David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 1246 (2024-09-17)

 
Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
Bullet Operational Issues
  - Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (1),  Minor Issues (0),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (4)
Bullet Images from 2024-09-17 >>         
   
Bullet Review - Improving Operational Efficiency
   

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-09-17)

Main aims

  1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
  2. AstroMain.  Continue to check new 3.69.8 version of AstroMain to ensure new code in ObsManager for handling JobQueue/TheSky6 freezes has no negative effects or problems
  3. ImageLink/TheSky6.  Monitor session for any further incidents of the issue where the ImageLink process freezes for 5 minutes leading to Target Abort & Session Suspension.  Tracing was further extended in AstroMain 3.69.8. The new version also contains some statements tha might potentially resolve the ongoing issue.

 Equipment & Software

Highlights-

Notes:

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan
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Observing Result
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Dome & Scope Slewing Performance
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Slew/Centering Performance
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Guiding Performance
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Sky Conditions (Locate Frames)
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Night Sky Summary Plot
Top axis: Sky Brightness at Zenith (in ADU/s)
Lefthand axis: Local Time (hh LT). Righthand axis: Sun Altitude (degs)
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Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast
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Session Event Log
Time     Event Detail
19:47:51 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 20:15 & 04:40
19:47:54   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 20:15
20:15:37   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars
20:35:58 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (20:35)
20:36:22   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.)
20:36:50   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C)
20:36:52 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-09-17 S01246, ImageSaveNum: 1246001)
20:36:57   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
20:38:54   Services Started Observatory Services started
20:39:01 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
20:39:03   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars
20:39:06 Session Pending Session pending (2024-09-17)
20:39:08 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-09-17)
20:39:15   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C)
20:39:22   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.40.9)
20:40:13   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1021)
20:40:54   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6)
20:41:18 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome
20:42:03   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 39s)
20:42:23 Session Running Session running
20:42:25   Queue Started Observing Queue started (31 targets selected)
20:42:28     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376)
20:42:42       Dome Unparked Dome unparked
20:46:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:49:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide)
20:51:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
20:51:46       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
20:53:53       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
20:55:35       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
20:55:53     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376)
20:55:57     Target Started (1/31) Target started (1/31, IC 1125 w/SN2024jz)
20:59:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:02:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
21:19:17     Target Completed Target completed (1/31, IC 1125 w/SN2024jz)
21:19:21     Target Started (2/31) Target started (2/31, GCVS T CrB)
21:22:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:25:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
21:31:06     Target Completed Target completed (2/31, GCVS T CrB)
21:31:10     Target Started (3/31) Target started (3/31, LEDA 1846725 w/SN2024iss)
21:35:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:37:59       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
21:54:25     Target Completed Target completed (3/31, LEDA 1846725 w/SN2024iss)
21:54:29     Target Started (4/31) Target started (4/31, SN 2023mpz)
21:57:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:00:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
22:16:26     Target Completed Target completed (4/31, SN 2023mpz)
22:16:31     Target Started (5/31) Target started (5/31, AT2022zks)
22:19:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:21:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
22:38:24     Target Completed Target completed (5/31, AT2022zks)
22:38:28     Target Started (6/31) Target started (6/31, Nova Vul 2024)
22:41:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:43:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
22:47:08     Target Completed Target completed (6/31, Nova Vul 2024)
22:47:12     Target Started (7/31) Target started (7/31, AT2023cti)
22:50:05       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:52:10       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
22:52:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
22:52:40       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
22:55:15       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
23:08:38     Target Completed Target completed (7/31, AT2023cti)
23:08:40   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
23:08:42 Session Suspending Session suspending
23:09:32   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s)
23:09:35 Session Suspended Session suspended
23:19:12     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (8/31, AT2024hr (CV)) due to cloud
23:31:33     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (9/31, AT2022aeet (CV)) due to cloud
23:32:34 Session Resuming Session resuming
23:33:19   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s)
23:33:22 Session Running Session running
23:33:24   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
23:33:27     Target Started (10/31) Target started (10/31, AT2024iwq)
23:36:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:39:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
23:55:10     Target Completed Target completed (10/31, AT2024iwq)
23:55:14     Target Started (11/31) Target started (11/31, AT2023uli (CV))
23:58:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:00:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11)
00:06:56     Target Completed Target completed (11/31, AT2023uli (CV))
00:07:01     Target Started (12/31) Target started (12/31, AT2023abiv (CV))
00:09:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:11:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12)
00:17:46     Target Completed Target completed (12/31, AT2023abiv (CV))
00:18:36     Target Started (13/31) Target started (13/31, GCVS EV Lac)
00:21:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:24:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13)
00:26:54     Target Completed Target completed (13/31, GCVS EV Lac)
00:27:38     Target Started (14/31) Target started (14/31, GCVS S Cyg)
00:31:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:33:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14)
00:44:26     Target Completed Target completed (14/31, GCVS S Cyg)
00:44:30     Target Started (15/31) Target started (15/31, AT2024vhz)
00:48:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:50:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15)
01:03:47       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
01:04:22       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
01:06:44     Target Completed Target completed (15/31, AT2024vhz)
01:06:48     Target Started (16/31) Target started (16/31, NGC 3206 w/SN2024bch)
01:06:58       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity)
01:07:28       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
01:08:23       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
01:08:33       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
01:11:23       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
01:12:28       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
01:14:08       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
01:18:14       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
01:28:20     Target Completed Target completed (16/31, NGC 3206 w/SN2024bch)
01:28:22   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
01:28:25 Session Suspending Session suspending
01:29:15   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s)
01:29:17 Session Suspended Session suspended
01:39:43     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/31, AT2023cmv (CV)) due to cloud
01:51:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/31, GSC 1224:29) due to cloud
02:10:56     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (19/31, AT2023wfq) due to cloud
02:33:16     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (20/31, AT2024ugc) due to cloud
02:47:16     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/31, AT2023uzs (CV)) due to cloud
02:57:26     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/31, GCVS RX And) due to cloud
03:16:36     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/31, AT2023iw (CV)) due to cloud
03:32:57 Session Resuming Session resuming
03:33:42   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s)
03:33:44 Session Running Session running
03:33:46   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
03:33:49     Target Started (24/31) Target started (24/31, UGC 2028 w/SN2022xkt)
03:46:48     Target Completed Target partially completed (24/31, UGC 2028 w/SN2022xkt)
03:46:53     Target Started (25/31) Target started (25/31, AT2022obq (CV))
03:55:30     Target Completed Target completed (25/31, AT2022obq (CV))
03:55:35     Target Started (26/31) Target started (26/31, AT2023rbs)
03:58:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:01:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16)
04:16:52     Target Completed Target completed (26/31, AT2023rbs)
04:16:56     Target Started (27/31) Target started (27/31, GCVS BL Lac)
04:20:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:22:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17)
04:26:48     Target Completed Target completed (27/31, GCVS BL Lac)
04:26:52     Target Started (28/31) Target started (28/31, AT2022weo)
04:31:03       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
04:37:16     Target Completed Target completed (28/31, AT2022weo)
04:38:58     Target Started (29/31) Target started (29/31, AT2024emn (CV))
04:42:57   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out)
04:43:16   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix locked thread)
04:43:23   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled
04:44:18   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C)
04:44:21   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset)
04:50:00     Target Completed Target completed (29/31, AT2024emn (CV))
04:50:58     Target Started (30/31) Target started (30/31, AT2023srw (CV))
04:54:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:56:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18)
05:02:42     Target Completed Target completed (30/31, AT2023srw (CV))
05:02:58     Target Started (31/31) Target started (31/31, AT2024eja)
05:06:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
05:08:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19)
05:24:45     Target Completed Target completed (31/31, AT2024eja)
05:24:47   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
05:24:51 Session Closing Session closing
05:25:47   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s)
05:26:22   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 28s), Az: 90.0 deg
05:27:35   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 66s total)
05:27:50   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.'
05:28:12   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
05:29:39   Services Stopped Night Services stopped
05:29:42 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
05:30:14     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow)
05:31:15     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 89.8°)
05:31:22     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: +0.2°)
05:31:24   Dome Parked Dome parked
05:31:27   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (59mA)
05:31:29 Session Finished Session Finished

 
Session Alerts & Alarms
 
Time     Type       Name Detail
01:07:49 Yellow Alert Dome Discrepency Difference between Dome Az and Slave Az is > 1 deg (NGC 3206)
04:42:58 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out)
04:44:21 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset)
05:31:27 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (59mA)
 

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Operational Issues (2024-09-17 S1246)

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Critical Issues

Major Issues

Minor Issues

Small Defects

Continuous Improvement

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Fig 1.   Telescope Slewing Chart showing 2 slews cutting across Azimuth 0 line
Slews appear to enter/cross the telescope's 'no slew / az limit region'

Image

                     Telescope Slew
Target Time       Az1  Az2   Alt1  Alt2  Slew  Angle Speed
        hh:mm     deg  deg    deg  deg   time  deg   deg/s

NGC 3206 01:06  292.2  13.0  71.7  24.8   49s  197.5  4.03
UGC 2028 03:33   18.6 173.0  26.1  54.6   61s  178.5  2.91

Fig 2.   ObsCamera showing telescope's main cable bundle wrapped around scope base

Image

but cables are ok following slew following slew to UGC 2028 (which took out the prior cable wrap)

Image
 
 
Fig 3.   AstroSN's  new DataGridView showing  New and Recent Transients & Supernovae

Image

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Review - Improving Operational Efficiency

Following a brainstorm the following points of inefficiency in observatory use were noted :

Target Scheduling & Observation

Post-Session

Actions

Target Scheduling & Observation Improvements

Post Session Improvement

Session Image Analysis & Web Page Compilation

There are several slow tasks/bottlenecks during process

 

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