David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 1257 (2024-10-19)

 
Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
Bullet Operational Issues
  - Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (3),  Small Defects (2),  Continuous Improvement (1)
Bullet Images from 2024-10-19 >>         
   
   

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-10-19)

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 3.71.8 version of AstroMain following introduction of ResolveScopePortIssue handling which includes noteworthy changes to ObsManager MainLoop code for progressing Auostart, Starting, Suspended and Closing States
  3. CCDCamera.  Monitor operation of CCDSoft / SBIG Camera, & CCD Camera following issues in two recent sessions (S1254-55) but not in last session (S1256)
  4. C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS). Acquire images of comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)

 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)
Image 
  
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
18:14:25   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.)
18:14:38 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-10-19 S01257, ImageSaveNum: 1257001)
18:15:05   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
18:17:31   Services Started Observatory Services started
18:20:36       Dome Unparked Dome unparked
18:21:12   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6)
18:22:25   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 0s)
18:23:17     Target Started (1/1) Target started (1/1, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)). Using SharpCap
18:25:49   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out)
18:26:45   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset)
18:26:50   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C)
18:28:04     Target Failed (1/1) Target failed (1/1, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)) due to centering error
18:33:02     Target Started (1/1) Target started (1/1, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)). Using SharpCap
18:34:22   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C)
18:34:24     Target Completed Target completed (1/1, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS))
18:36:07     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376)
18:37:40     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376)
18:38:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
18:40:15       Focusing Aborted Foc1 Focusing Aborted
18:40:17     Target Aborted (NrZen) Target aborted (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) due to User Intervention
18:41:20     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376)
18:42:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
18:45:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide)
18:48:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
18:48:05       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
18:50:11       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
18:51:55       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
18:52:12     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376)
18:53:32     Target Started (1/1) Target started (1/1, 13P/Olbers)
18:54:53     Target Failed (1/1) Target failed (1/1, 13P/Olbers) due to centering error
18:58:37     Target Started (1/1) Target started (1/1, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS))
18:59:34     Target Completed Target completed (1/1, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS))
19:00:46     Target Started (1/1) Target started (1/1, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)). Using SharpCap
19:02:27   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C)
19:02:29     Target Completed Target completed (1/1, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS))
19:05:05     Target Started (1/1) Target started (1/1, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS))
19:07:07     Target Completed Target completed (1/1, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS))
19:17:48     Target Started (1/1) Target started (1/1, 13P/Olbers)
19:23:20     Target Completed Target partially completed (1/1, 13P/Olbers)
19:36:34     Target Started (1/1) Target started (1/1, 13P/Olbers)
19:36:53     Target Failed (1/1) Target failed (1/1, 13P/Olbers) due to aborted
19:37:17     Target Started (1/1) Target started (1/1, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)). Using SharpCap
19:43:24   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C)
19:43:26     Target Completed Target completed (1/1, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS))
19:44:31     Target Started (1/1) Target started (1/1, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)). Using SharpCap
19:48:17   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C)
19:48:19     Target Completed Target completed (1/1, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS))
19:48:29     Target Started (1/1) Target started (1/1, GCVS T CrB)
19:48:33     Target Failed (1/1) Target failed (1/1, GCVS T CrB) due to aborted
19:48:47     Target Started (1/1) Target started (1/1, GCVS T CrB)
19:57:05     Target Completed Target completed (1/1, GCVS T CrB)
19:57:34 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:57 & 05:49
19:57:36 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode
19:57:54 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:57)
19:58:06   Services Started Observatory Services started
19:58:10 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
19:58:14 Session Pending Session pending (2024-10-19)
19:58:16 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-10-19)
19:58:26   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C)
19:58:32   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.42.4)
19:59:30   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1036)
19:59:38   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6)
20:00:34 Session Running Session running
20:00:37   Queue Started Observing Queue started (35 targets selected)
20:00:43     Target Started (1/35) Target started (1/35, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS))
20:00:48     Target Failed (1/35) Target failed due to slew error (1/35, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS))
20:09:56     Target Started (2/35) Target started (2/35, HIP 87937)
20:13:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:15:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
20:18:48     Target Completed Target completed (2/35, HIP 87937)
20:18:53     Target Started (3/35) Target started (3/35, GCVS CI Cyg)
20:21:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:24:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
20:28:44     Target Completed Target completed (3/35, GCVS CI Cyg)
20:28:48     Target Started (4/35) Target started (4/35, AT2024xig)
20:30:04   ScopeMonitor Frozen ScopeMonitor appears to be frozen at around 20:30
20:54:14     Target Completed Target completed (4/35, AT2024xig)
20:54:18     Target Started (5/35) Target started (5/35, AT2024xpy)
20:57:21       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
21:13:39     Target Completed Target completed (5/35, AT2024xpy)
21:13:43     Target Started (6/35) Target started (6/35, AT2021aggy (CV))
21:16:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:19:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
21:25:16     Target Completed Target completed (6/35, AT2021aggy (CV))
21:25:42     Target Started (7/35) Target started (7/35, AT2024uun (CV))
21:28:42       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
21:34:48     Target Completed Target completed (7/35, AT2024uun (CV))
21:37:42     Target Started (8/35) Target started (8/35, AT2024yej)
21:40:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:43:26       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
22:00:04     Target Completed Target completed (8/35, AT2024yej)
22:00:08     Target Started (9/35) Target started (9/35, AT2023ay)
22:03:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:05:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
22:22:06     Target Completed Target completed (9/35, AT2023ay)
22:22:22     Target Started (10/35) Target started (10/35, AT2023cqw)
22:25:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:27:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
22:44:10     Target Completed Target completed (10/35, AT2023cqw)
22:44:22     Target Started (11/35) Target started (11/35, GCVS BL Lac)
22:47:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:49:59       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
22:53:56     Target Completed Target completed (11/35, GCVS BL Lac)
22:54:40     Target Started (12/35) Target started (12/35, M31 w/AT2023hrm)
23:00:53       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
23:17:09     Target Completed Target completed (12/35, M31 w/AT2023hrm)
23:17:14     Target Started (13/35) Target started (13/35, M33 w/Nova M33 2024-08a?)
23:20:27       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
23:36:28     Target Completed Target completed (13/35, M33 w/Nova M33 2024-08a?)
23:39:00     Target Started (14/35) Target started (14/35, AT2022wel)
23:42:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:45:36       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
00:01:54     Target Completed Target completed (14/35, AT2022wel)
00:01:58     Target Started (15/35) Target started (15/35, LEDA 2266307 w/SN2024xjk)
00:06:00       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
00:22:47     Target Completed Target completed (15/35, LEDA 2266307 w/SN2024xjk)
00:23:40     Target Started (16/35) Target started (16/35, GCVS RX And)
00:26:27     Target Aborted (16/35) Target aborted (16/35, GCVS RX And) due to Priority 1 ToO Target
00:26:31     Target Started (17/36) Target started (17/36, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS), ToO)
00:30:09       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
00:38:41     Target Completed Target completed (17/36, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS), ToO)
00:38:45     Target Started (18/37) Target started (18/37, C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS), ToO)
00:42:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:44:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11)
00:53:22     Target Completed Target completed (18/37, C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS), ToO)
00:53:24     Target Missed (19/37) Target's time slot was missed (19/37, GCVS U And)
00:53:26     Target Started (20/37) Target started (20/37, AT2023rrr)
01:07:03     Target Completed Target completed (20/37, AT2023rrr)
01:07:07     Target Started (21/37) Target started (21/37, GCVS UV Cet)
01:07:12     Target Failed (21/37) Target failed due to airmass limit (21/37, GCVS UV Cet)
01:16:46     Target Started (22/37) Target started (22/37, AT2023rdg)
01:21:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:21:45   UPS System UPS running on Mains Power at 01:21:44 (outage time Unknown)
01:24:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12)
01:40:29     Target Completed Target completed (22/37, AT2023rdg)
01:40:34     Target Started (23/37) Target started (23/37, LEDA 2514988 w/SN2023qb)
01:44:26       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
02:00:59     Target Completed Target completed (23/37, LEDA 2514988 w/SN2023qb)
02:01:04     Target Started (24/37) Target started (24/37, GCVS DX Cnc)
02:04:19       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
02:09:36     Target Completed Target completed (24/37, GCVS DX Cnc)
02:11:59     Target Started (25/37) Target started (25/37, SN 2024wak)
02:16:04       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:18:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13)
02:34:25     Target Completed Target completed (25/37, SN 2024wak)
02:34:29     Target Started (26/37) Target started (26/37, GCVS RR Tau)
02:35:35       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
02:37:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:39:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14)
02:40:20       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
02:42:45       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
02:46:33     Target Completed Target completed (26/37, GCVS RR Tau)
02:46:35   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
02:46:38 Session Suspending Session suspending
02:47:26   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 0s)
02:47:29 Session Suspended Session suspended
02:54:16 Session Resuming Session resuming
02:55:02   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 0s)
02:55:04 Session Running Session running
02:55:06   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
02:55:09     Target Started (27/37) Target started (27/37, AT2024iim)
03:13:06     Target Completed Target partially completed (27/37, AT2024iim)
03:13:10     Target Started (28/37) Target started (28/37, AT2023vqz)
03:16:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:18:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15)
03:34:35     Target Completed Target completed (28/37, AT2023vqz)
03:34:39     Target Started (29/37) Target started (29/37, AT2024xhn (CV))
03:37:34       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
03:53:33     Target Completed Target completed (29/37, AT2024xhn (CV))
03:53:37     Target Started (30/37) Target started (30/37, GCVS ER UMa)
03:56:48       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
03:59:53       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
04:00:50     Target Completed Target completed (30/37, GCVS ER UMa)
04:00:52   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
04:00:53 Session Suspending Session suspending
04:01:43   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 0s)
04:01:46 Session Suspended Session suspended
04:22:17     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (31/37, NGC 2830 w/AT2024vsu) due to cloud
04:38:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (32/37, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS)) due to cloud
04:59:09     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (33/37, SN 2022ukr) due to cloud
05:21:29     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (34/37, UGC 4957 w/AT2024vrq) due to cloud
05:37:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (35/37, AT2024xxb) due to cloud
05:58:39     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (36/37, NGC 4192A w/SN2024exw) due to cloud
06:30:59     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (37/37, AT2024wpc) due to too few stars
06:31:03   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
06:31:09 Session Closing Session closing
06:31:14   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 04:01, closing time 50s, zigbee 0s)
06:31:35   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 13s), Az: 90.1 deg
06:32:59   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 79s total)
06:33:14   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.'
06:33:37   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
06:35:01   Services Stopped Night Services stopped
06:35:04 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
06:35:36     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow)
06:36:34     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 89.9°)
06:39:45 Session Finished Session Finished

 
 
Session Alerts & Alarms
Time     Type       Name Detail
18:25:49 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out)
18:26:45 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset)
20:31:48 Red Alert ScopeMonitor ScopeMonitor appears to be frozen (last cycle at 20:30:04)
20:31:52 Red Alert TheSky6 Alert TheSky6 program isn't responding
20:35:08 Green Clear ScopeMonitor ScopeMonitor has resumed again (20:35) after 5.1 mins
01:21:45 Green Clear UPS System UPS running on Mains Power at 01:21:44 (outage time Unknown)
02:55:33 Yellow Alert Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 138.2° (T+22.2s)
 
 

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Operational Issues (2024-10-19 S1257)

Critical Issues

Major Issues

Minor Issues

Small Defects

Continuous Improvement

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Fig 1.   Focus Profiles Compared

Fig 1a. Focus Profile from after last Mirror Refocusing (2024-09-30 S1248)

Best Focus at 2088 steps position

Image

Fig 1b. Focus Profile from end of the last session (2024-10-17 S1256)

Best Focus at 751 steps position.  Tube Temperature is only 1.8°C different from profile above and indicates that mirror has slipped. This seems to have occurred progressively over the course of several sessions.

Image

Fig 1c. Focus Profile from start of this session (2024-10-19 S1257)

Best Focus at 3699 steps position.  Tube Temperature is only 0.2°C different from profile above and indicates that the mirror has slipped in between sessions. This has occurred as a significant single step change and not due to a progressive change, seen between S1248 & S1256.

Image
 

Fig 2. Session Report extract covering the Search for Dome Park as end of S1257 session

  Search for Dome Park (Wide)           2024-10-20 06:35  (Local, BST)   Check Dome                  Info      AtPark Sensor shows 'Parked'   
  Skip Search                 Info      Skipping wide search   

  Search for Dome Park (Narrow)         2024-10-20 06:35  (Local, BST)   
  Check Dome                  Ok        Dome is connected   
  Dome Azimuth                Info      Current Dome Az : 90.1°   
  Shutter Battery             Info      Battery Level: 94%  14.9v   
  Search Range                Info      Narrow            (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°)   
 
  Jog Dome (88.0°)            Ok        Az: 88.1°, AtPark   
  Jog Dome (88.2°)            Ok        Az: 88.3°, AtPark
  Jog Dome (88.4°)            Ok        Az: 88.5°, AtPark  
  Jog Dome (88.6°)            Ok        Az: 88.7°, AtPark  
  Jog Dome (88.8°)            Ok        Az: 88.9°, AtPark
  Jog Dome (89.0°)            Ok        Az: 89.1°, AtPark
  Jog Dome (89.2°)            Ok        Az: 89.3°, AtPark  
  Jog Dome (89.4°)            Ok        Az: 89.5°, AtPark
  Jog Dome (89.6°)            Ok        Az: 89.7°, AtPark
  Jog Dome (89.8°)            Ok        Az: 89.9°, AtPark
  Jog Dome (90.0°)            Ok        Az: 90.1°, AtPark
  Jog Dome (90.2°)            Ok        Az: 90.3°, AtPark
  Jog Dome (90.4°)            Ok        Az: 90.5°, AtPark
  Jog Dome (90.6°)            Ok        Az: 90.7°, AtPark
  Jog Dome (90.8°)            Ok        Az: 90.9°, AtPark
  Jog Dome (91.0°)            Ok        Az: 91.1°, AtPark
  Jog Dome (91.2°)            Ok        Az: 91.3°, AtPark
  Jog Dome (91.4°)            Ok        Az: 91.5°, AtPark
  Jog Dome (91.6°)            Ok        Az: 91.7°, AtPark
  Jog Dome (91.8°)            Ok        Az: 91.9°, AtPark

  Best Park Position                       
  Best Park Position          Ok        Best Park at Az 89.9° (AtPark zone 88.0 - 91.8°, width 3.8°   Slew To Best Park Az..      Ok        Az: 90.0°
  Sync Dome to Park Az        Info      Dome is already synced to Park Azimuth (Az 90.0°)

  Dome Check                            2024-10-20 06:39  (Local, BST)   Checking Dome               Warning   Dome hasn't started re-charging after 3.1 minutes                                         Dome may not have parked at correct physical Az

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