David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1098 (2023-02-13)

Notes (S1097)

Notes Main

Home Page

Notes (S1099)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (5),  Small Defects (5),  Continuous Improvement (6)
	Images from 2023-02-13 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2023-02-13)

Main aims

1. Resync telescope.  Resync telescope pointing and carry out short mapping job to tie into TPoint Model (this follows Camera Rotation adjustment in session S1096).
2. AstroMain. Try out new feature in AstroMain version (3.61.5) than uses ConvertMappingImageToJpg to create annotated jpg pictures of images acquired during Reset Scope Point and Mapping Run.
3. 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  2.6.11dev4, Siril 1.0.6, deCONZ 1.18.2, ASCOM 6.6 SP1
   
• AstroMain 3.61.5, AstroPlan 1.36.2,   AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.2
  AstroVOE 1.13  AstroSN 1.10,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.9.8
  (AstroWeather 1.19.10, AstroAllSky 3.18,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4, AstroLaunch 1.10.9

Highlights

• Resync telescope.  Telescope was successfully resynced and tied back into the TPoint Model using a Short Mapping Job (11/12 points mapped)
• Dome Slews.  No hold-ups during any of the night's dome slews (Hold Up Stats: 0/25 slews affected, 0%, 0.3 minutes total hold-up time).
• Targets. Due to cloud only 8/31 targets were completed with a further 5 targets partially completed.  Out of these images from 4 target were later rejected due to cloud

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 19:49:35   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 19:49:50 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2023-02-13 S01098, ImageSaveNum: 1098001) 19:50:20   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 19:52:06   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:53:27   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 19:54:04       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 19:55:51   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 19:56:40   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -20°C) 19:57:47 Telescope Running 'ResetScopePointing' under user supervision 19:58:19   Telescope Telescope pointing successfully synced 19:58:22   Telescope Pointing Mapping run started 19:58:33   Automapping Started Automapping started (12 points planned) 20:00:07   Automapping Aborted Automapping aborted (0 points mapped out of 12 points) 20:00:09   Telescope Pointing Mapping run finished (Mapped 0 / 12) 20:03:47 Telescope Running 'ResetScopePointing' under user supervision 20:04:44   Telescope Telescope pointing successfully synced 20:04:46   Telescope Pointing Mapping run started 20:04:54   Automapping Started Automapping started (12 points planned) 20:16:11   Automapping Completed Automapping completed (12 points mapped out of 12 points) 20:16:38   Telescope Pointing Mapping run finished (Mapped 12 / 12) 20:20:20   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 64s) 20:20:35   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 20:20:57   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 20:24:36   Services Started Observatory Services started 20:24:53 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 20:24 & 05:38 20:24:55 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 20:29:40 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (20:29) 20:30:00   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 20:31:32   Services Started Observatory Services started 20:31:39 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 20:31:40 Session Pending Session pending (2023-02-13) 20:31:42 Session Initiating Session initiating (2023-02-13) 20:31:44   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.36.2) 20:32:51   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 870) 20:33:07   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -20°C) 20:33:12   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 20:33:46 Session Running Session running 20:33:48   Queue Started Observing Queue started (29 targets selected) 20:33:52     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 4, HIP 18637) 20:35:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:38:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 20:40:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 20:40:17       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 20:42:26       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 20:44:09       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 20:44:26     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 4, HIP 18637) 20:47:12     Target Started (1/29) Target started (1/29, AT2023vq) 20:48:38     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 249.7° (Delay 67s) 20:50:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:53:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 21:09:19     Target Completed Target completed (1/29, AT2023vq) 21:09:24     Target Started (2/29) Target started (2/29, M33 w/Nova M33 2022-11a?) 21:12:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:14:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 21:31:05     Target Completed Target completed (2/29, M33 w/Nova M33 2022-11a?) 21:31:32     Target Started (3/29) Target started (3/29, C/2020 V2 (ZTF)) 21:34:08       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:36:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 21:54:33     Target Completed Target completed (3/29, C/2020 V2 (ZTF)) 21:54:52     Target Started (4/29) Target started (4/29, IC 1874 w/SN2023fu) 21:57:20       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:13:11     Target Completed Target completed (4/29, IC 1874 w/SN2023fu) 22:17:12     Target Started (5/29) Target started (5/29, C/2022 E3 (ZTF)) 22:20:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:22:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 22:41:57     Target Completed Target completed (5/29, C/2022 E3 (ZTF)) 22:42:01     Target Started (6/29) Target started (6/29, NGC 1333). Using SharpCap 22:44:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:46:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 23:08:55   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -20°C) 23:08:57     Target Completed Target completed (6/29, NGC 1333) 23:12:12     Target Started (7/29) Target started (7/29, IC 1525 w/AT2023aov) 23:15:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:18:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 23:34:06     Target Completed Target completed (7/29, IC 1525 w/AT2023aov) 23:34:10     Target Started (8/29) Target started (8/29, NGC 2528 w/SN2023jo) 23:37:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:39:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 23:55:56     Target Completed Target completed (8/29, NGC 2528 w/SN2023jo) 23:56:12     Target Started (9/29) Target started (9/29, AT2023nf (CV)) 23:58:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:01:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 00:17:14     Target Completed Target completed (9/29, AT2023nf (CV)) 00:18:12     Target Started (10/29) Target started (10/29, NGC 2708 w/SN2023bee) 00:21:05       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:23:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 00:39:58     Target Completed Target completed (10/29, NGC 2708 w/SN2023bee) 00:40:12     Target Started (11/29) Target started (11/29, MCG +5-26-43 w/SN2023af) 00:43:37       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 00:59:30     Target Completed Target completed (11/29, MCG +5-26-43 w/SN2023af) 01:02:32     Target Started (12/29) Target started (12/29, NGC 3938 w/SN2022xlp) 01:05:22       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:21:25     Target Completed Target completed (12/29, NGC 3938 w/SN2022xlp) 01:24:52     Target Started (13/29) Target started (13/29, UGC 8046 w/SN2022zxr) 01:28:28       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:44:18     Target Completed Target completed (13/29, UGC 8046 w/SN2022zxr) 01:47:12     Target Started (14/29) Target started (14/29, C/2019 U5 (PANSTARRS)) 01:50:33       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 02:01:02     Target Completed Target completed (14/29, C/2019 U5 (PANSTARRS)) 02:03:57     Target Started (15/29) Target started (15/29, NGC 5468 w/SN2023cj) 02:07:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:09:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 02:25:05     Target Completed Target completed (15/29, NGC 5468 w/SN2023cj) 02:26:16     Target Started (16/29) Target started (16/29, NGC 3705 w/SN2022xxf) 02:29:21       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 02:45:58     Target Completed Target completed (16/29, NGC 3705 w/SN2022xxf) 02:48:36     Target Started (17/29) Target started (17/29, NGC 5631 w/SN2022aaiq) 02:51:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:54:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 02:58:11       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 03:11:07     Target Completed Target completed (17/29, NGC 5631 w/SN2022aaiq) 03:11:12     Target Started (18/29) Target started (18/29, NGC 5784 w/SN2023bch) 03:13:59       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:30:38     Target Completed Target completed (18/29, NGC 5784 w/SN2023bch) 03:33:16     Target Started (19/29) Target started (19/29, NGC 4666 w/AT2023axn) 03:36:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:38:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 03:54:50     Target Completed Target completed (19/29, NGC 4666 w/AT2023axn) 03:55:16     Target Started (20/29) Target started (20/29, NGC 5548 w/AT2022abcs) 03:57:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:00:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 04:16:28     Target Completed Target completed (20/29, NGC 5548 w/AT2022abcs) 04:17:36     Target Started (21/29) Target started (21/29, UGC 10407 w/AT2022adyb) 04:20:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:22:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 04:39:53     Target Completed Target completed (21/29, UGC 10407 w/AT2022adyb) 04:39:57     Target Started (22/29) Target started (22/29, AT2023ds (CV)) 04:42:36       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:44:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 04:50:34     Target Completed Target completed (22/29, AT2023ds (CV)) 04:52:16     Target Started (23/29) Target started (23/29, HIP 87937) 04:55:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:57:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 05:00:25     Target Completed Target completed (23/29, HIP 87937) 05:00:39     Target Started (24/29) Target started (24/29, AT2023fm (CV)) 05:03:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:05:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 05:12:45     Target Completed Target completed (24/29, AT2023fm (CV)) 05:12:49     Target Started (25/29) Target started (25/29, C/2022 A2 (PANSTARRS)) 05:15:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:18:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 05:24:08     Target Completed Target completed (25/29, C/2022 A2 (PANSTARRS)) 05:24:59     Target Started (26/29) Target started (26/29, GCVS SS Cyg) 05:27:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:30:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 05:34:20     Target Completed Target completed (26/29, GCVS SS Cyg) 05:42:44     Target Started (27/29) Target started (27/29, GCVS BL Lac) 05:45:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:47:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 05:51:51     Target Completed Target completed (27/29, GCVS BL Lac) 05:53:02     Target Started (28/29) Target started (28/29, WDS GRB 34) 05:56:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:58:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23) 06:00:38     Target Completed Target completed (28/29, WDS GRB 34) 06:01:30     Target Started (29/29) Target started (29/29, GCVS HH And) 06:04:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:06:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24) 06:09:00     Target Completed Target completed (29/29, GCVS HH And) 06:09:03   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:09:06 Session Closing Session closing 06:09:59   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 06:10:35   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 29s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:12:03   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 83s) 06:12:18   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 06:12:40   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:14:06   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:14:09 Session Housekeeping Session Housekeeping started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:14:44 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 20:48:38 Yellow Alert Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 249.7° (Delay 67s) 06:14:39 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (45.24 GB) is less than 50 GB

Back to Top

Operational Issues (2023-02-13, S1098)

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

[ Prev | Next ]

Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Build Local Files Page (Jpgs) doesn't include a section for Reset Scope Position / Short Mapping Run .  AstroMain 3.61.5 has just be modified so the an Observation UiD number is set for the Reset Scope Position & Conduct Short Mapping Run activity.  Carrying out these activities in S1098 session created Jpg Pictures with oid 1 and oid 2.   These pictures are not accessible from Local Files page as there is no section is created for them.  A  TargetInfo.20230213.chart00.oid001.png file was created during the session for oid 1 but it doesn't include a TargetDisplayName suffix and therefore a booked marked 'Target' wasn't setup. No target Info file was created for oid 2.  Retrospectively fixed for S1098 session by adding ".Reset_Scope_Pointing" to the TargetInfo file (for oid 1)and creating a new file TargetInfo.20230213.chart00.oid002.Reset_Scope_Pointing.png (for oid 2). Fixed for future sessions by adding TargetChart.CreateChart() to ResetScopePointing() routine  and manual ShortMappingRun1, ShortMappingRun2 & ShortMappingRun3 files, and adding suitable TargetChart.DrawValue() calls through the ResetScopePointing() routine and MakeMappingRun jobs.
  Fixed  2023-02-14 (AstroMain 3.61.6)  
   
• Guiding for Target NGC 1333 using LX200/ST10 profile failed to start (22:47).  Target 21/37 (M51) was due to use the main scope (LX200/ST10) for guiding and use the secondary scope (TS80/178MC) for imaging. However it was noticed that guiding using PHD2 didn't start as expected.  A user interventation after 24 frames was made to initiate the guiding using the PHD2 program.  Issue is similar to issue affecting M51 in S1097 session. The capture of 10s Reference Frame failed.
  22:47:03.40 | 776 REQUEST >> {"method": "loop", "id": 776}
22:47:07.53 | 778 REQUEST >> {"method": "stop_capture", "id": 778}
22:47:07.64 | 779 REQUEST >> {"method": "capture_single_frame", "params": [10000], "id": 779}
22:47:07.66 | 779 Response << {"jsonrpc":"2.0","error":{"code":1,"message":"cannot capture single frame when capture is currently active"},"id":779}
  After looping is started with 'loop' request it is stopped after 4s with 'stop_capture' request, and a wait loop is entered which either times out after 15s or is exited after receiving a 'LoopingExposuresStopped' event.  The Report file suggests this event was received   "Stop Looping    Ok     Stopped after 0.0s". However AstroMain's (Phd2) log doesn't record a 'LoopingExposuresStopped' event during this time period. However there was a earlier 'LoopingExposuresStopped' event 22:41:49.65. After which there "LockPositionLost" event at 22:41:49.67 and then several "ConfigurationChange" and  "GuideParamChange" events between  22:46:47.87 to 22:46:56.80.   It is suspected that the 'LoopingExposuresStopped' event processed at 22:47:07 must have been the one from 22:41:49.65.  A fix has been attempted (2023-02-14) in which the Guider.StartPHD2Guiding() routine has been modified so that Phd2.ClearEventQueue() routine is called to clear the Phd2 event queue when preparing for Reference Frame Capture with SBIG Camera.
  Fix attempted 2023-02-14 (AstroMain 3.61.6, PHD2, SBIG Camera)  
   
• 5 minutes lost at start of autostart sequence whilst waiting for fresh shutter data to be received (20:24 to 20:29).  By design the AutoStart Initiation process waits until one or more of the data values coming from the Pulsar Shutter is seen to change and thereby confirming that fresh data is being received and that the data link between Dome Control Unit and Shutter Unit hasn't stalled.   But it can take some time for one of the fields (battery voltage, battery percentage level, battery amps (milliamps), temperature) to change. On this occasion the wait was 5 minutes. There can be potential situations where shutter may not changed for at least 22.4 mins (see case below regarding 2023-02-14 17:38 to 18:00). Whilst the check is a valid one the time taken (5 minutes in this case) is too long and represents wasted time that could instead have been used getting started with focusing the scope and start target imaging etc). The pre-start check process should be reviewed. Is they a better way to proceed ?  Allowing the process to proceed at least to the point that dome needs to be opened would be a step forward and reduce the overall wait time. Same issue occurred in S1096 (2023-02-10) .  A new "Skip PulsWait" check box (named cboxSkipWaitOnFreshShutterData) has been added to AstroMain 3.61.6 to allow the user to skip ObsManager's 'wait for fresh shutter data'..
  Fixed 2023-02-14 (AstroMain 3.61.6)
   
• Pulsar Shutter Data appeared to not be refreshed for more than 20 mins (2023-02-14 17:38 to 18:00).  A yellow alert "Pulsar Shutter appears to be asleep (last fresh data was at 17:38:13)" was raised at 17:58.  A green all-clear "Pulsar Shutter has woken up  (fresh data started at 18:00:37, outage 22.4 min)"  was issued at 18:00.  Examining the Pulsar ASCOM Log shows that Volatile messages continued throughout this period.  Last fresh data was actually 17:38:00 not 18:38:13,  new fresh data was actually at 18:00:32 not 18:00:37.  A similar issue happened 2022-01-27 during S1092 (this had the same 22.4 min outage time - a coincidence ?).  This happened whilst the two part of Shutter's Induction Charger weren't correctly aligned and there was no charging of the battery.  Closed after review 2023-02-15 (whilst the cutoff for yellow alert could be raised to 25 mins, it is helpful to collect further statistics on the subject).
  Closed after review 2023-02-15 (AstroMain, Pulsar Dome) 
   
• Using Park Telescope button facility leaves DeviceHub with a connected Telescope.  Closing Session works correctly and leaves DeviceHub in a state that it considers all clients have disconnected.  Using Park Telescope button facility seems to leave Device Hub in a state where it thinks there is still a connected client (even though the field telescope clients isn't shown implying 0 clients).  The problem leaving DeviceHub in this state is that the MeadeGeneric driver isn't disconnected and remains running which can give a problem when connecting to fresh powered up scope.  Device & MeadeGeneric driver to be manually stopped (killed) before restarting the telescope operations.  Same issue ooccured in session S1095. It is possible that the problem is caused by PHD2 still having a connection open at the time that scope is powered off.  A fix has been attempted in AstroMain 3.61.6 (2023-02-14) to command PHD2 equipment to be disconnected when Scope.ParkScope2_Manual() is called from the "Park Scope" button routine.  Later review (2023-10-08) concluded that fix in Feb 2023 has been successful in eliminating this issue and closed the ticket.
  Fixed  2023-02-14 (AstroMain 3.61.6, DeviceHub)

Small Defects

• Dec Guide Mode chosen for C/2020 V2 (ZTF) appears to be incorrect. Target 3/29 (C/2020 V2 (ZTF)) was located on west side of the Meridian at Az 295.5 deg and the Guide Manager chosen Dec Mode 'South'. But examining the guide history graph indicates that the guide star (with Lock Shift enabled at rate of Comet Motion) was drifting south which would have required Dec Mode 'North' to correct.  A new feature added in AstroMain 3.61.x sets the Dec Mode according to comets direction of motion (North or South) but is only applied when Rate of Dec Motion is greater than x arcsec/hour. Comet's motion was Ra 22.70 arcsec/hr, Dec -81.11 arcsec/hr.  Guide Manager posted a report message  "Setting Dec GuideMode.. 'South' set (Based on object moving south are rate < -50 arcsec/hr)". Star drift due to polar misalignment appears to have been greater than motion of comet. Cutoff changed from +/- 50 to +/- 100 in AstroMain 3.61.6. Ideally a precise calculation of star drift would be made (this is subject to a separate continuous improvement ticket).
  Fixed 2023-02-14 (AstroMain 3.61.6) 
   
• The ReportComment message from AstroMain's Pulsar Dome Monitor is too long (2023-02-14).  The message "Pulsar Dome Monitor Ok Pulsar Shutter has woken up (fresh data started at 18:00:37, outage 22.4 min)" is too long. " 22.4 min)" overflows onto the next line..
  Fixed 2023-02-15 (AstroMain 3.61.6) 
   
• In-session Siril stacking of ShCap Images of NGC 1333 failed (23:10x ).  The Job Queue submitted a Siril script after acquiring 40 frames. The monitoring loop identified that that log file hadn't changed size in last 10s and without finding a "result.fit" file moved onto the next target (as per design). Examining log file indicates that script failed as 39 images couldn't be aligned with the first image and with only 1 image in the sequence the stacking operation was aborted. During subsequent processing in Siril it was identified that 16 image showed star trailing or otherwise rejected, this was largely due to first 25/40 frame weren't guided due to issue with automatic start guiding process when using Cam1 (SBIG) camera for guiding of which the the first frame (which was used for the in-session registration) was one of these rejected frames.  Registration using Siril GUI suggest that Deep Sky Registration using 10 minimum stars may have also contributed to the in-session issue. In Siril GUI the minimum number of stars was reduced to 8.
  Issue understood 2023-02-14 (Siril, AstroMain) 
   
• Target Circles drawn on Main image JPG pictures for comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) drifted away from the comet object. Whilst target circle was initially drawn correctly over the comet object and for a while moved with the comet, it then jumped to an incorrect position, and continued to drift southwards whilst the comet remained more or less fixed in the middle of the image (see Fig 1 showing erronous drift of target circle away from the comet between 1st and 40th frames, 19 minutes later).   Need to check that the method of tracking Object works with comets that are moving and with starfields that are gradually changing as some stars move out of FOV and other stars move into the FOV.  Examining ConvertFitsToJpg for a Target objects defined a Moving the XY Location is already being adjusted by ShiftX/Y (the X/Y shift in star position since the reference frame)and by Movement X/Y (the X/Y shift due to expected motion of the object since the reference frame).  Problem is caused by the calculation of ShiftX/Y when the shift in star position since reference image becomes too large.  CalculateImageShift() routine updated to cummulatively sum the shift in star position since the original reference frame. Locate.LastShiftX & .LastShiftY are used to hold the previous running Shift totals.  When the ImageShift for an image frame is calculated the Shift X/Y includes LastShift X/Y terms. The new Shift X/Y is then stored as LastShift X/Y ready of the next frame, and the 10 brightestStars in the image are used as the Reference for the next frame). New code successfully tested in replay mode using the raw images of C/2022 E3 (ZTF) from session S1098 (see Fig 2 showing target circle is now correctly drawn in the 40th frame).
  Fixed 2023-02-14+ (AstroMain 3.61.6+)
   
• Latest Session Log web page not displaying log file. Fixed 2023-02-16. The 'latest_session_log.htm' was trying to use 'w3-include-html=' with a document url  with a "http..." prefix instead of  "https..."  prefix).
  Fixed 2023-02-16 (Website)

Continuous Improvement

• CCD Temperature chart has gaps in it when SBIG ST10 Camera is connected to PHD2 (22:46 to 23:08). A 'get_ccd_temperature' request is made to PHD2  every 20s to get the sensor temperature of the connected camera. Whilst this works for a ZWO 178MC camera, the method returns a "failed to get sensor temperature" (the facility is simply not available for SBIG cameras connected to PHD2.  This is most likely reason for the gap in the CcdTempChart chart,  but it may be because the SBIG camera is not available to CCDSoft.   CCD Temperature curves should be drawn at this time,  ambient temperature is available, the sensor temperature can be assumed to be the regulated temperature (temperature regulation is deliberately kept on when the camera is disconnected from CCDSoft ahead of in PHD2)and the cooling below ambient is a calculated field. The straight line that will be shown for CCD Temperature and gap in Colling Power curves at this time will act as indicators than the SBIG Camera is connected to PHD2 and not to CCDSoft.  Data is added to chart with the call CcdTempChart.AddData(DTime, CCDtemp, CCDsetpoint, CCDcooling, CoolerPower, AmbientTemp) made from the RunTempMonitor().  TempMonitor modified in AstroMain 3.61.6 so that CcdTemp is taken from LastCCDsetpoint when Camera is not accessible from CCDSoft and gGuidingScope = 1.
  Done 2023-02-14 (AstroMain 3.61.6, SBIG Camera)
   
• Query.  What is the benefit/need for Refresh button on AstroMains Manager tab ?.  Space occupied by Refresh button could be used for some other button or role.  Button makes a call to UpdateSynopsisFields() , but is never used practice as the call to Update Synopsis fields is made at regular intervals by the ObsMonitor.  The Refresh button is removed to make space for a new ">> JPGS" button.
  Done 2023-02-14 (AstroMain 3.61.6) 
   
• Add a ">> JPGS" button to AstroMain's Manager tab.  Add button to open the current session's _JPGS folder from Manager tab Implemented in AstroMain 3.61.6 as btnOpenJpgsFolder3.
  Done 2023-02-14 (AstroMain 3.61.6) 
   
• Add a "Take ObsCam (Starting)" button to allow a ObsCam picture to be taken at start of session prior to manual operations. A Starting Session ObsCam picture is automatically taken when starting a session under automated control, but currently a picture isn't taken when going directly into manual operations of scope and dome. However a button to allow user to take a Starting ObsCam picture fills this gap.
  Done 2023-02-17 (AstroMain 3.61.6) 
   
• Invite user to taking a starting session ObsCam Image if one hasn't already been taken,  when Opening Dome, Slaving Dome, Connecting TheSky6 Scope. A Starting Session ObsCam picture is automatically taken when starting a session under automated control, but currently a picture isn't taken when going directly into manual operations of scope and dome. Although  a button has been added to allow user to take a Starting ObsCam picture it would be helpful if the program could offer to take a Starting ObsCam picture before moving dome or scope .
  Done 2023-02-17 (AstroMain 3.61.6) 
   
• Change SetDecModeFromScopePositionAndObjectMotion() routine to consider expected precise rate of star drift. Use expected rate of star drift based polar misalignment. See Note  Guiding for Comets (2023-02-19).
  To do 2023-02-15+ (AstroMain 3.61.7+) 

[ Prev | Next ]

Back to Top