David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1220 (2024-05-20)

Notes (S1219)

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Notes (S1221)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (2),  Small Defects (3),  Continuous Improvement (4)
	Images from 2024-05-20 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-05-20)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
2. Dome.  Check out further tweaks to implementation of AstroMain's new recoverDome() routine made in AstroMain 3.68.8

 Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• TheSky6, CCDSoft5, DeviceHub 6.6.1.1,  MeadeGeneric 1.3.9, 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 3.68.9,  AstroPlan 1.40.1,  AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.5   (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroVOE 1.13.2,  AstroSN 1.10.3,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.12.12
  AstroWeather 1.24.1, AstroAllSky 3.20.4,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4 (not 1.11.5), AstroLaunch 1.11.3

Highlights

• Targets. 8/9 planned targets observations were completed, with 1 other target partially completed.
• Dome. No issues opening/closing shutter during session. Dome closed and parked ok at end of session.

Notes:

• Light Panel Flats for C Filter and corresponding Darks  were collected 2024-05-27
    -5c 1x1 2.8s FLAT
    -5c 2x2 0.7s FLAT
    -5c 3x3 1.9s FLAT
  
  from which 3 new master flats were generated using Sigma Beta (for AverageMedian calculation & CCDSoft for Dark Reduction.
    MasterFlat.1x1.C.S1220.Flat.AvMedian19.FIT
    MasterFlat.2x2.C.S1220.Flat.AvMedian23.FIT
    MasterFlat.3x3.C.S1220.Flat.AvMedian23.FIT
  
  A comparison of new 3x3 C MasterFlat with the previous MasterFlat is shown in Fig 1
  
  The new master flats (C Filter) haven't been used for images during S1220 session as they have already been processed, but will be used for reduction of images from the next session (S1221) onwards. A comparison of the beneficial effect of reducing one typical image from the S1220 session using the new 3x3 master flats is show in Fig 2.

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 22:51:00 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 23:10 & 01:47 22:51:04   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 23:10 23:10:41   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 23:17:02 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (23:17) 23:17:23   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 23:17:51   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 23:17:53 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-05-20 S01220, ImageSaveNum: 1220001) 23:17:58   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 23:19:40   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:19:47 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 23:19:49   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 23:19:51 Session Pending Session pending (2024-05-20) 23:19:53 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-05-20) 23:19:59   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 23:20:06   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.40.1) 23:21:01   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 995) 23:21:43   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 23:22:07 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 23:22:52   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 23:23:07 Session Running Session running 23:23:09   Queue Started Observing Queue started (9 targets selected) 23:23:12     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 14, HIP 69068) 23:23:27       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 23:27:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:30:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 23:32:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 23:32:43       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 23:34:38       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 23:36:08       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 23:36:23     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 14, HIP 69068) 23:36:34     Target Started (1/9) Target started (1/9, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 23:42:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:45:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 00:01:49     Target Completed Target completed (1/9, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 00:01:54     Target Started (2/9) Target started (2/9, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)) 00:05:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:07:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 00:20:53     Target Completed Target partially completed (2/9, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)) 00:20:57     Target Started (3/9) Target started (3/9, LEDA 1846725 w/SN2024iss) 00:24:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:26:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 00:42:43     Target Completed Target completed (3/9, LEDA 1846725 w/SN2024iss) 00:42:47     Target Started (4/9) Target started (4/9, UGC 8630 w/SN2024drv) 00:45:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:48:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 01:04:36     Target Completed Target completed (4/9, UGC 8630 w/SN2024drv) 01:04:40     Target Started (5/9) Target started (5/9, LEDA 2222714 w/SN2024iey) 01:07:58       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 01:23:53     Target Completed Target completed (5/9, LEDA 2222714 w/SN2024iey) 01:23:58     Target Started (6/9) Target started (6/9, GCVS BL Lac) 01:27:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:29:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 01:33:39     Target Completed Target completed (6/9, GCVS BL Lac) 01:33:43     Target Started (7/9) Target started (7/9, NGC 6106 w/SN2024ahv) 01:37:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:39:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 01:55:37     Target Completed Target completed (7/9, NGC 6106 w/SN2024ahv) 01:55:41     Target Started (8/9) Target started (8/9, UGC 11067 w/SN2024grw) 01:58:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:01:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 02:17:52     Target Completed Target completed (8/9, UGC 11067 w/SN2024grw) 02:17:56     Target Started (9/9) Target started (9/9, AT2024ivo (CV)) 02:20:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:23:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 02:39:35     Target Completed Target completed (9/9, AT2024ivo (CV)) 02:39:37   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 02:39:39 Session Closing Session closing 02:40:32   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 02:41:03   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 21s), Az: 90.0 deg 02:42:24   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 75s total) 02:42:39   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 02:43:01   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 02:44:30   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 02:44:33 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 02:44:50     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 02:45:52     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.2°) 02:45:58     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.2°) 02:46:00   Dome Parked Dome parked 02:47:33   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (35mA) 02:47:35 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 02:47:33 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (35mA)

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Operational Issues (2024-05-20 S1220)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (2)
• Small Defects (3)
• Continuous Improvement (4)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Clear Filter images contain a new dust motte on one side which isn't being corrected by existing Flat Fields.  New flat fields should be collected to create new  master flat fields for C Filiter (1x1, 2x2 & 3x3).   This will also allow flats to correct some of the general flat field defect that are noted in longer exposure / brighter background images noted in recent months.   New Light Panel Flats for C Filter and corresponding Darks at same exposure & binning were collected 2024-05-27, from which 3 new master flats were generated using Sigma Beta for AverageMedian calculation & CCDSoft for Dark Reduction (see Fig 1 & Fig 2).
  Done 2024-05-27 (CCD Camera / Flats)
   
• Dome Information not being uploaded to website and not appearing on Observatory Graphs (2024-05-29)  Problem was due to Dome Service/Observatory Manager/ObsEnv Service not started after restarting AstroMain around 21:00 on 2024-05-27. Outage 48 hours should have been noticed earlier.
  Done 2024-05-29 (Observatory Computer, AstroMain, User)

Small Defects

• AstroSN not picking up any recent supernova/transients (2024-05-26).  Running AstroSN 1.10.3 it was found that whilst the program appeared to find and read the source file 'snname.html' from the rochester.org site it reported that there were 0 supernova/transients of potential interest in the last 45 days and 0 supernova/transients that needed to be updated. Program was closed and restarted but the same issue occurred.  Program was then run using Visual Studio with debugging to identify the problem. This is identified that the issue was due to TheSky6.exe not program running which was causing to call to GetConstellationFromRaDec() to fail due to an exception when attempting to access TheSky6.Utils.Precess2000ToNow(Ra2000, Dec2000).   AstroSN should be modified to check that TheSky6 is running before launching program. Fixed in AstroSN 1.10.4.
  Fixed 2024-05-26 (AstroSN 1.10.4)
   
• Unable to reach AllSky/Weather Computer, AstroWeather Graphs not uploaded to Observatory WebSite (2024-05-26).  AllSky/Weather data noted to not being refreshed by AstroMain. Investigating showed that AllSky/Weather Computer couldn't be connected to remotely via VNC, and weather charts hadn't been updated on Observatory Website since around 2024-05-26 20:00 or so.  Visit to Observatory showed that the AllSky/Weather Computer was turned off which is believed to be related to Windows Update, as operating system reported that it needed to be restarted (twice) in order to complete installations. Issue fixed 2024-05-27 00:05..
  Fixed 2024-05-27 (AllSky/Weather Computer, Windows)
   
• Observatory Computer and AllSky/Weather Computer both went offline at same time (2024-05-27 13:05:30).  Both computers in observatory became unreachable from the Devleopment Computer at the same time, as indicated by AstroMove ping monitoring. Connection between Development Computer and Router / Internet was working ok.  A general outage in the Router's/LAN connection & Ethernet Over Poweline can be ruled out a LAN connection to Sky Box in the house was working ok.  Problem is therefore most-likely a glitch with Ethernet-Over-Poweline Adapter in the Observatory or with the Ethernet Hub (Switch) in the Observatory which serves both computer.   If problem glitch in Ethernet Switch the two computers will have stopped communicating with each other, whilst if are still communicating ok the problem is associated a glitch with the Ethernet over PowerLine adapter / communication in someway.    LAN Communication to Observatory computers returned at 13:13 and AstroPlan and AstroAllSky programs automatically restarted their webuploaders at 13:16.  Data records confirm that the two computers were communicating ok during the 7 minute outage period , making a Ethernet Over PowerLine glitch was most-likely responsible. A earlier Continuous Improvement ticket to utilise exitsing automated self monitoring to reset the Ethernet Switch has still to be implemented, but this may or may not have resolved the issue.   There were further problems with the LAN communications in the evening of 2024-05-29 (21:50 & 22:44) ahead of a S1221 session attempt.
  Resolved 2024-05-27 (Observatory LAN)

Continuous Improvement

• Add Custom Icon for new QueryDialog form. Currently the QueryDialog pops up with a standard VS/Microsoft Icon.  One of existing AstroMain Program Icons should be used instead  Implemented in AstroMain 3.68.10.
  Done 2024-05-23 (AstroMain 3.68.10)
   
• Create a new Custom Icon for AstroPlan application. Currently AstroPlan application pops up with a standard VS/Microsoft Icon.  A new icon should be created and used instead.  Implemented in AstroPlan 1.40.3.
  Done 2024-05-23 (AstroPlan 1.40.3)
   
• Add 'Door (Open)' flag to Greenhouse Charts. Add Greenhouse Door State flag to Greenhouse Charts (Chart IDs 14 & 59) .    Requires adding GReenhouseDoorState to ObsEnv record that is sent from AstroMain to AstroWeather.  Implemented in AstroMain 3.68.10 & AstroWeather 1.24.2.
  Done 2024-05-26 (AstroWeather 1.24.2, AstroMain 3.68.10)
   
• Modify AstroSN to use the offset between SN (or transient) to host galaxy as part of ranking & must-include tier proposal. A small offset between SN and host galaxy make it impossible to separately identify the supernova and measure its magnitude brightness, making the SN target less interesting to observe and monitor.  SN with small offsets should be ranked lower (or even not included in some cases) whilst SN with larget offsets make the best subjects and should be ranked higher.  Given that a lot more new SN & transients targets potentially available to view that there is telescope observing time available it makes sense to select the most useful & interesting targets. AstroSN is throught to be the best place to make this assessment at the time that a target is created in the Targets Database, but AstroPlan could potentially also employ filters to adjust / modify or deactivate targets based on offset distance.   Implemented in AstroSN 1.11, transients/SN in NGC,  UGC, IC and M(essier) hosts are ignored with absolute offset of object from host is < 0.2',  Because M31 has a very bright / extended nucleus,  transients are ignored when their absolute offset is < 1.8'  ( for M33 offset threshold is < 0.1' ,  for M81 offset threshold is 0.9'). AbsOffset (in arc min) is included in report table.
  Done 2024-06-09 (AstroSN 1.11)

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Fig 1.  Comparison of New Master Flat Frames for C Filter (left ) with previous master flats (right)

The pictures below show that there has been no major changes in Flat Frame since earlier S1116 frames, however the dust motte near the left hand edge of the field is larger and seemingly more pronouched which is consistant with the presence of arfefact in this area in images from recent sessions have used the older MasterFlat.  There are likely to be subtle changes associated with the effect of a slight difference in Camera Angle and slightly different camera centre.

C (clear) filter - New MasterFlat.3x3.C.S1220.Flat.AvMedian23.FIT		C (clear) filter - Previous MasterFlat.3x3.C.S1116.Flat.AvMedian25.FIT
New Master Flat (50% size) 3x3 binning, C Filter, 23 x 1.9s (Av. Median), S1220		Old Master Flat (50% size) 3x3 binning, C Filter, 25 x 1.2s (Av. Median) , S1116
Note: Images above are north-down pictures
Collected Light Panel Flats for C Filter and corresponding Darks with same binning & exposure   -5c 1x1 2.8s FLAT   -5c 2x2 0.7s FLAT   -5c 3x3 1.9s FLAT From these 3 new master flats were generated for each binning using Sigma Beta (for AverageMedian calculation & CCDSoft for Dark Reduction.   MasterFlat.1x1.C.S1220.Flat.AvMedian19.FIT   MasterFlat.2x2.C.S1220.Flat.AvMedian23.FIT   MasterFlat.3x3.C.S1220.Flat.AvMedian23.FIT

Fig 2.  Comparison of a recent Image reduced using new MasterFlat (left ) with the same image reduced using old MasterFlat (right)

The pictures below show that the new MasterFlat improves the quality of an example image that was acquired during the S1220 session.

Note: The new master flats (C Filter, 2024-05-27) haven't been used for final images for the S1220 session (see Images from 2024-05-20) as they were already processed and compiled on 2024-05-24. The new masterflats will be used reduction of images from the next session (S1221) onwards.

UGC 8630 with SN 2024drv Image below reduced using new MasterFlat MasterFlat.3x3.C.S1220.Flat.AvMedian23.FIT		UGC 8630 with SN 2024drv Image below reduced using old MasterFlat MasterFlat.3x3.C.S1116.Flat.AvMedian25.FIT
CCD Image (50% size, square root scale) 180s exposure, 3x3 binning, Clear Filter 2024-05-20 23:57 UT (#1220035-39)		CCD Image (50% size, square root scale) Image details as left
Note: Images above are north-up pictures

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