David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1228 (2024-08-15)

Notes (S1227)

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Notes (S1229)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (0),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (1)
	Images from 2024-08-15 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-08-15)

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 3.69.3,  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 1.25, 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. 18/21 planned targets observations were completed, with 2 other targets partially completed. One planned target (NGC 7171 w/SN) was replaced by a ToO Target (NGC 6778, Ast.Now Deep Sky Challenge Object. Sep 2024).
• 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 21:36:08 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:49 & 03:26 21:36:08   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 21:49 21:49:04   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 22:19:17 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (22:19) 22:19:29   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 22:19:58   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -5°C) 22:20:00 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-08-15 S01228, ImageSaveNum: 1228001) 22:20:05   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 22:22:03   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:22:09 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:22:12   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 22:22:14 Session Pending Session pending (2024-08-15) 22:22:16 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-08-15) 22:22:24   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 22:22:30   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.40.7) 22:23:47   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1003) 22:24:27   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 22:24:51 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 22:25:36   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 22:25:38 Session Running Session running 22:25:41   Queue Started Observing Queue started (20 targets selected) 22:25:42     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 22:25:56       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 22:28:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:31:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 22:33:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 22:33:49       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:35:57       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 22:37:40       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 22:37:57     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 22:38:58     Target Started (1/20) Target started (1/20, 13P/Olbers) 22:43:30       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:57:42     Target Completed Target completed (1/20, 13P/Olbers) 22:57:46     Target Started (2/21) Target started (2/21, NGC 6778, ToO) 23:23:49     Target Completed Target completed (2/21, NGC 6778, ToO) 23:23:51     Target Missed (3/21) Target's time slot was missed (3/21, NGC 7171 w/SN2023yoo) 23:23:53     Target Started (4/21) Target started (4/21, AT2024rzx (CV)) 23:33:18     Target Completed Target completed (4/21, AT2024rzx (CV)) 23:33:22     Target Started (5/21) Target started (5/21, NGC 6384 w/SN2024pxl) 23:36:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:39:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 23:55:08     Target Completed Target completed (5/21, NGC 6384 w/SN2024pxl) 23:55:12     Target Started (6/21) Target started (6/21, AT2024rwq (CV)) 23:58:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:00:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 00:06:50     Target Completed Target completed (6/21, AT2024rwq (CV)) 00:06:54     Target Started (7/21) Target started (7/21, AT2024ed) 00:09:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:12:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 00:28:32     Target Completed Target completed (7/21, AT2024ed) 00:28:36     Target Started (8/21) Target started (8/21, 61 Cyg) 00:31:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:33:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 00:35:19     Target Completed Target completed (8/21, 61 Cyg) 00:35:23     Target Started (9/21) Target started (9/21, GCVS BL Lac) 00:38:08       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:40:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 00:44:37     Target Completed Target completed (9/21, GCVS BL Lac) 00:45:03     Target Started (10/21) Target started (10/21, Nova Cas 2021 (Nova)) 00:48:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:50:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 00:55:43     Target Completed Target completed (10/21, Nova Cas 2021 (Nova)) 00:56:08     Target Started (11/21) Target started (11/21, AT2023abtv (CV)) 00:59:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:01:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 01:07:52     Target Completed Target completed (11/21, AT2023abtv (CV)) 01:08:28     Target Started (12/21) Target started (12/21, M33 w/Nova M33 2024-08a?) 01:11:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:14:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 01:30:54     Target Completed Target completed (12/21, M33 w/Nova M33 2024-08a?) 01:30:58     Target Started (13/21) Target started (13/21, WDS GRB 34) 01:33:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:36:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 01:38:31     Target Completed Target completed (13/21, WDS GRB 34) 01:38:35     Target Started (14/22) Target started (14/22, 54P/de Vico-Swift-NEAT, ToO) 01:41:41       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:53:14     Target Completed Target completed (14/22, 54P/de Vico-Swift-NEAT, ToO) 01:53:18     Target Started (15/22) Target started (15/22, 54P/de Vico-Swift-NEAT) 02:00:33     Target Completed Target partially completed (15/22, 54P/de Vico-Swift-NEAT) 02:00:37     Target Started (16/22) Target started (16/22, NGC 797 w/SN2024jjc) 02:03:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:05:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 02:22:04     Target Completed Target completed (16/22, NGC 797 w/SN2024jjc) 02:22:08     Target Started (17/22) Target started (17/22, MCG +9-27-70 w/SN2023acha) 02:26:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:28:59       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 02:45:23     Target Completed Target completed (17/22, MCG +9-27-70 w/SN2023acha) 02:45:27     Target Started (18/22) Target started (18/22, M101 w/SN2023ixf) 03:05:21     Target Completed Target completed (18/22, M101 w/SN2023ixf) 03:05:25     Target Started (19/22) Target started (19/22, AT2022vxe) 03:08:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:11:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 03:27:09     Target Completed Target completed (19/22, AT2022vxe) 03:27:13     Target Started (20/22) Target started (20/22, GCVS EV Lac) 03:32:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:35:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 03:38:34     Target Completed Target completed (20/22, GCVS EV Lac) 03:38:38     Target Started (21/22) Target started (21/22, GCVS Z And) 03:41:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:43:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 03:48:06   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 03:48:08   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 03:48:10     Target Aborted (21/22) Target aborted (21/22, GCVS Z And) due to cloud 03:48:12   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:48:14 Session Suspending Session suspending 03:49:01   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 03:49:04 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:58:02 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:58:47   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 03:58:49 Session Running Session running 03:58:51   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:58:54     Target Started (22/22) Target started (22/22, GCVS HH And) 04:03:26     Target Completed Target completed (22/22, GCVS HH And) 04:03:28   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 04:03:30 Session Closing Session closing 04:04:18   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 45s, Zigbee 43s) 04:05:20   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 55s), Az: 90.1 deg 04:06:41   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 77s total) 04:06:56   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 04:07:18   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 04:08:40   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 04:08:43 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 04:09:10     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 04:10:07     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.6°) 04:10:13     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.7°) 04:10:15   Dome Parked Dome parked 04:10:23   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (45mA) 04:10:25 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 02:23:30 Yellow Alert Dome Discrepency Difference between Dome Az and Slave Az is > 1 deg (MCG +9-27-70) 04:10:23 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (45mA)

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Operational Issues (2024-08-15 S1228)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• None

Small Defects

• Observing Plan chart for S1128 session was initiated titled as "Observing Plan 2024-08-15 (Test)". After downloading Targets Database from Observatory Computer following the S1128 session, AstroPlan was used to generate an executed 'Observing Plan' chart for the session.  When this done the chart was found to be titled  "Observing Plan 2024-08-15 (Test)" instead of  the expected title "Observing Plan 2024-08-15 (S01128)". After performing a 'Restart Database' operation (in order to get list of sessions including the new S1128 session), it was found that using 'Draw (Plan) Chart" a second time would then produce an Observing Plan chart with the expected title.  On other occasions (when Restart Database wasn't required), the first attempt to produce an observing chart had the correct/expected title.
  Resolved 2024-08-16 (AstroPlan, User Awareness)

Continuous Improvement

• Add a 'FV' option to AnalysisStage.PostNebulosity code section. Add a 'FV' option to menu choice to allow to the user to revert back to using the original FIT file if it was decided that the Nebulosity modified Fit.Fit image (synthetic flat corrected) didn't provide an improvement on the original unmodified image.  Implemented in AstroMain 3.69.4.
  Done 2024-08-16 (AstroMain 3.69.4)

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