David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1223 (2024-08-06)

Notes (S1222)

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Notes (S1224)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (0),  Small Defects (0),  Continuous Improvement (0)
	Images from 2024-08-06 >>
	New security light at local business creating a Light Pollution nuisance

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-08-06)

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 target failed due to cloud/session suspension.
• 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 21:27:07 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 22:20 & 02:58 21:27:09   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 22:20 22:20:16   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 22:46:14 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (22:46) 22:46:37   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 22:47:05   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 22:47:08 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-08-06 S01223, ImageSaveNum: 1223001) 22:47:13   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 22:48:55   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:49:11 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:49:13   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 22:49:14 Session Pending Session pending (2024-08-06) 22:49:16 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-08-06) 22:49:26   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 22:49:33   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.40.6) 22:50:44   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 999) 22:51:24   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 22:51:49 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 22:52:34   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 22:52:37 Session Running Session running 22:52:41   Queue Started Observing Queue started (16 targets selected) 22:52:44     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 22:52:57       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 22:57:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:00:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 23:02:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 23:02:34       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 23:04:43       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 23:06:25       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 23:06:42     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 23:06:47     Target Started (1/16) Target started (1/16, UGC 8630 w/SN2024drv) 23:10:37       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:27:15     Target Completed Target completed (1/16, UGC 8630 w/SN2024drv) 23:28:21     Target Started (2/16) Target started (2/16, 13P/Olbers) 23:34:51       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:46:59     Target Completed Target completed (2/16, 13P/Olbers) 23:47:04     Target Started (3/16) Target started (3/16, C/2023 V4 (Camarasa-Duszanowi) 23:50:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:53:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 00:05:55     Target Completed Target completed (3/16, C/2023 V4 (Camarasa-Duszanowi) 00:05:59     Target Started (4/16) Target started (4/16, HIP 87937) 00:09:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:11:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 00:14:34     Target Completed Target completed (4/16, HIP 87937) 00:14:38     Target Started (5/16) Target started (5/16, UGC 11067 w/SN2024grw) 00:17:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:20:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 00:36:15     Target Completed Target completed (5/16, UGC 11067 w/SN2024grw) 00:36:19     Target Started (6/16) Target started (6/16, 61 Cyg) 00:39:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:42:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 00:43:44     Target Completed Target completed (6/16, 61 Cyg) 00:43:49     Target Started (7/16) Target started (7/16, GCVS BL Lac) 00:47:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:49:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 00:53:18     Target Completed Target completed (7/16, GCVS BL Lac) 00:53:22     Target Started (8/16) Target started (8/16, C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS)) 00:57:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:00:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 01:08:44     Target Completed Target completed (8/16, C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS)) 01:08:48     Target Started (9/16) Target started (9/16, NGC 6433 w/SN2024efn) 01:12:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:14:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 01:31:19     Target Completed Target completed (9/16, NGC 6433 w/SN2024efn) 01:31:23     Target Started (10/16) Target started (10/16, GCVS HH And) 01:34:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:37:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 01:39:32     Target Completed Target completed (10/16, GCVS HH And) 01:39:36     Target Started (11/16) Target started (11/16, AT2024pxr) 01:43:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:45:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 02:02:26     Target Completed Target completed (11/16, AT2024pxr) 02:02:30     Target Started (12/16) Target started (12/16, UGC 1595 w/AT2024kcu) 02:05:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:08:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 02:24:41     Target Completed Target completed (12/16, UGC 1595 w/AT2024kcu) 02:24:45     Target Started (13/16) Target started (13/16, WDS GRB 34) 02:27:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:30:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 02:32:25     Target Completed Target completed (13/16, WDS GRB 34) 02:32:29     Target Started (14/16) Target started (14/16, NGC 797 w/SN2024jjc) 02:35:34       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:42:10       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 02:46:55   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 02:46:57   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 02:47:00     Target Aborted (14/16) Target aborted (14/16, NGC 797 w/SN2024jjc) due to cloud 02:47:02   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:47:04 Session Suspending Session suspending 02:47:50   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 02:47:54 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:49:13     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/16, NGC 797 w/SN2024jjc) due to cloud 03:11:34     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/16, M33 w/Nova M33 2022-11a?) due to cloud 03:21:25 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:22:10   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 03:22:13 Session Running Session running 03:22:15   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:22:18     Target Started (16/16) Target started (16/16, GCVS DY Per) 03:30:02     Target Completed Target completed (16/16, GCVS DY Per) 03:30:04   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 03:30:05 Session Closing Session closing 03:31:01   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 03:31:20   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 10s), Az: 90.0 deg 03:32:47   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 79s total) 03:33:02   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 03:33:43   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 03:35:08   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 03:35:11 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 03:35:38     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 03:36:37     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.2°) 03:36:43     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.2°) 03:36:45   Dome Parked Dome parked 03:37:11   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (56mA) 03:37:13 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 00:54:33 Yellow Alert Dome Discrepency Difference between Dome Az and Telescope Az is > 8 deg (C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS)) 03:37:11 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (56mA)

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Operational Issues (2024-08-06 S1223)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• None

Small Defects

• None

Continuous Improvement

• None

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New security light at local business creating a Light Pollution nuisance

• A very bright security light, 480m distance from the Observatory, has been installed at a local business (KR Group).
• Light began to be used 2024-07-05, and is used by the business to illuminate their workyard for security and staff footpath to office
• The light is on the whole night from dusk to dawn.
• Light glare from the new light, crosses the B9000 Rd and crosses a field in the direction of the Observatory and causes a nuisance to AllSky Camera view of the SW sky.
  (affecting quality of images and the detection of low altitude objects (meteors, space station etc) in that direction, and contributes to light pollution that effects observatory's telescope imaging of very faint astromical objects.
• The light is a contributing hazard to cars driving westward out of the village
  (a potential risk with glare from new light on one side and a ongoing car on the other side)
• The light is a yet a further contributor to general increase in light pollution that has occurred over the last 10 years
  

Southern Sky View is important for my Astronomical Observations & Enjoyment 1) for viewing astronomical targets with low Declination (ones not visible towards zenith or in northern sky) 2) for recording specific auroral events that occur very rarely in southern sky 3)  for detection/confirmation of low altitude objects such as distant meteors/bollides or ISS passes e.g. Image of Aurora Display on night of 2024-05-10 (prior to the new light) Nearly all the lights visible in the SSW to W directions are new in the last 5-10 years (the new light at KR Group is nearly 2 orders brighter than these existing lights !)
New Light appeared 2024-07-05 as noted by Observatory's AllSky Camera AllSky (Southern Panorama) images for Top : 2024-07-04 (no light)  Bottom : 2024-07-05 (new light)
New Security Light KR Group Business Premises view from B900 road		New Security Light is on from dusk to dawn It is supposedy for security, to allow 24 access to site and to illuminate the footpath to the office for safety
Light / Glare associated with the new Light is visible from own property & observatory located 480m away (see map)		Light creates a source of glare to road users at night Photo taken from a car on the B9000 road
Picture taken from own Property on 2024-08-05
AllSky Camera Image (South Panorama) taken from own Property on 2024-08-17
AllSky Camera Image (South Panorama) taken from own Property on 2024-08-29 Here the light artefacts produced by the bright glare from the new Light reach up into the sky to an elevation of 40-45, with faint traces reaching to 60° or more
Picture taken from own Property on 2024-08-20 The light is on from Dusk and Dawn which is policy that KR Group are unwilling to change. Glare from the new Light is significant.
The new 'artificial light' at KR Group's premises very clearly shines outside the area it needs to illuminate Map showing the location of own property & observatory in relationship to the New Light at KR Group's premises (base picture is from GoogleMaps)
The middle & small hours of the night are most important time for astronomers as that is when it should be darkest The two videos below demonstrates that the new nusiance light at KR Group's premises is on all night (from dusk to dawn)
Video for Night 2024-08-15  Dusk to Dawn (21:34 to 04:51 LT)
Link to .mp4 video file (7.3 MB)
|<< Play 0.0s / 0.0s Full-Screen
Video for Night 2024-08-27  Dusk to Dawn (21:00 to 05:20 LT)
Link to .mp4 video file (9.8 MB)
|<< Play 0.0s / 0.0s Full-Screen
Other views of the new light
Picture taken of light entering room in own property from the New Light Although taken as low light (2s) photo, the picture demonstrates clearly the light photons that are coming from the KR Group's new security light and which will effect the images taken with the Observatory's AllSky Camera & the Telescope's Sensitive CCD Camera. The new Light simply should not be illuminating this room 480 m away. When visually viewing the night sky from this window or from outside (either for observing or simply estimating sky quality). the glare from the new Light reduces or prevent the eye's dark-adaption and thus reduces/prevents seeing dim stars ... the light is therefore adversely my reasonable use and enjoyment of my property.
View from room window (2024-08-29 ) Glare from the new Light at the KR Group premises 1) Note the light reflection coming off Observatory dome (in garden on right side) proving that the glare will also reach the telescope if its pointing in the general direction of the new Light 2) Note the bright light reflection coming off the right-hand window frame 3) Note how the light illuminates any grubby marks on the window .
View looking SW from Observatory (2024-08-30) Showing glare from the new Light
View from inside of Observatory looking SW (2024-08-30) Showing glare from the new Light. This is light that can find its way into the telescope view when trying to observe/image dim astronomical objects in this direction The new Light is 100x brighter than any other lights in this direction.
Other particular problems caused by the light :   Rain drops from earlier shower can be lit up by the new light
Mist / low cloud in SW direction can be lit up by the new light
Condensation/dew in the AllSky Camera's Hemisphere can be lit up by the new light
AllSky Panoramic Picture of Southern Sky (2024-08-21)
Light Pollution According to information written on Aberdeenshire Councils Light Pollution web page ( https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/environment/environmental-health/light-pollution ) "Light pollution can be defined as any form of artificial light which shines outside the area it needs to illuminate. This also includes light that is directed above the horizontal into the night sky creating sky glow or which creates a danger by glare. The most common examples of light pollution come from domestic and small scale security lighting that are incorrectly aligned and cause too much glare.   Light pollution can be deemed to be a statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 where artificial light is emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance. This means light that is adversely impacting a person's reasonable use or enjoyment of their property rather than the brightness of the light alone. For example, a light shining directly in to someone's bedroom would be considered light pollution regardless of the brightness of that light."
Plan of action is to contact Aberdeenshire Council's Environmental Health team to make a complaint.

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