David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1222 (2024-08-03)

Notes (S1222A)

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Notes (S1223)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (1),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (0)
	Images from 2024-08-03 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-08-03)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.

 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 3.69.1,  AstroPlan 1.40.6,  AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.5   (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroVOE 1.13.2,  AstroSN 1.10.4,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.12.12
  AstroWeather 1.24.3, AstroAllSky 3.20.4,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4 (not 1.11.5), AstroLaunch 1.11.3

Highlights-

• Targets. 14/16 planned targets observations were completed, with 1 other target partially completed . The other planned target (UGC 11067 w/SN2024grw) was replaced during the session by C/2023 V4 (Camarasa-Duszanowi), which was submitted as a ToO target.
• Dome. No issues opening/closing shutter during session. Dome closed and parked ok at end of session.

Notes:

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 23:15:11   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 23:15:39   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 23:15:41 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-08-03 S01222, ImageSaveNum: 1222001) 23:15:47   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 23:17:17   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:17:18 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode 23:20:46   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 23:21:25 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 23:21 & 02:57 23:21:27 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 23:21:29 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (23:21) 23:21:47   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:21:51 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 23:21:54 Session Pending Session pending (2024-08-03) 23:21:56 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-08-03) 23:22:05   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 23:22:12   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.40.6) 23:23:13   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 998) 23:23:54   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 23:24:18 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 23:25:03   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 23:25:13 Session Running Session running 23:25:15   Queue Started Observing Queue started (15 targets selected) 23:25:18     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 23:25:33       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 23:30:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:34:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 23:36:44       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed (failed QC check - Ambiguous) 23:36:48       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 23:38:58       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 23:40:39       Focusing Failed Foc2 focusing failed (failed QC check - Quadratic) 23:40:43     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 23:40:48     Target Started (1/15) Target started (1/15, Nova Per 2020) 23:47:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:50:26       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3, wide) 23:52:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 00:03:26     Target Completed Target partially completed (1/15, Nova Per 2020) 00:03:31     Target Started (2/15) Target started (2/15, NGC 6004 w/SN2024cld) 00:07:24       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:24:00     Target Completed Target completed (2/15, NGC 6004 w/SN2024cld) 00:24:04     Target Started (3/16) Target started (3/16, C/2023 V4 (Camarasa-Duszanowi, ToO) 00:27:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:30:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 00:42:08     Target Completed Target completed (3/16, C/2023 V4 (Camarasa-Duszanowi, ToO) 00:42:13     Target Started (4/16) Target started (4/16, UGC 11067 w/SN2024grw) 00:42:17     Target Failed (4/16) Target failed due to missed start time (4/16, UGC 11067 w/SN2024grw) 00:45:20     Target Started (5/16) Target started (5/16, HIP 87937) 00:48:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:51:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 00:53:44     Target Completed Target completed (5/16, HIP 87937) 00:53:48     Target Started (6/16) Target started (6/16, IC 1295) 00:56:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:59:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 01:19:54     Target Completed Target completed (6/16, IC 1295) 01:19:58     Target Started (7/16) Target started (7/16, C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS)) 01:23:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:25:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 01:33:44     Target Completed Target completed (7/16, C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS)) 01:33:48     Target Started (8/16) Target started (8/16, WDS GRB 34) 01:38:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:40:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 01:42:42     Target Completed Target completed (8/16, WDS GRB 34) 01:42:46     Target Started (9/16) Target started (9/16, NGC 797 w/AT2024jjc) 01:46:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:49:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 02:05:51     Target Completed Target completed (9/16, NGC 797 w/AT2024jjc) 02:05:56     Target Started (10/16) Target started (10/16, LEDA 2222714 w/SN2024iey) 02:09:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:12:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 02:29:14     Target Completed Target completed (10/16, LEDA 2222714 w/SN2024iey) 02:29:18     Target Started (11/16) Target started (11/16, NGC 6433 w/SN2024efn) 02:32:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:34:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 02:51:06     Target Completed Target completed (11/16, NGC 6433 w/SN2024efn) 02:51:10     Target Started (12/16) Target started (12/16, GCVS BL Lac) 02:54:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:56:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 03:00:30     Target Completed Target completed (12/16, GCVS BL Lac) 03:00:34     Target Started (13/16) Target started (13/16, GCVS HH And) 03:03:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:06:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 03:08:24     Target Completed Target completed (13/16, GCVS HH And) 03:08:28     Target Started (14/16) Target started (14/16, 61 Cyg) 03:11:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:13:59       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 03:15:41     Target Completed Target completed (14/16, 61 Cyg) 03:15:45     Target Started (15/16) Target started (15/16, GCVS EV Lac) 03:18:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:21:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 03:23:57     Target Completed Target completed (15/16, GCVS EV Lac) 03:24:02     Target Started (16/16) Target started (16/16, GCVS Z And) 03:26:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:29:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 03:34:11     Target Completed Target completed (16/16, GCVS Z And) 03:34:13   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 03:34:17 Session Closing Session closing 03:35:12   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 03:35:59   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 37s), Az: 90.1 deg 03:37:22   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 77s total) 03:37:37   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 03:38:07   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 03:39:35   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 03:39:37 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 03:40:05     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 03:41:07     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.4°) 03:41:13     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.5°) 03:41:15   Dome Parked Dome parked 03:41:28   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (19mA) 03:41:30 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 23:17:18 Red Alarm Telescope Alert ASCOM Telescope not connnected 23:17:20 Red Alert Observatory Mode Obs.Manager has put Observatory back to manual mode (problem connecting telescope 00:04:44 Yellow Alert Dome Discrepency Difference between Dome Az and Slave Az is > 1 deg (NGC 6004) 01:35:18 Yellow Alert Dome Discrepency Difference between Dome Az and Slave Az is > 1 deg (WDS GRB 34) 02:07:17 Yellow Alert Dome Discrepency Difference between Dome Az and Slave Az is > 1 deg (LEDA 2222714) 03:41:28 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (19mA)

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Operational Issues (2024-08-03 S1222)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• AstroMain reported that Telescope failed to connect during Autostart (23:17). Whilst starting session under Autostart,  the 'Start Observatory Services' routine reported that Start Telescope Service Failed with message "Failed to Connect", and moved that Observatory Mode back to 'Manual'.  Dome was disconnected and DeviceHub closed, (manually) and the Start Observatory Services rerun.  This time the telescope connected ok. After checking that telescope reported a position that was expected (close to Az 180/Alt 3), Autostart was successfully re-executed without incident.  Reason of the problem isn't clear. The telescope was parked / closed down normally at end of session attempt on 2024-07-30. And at start S1222 session the routine waited the necessary 60s after turning telescope power before attempting connection using DeviceHub/Meade Generic.  Prehaps there was an issue with one of these ?.  AstroMain logs show Telescope Power being turned on at 23:15:47,  Meade Generic log shows device being activated at 23:16:48 (ie 60s later) and there initially there is normal communication with telescope, but at 23:16:51 the driver transmits  #:GD# to the telescope, but there is no reply and at 23:16:56 the driver logs a "Timed out waiting for received data" message with the error message  "Error connecting to port COM6 ".   The Meade Generic logs subsequently reactivates at 23:19:27 and this time the  "#:GD#" transmission receives "-29[DF]39:49#" ok and the connection is successful.   Issue was initially closed after review 2024-08-04, the problem is put down to a one-off communications glitch, but it reoccured during S1124 & S1125 sessions.  The same issue occurred during following S1225 session.  The issue involving 3 cases in 4 sessions has now been investigated (see Investigation - Telescope Connection Failing during Autostart, 2024-08-10).  There seems to be a bug or deficiency in MeadeGeneric Telescope Driver which leads to an occasional exception  / connection failure.  Until this can be identified & fixed (an email needs to be sent to Colin Dawson regarding the issue) a workaround has been added to AstroMain 3.69.2 so that in the event of a failed connection (due to a timeout exception) a second attempt is automatically made..
  Workaround fix has been attempted 2024-08-10 (AstroMain 3.69.2) - To monitor in future sessions.

Small Defects

• Three targets reported to have a azimuth dome discrepency of > 1 deg.  Three targets (NGC 6004, WDS GRB 34 & LEDA 2222714) reported a yellow dome discrepency alert/warning with message "Difference between Dome Az and Slave Az is > 1 deg".   Discrepency in dome position at end of session was measured to be 0.5 deg.  The discrepency was small enough that it didn't have any material impact on the session. Closed after review (2024-08-04), but monitor situation in next session.
  Closed 2024-08-04 (Session, Dome)

Continuous Improvement

• None

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