David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1227 (2024-08-13)

Notes (S1226)

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Notes (S1228)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (3),  Small Defects (0),  Continuous Improvement (0)
	Images from 2024-08-13 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-08-13)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
2. Autostart.  Continue to test modified routine in AstroMain 3.69.2 with workaround fix to reliably connect to Telescope during AutoStart

 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 3.69.2,  AstroPlan 1.40.7,  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-

• Autostart.  Telescope Connection was successfully made upon 2nd automated attempt during initial Autostart operation to Start Observatory Services.
• Targets. 8/19 planned targets observations were completed, with 4 other targets partially completed. Other targets failed due to cloud, too few stars or 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 22:06:52 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 22:06 & 03:20 22:06:53   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 22:24:25 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (22:24) 22:24:48   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 22:25:16   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 22:25:19 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-08-13 S01227, ImageSaveNum: 1227001) 22:25:23   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 22:27:22   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:27:29 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:27:31   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 22:27:33 Session Pending Session pending (2024-08-13) 22:27:35 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-08-13) 22:27:41   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 22:27:48   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.40.7) 22:29:00   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1002) 22:29:40   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 22:30:04 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 22:30:49   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 22:30:51 Session Running Session running 22:30:54   Queue Started Observing Queue started (19 targets selected) 22:30:55     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 22:31:10       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 22:33:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:36:30       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 22:38:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 22:38:48       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:40:43       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 22:42:26       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 22:42:43     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 22:44:16     Target Started (1/19) Target started (1/19, 13P/Olbers) 22:50:26       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 23:03:13     Target Completed Target completed (1/19, 13P/Olbers) 23:03:17     Target Started (2/19) Target started (2/19, LEDA 1846725 w/SN2024iss) 23:06:46       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:23:29     Target Completed Target completed (2/19, LEDA 1846725 w/SN2024iss) 23:24:26     Target Started (3/19) Target started (3/19, NGC 6384 w/SN2024pxl) 23:27:16   ScopeMonitor Frozen ScopeMonitor appears to be frozen at around 23:27 23:29:05   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to TheSky6 failure 23:31:05 Session Suspending Session suspending 23:31:55   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 23:31:57 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:32:54     Target Aborted (3/19) Target aborted (3/19, NGC 6384 w/SN2024pxl) due to Obs.Manager Request 23:32:56   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 23:34:00 Session Resuming Session resuming 23:34:45   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 23:34:47 Session Running Session running 23:34:49   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 23:34:52     Target Started (3/19) Target started (3/19, NGC 6384 w/SN2024pxl) 23:49:07     Target Completed Target partially completed (3/19, NGC 6384 w/SN2024pxl) 23:49:11     Target Started (4/19) Target started (4/19, UGC 11067 w/SN2024grw) 23:52:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:54:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 00:10:44     Target Completed Target completed (4/19, UGC 11067 w/SN2024grw) 00:10:48     Target Started (5/19) Target started (5/19, AT2024rwq (CV)) 00:13:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:16:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 00:22:13     Target Completed Target completed (5/19, AT2024rwq (CV)) 00:22:17     Target Started (6/19) Target started (6/19, GCVS BL Lac) 00:25:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:28:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 00:32:17     Target Completed Target completed (6/19, GCVS BL Lac) 00:32:21     Target Started (7/19) Target started (7/19, AT2022yvx (CV)) 00:35:09       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:41:28     Target Completed Target completed (7/19, AT2022yvx (CV)) 00:43:05     Target Started (8/19) Target started (8/19, NGC 7171 w/SN2023yoo) 00:49:16       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 01:05:28     Target Completed Target completed (8/19, NGC 7171 w/SN2023yoo) 01:05:32     Target Started (9/19) Target started (9/19, WDS GRB 34) 01:08:26       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:10:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 01:12:53     Target Completed Target completed (9/19, WDS GRB 34) 01:13:52     Target Started (10/19) Target started (10/19, AT2023abtv (CV)) 01:15:25   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:15:27   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 01:15:29     Target Aborted (10/19) Target aborted (10/19, AT2023abtv (CV)) due to cloud 01:15:31   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:15:33 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:16:20   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 01:16:22 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:22:35 Session Resuming Session resuming 01:23:21   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 01:23:23 Session Running Session running 01:23:25   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 01:23:27     Target Started (10/19) Target started (10/19, AT2023abtv (CV)) 01:29:50     Target Completed Target partially completed (10/19, AT2023abtv (CV)) 01:29:54     Target Started (11/19) Target started (11/19, AT2023csz) 01:32:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:35:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 01:41:52   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:41:54   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 01:41:57     Target Aborted (11/19) Target aborted (11/19, AT2023csz) due to cloud 01:41:59   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:42:01 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:42:47   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 01:42:50 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:44:48     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (11/19, AT2023csz) due to cloud 01:58:08     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (12/19, Nova Cas 2021 (Nova)) due to too few stars 02:18:13     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (13/19, PGC 606) due to cloud 02:30:42 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:31:27   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 02:31:29 Session Running Session running 02:31:31   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:31:34     Target Started (14/19) Target started (14/19, 54P/de Vico-Swift-NEAT) 02:36:22       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 02:38:33       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 02:41:03       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 02:43:24     Target Completed Target partially completed (14/19, 54P/de Vico-Swift-NEAT) 02:43:26   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:43:28 Session Suspending Session suspending 02:44:18   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 02:44:21 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:58:35     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/19, MCG +9-27-70 w/SN2023acha) due to too few stars 03:08:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/19, 61 Cyg) due to cloud 03:17:14     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/19, GCVS HH And) due to cloud 03:36:39     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/19, UGC 1595 w/AT2024kcu) due to cloud 04:00:41     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (19/19, GSC 1224:29) due to too few stars 04:00:45   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 04:00:50 Session Closing Session closing 04:00:55   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 02:44, closing time 50s, zigbee 43s) 04:01:34   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 31s), Az: 90.0 deg 04:02:45   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 69s total) 04:03:00   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 04:03:23   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 04:04:48   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 04:04:50 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 04:05:03     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 04:06:01     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.0°) 04:07:36   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (61mA) 04:07:38 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 23:29:00 Red Alert ScopeMonitor ScopeMonitor appears to be frozen (last cycle at 23:27:16) 23:29:05 Red Alert TheSky6 Alert TheSky6 isn't running or isn't working correctly 23:32:56 Green Clear ScopeMonitor ScopeMonitor has resumed again (23:32) after 0.0 mins 04:07:36 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (61mA)

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Operational Issues (2024-08-13 S1227)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• TheSky6 Alert raised with message "TheSky6 isn't running or isn't working correctly" (23:29).  During the linking of Guider Reference Frame for Target 3/19 (NGC 6384) a 'ScopeMonitor' red alert / warning was raised by the ObsOverseer at 23:29:00 with the message "ScopeMonitor appears to be frozen (last cycle at 23:27:16)", followed by the raising of a ''TheSky6' red alert at 23:29:05 with the message "TheSky6 isn't running or isn't working correctly".  The ObsManager aborted the target. The ObsOverseer reported that "a task in StartTargetGuiding/StartGuider is taking a long time? " and the ObsManager recorded a timeout waiting for JobQueue to raise bSuspendOk flag (suggesting that the execution of the JobQueue was hung).   The Shutter was closed and the Session was suspended at 23:31:55.   During SuspendedStage7 (Release JobExectutor) ) the Job Queue became unhung, the TheSkyScope.Monitor resumed at 23:32:51 and reported plate solution results before reporting that the target was aborting and entered a wait loop at 23:32 to wait for conditions to improve in order to make a second attempt at Target 3/19.it aborted the target.   Unclear how the frozen task was released, but it was and the second attempt to image Target 3/19 (NGC 6384) was successful and there were no further problems with the ScopeMonitor becoming frozen. Closed after review the following day.
  Closed after review 2024-08-14 (Session, TheSky6, AstroMain Scope Monitor)
   
• Condensation/frost slugs in corners of initial CCD Images.  CCD Images from start of session (see Fig 1)  (Focus Field & 1st Target). Dessicator in SBIG Camera needs to be regenerated.  Dessicator was renewed in oven on 2024-08-14 and then returned to SBIG Camera on 2024-08-15.   Iimages from session S1228 (2024-08-15) show continued presence of frost/condensation in corners of initial CCD images which suggests that water vapour hasn't yet been tried from the CCD cell.
  Fixed 2024-08-15 (SBIG Camera)
   
• Target Detail Pictures are incorrectly produced when the original image can't be plate solved. Target Detail pictures are designed to be 125% scaled, centered on the target centre and cropped to 500 x 338 pixels in size.  These are correctly produced when the original target can be plate solved , and target circle/ellipse is drawn. However when the original image can't be plate solved and is devoid of target circle/ellipse, the Detail picture whilst seemingly scaled a 125%, it is cropped to 500 x 287 pixels in size. Investigating showed that  the two following code lines in ConvertFitsToJpg() routine which are executed when P=3 (i.e .detail picture) And LocateInfo.ObjectX = vcNull)  produce incorrect CropX & CropY values when the prior Locate Frame can't be linked since LocateInfo.nX & .nY have the value vcNull (-99).
      CropX = (LocateInfo.nX * BinScale) / 2 - ((500 / PictureScale) / 2)
    CropY = (LocateInfo.nY * BinScale) / 2 - ((337 / PictureScale) / 2)
  lines have been fixed in AstroMain 3.69.5 to use
      CropX = (IV.nx * BinScale) / 2 - ((500 / PictureScale) / 2)
    CropY = (IV.nY * BinScale) / 2 - ((337 / PictureScale) / 2)
  Fixed 2024-08-18 (AstroMain 3.69.5)

Small Defects

• None

Continuous Improvement

• None

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