David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1252 (2024-10-09)

Notes (S1251)

Notes Main

Home Page

Notes (S1253)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (3),  Small Defects (2),  Continuous Improvement (0)
	Images from 2024-10-09 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-10-09)

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 3.71.5,  AstroPlan 1.42.2,  AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.5   (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroVOE 1.15,  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. 6/22 planned targets observations were completed with 9 further targets partially completed.  Other planned targets failed due to cloud, rain, wind, missed start / ToO, airmass cutoff.  Three ToO target were also completed (Nova Vul 2024 twice, Jupiter) were also completed. and 1 other partially completed. Images from two targets (NGC 578 & NGC 1393) were later rejected due to cloud.
• Focusing.  No issues with focusing. The primary mirror is holding its position
• 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 21:57:12 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:57 & 05:28 21:57:16 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:57) 21:57:39   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 21:58:07   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 21:58:10 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-10-09 S01252, ImageSaveNum: 1252001) 21:58:14   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 22:00:12   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:00:19 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:00:21 Session Pending Session pending (2024-10-09) 22:00:23 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-10-09) 22:00:33   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 22:00:39   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.42.2) 22:02:00   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1031) 22:02:41   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 22:03:05 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 22:03:50   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 22:03:52 Session Running Session running 22:03:55   Queue Started Observing Queue started (22 targets selected) 22:03:56     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 22, HIP 108888) 22:04:11       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 22:08:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:11:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 22:14:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 22:14:04       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:16:13       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 22:17:57       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 22:18:14     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 22, HIP 108888) 22:18:18     Target Started (1/22) Target started (1/22, GCVS BL Lac) 22:20:42       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 22:20:52   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 22:20:54   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain) 22:20:57     Target Aborted (1/22) Target aborted (1/22, GCVS BL Lac) due to threat of rain 22:21:00   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 22:21:03 Session Suspending Session suspending 22:21:52   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 43s) 22:21:54 Session Suspended Session suspended 22:26:21     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (1/23, GCVS BL Lac) due to rain 22:34:26     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (2/23, GCVS T CrB, ToO) due to cloud 22:36:41     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (3/23, Nova Vul 2024) due to cloud 22:40:14 Session Resuming Session resuming 22:40:59   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 22:41:01 Session Running Session running 22:41:03   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 22:41:05     Target Started (4/23) Target started (4/23, AT2024vla) 22:45:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:46:29       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 22:58:28     Target Aborted (4/23) Target aborted (4/23, AT2024vla) due to Priority 1 ToO Target 22:58:32     Target Started (5/24) Target started (5/24, Nova Vul 2024, ToO) 23:02:28       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 23:06:05     Target Completed Target completed (5/24, Nova Vul 2024, ToO) 23:06:09     Target Started (6/24) Target started (6/24, SN 2024ugc) 23:24:23     Target Completed Target partially completed (6/24, SN 2024ugc) 23:24:27     Target Started (7/24) Target started (7/24, AT2024vlc) 23:24:43       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 23:27:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:29:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 23:42:24   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 23:42:26   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain) 23:42:29     Target Aborted (7/24) Target aborted (7/24, AT2024vlc) due to threat of rain 23:42:31   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 23:42:33 Session Suspending Session suspending 23:43:19   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 23:43:21 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:03:31     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (8/24, AT2024wqf) due to wind 00:07:57 Session Resuming Session resuming 00:08:42   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 00:08:44 Session Running Session running 00:08:46   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 00:08:48     Target Started (9/24) Target started (9/24, Hickson 4) 00:31:41     Target Completed Target completed (9/24, Hickson 4) 00:31:45     Target Started (10/24) Target started (10/24, NGC 578) 00:48:16       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 00:50:31       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 00:51:34     Target Aborted (10/24) Target aborted (10/24, NGC 578) due to Priority 1 ToO Target 00:51:38     Target Started (11/25) Target started (11/25, Nova Vul 2024, ToO) 00:55:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:57:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 01:00:48     Target Completed Target completed (11/25, Nova Vul 2024, ToO) 01:00:53     Target Started (12/25) Target started (12/25, NGC 908). Using SharpCap 01:06:23       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:13:15   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 01:13:17     Target Aborted (12/25) Target aborted (12/25, NGC 908) due to Priority 1 ToO Target 01:13:20     Target Started (13/26) Target started (13/26, NGC 908, ToO) 01:21:49   CCDSoft Issue CCDSoft has encountered an image save issue [0000] 01:21:51   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix unsaved file issue) 01:21:58   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 01:22:53   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 01:22 in section 'SetCameraProperties / SbigFanOn' 01:23:01   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 01:23:28   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 01:23:35   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 01:24:29   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 01:24:32     Target Aborted (13/26) Target aborted (13/26, NGC 908, ToO) due to Program Exception 01:24:34     Target Started (14/27) Target started (14/27, Jupiter, ToO) 01:25:20       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 01:26:05   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:26:07   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 01:26:09     Target Aborted (14/27) Target aborted (14/27, Jupiter, ToO) due to cloud 01:26:11   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:26:13 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:27:00   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 01:27:02 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:30:55 Session Resuming Session resuming 01:31:40   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 01:31:42 Session Running Session running 01:31:44   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 01:31:47     Target Started (14/27) Target started (14/27, Jupiter, ToO) 01:40:32     Target Completed Target completed (14/27, Jupiter, ToO) 01:40:34     Target Missed (15/27) Target's time slot was missed (15/27, IC 1613) 01:40:36     Target Started (16/27) Target started (16/27, Hickson 21) 02:18:42     Target Completed Target partially completed (16/27, Hickson 21) 02:18:46     Target Started (17/27) Target started (17/27, NGC 1407) 02:38:12     Target Completed Target completed (17/27, NGC 1407) 02:38:16     Target Started (18/27) Target started (18/27, GCVS UV Cet) 02:38:21     Target Failed (18/27) Target failed due to airmass limit (18/27, GCVS UV Cet) 02:38:47   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 02:38:49   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain) 02:38:51   Queue Paused Observing Queue pausing for Session Suspension 02:38:52 Session Suspending Session suspending 02:39:42   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 02:39:44 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:56:29 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:57:14   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 02:57:16 Session Running Session running 02:57:18   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:57:21     Target Started (19/27) Target started (19/27, NGC 1353) 03:13:31     Target Completed Target partially completed (19/27, NGC 1353) 03:13:35     Target Started (20/27) Target started (20/27, NGC 1393) 03:13:50       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 03:14:20       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 03:17:24       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 03:33:49     Target Completed Target completed (20/27, NGC 1393) 03:33:53     Target Started (21/27) Target started (21/27, NGC 1400) 03:38:04       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:54:35     Target Completed Target completed (21/27, NGC 1400) 03:55:38     Target Started (22/27) Target started (22/27, NGC 1275 w/AT2024xav) 03:58:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:01:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 04:17:36     Target Completed Target completed (22/27, NGC 1275 w/AT2024xav) 04:17:40     Target Started (23/27) Target started (23/27, AT2024uzm) 04:20:27   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 04:20:29   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain) 04:20:31     Target Aborted (23/27) Target aborted (23/27, AT2024uzm) due to threat of rain 04:20:33   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 04:20:35 Session Suspending Session suspending 04:21:22   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 04:21:24 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:36:54     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/27, AT2024uzm) due to cloud 04:55:25 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:56:10   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 04:56:12 Session Running Session running 04:56:14   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:56:16     Target Started (24/27) Target started (24/27, SN 2024wak) 05:05:34     Target Completed Target partially completed (24/27, SN 2024wak) 05:05:38     Target Started (25/27) Target started (25/27, IC 2165) 05:08:55       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 05:15:37   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 05:15:39   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain) 05:15:40     Target Aborted (25/27) Target aborted (25/27, IC 2165) due to threat of rain 05:15:42   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 05:15:44 Session Suspending Session suspending 05:16:32   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 05:16:34 Session Suspended Session suspended 05:25:51     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/27, IC 2165) due to cloud 05:40:59     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (26/27, AT2024wxp (CV)) due to threat of rain 05:42:24 Session Resuming Session resuming 05:43:09   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 05:43:12 Session Running Session running 05:43:14   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 05:44:03     Target Started (27/27) Target started (27/27, NGC 2438) 05:47:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:49:42       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed (failed QC check - Ambiguous) 06:07:30     Target Completed Target completed (27/27, NGC 2438) 06:07:32   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:07:34 Session Closing Session closing 06:08:27   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 06:09:08   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 34s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:10:21   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 66s total) 06:10:35   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 06:10:58   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:12:24   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:12:27 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:12:55     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 06:13:57     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.2°) 06:14:03     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.2°) 06:14:05   Dome Parked Dome parked 06:14:13   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (42mA) 06:14:15 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 01:21:49 Red Alert CCDSoft Image file [0000] hasn't been saved to disk, possible CCDSoft issue 01:23:26 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 01:22:53) in section 'SetCameraProperties / SbigFanOn' 01:23:31 Green Clear CcdCamera CcdCamera has resumed again (01:23) after 38s 01:25:46 Green Clear CCDSoft Image file has been saved to disk following CCDSoft Restart 06:14:13 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (42mA)

Back to Top

Operational Issues (2024-10-09 S1252)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (3)
• Small Defects (2)
• Continuous Improvement (0)
  

[ Prev | Next ]

Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• AstroMain's Power Monitor detected 3 short outage of the Observatory's Power Supply (pre-session, 2024-10-08). Three short (5s) outages in power supply occured at 2024-10-08 23:44, 2024-10-09 00:09 & 2024-10-09 03:21.   Observatory software operated as per design during & after each power outage.
  Closed 2024-10-10 (Observatory, UPS System)
   
• A large number of targets were sited close to southern horizon (session).  The majority of targets that were autoselected for the Observing Plan, are bunched in area close to southern horizon.  This is a consequence of quite a few Tier 1/Tier 2 low Dec targets suddenly becoming available for planning due to disabling the airmass constraint for targets with hour angles in range -2 to +2.
  Closed 2024-10-10 (Session, AstroPlan, User Awareness)
   
• Two CCDSoft/Ccd Camera red alerts were raised (01:21 - 01:23).  There were two CCDSoft/CCDCamera red alerts raised at 01:21:49 & 01:23:46, with messages "Image file [0000] hasn't been saved to disk, possible CCDSoft issue" and "CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 01:22:53) in section 'SetCameraProperties / SbigFanOn'" . Green alerts were posted shortly after at 01:23-01:25.  (see Fig 2)
  To investigate 2024-10-11 (Session, AstroMain, CCDSoft)

Small Defects

• AstroMain's ImageSet Analysis is proceeding to post-link part of Analysis Workflow (post-session). After Image Linking the workflow exits and doesn't proceed to Post Link dialog  with 'FV, Nebulosity, Capture CCDSoft Image, Back to Image Link' options.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.71.6, a temporary inserted 'Exit While' code line, used during earlier code testing was accidently left in 3.71.5.
  Fixed 2024-10-10 (AstroMain 3.71.6)
   
• AstroMain's raising a Green UPS System Alert with huge outage time (pre-session 2024-10-08 20:19).  UPSMonitor raised an All-Clear Green Alert at 2024-10-08 20:19:18 with description "UPS running on Mains Power at 20:19:18 (outage time 1,064,400,259.3 min) ", see Fig 1. The outage time is huge and probably represents MinutesSince (vcNullDate).
  Fixed 2024-10-10 (AstroMain 3.71.6)

Continuous Improvement

• None

[ Prev | Next ]

[ Prev | Next ]

Back to Top