David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 1192 (2024-02-25)

 
Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
Bullet Operational Issues
  - Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (1),  Minor Issues (7),  Small Defects (5),  Continuous Improvement (9)
 
Bullet Images from 2024-02-25 >>         
   
Bullet Investigation - Effects of Short Power Outage (06:14)
   
   

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-02-25)

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. Telescope Pointing. Continue to c7heck pointing accuracy follow telescope sync & short mapping job during S1190 session,
  4. 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.
  5. Demonstration. Demonstrate operation of the Observatory and Pulsar Dome in particular to a visitor from Glasgow.

 Equipment & Software

Highlights

Notes:

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan
Image
  
Observing Result
Image
   
Image
 
Dome & Scope Slewing Performance
Image
  
Slew/Centering Performance
Image
  
Guiding Performance
Image
  
Sky Conditions (Locate Frames)
Image 
  
Night Sky Summary Plot
Top axis: Sky Brightness at Zenith (in ADU/s)
Lefthand axis: Local Time (hh LT). Righthand axis: Sun Altitude (degs)
Image   
  
Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast
Image
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Session Event Log
Time     Event Detail
18:39:23 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 18:39 & 05:07
18:39:24 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (18:39)
18:39:43   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.)
18:39:56 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-02-25 S01192, ImageSaveNum: 1192001)
18:40:03   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
18:41:49   Services Started Observatory Services started
18:41:56 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
18:41:59 Session Pending Session pending (2024-02-25)
18:42:01 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-02-25)
18:42:03   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.39.7)
18:43:22   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 966)
18:43:44   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -25°C)
18:44:21   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6)
18:44:45 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome
18:45:30   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
18:45:32 Session Running Session running
18:45:35   Queue Started Observing Queue started (35 targets selected)
18:45:36     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 5, HIP 23569)
18:45:50       Dome Unparked Dome unparked
18:51:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
18:54:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide)
18:56:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
18:56:08       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
18:58:22       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
19:00:10       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
19:00:29     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 5, HIP 23569)
19:00:34     Target Started (1/35) Target started (1/35, UGC 12639 w/SN2023jri)
19:04:49       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
19:16:04       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
19:16:59   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
19:17:01   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
19:17:04     Target Aborted (1/35) Target aborted (1/35, UGC 12639 w/SN2023jri) due to cloud
19:17:06   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
19:17:08 Session Suspending Session suspending
19:17:54   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s)
19:17:56 Session Suspended Session suspended
19:33:51 Session Resuming Session resuming
19:34:36   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
19:34:38 Session Running Session running
19:34:40   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
19:34:43     Target Started (2/35) Target started (2/35, 12P/Pons-Brooks)
19:42:50     Target Completed Target partially completed (2/35, 12P/Pons-Brooks)
19:42:54     Target Started (3/35) Target started (3/35, GCVS HH And)
19:48:14     Target Completed Target completed (3/35, GCVS HH And)
19:48:18     Target Started (4/35) Target started (4/35, C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS))
19:51:59       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
20:00:01     Target Completed Target completed (4/35, C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS))
20:01:29     Target Started (5/35) Target started (5/35, UGC 3174 w/SN2023mut)
20:05:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:07:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
20:23:25     Target Completed Target completed (5/35, UGC 3174 w/SN2023mut)
20:23:29     Target Started (6/35) Target started (6/35, GCVS GW Ori)
20:26:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:28:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
20:42:08     Target Completed Target completed (6/35, GCVS GW Ori)
20:43:30     Target Started (7/35) Target started (7/35, AT2023ati)
20:46:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:48:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
21:04:49     Target Completed Target completed (7/35, AT2023ati)
21:05:30     Target Started (8/35) Target started (8/35, 103P/Hartley)
21:09:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:11:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
21:22:29     Target Completed Target completed (8/35, 103P/Hartley)
21:22:34     Target Started (9/35) Target started (9/35, GCVS YZ Cnc)
21:25:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:27:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
21:33:56     Target Completed Target completed (9/35, GCVS YZ Cnc)
21:35:15     Target Started (10/35) Target started (10/35, C/2021 F1 (Lemmon-PANSTARRS))
21:38:21       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
21:46:59     Target Completed Target completed (10/35, C/2021 F1 (Lemmon-PANSTARRS))
21:50:04     Target Started (11/35) Target started (11/35, CGCG 119-104 w/SN2024cdi)
21:53:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:55:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
22:11:32   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
22:11:34   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain)
22:11:36     Target Aborted (11/35) Target aborted (11/35, CGCG 119-104 w/SN2024cdi) due to threat of rain
22:11:38   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
22:11:40 Session Suspending Session suspending
22:12:27   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s)
22:12:29 Session Suspended Session suspended
22:31:20     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (12/35, AT2024ajf) due to cloud
22:40:21 Session Resuming Session resuming
22:41:06   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
22:41:08 Session Running Session running
22:41:10   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
22:41:13     Target Started (13/35) Target started (13/35, AT2023cub (CV))
22:43:06       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity)
22:43:08   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
22:43:10   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
22:43:12     Target Aborted (13/35) Target aborted (13/35, AT2023cub (CV)) due to cloud
22:43:14   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
22:43:16 Session Suspending Session suspending
22:44:01   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s)
22:44:04 Session Suspended Session suspended
22:45:20     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (13/35, AT2023cub (CV)) due to rain
23:05:40     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/35, SN 2022actt) due to threat of rain
23:11:30 Session Resuming Session resuming
23:12:15   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
23:12:17 Session Running Session running
23:12:19   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
23:12:22     Target Started (15/35) Target started (15/35, NGC 3690 w/SN2023wrk)
23:16:10       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity)
23:16:13   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
23:16:15   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
23:16:17     Target Aborted (15/35) Target aborted (15/35, NGC 3690 w/SN2023wrk) due to cloud
23:16:19   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
23:16:21 Session Suspending Session suspending
23:17:06   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s)
23:17:08 Session Suspended Session suspended
23:28:00     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/35, NGC 3690 w/SN2023wrk) due to cloud
23:39:44 Session Resuming Session resuming
23:40:29   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
23:40:31 Session Running Session running
23:40:33   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
23:40:35     Target Started (16/35) Target started (16/35, AT2023cxz (CV))
23:47:02     Target Completed Target partially completed (16/35, AT2023cxz (CV))
23:47:06     Target Started (17/35) Target started (17/35, SN 2023iy)
23:50:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:52:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
00:08:38     Target Completed Target completed (17/35, SN 2023iy)
00:08:42     Target Started (18/35) Target started (18/35, 65P/Gunn)
00:12:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:14:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
00:23:16     Target Completed Target completed (18/35, 65P/Gunn)
00:23:20     Target Started (19/35) Target started (19/35, IC 4305 w/SN2023edc)
00:26:42       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
00:42:54     Target Completed Target completed (19/35, IC 4305 w/SN2023edc)
00:42:59     Target Started (20/35) Target started (20/35, AT2023tsk)
00:45:41       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S)
01:02:18     Target Completed Target completed (20/35, AT2023tsk)
01:03:54     Target Started (21/35) Target started (21/35, NGC 3893 w/AT2023uhx)
01:07:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:10:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11)
01:23:53       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
01:24:38   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
01:24:40   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain)
01:24:43     Target Aborted (21/35) Target aborted (21/35, NGC 3893 w/AT2023uhx) due to threat of rain
01:24:45   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
01:24:47 Session Suspending Session suspending
01:25:33   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s)
01:25:35 Session Suspended Session suspended
01:37:30     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/35, AT2021aena (CV)) due to cloud
01:55:02     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/35, 62P/Tsuchinshan) due to cloud
02:15:52     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/35, UGC 8317 w/AT2022qvu) due to cloud
02:37:52     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/35, NGC 5630 w/SN2023zdx) due to cloud
02:59:52     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (26/35, SN 2023zvq) due to threat of rain
03:01:41 Session Resuming Session resuming
03:02:26   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
03:02:28 Session Running Session running
03:02:30   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
03:02:56     Target Started (27/35) Target started (27/35, UGC 10717 w/SN2022ybd)
03:06:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:07:47       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
03:08:17       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
03:08:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12)
03:11:47       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity)
03:11:49   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
03:11:51   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
03:11:53     Target Aborted (27/35) Target aborted (27/35, UGC 10717 w/SN2022ybd) due to cloud
03:11:55   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
03:11:57 Session Suspending Session suspending
03:12:42   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s)
03:12:45 Session Suspended Session suspended
03:22:12     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (27/35, UGC 10717 w/SN2022ybd) due to rain
03:44:12     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (28/35, AT2023osr (CV)) due to cloud
03:58:32     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (29/35, AT2023txn) due to rain
04:16:31 Session Resuming Session resuming
04:17:16   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
04:17:19 Session Running Session running
04:17:21   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
04:17:23     Target Started (30/35) Target started (30/35, UGC 11858 w/SN2023rjj)
04:22:42       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
04:25:02   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
04:25:04   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
04:25:07     Target Aborted (30/35) Target aborted (30/35, UGC 11858 w/SN2023rjj) due to cloud
04:25:09   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
04:25:11 Session Suspending Session suspending
04:25:58   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s)
04:26:00 Session Suspended Session suspended
04:40:52     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (31/35, AT2023akq) due to too few stars
04:41:25 Session Resuming Session resuming
04:42:10   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
04:42:12 Session Running Session running
04:42:14   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
04:43:56     Target Started (32/35) Target started (32/35, AT2023abtv (CV))
04:47:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:49:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13)
04:54:16       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
04:55:46     Target Completed Target completed (32/35, AT2023abtv (CV))
04:55:48   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
04:55:50 Session Suspending Session suspending
04:56:37   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s)
04:56:39 Session Suspended Session suspended
05:05:10     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (33/35, GCVS BL Lac) due to rain
05:25:30     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (34/35, AT2023tow) due to cloud
05:49:30     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (35/35, AT2023udd (CV)) due to too few stars
05:49:36   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
05:49:39 Session Closing Session closing
05:49:44   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 04:56, closing time 50s, zigbee 44s)
05:50:02   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 10s), Az: 90.1 deg
05:51:26   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 81s)
05:51:41   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.'
05:52:04   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
05:53:25   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (17mA)
05:53:27   Services Stopped Night Services stopped
05:53:30 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
05:53:47     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 87.0 to 93.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow)
05:55:19     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.4°)
05:55:25     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.5°)
05:55:27   Dome Parked Dome parked
05:57:25   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (25mA)
05:57:27 Session Finished Session Finished

 
Session Alerts & Alarms
Time     Type       Name Detail
19:01:00 Yellow Alert Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 195.0° (T+21.5s)
05:57:25 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (25mA)
             
          Post-Session   
06:16:50 Yellow Alert UPB.Switch disconnected UPB.Switch has unexpectedly disconnected. Restart will be attempted
06:15:08   Yellow Alert Shutter Battery Shutter battery level has fallen below 88%
06:15:10   Red Alert Shutter Battery Shutter battery level has fallen below 85%
 
 

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Operational Issues (2024-02-25 S1192)

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Critical Issues

Major Issues

Minor Issues

Small Defects

Continuous Improvement

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Fig 1.   Sequence of ObsPic covering the peroid when there was a power cut (~ 06:14:50)

a) 06:14:30 - Status immediately before outage
Image
 
b) 06:15:07- Immediately after outage (No Pulsar Dome, No LAN / No Laptop 7 communication, No UPB Box.  No UPB Switch Info (No Scope, No Dew Heaters, No Focuser 2).  Focuser1 might be showing a frozen state rather than error/issue.
Image

c) 06:15:38 - During Recovery, UPB Switch is Back (Telescope, DewHeaters)  LAN & Laptop7 communication are still down
Image
 
d)  06:16:09 - Post Event  (LAN  & Laptop 7 communication are back, Cloud Sensor data is frozen and doesn't come back until manually restarted at 11.29.
Image
 
e) 06:16:39 - Post Event  CloudSensor data & TCF-S data (Focuser1 & OTA T.) are both frozen and don't come back until services are manually restarted at 11:29.
Image

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Post Session


Investigation - Effects of Short Power Outage (06:14)

Issue

Description

Observatory was running in General Mode and so the Telescope was not running, having been parked earlier (00:51) & powered down (05:52). The CCD Camera was running but had been disconnected earlier at 05:52.   Dome, TCF-Focuser, UPB Power Box & deCONZ/Zigbee were still connected. It was still morning twilight so AstroAllSky was still in its night mode & capturing AllSky Images.

The observed effects on different elements of the Observatory are summarised in the table below:

Observatory Element  Likely Effect & Observations    Recovery  Impact 
         
Cloud Sensor  - Power to USB Hub linking to CloudSensor Head would have been lost , affect comms
- CloudSensor program affected & stopped refreshing data files at 06:14.
- AstroWeather shows red flag against CloudSensor with last refresh time of 06:14. 
- AstroMain shows red flag against CloudSensor with last refresh time of 06:14. 
  Manual Restart required HIGH
 Image
         
Telescope  - Telescope wasn't powered & operational at this time, so no observations in this case
(but if it was in operation, it would have likely produced driver exceptions and lock up TheSky6 Telescope. The scope would have powered down in an 'Unparked' state, causing the scope to be at wrong position when the scope was next restarted, requiring significant recovery steps by the user)
  n/a   (HIGH)
Image
         
         
UPB Powerbox  - Power to box and connected devices (TCF-Focuser  & Telescope n/a) stopped
- PDB Switch Service stopped working in AstroMain
- AstroMain reports "Unexpected disconnection of UPB.Switch (06:14)" and "RestartSwitch appears to be frozen (06:15) "
- AstroMain / ObOverseer Submits job to Restart UPB Software (06:15)
- AstroMain responded by xxxxx
  Part Recovered
by AstroMain.   
HIGH 
Image - Image
         
TCF-Focuser  TCF-Focuser Service failed in AstroMain   Manual Restart required HIGH 
Image
         
         
Zigbee Network  - deCONZ WebSocket facility stopped working prevented an light/sensor events from reaching AstroMain Zigbee system   Manual Restart required HIGH 
Image
         
AllSky Camera  - Raw Pictures stopped (last image ...676  (‏‎06:14:18 to 06:14:48)
- AstroAllSky repeatedly processed ...677 frame every 30s from 06:15 to 07:00 (which  explains why Sun Alt value on Annotated Pictures 'jumps from -8.4°.in ...676.jpg to -5.9° in ...677.jpg).  and why .677.jpg was produced at 06:32 & 18 mins after ...676.jpg
- Raw Pictures resumed at 07:01:24 (image ...770  to ... 073..,  no raw images saved for ...678 to ...769.  
  Recovered itself eventually MEDIUM Image 
         
         
LAN  - Ethernet Switch in Observatory likely powered down (and then powered up again)
- Ethernet over Powerline would have stopped (and likely resumed again)
- ObsPics show that connection with LAN and to AllSky/Weather Computer (LAPTOP7) dropped out at around 06:14:30 to 06:15:07 and then came back at some point between 06:15:38 & 06:16:19. 
- ObsEnv file on AllSky Weather Computer show normal record at 06:14:20, record at 06:15:01 was 11s late and has signs of null values, possible missed record at 06:15:30, record at 06:15:53 has additional null fields.
  Recovered itself Ok LOW
Image
         
SBIG Camera  - SBIG Camera would have powered down (and then powered up again)
- CCDSoft Camera was connected to SBIG Camera at the time, so no observations in this case
  UNKN  UNKN
Image
         
Web Upload  - Web Upload largely unaffected. AstroPlan seems to be have uploaded files as late as 06:14:49 before the outage and as earier as 06:15:08 after the outage   Recovered itself OK  LOW
Image
         
Weather Station  - Weather Station / Virtual VWS essentially unaffected by outage. 
- Possible lost data during the outage itself ?
  None
required
NONE
Image
         

Analysis

Conclusion.

 

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