David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1248 (2024-09-30)

Notes (S1248A)

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Notes (S1249)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (1),  Small Defects (2),  Continuous Improvement (2)
	Images from 2024-09-30 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-09-30)

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.  Check changes made during 3.70.2 version of AstroMain to ensure new code doesn't introduce any negative sideeffects or problems
3. Transient Target Handling.  Check that modified Transient Target Handling that is employed with the release of AstroPlan 1.42 & AstroMain 3.70.2 is working as per design.

 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 3.71.2,  AstroPlan 1.42,  AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.5   (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroVOE 1.14,  AstroSN 1.14,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.13   
  AstroWeather 1.25, AstroAllSky 3.20.6,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4 (not 1.11.5), AstroLaunch 1.11.3

Highlights-

• Targets. 9/25 planned targets observations were completed with 2 others completed upon a second attempt (as ToO's) and 1 other target partially completely. Other targets failed due to cloud/session suspension or replaced by ToO targets.  One other ToO target added in course of session (UGC 690 w/SN2024vfo) was partially completed.
• AstroMain.  There were no issues with the new version (AstroMain 3.71.2)
  Focusing. Telescope manually focused at start of session to overcome the effect on focusing of a shift in the primary mirror between S1247 and S1248A sessions.
• Dome. No issues opening/closing shutter during session.  Dome closed and parked ok at end of session.

Notes:

• Telescope Focusing.  Telescope's Primary Mirror was adjusted ahead of the live session to bring the scope back into focus following the major focus issue that impacted the S1248A Session / Session Attempt on 2024-09-28.  Near Zenith Focusing was then conducted with TCF-S focuser that established a best focus position at 2199 (see Fig 1).  This wasn't as close to the 3500 "mid" position as planned,  but I didn't want to spend time meeting this aim, in case the primary mirror again shifted  as per S1248A session. Note: the knob on the LX200's Focus Lock couldn't be turned either clockwise or anticlockwise.
• Slew Test.  Slew to a star with Az 1.0° was made which confirmed earlier issue than telescope was slewing in clockwise direction, passing Az 360°, rather than slewing anti-clockwise.
• Session Start.  Session S1248 started.
• CCDSoft.  CCDSoft's Autosave Starting No set to 1248062, to allow for 61 frames taken during S1248A Session Attempt (2024-09-28)
• Telescope Resync. Telescope was resynced and a 12 point short mapping job conducted (12/12 points mapped). The telescope was then parked and restarted.
• Slew Test.  Test was repeated with a slew to a star with Az 1.0°, again this saw the telescope slewing in a clockwise direction, passing Az 360°, rather than slewing anti-clockwise.
• AutoStart.  Session placed under AutoStart/Automated Control

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 22:00:38   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 22:01:06   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 22:01:09 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-09-30 S01248, ImageSaveNum: 1248001) 22:04:56   Automapping Started Automapping started (12 points planned) 22:06:15   Observatory Door Observatory Door has opened 22:06:21   Observatory Door Observatory Door has closed (open time 5s) 22:16:52   Automapping Completed Automapping completed (12 points mapped out of 12 points) 22:20:26   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 70s total) 22:20:41   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 22:21:11   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 22:21:43   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 22:23:21   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:24:20   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 22:28:26   Observatory Door Observatory Door has opened 22:28:30   Observatory Door Observatory Door has closed (open time 4s) 22:31:09 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 22:31 & 05:09 22:31:11 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 22:31:13 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (22:31) 22:31:41   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:31:45 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:31:49 Session Pending Session pending (2024-09-30) 22:31:51 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-09-30) 22:32:01   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 22:32:08   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.42) 22:32:48   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1024) 22:32:58   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 22:34:09 Session Running Session running 22:34:12   Queue Started Observing Queue started (25 targets selected) 22:34:15     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 22, HIP 108888) 22:34:41   Observatory Door Observatory Door has opened 22:34:45   Observatory Door Observatory Door has closed (open time 4s) 22:37:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:40:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 22:43:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 22:43:05       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:45:14       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 22:46:57       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 22:47:15     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 22, HIP 108888) 22:47:36     Target Started (1/25) Target started (1/25, GCVS T CrB) 22:51:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:53:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 22:59:54     Target Completed Target completed (1/25, GCVS T CrB) 22:59:58     Target Started (2/25) Target started (2/25, Nova Vul 2024) 23:02:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:04:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 23:04:55     Target Failed (2/25) Target failed due to (2/25, Nova Vul 2024) 23:05:32     Target Started (3/25) Target started (3/25, AT2024vla) 23:08:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:11:26       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 23:27:38     Target Completed Target completed (3/25, AT2024vla) 23:27:52     Target Started (4/25) Target started (4/25, AT2024vhz) 23:31:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:33:26       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 23:49:22     Target Completed Target completed (4/25, AT2024vhz) 23:50:12     Target Started (5/25) Target started (5/25, AT2024vid) 23:53:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:56:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 00:07:25     Target Completed Target completed (5/25, AT2024vid) 00:07:29     Target Started (6/25) Target started (6/25, Hu 1-2) 00:09:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:11:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 00:12:23     Target Failed (6/25) Target failed due to (6/25, Hu 1-2) 00:13:32     Target Started (7/25) Target started (7/25, GCVS BL Lac) 00:16:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:18:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 00:22:24     Target Completed Target completed (7/25, GCVS BL Lac) 00:22:28     Target Started (8/26) Target started (8/26, Hu 1-2, ToO) 00:24:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:27:26       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 00:41:59     Target Completed Target completed (8/26, Hu 1-2, ToO) 00:42:03     Target Started (9/27) Target started (9/27, Nova Vul 2024, ToO) 00:43:17       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 00:45:48   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 00:45:50   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 00:45:52     Target Aborted (9/27) Target aborted (9/27, Nova Vul 2024, ToO) due to cloud 00:45:54   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:45:56 Session Suspending Session suspending 00:46:43   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 00:46:45 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:55:13     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (9/27, Nova Vul 2024, ToO) due to cloud 00:55:17     Target Missed (10/27) Target's time slot was missed (10/27, AT2022fnb (CV)) 00:55:19     Target Missed (11/27) Target's time slot was missed (11/27, AT2024qty (CV)) 01:03:49 Session Resuming Session resuming 01:04:34   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 01:04:37 Session Running Session running 01:04:39   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 01:04:42     Target Started (12/27) Target started (12/27, AT2024wqf) 01:17:08     Target Aborted (12/27) Target aborted (12/27, AT2024wqf) due to User Intervention 01:17:12     Target Started (13/28) Target started (13/28, Nova Vul 2024, ToO) 01:22:22       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 01:26:31     Target Completed Target completed (13/28, Nova Vul 2024, ToO) 01:26:36     Target Started (14/29) Target started (14/29, UGC 690 w/SN2024vfo, ToO) 01:29:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:32:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 01:37:18       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 01:37:33   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:37:35   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 01:37:38     Target Aborted (14/29) Target aborted (14/29, UGC 690 w/SN2024vfo, ToO) due to cloud 01:37:40   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:37:42 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:38:28   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 01:38:31 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:38:59     Target Missed (15/29) Target's time slot was missed (15/29, AT2023au (CV)) 01:46:22     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/29, GCVS X TRI) due to cloud 02:06:01     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/29, AT2024vlc) due to cloud 02:28:21     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/29, AT2024vhf (CV)) due to cloud 02:46:17     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (19/29, GCVS U And) due to cloud 02:48:15 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:49:00   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 02:49:03 Session Running Session running 02:49:05   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:49:08     Target Started (20/29) Target started (20/29, GCVS TT Ari) 02:51:10       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 02:52:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:53:42       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 02:58:06       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 03:00:36       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 03:00:38     Target Completed Target completed (20/29, GCVS TT Ari) 03:00:40   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:00:42 Session Suspending Session suspending 03:01:31   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 03:01:34 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:20:03     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/29, AT2024ugc) due to cloud 03:42:23     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/29, AT2024uzm) due to cloud 03:56:43     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/29, AT2023wbv (CV)) due to cloud 04:16:43     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/29, NGC 2830 w/AT2024vsu) due to cloud 04:38:43     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/29, AT2023cuz) due to cloud 05:01:03     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (26/29, NGC 3683 w/AT2024wny) due to cloud 05:03:08 Session Resuming Session resuming 05:03:54   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 05:03:56 Session Running Session running 05:03:58   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 05:04:07     Target Started (27/29) Target started (27/29, GCVS GK Per) 05:07:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:09:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 05:13:04     Target Completed Target completed (27/29, GCVS GK Per) 05:13:48     Target Started (28/29) Target started (28/29, UGC 4957 w/AT2024vrq) 05:17:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:20:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 05:36:54     Target Completed Target completed (28/29, UGC 4957 w/AT2024vrq) 05:36:58     Target Started (29/29) Target started (29/29, GCVS RZ LMi) 05:40:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:42:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 05:47:44     Target Completed Target completed (29/29, GCVS RZ LMi) 05:47:46   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 05:47:48 Session Closing Session closing 05:48:43   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 05:49:01   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 10s), Az: 90.0 deg 05:50:20   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 75s total) 05:50:35   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 05:50:57   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:52:21   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:52:23 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:52:46     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 05:53:48     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.6°) 05:53:54     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.6°) 05:53:56   Dome Parked Dome parked 05:55:44   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (64mA) 05:55:46 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 22:12:47 Yellow Alert Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 186.1° (T+4.4s) 22:20:02 Red Alert Unexpected Scope Movement Scope appears to be tracking even though Tracking=False 05:55:44 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (64mA)

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Operational Issues (2024-09-30 S1248)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Two planned targets failed as they had no Frames specified. Two targets (Nova Vul 2024 & Hu-1) reported as failed after Take Locate Frames, Focusing and Start Guiding. Issue is that both targets had blank Frame Set specification.  First row in FrameSet was entirely blank. It isn't clear why this would have happened since Nova Vil 2024 was imaged with no such problem during the S1247 session.  How did value become blank, possibly the revisions to AstroPlan/AstroMain & Targets Database ?. A separate ticket has previously been raised to not include targets without any specified frameset from an observing plan, but unless they problem is highlight they may not be noticed/corrected. In this case both targets were resubmitted to the Observing Plan as ToO targets.  HH And, SS Cyg, CI Cyg target also noted to be blank. All three targets failed during the S1247 session, though other failed targets aren't affected.  It is thought that a limited number of targets were corrupted whilst developing & testing modified targets table on or around 2024-09-22.   Frame Specifications were manually re-input for the targets affected on 2024-09-30.
  Resolved 2024-10-01 (AstroMain, AstroPlan, Targets Database)  

Small Defects

• Table of Mapped Point has rows that are too long for AstroMain's Console Window (22:18). At the End of a Short Mapping job, AstroMain reports a Table of Mapped Points in which the last column containing the FWHM value is wrapped to the next line. Each row should fit with the width of the Console Window and not wrap around.  One of the column field  (either the FWHM column or one of the other column fields) should be obmitted from the Report/Console. Log file can take a larger number of columns.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.71.3 by removing Sky Brightness Column. The Sky Brightness in included in a map-points table that is now written to the log file.
  Fixed 2024-10-01 (AstroMain 3.71.3)   
   
• Inappropriate alert "Scope appears to be tracking even though Tracking=False" being given whilst Telescope is Parking (22:20).   The ObsMonitor produced an inappropriate "Unexpected Scope Movement' red alert "Scope appears to be tracking even though Tracking=False" and report message "> ObsMonitor (Scope) Alert Scope appears to be tracking even though Tracking=False"  at 22:20. This alert is inapproriate whilst the Telescope is being Parked" and the alert should be suppressed under such circumstances. Fixed in AstroMain 3.71.3 by only raising the alert when 'ScopeUse.ScopeMode >= ScopeMode.Parking' otherwise a warning is sent to log file.
  Fixed 2024-10-01 (AstroMain 3.71.3)  

Continuous Improvement

• Reporting of the first failed attempt to Connect to LX200 Telescope should be suppressed. It is fully expected that the first attempt to connect to the Observatory's LX200 Telescope using MeadeGeneric driver fails due to the issue previously noted (session /  url ), and instead of a 'Fail' report line, followed by an 'Ok (2)' report line, the start Telescope service should just report the Ok (2) line.  Should the second & third attempt also fail, that should of course be reported as a Fail (3). Implemented in AstroMain 3.71.3.
  Done 2024-10-01 (AstroMain 3.71.3)
   
• Provide facility to 'Copy' Image from ImageBuilder to Clipboard as an Inverted Image. It is useful to copy an inverted picture to clipboard to aid the identification of Target Object in the CCDSoft Image for photometric measurement. Currently the clipboard images has to be rotated 180° in PaintShopPro.
  To Do 2024-10-01 (AstroMain 3.71.3)

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Fig 1.   Main Mirror Focus Issue (S1248A)
Focus Profile from start of S1248A session (top picture) compared with Focus Profile after Primary Mirror Refocusing on 2024-09-26 (bottom picture)

a) Focus Profile 1 (Wide), Near Zenith Focusing Attempt (2024-09-29) ,  Best Focus at 6000+ ( which is close to the end of TCF-S's  focusing range (0-7000)  ).

b) Focus Profile (wide) after Primary Mirror Refocusing (2024-09-30) ,  Best Focus at 2276.
This is comfortably within the TCF-S's  focusing range (0-7000), though not at the originally planned 3500 (center) position

Fig 2.   Best Focus Chart (S1248 Session)

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