David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1061 (2022-11-24)

Notes (S1060)

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Notes (S1062)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (1),  Small Defects (2),  Continuous Improvement (7)
	Images from 2022-11-24 >>        [ Local Files >> ]

Session Aims & Highlights (2022-11-24)

Main aims

1. 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann. Acquire images of 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann. (News from SpaceWeather.Com: The British Astronomical Association (BAA) is reporting a new outburst of cryovolcanic comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann. On Nov. 22nd, amateur astronomer Patrick Wiggins watched 29P increase in brightness by more than 4 magnitudes--a sign that a major eruption was in progress. On Nov. 23rd, André Debackère used the Faulkes Telescope North in Hawaii to photograph the expanding shell of debris)
2. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
3. AstroMain.  Check new AstroMain version (3.58.3) for any issues introduced by several recent changes, bug fixes and additions.

 Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, DeviceHub 6.6.1.1,  MeadeGeneric 1.3.5.414, UPB 1.5, ASCOM 6.6
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.11dev2, deCONZ 1.18.2, ASCOM 6.6 SP1
   
• AstroMain 3.58.3, AstroPlan 1.34.1,   AstroShCap 1.3.12, AstroGuard 1.10.1
  AstroVOE 1.12.1  AstroSN 1.8.6,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.9.7
  (AstroWeather 1.19.6, AstroAllSky 3.17.2,  AstroObsCam 1.11.1, AstroLaunch 1.10.5

Highlights

• 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann.  Images acquired
  Targets. x out of x planned were fully completed, with a further xtargets being partially completed.
• AstroMain. AstroMain 3.58.3 ... had two major issues that affected operations : 1). Tracking not stopping after session suspended for 15 min and 2) Unable to resume from Suspended State even though sky had cleared.  These were due to the same underlying bug. Although bug was present in AstroMain 3.58.0 used during the successful S1059 session (2022-11-20), the bug was not exposed as that sessions never entered the Suspended Session state.  Issues fixed in 3.58.2 which was installed and used from 01:16 onwards.

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 22:23:34 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 22:23 & 06:00 22:23:36 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (22:23) 22:23:56   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 22:24:11 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2022-11-24 S01061, ImageSaveNum: 1061001) 22:24:37   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 22:26:20   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:26:28 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:26:31 Session Pending Session pending (2022-11-24) 22:26:33 Session Initiating Session initiating (2022-11-24) 22:26:35   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.34.1) 22:27:18   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 823) 22:27:41   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -15°C) 22:28:08   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 22:28:32 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 22:29:17   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 22:29:37 Session Running Session running 22:29:40   Queue Started Observing Queue started (23 targets selected) 22:29:43     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 4, HIP 18637) 22:29:56       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 22:34:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:36:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 22:38:33       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed (failed QC check - Ambiguous) 22:38:35       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:40:41       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 22:42:24       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 22:42:41     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 4, HIP 18637) 22:43:03     Target Started (1/23) Target started (1/23, NGC 3759A w/SN2022hnt) 22:46:45   PHD2 Communication PHD2 is potentially stalled ('LoopingExposures' Events not detected) 22:47:05   PHD2 Restarted PHD2 service restarted 22:47:31     Target Aborted (1/23) Target aborted (1/23, NGC 3759A w/SN2022hnt) due to Priority 1 ToO Target 22:47:35     Target Started (2/24) Target started (2/24, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann, ToO) 22:51:38       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:08:51     Target Completed Target completed (2/24, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann, ToO) 23:08:55     Target Started (3/24) Target started (3/24, NGC 5631 w/SN2022aaiq) 23:12:31       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:15:07   Critical Wind Alert Critical Wind Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 23:15:09   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (wind) 23:15:12     Target Aborted (3/24) Target aborted (3/24, NGC 5631 w/SN2022aaiq) due to wind 23:15:14   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 23:15:16 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:16:02   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 23:23:59     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (3/24, NGC 5631 w/SN2022aaiq) due to wind 23:30:08 Session Resuming Session resuming 23:30:53   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 23:30:56 Session Running Session running 23:30:58   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 23:31:00     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 6, HIP 28634) 23:33:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:35:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3, wide) 23:37:55       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 23:37:57     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 6, HIP 28634) 23:37:59     Target Started (4/25) Target started (4/25, NGC 4545 w/SN2022fuc) 23:53:44     Target Completed Target partially completed (4/25, NGC 4545 w/SN2022fuc) 23:53:49     Target Started (5/25) Target started (5/25, Mars, ToO) 00:00:33     Target Completed Target completed (5/25, Mars, ToO) 00:00:37     Target Started (6/25) Target started (6/25, UGC 3554 w/SN2022rbo) 00:16:01     Target Completed Target partially completed (6/25, UGC 3554 w/SN2022rbo) 00:16:06     Target Started (7/25) Target started (7/25, NGC 2777 w/SN2022aagp) 00:28:30       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 00:33:40   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 00:33:42   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 00:33:45     Target Aborted (7/25) Target aborted (7/25, NGC 2777 w/SN2022aagp) due to cloud 00:33:47   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:33:49 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:34:30   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 45s) 00:49:00     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (8/25, GCVS SS Cyg) due to cloud 01:08:15     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (9/25, M31 w/Nova2022zzj) due to cloud 01:20:21     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (10/25, GCVS BL Lac) due to wind 01:40:21     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (11/25, NGC 3938 w/SN2022xlp) due to cloud 02:02:21     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (12/25, UGC 8046 w/SN2022zxr) due to cloud 02:24:21     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (13/25, UGC 5560 w/SN2022ewv) due to cloud 02:46:21     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/25, NGC 3859 w/AT2022zia) due to cloud 03:08:21     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/25, NGC 3810 w/SN2022zut) due to cloud 03:30:21     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/25, NGC 4395 w/AT2022fmn) due to cloud 03:52:21     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/25, NGC 3705 w/SN2022xxf) due to cloud 04:14:21     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/25, NGC 4257 w/AT2022zzk) due to cloud 04:21:02 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:21:47   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 04:21:50 Session Running Session running 04:21:52   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:21:54     Target Started (19/25) Target started (19/25, UGC 6608 w/SN2022zvr) 04:41:32     Target Completed Target completed (19/25, UGC 6608 w/SN2022zvr) 04:41:36     Target Started (20/25) Target started (20/25, NGC 4088 w/SN2022jzc) 04:46:16       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 05:02:12       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 05:02:59     Target Completed Target completed (20/25, NGC 4088 w/SN2022jzc) 05:03:03     Target Started (21/25) Target started (21/25, NGC 4340 w/AT2022zzz) 05:06:21       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 05:22:52     Target Completed Target completed (21/25, NGC 4340 w/AT2022zzz) 05:23:25     Target Started (22/25) Target started (22/25, 81P/Wild) 05:26:55       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 05:44:52     Target Completed Target completed (22/25, 81P/Wild) 05:45:45     Target Started (23/25) Target started (23/25, C/2019 U5 (PANSTARRS)) 05:51:15       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 06:01:34     Target Completed Target completed (23/25, C/2019 U5 (PANSTARRS)) 06:01:53     Target Started (24/25) Target started (24/25, C/2022 E3 (ZTF)) 06:05:32       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 06:17:27     Target Completed Target completed (24/25, C/2022 E3 (ZTF)) 06:19:27     Target Started (25/25) Target started (25/25, UGC 8379 w/AT2022qza) 06:23:10       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 06:39:53     Target Completed Target completed (25/25, UGC 8379 w/AT2022qza) 06:39:56   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:39:58 Session Closing Session closing 06:40:51   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 06:41:24   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 25s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:42:38   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 70s) 06:42:53   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 06:43:15   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:44:29   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:44:31 Session Housekeeping Session Housekeeping started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:44:47 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 05:23:35 Yellow Alert Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 126.8° (T+5.6s)

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Operational Issues (2022-11-24, S1061)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (1)
• Small Defects (2)
• Continuous Improvement (7)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Close/Finish Session routine became stuck in 'ClosingStageNo = 6' (Wait for Scope to Finish Parking)' (2022-11-25 Testing).  Scope had already been parked and powered off,  and when Close/Finish Sessions Closing Stage reached closing stage 6 it became stuck because bScopePowerOffDone was False  (True is needed to progress the Closing Stage). Reviewing ParkScope2() code shows that bScopePowerOffDone is set True at end of routine but there is a condtional Exit Sub which does not set  bScopePowerOffDone = True.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.58.4.
  Fixed 2022-11-25 (AstroMain 3.58.4)

Small Defects

• Centre Target and Focus Target operations aren't being skipped when a AbortTarget flag is raised.  Up to a minute of time lost, which is not acceptable if the target had been a GRB ToO. After TargetAbort was issued & reported, the job executor still make attempts to take locate frames 2 to 4, and focus scope (Foc1). Unable to confirm observation of the incident/issue from session's report file.  Couldn't see the incident/issue in logs from adjacent sessions.  Code indicates that Centering operations immediately exit if either JobAbort or TargetAbort flag is raised.
  Closed 2022-11-26 (AstroMain
   
• Observatory Shutter is open' from Shutter Sensor wasn't reported when the Dome was opened at the beginnning of the session (22:28).  Zigbee event logged at 22:28:33 but isn't reported.  Code has been examined but it couldn't be identified where the problem lies. Need to perform more tests.  Investigations show that the event was reported ok, the issue was deemed closed.
  Closed  2022-12-05 (AstroMain)

• Tweak the reporting of Remote Control events.
  Done 2022-11-25 (AstroMain 3.58.4)
   
• For AstroMain button operations like 'Download Comets' they should be modified to use ReportSubTitle instead of ReportTitle when Observatory Mode is not 'Manual'. This will provide better flow of Report/Console Messages.
  Done 2022-11-25  (AstroMain 3.58.4)
   
• Tweak the reporting of Pulsar Dome Monitor Warnings / Alerts
  Done 2022-11-25 (AstroMain 3.58.4)
   
• Modify the S1 terms used in WriteLogFileRecords.  Changed to set szTargetName = "Session", "Initiating", "Starting",  "Suspended" , "Closing", "Finished" at the beginning of the relevant SetState routine. WriteLogFileRecords(S1, ..) changed to  szTargetName +  (Starting) etc.. There may be some Log File Records that aren't yet configured. These are best identified by means of a live session.
  Done 2022-11-25 (AstroMain 3.58.4)
   
• Query. Session was suspended following a Hard Suspend due to Wind, would a Soft Suspend have been more appropriate ?. Session suspended due to a wind gust of around 23 mph. Average wind was 13 mph. and resumed again at 23:30.   Are these conditions appropriate for forcing a target to immediately abort and for session to be suspended.  The answer is no given that the wind level was not excessive, and targets are already chosen to avoid the worst effect of wind based on API wind direction.. HardSuspend state utilises the MustClose() function which sets True when Av.WindSpeed is > WindSpeedThreshold (set by a field on More/Obs, currently with value 18 mph), or CurrentWindSpeed > WindSpeedThreshold + 4 (so currently 22 mph) or Env.CriticalWind = ThreatLevel.Critical (where CriticalWInd is set by AstroPlan Synopsis).   Relaxing the wind conditions for HardSuspend and introducing a new wind conditions for SoftSuspend is appropriate.
  
    MustClose() : modified conditions for True changed to Av.WindSpeed is > WindSpeedThreshold  + 2
                or CurrentWindSpeed > WindSpeedThreshold +10
  ConditionsDeteriorating(): modified conditions for True include  Av.WindSpeed is > WindSpeedThreshold
                or CurrentWindSpeed > WindSpeedThreshold + 5.
  Implemented in AstroMain 3.58.5.
  Done 2022-11-27 (Session / AstroMain 3.58.5) 
   
• Query.  Look into the Sessions automated use of 'Restart PHD2 Service' after performing a TargetAbort which Guiding was being started (xx:xx). StartGuiding operation detected that "PHDS is potentially stalled, loopingExposure events not detected' and RestartPhd2Service() was called. Was this neccessary/appropriate.  PHD2 Guiding was most likely aborted by the TargetAbort to begin a Priority 1 ToO target (29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann).  Up to a minute lost, which is not acceptable if the target had been a GRB ToO.
  Fixed 2022-11-27 (Session / PHD2 / AstroMain 3.58.5) 
   
• Query.  Why was Near Zenith focusing conducting at Focus Field 6 when it had already been (successfully) taken at Focus Field 4 at start of session. Investigations showed that whilst Foc1 focusing on Focus Field 4 appeared successful, the Best Focus position failed QC checks and was rejected, explaining why Foc1 focusing was subsequently peformed on Focus Field 6.. 
  Closed  2022-12-05 (Session) 

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