David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1241 (2024-09-11)

Notes (S1240)

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Notes (S1242)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (2),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (1)
	Images from 2024-09-11 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-09-11)

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 3.69.6,  AstroPlan 1.40.8,  AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.5   (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroVOE 1.13.2,  AstroSN 1.12,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.12.14    when did astroSN 1.10.4 go to 1.11 ?
  AstroWeather 1.25, AstroAllSky 3.20.4,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4 (not 1.11.5), AstroLaunch 1.11.3

Highlights-

• Targets. 6/22 planned targets observations were completed, with 7 other targets partially completed. The  9 others target failed due to rain, threat of rain or cloud or the consequential session suspension.
• Dome. No issues opening/closing shutter during session, in particular the dome closed promptly when required during the 8 session suspensions through the night due to Rain and/or Threat of Rain.  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 21:57:10 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:57 & 04:38 21:57:11 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:57) 21:57:33   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 21:58:01   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 21:58:03 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-09-11 S01241, ImageSaveNum: 1241001) 21:58:08   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 22:00:06   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:00:13 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:00:15 Session Pending Session pending (2024-09-11) 22:00:17 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-09-11) 22:00:27   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 22:00:34   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.40.8) 22:01:24   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1016) 22:02:05   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 22:02:30 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 22:03:35   Wait On Weather Waiting for acceptable conditions 22:03:37 Session Suspending Session suspending 22:03:39   Dome Closed Dome already closed 22:03:41 Session Suspended Session suspended 22:04:07   Queue Started Observing Queue started (22 targets selected) 22:08:15 Session Resuming Session resuming 22:09:00   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 22:09:03 Session Running Session running 22:09:05   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 22:09:07     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 21, HIP 103850) 22:09:19       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 22:11:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:14:36       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 22:15:36   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 22:15:38   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain) 22:15:40       Focusing Aborted Foc1 Focusing Aborted due to HardSuspend 22:15:42     Target Aborted (NrZen) Target aborted (Focus Field 21, HIP 103850) due to threat of rain 22:15:44   Queue Paused Observing Queue pausing for Session Suspension 22:15:46 Session Suspending Session suspending 22:16:31   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 22:16:34 Session Suspended Session suspended 22:26:18     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (1/22, Nova Vul 2024) due to threat of rain 22:31:23 Session Resuming Session resuming 22:32:08   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 22:32:11 Session Running Session running 22:32:13   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 22:32:15     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 21, HIP 103850) 22:34:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:37:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 22:39:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 22:40:00       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:41:52       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3, wide) 22:43:35       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 22:43:53     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 21, HIP 103850) 22:43:55     Target Missed (2/22) Target's time slot was missed (2/22, AT2023aanv (CV)) 22:43:57     Target Started (3/22) Target started (3/22, AT2024xf) 22:47:01       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:03:52     Target Completed Target completed (3/22, AT2024xf) 23:03:57     Target Started (4/22) Target started (4/22, GCVS BL Lac) 23:06:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:09:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 23:13:16     Target Completed Target completed (4/22, GCVS BL Lac) 23:13:20     Target Started (5/22) Target started (5/22, AT2023exh) 23:16:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:18:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 23:33:16   Critical Rain Alert Critical Rain Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 23:33:18   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (rain) 23:33:21     Target Aborted (5/22) Target aborted (5/22, AT2023exh) due to rain 23:33:23   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 23:33:25 Session Suspending Session suspending 23:34:11   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 23:34:14 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:44:26     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (6/22, AT2023abqc (CV)) due to threat of rain 23:51:08 Session Resuming Session resuming 23:51:54   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 23:51:56 Session Running Session running 23:51:58   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 23:52:00     Target Started (7/22) Target started (7/22, AT2024uvv) 00:11:19     Target Completed Target completed (7/22, AT2024uvv) 00:11:23     Target Started (8/22) Target started (8/22, AT2022aeeo (CV)) 00:14:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:16:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 00:22:47     Target Completed Target completed (8/22, AT2022aeeo (CV)) 00:22:51     Target Started (9/22) Target started (9/22, AT2024koe) 00:25:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:28:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 00:32:54   Critical Rain Alert Critical Rain Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 00:32:56   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (rain) 00:32:59     Target Aborted (9/22) Target aborted (9/22, AT2024koe) due to rain 00:33:01   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:33:03 Session Suspending Session suspending 00:33:49   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 00:33:52 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:38:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (9/22, AT2024koe) due to threat of rain 00:43:25 Session Resuming Session resuming 00:44:10   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 00:44:13 Session Running Session running 00:44:15   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 00:44:17     Target Started (10/22) Target started (10/22, M33 w/Nova M33 2024-08a?) 00:47:36       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:50:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 00:56:12   Critical Rain Alert Critical Rain Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 00:56:14   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (rain) 00:56:17     Target Aborted (10/22) Target aborted (10/22, M33 w/Nova M33 2024-08a?) due to rain 00:56:19   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:56:21 Session Suspending Session suspending 00:57:07   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 00:57:10 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:59:12 Session Resuming Session resuming 00:59:58   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 01:00:00 Session Running Session running 01:00:02   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 01:00:03     Target Started (10/22) Target started (10/22, M33 w/Nova M33 2024-08a?) 01:07:52     Target Completed Target partially completed (10/22, M33 w/Nova M33 2024-08a?) 01:07:56     Target Started (11/22) Target started (11/22, SN 2023sfl) 01:10:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:13:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 01:22:05   Critical Rain Alert Critical Rain Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:22:07   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (rain) 01:22:10     Target Aborted (11/22) Target aborted (11/22, SN 2023sfl) due to rain 01:22:12   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:22:14 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:23:01   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 01:23:03 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:34:37 Session Resuming Session resuming 01:35:22   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 01:35:24 Session Running Session running 01:35:26   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 01:35:29     Target Started (12/22) Target started (12/22, AT2024ugc) 01:50:59     Target Completed Target partially completed (12/22, AT2024ugc) 01:51:03     Target Started (13/22) Target started (13/22, AT2023pua (CV)) 01:54:10   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:54:12   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain) 01:54:14     Target Aborted (13/22) Target aborted (13/22, AT2023pua (CV)) due to threat of rain 01:54:16   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:54:18 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:55:05   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 01:55:07 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:07:06     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (13/22, AT2023pua (CV)) due to cloud 02:07:12 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:07:57   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 02:07:59 Session Running Session running 02:08:01   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:10:10     Target Started (14/22) Target started (14/22, NGC 797 w/SN2024jjc) 02:12:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:15:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 02:22:59   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 02:23:01   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain) 02:23:03     Target Aborted (14/22) Target aborted (14/22, NGC 797 w/SN2024jjc) due to threat of rain 02:23:05   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:23:07 Session Suspending Session suspending 02:23:54   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 02:23:56 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:29:26     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/22, NGC 797 w/SN2024jjc) due to cloud 02:45:07 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:45:52   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 02:45:54 Session Running Session running 02:45:56   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:45:58     Target Started (15/22) Target started (15/22, M31 w/Nova M31 AT2023veq) 02:58:09     Target Completed Target partially completed (15/22, M31 w/Nova M31 AT2023veq) 02:58:13     Target Started (16/22) Target started (16/22, 237P/LINEAR) 03:01:15       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:12:00     Target Completed Target completed (16/22, 237P/LINEAR) 03:12:05     Target Started (17/22) Target started (17/22, AT2023rbs) 03:14:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:17:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 03:33:48     Target Completed Target completed (17/22, AT2023rbs) 03:33:52     Target Started (18/22) Target started (18/22, AT2023ud) 03:36:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:37:44   Critical Rain Alert Critical Rain Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 03:37:46   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (rain) 03:37:51       Focusing Aborted Foc1 Focusing Aborted 03:37:53     Target Aborted (18/22) Target aborted (18/22, AT2023ud) due to rain 03:37:55   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:37:57 Session Suspending Session suspending 03:38:44   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 44s) 03:38:46 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:52:10     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/22, AT2023ud) due to cloud 04:06:10     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (19/22, AT2023wbv (CV)) due to rain 04:18:12     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (20/22, GCVS DX Cnc) due to threat of rain 04:37:42     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/22, NGC 3073 w/AT2024unf) due to rain 05:10:02     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/22, NGC 3206 w/SN2024bch) due to threat of rain 05:10:06   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 05:10:11 Session Closing Session closing 05:10:16   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 03:38, closing time 49s, zigbee 44s) 05:10:43   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 19s), Az: 90.0 deg 05:12:03   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 76s total) 05:12:18   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 05:12:40   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:14:03   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:14:06 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:14:23     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 05:15:18     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.2°) 05:15:24     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.2°) 05:15:26   Dome Parked Dome parked 05:15:46   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (37mA) 05:15:49 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 22:00:15 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (49.58 GB) is less than 50 GB 00:33:09 Red Alarm Dome Unsafe CloudSensor detects Rain, but Shutter Sensor is open 05:14:16 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (48.51 GB) is less than 50 GB 05:15:46 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (37mA)

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Operational Issues (2024-09-11 S1241)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (2)
• Small Defects (1)
• Continuous Improvement (1)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Red 'Dome Unsafe' alert raised with message "CloudSensor detects Rain, but Shutter Sensor is open" (00:33) . Minor spits of rain were detected by Cloud/Rain Sensor at 00:32:54 (Rain 1.2) which came out of almost completely clear sky (see Fig 1). to which the ObsManager immediately reacted and ordered a Hard Suspend. Observatory went into 'Session Suspending' state at 00:32:59 (T+5s).  The Observatory Shutter began closing at 00:33:01 (T+7s) , and was totally closed at 00:33:44 (T+50s).  At the same time that the Red 'Dome Unsafe' alert was raised at 00:33:09 (T+15s) with the message "CloudSensor detects Rain, but Shutter Sensor is open", a 'UnsafeShutter'  alert  was logged with the message "CloudSensor detects Rain (3.8) , but Shutter Sensor is open" indicating that rain drops had intentisified (Rain 3.8).  The automated reaction of the Observatory was as just about as fast as it could have been. As the detected rain intensity was very light and their were no supporting indictors from CloudSensor (Clarity: 35.5) , AllSky Camera (Stars: 53) and Radar/Rainfall forecast (Dry) the ObsManager allowed the JobQueue to finish aborting the current operations (Imaging in this case), taking up 5s of time, before changing to 'Suspending' and Closing the Shutter.  ObsManager's routine would have forced an immediate closing of the Shutter in the event of detecting heavier rain. By the time rain had reached a value of 3.8 the dome was already closing.   There were a number of other points during the night were there were minor spits of rain, and other periods of heavier rain to which ObsManager reacted and suspended the session.  Four suspensions during the night were a reaction to 'Threat of rain' based on Minutely Rain/Radar Forecast data.  Issue was closed after review on the basis that the Observatory System & Software performed as per design.
  Closed after review 2024-09-12 (Session, AstroMain ObsManager)
   
• Free space on Observatory Computer's C Drive has fallen below 50 GB. Yellow 'Disk Space' alerts were raised at start and end of session to warn that free-disk space has fallen below 50 MB with message "Free Space on C:\ Drive (48.51 GB) is less than 50 GB".  Disk space needs to be freed up to maintain 50 MB buffer. The 'ObsEnv' folder and the New' folder was thinned out on 2024-09-14 with the saving of 10.5 GB and 60 GB respectively, giving an updated Free Space volume of 117 GB.
  Fixed 2024-09-14 (Observatory Computer)

Small Defects

• Rain Precipitation Threats are not being shown on the Night Summary Chart. ObsManager correctly recognised and responded to Rain Threats during the session, in particular by suspending the session due to 'Threat of rain' at 22:03, 22:15, 01:54 & 02:23.  The Night Summary Chart is meant to display Forecast Precipitation as a curve indicator on the left hand side of the chart but the periods with Rain Threat that undoubtedly occurred during the session are not indicated on the chart (see Fig 1).  This charting feature was most likely lost when the probability of preciptition was lost from the Weather Forecast API when the Observatory's weather forecast source moved from DarkSky.net to OpenWeather.org.  The drawing of the 'Forecast Precip' track needs to be changed to indicate whatever information it can, at the very least this should be a binary Dry vs Rain Threat bar indicator.   Examination of the DrawNightSummaryPlotLineInfo () routine shows that it is currently drawing ER.precipNext15MinProbability (ie max probability of rain in the next 15 mins).  Fix attempted in AstroAllSky 3.20.5, by changed the routine to use ER.precipNext15MinIntensity.
  Fixed 2024-09-15 (AstroAllSky 3.20.5)

Continuous Improvement

• A Green 'Dome Safe' alert should be raised when dome has closed following a Red Dome Unsafe alert  .  Implemented in AstroMain 3.69.7, by adding code to Obs.Manager Main Loop, so that a Green SaveSessionAlert is raised when RainWhilstShutterNotClosedReported = True and Zigbee.ShutterBotSensor.Open = False (ie Closed).
  Done 2024-09-14 (AstroMain 3.69.7)

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