David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1266 (2024-11-11)

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Notes (S1267)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (1),  Small Defects (0),  Continuous Improvement (2)
	Images from 2024-11-11 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-11-11)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
2. Crab Nebula.  Acquire 1x1 binned, 60s exposures of M1 / CM Tau to assess the needs/limitations for the Crab Nebula Pulser Project.
3. IK Peg. Acquire images of IK Peg, a white dwarf / binary system in Pegasus and around 154 ly from earth.
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 7.0.2 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 7.0.2 RC4
• [ DomeLink 1.0 / 1.1 - not used ]
   
• AstroMain 3.72.3,  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. 28/29 planned targets observations were completed with 1 other target partially completed.
• Crab Nebula. 60s exposures of Crab Nebula / CM Tau were taken at planned 1x1 binning at C, Xo (BB) and Dual-Band Filter
  IK Peg. Images of IK Peg were acquired
• Dome Slews.  There were 4 dome slew anomalies during the session
  Dome. There was no issues opening/closing shutter during session. Dome closed and parked ok at end of session.

Notes

• Session Stats :  Post-midnight session attempt (5.3 hours) Temperature 7.5 deg (min),  CCD Temp  -15°C,  75% av cooling, 14.4 min imaging time, 32 images

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 21:24:26 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:24 & 05:34 21:24:27 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:24) 21:24:48   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 21:25:15   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 21:25:18 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-11-11 S01266, ImageSaveNum: 1266001) 21:25:23   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 21:27:18   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:27:27 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:27:30 Session Pending Session pending (2024-11-11) 21:27:32 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-11-11) 21:27:39   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 21:27:41   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.42.4) 21:28:17   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1048) 21:28:58   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:29:22 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 21:30:07   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 21:30:42 Session Running Session running 21:30:45   Queue Started Observing Queue started (29 targets selected) 21:30:48     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 1, HIP 4911) 21:30:59       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 21:34:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:37:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 21:39:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 21:39:53       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:42:07       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 21:44:00       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 21:44:19     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 1, HIP 4911) 21:44:23     Target Started (1/29) Target started (1/29, GCVS Z And) 21:48:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:51:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 21:56:34     Target Completed Target completed (1/29, GCVS Z And) 21:56:38     Target Started (2/29) Target started (2/29, SN 2024xqt) 22:05:22     Target Completed Target completed (2/29, SN 2024xqt) 22:07:06       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 22:07:08   Queue Paused Observing Queue pausing for Session Suspension 22:07:12 Session Suspending Session suspending 22:08:02   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 22:08:04 Session Suspended Session suspended 22:12:42 Session Resuming Session resuming 22:13:27   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 22:13:29 Session Running Session running 22:13:31   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 22:16:58     Target Started (3/29) Target started (3/29, MCG +9-31-13 w/SN2023hsb) 22:21:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:24:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 22:41:01     Target Completed Target completed (3/29, MCG +9-31-13 w/SN2023hsb) 22:41:05     Target Started (4/29) Target started (4/29, AT2024aasc (CV)) 22:44:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:47:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 22:53:27     Target Completed Target completed (4/29, AT2024aasc (CV)) 22:53:31     Target Started (5/29) Target started (5/29, GCVS BL Lac) 22:57:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:00:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 23:04:08     Target Completed Target completed (5/29, GCVS BL Lac) 23:04:12     Target Started (6/29) Target started (6/29, GCVS GK Per) 23:08:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:11:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 23:14:00     Target Completed Target completed (6/29, GCVS GK Per) 23:14:04     Target Started (7/29) Target started (7/29, AT2022qnv) 23:35:06     Target Completed Target completed (7/29, AT2022qnv) 23:35:10     Target Started (8/29) Target started (8/29, AT2024sje) 23:40:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:43:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 23:59:12     Target Completed Target completed (8/29, AT2024sje) 23:59:16     Target Started (9/29) Target started (9/29, NGC 1817). Using SharpCap 00:02:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:04:26       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 00:14:58   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 00:15:00     Target Completed Target completed (9/29, NGC 1817) 00:15:03     Target Started (10/29) Target started (10/29, LEDA 16241 w/SN2024qiw) 00:35:04     Target Completed Target partially completed (10/29, LEDA 16241 w/SN2024qiw) 00:35:08     Target Started (11/29) Target started (11/29, AT2023swm) 00:38:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:41:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 00:57:19     Target Completed Target completed (11/29, AT2023swm) 00:57:23     Target Started (12/29) Target started (12/29, AT2024zck (CV)) 01:01:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:04:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 01:11:05     Target Completed Target completed (12/29, AT2024zck (CV)) 01:11:09     Target Started (13/29) Target started (13/29, AT2024vtr (CV)) 01:20:55     Target Completed Target completed (13/29, AT2024vtr (CV)) 01:20:59     Target Started (14/29) Target started (14/29, AT2023srv (CV)) 01:24:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:26:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 01:33:09     Target Completed Target completed (14/29, AT2023srv (CV)) 01:33:13     Target Started (15/29) Target started (15/29, GCVS X TRI) 01:36:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:40:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 01:48:01     Target Completed Target completed (15/29, GCVS X TRI) 01:48:05     Target Started (16/29) Target started (16/29, AT2024zys (CV)) 01:51:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:54:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 02:00:18     Target Completed Target completed (16/29, AT2024zys (CV)) 02:00:22     Target Started (17/29) Target started (17/29, NGC 1746). Using SharpCap 02:03:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:05:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 02:14:54   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 02:14:56     Target Completed Target completed (17/29, NGC 1746) 02:14:58     Target Started (18/29) Target started (18/29, GCVS NV Ori) 02:25:26     Target Completed Target completed (18/29, GCVS NV Ori) 02:25:30     Target Started (19/29) Target started (19/29, UGCA 101) 02:46:23     Target Completed Target completed (19/29, UGCA 101) 02:46:27     Target Started (20/29) Target started (20/29, AT2024wqf) 02:50:49       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 03:06:56     Target Completed Target completed (20/29, AT2024wqf) 03:07:00     Target Started (21/29) Target started (21/29, AT2024jfs) 03:11:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:14:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 03:30:53     Target Completed Target completed (21/29, AT2024jfs) 03:30:57     Target Started (22/29) Target started (22/29, UGC 5426 w/SN2024aanq) 03:35:04       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:38:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 03:54:23     Target Completed Target completed (22/29, UGC 5426 w/SN2024aanq) 03:54:27     Target Started (23/29) Target started (23/29, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 04:13:55     Target Completed Target completed (23/29, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 04:13:59     Target Started (24/29) Target started (24/29, NGC 2642 w/SN2023aaby) 04:18:47       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 04:35:10     Target Completed Target completed (24/29, NGC 2642 w/SN2023aaby) 04:35:15     Target Started (25/29) Target started (25/29, NGC 2936) 04:40:33       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 04:57:26     Target Completed Target completed (25/29, NGC 2936) 04:57:30     Target Started (26/29) Target started (26/29, NGC 3443 w/SN2024ehs) 05:03:45       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 05:20:39     Target Completed Target completed (26/29, NGC 3443 w/SN2024ehs) 05:20:44     Target Started (27/29) Target started (27/29, AT2024aart) 05:43:05     Target Completed Target completed (27/29, AT2024aart) 05:43:09     Target Started (28/29) Target started (28/29, NGC 5162 w/AT2024aawh) 05:48:26       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 06:04:57     Target Completed Target completed (28/29, NGC 5162 w/AT2024aawh) 06:05:02     Target Started (29/29) Target started (29/29, T CrB) 06:08:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:11:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 06:15:54     Target Completed Target completed (29/29, T CrB) 06:15:56   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:16:00 Session Closing Session closing 06:16:55   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 06:17:14   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 12s), Az: 90.1 deg 06:18:07   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 47s total) 06:18:37   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 06:18:59   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:20:24   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:20:27 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:20:59     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°, Wide) 06:22:01     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 93.0°) 06:22:07     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 91.0 to 95.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 06:22:52     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 93.2°) 06:22:58     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -3.3°) 06:23:00   Dome Parked Dome parked 06:23:57   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (29mA) 06:23:59 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 22:17:11 Yellow Alert Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 312.0° (T+7.2s) 23:14:38 Yellow Alert Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 138.3° (T+28.0s) 00:15:34 Yellow Alert Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 145.6° (T+25.6s) 01:21:38 Yellow Alert Dome Discrepency Difference between Dome Az and Telescope Az is > 8 deg (AT2023srv) 01:21:40 Yellow Alert Dome Discrepency Difference between Dome Az and Slave Az is > 1 deg (AT2023srv) 03:54:39 Yellow Alert Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 125.8° (T+5.6s) 04:58:10 Yellow Alert Dome Discrepency Difference between Dome Az and Telescope Az is > 8 deg (NGC 3443) 06:23:57 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (29mA)

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Operational Issues (2024-11-11 S1266)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Four Anomalous Dome Slews recorded during session (22:17, 23:14, 00:15, 03:54).  4 out of 31 slews conducted during the session had anomalous dome slews.  Eventually fixed on 2024-11-15 by enabling DeviceHub's Composite Slewing and making adjustments to how AstroMain's Slew Monitor operates.
  Resolved 2024-11-15  (DeviceHub Composite Slewing, AstroMain 3.72.5)

Small Defects

• None
  

Continuous Improvement

• Add handling to AstroWeather program to be able to read & parse the CumulusMX's "realtimegauges.txt" and JSON Files.  After setting up the Observatory new weather station ("Ekowitt Wittboy") outside the AstroWeather project needs to be able to read the locally available "realtimegauges.txt" with last minute data and JSON data files for historic data by datatype. Files will be held at "C:\Data\AllSky Imaging\Weather Station" at least initially.  Future work to switch over AstroWeather to serve new weather station data to AstroMain, AstroAllSky, AstroGuard etc and to use the Ecowitt data for weather and environmental graphs will be the subject of a separate Continuous Improvment ticket.  Reading of realtimegauges.txt' is implemented in AstroWeather 1.25.1 when the 'Ecowitt Weather Station' checkbox is checked. New records are appended to data files in the format Ws_2024_11.dat  (based on the current year & month) and automatically rolls forward to a new file at the beginning of each month.
  Done 2024-11-21 (AstroWeather 1.25.1)
   
• Modify AstroWeather program to be able to serve up the latest real time weather data from new Ecowitt Station to AstroMain, AstroAllSky. After setting up the Observatory new weather station ("Ekowitt Wittboy") outside and updating AstroWeather to read/parse the locally available "realtimegauges.txt" with last minute data and JSON data files for historic data by datatype. the new weather data needs to be served up to AstroMain, AstroAllSky etc and for those programs to be able to read any newly formatted weather data that is served by AstroWeather. Note that AstroGuard doesn't currently connect to AstroWeather's Weather Server
  Done 2024-11-21 (AstroWeather 1.25.1+,  AstroMain 3.72.8+, AstroAllSky 3.20.7+ )

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