David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1263 (2024-11-06)

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Notes (S1263)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (3),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (6)
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Session Aims & Highlights (2024-11-06)

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 3.72 version of AstroMain
3. PHD2. Continue to check operation and performance of PHD2 Guiding though new DeviceHub DH 7.0 version

• Deferred Aims:  
  -  C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS). Acquire images of comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)
  -  2024 PT5. Attempt to image minor planet/space body 2024-PT5 which is set to temporarily captured into an earth orbit   Jan 10th-Jan-14th

 Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• TheSky6, CCDSoft5, DeviceHub 7.02 RC4, MeadeGeneric 1.3.9, UPB 1.5, ASCOM 7.0.2 RC4,  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 3.72.1,  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 1.11.5

Highlights

• Targets.15/19 planned targets observations were completed, with 2 further targets partially completed. Two targets failed due to cloud.
• AstroMain. No notable issues with new AstroMain 3.72.1 version
• DeviceHub. There were no issues associated wth running DH 7.0.2 RC4, though there were issues with some Dome Slaving
  Dome. There was 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) The black 'spots on the keogram image are created by baby spiders which hatched earlier in the day (see Fig 2 & Fig 3)

Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 00:23:45 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 00:23 & 05:25 00:23:47 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (00:23) 00:24:08   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 00:24:35   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 00:24:37 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-11-06 S01263, ImageSaveNum: 1263001) 00:24:42   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 00:26:37   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:26:44 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 00:26:47 Session Pending Session pending (2024-11-06) 00:26:49 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-11-06) 00:26:59   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:27:06   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.42.4) 00:27:36   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1044) 00:28:18   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 00:28:42 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 00:29:27   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 00:30:07 Session Running Session running 00:30:10   Queue Started Observing Queue started (19 targets selected) 00:30:13     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 3, HIP 14181) 00:30:24       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 00:33:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:36:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 00:39:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 00:39:36       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 00:41:33       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 00:43:22       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 00:43:40     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 3, HIP 14181) 00:43:44     Target Started (1/19) Target started (1/19, NGC 473 w/AT2024zzo) 00:49:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:52:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 01:08:31     Target Completed Target completed (1/19, NGC 473 w/AT2024zzo) 01:08:35     Target Started (2/19) Target started (2/19, GSC 1224:29) 01:12:29       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:19:10     Target Completed Target completed (2/19, GSC 1224:29) 01:19:14     Target Started (3/19) Target started (3/19, AT2024zys (CV)) 01:22:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:25:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 01:31:33     Target Completed Target completed (3/19, AT2024zys (CV)) 01:31:37     Target Started (4/19) Target started (4/19, AT2024aaao (CV)) 01:36:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:39:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 01:45:23     Target Completed Target completed (4/19, AT2024aaao (CV)) 01:45:27     Target Started (5/19) Target started (5/19, GCVS BL Lac) 01:49:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:51:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 01:55:45     Target Completed Target completed (5/19, GCVS BL Lac) 01:55:49     Target Started (6/19) Target started (6/19, AT2023vww (CV)) 01:59:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:01:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 02:08:00     Target Completed Target completed (6/19, AT2023vww (CV)) 02:08:04     Target Started (7/19) Target started (7/19, AT2024agp (CV)) 02:11:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:13:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 02:19:52     Target Completed Target completed (7/19, AT2024agp (CV)) 02:19:56     Target Started (8/19) Target started (8/19, AT2024eei (CV)) 02:24:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:26:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 02:32:41     Target Completed Target completed (8/19, AT2024eei (CV)) 02:32:45     Target Started (9/19) Target started (9/19, AT2023tkp) 02:52:26     Target Completed Target completed (9/19, AT2023tkp) 02:52:30     Target Started (10/19) Target started (10/19, AT2022acgb) 02:56:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:58:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 03:15:26     Target Completed Target completed (10/19, AT2022acgb) 03:15:30     Target Started (11/19) Target started (11/19, WDS GRB 34) 03:20:05       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:22:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 03:24:47     Target Completed Target completed (11/19, WDS GRB 34) 03:24:51     Target Started (12/19) Target started (12/19, LEDA 2078778 w/SN2024xqe) 03:28:49       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:44:51     Target Completed Target completed (12/19, LEDA 2078778 w/SN2024xqe) 03:44:55     Target Started (13/19) Target started (13/19, LEDA 1579406 w/SN2024qfh) 03:48:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:51:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 04:07:25     Target Completed Target completed (13/19, LEDA 1579406 w/SN2024qfh) 04:07:29     Target Started (14/19) Target started (14/19, C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS)) 04:10:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:13:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 04:21:36     Target Completed Target completed (14/19, C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS)) 04:21:41     Target Started (15/19) Target started (15/19, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS)) 04:26:14       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 04:35:06     Target Completed Target completed (15/19, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS)) 04:35:10     Target Started (16/19) Target started (16/19, SN 2024epx) 04:37:37   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 04:37:39   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 04:37:41     Target Aborted (16/19) Target aborted (16/19, SN 2024epx) due to cloud 04:37:43   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 04:37:45 Session Suspending Session suspending 04:38:33   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 42s) 04:38:36 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:40:38 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:40:48   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 04:40:50   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 04:40:52   Queue Paused Observing Queue pausing for Session Suspension 04:41:22   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 04:41:25 Session Running Session running 04:41:27   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:41:29   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 04:41:31   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 04:43:28 Session Suspending Session suspending 04:44:13   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 45s, Zigbee 42s) 04:44:16 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:46:18 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:47:03   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 04:47:06 Session Running Session running 04:47:08   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:47:09     Target Started (16/19) Target started (16/19, SN 2024epx) 04:48:03       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 04:48:48       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 04:50:49       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 04:51:08       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 05:01:28     Target Completed Target partially completed (16/19, SN 2024epx) 05:01:32     Target Started (17/19) Target started (17/19, UGC 5426 w/AT2024aanq) 05:12:25   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 05:12:27   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 05:12:30     Target Aborted (17/19) Target aborted (17/19, UGC 5426 w/AT2024aanq) due to cloud 05:12:32   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 05:12:34 Session Suspending Session suspending 05:13:16   Dome Closing Dome closure failed after 45s (ShutterState=4) 05:13:21 Session Suspended Session suspended 05:16:02     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/19, UGC 5426 w/AT2024aanq) due to cloud 05:38:22     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/19, NGC 3443 w/SN2024ehs) due to cloud 05:38:53 Session Resuming Session resuming 05:39:38   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 05:39:41 Session Running Session running 05:39:43   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 05:41:26     Target Started (19/19) Target started (19/19, NGC 5235 w/SN2024grb) 05:41:38     Target Failed (19/19) Target failed due to slew error (19/19, NGC 5235 w/SN2024grb) 05:41:40   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 05:41:44 Session Closing Session closing 05:42:34   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 45s, Zigbee 43s) 05:43:10   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 28s), Az: 90.0 deg 05:43:54   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 38s total) 05:44:18   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 05:44:40   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:46:06   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:46:09 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:46:31     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 05:47:19     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.4°) 05:47:25     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.4°) 05:47:27   Dome Parked Dome parked 05:47:34   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (21mA) 05:47:36 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 00:26:44 Red Alert Unexpected Scope Movement Scope appears to be tracking even though Tracking=False 00:44:09 Yellow Alert Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 223.8° (T+18.6s) 01:32:07 Yellow Alert Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 321.0° (T+24.9s) 02:20:23 Yellow Alert Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 205.8° (T+20.9s) 02:20:41 Yellow Alert Dome Discrepency Difference between Dome Az and Slave Az is > 1 deg (AT2024eei) 02:52:49 Yellow Alert Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 143.3° (T+13.2s) 04:08:07 Yellow Alert Dome Discrepency Difference between Dome Az and Telescope Az is > 8 deg (C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS)) 04:08:09 Yellow Alert Dome Discrepency Difference between Dome Az and Slave Az is > 1 deg (C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS)) 05:13:16 Red Alarm Dome Closing Dome closure failed after 45s (ShutterState=4) 05:47:34 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (21mA)

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Operational Issues (2024-11-06 S1263)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (3)
• Small Defects (1)
• Continuous Improvement (0)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• There were 4 yellow-alert cases where the Slaved Dome Slew paused during the Telescope Slew operation  (00:44, 01:32, 02:20,  02:52). During 4 slews there were Yellow Alerts raised by the SlewMonitor with the messages like "Dome slew resumed at Az 223.8° (T+18.6s) .  This is issue that dome goes to a particular Az. Stops slewing and the Slews again.  To be investigated  - does the issue cause sufficient problem to raise with author of the relevant driver or program (dome, telescope, devicehub) ?.
  To investigate 2024-11-14 (Session, Dome, Telescope, DeviceHub)
   
• There were 2 yellow-alert cases where difference between Dome Az and Slave Az was >1 deg (02:20, 04:08).  During 2 slews yellow alerts were raised for 'Dome Discrepency' with the message "Difference between Dome Az and Slave Az is > 1 deg". To be investigated and compared with previous cases of the problem. Is this a significant issue or not.
  To investigate 2024-11-14 (Session, Dome, Telescope, DeviceHub)
   
• There was a 'Dome Closing' alarm with ShutterState=4 (05:13). During session suspension due to cloud a red alert/alarm was raised at 05:13:16  "Dome closure failed after 45s (ShutterState=4).  The closure was successful within normal time as shown by Zigbee Bottom Shutter sensor, but the Pulsar Dome Driver didn't seem to get the correct response . There was no issue reopening the shutter and an final closure of shutter at end of session. This seems to be glicth in the Pulsar Dome system ?
  To investigate 2024-11-14 (Session, Dome)
   

Small Defects

• There was an 'Unexpected Scope Movement' alert near the start of the session (00:26).  A Red Alert was raised at 00:26:44 4 with the message "Scope appears to be tracking even though Tracking=False".
  To investigate 2024-11-14 (Session, AstroMain, Telescope)

Continuous Improvement

• None

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