David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1254 (2024-10-12)

Notes (S1253)

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Notes (S1255)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (1),  Small Defects (0),  Continuous Improvement (2)
	Images from 2024-10-12 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-10-12)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
2. UPB / Telescope.  Check UPB Power Box switches & Telescope COM Port following issues in the last session (S1243)

 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 3.71.6,  AstroPlan 1.42.3  AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.5   (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroVOE 1.15.1,  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. 2/33 planned targets observations were completed with 2 further targets partially completed. Other planned targets failed due to cloud & rain showers.
• UPB / Telescope.  No issues with UPB Power Box Switches or Telescope COM Port.
• 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 20:13:12 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 20:13 & 05:34 20:13:15 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (20:13) 20:13:28   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 20:13:56   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 20:13:58 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-10-12 S01254, ImageSaveNum: 1254001) 20:14:03   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 20:14:30   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 20:14 in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 20:16:01   Services Started Observatory Services started 20:16:06   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 20:16:13   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 20:17:08   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 20:17:10 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 20:17:12 Session Pending Session pending (2024-10-12) 20:17:15 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-10-12) 20:17:22   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 20:17:29   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.42.3) 20:18:45   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1033) 20:19:25   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 20:19:50 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 20:20:30   Wait On Weather Waiting for acceptable conditions 20:20:32 Session Suspending Session suspending 20:20:34   Dome Closed Dome already closed 20:20:36 Session Suspended Session suspended 20:21:02   Queue Started Observing Queue started (33 targets selected) 20:45:13     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (1/33, AT2024xiq (CV)) due to rain 21:05:33     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (2/33, AT2024wpc) due to rain 21:27:53     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (3/33, AT2024xpy) due to rain 21:41:20     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (4/33, GCVS T CrB) due to wind 21:49:03     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (5/33, 61 Cyg) due to wind 22:08:25     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (6/33, AT2024vhz) due to wind 22:20:43     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (7/33, GCVS BL Lac) due to wind 22:29:55     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (8/33, GCVS HH And) due to cloud 22:38:23     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (9/33, WDS GRB 34) due to rain 22:51:48     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (10/33, AT2024xvy) due to rain 23:12:18     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (11/33, M31 w/AT2024xtk) due to wind 23:34:38     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (12/33, AT2024vla) due to wind 23:52:00 Session Resuming Session resuming 23:52:45   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 23:52:48 Session Running Session running 23:52:50   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 23:52:52     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 1, HIP 4911) 23:53:03       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 23:55:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:55:16   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 23:55 in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 23:55:52   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 23:55:59   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:16:24       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 00:16:48       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 00:19:43       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (wind) 00:24:04       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 00:24:42   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (user action) 00:26:43       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 00:28:27       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 00:28:46     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 1, HIP 4911) 00:28:48     Target Missed (13/33) Target's time slot was missed (13/33, AT2024wqf) 00:28:50     Target Missed (14/33) Target's time slot was missed (14/33, GCVS DY Per) 00:28:52     Target Missed (15/33) Target's time slot was missed (15/33, MPL 532 Herculina) 00:28:54     Target Started (16/33) Target started (16/33, GCVS UV Cet) 00:28:56     Target Failed (16/33) Target failed due to airmass limit (16/33, GCVS UV Cet) 00:29:21 User Intervention User Intervention to abort job queue & switch back to Manual Mode 00:29:24   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 00:29:49   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (user action) 00:29:56   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:30:50   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 00:31:26     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 1, HIP 4911) 00:33:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:33:34   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 00:33 in section 'GetCameraProperties / FilterIndexZeroBased' 00:34:06   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 00:34:13   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:36:30       Focusing Aborted Foc1 Focusing Aborted 00:36:32     Target Aborted (NrZen) Target aborted (Focus Field 1, HIP 4911) due to User Intervention 00:36:43   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (user action) 00:36:50   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:37:44   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 00:37 in section 'SetCameraProperties / RegulateTemperature' 00:37:48   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 00:38:17   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 00:38:24   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:39:18   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 00:39:54     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 3, HIP 14181) 00:41:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:43:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 00:43:22     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 3, HIP 14181) 00:44:13 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 00:44 & 05:34 00:44:15 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 00:44:18 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (00:44) 00:44:27   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:44:32 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 00:44:36 Session Pending Session pending (2024-10-12) 00:44:38 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-10-12) 00:44:47   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 00:44:56   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1033) 00:45:05   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 00:45:26 Session Running Session running 00:45:29   Queue Started Observing Queue started (17 targets selected) 00:45:35     Target Started (17/33) Target started (17/33, PGC 143) 00:54:32       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 00:55:27   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 00:55:29   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 00:55:32     Target Aborted (17/33) Target aborted (17/33, PGC 143) due to cloud 00:55:34   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:55:36 Session Suspending Session suspending 00:56:22   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 00:56:24 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:13:45     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/33, SN 2024ugc) due to wind 01:44:05     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (19/33, PGC 2121) due to wind 02:08:05     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (20/33, NGC 1275 w/SN2024xav) due to wind 02:17:42 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:18:27   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 02:18:29 Session Running Session running 02:18:31   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:18:34     Target Started (21/33) Target started (21/33, GSC 1224:29) 02:25:28   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 02:25:30   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 02:25:32     Target Aborted (21/33) Target aborted (21/33, GSC 1224:29) due to cloud 02:25:34   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:25:36 Session Suspending Session suspending 02:26:23   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 02:26:25 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:42:53     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/33, NGC 1393) due to cloud 03:01:12 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:01:57   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 03:01:59 Session Running Session running 03:02:01   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:02:04     Target Started (23/33) Target started (23/33, AT2024uzm) 03:11:20     Target Completed Target partially completed (23/33, AT2024uzm) 03:11:24     Target Started (24/33) Target started (24/33, NGC 1383) 03:21:20   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 03:21:22   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 03:21:23     Target Aborted (24/33) Target aborted (24/33, NGC 1383) due to cloud 03:21:25   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:21:27 Session Suspending Session suspending 03:22:15   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 03:22:17 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:27:33     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/33, NGC 1383) due to rain 03:44:05     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/33, Eridanus Cluster) due to cloud 03:45:37 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:46:23   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 03:46:25 Session Running Session running 03:46:27   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:46:30     Target Started (26/33) Target started (26/33, SN 2024wak) 03:49:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:51:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 03:54:08   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 03:54:10   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 03:54:13     Target Aborted (26/33) Target aborted (26/33, SN 2024wak) due to cloud 03:54:15   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:54:17 Session Suspending Session suspending 03:55:04   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 03:55:06 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:57:09 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:57:54   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 03:57:56 Session Running Session running 03:57:58   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:58:00     Target Started (26/33) Target started (26/33, SN 2024wak) 04:03:10   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 04:03:12   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 04:03:14     Target Aborted (26/33) Target aborted (26/33, SN 2024wak) due to cloud 04:03:16   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 04:03:18 Session Suspending Session suspending 04:04:05   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 04:04:07 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:06:20 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:07:05   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 04:07:07 Session Running Session running 04:07:09   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:07:29     Target Started (27/33) Target started (27/33, AT2024xhn) 04:12:32       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 04:18:16   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 04:18:18   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 04:18:19     Target Aborted (27/33) Target aborted (27/33, AT2024xhn) due to cloud 04:18:22   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 04:18:24 Session Suspending Session suspending 04:19:11   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 04:19:14 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:26:25     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (27/33, AT2024xhn) due to cloud 04:48:45     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (28/33, UGC 4957 w/AT2024vrq) due to cloud 05:03:05     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (29/33, AT2024xiu (CV)) due to rain 05:17:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (30/33, C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS)) due to cloud 05:22:13 Session Resuming Session resuming 05:22:58   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 05:23:01 Session Running Session running 05:23:03   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 05:23:05     Target Started (31/33) Target started (31/33, AT2023bcg (CV)) 05:23:33       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 05:23:38   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 05:23:40   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 05:23:42     Target Aborted (31/33) Target aborted (31/33, AT2023bcg (CV)) due to cloud 05:23:44   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 05:23:46 Session Suspending Session suspending 05:24:34   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 05:24:36 Session Suspended Session suspended 05:29:34     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (31/33, AT2023bcg (CV)) due to cloud 05:34:45 Session Resuming Session resuming 05:35:30   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 05:35:32 Session Running Session running 05:35:34   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 05:35:37     Target Started (32/33) Target started (32/33, AT2024wxp (CV)) 05:47:48     Target Completed Target completed (32/33, AT2024wxp (CV)) 05:47:52     Target Started (33/33) Target started (33/33, Frosty Leo Nebula) 05:52:04       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 06:08:47     Target Completed Target completed (33/33, Frosty Leo Nebula) 06:08:49   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:08:51 Session Closing Session closing 06:09:43   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 06:10:12   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 21s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:11:27   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 73s total) 06:11:42   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 06:12:04   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:13:31   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:13:34 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:13:41     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 06:14:43     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.2°) 06:14:49     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.2°) 06:14:51   Dome Parked Dome parked 06:14:54   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (11mA) 06:14:56 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 20:16:04 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 20:14:30) in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 20:16:09 Green Clear CcdCamera CcdCamera has resumed again (20:16) after 1.6 mins 23:55:50 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 23:55:16) in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 23:55:55 Green Clear CcdCamera CcdCamera has resumed again (23:55) after 39s 00:34:04 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 00:33:34) in section 'GetCameraProperties / FilterIndexZeroBased' 00:34:09 Green Clear CcdCamera CcdCamera has resumed again (00:34) after 35s 00:38:15 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 00:37:44) in section 'SetCameraProperties / RegulateTemperature' 00:38:20 Green Clear CcdCamera CcdCamera has resumed again (00:38) after 36s 06:14:54 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (11mA)

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Operational Issues (2024-10-12 S1254)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• CCDCamera froze on a number of occasions likely related to CCDSoft.Camera/SBIG Camera issues (20:16, 23:55, 00:34 & 00:38)
  Red alerts raised with messages like "CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 20:14:30) in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' ).  Logs to be reviewed.
  To investigate 2024-10-13 (Session, AstroMain/CCD Camera)

Small Defects

• None

Continuous Improvement

• Make small improvements/corrections to AstroGuard's Console Form.  Fields on the Console Form should be made consistent with the equivalent fields on AstroMain's Manager tab. The Left-hand Rain Forecast field should be red when the second field is 'Critical'.  Precip Next 15 mins field should be red when Rain is expected in the next 15 minutes. Nearest Rain Storm should be grey (not Green) as the data is no longer available now that darksky.net service has been withdrawn.  '(darksky.net) reference should be removed.
  Done 2024-10-12 (AstroGuard 1.10.6)
   
• Report Targets Earliest Start Time unless its already passed. In cases where earliest start time for a target hasn't reached and where a wait of more than 0.1 minutes is required, the Earliest Start..' should be reported ahead of reporting 'Planned Start...'  and 'Planned End..'. It should be noted that Earliest Start Time is set to Now() for Targets of Opportunity so this improvement doesn't apply to such targets.   Implemented in AstroMain 3.71.7.
  Done 2024-10-13 (AstroMain 3.71.7)

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