David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1274 (2024-11-22)

Notes (S1273)

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Notes (S1275)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (2),  Minor Issues (2),  Small Defects (2),  Continuous Improvement (5)
	Images from 2024-11-22 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-11-22)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.

 Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• TheSky6, CCDSoft5, DeviceHub 7.0.2 RC4 (2), 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 3.73,  AstroPlan 1.42.4  AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.6   (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroVOE 1.15.1,  AstroSN 1.14,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.13.2   
  AstroWeather 1.25.4 AstroAllSky 3.21,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4 (not 1.11.5), AstroLaunch 1.11.7 / 1.11.8

Highlights

• Targets. 21/44 planned targets observations were completed with 2 further targets partially completed.  Other targets failed due to cloud /session suspension or missed due to a ToO target in progress .4 extra targets (M33 w/AT 2024abqt, NGC 6742, NGC 6891 & Jupiter) were completed as ToO targets .
• Dome. There was no issues opening/closing the shutter during session. Dome failed to find Park position at end of session due to a dome holdup which aborted the operation. 

Notes

• Aurora Images from night, 2024-11-22/23  >>
  
  

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 17:12:52 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 17:12 & 05:53 17:12:56   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 17:13:11 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (17:13) 17:13:32   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 17:13:59   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -25°C) 17:14:02 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-11-22 S01274, ImageSaveNum: 1274001) 17:14:07   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 17:16:08   Services Started Observatory Services started 17:16:17 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 17:16:19   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 17:16:22 Session Pending Session pending (2024-11-22) 17:16:24 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-11-22) 17:16:34   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -25°C) 17:16:41   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.42.4) 17:17:23   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1056) 17:18:03   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 17:18:26 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 17:19:12   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 17:19:42 Session Running Session running 17:19:45   Queue Started Observing Queue started (44 targets selected) 17:19:47     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 21, HIP 103850) 17:19:59       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 17:22:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 17:25:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 17:27:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 17:27:54       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 17:29:58       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 17:31:48       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 17:32:07     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 21, HIP 103850) 17:33:10     Target Started (1/44) Target started (1/44, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)) 17:38:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 17:40:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 17:47:53     Target Completed Target completed (1/44, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)) 17:47:57     Target Started (2/44) Target started (2/44, Abell 55) 17:52:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 17:54:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 18:06:20     Target Completed Target completed (2/44, Abell 55) 18:06:24     Target Started (3/44) Target started (3/44, AT2023tod) 18:10:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:13:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 18:29:20     Target Completed Target completed (3/44, AT2023tod) 18:29:24     Target Started (4/44) Target started (4/44, AT2024wqf) 18:49:44     Target Completed Target completed (4/44, AT2024wqf) 18:49:48     Target Started (5/44) Target started (5/44, SN 2024xqt) 18:54:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:57:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 19:13:13     Target Completed Target completed (5/44, SN 2024xqt) 19:13:18     Target Started (6/44) Target started (6/44, AT2023xvp) 19:16:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:19:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 19:35:11     Target Completed Target completed (6/44, AT2023xvp) 19:35:15     Target Started (7/44) Target started (7/44, AT2024emc (CV)) 19:38:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:41:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 19:45:54     Target Aborted (7/44) Target aborted (7/44, AT2024emc (CV)) due to Priority 1 ToO Target 19:45:58     Target Started (8/45) Target started (8/45, M33 w/AT2024abqt, ToO) 19:50:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:53:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 20:09:35     Target Completed Target completed (8/45, M33 w/AT2024abqt, ToO) 20:09:40     Target Started (9/46) Target started (9/46, NGC 6742, ToO) 20:14:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:17:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 20:33:17     Target Completed Target completed (9/46, NGC 6742, ToO) 20:33:21     Target Started (10/47) Target started (10/47, NGC 6891, ToO) 20:37:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:40:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 21:01:26     Target Completed Target completed (10/47, NGC 6891, ToO) 21:01:30     Target Started (11/48) Target started (11/48, Jupiter, ToO) 21:12:56     Target Completed Target completed (11/48, Jupiter, ToO) 21:12:58     Target Missed (12/48) Target's time slot was missed (12/48, AT2024aasc (CV)) 21:13:00     Target Missed (13/48) Target's time slot was missed (13/48, AT2022ugz) 21:13:02     Target Missed (14/48) Target's time slot was missed (14/48, UGCA 12) 21:13:04     Target Missed (15/48) Target's time slot was missed (15/48, UGCA 9) 21:13:06     Target Started (16/48) Target started (16/48, AT2024aapb (CV)) 21:19:50     Target Completed Target partially completed (16/48, AT2024aapb (CV)) 21:19:55     Target Started (17/48) Target started (17/48, MRK 0628 w/SN2024aakr) 21:41:56     Target Completed Target completed (17/48, MRK 0628 w/SN2024aakr) 21:42:00     Target Started (18/48) Target started (18/48, AT2022hsd (CV)) 21:42:28       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 22:02:09     Target Completed Target completed (18/48, AT2022hsd (CV)) 22:02:13     Target Started (19/48) Target started (19/48, GCVS U And) 22:05:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:08:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 22:19:23     Target Completed Target completed (19/48, GCVS U And) 22:19:27     Target Started (20/48) Target started (20/48, M31 w/Nova M31 2024-11b?) 22:22:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:23:53   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 22:24:25   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 22:24:57   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 22:25:26   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 22:25:58   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 22:26:00       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 22:26:17   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix locked thread) 22:26:24   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 22:27:17   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -30°C) 22:27:20   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 22:43:08     Target Completed Target completed (20/48, M31 w/Nova M31 2024-11b?) 22:43:12     Target Started (21/48) Target started (21/48, AT2024vtr (CV)) 22:46:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:48:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 22:54:43     Target Completed Target completed (21/48, AT2024vtr (CV)) 22:54:47     Target Started (22/48) Target started (22/48, LEDA 1390871 w/SN2024xxq) 22:58:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:00:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 23:17:17     Target Completed Target completed (22/48, LEDA 1390871 w/SN2024xxq) 23:17:21     Target Started (23/48) Target started (23/48, GCVS TT Ari) 23:27:45     Target Completed Target completed (23/48, GCVS TT Ari) 23:27:49     Target Started (24/48) Target started (24/48, GCVS ER UMa) 23:37:52     Target Completed Target completed (24/48, GCVS ER UMa) 23:37:56     Target Started (25/48) Target started (25/48, UGCA 281) 23:42:52       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 00:00:04     Target Completed Target completed (25/48, UGCA 281) 00:00:08     Target Started (26/48) Target started (26/48, GCVS RZ LMi) 00:12:00     Target Completed Target completed (26/48, GCVS RZ LMi) 00:12:04     Target Started (27/48) Target started (27/48, GCVS U Gem) 00:16:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:19:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 00:22:54     Target Completed Target completed (27/48, GCVS U Gem) 00:22:58     Target Started (28/48) Target started (28/48, GCVS DX Cnc) 00:26:39       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:32:11     Target Completed Target completed (28/48, GCVS DX Cnc) 00:32:15     Target Started (29/48) Target started (29/48, UGCA 113) 00:38:01       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 00:55:52     Target Completed Target completed (29/48, UGCA 113) 00:55:56     Target Started (30/48) Target started (30/48, SN 2023esp) 00:59:10       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:15:36     Target Completed Target completed (30/48, SN 2023esp) 01:15:40     Target Started (31/48) Target started (31/48, LEDA 1846725 w/SN2024iss) 01:22:04       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 01:22:15       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 01:39:20     Target Completed Target completed (31/48, LEDA 1846725 w/SN2024iss) 01:39:22   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:39:24 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:40:12   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 01:40:15 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:47:06     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (32/48, GCVS BL Lac) due to cloud 02:07:26     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (33/48, M33 w/AT2024abqt) due to cloud 02:19:36     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (34/48, GCVS RX And) due to cloud 02:39:06     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (35/48, IC 438) due to cloud 02:54:36     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (36/48, GCVS YZ Cnc) due to cloud 03:14:06     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (37/48, UGC 3499 w/SN2023zew) due to rain 03:36:06     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (38/48, AT2024xdm) due to rain 03:50:26     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (39/48, AT2024zck (CV)) due to rain 04:02:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (40/48, AT2022jlf (CV)) due to rain 04:23:06     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (41/48, AT2024zlk) due to rain 04:45:26     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (42/48, NGC 5162 w/SN2024aawh) due to rain 04:58:52     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (43/48, T CrB) due to rain 05:18:42     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (44/48, MCG -1-33-30 w/SN2024byg) due to rain 05:34:50     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (45/48, NGC 5235 w/SN2024grb) due to rain 05:56:50     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (46/48, UGC 9343 w/SN2024bqr) due to rain 06:19:10     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (47/48, UGC 8139 w/SN2024ifu) due to rain 06:41:36     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (48/48, GCVS R CrB) due to rain 06:41:40   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:41:45 Session Closing Session closing 06:41:50   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 01:40, closing time 50s, zigbee 44s) 06:42:18   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 18s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:43:14   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 52s total) 06:43:39   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 06:44:01   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:45:27   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:45:30 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:46:07     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°, Wide) 06:46:39     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 80.5°) 06:46:45     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 78.4 to 82.4°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 06:47:45     Dome Find Park aborted (Timeout (60s) waiting for dome to stop slewing) 06:47:50 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 22:23:53 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 22:24:25 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 22:24:57 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 22:25:26 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 22:25:58 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 22:27:20 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 02:47:45 Red Alert Cloud Sensor Cloud Sensor data has been inactive for more than 5 min 02:51:00 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins 02:58:36 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 7.7 mins) 03:02:47 Red Alarm Cloud Sensor Cloud Sensor data has been inactive for more than 20 min 03:03:27 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins 03:10:53 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 7.5 mins) 03:15:53 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins 03:23:24 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 7.5 mins) 03:28:19 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins 03:35:55 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 7.7 mins) 03:40:51 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins 03:48:16 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 7.5 mins) 03:53:17 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins 04:00:48 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 7.6 mins) 04:05:43 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins 04:13:19 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 7.7 mins) 04:18:10 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins 04:25:51 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 7.7 mins) 04:30:41 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins 04:38:07 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 7.5 mins) 04:43:07 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins 04:50:38 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 7.5 mins) 04:55:34 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins 05:03:09 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 7.7 mins) 05:08:05 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins 05:15:41 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 7.7 mins) 05:20:31 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins 05:28:02 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 7.6 mins) 05:32:58 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins 05:40:34 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 7.7 mins) 05:45:24 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins 05:53:00 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 7.7 mins) 05:57:55 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins 06:05:21 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 7.5 mins) 06:10:21 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins 06:17:52 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 7.5 mins) 06:22:48 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins 06:30:24 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 7.7 mins) 06:35:19 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins 06:42:56 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 7.7 mins) 06:47:45 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins

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Operational Issues (2024-11-22 S1274)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (2)
• Minor Issues (2)
• Small Defects (2)
• Continuous Improvement (5)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• CloudSensor stopped operating and AstroAllSky program slowed to a snails pace (02:42). CloudSensor became inactive and AllSky stopped capturing proper pictures of the sky and slowed to a snails pace at around 02:42.  Fortunately the live session (S1274) had already been suspended and no further imaging was expected to cloud cover, and the loss of CloudSensor data didn't materially effect the live session. When checked in the morning the C drive seemed fairly full.(red) but the exact amount of free space unfortunately wasn't recorded.   It was initially thought that the problems were due to a full hard disk and that it might have been a consequence of the introduction of the Tapo C325WB Colour Camera and the filling up of the disk with jpg images(210-415 kb each)  every 10s - 30s, however the volume of data collected (1.2 GB), whilst significant in the medium term, shouldn't have been enough to produce the issue unless the disk was already close to being full. The Email rrom AstroAllSky the previous evening indicated that there was 39.40 GB free which should have been sufficient for the night's session.   Resolved in the morning by deleting unneeded older ObsCam pictures and older VB.Net project backups, bringing the free space back to 196 GB and by rebooting the computer, and restarting all software.  The fact that the Tapo Camera Images continued being saved to disk for the rest of the night without problem suggest that disk space wasn't actually the issue here. After the problem begun at 02:42, AstroAllSky Image run began having overruns of around  716s waiting for the camera for each image , when normally images are taking every 30s with no waiting overruns. of It was noted that CCDsoft couldn't connect to the Oculus AllSky Camera the following morning, and this had to be resolved by resetting the USB Port to the AllSky Camera using Pegasus .  The issue seems to be a glitch that can't be explained.  Whilst the Observatory Computer didn't record any power outage, it is conjectured that the issue was someone caused by some anomaly that affected the CloudSensor and the Oculues AllSky Camera attached to the AllSky/Weather Computer.   After review and consideration on 2024-11-23 it is proposed to close the ticket. Two Conitinuous Improvement tickets have been separately raised to automate corrective actions by AstroWeathet/AstroAllSky and reconsider the option of installing a UPS System in the AllSky/Weather Computer either of which may have quickly resolved the issues or prevented it altogether.
  Closed after review  2024-11-23 (AllSky/Weather Computer, Cloud Sensor, AstroAllSky, Oculus AllSky Camera)
   
• CumulusMX unable to connect to Ecowitt GW2000 Gateway after restarting computer (07:54).  Due to issues with computer stability (following issue in the night at 02:42) the AllSky/Weather Computer was rebooted at ~07:45 - 07:50 and programs restarted at 07:54.  However the CumulusMX program wouldn't reconnect with the Ecowitt GW2000 Gateway / Weather Station, initiated as indicated by AstroWeather and confirmed using localhost:8998 dashboard. The last data from the GW2000 was at 07:39:45, which was likely to be around the time that CumulusMX was manually closed in preparation for rebooting the computer.  Attempts were made to resolve the  issue by power cyclingt he GW2000 (by both resetting the USB Port 6 on the Pagusus USB Hub providing power to the GW2000, and also physically disconnecting and then reconnecting the USB cable) but this didn't work. The GW2000 could be pinged ok. The CumulusMX logs (in MXdiags subfolder) indicated multiple exception errors : System.IO.IOException (Unable to write data to the transport connection: An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host), System.Net.Sockets.SocketException (An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host)  There were similar problems before when the CumulusMX program was at 'C:/More Programs/CumulusMX' and could only be resolved by placing the program at 'C:/More Programs/Cumulus MX'.   The previous day the program at this new directort location again couldn't to the GW2000, but was resolved (by resetting the power to GW2000). It was noted that the CumulusMX would connect to GW2000 ok when run from Development Computer. The problem was resolved this time by copying the program folder to  "C:/More Programs/Cumulus MX2" and starting CumulusMX.exe from their.  The problem might be associated with Kaspersky in someway as the 'Details and Rules' for CumulusMX can't be accessed,  an "Application was moved or removed' dialog pops ups instead. Ticket is closed  but underlying issue/system weakness likely remains.
   Resolved but underlying issue likely remains 2024-11-23 (Ecowitt Weather Station, CumulusMX , Kaspersky).

Minor Issues

• Multiple "AllSky/Synopis' red alerts were raised form the time of failed AllSky Camera event onwards (02:42+) . After an event that knocked out both the CloudSensor and the AllSky Camera at 02:42, and lasting until user interventation in the morning, red AllSky/Synopsis alerts were raised every 12-14 mins with the message "AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins" followed shortly afterwards in each case by a green all-clear with message like "AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 7.5 mins)". The range of the outage seems to be 7.5 to 7.7 mins.  The frequency of the outages in 'AllSky/Synopsis' (12-14 mins), appear to correspond the timing of the AllSky Imaging/Processing Cycles after 02:42 (30s expected + 715s overrun = 745s = 12.4 mins). It is assumed that either AstroAllSky or CCDSoft have a built in time out prevents the total hold-up in the AstroAllSky Imaging Run. Whilst 20 of these red alert/green alert pairs seems inappropriate given they all relate to a single issue, the rarity of this issue  makes it unnecessary to change anything.
  Closed after review 2024-11-23 (AstroMain)
   
• Ecowitt Wittboy's Haptic Sensor not recording rainfall  (2024-11-23  12:40+). After problems with CumulusMX to GW2000 connection in the morning starting at 07:39,  CumulusMX was eventually reconnected to the GW2000 & Weather Station at 12:40.  Although there was heavy rain (with CloudSensor recording rain with values of 25-30), and confirmed visually the Ecowitt Station didn't record any rain from 12:41 to 14:20+ . This follows on from 3 false rain events from the station the previous evening. Has the rain sensor failed ?.  Resolved 2024-12-24, problem was due to a setting in CumulusMX, now fixed.
  Resolved 2024-11-24 (Ecowitt Weather Station, CumulusMX)

Small Defects

• Night times images from new Tapo Camera are showing a streak in sky area on left hand side. A streak (like a scratch) is showing up on images taken with new C325WB Colour Night Vision Camera.  The feature is not present in images taken two nights later (2024-11-24) and it is presumed that this was due to mark on the camera's front lens which has been washed off by yesterday's heavy rain
  Resolved 2024-11-24 (Tapo C325WB Camera)
   
• Ecowitt Wittboy's Haptic Sensor recorded three likely false events (17:55, 18:51, 22:55). The new Ecowitt Wittboy weather station recorded three brief Rain (Snow) event beginning at 17:55, 18:51 & 22:55 according to CumulusMX. Both events were of 8-10 minutes duration and had a 'rain'rate of 0.6 mm/hr and accumulated 0.1 mm (ie 0.2 mm total). The Rain sensor on the Observatory's CloudSensor didn't record any rain, and no cloud is evident on CloudSensor's Clarity sensor or on AllSky Images.  It is believed these events are both false alarms and reduces the confidence in including the Weather Station's Rain Rate as a trigger to close the Observatory's Shutter. Examination of  the Weather Data file compiled by AstroWeather shows the 0.6mm/hr rain' events at 17:55-18:03, 18:51-19:00 & 22:55-23:04 but the newly added 'IsRaining' flag isn't raised at these time.  However it hasn't been confirmed yet that the IsRaining flag is working.  Propose to monitor the records for definate rain events and then come back to this 'false' alarm issue when more data has been collected. It was noticed the following day that no rain was recorded during definite heavy rain event the following morning. Resolved 2024-12-24, problem was due to a setting in CumulusMX, now fixed.
  Resolved 2024-11-24 (Ecowitt Weather Station, CumulusMX)

Continuous Improvement

• Install new Tapo C325WB colour camera outdoors for testing its operation & performance under night sky conditions.   A Tapo C325WB colour night vision camera has been purchased to provide to record Northern Lights (Aurora) along the northern horizon.  This will compliement the Observatory's existing black/white AllSky Oculus Camera, but do so in colour and with shorter exposure for capturing the beauty and detail in the Aurora displays. The new Camera can also record weather & clouds during daytime, which the Oculus AllSky Camera couldn't.  The new camera has been tested indoor and an outline workflow has been established involving using iSpy and a notional new AstroSuite application. Plan is to now hook it into the Observatory power supply and Ethernet Switch and test the camera's performance under night sky condition.   This plan has had to await for a 7.5m Ethernet Patch Cable and 5m 9/12v power cable extension ( 5.5x2.1mm) to allow the camera to be placed at an optimal location.  A temporary installation of the camera and associated cables was made today (2024-11-21) and used to prove that colour night time image can be captured on the AllSky/Weather computer. Incidentally a weak Aurora display was captured on the first evening (see Fig 1), which couldn't be seen visually and couldn't even be detected well on the PanNorth images produced from the Oculus AllSky Camera.
  Done  2024-11-22 (Observatory, Tapo C325WB Camera, iSpy, AllSky/Weather Computer)
   
• Add a 'iSpy' checkbox to the AstroLaunch's AllSky Tab. iSpy64 is being used to capture frames from the new installed Tapo C325WB Colour Camera. And it would be handy to be to quickly launch this program from the program written to launch other Observatory software on the AllSky/Weather Computer.
  Done  2024-11-22 (AstroLaunch 1.11.8)
   
• Build new AstroSuite application for handling images from the new Tapo C325WB camera. A new AstroSuite program is required to open the colour images that have captured from the new Tapo C325WB camera using iSpy64 and stack them to reduce noise, store them and prepare 'live' frame for regualr upload to the Observatory Website and to prepare & create late evening and morning Videos.  Version 1.0 of new AstroColorCam application for handling images from the new Tapo Camera has been built (2024-11-24).  Main features :  choice of interval (15s, 30s, 60s or custom), first subframe from each interval is saved to /TapoCam/Raw/{nightdate} folder, subframes are moved from grab folder and an average image created using ImageMagic. Final image saved to  /TapoCam/Sessions/{nightdate} folder,  displayed in the console and copied to 'C:\Laptop7\Data\AllSky Imaging\Server\NorthCam.LatestImage.jpg for onward upload to Observatory WebSite by AstroAllSky's WebUploader.
  Done  2024-11-24 (AstroColorCam 1.0 )
   
• Automate a process of resolving an outage of Cloud Sensor and/or Oculus AllSky Camera. During the S1274 session the connection to Cloud Sensor and AllSky Camera appears to have been both lost at 02:42.  After likely ruling out a disk space issue the event of is considered to be most-likely due to a momentary power glitch.  AstroWeather could have been recognised the Cloud Sensor data issuue and reset the USB Port and/or Power Connection to the Cloud Sensor.  AstroAllSkt could have recognised a potential issue with the AllSky Camera and reset the USB Port to the AllSky Camera. A second UPS System might have prevented the outage in the first place and should be also considered.  Decision made on 2024-12-02 to acquire a second UPS System for installation in the Observatory's AllSky/Weather Computing Bay.  See Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for the AllSky/Weather Computing Bay , 2024-12-06
  Resolved 2024-12-07 (Observatory AllSky/Weather Computing Bay, UPS System )
   
• Reconsider the idea of installing a UPS System into the AllSky/Weather Computer. An Eaton UPS 3S 850B System (see notes) has previously been installed in the Observatory Computer, and has worked without issue. The option of putting a UPS System into the AllSky/Weather Computing Bay was considered at the time, but was put on hold pending a later review of the operation of the first UPS and a further review of benefit vs cost for a second UPS. After issues with Cloud Sensor and Oculus AllSky Camera  during the S1274 session that was possibly related to a momentary power glitch the idea of getting a second UPS system should again be considered.  The system would provide protection not only for the Cloud Sensor & Oculus AllSky Camera, but also the Observatory Dome Controller and therefore 10 min extra protection to the Observatory Equipment in the event of deterioration in weather conditons/ potential for rain, and protection for the Ecowitt Weather Station's GW2000 Gateway and the Observatory Ethernet Switch.  Decision made on 2024-12-02 to acquire a second UPS System for installation in the Observatory's AllSky/Weather Computing Bay. See Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for the AllSky/Weather Computing Bay , 2024-12-06
  Done 2024-12-07 (Observatory AllSky/Weather Computing Bay, UPS System )

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