David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1260 (2024-10-26)

Notes (S1259)

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Notes (S1261)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (1),  Minor Issues (8),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (1)
	Images from 2024-10-26 >>
	Current/Latest Session >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-10-24)

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.  Check new 3.71.10 version of AstroMain
3. 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 7.0.1,  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 3.71.10,  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. 17/24  planned targets observations were completed with 2 other targets partially completed. Other targets failed due to CCDCamera problems causing Missed Start failures and possibly one DST related failure (end of BST).
• C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS). Planned image set for comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) couldn't be acquired due to cloud & rain in first part of night
• CCDCamera. There were a number of CCDCamera issues / problems during the session. 
• Dome. No issues opening/closing shutter during session. Dome closed and parked ok at end of session.

Notes

•  Aurora Images/Video from night, 2024-10-26/27 >>
  

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 22:58:14 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 22:58 & 06:03 22:58:19 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (22:58) 22:58:40   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 22:59:07   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 22:59:09 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-10-26 S01260, ImageSaveNum: 1260001) 22:59:14   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 23:01:12   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:01:19 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 23:01:21 Session Pending Session pending (2024-10-26) 23:01:23 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-10-26) 23:01:31   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 23:01:37   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.42.4) 23:02:34   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1039) 23:03:14   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 23:03:38 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 23:04:23   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 23:04:38 Session Running Session running 23:04:41   Queue Started Observing Queue started (24 targets selected) 23:04:44     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 1, HIP 4911) 23:04:59       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 23:08:45   ScopeMonitor Frozen ScopeMonitor appears to be frozen at around 23:08 23:14:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:14:36   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 23:14 in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 23:15:08   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 23:15:15   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 23:16:09   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 23:16:52   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 23:17:15   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (user action) 23:17:22   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 23:18:12   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 23:18:22   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (user action) 23:18:30   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 23:19:25 User Intervention User Intervention to abort job queue & switch back to Manual Mode 23:20:17       Focusing Aborted Foc1 Focusing Aborted 23:20:19     Target Aborted (NrZen) Target aborted (Focus Field 1, HIP 4911) due to User Intervention 23:20:21   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 23:20:38   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (user action) 23:20:45   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 23:21:39   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 23:23:08   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 23:23:58   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 23:24:01 Session Closed Session closed by User 23:24:04 Program Closed Program closed by User 23:28:35 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 23:28 & 06:03 23:28:36 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (23:28) 23:28:48   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 23:29:15   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 23:29:17 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2024-10-26 S01260, ImageSaveNum: 1260004) 23:30:00   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:30:07 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 23:30:11 Session Pending Session pending (2024-10-26) 23:30:13 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-10-26) 23:30:22   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 23:30:31   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1039) 23:30:39   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 23:31:01 Session Running Session running 23:31:03   Queue Started Observing Queue started (24 targets selected) 23:31:07     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 1, HIP 4911) 23:34:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:34:49   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 23:34 in section 'GetCameraProperties / FilterIndexZeroBased' 23:35:21   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 23:35:28   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 23:36:22   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 23:36:27   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 23:36 in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 23:37:01   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 23:37:04   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 23:37:08   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 23:38:02   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 23:38:05   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 23:40:07   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 23:40:33   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (user action) 23:40:40   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 23:41:34   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 23:41:37   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 23:41:43   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 23:41 in section 'SetCameraProperties / ExposureTime' 23:41:59 User Intervention User Intervention to abort job queue & switch back to Manual Mode 23:42:17   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 23:42:24   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 23:42:26       Focusing Aborted Foc1 Focusing Aborted 23:42:28     Target Aborted (NrZen) Target aborted (Focus Field 1, HIP 4911) due to User Intervention 23:42:30   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 23:43:17   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 23:43:34   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 23:43 in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 23:44:07   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 23:44:14   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 23:45:07   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 23:45:40   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 23:47:23   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (user action) 23:47:30   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 23:48:23   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 23:49:14   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 23:49:46   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 23:51:04   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 23:51:07 Session Closed Session closed by User 23:51:10 Program Closed Program closed by User 23:56:44 Program Opened Program Opened (AstroMain 3.71.10) 23:56:46 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2024-10-26 S01260, ImageSaveNum: 1260009) 23:56:51   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 23:57:10   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 23:57:18   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:57:31   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 23:58:41   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:58:58   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 00:00:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:01:17   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 00:02:06   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 00:02:36   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 00:03:27   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 00:03:34       Focusing Aborted Foc1 Focusing Aborted 00:05:10   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (user action) 00:05:14   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:06:08   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 00:07:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:09:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 00:10:07       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 00:12:15       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 00:12:56 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 00:12 & 06:03 00:12:59 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 00:13:01 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (00:13) 00:13:13   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:13:17 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 00:13:21 Session Pending Session pending (2024-10-26) 00:13:23 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-10-26) 00:13:33   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 00:13:41   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1039) 00:13:50   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 00:14:11 Session Running Session running 00:14:14   Queue Started Observing Queue started (22 targets selected) 00:14:16     Target Missed (3/24) Target's time slot was missed (3/24, GCVS UV Cet) 00:14:20     Target Started (4/24) Target started (4/24, AT2024wqf) 00:17:54       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 00:33:48     Target Completed Target completed (4/24, AT2024wqf) 00:36:18     Target Started (5/24) Target started (5/24, Nova Vul 2024) 00:41:05       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:43:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 00:47:46     Target Completed Target completed (5/24, Nova Vul 2024) 00:47:50     Target Started (6/24) Target started (6/24, GCVS BL Lac) 00:51:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:54:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 00:58:43     Target Completed Target completed (6/24, GCVS BL Lac) 00:58:47     Target Started (7/24) Target started (7/24, WDS GRB 34) 01:01:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:04:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 01:06:17     Target Completed Target completed (7/24, WDS GRB 34) 01:06:21     Target Started (8/24) Target started (8/24, GSC 1224:29) 01:10:19       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:16:27     Target Completed Target completed (8/24, GSC 1224:29) 01:17:21     Target Started (9/24) Target started (9/24, NGC 1262) 01:21:37       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:37:42     Target Completed Target completed (9/24, NGC 1262) 01:39:41     Target Started (10/24) Target started (10/24, NGC 1407). Using SharpCap 01:42:14       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:44:48   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 01:44:50     Target Failed (10/24) Target failed due to (10/24, NGC 1407) 01:44:52     Target Missed (11/24) Target's time slot was missed (11/24, UGCA 91) 01:44:54     Target Started (12/24) Target started (12/24, NGC 1393) 01:51:10       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 01:54:51     Target Completed Target partially completed (12/24, NGC 1393) 01:54:56     Target Started (13/24) Target started (13/24, MCG -3-12-11 w/SN2022ucj) 01:58:03   ScopeMonitor Frozen ScopeMonitor appears to be frozen at around 01:58 01:04:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:04:59   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 01:04 in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 01:05:34   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 01:05:41   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 01:09:07       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 01:10:53   CCDSoft Issue CCDSoft has encountered an image save issue [0000] 01:10:55   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix unsaved file issue) 01:11:02   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 01:11:56   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 01:28:40     Target Completed Target completed (13/24, MCG -3-12-11 w/SN2022ucj) 01:30:03   Critical Data Alert Critical Weather Data Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:30:05   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (missing sky/weather information) 01:30:07   Queue Paused Observing Queue pausing for Session Suspension 01:30:09 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:30:58   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 01:31:01 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:00:16 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:01:01   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 02:01:03 Session Running Session running 02:01:05   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:14:51     Target Started (14/24) Target started (14/24, NGC 1843 w/SN2022pds) 02:18:44       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:34:47     Target Completed Target completed (14/24, NGC 1843 w/SN2022pds) 02:37:11     Target Started (15/24) Target started (15/24, AT2024zlk) 02:40:16       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:56:50     Target Completed Target completed (15/24, AT2024zlk) 02:59:32     Target Started (16/24) Target started (16/24, AT2023yon) 03:02:36       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:18:54     Target Completed Target completed (16/24, AT2023yon) 03:21:31     Target Started (17/24) Target started (17/24, AT2022xao) 03:24:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:24:52   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 03:24 in section 'GetCameraProperties / FilterIndexZeroBased' 03:25:27   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 03:25:34   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 03:30:08       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 03:31:39   CCDSoft Issue CCDSoft has encountered an image save issue [0000] 03:31:42   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix unsaved file issue) 03:31:52   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 03:32:45   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 03:48:37     Target Completed Target completed (17/24, AT2022xao) 03:48:41     Target Started (18/24) Target started (18/24, AT2022hy (CV)) 03:56:57     Target Completed Target completed (18/24, AT2022hy (CV)) 03:57:01     Target Started (19/24) Target started (19/24, SN 2022actt) 04:00:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:00:41   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 04:00 in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 04:01:15   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 04:01:22   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 04:02:16   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 04:02:49   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 04:03:38   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 04:04:11   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 04:04:59   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 04:05:30   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 04:05:32       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 04:11:03   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix locked thread) 04:11:10   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 04:12:04   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 04:12:22   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 04:21:59     Target Completed Target partially completed (19/24, SN 2022actt) 04:22:03     Target Started (20/24) Target started (20/24, GCVS ER UMa) 04:25:24       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 04:29:20     Target Completed Target completed (20/24, GCVS ER UMa) 04:29:24     Target Started (21/24) Target started (21/24, AT2024zck (CV)) 04:32:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:33:05   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 04:33 in section 'GetCameraProperties / FilterIndexZeroBased' 04:33:38   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 04:33:45   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 04:37:09       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 04:38:41   CCDSoft Issue CCDSoft has encountered an image save issue [0000] 04:38:43   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix unsaved file issue) 04:38:50   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 04:39:44   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 04:45:23     Target Completed Target completed (21/24, AT2024zck (CV)) 04:45:27     Target Started (22/24) Target started (22/24, UGC 4958 w/SN2024hig) 04:55:34   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 04:55:36   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix locked thread) 04:55:43   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 04:56:37   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 04:56:38   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 05:06:03     Target Completed Target completed (22/24, UGC 4958 w/SN2024hig) 05:06:07     Target Started (23/24) Target started (23/24, NGC 4216 w/SN2024gy) 05:26:25     Target Completed Target completed (23/24, NGC 4216 w/SN2024gy) 05:26:29     Target Started (24/24) Target started (24/24, AT2024wpc) 05:28:11   ScopeMonitor Frozen ScopeMonitor appears to be frozen at around 05:28 05:50:48     Target Completed Target completed (24/24, AT2024wpc) 05:50:50   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 05:50:52 Session Closing Session closing 05:51:47   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 05:52:07   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 13s), Az: 90.0 deg 05:53:29   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 75s total) 05:53:44   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 05:54:06   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:55:29   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:55:32 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:55:54     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 05:56:55     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 89.6°) 05:57:01     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: +0.4°) 05:57:03   Dome Parked Dome parked 05:57:12   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (14mA) 05:57:14 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 23:10:26 Red Alert ScopeMonitor ScopeMonitor appears to be frozen (last cycle at 23:08:45) 23:10:29 Red Alert TheSky6 Alert TheSky6 program isn't responding 23:14:01 Green Clear ScopeMonitor ScopeMonitor has resumed again (23:14) after 5.3 mins 23:15:06 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 23:14:36) in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 23:15:11 Green Clear CcdCamera CcdCamera has resumed again (23:15) after 35s 23:16:52 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 23:18:12 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 23:23:08 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 23:35:19 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 23:34:49) in section 'GetCameraProperties / FilterIndexZeroBased' 23:35:24 Green Clear CcdCamera CcdCamera has resumed again (23:35) after 35s 23:36:59 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 23:36:27) in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 23:37:04 Green Clear CcdCamera CcdCamera has resumed again (23:37) after 37s 23:37:06 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 23:38:05 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 23:40:07 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 23:41:35 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 23:42:15 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 23:41:43) in section 'SetCameraProperties / ExposureTime' 23:42:20 Green Clear CcdCamera CcdCamera has resumed again (23:42) after 36s 23:44:05 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 23:43:34) in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 23:44:10 Green Clear CcdCamera CcdCamera has resumed again (23:44) after 35s 23:44:39 Yellow Alert UPB.Switch Restarting UPB Powerbox Software 23:44:44 Red Alert UPB.Switch UPB.Switch service hasn't been restored 23:45:40 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 23:49:14 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 23:49:46 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 00:01:17 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 00:02:06 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 00:02:36 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 00:03:27 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 00:04:31 Red Alert Program Hung AstroMain UI appears to have stopped responding at 00:04 00:04:57 Green Clear Program Resumed AstroMain UI has resumed again after 33s 01:00:15 Red Alert Dome Alert DomeRecords have stopped updating 01:30:18 Red Alert Dome Alert DomeRecords are not updating 01:59:46 Red Alert ScopeMonitor ScopeMonitor appears to be frozen (last cycle at 01:58:03) 01:59:50 Red Alert TheSky6 Alert TheSky6 program isn't responding 01:00:20 Green Clear Dome Alert DomeRecords have resumed updating 01:03:27 Green Clear ScopeMonitor ScopeMonitor has resumed again (01:03) after 5.4 mins 01:04:36 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins 01:05:06 Red Alert Cloud Sensor Cloud Sensor data has been inactive for more than 5 min 01:05:32 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 01:04:59) in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 01:05:37 Green Clear CcdCamera CcdCamera has resumed again (01:05) after 38s 01:10:53 Red Alert CCDSoft Image file [0000] hasn't been saved to disk, possible CCDSoft issue 01:14:42 Yellow Alert Dome Dome has been stationary for more than 15 mins 01:18:27 Green Clear CCDSoft Image file has been saved to disk following CCDSoft Restart 01:20:02 Red Alarm Cloud Sensor Cloud Sensor data has been inactive for more than 20 min 01:59:56 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 60.2 mins) 02:00:16 Green Alarm Cloud Sensor Cloud Sensor data is active again (outage 60.2 min) 02:01:06 Green Alarm Dome Dome Movements have begun again (outage 61.4 mins) 03:25:25 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 03:24:52) in section 'GetCameraProperties / FilterIndexZeroBased' 03:25:30 Green Clear CcdCamera CcdCamera has resumed again (03:25) after 38s 03:31:39 Red Alert CCDSoft Image file [0000] hasn't been saved to disk, possible CCDSoft issue 03:38:57 Green Clear CCDSoft Image file has been saved to disk following CCDSoft Restart 04:01:13 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 04:00:41) in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 04:01:18 Green Clear CcdCamera CcdCamera has resumed again (04:01) after 37s 04:02:49 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 04:03:38 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 04:04:12 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 04:04:59 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 04:05:30 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 04:12:22 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 04:33:36 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 04:33:05) in section 'GetCameraProperties / FilterIndexZeroBased' 04:33:41 Green Clear CcdCamera CcdCamera has resumed again (04:33) after 36s 04:38:41 Red Alert CCDSoft Image file [0000] hasn't been saved to disk, possible CCDSoft issue 04:41:56 Green Clear CCDSoft Image file has been saved to disk following CCDSoft Restart 04:55:34 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 04:56:38 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 05:29:51 Red Alert ScopeMonitor ScopeMonitor appears to be frozen (last cycle at 05:28:11) 05:29:55 Red Alert TheSky6 Alert TheSky6 program isn't responding 05:33:06 Green Clear ScopeMonitor ScopeMonitor has resumed again (05:33) after 4.9 mins 05:57:12 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (14mA)

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Operational Issues (2024-10-26 S1260)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (1)
• Minor Issues (1)
• Small Defects (8)
• Continuous Improvement (1)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• CCDCamera froze on multiple occasions through session, typically on 1st Frame of Foc1 Focus Profiles (23:14 onwards). It has been noted before that CCDCamera freezes / problems are most often seen when conducting performing auto-focussing (whilst taking a focus frame).  This session saw a particularly strong relationship between CCDCamera freezes and the 1st frame of the Foc1 Focus Profile.  It is noted that the 1/23 or 1/16 focus frame (1s) fails whilst the 1/1 focus frame (1s) succeeds ok.  (see Fig 2)  Other problem cases seem to be occur when Restart CCDSoft operation produces "SBIG driver: Device not found." errors and the following Images fails until CCDSoft is Restarted (which is typically successful.   The issue is ranked as Major in this session due to the large number of cases and the delays at start of session, which required user intervention.  Fix attempted in AstroMain 3.71.11, several routines that referred to Camera.Temperature & Camera.TemperatureSetPoint which could create the problems seen have been modified to refer to their CCDCamara equivalents.  TakeImageAsync() routine makes a lot of calls to get CCDCamera.Status, and these calls have been replaced by use of local variable CamStatus, which is populated just once from CCDCamera.Status.
  To monitor following attempted fix 2024-10-27 (AstroMain , CCDCamera, CCDSoft) .

Minor Issues

• CloudSensor,  AllSky Star & Synopiss Data reported to be inactive for around 1 hour.  At "01:04:36 (likely GMT), a red alert was raised with message "AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins", followed at  01:05:06 " by red alert with message "Cloud Sensor data has been inactive for more than 5 min".   Later on there were green alerts at  01:59:56 & 02:00:16 with messages "AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 60.2 mins)" and "Cloud Sensor data is active again (outage 60.2 min)" . Issue is directly related to ending of BST and start of GMT when clocks went back by 1 hour. Fix should be attempted before the next time clocks go back in Oct 2025.
  Issue understood  2024-10-27 (AstroMain , CloudSensor, AstroAllSky )

Small Defects

• A "Scope appears to be tracking even though Tracking=False" alert reported after Telescope had parked (daytime testing, 2024-10-27 14:40).  After completing daytime tests using DeviceHub 7.0.2 RC3 & TheSky the telescope was parked. After the scope was parked and with handbox showing  "Scope parked  Turn scope off."  An ObsMonitor (Scope) Alert was reported with the message "Scope appears to be tracking even though Tracking=False".  This defect has been ticketed before , but attempted fixes have still not resolved the issue.   Problem most likely stems from objScope.Azimuth producing an exception when Scope is disconnected, which leads to Scope.Azimuth returning vcNull (-99) , which is >2 deg different than the azimuth when tarcking was turned off.   Fixed in AstroMain 3.71.11 to disable the test/message in ObsMonitor by adding the conditon  "Scope.Azimuth <> vcNull "
  Fixed 2024-10-27 (AstroMain 3.71.11) 
   
• AstroMain's 'Search For Dome Park (Auto)' didn't sync dome position to 90° at end  (daytime testing, 2024-10-27 14:44).  After completing daytime tests using DeviceHub 7.0.2 RC3 & TheSky the dome was parked and the 'Search For Dome Park' operation run via the Search for Dome Park' button (btnSearchForCorrectDomePark) with the 'Auto' option checked and 'Yes' answered to the dialog "If Park Position is found do you want to automatically Sync Dome to Az 90.0 ?". The search for dome park was successful, finding Best Dome Park at 90.2°. The dome slewed to the 90.2° position, but it didn't perform the finishing operation to Sync Dome at 90°.  This had to be manually initiated as an extra step.  Examining code its noted that  bAutomaticallySyncToParkAz is set to True if  the user answers 'Yes' (otherwise it is set to False.  With 'Auto' checkbox is checked   FindDomePark_ByThread(CallMode.Auto) is called which launches SearchForCorrectDomePark_Auto().  Since Zigbee.DomeParkSensor.AtPark = True a narrow seach was set and Dome.FindPark(CallMode.Auto, "Narrow", bSuccess) called.   At end of FindPark() routine then either Dome.SyncToParkAzimuth is called or a Sync Failure is reported when
   bAutomaticallySyncToParkAz = True And SearchType <> "Wide".  Couldn't find a bug that wouldn't lead to Sync operation and it is concluded that user must have pressed No instead of Yes.  AstroMain 3.71.11 modified to so that the user action is logged as 'with Sync' if user has answered Yes causing bAutomaticallySyncToParkAz to be set True.  Manual "Sync Dome to 90" (park az)  routine modified to report a "Sync Dome" subtitle.
  Closed after review (AstroMain 3.71.11) 
   
• "Object reference not set to an instance of an object" exception was caught in ConvertFitsToJpg (00:00). During 'Take Focus Profile' operation on a 'Adhoc Field' a "Object reference not set to an instance of an object" exception was caught at 00:00:15 with the details
  "at CCDApp2.globals.GetFileBasedTargetName(String S) in C:\Users\david\Documents\Visual Studio 2022\Projects\AstroMain\globals.vb:line 9008
  at CCDApp2.globals.ConvertFitsToJpg(Int32 CamId, Int32 ImageType, Int32 Upload500, Int32 MosaicFlag, String ImgNumber, String JpgName, String SubTitle, Double StarX, Double StarY, TFocusBox BoxCoords, TFocusBox RoiCoords) in C:\Users\david\Documents\Visual Studio 2022\Projects\AstroMain\globals.vb:line 75290"   Unclear was the problem is . Issue closed without answer.
  Closed 2024-10-27 (AstroMain 3.71.11) 
   
• Several routines refers to Camera.Temperature & Camera.TemperatureSetPoint instead of CCDCamara equivalents.  In order to protect and control access to 'CCDSoft.Camera' object routines should reference CCDCamera properties and not reference Camera properties.  Searching on Camera references showed the ResumeCameraCooling(), CloseDownCamera() and CloseDownCamera2() routines referred to Camera.Temperature instead of CCDCamera.Temperature.  Similarly CheckCCDTemperature() & ReportCCDTemperature() routines refers to Camera.Temperature & Camera.TemperatureSetPoint instead of CCDCamera.Temperature & CCDCamera.TemperatureSetPoint.   These are errors that could be the cause of recent problems when AstroMain is running in the Observatory with the CCD Camera connected.   TakeImageAsync routine updated to access CCDCamera.Status and CCDCamera.State instead of Camera.State & Camera.Status.
  Fixed 2024-10-27 (AstroMain 3.71.11) 
   
• AstroMain's ScopePath table contains anomalous Angle & Cummulative Slew values (00:14). Values in ScopePath table for 'Angle' (angle from last point) and 'Slew' (cummulative slew angle from start) are anomolous on certain slews, eg Slew to  AT2024wqf  at 00:14.  The angle between successive points is much larger than would be indicated based on the Az/Alt Change.   The Ra , Dec values in table also appear anomalous   (for slew from Ra 1.09, Dec 47.1 to Ra 23.38 to Dec 27.6,  the Ra values would be expected to proceed from 1.09 to 1.00 to 0.00/24:00 to 23.38,  but the table shows Ra values proceeding from 1.09 to 2, 7,15,19 21,22,23, 23.38   It is believed that this a bug in LX200 which can report incorrect Ra values during slewing. Why it should do this is unclear, the telescope clearly takes the correct path. It is proposed that Ra/Dec values used for calculating Angle and Cummulative Angle (Slew) should be calculated from Az/Alt values.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.71.11 by calling CalcRaDecFromAzAlt () routine which calls Utils.ConvertAzAltToRaDec() followed by Utils.Precess2000ToNow().
  Fixed 2024-10-28 (AstroMain 3.71.11) 
   
• AstroMain's DomePath table contains anomalous Slew angle & Speed. Values in DomePath table fo 'Slew' (cummulative slew angle from start) and Slew Speed (since start) are incorrect  eg Slew to  AT2024wqf  at 00:14.  The Slew Angle starts with value 360 instead of 0.  This is likely a bug introduced by a recent fix for where slew angle becomes incorrect when Az 0 is crossed by the slew.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.71.11 using corrected SlewAngle equations.
  Fixed 2024-10-28 (AstroMain 3.71.11) 
   
• Time values in AstroMain's ScopePath & DomePath tables aren't correctly referenced to the precise time that the Slew is called.  It seems that Time values are currently referenced to a point slightly before the time that the Slew is called using Telescope.SlewToRaDec. Fixed in AstroMain 3.71.11 so time is taken from a point directly before the final call to slew telescope (either Telescope.SlewToAzAlt or objScope.SlewToAltAzAsync).
  Fixed 2024-10-28 (AstroMain 3.71.11) 
   
• AstroMain User Interface (UI) reported to have stopped responding for 33s (00:04).   At 00:41:31 a red alert was raised with the message "AstroMain UI appears to have stopped responding at 00:04" (AstroMain should be updated to show seconds in this message). Shortly after a green Program Resumed' alert was raised at 00:04:57 with the message "AstroMain UI has resumed again after 33s ". What caused the UI to not respond  / hang during this time.
  To investigate 2024-11-01+ (AstroMain 3.71.11) 
   
• Log record lines are occasionally corrupted (23:14).  Between 23:14:42 and 23:14:44 there is a log record which comes out corrupted.
  
e)

)
.0, OffsetY: -99.0
- True

Dec: 47.08


Later example (2024-10-29)
k 0.000s
GetTempComPositionForFilter()
          (trace) GetProperty Ok | Get FilterIndexZeroBased took 0.036s
  To fix 2024-10-27 (AstroMain 3.71.11) 
  

Continuous Improvement

• Defer the reporting "CcdCamera has resumed again" message when Stopping CCDSoft. When CCDSoft is being restarted to fix a frozen CcdCamera thread, the 'Stopping CCDSoft' report line is interrupted, as in the following example :
     Stop CCDSoft 2024-10-26 23:15 (Local, BST)
  Stopping CCDSoft   **    (Continued below)
> CcdCamera          Info  CcdCamera has resumed again (23:15) after 35s

**Stopping CCDSoft   Ok
  The message line "CcdCamera has resumed again.." should be deferred to after the Stop CCDSoft task has completed , as follows:
     Stop CCDSoft 2024-10-26 23:15 (Local, BST)
  Stopping CCDSoft   Ok
> CcdCamera          Info  CcdCamera has resumed again (23:15) after 35s
  Implemented in AstroMain 3.71.11 using DeferredCcdCameraMessage(string) to hold the message. And reported in the KillCCDSoft() routine.
  Done 2024-10-27 (AstroMain 3.71.11) 
   

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