David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 1176 (2023-12-19)

 
Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
Bullet Operational Issues
  - Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (1),  Small Defects (4),  Continuous Improvement (5)
Bullet Images from 2023-12-19 >>         
   
2023-12-20
Bullet Siril (1.2.0)
Bullet Astrometrica
Bullet Future Weather Station - Ecowitt
   
   

Session Aims & Highlights (2023-12-19)

Main aims

  1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
  2. 12P/Pons-Brooks. Acquire images of Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks which has been undergoing an outburst.

 Equipment & Software

Highlights

Notes:

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan
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Observing Result
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Dome & Scope Slewing Performance
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Slew/Centering Performance
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Guiding Performance
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Sky Conditions (Locate Frames)
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Night Sky Summary Plot
Top axis: Sky Brightness at Zenith (in ADU/s)
Lefthand axis: Local Time (hh LT). Righthand axis: Sun Altitude (degs)
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Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast
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Session Event Log
Time     Event Detail
17:08:44 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 17:08 & 06:24
17:08:48 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (17:08)
17:09:07   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.)
17:09:20 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2023-12-19 S01176, ImageSaveNum: 1176001)
17:09:27   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
17:11:10   Services Started Observatory Services started
17:11:17 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
17:11:19 Session Pending Session pending (2023-12-19)
17:11:21 Session Initiating Session initiating (2023-12-19)
17:11:23   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.39.5)
17:12:35   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 950)
17:12:59   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
17:13:35   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6)
17:14:00 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome
17:16:00   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 120s, Zigbee 40s)
17:16:02 Session Running Session running
17:16:05   Queue Started Observing Queue started (36 targets selected)
17:16:07     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 0, HIP 106)
17:16:21       Dome Unparked Dome unparked
17:19:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
17:22:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide)
17:24:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
17:24:07       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
17:26:04       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
17:27:46       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
17:28:03     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 0, HIP 106)
17:28:07     Target Started (1/36) Target started (1/36, UGC 530 w/SN2023yma)
17:30:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
17:33:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
17:49:02     Target Completed Target completed (1/36, UGC 530 w/SN2023yma)
17:49:04   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted
17:59:39 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 17:59 & 06:24
17:59:41 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode
17:59:43   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars
19:09:58 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:09)
19:10:10   Services Started Observatory Services started
19:10:16 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
19:10:19 Session Pending Session pending (2023-12-19)
19:10:21 Session Initiating Session initiating (2023-12-19)
19:10:28   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 950)
19:10:40   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
19:10:45   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6)
19:11:04 Session Running Session running
19:11:07   Queue Started Observing Queue started (30 targets selected)
19:11:13     Target Started (7/36) Target started (7/36, GCVS RX And)
19:13:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:15:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
19:18:59     Target Completed Target completed (7/36, GCVS RX And)
19:19:03     Target Started (8/36) Target started (8/36, M33 w/Nova M33 AT2023ypg)
19:22:01       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S)
19:38:33     Target Completed Target completed (8/36, M33 w/Nova M33 AT2023ypg)
19:41:00     Target Started (9/36) Target started (9/36, AT2023aaky (CV))
19:43:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:45:59       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
19:51:59     Target Completed Target completed (9/36, AT2023aaky (CV))
19:53:00     Target Started (10/36) Target started (10/36, AT2023ud)
19:55:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:57:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
19:58:05       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
20:02:35   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
20:02:37   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
20:02:40     Target Aborted (10/36) Target aborted (10/36, AT2023ud) due to cloud
20:02:42   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
20:02:44 Session Suspending Session suspending
20:04:45   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 125s, Zigbee 43s)
20:04:48 Session Suspended Session suspended
20:11:56     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (10/36, AT2023ud) due to cloud
20:45:05 Session Resuming Session resuming
20:45:50   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s)
20:45:53 Session Running Session running
20:45:55   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
20:45:58     Target Started (11/36) Target started (11/36, NGC 2126). Using SharpCap
20:47:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:49:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
21:15:43       Dome Unparked Dome unparked
22:00:09   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
22:00:10     Target Completed Target completed (11/36, NGC 2126)
22:04:28   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
22:04:30   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain)
22:04:32   Queue Paused Observing Queue pausing for Session Suspension
22:04:33 Session Suspending Session suspending
22:06:38 Session Suspended Session suspended
22:06:53   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 139s, Zigbee 43s)
22:15:34     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (12/36, GCVS U Gem) due to cloud
22:35:39     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (13/36, UGC 4308 w/SN2023usf) due to rain
22:49:42     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/36, GCVS DX Cnc) due to cloud
23:08:52     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/36, NGC 3893 w/AT2023uhx) due to wind
23:30:52     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/36, AT2023tkp) due to cloud
23:59:25     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/36, SH 2-284) due to rain
00:21:24     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/36, SN 2023eb) due to cloud
00:43:24     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (19/36, UGC 3274 w/SN2023cvn) due to wind
01:05:24     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (20/36, AT2023ctk) due to cloud
01:27:44     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/36, AT2022xio (CV)) due to wind
01:28:19 Session Resuming Session resuming
01:29:34   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 75s, Zigbee 41s)
01:29:36 Session Running Session running
01:29:38   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
01:30:48     Target Started (22/36) Target started (22/36, AT2023tdi)
01:34:05       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
01:50:09       Dome Unparked Dome unparked
01:50:47     Target Completed Target completed (22/36, AT2023tdi)
01:53:08     Target Started (23/36) Target started (23/36, M101). Using SharpCap
01:53:16       Dome Unparked Dome unparked
01:55:28       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
02:18:20   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
02:18:22     Target Completed Target completed (23/36, M101)
02:23:58     Target Started (24/36) Target started (24/36, UGC 5764)
02:24:21       Dome Unparked Dome unparked
02:27:20       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
02:39:49       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
02:43:24     Target Completed Target completed (24/36, UGC 5764)
02:43:26   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
02:43:28 Session Suspending Session suspending
02:44:14   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s)
02:44:17 Session Suspended Session suspended
03:05:34     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/36, UGC 5276 w/SN2023cxk) due to cloud
03:26:52 Session Resuming Session resuming
03:27:37   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
03:27:39 Session Running Session running
03:27:41   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
03:27:44     Target Started (26/36) Target started (26/36, UGC 6265 w/SN2023wcw)
03:34:04     Target Completed Target partially completed (26/36, UGC 6265 w/SN2023wcw)
03:34:08     Target Started (27/36) Target started (27/36, UGC 4269 w/SN2023dxb)
03:36:32       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
03:37:08   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
03:37:10   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain)
03:37:12     Target Aborted (27/36) Target aborted (27/36, UGC 4269 w/SN2023dxb) due to threat of rain
03:37:14   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
03:37:16 Session Suspending Session suspending
03:38:53   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 100s, Zigbee 43s)
03:38:55 Session Suspended Session suspended
03:49:54     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (27/36, UGC 4269 w/SN2023dxb) due to wind
04:12:14     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (28/36, NGC 3021 w/SN2023bvj) due to wind
04:17:50 Session Resuming Session resuming
04:19:25   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 95s, Zigbee 41s)
04:19:27 Session Running Session running
04:19:29   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
04:19:32     Target Started (29/36) Target started (29/36, LEDA 1012969 w/SN2022zvu)
04:25:10   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
04:25:12   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain)
04:25:14     Target Aborted (29/36) Target aborted (29/36, LEDA 1012969 w/SN2022zvu) due to threat of rain
04:25:16   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
04:25:18       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
04:25:20 Session Suspending Session suspending
04:26:10   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 55s, Zigbee 43s)
04:26:13 Session Suspended Session suspended
04:34:34     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (29/36, LEDA 1012969 w/SN2022zvu) due to wind
04:56:34     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (30/36, LEDA 2073213 w/SN2023tqo) due to wind
05:07:38 Session Resuming Session resuming
05:08:58   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 80s, Zigbee 41s)
05:09:00 Session Running Session running
05:09:02   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
05:09:05     Target Started (31/36) Target started (31/36, CGCG 182-071 w/SN2023emd)
05:24:34     Target Completed Target partially completed (31/36, CGCG 182-071 w/SN2023emd)
05:24:38     Target Started (32/36) Target started (32/36, GCVS RR Leo)
05:27:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
05:29:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
05:35:21     Target Completed Target completed (32/36, GCVS RR Leo)
05:35:25     Target Started (33/36) Target started (33/36, M98)
05:40:03       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
05:46:50       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
05:48:05   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
05:48:07   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
05:48:10     Target Aborted (33/36) Target aborted (33/36, M98) due to cloud
05:48:12   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
05:48:14 Session Suspending Session suspending
05:49:25   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 75s, Zigbee 43s)
05:49:28 Session Suspended Session suspended
05:53:05     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (33/36, M98) due to cloud
06:10:42 Session Resuming Session resuming
06:11:57   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 75s, Zigbee 41s)
06:11:59 Session Running Session running
06:12:01   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
06:12:04     Target Started (34/36) Target started (34/36, NGC 5853 w/SN2022mkj)
06:16:47       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
06:21:48     Target Completed Target partially completed (34/36, NGC 5853 w/SN2022mkj)
06:21:50   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
06:21:53 Session Suspending Session suspending
06:23:12   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 80s, Zigbee 43s)
06:23:15 Session Suspended Session suspended
06:34:23 Session Resuming Session resuming
06:35:08   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
06:35:11 Session Running Session running
06:35:13   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
06:35:16     Target Started (35/36) Target started (35/36, NGC 6745 w/SN2023ucy)
06:39:23       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
06:41:44   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
06:41:46   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
06:41:48     Target Aborted (35/36) Target aborted (35/36, NGC 6745 w/SN2023ucy) due to cloud
06:41:50   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
06:41:52 Session Suspending Session suspending
06:43:29   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 100s, Zigbee 43s)
06:43:31 Session Suspended Session suspended
07:07:17     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (36/36, 12P/Pons-Brooks) due to cloud
07:07:22   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
07:07:25 Session Closing Session closing
07:07:30   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 06:43, closing time 100s, zigbee 43s)
07:07:54   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 16s), Az: 90.0 deg
07:09:19   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 82s)
07:09:34   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.'
07:09:56   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
07:11:20   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging ok
07:11:23   Services Stopped Night Services stopped
07:11:25 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
07:11:42     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°)
07:12:46     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.5°)
07:12:55     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 87.5 to 93.5°, Step 0.2°)
07:14:22     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.5°)
07:14:31 Session Finished Session Finished

 
Session Alerts & Alarms
Time     Type       Name Detail
07:11:35 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (24.60 GB) is less than 50 GB
 

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Operational Issues (2023-12-19, S1176)

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Critical Issues

Major Issues

Minor Issues

Small Defects

Continuous Improvement

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Fig 1.   CCDTemp Plot

Image


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2023-12-20


Siril (1.2.0)

The latest Siril version, 1.2.0, dated 2023-09-15 was downloaded from the Siril website and installed on the Observatory Computer and Development Computer today (2023-12-20), replacing the earlier 1.0.6 version.
 [ See https://siril.org/download/2023-09-15-siril-1.2.0/ for details about the 1.2.0 version ]

The new version was confirmed to be able to run the "OSC_stackframes.ssf" script using siril_cli, which is use for stacking frames captured by SharpCap during live sessions.

Commands available in Siril (1.2.0) are at  https://siril.readthedocs.io/en/stable/Commands.html

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Astrometrica

Astrometrica (http://www.astrometrica.at/) is a interactive software tool for scientific grade astrometric data reduction of CCD images, focusing on measurements of the minor bodies of the solar system (asteroids, comets and dwarf planets) . Free of 100 day evaluation then 25 Euro to register and support future development.

It is being considered for potential use in association with analysis of data collected by the Clair Observatory.

Tried installing "Complete Version 4.14.0.454 (ZIP file, 4.1 MB)" but installation failed with 'Runtime error 217 at 0040A110'

so installed 'Complete Version 4.11.1.442 (ZIP file, 4.1 MB)' instead

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Future Weather Station - Ecowitt

A new weather station is being considered to at some point replace the Observatory's Oregon Scientific Weather Station which has lost the ability to record wind direction and suffers outages in wind speed data for several hours at a time.

The leading candiate at moment it the EcoWitt WS90 (sensor head) combined with a GW2000 hub, for Lan connection
 
The WS90 is solar powered with battery backup, and is low maintainance
Sensors are ultrasonic wind speed/direction , rain, UV, Lux, Temperature, Humidity

Need:
a) Check number of free LAN ports on the Observatory's LAN Switch/Hub ?
( plan would be to plug the GW2000 into the LAN using Cat5 cable, rather than use Wifi)

b) cable length from Observatory to Mast ?
(whilst the WS90 use a radio link for communication to GW2000 base station) the optional Heating Accessory which can allow future operation of heated plate for Ultrasonic Wind Detector has a 10m cable length). 

Update 2024-11-02:
After a couple of years thinking that a new weather station was required and having previously looked at Ecowitt models in Dec 2023 and putting the idea on hold,  further issues with intermittent data in Oct/Nov 2024 from the Wind Sensor even after installing new batteries it was decided today (2024-11-02) to purchase an EcoWitt GW2001 Wittboy with GW2000 Gateway.

The integrated outdoor weather sensor collects atemperature, humidity, wind direction and speed (Ultrasonic wind sensor), light and UV levels as well as rainfall data (Haptic Rain Sensor) and transmits them to the gateway hub  The details of how to get data to AstroWeather program will be worked out later, but it will most-likely involve using Cumulus MX  (free software for retrieving, storing and displaying data from an electronic Automatic Weather Station (AWS).  (see Notes- Cumulus MX Software (4.2.1) ). 

Update 2024-11-03:
Ethernet Switch is a 5 Port 10/100 Model and there are currently 2 empty ports.  One will be used for the Ecowitt GW2000 Hub and the other will be used for a new Tapo C325WD Camara (for recording Aurora along northern horizon in colour).  See Ethernet Switch Configuration (existing vs proposed).

Length of cable needed between power plug in Observatory and top of existing weather station,  for operating the heating plate on the WS90 Weather Station, is around 10.5m.  This is slightly too short for the 10m cabled version (£49).

Options are to move the weather station mast aound 1m closer to the Observatory or use the 20m cabled version (£59).

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