David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1082 (2023-01-04)

Notes (S1081)

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Notes (S1083)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (2),  Small Defects (4),  Continuous Improvement (2)
	Images from 2023-01-04 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2023-01-04)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.

 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 3.60.3, AstroPlan 1.35.5,   AstroShCap 1.3.12, AstroGuard 1.10.2
  AstroVOE 1.12.2  AstroSN 1.8.6,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.9.8
  (AstroWeather 1.19.6, AstroAllSky 3.17.2,  AstroObsCam 1.11.2, AstroLaunch 1.10.5

Highlights

• Targets. Whilst 28 out of 32 planned targets were completed. One ToO was also completed. Failed targets were due to cloud or replacement by ToO.
• Dome Slews. All dome slews proceeded without any significant holdup. (0/31 slews affected, 0%, 1.1 minutes total hold-up time).

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 20:40:31 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 20:40 & 06:31 20:40:34   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 21:01:56 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:01) 21:02:16   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 21:02:29 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2023-01-04 S01082, ImageSaveNum: 1082001) 21:02:56   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 21:04:40   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:04:47 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:04:51 Session Pending Session pending (2023-01-04) 21:04:53 Session Initiating Session initiating (2023-01-04) 21:04:55   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.35.5) 21:05:39   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 853) 21:06:01   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -20°C) 21:06:38   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:07:02 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 21:11:58   Wait On Weather Waiting for acceptable conditions 21:12:00 Session Suspending Session suspending 21:12:02   Dome Closed Dome already closed 21:12:04 Session Suspended Session suspended 21:12:30   Queue Started Observing Queue started (32 targets selected) 21:15:18 Session Resuming Session resuming 21:16:03   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 21:16:05 Session Running Session running 21:16:07   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 21:16:09     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 4, HIP 18637) 21:16:24       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 21:18:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:20:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 21:22:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 21:22:42       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:24:49       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 21:26:30       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 21:26:47     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 4, HIP 18637) 21:26:51     Target Started (1/32) Target started (1/32, NGC 1300 w/SN2022acko) 21:30:14       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 21:46:40     Target Completed Target completed (1/32, NGC 1300 w/SN2022acko) 21:47:24     Target Started (2/32) Target started (2/32, 61 Cyg) 21:51:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:52:55       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 21:54:29     Target Completed Target completed (2/32, 61 Cyg) 21:54:33     Target Started (3/32) Target started (3/32, GCVS SS Cyg) 21:58:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:00:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 22:04:53     Target Completed Target completed (3/32, GCVS SS Cyg) 22:10:31     Target Started (4/32) Target started (4/32, GCVS BL Lac) 22:13:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:16:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 22:19:55     Target Completed Target completed (4/32, GCVS BL Lac) 22:20:37     Target Started (5/32) Target started (5/32, NGC 7769 w/SN2022aedu) 22:24:12       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 22:40:11     Target Completed Target completed (5/32, NGC 7769 w/SN2022aedu) 22:42:37     Target Started (6/32) Target started (6/32, C/2021 Y1 (ATLAS)) 22:45:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:47:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 22:55:51     Target Completed Target completed (6/32, C/2021 Y1 (ATLAS)) 22:56:41     Target Started (7/32) Target started (7/32, NGC 1363 w/SN2022ackv) 22:59:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:01:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 23:17:28     Target Completed Target completed (7/32, NGC 1363 w/SN2022ackv) 23:18:41     Target Started (8/32) Target started (8/32, AT2022vdr (CV)) 23:21:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:23:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 23:29:39     Target Completed Target completed (8/32, AT2022vdr (CV)) 23:30:41     Target Started (9/32) Target started (9/32, AT2022udd) 23:34:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:36:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 23:52:44     Target Completed Target completed (9/32, AT2022udd) 23:52:48     Target Started (10/32) Target started (10/32, AT2022bqs (CV)) 23:56:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:58:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 00:07:16     Target Completed Target completed (10/32, AT2022bqs (CV)) 00:07:20     Target Started (11/32) Target started (11/32, Scholz's Star) 00:10:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:12:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 00:27:50     Target Completed Target completed (11/32, Scholz's Star) 00:28:15     Target Started (12/32) Target started (12/32, GCVS YZ Cnc) 00:31:05       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:33:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 00:40:00     Target Completed Target completed (12/32, GCVS YZ Cnc) 00:40:35     Target Started (13/32) Target started (13/32, MCG +5-26-43 w/AT2023af) 00:43:25       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 00:59:46     Target Completed Target completed (13/32, MCG +5-26-43 w/AT2023af) 01:02:35     Target Started (14/32) Target started (14/32, NGC 3938 w/SN2022xlp) 01:02:54       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 01:05:49       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:22:09     Target Completed Target completed (14/32, NGC 3938 w/SN2022xlp) 01:24:35     Target Started (15/32) Target started (15/32, UGC 8046 w/SN2022zxr) 01:24:44       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 01:29:24       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 01:46:01     Target Completed Target completed (15/32, UGC 8046 w/SN2022zxr) 01:46:35     Target Started (16/32) Target started (16/32, NGC 5631 w/SN2022acsj) 01:49:36       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:05:49     Target Completed Target completed (16/32, NGC 5631 w/SN2022acsj) 02:08:35     Target Started (17/32) Target started (17/32, NGC 3508 w/SN2022abgs) 02:14:19       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 02:30:40     Target Completed Target completed (17/32, NGC 3508 w/SN2022abgs) 02:30:44     Target Started (18/32) Target started (18/32, Ceres) 02:33:20       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:37:18     Target Completed Target completed (18/32, Ceres) 02:40:09     Target Started (19/32) Target started (19/32, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 02:43:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:45:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 02:58:32     Target Completed Target completed (19/32, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 02:59:15     Target Started (20/32) Target started (20/32, IC 530 w/SN2022aatx) 03:00:01       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 03:01:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:04:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 03:15:43       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 03:20:24     Target Completed Target completed (20/32, IC 530 w/SN2022aatx) 03:20:43       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 03:20:46   Queue Paused Observing Queue pausing for Session Suspension 03:20:49 Session Suspending Session suspending 03:21:38   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 03:21:41 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:40:11     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/32, NGC 3705 w/SN2022xxf) due to too few stars 03:48:06 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:48:51   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 03:48:53 Session Running Session running 03:48:55   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:48:58     Target Started (22/32) Target started (22/32, NGC 4340 w/SN2022zzz) 04:08:33     Target Completed Target completed (22/32, NGC 4340 w/SN2022zzz) 04:08:37     Target Started (23/33) Target started (23/33, ARP 115, ToO) 04:11:26       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:13:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 04:30:37     Target Completed Target completed (23/33, ARP 115, ToO) 04:30:39     Target Missed (24/33) Target's time slot was missed (24/33, UGC 8317 w/AT2022qvu) 04:30:41     Target Started (25/33) Target started (25/33, NGC 5631 w/SN2022aaiq) 04:34:12       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 04:51:03     Target Completed Target completed (25/33, NGC 5631 w/SN2022aaiq) 04:51:07     Target Started (26/33) Target started (26/33, UGC 10407 w/AT2022adyb) 04:56:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:58:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 05:14:53     Target Completed Target completed (26/33, UGC 10407 w/AT2022adyb) 05:14:57     Target Started (27/33) Target started (27/33, C/2019 U5 (PANSTARRS)) 05:18:39       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 05:29:26     Target Completed Target completed (27/33, C/2019 U5 (PANSTARRS)) 05:29:30     Target Started (28/33) Target started (28/33, NGC 5548 w/AT2022abcs) 05:33:47       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 05:50:19     Target Completed Target completed (28/33, NGC 5548 w/AT2022abcs) 05:50:23     Target Started (29/33) Target started (29/33, AT2022evv (CV)) 05:53:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:55:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 06:01:07     Target Completed Target completed (29/33, AT2022evv (CV)) 06:01:23     Target Started (30/33) Target started (30/33, C/2022 E3 (ZTF)) 06:03:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:06:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 06:18:32     Target Completed Target completed (30/33, C/2022 E3 (ZTF)) 06:18:57     Target Started (31/33) Target started (31/33, 81P/Wild) 06:22:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:24:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 06:32:12       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 06:41:33     Target Completed Target completed (31/33, 81P/Wild) 06:41:35   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 06:41:38 Session Suspending Session suspending 06:42:28   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 06:42:30 Session Suspended Session suspended 06:59:03     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (32/33, 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko) due to cloud 07:20:48     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (33/33, AT2022jrp (CV)) due to too few stars 07:20:53   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 07:20:56 Session Closing Session closing 07:21:01   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 06:42, closing time 50s) 07:21:50   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 41s), Az: 90.0 deg 07:22:59   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 66s) 07:23:14   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 07:23:36   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 07:24:59   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 07:25:02 Session Housekeeping Session Housekeeping started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 07:25:37 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail --             No Alerts                --

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Operational Issues (2023-01-04, S1082)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (2)
• Small Defects (4)
• Continuous Improvement (2)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• There is an unnecessary delay of around 4 minutes before starting Near Zenith Focusing and Plan Delay when AutoStarting. Due to earlier issue with AstroPlan's Build Schedule routine (AstroPlan 1.35+), the allowed for AstroPlan to create plan was increased from 2 minutes to 6 minutes. Now that the performance issue has been solved, the time allowed for building plan should be rolled back to just 2 minutes.   This will remove the unnecessary delay in starting the Observing Plan. .
  Fixed 2023-01-06 (AstroMain 3.60.4) 
   
• Incorrect target coordinates used for Target 18/32 (Ceres).  Although the target was reported to have succeeded with 5/5 images completed, subsequent analysis indicates that the starfield that was imaged lay 107' away from the position for Ceres shown in TheSky6 on Development Computer used for post-session analysis. Investigating showed that whilst the Locate Frame 1 had a pointing error of only 3.5' it was based on a brightest object method that assumed that brightest object was Ceres.  The images had too few stars for a normal plate solution as later analysis showed.   The error of 107' is much larger than other slews.  Target Coordinates of RA= 12 39 01.860 Dec= +08 59 10.43 were used for slewing the scope.  The 107' error is based on Ceres Coordinates of RA: 12h 33m 02s Dec: +09°45'18" at time of the target imaging inTheSky6 on Development Computer.   However Ceres Coordinates at the time of the target imaging from TheSky6 on the Observatory Computer were at time of the target imaging were RA: 12h 39m 02s Dec: +08°59'10", which is consistent with the those used for targeting during the session.  Later linking using a smaller aperture allowed a plate solution that showed that the telescope had more or less slewed to the correct target coordinates but an object with the brightness similar to that forecast for Ceres(8.4) is clearly not present, indicating that the target coordinates used were likely incorrect.  Downloading extended minor planets confirm the  RA: 12h 33m 02s Dec: +09°45'18" are correct, and that the  RA: 12h 39m 02s Dec: +08°59'10" coordinates are incorrect.   (1) Ceres and other minor planets deleted from Minor Planets on Observatory Computer,   Extended Minor Planets object MPL (1) Ceres was then opened and 'Copy To Local' used to copy it into Minor Planets file.   Ceres will targetted for a future session to check that the issue has been resolved.
  Fixed 2023-01-08 (TheSky6 , Observatory Computer) 

Small Defects

• Dehumidifier reported as unexpectedly coming on for 3s whilst dome was opening (03:48). As part of resuming the session at 03:48, the Shutter was commanded to open. The Zigbee Shutter Sensor recorded Open state changed to True at 03:48:07.  In response the Dehumidifier (which had been on whilst Shutter was closed) switched off at 03:48:11.  Immediately (also recorded at 03:48:11) the Dehumidifier was switched on.   This shouldn't have happened as it would be going against the rule that Dehumidifiier should be off when the Shutter is not closed.   The rule was seemingly enforced 3s later at 03:48:14 when the Dehumidifier was switched off.  The Zigbee Event log shows that there was a single command to the Dehumidifier druing this time which was to set  "on": false  (ie turnoff the dehumidifer) at 03:48:11.39.  This seemed to be acknowledged at 03:48:11.75 ("state":{"on":false} ) however 30ms later at 03:48:11.78 an event  ("state":{"on":true}) contradicted this, before a final event at 03:48:14.72  ("state":{"on":false} ) that confirmed the dehumidifier as being off.  Analysis shows that the ObsManager's ManageDehumidifier() routine and Zigbee's socketMessage() & HandleLightChange() routines have all performed as per design.   It would seem there is a glitch in how deCONZ is sending out socket messages. Employing custom handling to try to suppress the misleading and seemingly unnecessary messages "Dehumidifier has switched on  (03:48:1, off time 0 sec)" and  "Dehumidifier has switched off (03:48:14, on time 3 sec)" however this might run the risk of complicating the code and introduce an unwanted bug or sideffect.
  Closed after review 2023-01-06 (AstroMain 3.60.4) 
   
• Report message was contradictory (21:11). At end of Session Starting and after the expected timings were listed, a Check Conditions was reported with the following warning message "A hardware issue prevents the session continuing at this point (too few stars)". This message seem anomalous or contradictory "too few stars" is a 'Conditions' issue or not a 'Harware' issue.  Conditions at the time "Stars 18, Clarity 41.2, Rain 0, Wind 9.0 mph, T 4.6°C"  with Too Few Stars threshold of 18 would be consistent with "too few stars" part of the message.  The message is produced with Equilibrating section of the ObsManager Main Loop, when CanResume(Reason) is False and Reason is FailureState.Hardware. Code for reporting Hardware Issue was added 2022-10-27 (SD S1049) but it contains a bug ('elseif FailureState.Hardware then', instead of 'elseif Reason = FailureState.Hardware then') which produced the contradictory warning message.  Bug was fixed  2023-01-06.
  Fixed 2023-01-06 (AstroMain 3.60.4) 
   
• Reporting of "Switch In Aux Light" was incorrectly formatted (06:42).   The report message "Switch On Aux Light" within the "Take ObsCam Image" section of session suspended at 06:42 shows a format anomaly.   S1, S2, S3 components of the report message are each misaligned by three characters.  Issue seem due in someway to prescence of a "<  " at the beginning of the report line. There were no formating problem associated with other "Take ObsCam Image" sections.  An examination of TakeSpecialObsCamImage() and SwitchDeviceLive() routines is unable to explain the anomalous reporting. After review the Issue is put down to a glitch of some kind with no obvious cause and no evidence that it will occur again.   Issue is closed but continue to monitor for any repeat or similar instances.
  Closed after review 2023-01-06 (AstroMain) 
   
• AstroMain's Image Builder is presenting the name AT 2022aedu instead of SN 2022aedu (post-session) .  During post-session analysis of NGC 7769 w/SN2022aedu the Image Builder is presenting the name 'AT 2022aedu' instead of 'SN 2022aedu'. Although 'Heading', 'Title'  & TargetNameLite are recognising that the transient object is a supernova the name presented for 'Text Label 1' used for the Image Builder doesn't and instead uses a  'AT '  prefix.  TNS type for this target is imported as  'SN ' and not  'Ia', 'Ic',  'II ' which are the usual types indicating a supernova.
  Fixed 2023-01-08 (AstroMain 3.60.5) 

• Report "Failed" messages should be written as "Fail". LPad10() element of ReportComments should be written as "Fail".
  Done 2023-01-06 (AstroMain 3.60.4) 
   
• Reposition buttons on ImageBuilder Form for a better layout..
  Done 2023-01-06 (AstroMain 3.60.4) 

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