David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 1198 (2024-03-15)

 
Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
Bullet Operational Issues
  - Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (2),  Small Defects (6),  Continuous Improvement (3)
Bullet Images from 2024-03-15 >>         
   
Bullet Review - Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for the Pulsar Dome & Cloud Sensor
   
2024-03-18
Bullet Zigbee - Greenhouse's Temperature/Humidity Sensor not reconnecting to network  
   
   

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-03-15)

Main aims

  1. 12P/Pons-Brooks. Acquire images of Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks which has been undergoing regular outbursts.
  2. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
  3. AstroMain. Test new 3.66.5 version of AstroMain in a live session, following mutliple changes earlier in version 3.66.4 and futher tweaks in 3.66.5. Verify there are no significant sideeffects or issues with the new versions.

 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
18:52:03 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:05 & 04:16
18:52:05   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 19:05
19:05:47   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to threat of rain
19:34:16 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:34)
19:34:26   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.)
19:34:51   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
19:34:53 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-03-15 S01198, ImageSaveNum: 1198001)
19:34:58   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
19:36:44   Services Started Observatory Services started
19:36:51 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
19:36:53 Session Pending Session pending (2024-03-15)
19:36:55 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-03-15)
19:36:57   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.39.10)
19:38:12   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 972)
19:38:27   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
19:39:03   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6)
19:39:27 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome
19:40:12   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s)
19:40:14 Session Running Session running
19:40:16   Queue Started Observing Queue started (27 targets selected)
19:40:18     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 7, HIP 34070)
19:40:33       Dome Unparked Dome unparked
19:43:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:46:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide)
19:48:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
19:48:07       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
19:50:12       Focusing Failed Foc2 focusing failed (failed QC check - Range)
19:50:16     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 7, HIP 34070)
19:53:24     Target Started (1/27) Target started (1/27, 13P/Olbers)
19:58:40       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
20:11:21     Target Completed Target completed (1/27, 13P/Olbers)
20:11:25     Target Started (2/27) Target started (2/27, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS))
20:14:26       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:16:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
20:24:38     Target Completed Target completed (2/27, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS))
20:25:45     Target Started (3/27) Target started (3/27, GCVS YZ Cnc)
20:28:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:29:15       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost
20:34:44   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
20:34:46   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
20:34:48     Target Aborted (3/27) Target aborted (3/27, GCVS YZ Cnc) due to cloud
20:34:50   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
20:34:52 Session Suspending Session suspending
20:35:39   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s)
20:35:41 Session Suspended Session suspended
20:37:44 Session Resuming Session resuming
20:38:11     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (3/27, GCVS YZ Cnc) due to
20:38:29   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
20:38:31 Session Running Session running
20:38:33   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
20:38:45     Target Started (4/27) Target started (4/27, IC 2190 w/SN2024dhp)
20:41:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:43:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
20:59:56     Target Completed Target completed (4/27, IC 2190 w/SN2024dhp)
21:00:45     Target Started (5/27) Target started (5/27, 103P/Hartley)
21:03:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:05:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
21:16:34     Target Completed Target completed (5/27, 103P/Hartley)
21:17:29     Target Started (6/27) Target started (6/27, NGC 3467 w/AT2024dda)
21:20:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:22:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
21:38:42     Target Completed Target completed (6/27, NGC 3467 w/AT2024dda)
21:39:29     Target Started (7/27) Target started (7/27, NGC 3690 w/SN2023wrk)
21:43:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:45:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
22:01:32     Target Completed Target completed (7/27, NGC 3690 w/SN2023wrk)
22:01:49     Target Started (8/27) Target started (8/27, M101 w/SN2023ixf)
22:05:26       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
22:21:56     Target Completed Target completed (8/27, M101 w/SN2023ixf)
22:24:09     Target Started (9/27) Target started (9/27, NGC 4619 w/SN2024drt)
22:27:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:29:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
22:45:37     Target Completed Target completed (9/27, NGC 4619 w/SN2024drt)
22:46:09     Target Started (10/27) Target started (10/27, UGC 9002 w/SN2023pls)
22:48:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:51:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
23:07:11     Target Completed Target completed (10/27, UGC 9002 w/SN2023pls)
23:08:09     Target Started (11/27) Target started (11/27, Segue 1)
23:11:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:13:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
23:52:57     Target Completed Target completed (11/27, Segue 1)
23:53:01     Target Started (12/27) Target started (12/27, UGC 5886 w/SN2024hw)
23:55:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:58:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11)
00:14:20     Target Completed Target completed (12/27, UGC 5886 w/SN2024hw)
00:14:24     Target Started (13/27) Target started (13/27, 62P/Tsuchinshan)
00:17:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:19:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12)
00:31:04     Target Completed Target completed (13/27, 62P/Tsuchinshan)
00:32:13     Target Started (14/27) Target started (14/27, NGC 5036 w/SN2024dop)
00:35:12       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
00:41:16   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 00:41 in section 'GetCameraProperties'
00:41:51   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera)
00:41:58   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled
00:42:49   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -25°C)
00:42:51     Target Completed Target partially completed (14/27, NGC 5036 w/SN2024dop)
00:54:33     Target Started (15/27) Target started (15/27, UGC 9659 w/SN2024ech)
00:57:22       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
01:13:20     Target Completed Target completed (15/27, UGC 9659 w/SN2024ech)
01:16:33     Target Started (16/27) Target started (16/27, AT2024crd)
01:19:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:21:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13)
01:38:09     Target Completed Target completed (16/27, AT2024crd)
01:39:33     Target Started (17/27) Target started (17/27, NGC 4995 w/SN2023gfo)
01:42:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:45:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14)
02:00:56     Target Completed Target completed (17/27, NGC 4995 w/SN2023gfo)
02:01:54     Target Started (18/27) Target started (18/27, UGC 8630 w/SN2024drv)
02:04:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:07:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15)
02:23:02     Target Completed Target completed (18/27, UGC 8630 w/SN2024drv)
02:23:53     Target Started (19/27) Target started (19/27, AT2023tsk)
02:27:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:29:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16)
02:46:19     Target Completed Target completed (19/27, AT2023tsk)
02:46:23     Target Started (20/27) Target started (20/27, AT2024dsj (CV))
02:49:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:52:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17)
02:58:09     Target Completed Target completed (20/27, AT2024dsj (CV))
02:58:33     Target Started (21/27) Target started (21/27, NGC 3206 w/SN2024bch)
03:02:15       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
03:18:26     Target Completed Target completed (21/27, NGC 3206 w/SN2024bch)
03:20:53     Target Started (22/27) Target started (22/27, AT2023txn)
03:24:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:26:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18)
03:32:37     Target Completed Target completed (22/27, AT2023txn)
03:33:13     Target Started (23/27) Target started (23/27, GCVS BL Lac)
03:37:49       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S)
03:41:59     Target Completed Target completed (23/27, GCVS BL Lac)
03:43:31     Target Started (24/27) Target started (24/27, NGC 6040)
03:46:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:49:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19)
04:05:03     Target Completed Target completed (24/27, NGC 6040)
04:05:51     Target Started (25/27) Target started (25/27, AT2023tow)
04:09:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:11:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20)
04:27:05     Target Completed Target completed (25/27, AT2023tow)
04:28:11     Target Started (26/27) Target started (26/27, NGC 6745 w/SN2023ucy)
04:31:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:33:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21)
04:49:34     Target Completed Target completed (26/27, NGC 6745 w/SN2023ucy)
04:50:31     Target Started (27/27) Target started (27/27, 61 Cyg)
04:53:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:55:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22)
04:57:09     Target Completed Target completed (27/27, 61 Cyg)
04:57:12   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
04:57:14 Session Closing Session closing
04:58:07   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s)
04:58:24   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 10s), Az: 90.0 deg
04:59:45   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 76s total)
05:00:00   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.'
05:00:22   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
05:01:47   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (4mA)
05:01:49   Services Stopped Night Services stopped
05:01:52 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
05:02:29     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 87.0 to 93.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow)
05:03:59     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.6°)
05:04:05     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.6°)
05:04:07   Dome Parked Dome parked
05:05:08   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (15mA)
05:05:10 Session Finished Session Finished

 
Session Alerts & Alarms
Time     Type       Name Detail
19:36:51 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (48.82 GB) is less than 50 GB
00:41:51 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 00:41:16) in section 'GetCameraProperties'
00:41:56 Green Clear CcdCamera CcdCamera has resumed again (00:41) after 40s
05:02:25 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (46.98 GB) is less than 50 GB
05:05:08 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (15mA)
 

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Operational Issues (2024-03-15 S1198)

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Review - Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for the Pulsar Dome & Cloud Sensor

Review
As part of a review looking at increasing the Observatory and Live Session resistance to small power outages the potential of using one or two UPS Systems with offline battery backup was identifed as options for further consideration. The review has identified that the Observatory's LX200 Telescope is the one observatory element that is most affected by an unscheduled power outage and led to be the selection, purchase and installation of an Eaton 3S 850B UPS System for the Observatory Computing Bay.   See following notes:

- Review - Increasing observatory & session resistance to small power outage, 2024-02-28
- Review - Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for the Observatory Telescope, 2024-03-03
- Eaton 3S 850B UPS - Off Line Uninterruptible Power Supply System, 2024-03-03)
 

This work in Feb-early March 2024 left the consideration of a UPS System for the AllSky/Weather Computing bay to a later date.

An incident during the S1197 session (2024-03-13 in which the Pulsar Dome lost it settings and azimuth position during a power outage test has brought forward the need to make a review of a UPS System for the AllSky/Weather Computing cabinet, which sources the power for the Pulsar Dome.

Analysis
A UPS Backup to devices powered from the AllSky/Weather Computing cabinet is being considered. This follows from an incident during the S1197 Session (2024-03-13) where the Pulsar Dome lost knowledge of its pointing azimuth and settings (including Park position and Relay details) following a 11 min power outage test. Although probably just a random glitch (as the issue hasn't been seen before during any other power outage.in the Observatory, or during Restart Dome operations conducted by the Observatory Control Program) it does indicate a further point of weakness for fully automated operations.

Whilst the Pulsar Dome is the item that can most benefit from UPS battery backup, there are several other items that would alos benefit.:  

Are there any other equipment/devices in the Observatory Computing bay that would also benefit from having UPS battery backup ?   

The AllSky/Weather Computer (a laptop) has its own (longer lasting) battery and therefore doesn't need battery backup support from the UPS system, indeed having the computer not attached to a UPS Socket, means that the AstroWeather/AstroAllSky can poll the state of its own power supply and use it as a proxy for the state of the Observatory's Power Supply, not withstanding that both programs can determine the source of the power being output by the UPS system (mains power or UPS battery power) using the method developed for AstroMain program running on the Observatory Computer.

For other equipment and devices (AllSky Heater, Aux Light, Dehumidifier) have too high a load to be readily used for Battery backupand ar enot critical to operations, and can resume ok when power returns.  The one caveat is that Smart Plugs used with these devices host link to zigbee sensors (such as the Top/Bot Shutter Sensors) which could be affected when the power goes down.

Requirments
The requirements of UPS System for the AllSky/Weather Computing bay are listed below

Options & Selection

Based on the option review made for the Observatory Computing Bay (including the Observatory's LX200 Telescope), the same or similar 3S UPS Model from Eaton is shortlisted.

Likely Option

The likely option to be chosen is the Eaton 3S 850B UPS - Off Line Uninterruptible Power Supply  which is the Model recently installed in the Observatory Computing Bay.   See Eaton 3S 850B UPS - Off Line Uninterruptible Power Supply System , 2024-03-03 for details about specs and other things to do with the 3S 850B Unit.

Risks
Risk are covered in earlier review of UPS System for the Observatory Computing Bay/Telescope.  (see here)

Decision
No decision has been made as yet (Mar 2024) 

Update : Later on (late Nov 2024) a decision was finally taken to acquire & install a UPS system for the AllSky/Weather Computing Bay.

Configuration
The current configuration of the AllSky/Weather Computing Bay and the protential new configuration are shown in the two diagrams below:

Image
 
 
Image

The use of a small power strip is necessary as the space between output sockets on the UPS System are too small for using HUE Smart Plugs and certain A/C Adpaters as was found out during the installation of the Eaton 850VA unit in the Observatory Computer Bay.
 

Equipment & UPS Battery Management during a Power Supply Outage

This will be defined following installation and based on experience with the use of Eaton UPS system in the Observatory Computer Bay.
 

Update 2024-12-03
Order placed for a Eaton 3C 850B UPS for the AllSky/Weather Computing Bay

Update 2024-12-05
Updated Current and Proposed Configuration Power Diagrams drawn up for the AllSky/Weather Computing Bay
(see Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for the AllSky/Weather Computing Bay, 2024-12-06)

Updated 2024-12-06 /07
New Eaton UPS System arrived and installed in the Observatory

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2024-03-18


Zigbee - Greenhouse's Temperature/Humidity Sensor not reconnecting to network

Issue
Greenhouse Temperature sensor not reconnecting to Observatory's Zigbee Sensor (2024-03-17).

This is a Aqara Temperature/Humidity Multi-Sensor that was originally installed in Oct 2023 (see Greenhouse Temperature/Humidity Sensor, 2023-10-10)

Description
Whilst cleaning the greenhouse its temperature/humidity sensor (Greenhouse Sensor 1) came off it's fixing, was possibly sprayed with water and was moved indoors being  later replacing in to the greemhouse some 2-3 hours later.  The sensor didn't reconnect into the ntework and after 24 hours it still hadn't reconnected.  

After some 6 hours since the previous last update time,  the small button on the sensor was briefly pressed (until blue light flashes briefly) in hope this would be able to make it reconnect, but it didn't work. The next day (2024-03-18) the sensor was taken into the Observatory and again the small button was briefly pressed  giving a short blue light flash, but again it wouldn't reconnect into the network. This was repeated unsuccessfully for 3 -4 more attempts.

Resolution
The issue was eventually resolved by resetting the Sensor (pressing its button for 10s until a longer series of blue light flashes are given) and then re-added as a sensor  in Phoscon. This worked and the sensor rejoined the network keeping its existing set of Sensor ID's (one each for Temperature, Humidity and Pressure).
 
There was some concern about resetting the sensor and using Phoscon's Add Sensor option since a similar issue with the oirginal Bot Shutter sensor not reconnecting the Network, didn't manage to get that sensor back and eventuallly it had to be replaced. However after 24 hours and no firm prospect of the sensor managing to reconnect the same method was finally resorted to - thankfully it worked.

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