David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1249 (2024-10-01)

Notes (S1248)

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Notes (S1249)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (1),  Minor Issues (0),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (2)
	Images from 2024-10-01 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-10-01)

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 3.71.3,  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. 33/34 planned targets observations were completed with 1 target (T CrB) repeated.  1 planned target was missed as replace by ToO target (C/2022 E2 Atlas)
• AstroMain.  There were no issues with the AstroMain 3.71.3 (new version)
• Focusing.  No issues with focusing. The primary mirror is hold its position
• Clear Skies.  Skies were clear the entire night.
• GRB Alert.  A GRB Alert (GRB Swift 1257556 in Lynx) was recieved via GCN VOEvent Network at 01:50 but due to a bug in AstroVOE the alert wasn't passed on to AstroPlan/AstroMain, loosing the opportunity to image any potential afterglow from the GRB event.
• 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 19:29:57 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:34 & 05:11 19:30:01   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 19:34 19:34:31   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 19:54:08 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:54) 19:54:30   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 19:54:59   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 19:55:01 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-10-01 S01249, ImageSaveNum: 1249001) 19:55:06   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 19:57:08   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:57:15 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 19:57:17   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 19:57:18 Session Pending Session pending (2024-10-01) 19:57:20 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-10-01) 19:57:29   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 19:57:36   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.42) 19:58:24   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1025) 19:59:08   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 19:59:32 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 20:00:17   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 20:00:37 Session Running Session running 20:00:40   Queue Started Observing Queue started (34 targets selected) 20:00:43     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 20:00:57       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 20:03:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:06:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 20:08:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 20:08:20       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 20:10:31       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 20:12:15       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 20:12:33     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 20:14:04     Target Started (1/34) Target started (1/34, KIC 8462852) 20:16:40       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 20:20:55     Target Completed Target completed (1/34, KIC 8462852) 20:24:23     Target Started (2/34) Target started (2/34, AT2023acim) 20:27:41       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 20:34:56       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 20:35:56       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 20:43:51     Target Completed Target completed (2/34, AT2023acim) 20:46:22     Target Started (3/34) Target started (3/34, GCVS T CrB) 20:51:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:54:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 20:59:20     Target Completed Target completed (3/34, GCVS T CrB) 20:59:24     Target Started (4/34) Target started (4/34, HIP 87937) 21:02:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:04:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 21:07:34     Target Completed Target completed (4/34, HIP 87937) 21:07:38     Target Started (5/34) Target started (5/34, AT2023abiw (CV)) 21:12:17       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 21:18:17     Target Completed Target completed (5/34, AT2023abiw (CV)) 21:18:21     Target Started (6/34) Target started (6/34, GCVS BL Lac) 21:21:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:23:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 21:27:33     Target Completed Target completed (6/34, GCVS BL Lac) 21:28:00     Target Started (7/34) Target started (7/34, AT2024wpc) 21:32:27       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 21:49:14     Target Completed Target completed (7/34, AT2024wpc) 21:50:19     Target Started (8/34) Target started (8/34, AT2023egx) 21:53:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:55:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 22:11:59     Target Completed Target completed (8/34, AT2023egx) 22:12:19     Target Started (9/34) Target started (9/34, GCVS CI Cyg) 22:15:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:17:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 22:22:14     Target Completed Target completed (9/34, GCVS CI Cyg) 22:22:42     Target Started (10/34) Target started (10/34, GCVS V Sge) 22:25:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:28:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 22:36:33     Target Completed Target completed (10/34, GCVS V Sge) 22:36:37     Target Started (11/35) Target started (11/35, GCVS T CrB, ToO) 22:39:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:42:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 22:46:59     Target Completed Target completed (11/35, GCVS T CrB, ToO) 22:47:03     Target Started (12/36) Target started (12/36, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS), ToO) 22:50:55       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:59:27     Target Completed Target completed (12/36, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS), ToO) 22:59:29     Target Missed (13/36) Target's time slot was missed (13/36, CGCG 427-027 w/SN2023pbe) 23:00:53     Target Started (14/36) Target started (14/36, AT2024wqf) 23:05:42       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:22:13     Target Completed Target completed (14/36, AT2024wqf) 23:23:13     Target Started (15/36) Target started (15/36, WDS GRB 34) 23:26:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:28:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 23:30:51     Target Completed Target completed (15/36, WDS GRB 34) 23:31:40     Target Started (16/36) Target started (16/36, M31 w/Nova M31 2024-03b?) 23:34:36       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:50:48     Target Completed Target completed (16/36, M31 w/Nova M31 2024-03b?) 23:53:40     Target Started (17/36) Target started (17/36, Saturn) 23:58:56     Target Completed Target completed (17/36, Saturn) 00:04:18     Target Started (18/36) Target started (18/36, AT2024wxp (CV)) 00:08:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:10:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 00:14:19     Target Completed Target completed (18/36, AT2024wxp (CV)) 00:14:23     Target Started (19/36) Target started (19/36, NGC 827 w/AT2023zpf) 00:17:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:20:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 00:37:04     Target Completed Target completed (19/36, NGC 827 w/AT2023zpf) 00:37:08     Target Started (20/36) Target started (20/36, 61 Cyg) 00:40:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:42:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 00:44:29     Target Completed Target completed (20/36, 61 Cyg) 00:44:33     Target Started (21/36) Target started (21/36, GCVS HH And) 00:47:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:50:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 00:52:19     Target Completed Target completed (21/36, GCVS HH And) 00:52:23     Target Started (22/36) Target started (22/36, NGC 7769 w/SN2022mxv) 00:55:21       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 01:11:33     Target Completed Target completed (22/36, NGC 7769 w/SN2022mxv) 01:14:20     Target Started (23/36) Target started (23/36, GCVS RX And) 01:17:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:19:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 01:22:44     Target Completed Target completed (23/36, GCVS RX And) 01:23:40     Target Started (24/36) Target started (24/36, GSC 1224:29) 01:27:18       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:33:44     Target Completed Target completed (24/36, GSC 1224:29) 01:36:07     Target Started (25/36) Target started (25/36, SN 2024ugc) 01:38:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:41:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 01:57:31     Target Completed Target completed (25/36, SN 2024ugc) 01:58:27     Target Started (26/36) Target started (26/36, AT2024uzm) 02:01:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:04:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 02:21:29     Target Completed Target completed (26/36, AT2024uzm) 02:21:33     Target Started (27/36) Target started (27/36, NGC 2830 w/AT2024vsu) 02:24:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:27:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 02:44:20     Target Completed Target completed (27/36, NGC 2830 w/AT2024vsu) 02:44:25     Target Started (28/36) Target started (28/36, NGC 3683 w/AT2024wny) 02:48:05       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 03:04:31     Target Completed Target completed (28/36, NGC 3683 w/AT2024wny) 03:05:07     Target Started (29/36) Target started (29/36, AT2023bsl) 03:08:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:11:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 03:27:09     Target Completed Target completed (29/36, AT2023bsl) 03:27:14     Target Started (30/36) Target started (30/36, AT2024vhf (CV)) 03:30:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:33:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 03:49:11     Target Completed Target completed (30/36, AT2024vhf (CV)) 03:49:27     Target Started (31/36) Target started (31/36, AT2024vlc) 03:52:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:55:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 04:11:54     Target Completed Target completed (31/36, AT2024vlc) 04:11:58     Target Started (32/36) Target started (32/36, LEDA 918265 w/SN2022ypb) 04:35:34     Target Completed Target completed (32/36, LEDA 918265 w/SN2022ypb) 04:35:38     Target Started (33/36) Target started (33/36, ESO 549-G29 w/AT2023cvj) 04:39:13       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 04:55:26     Target Completed Target completed (33/36, ESO 549-G29 w/AT2023cvj) 04:56:07     Target Started (34/36) Target started (34/36, SN 2023eb) 05:00:03       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 05:16:23     Target Completed Target completed (34/36, SN 2023eb) 05:18:07     Target Started (35/36) Target started (35/36, NGC 1954 w/AT2024gwz) 05:21:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:24:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 05:41:04     Target Completed Target completed (35/36, NGC 1954 w/AT2024gwz) 05:41:08     Target Started (36/36) Target started (36/36, GCVS NV Ori) 05:44:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:46:30       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23) 05:50:58     Target Completed Target completed (36/36, GCVS NV Ori) 05:51:00   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 05:51:02 Session Closing Session closing 05:51:55   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 05:52:45   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 42s), Az: 90.0 deg 05:53:51   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 64s total) 05:54:06   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 05:54:28   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:55:53   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:55:56 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:56:48     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°, Wide) 05:57:51     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 92.0°) 05:57:58     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 90.0 to 94.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 05:59:01     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 91.8°) 05:59:06     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -1.8°) 05:59:08   Dome Parked Dome parked 05:59:31   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (31mA) 05:59:33 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 22:48:23 Yellow Alert Dome Discrepency Difference between Dome Az and Slave Az is > 1 deg (C/2022 E2 (ATLAS)) 03:06:18 Yellow Alert Dome Discrepency Difference between Dome Az and Slave Az is > 1 deg (AT2023bsl) 05:59:31 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (31mA)

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Operational Issues (2024-10-01 S1249)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• A GRB Alert (GRB Swift 1257556) recieved by AstroVOE didn't make its way through to AstroMain for Immediate ToO Imaging (01:50).  AstroVOE recieved the following GRB Alert Notice at 2024-10-02 00:50:44 UT  (01:50:44 BST)
  2024-10-02T00:50:44  GCN/SWIFT NOTICE    61  Observation SWIFT_BAT_GRB_POSITION          1257556   GRB_ALERT                      
                     Name:       GRB Swift 1257556                     
                     Trigger No: 1257556                     
                     RA:         9.4°                     
                     Dec:        39.9°                     
                     Pos Error:  0.1°                     
                     Con:        Lyn (Lynx)                     
                     GRB Alt:    19.3°       (Clair Observatory)                     
                     GRB Az:     45.1°       (Clair Observatory)                     
                     Sun Alt:    -35.3°      (Clair Observatory)                     
                     Moon Dist   54.0°                     
                     Moon Illum: 0.5%                     
                     Observatory isn't operating in automated mode and can't react.
  Although the GRB had a suitably small positional error and was perfectly placed for observing from the observatory AstroVOE dismissed the Alert as it believed that the Observatory wasn't operating in automated mode and couldn't react.   However this was incorrect - the Observatory was operating in automated mode with session running  between 20:14 and 05:51 BST and could have reacted to the Alert if ToO details had been sent to AstroMain. The issue is ranked 'Major' as it prevented a potentially important/significant observation from being made.  (The bug may well have prevented a number of other ToO/GRB observations). AstroVOE's console form has a Clair Observatory Status field that normally does show 'Running' (green) , Can React?  'YES' (green) when the Observatory is open and running, and there is no reason why it would have showed as Can React? NO (red) on the night 2024-10-01 / 2024-10-02.  AstroVOE fetches the Observatory Status every 6s using FetchObservatoryStatus() routine to read the file "..\CCD Imaging\ObsStatus.dat" and update the ObsStatus data structure and update the form fields. The 'Can React?' field is set to "YES" when 'ObsStatus.SessionState = SessionState.Running Or ObsStatus.SessionState = SessionState.Resuming'.   ParseEventMessage() will post the message "Observatory isn't operating in automated mode and can't react"  when it has a GRB alert and ObsStatus.ObservatoryMode <> ObsMode.FullyAutomated. Since the Observatory Mode was Fully Automated at the time of the GRB Alert how come the Alert Checks failed on this condition and reported that the Observatory can't react ? A comparison of relevant code in AstroMain and AstroVOE shows a bug in AstroVOE.  When the Observatory Mode is Fully Automated AstroMain writes the value omFullyAutomated (= integer 2)  to the ObsStatus.dat file.  AstroVOE read this and compares it with the value ObsMode.FullyAutomated (=integer 3). Of course it doesn't find a match (2 <> 3), the Alert Check fails and the Alert isn't progressed any further. Fixed in AstroVOE 1.15, ObsMode.FullyAutomated enum startement changed to integer 2.  
  Fixed 2024-10-09 (AstroVOE 1.15)

Minor Issues

• None

Small Defects

• MasterDark for "-15c 3x3 0.3s C" was missing/not available (post-session). A pseudo MasterDark was made by copying the "-15c 3x3 0.2s C2 dark frame to allow the 2 affected raw light frames to the processed. The difference in dark frames is deemed insignificant.
  Resolved  2024-10-02 (Dark Frames)

Continuous Improvement

• Query. What are the circumstances that gave rise to the 2 yellow alerts "Difference between Dome Az and Slave Az is > 1 deg". Two  yellow 'Dome Discrepency' alerts were raised during the session for C/2022 E2 (ATLAS) at 22:48 and for AT2023bsl at 03:05 with the message "Difference between Dome Az and Slave Az is > 1 deg".  Examining the dome slew to C/2022 E2 (ATLAS) at around 22:48, the dome slews clockwise from 287.4° to 28.2° (passing Az 360) according to the dome path in the logfile. This is confirmed by the dome movement  log message "Dome has moved 100.8° (Az 287.4 to 28.2°) following telescope slew".  AstroMain gave a Dome Discrepency warning "Difference between Dome Az and Slave Az is > 1 deg" and raised a yellow 'Dome Discrepency' alert "Difference between Dome Az and Slave Az is > 1 deg (C/2022 E2 (ATLAS)) ". Examining the log file shows the following:
  22:48:23.75 | C/2022 E2 (ATLAS)   Volatile    28.2 0 0.00 388.2 0 0 970 14984 -2 -1681 8002 14340 0
22:48:23.75 | C/2022 E2 (ATLAS)       Check   DomePosition        Info    | Dome Az. 28.2° (vs. Slave Az. 388.2°, Delta Az. 359.2°)
  in which it is evident that Pulsar Dome's Volatile record is using 388.2 (from 360+28.2) as the required target azimuth instead of 28.2.  
  In case of slew to AT2023bsl, where dome is anticlockwise from 29.6° to  296.3° a further dome discrepency is flagged up by AstroMain, In this case the log file shows the following:
  03:06:18.98 | AT2023bsl           Volatile    296.3 0 0.00 -63.7 0 0 960 14964 -3 -8125 5761 14314 0
03:06:18.98 | AT2023bsl               Check   DomePosition        Info    | Dome Az. 296.3° (vs. Slave Az. -63.7°, Delta Az. 355.2°)
  in which it is evident that Pulsar Dome's Volatile record is using -63.7 (from 296.3-360) as the required target azimuth instead of 296.3.  In both case the required 'azimuth' value from Pulsar Log File is outside of the range 0-360 which isn't anticipated by AstroMain's CheckDomePosition() routine and it results in a large (bogus) azimuth discrepency when there really isn't any discrepency.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.71.5 so that azimuth values outside of 0-360 range are re-calculated to be within 0-360 range.
      If CDbl(fields(3)) > 360 Then
    .RequiredAzimuth = CDbl(fields(3)) - 360  
  ElseIf CDbl(fields(3)) < 0 Then
    .RequiredAzimuth = 360 + CDbl(fields(3))  
  Else
    .RequiredAzimuth = CDbl(fields(3))
  End If
  Fixed  2024-10-07 (Pulsar Dome, AstroMain 3.71.5 )
   
• Add a 'Rotate' Check Box to AstroMain's Image Builder to rotate current picture by 180 deg when copying it to the clipboard. Default setting should be rotate.
  Done  2024-10-03 (AstroMain 1.71.4)

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