computer and show ok on Development Computer if program mode is changed to 'AllSky/Weather'. Versions are still displayed if Mode changed back to 'Analysis' but versions numbers don't update when Refresh button is used.
  Fixed 2022-11-09 (AstroLaunch 1.10.4)

• Add a "X" button to AstroMain's Analysis/ImageSets/Reduced tab to remove Fix.FIT file and close AstroImageTool program.
  Done 2022-11-07 (AstroMain 3.56.14)
   
• Add a "Rot" image type checkbox to AstroMain's Analysis/ImageSets/Target tab. A checkbox for .rot image type will be useful shortcut for spectra tabs images (typically 500x 70).
  Done 2022-11-07 (AstroMain 3.56.14)
   
• When changing to a new Image Set,  the 'Sq. Root' descriptor on ImageSets/Image tab should be unchecked if object type is CV. Sq. Root descriptor is the default picture type (since most images, galaxies, nebulae benefit from being created with square root scaling. CV type image pictures are usually created however with linear scale, so automatically unchecking the 'Sq. root' descriptor saves an image click for each such target. Other object types (Nova, HPM, ulens? ) should prehaps also be automatically set to linear.
  Done 2022-11-07 (AstroMain 3.56.14)
   
• AstroAllSky to archive 16hr weather plots at end of each night. This is actually done already. vws graphs (but not small box graph files) are placed in AllSky Sessions Weather folder. It would be handy if the brief title of graph could be added.
  Done 2022-11-07 (AstroAllSky)
   
• AstroMove to copy session's Weather folder from AllSky/Weather Computer  to _Weather folder in Session's Folder on General/Development Computer..
  Done 2022-11-07 (AstroMove)
   
• Add a red Current Time line to Altitude Plan chart on Current Session web page.  Add new script based on that used for add current time line on Observing Plan and Observing Result charts.  Implemented 2022-11-07 using ObsAltPlan (image)  and ObsAltPlanCanvas (canvas).  Need to check result duing next live session.
  Done 2022-11-07 (Website / Current Session Page)
   
• Add Dehumidifier, Shutter Sensor & Door Sensor states to ObsEnv record sent to AllSky/Weather Computer.  Add Dehumidifier On/Off , Shutter Sensor Open/Close and Door Sensor Open/Close state to ObsEnv.   New record fields are ObsDoorSensorState, ShutterSensorState & DehumidifierState.   New ObseEnv routine GetZbValue
  Done 2022-11-07 (AstroMain 3.56.14)
   
• Update AstroWeather's ObsEnv record & record parsing  loader to include Dehumidifier, Shutter Sensor & Door Sensor states.  Add Dehumidifier On/Off , Shutter Sensor Open/Close and Door Sensor Open/Close state to ObsEnv.   ParseObsEnvRecord() updated to parse new fields.  ShutterSensorState & DehumidifierState added to Data/ObsEnv panel for adhoc data checking.
  Done 2022-11-07 (AstroWeather 1.19.3 )
   
• Add deCONZ with its version number to the table of Programs that is written to Report and Log files.
  Done 2022-11-09 (AstroMain 3.57)
   
• Add Dehumidifier On/Off track to Humidity Graphs. This requires the prior inclusion of Dehumidifier On/Off state in the ObsEnv record which was implemented 2022-11-07.  Humitiy graphs are vwsGraph16 (5d) vwsGraph31 (8h), vwsGraph51 (16h).
  Done 2022-11-09 (AstroWeather 1.9.4)
   
• Add a AuxLight Traffic-light Flag and status ('on'/'off') to ObsViewer picture. Unclear where to put this on the ObsViewer picture as space is becoming short.  Elected to add Aux Light to the 'Pier' section, in place of the Dome Control Flag which was taken out and redeveloped as a 'Dome Battery' (Shutter Health) Flag in column 2 of the Dome section.
  Done 2022-11-12 (AstroMain 3.57.1)
   
• Add a new routine/facility in AstroMain for turning on the Aux Light and commanding AstroObsCam to take a custom ObsCam picture.  This facility would be useful as button initiated action to help address a particular query regarding the obsrevatory dome/shutter, telescope or general interior, or called by ObsManager at start of session, after suspending session and at end of session for assurance and potential diagnostics in event of some incident.  AstroMain already has a communication method for signalling that AstroObsCam should turn off the USB Camera.   New ObsCam.TakeSpecialImage() routine created for sending a control ObsCamState message (either  TakeSessionStartedImage (2),  TakeSessionSuspendedImage (3) or TakeSessionFinishedImage (4)) to AstroObsCam on the AllSky/Weather computer.  AstroObsCam ()modified to include extra cases to RemoteControl.ParseDataRecord() routine that call objConsole.SubmitSpecialFrameCaptureRequest(RequestedCamState).  AstroPlan update to initialise ObsCam special picture jpgs at start of session and force their upload. AstroAllSky updated to upload ObsCam special picture jpgs. Website 'session_current.htm & 'observatory_status.htm' pages updates to show new ObsCam special pictures.
  Done 2022-11-15 (AstroMain 3.57.2,  AstroObsCam 1.11,  AstroPlan 1.33.2, AstroAllSky 3.17.2, WebSite / Current Session page).
   
• Add a new chart 'AzAlt Result' in AstroMain to show Az/Alt position of targets acquired, with a traffic light colour showing result (Completed, Partially Completed, Failed, Missed/Cancelled). Chart will be produced in AstroMain based on code from AstroPlan's Az/Alt Plan' chart but modified to include the Observation Result as colour-filled circle. Session.ObservationOid is used as the Target No for labelling.  SaveChartToFile produces a chart named 'AzAltResultChart.yyyyMMdd.png' and sends a copy to Live the live folder.  BuildJpgPicturePageNew() updated to include the new chart.  AstroPlan updated to upload new file Session.AzAltResultChart.png from Live Folder to website. 
  Done 2022-11-17 (AstroMain 3.58) , AstroPlan 1.34 , Website / Current Session Page)
   
• Consider using Observatory's Zigbee network and Rest CLIP Sensors to for rapid communication of commands / datapackets to other computers.  This might have benefits in terms of speed, and might provide a backup / alternative to using TCP/IP that requires router / LAN communcations. A CLIPSwitch sensor (id=6) created using REST API command from IPad REST App on 2022-11-17, ClipSwitch object in AstroMain 3.58 able to read initial values and handle events from the CLIPSwitch 'sensor'. Demonstrated that CLIP sensor could be used to set / access data quickly.  Now need to go on and identify a potential application.
  Done 2022-11-17 (deCONZ REST API, AstroMain 3.58)

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Regedit Notes (2022-11-07)

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