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

Notes (S1256)

Notes Main

Home Page

Notes (S1258)

	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 (1)
	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

• 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 3.71.8,  AstroPlan 1.42.4  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. Initial part of session under manual control and acquired images of T CrB, & C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS).  During the main automated session 23/35 planned targets observations were completed with 1 target partially completed. Other target failed due to cloud, altitude/airmass threshold or missed start due to replacement by two ToO targets (C/2021 S3 (PANSTARRS) & C/2022 E2 (ATLAS)).
•  C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS). Images of comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) were successfully acquired
• AstroMain.  The new AstroMain version 3.71.8 continued to work as per design with no problems
• UPB / Telescope.  No issues with UPB Power Box Switches or Telescope COM Port.
• CCD Camera.  No issues with CCDCamera/CCDSoft freezing (apart from one case related to user error)
• LAN Connection.  Observatory's new wired Ethernet cable connection operated perfectly throughout its first live session.
• Dome. No issues opening/closing shutter during session, however dome wasn't parked correctly due to issue with Park Sensor following earlier deConz / Network problem,  and shutter battery to not charge following the 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 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)

Back to Top

Operational Issues (2024-10-19 S1257)

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

[ Prev | Next ]

Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• A SBIG Camera alert "Take Image failed (Command timed-out)"  (18:25). A SBIG Camera red alert raised at 18:25:49 with the message "Take Image failed (Command timed-out)". This was during the taking of Locate Frames, for manually initiated acquistion for Target C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) .  Issue was due to the CCD Camera not being connected.  This was user error who had forgotten to manually initiate Connect Camera operation which is necessary when working the Observatory in Manual Mode. Connect Camera was clicked just in time for the second image, unfortunately the sky was still too bright for taking images showing stars. A separate Continuous Improvement ticket is raised for the system to check the Camera status before beginning an Ad-Hoc Imaging.
  Closed 2024-10-20 (User Awareness)
   
• Telescope focusing was significantly off at start of session. The focusing of the LX200 had gradually slipped over the course of the last few sessions from around 2200 step position on 2024-09-30 (S1248, see Fig 1a) to the 750 position at end of the last session on 2024-10-17 (S1256, see Fig 1b) . Initial images of C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) suggested that it was significantly out of focus, and it was expected that focus might have slipped out the 0-7000 range offered by the TCF-S Focusers and would require the LX200's Primary Mirror Position to be readjusted to bring it back to the centre of the TCF-S focuser range.  Near Zenith focusing showed however that whilst the focusing of the system had indeed slipped, tt had in fact slipped back to the centre part of the TCF-Range and to a best focus position at 3699 steps (see Fig 1c). Fortuitously this is very close to ideal position at 3500 steps.  Whilst the telescope operated within normal focusing bounds for the rest of the session, requiring just minor tweak to focus related to airmass & temperature differences,  the underlying issue whereby the LX200 primary mirror can't be locked in position still remains unresolved (see LX200 - 'Broken' Mirror Lock & Unsuccessful Fix (2023-11-11) )
  Resolved in-session 2024-10-20 (LX200, Foc1 Focus)
   
• Observatory Dome wasn't parked correctly at end of session and didn't start recharging (06:35). After parking Dome at end of session with Dome.Park() command, AstroMain conducted its 'Search of Dome Park (Narrow)' routine.  This searches the Az range 88.0 to 82.0° at 0.2° steps and identifies the narrow 1° or 1.2° range where the Zigbee Park Sensor has a Closed State, signifying 'At Park' and then takes the middle of that parked range as the Best Park Azimuth, then slews to it and syncs dome at Az 90°.  On this occasion the routine was conducted as usual at the end of which a successful Session Event was recorded with the message "Find Park found (Best Park Az 89.9°)".  A few minutes later AstroMain reported a warning "Dome hasn't started re-charging after 3.1 minutes. Dome may not have parked at correct physical Az" and 12 hours later the Shutter Battery Charts were noted to show battery level had dropped away to a value of 91%.  The 'Search for Dome Park' routine was rerun with both narrow search (+/- 2) and wide search ( +/- 10), but neither attempts could locate the Park Position and recorded red Session Events with the message "Find Park failed (Unable to detect Park Sensor in the range searched)".  So why did the Live Session detect the Park Sensor yet no park the dome with induction charger in correct alignment ? .  Investigating showed that during the whole 4° narrow search range was seen as 'At Park' and determined that Best Park Az was at 89.9° (90.0°), and explains why the successful Session Events was raised with the message "Find Park found (Best Park Az 89.9°)", and indicates that the Park Sensor was seemingly 'stuck' in the 'Closed' State (see Fig 2).   During the later post-session search attempt , the Park Sensor was seemingly 'stuck' in the 'Open' state'.  ObsPics from the session show that the Park Sensor was displayed a "P" (ie 'At Park'  /  Closed)  state for the entire session even during period when dome was actively slewing between each target during the session and very clearly wasn't Parked.  When AstroMain changed back to general session at 06:40 the ObsPics immediately begin showing Park Sensor without any "P" indicator  (ie showing it Not Parked / ie Open).   The issue was fixed by restarting all Observatory Services (including the Zigbee Service), and re-running 'Search of Dome Park (Narrow)'. This time the routine found an At-Park region extending over a 1.2° interval between Az 90.2 to 91.4° and establishing Best Park at Az 90.8° which was then synced to 90°. The problem is put down to earlier outage of the Zigbee Network (due to deCONZ not finding the Combee II device) after Windows OS restarted the computer to install networks and the delay in sensors such at the Park Sensor becoming reachable again (see Zigbee Network not available, deConz not connecting to Combee II, 2024-10-18)
  Issue understood & closed  2024-10-20 (AstroMain, Zigbee Network / Park Sensor, User Awareness)

Small Defects

• ScopeMonitor & TheSky6 froze for 5 minutes whilst Linking of a Locate frame (20:30).  This is a known occasional image. During Image Linking of Locate 1 frame for Target 4/35 (AT2024xig) the ObsOverseer reported that ScopeMonitor appeared to have frozen, with the interpretation that TheSky6 was temporarily unresponsive.  After 5.1 minutes (close to the typical duration) ScopeMonitor & TheSky6 resumed and the results of ImageLinking reported.  This is the second time that TheSky6 has frozen in this manner since new code was added in AstroMain that adds some delays between GetRaDec calls to TheSky.  Delays were increased after the last case but has prevented this latest case.  Log files show that the TheSKy6/Scope Monitor froze upon the call 'TheSky.GetObjectRaDec("Image Link Information")' as per case in session S1255.
  Closed after review 2024-10-20 (Session, AstroMain, TheSky6)
   
• AstroMain didn't record a red alert for 5s power outage  (01:25).  A green UPS System alert was raised with the message "UPS running on Mains Power at 01:21:44 (outage time Unknown) ". However there is no corresponding red or yellow alert.  This is the same problem that was seen prior to the last session (see S1256 notes).  It is suspected that a momentary outage was spotted by UPS System (running on a 5s reporting cycle) but wasn't long enough to be registered by AstroMain Laptop Battery Monitor, or cause any other problem to the Observatory. The raising of red alert is likely tied to the computer going to battery power, and this didn't occur there was no alert. UPS Monitor doesn't post its recognition of a power outage, as this would normally result in duplicated alerts.  Perhaps the UPS Monitor should retrospectively post a red alert if the Laptop hasn't recognised the outage.  Fix attempted in AstroMain 3.71.9, with addition of flag bLaptopBatteryOutageReported which is either set True in RunPowerMonitor() (when Laptop goes to Battery power, or it remains False in which case RunUpsMonitor() will record retrospective Event/Alert records when Mains Power is restored. 
  Fixed 2024-10-21  (AstroMain 3.71.9, UPS System)

Continuous Improvement

• Modify submission routine for AstroMain's Ad-Hoc Imaging to check that CCD Camera is connected or not. When performing a Manual Operated tasks at beginning of a session it is easy to forget to connect the CCD Camera, particularly after a spell of sessions which have purely involved using AutoStart at the beginning of the session. During S1257 user forgot to Connect Camera before starting Target C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) with the result that first Locate Frame failed with the message "Image failed      (Timed-out)" and "Unable to Link Image.  Will try a longer exposure".  The button routine should check the Camera status before beginning an Ad-Hoc Imaging operation, and optionally proceed to Connect Camera first or abort.
  To do 2024-10-20 (AstroMain 3.71.9)
   
• Create a facility in AstroMain / ImageSets Tab to retrospectively added Target Name, Target ID to an ImageSet. The image set "C2023_A3_Tsuchinshan-ATLAS 3x3 5s C Set3" in session S1257 was acquired directly from CCDSoft, and when it came to Analysis,  ObjectName, Store folder where empty (or contained 'Cursor Position') and it wasn't possible to derive Title (Distance from Sun, Distance from Earth) information or rate. of motion in Ra/Dec.  Whilst it was possible on this occasion to get the information from '.. Set2' which was acquired via AstroMain, this may not always be the case, and having a means to retrospectively add Target Name (OBJECT), Target ID (TARGETID), Tag Coordinates (TAG-RA, TAG-DEC), Offset Details (OFFSETN, OFFSETW)  details to FITS Headers would be a handy facility.   Part implemented in AstroMain 3.71.9  Object Name and Target ID implemented via Fields and Add Keywords Button on More" Tab
  To do 2024-10-21 (AstroMain 3.71.9)

[ Prev | Next ]

[ Prev | Next ]

Back to Top