David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1189 (2024-02-22)

Notes (S1188)

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Notes (S1190)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (2),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (3)
	Images from 2024-02-22 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-02-22)

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 regular outbursts.
3. Nova Per 2020. Aquire images of Nova Per 2020 to confirm or otherwise dismiss the apparent brightening of the star from mag +17.80 (T+1137.1d, S1179) to mag +16.36 (T+1182.2d, S1187) , apparently reversing the overall decline in star brightness since it erupted in 2020.
4. Nova Cas 2021. Aquire 3 x 300s spectra exposures images of Nova Cas 2021. With declining brightness in the existing 90s exposures aquired in session S1188 are too short to obtain sufficient signal/noise ratio, and 300s exposures are proposed. This will also entail getting a set of 300s dark frames at same CCD Temperature.
5. AstroMain. Continue to test fixes to CCDSoft Camera/SBIG Camera operations to prevent stalled execution during starting, fix issues due to occasional repeated failures during Cam1 focusing and occassional unexpected CCD Temperature regulation.

 Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• TheSky6, CCDSoft5, DeviceHub 6.6.1.1,  MeadeGeneric 1.3.5.414, UPB 1.5, ASCOM 6.6,   Pulsar Dome Firmware 1.51 & Driver 6.3.10
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.13, Siril 1.0.6, deCONZ 1.18.2, ASCOM 6.6 SP1
• [ DomeLink 1.0 / 1.1 - not used ]
   
• AstroMain 3.65.18, AstroPlan 1.39.5,  AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.2
  AstroVOE 1.13,  AstroSN 1.10.2,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.12.10
  (AstroWeather 1.23.10, AstroAllSky 3.19.11,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4, AstroLaunch 1.11.1

Highlights

• Targets. 28/36 planned targets observations were completed, with 2 other targets partially completed. Other targets failed/cancelled due to cloud.
• 12P/Pons-Brooks. Images of Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks were successfully acquired.
• AstroMain. No issues with CCDSoft Camera/SBIG Camera.
•  Nova Per 2020. New images of Nova Per 2020 were successfully acquired and will analysed post-session to compare star magnitude with recent values. Magnitude measurement +17.97 suggests strongly that the  +16.36 measurement in preceeding observation (S1187) is a superious reading.  
• Nova Cas 2021. 3 x 300s spectra images of Nova Cas 2021 were successfully acquired and will analysed post-session. A set of -25c 2x2 300s dark frames were acquired the following morning to support the reduction of raw images. Spectrum was a bit noisey but still adequate for describing the main spectral features.
• AstroMain. No issues with CCDSoft Camera/SBIG Camera.
•  Dome Parking.  Dome parked ok at the correct position at end of the session.

Notes:

• Dark Frames. 10 dark frames (2x2 -25c 300s) acquired the following morning to form a master dark file to enable the reduction of 2x2 spectra images of Nova Cas 2020

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 17:56:25 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 18:17 & 05:14 17:56:27   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 18:17 18:17:04   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 18:30:36 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (18:30) 18:30:46   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 18:30:59 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-02-22 S01189, ImageSaveNum: 1189001) 18:31:06   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 18:32:51   Services Started Observatory Services started 18:32:58 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 18:33:01 Session Pending Session pending (2024-02-22) 18:33:03 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-02-22) 18:33:05   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.39.6) 18:33:57   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 963) 18:34:21   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 18:34:58   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 18:35:22 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 18:36:07   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 18:36:09 Session Running Session running 18:36:12   Queue Started Observing Queue started (36 targets selected) 18:36:13     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 5, HIP 23569) 18:36:27       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 18:40:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:43:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 18:45:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 18:45:12       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 18:47:14       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 18:48:56       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 18:49:13     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 5, HIP 23569) 18:49:33     Target Started (1/36) Target started (1/36, NGC 7625 w/SN2023vyl) 18:54:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:56:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 19:12:55     Target Completed Target completed (1/36, NGC 7625 w/SN2023vyl) 19:12:59     Target Started (2/36) Target started (2/36, NGC 1086 w/SN2023rix) 19:16:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:18:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 19:31:34       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 19:34:12     Target Completed Target completed (2/36, NGC 1086 w/SN2023rix) 19:34:14   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 19:34:16 Session Suspending Session suspending 19:35:04   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 19:35:07 Session Suspended Session suspended 19:43:27     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (3/36, GCVS BL Lac) due to cloud 19:59:47     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (4/36, AT2024dcg) due to cloud 20:04:43 Session Resuming Session resuming 20:05:28   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 20:05:31 Session Running Session running 20:05:33   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 20:05:36     Target Started (5/36) Target started (5/36, 13P/Olbers) 20:21:47     Target Completed Target completed (5/36, 13P/Olbers) 20:21:51     Target Started (6/36) Target started (6/36, NGC 1752 w/AT2023exk) 20:25:28       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 20:41:20     Target Completed Target completed (6/36, NGC 1752 w/AT2023exk) 20:41:41     Target Started (7/36) Target started (7/36, AT2023eid (CV)) 20:45:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:48:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 20:53:51     Target Completed Target completed (7/36, AT2023eid (CV)) 20:53:55     Target Started (8/36) Target started (8/36, M101 w/SN2023ixf) 21:00:01       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 21:15:54     Target Completed Target completed (8/36, M101 w/SN2023ixf) 21:15:58     Target Started (9/36) Target started (9/36, Nova Cas 2021) 21:20:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:22:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 21:42:08     Target Completed Target completed (9/36, Nova Cas 2021) 21:42:12     Target Started (10/36) Target started (10/36, Nova Per 2020) 21:45:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:47:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 21:58:49     Target Completed Target completed (10/36, Nova Per 2020) 21:58:53     Target Started (11/36) Target started (11/36, AT2024agp (CV)) 22:01:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:04:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 22:10:09     Target Completed Target completed (11/36, AT2024agp (CV)) 22:10:44     Target Started (12/36) Target started (12/36, GCVS RR Tau) 22:13:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:15:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 22:22:17     Target Completed Target completed (12/36, GCVS RR Tau) 22:23:28     Target Started (13/36) Target started (13/36, AT2023cts) 22:26:37       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:37:41     Target Completed Target completed (13/36, AT2023cts) 22:40:48     Target Started (14/36) Target started (14/36, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 22:44:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:46:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 22:59:29     Target Completed Target completed (14/36, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 22:59:44     Target Started (15/36) Target started (15/36, GCVS DX Cnc) 23:04:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:06:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 23:12:03     Target Completed Target completed (15/36, GCVS DX Cnc) 23:12:08     Target Started (16/36) Target started (16/36, GCVS RR Leo) 23:15:26       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:17:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 23:23:22     Target Completed Target completed (16/36, GCVS RR Leo) 23:23:26     Target Started (17/36) Target started (17/36, GCVS CN Leo) 23:27:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:29:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 23:36:52     Target Completed Target completed (17/36, GCVS CN Leo) 23:36:56     Target Started (18/36) Target started (18/36, MCG -1-30-11 w/SN2022adpu) 23:40:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:42:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 23:58:38     Target Completed Target completed (18/36, MCG -1-30-11 w/SN2022adpu) 23:59:10     Target Started (19/36) Target started (19/36, AT2024crd) 00:02:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:05:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 00:22:02     Target Completed Target completed (19/36, AT2024crd) 00:22:06     Target Started (20/36) Target started (20/36, NGC 4216 w/SN2024gy) 00:25:38       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:42:02     Target Completed Target completed (20/36, NGC 4216 w/SN2024gy) 00:44:30     Target Started (21/36) Target started (21/36, AT2023rcj) 00:48:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:50:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 01:06:32     Target Completed Target completed (21/36, AT2023rcj) 01:06:36     Target Started (22/36) Target started (22/36, UGC 8317 w/AT2022qvu) 01:09:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:12:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 01:28:20     Target Completed Target completed (22/36, UGC 8317 w/AT2022qvu) 01:28:50     Target Started (23/36) Target started (23/36, CGCG 217-021 w/AT2023clc) 01:31:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:33:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 01:49:53     Target Completed Target completed (23/36, CGCG 217-021 w/AT2023clc) 01:50:50     Target Started (24/36) Target started (24/36, NGC 5332 w/SN2023jkq) 01:53:38       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:10:12     Target Completed Target completed (24/36, NGC 5332 w/SN2023jkq) 02:12:50     Target Started (25/36) Target started (25/36, NGC 6004 w/SN2024cld) 02:15:48       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:19:00       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 02:32:02     Target Completed Target completed (25/36, NGC 6004 w/SN2024cld) 02:32:04   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:32:07 Session Suspending Session suspending 02:32:57   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 45s) 02:32:59 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:54:06     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (26/36, NGC 6685 w/SN2023ndu) due to cloud 02:54:40 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:55:25   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 42s) 02:55:27 Session Running Session running 02:55:29   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:57:10     Target Started (27/36) Target started (27/36, AT2023txn) 03:01:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:03:21       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 03:03:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 03:05:26   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 03:05:28   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 03:05:31     Target Aborted (27/36) Target aborted (27/36, AT2023txn) due to cloud 03:05:33   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:05:35 Session Suspending Session suspending 03:06:21   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 45s) 03:06:24 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:08:26     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (27/36, AT2023txn) due to cloud 03:28:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (28/36, NGC 4995 w/SN2023gfo) due to cloud 03:50:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (29/36, UGC 9002 w/SN2023pls) due to cloud 04:12:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (30/36, CGCG 221-014 w/SN2023cyo) due to cloud 04:27:17 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:28:02   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 42s) 04:28:04 Session Running Session running 04:28:06   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:28:09     Target Started (31/36) Target started (31/36, AT2023exh) 04:40:26     Target Completed Target partially completed (31/36, AT2023exh) 04:40:30     Target Started (32/36) Target started (32/36, 12P/Pons-Brooks) 04:44:02       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 04:56:21     Target Completed Target completed (32/36, 12P/Pons-Brooks) 04:56:25     Target Started (33/36) Target started (33/36, AT2023abtv (CV)) 04:59:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:01:30       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 05:07:42     Target Completed Target completed (33/36, AT2023abtv (CV)) 05:07:46     Target Started (34/36) Target started (34/36, AT2023tow) 05:11:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:13:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 05:29:23     Target Completed Target completed (34/36, AT2023tow) 05:30:12     Target Started (35/36) Target started (35/36, HIP 87937) 05:33:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:35:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 05:38:02     Target Completed Target completed (35/36, HIP 87937) 05:38:34     Target Started (36/36) Target started (36/36, C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS)) 05:42:45       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 05:50:50     Target Completed Target completed (36/36, C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS)) 05:50:53   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 05:50:57 Session Closing Session closing 05:51:52   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 45s) 05:52:31   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 32s), Az: 90.1 deg 05:53:42   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 69s) 05:53:57   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 05:54:19   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:55:45   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:55:48 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:56:35     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 87.0 to 93.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 05:58:03     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.0°) 05:58:10     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.1°) 05:58:12   Dome Parked Dome parked 06:01:14 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 23:00:09 Yellow Alert Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 192.1° (T+20.0s) 00:44:56 Yellow Alert Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 151.0° (T+21.3s)

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Operational Issues (2024-02-22 S1189)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (3)
• Small Defects (1)
• Continuous Improvement (4)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• SBIG Camera may have loosened and rotated (20.56). Cam1 Camera Angle Chart was checked during the session as a follow up to a camera angle adjustment that was made during the previous session (S1188, 2024-02-21), and it was observed that the last point on the chart was red coloured and had a value > 182.0° (and had an angle more than 2° greater than expected, hence the alert colouration) and there was a possible trend that could suggest the SBIG Camera had rotated due to gravity because the thumb-screws had possibly not been tight enough or due to a cable pull. Checking the session report file showed that a plate solution for Locate Frame 1 for Target 8/36 (M101 w/SN2023ixf) had indicated a camera angle of 183.0° however there was not that solution was being ignored from inclusion in the calculation of slewing adjustment as the pointing error (25') was unexpectedly large and casting potential doubt about the unexpected camera angle .   Further assurance came from the Locate Frames 2 and 3  which both showed camera angles of 180.0°.  The concern that camera may have loosened and rotated is proven to be unfounded and the ticket is deemed to be closed.
  Not an issue, ticket closed  2024-02-22 (Session, Plate Solution)
   
• Two anomalous dome slews were recorded, both of which had short holdups recorded (23:00 & 00:44). Slew to GCVS DX Cnc at 23:00 had a 16s hold-up, whilst slew to AT2023rcj had a 13s hold-up.   True 'mechancial' hold-ups in dome slewing are now generally unexpected following replacement of a drive motor wheel/adapter in xxxx. It is possible that the dome didn't get the message to slew to required target azimith directly, but was instead 'following' the telescope. To investigate.  During slew at 23:00 log file shows the following message at 23:00:09  "Resetting bDomeSlewStopped as dome slew resumed at Az 192.1 (T+20.0s)" and the Dome Path details shows
  DomePath Info | Time: 0.5,  Slewing: 1, Slew: 0.0, Az: 197.0, Speed: 0.00, Time: 22:59:50.10
DomePath Info | Time: 1.2,  Slewing: 1, Slew: 1.1, Az: 195.9, Speed: 0.94, Time: 22:59:50.74
DomePath Info | Time: 2.2,  Slewing: 1, Slew: 3.7, Az: 193.3, Speed: 1.64, Time: 22:59:51.82
DomePath Info | Time: 3.1,  Slewing: 1, Slew: 4.6, Az: 192.4, Speed: 1.49, Time: 22:59:52.66
DomePath Info | Time: 5.2,  Slewing: 0, Slew: 4.9, Az: 192.1, Speed: 0.94, Time: 22:59:54.77
DomePath Info | Time: 20.0, Slewing: 1, Slew: 4.9, Az: 192.1, Speed: 0.24, Time: 23:00:09.58
DomePath Info | Time: 22.0, Slewing: 1, Slew: 5.6, Az: 191.4, Speed: 0.25, Time: 23:00:11.60
DomePath Info | Time: 22.7, Slewing: 1, Slew: 5.6, Az: 191.4, Speed: 0.25, Time: 23:00:12.24
  This shows that rather there being a mechanical hold-up for 16s, the .  the Dome stopped its slew after at Az 192.1  after T+5.2s  and then continuing with a second slew after T+20.0s which moves to Az 191.4 after T+22.7s, an ultimately fiinishes at Az 191.2 at ~ T+23s.  Although there are the Device Hub logs to prove it it would appears that Device Hub calculated Target Az of 192.1 and commanded this.  A little while after reaching this destination there was a recalculation of Telescope's Target Position or its actual Az and a new target az was calculated for the Dome.  The dome slew at 00:44 is similarly shows a very similar message at 00:44:56.47 "Resetting bDomeSlewStopped as dome slew resumed at Az 151.0° (T+21.3s)" and the DomePath clearly shows the Dome to stop slewing at 00:45:03 at Az 151.0 (T+8.3s) and then continuing with a second slew at  T+21.4s &  finishing at Az 147.1. A separate continuous improvement ticket is raised to review whether the notion of a hold-up applies in such cases, and how it should be reported.  Issue eventually worked around on 2024-11-15 by enabling DeviceHub's Composite Slewing and making adjustments to how AstroMain's Slew Monitor operates.  Issue eventually fixed by telescope driver and DeviceHub updates. (see Dome Slaving - Anomalous Dome Slew Issue Finally Resolved, 2024-12-04).
  Resolved 2024-12-04 (DeviceHub 7.0.3, MeadeGeneric 1.3.11, AstroMain Slew Monitor)
   
• Pointing Accuracy from Telescope Slews has deteriorated.  Pointing errors following slews has increased in recent session. The slew to Focus Field at the start of session has increased over last 11 sessions (S1179 to S1189) as follows   2.31', 1.63', 2.37', 2.09', 2.72', 2.99', 6.58', 7.14', 7.16', 8.14', 8.65' :  (S1190 session had value 8.70').  This doesn't effect the quality of the final images and centering actions bring the telescope onto the target within 0.5 arc min or so. Furthermore a slewing adjustment is developed during the course of the session which improves the pointing for later slews.   Poor slewing accuracy does increase the time required for centering and if it becomes too large it can mean a bright star / planet target may not be within FOV which can't be then corrected using centre-brightest object routines. Some of the error in the S1189 might be due to the camera optical axis shifting during the camera angle adjustment made during the previous S1188 session or due to a postulated primary mirror shift noted to have most-likely occured between the S1187 and S1188 sesion. Slewing accuracy can be prehaps be expected to gradually drift with time / time since TPoint Model was created.  However there seems to have been an anomously large jump between sessions S1183 and S1184.  There is no indication of a fundamental issue with existing TPoint model however it is proposed to perform a short mapping job at the start of next or subsequent session to re-tie into the TPoint Model.   A telescope resync & short mapping run was conducted during course of the S1190 session (2024-02-23). The operation was not with problems but the slewing accuracy seems to have improved based on the S1191 session (2023-02-24). Issue is deemed as provisional fixed.
  Provisionally Fixed   2024-02-23  (Session, Telescope/TPoint Model)

Small Defects

• Typo whilst reporting 'Updating Slew Adjustment' (20:56). After plate solution of Locate Frame 1 for Target 8/36 (M101 w/SN2023ixf) the 'Updating Slew Adjustment' was reported as "Ignoring Point as Pointing Error is clarge" .   This contains a typo  "... clarge"  should be ".. large".  Fixed in AstroMain 3.65.19.
  Fixed  2024-02-22 (AstroMain 3.65.19)

Continuous Improvement

• After running AstroMain 'Save Final jpg' routine the Web Expression 4 application should be activated. The 'Save Final Jpg' button routine from Image Builder Form creates final Jpg image, moves a copy to website/astro/images and copies the name of the image to the clipboard.  The user would then click on Web Expression 4 (web page editor) and paste the name of the jpg image file in the  'Picture Properties' dialog for the relevant image. It would be a useful aide if the AstroMain routine could automatically activate Web Expression 4 which would reduce the number of steps the user takes by one per target.  Implemented in AstroMain 3.65.19.
  Done  2024-02-23 (AstroMain 3.65.19)
   
• Add Az Limit Lines/Area to Az Target Plan Chart and ToO Az Plan Chart to show the telescope's Az exclusion zone.  An Az exclusion zone has been defined for the telescope to reduce the risk that cables become overpulled and/or wrapped around the pier, by the telescope tracking beyond north position, ie from < 360 to >= 0. The risk is reduced in two ways, by not allowing telescope slew into the exclusion zone and by moving the telescope out of the zone should the telescope track into the zone.  To avoid wasted observaing time, targets are not chosen for night plan if the target would lie within the exclusion zone for any part of its time slot.  It would be useful to show the azimuth of the edge of the exclusion zone on certain Az charts produced by AstroPlan. The AzLimit hard-coded in AstroPlan is 340°.   The HardAzLimit is similarly defined in AstroMain Settings as 340°.  Chart Improvements implemented in AstroPlan 1.39.7 and AstroMain 3.65.19 (except for AzAltResultChart  which was implemented in AstroMain 3.65.20, 2024-02-26).
  Done  2024-02-24 (AstroPlan 1.39.7, AstroMain 3.65.19 / 3.65.20)
   
• When reviewing regular-targets on AstroPlan's 'Must Include' form include a pop-up picture or link to recent picture of the target to help judge appropriate Must-Include ranking."  To review usefulness of the proposal and review/select from alternative options for implementation. Placed on Hold 2024-03-20.
  On hold  2024-02-23+ (AstroPlan)
   
• Review whether the notion of dome hold-up should apply in cases whether the break in slewing is due to an anomalous slew where the dome's target Az is updated during the course of the slewing operation.   Two anomalous dome slews  recorded during session S1189 at 23:00 and 00:44, both of which had short holdups recorded of 16s & 13s respectively. There is no indication that these involved 'mechancial' hold-ups and the notion of what a hold-up is needs to be reviewed and to see if any change to reporting etc is appropriate.
  To review 2024-02-25+ (AstroMain , DeviceHub, Pulsar Dome)

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