David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1275 (2024-11-24)

Notes (S1274)

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Notes (S1276)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (3),  Small Defects (8),  Continuous Improvement (5)
	Images from 2024-11-24 >>
	2024-11-26
	AstroColorCam - New Application for handling NorthCam Colour Images

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-11-24)

Main aims

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

• Deferred Aims:  
  
  - Dome Slewing & TheSky. Test/Check for Dome Slewing Anomalies & TheSky6/CCDSoft interations when DeviceHub's Fast Polling Rate is reduced from 1.0s  to value of 0.5s  (ie return DeviceHub fast rate polling rate to that previously used in DH 6.6)
  -  Early evening session to acquire latest images of T CrB
  -  Crab Nebula - Acquire 1x1 binned, 60s test exposures of M1 / CM Tau in preparation for Pulsar Project.
  -  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 7.0.2 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 3.73.1,  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 1.26 AstroAllSky 3.21,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4 (not 1.11.5), AstroColorCam 1.0.1, AstroLaunch 1.11.8

Highlights

• Targets. 27/36 planned targets observations were completed with 3 further targets partially completed.  Other targets failed due to cloud or wind.
•   Dome. There was no issues opening/closing the shutter during session. Dome closed and parked at end of session Ok

Notes

• Aurora Images from night, 2024-11-24/25  >>
  
  
  
  Aurora videos (effect of quality CRF factor on mp4 file size)
  Q20  46.2 MB
  Q24  15.8 MB (normal quality)
  Q26   9.3 MB  (final selected quality)
  Q28   5.8 MB
  

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 19:11:12 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:11 & 05:57 19:11:21 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:11) 19:11:42   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 19:12:09   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -30°C) 19:12:11 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-11-24 S01275, ImageSaveNum: 1275001) 19:12:16   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 19:14:14   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:14:22 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 19:14:26 Session Pending Session pending (2024-11-24) 19:14:28 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-11-24) 19:14:38   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 19:14:45   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.42.4) 19:15:37   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1057) 19:16:17   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 19:16:41 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 19:17:26   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 19:17:47 Session Running Session running 19:17:50   Queue Started Observing Queue started (36 targets selected) 19:17:53     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 1, HIP 4911) 19:18:10       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 19:21:04       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:21:14   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 19:21 in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 19:21:46   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 19:21:53   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 19:22:57   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 19:25:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 19:28:58       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed (failed QC check - Quadratic) 19:29:23       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 19:31:36       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 19:33:27       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 19:33:47     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 1, HIP 4911) 19:33:52     Target Started (1/36) Target started (1/36, AT2024eb (CV)) 19:44:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:48:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3, wide) 19:53:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 19:53:48     Target Failed (1/36) Target failed due to (1/36, AT2024eb (CV)) 19:53:52     Target Started (2/36) Target started (2/36, CGCG 276-043 w/SN2022xvg) 20:08:39     Target Completed Target partially completed (2/36, CGCG 276-043 w/SN2022xvg) 20:08:43     Target Started (3/36) Target started (3/36, UGC 11087 w/SN2024ixb) 20:12:31       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 20:28:49     Target Completed Target completed (3/36, UGC 11087 w/SN2024ixb) 20:28:53     Target Started (4/36) Target started (4/36, AT2024aaxo) 20:34:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:37:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 20:53:49     Target Completed Target completed (4/36, AT2024aaxo) 20:53:53     Target Started (5/36) Target started (5/36, AT2023clo (CV)) 21:13:59     Target Completed Target completed (5/36, AT2023clo (CV)) 21:14:03     Target Started (6/36) Target started (6/36, AT2023ugt (CV)) 21:17:26       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:21:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 21:27:07     Target Completed Target completed (6/36, AT2023ugt (CV)) 21:27:11     Target Started (7/36) Target started (7/36, UGC 3499 w/SN2023zew) 21:31:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:33:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 21:50:03     Target Completed Target completed (7/36, UGC 3499 w/SN2023zew) 21:50:07     Target Started (8/36) Target started (8/36, AT2023acib) 22:11:48     Target Completed Target completed (8/36, AT2023acib) 22:11:52     Target Started (9/36) Target started (9/36, AT2024woc) 22:32:49     Target Completed Target completed (9/36, AT2024woc) 22:32:53     Target Started (10/36) Target started (10/36, 61 Cyg) 22:36:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:39:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 22:41:12     Target Completed Target completed (10/36, 61 Cyg) 22:41:16     Target Started (11/36) Target started (11/36, AT2022vqu (CV)) 22:44:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:47:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 22:54:07     Target Completed Target completed (11/36, AT2022vqu (CV)) 22:54:11     Target Started (12/36) Target started (12/36, AT2024aasc (CV)) 23:03:05     Target Completed Target completed (12/36, AT2024aasc (CV)) 23:03:09     Target Started (13/36) Target started (13/36, AT2022jlf (CV)) 23:08:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:10:50       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed (failed QC check - RmsE) 23:17:01     Target Completed Target completed (13/36, AT2022jlf (CV)) 23:17:05     Target Started (14/36) Target started (14/36, AT2024zlk) 23:21:05       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 23:38:02     Target Completed Target completed (14/36, AT2024zlk) 23:38:06     Target Started (15/36) Target started (15/36, AT2023yyz) 23:42:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:43:25       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 23:59:47     Target Completed Target completed (15/36, AT2023yyz) 23:59:51     Target Started (16/36) Target started (16/36, GCVS BL Lac) 00:03:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:05:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 00:09:48     Target Completed Target completed (16/36, GCVS BL Lac) 00:09:52     Target Started (17/36) Target started (17/36, AT2021afkt (CV)) 00:14:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:17:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 00:23:21     Target Completed Target completed (17/36, AT2021afkt (CV)) 00:23:26     Target Started (18/36) Target started (18/36, SN 2022uiv) 00:27:02       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 00:43:26     Target Completed Target completed (18/36, SN 2022uiv) 00:44:08     Target Started (19/36) Target started (19/36, GCVS SY Cnc) 00:48:08       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:49:46     Target Completed Target completed (19/36, GCVS SY Cnc) 00:52:00     Target Started (20/36) Target started (20/36, SN 2022ukr) 00:55:29       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:11:53     Target Completed Target completed (20/36, SN 2022ukr) 01:14:20     Target Started (21/36) Target started (21/36, UGC 4417 w/AT2023ews) 01:17:33       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:34:13     Target Completed Target completed (21/36, UGC 4417 w/AT2023ews) 01:34:17     Target Started (22/37) Target started (22/37, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann, ToO) 01:38:55       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 01:42:21   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:42:23   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain) 01:42:25     Target Aborted (22/37) Target aborted (22/37, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann, ToO) due to threat of rain 01:42:28   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:42:30 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:43:17   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 42s) 01:43:19 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:52:13 Session Resuming Session resuming 01:52:58   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 01:53:00 Session Running Session running 01:53:02   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 01:53:05     Target Started (23/37) Target started (23/37, AT2024vjw) 02:02:08     Target Completed Target partially completed (23/37, AT2024vjw) 02:02:12     Target Started (24/37) Target started (24/37, UGC 5426 w/SN2024aanq) 02:05:31       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:22:13     Target Completed Target completed (24/37, UGC 5426 w/SN2024aanq) 02:22:17     Target Started (25/38) Target started (25/38, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann, ToO) 02:26:38       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 02:43:00     Target Completed Target completed (25/38, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann, ToO) 02:43:02     Target Missed (26/38) Target's time slot was missed (26/38, NGC 3729) 02:43:04     Target Started (27/38) Target started (27/38, AT2024zys (CV)) 02:48:14       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 02:54:48     Target Completed Target completed (27/38, AT2024zys (CV)) 02:55:00     Target Started (28/38) Target started (28/38, AT2024zck (CV)) 02:59:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:02:46       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed (failed QC check - RmsE) 03:09:12     Target Completed Target completed (28/38, AT2024zck (CV)) 03:09:16     Target Started (29/38) Target started (29/38, UGC 7357 w/SN2023vhb) 03:13:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:17:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 03:34:19     Target Completed Target completed (29/38, UGC 7357 w/SN2023vhb) 03:34:23     Target Started (30/39) Target started (30/39, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann, ToO) 03:38:39       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 03:55:07     Target Completed Target completed (30/39, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann, ToO) 03:55:09     Target Missed (31/39) Target's time slot was missed (31/39, UGC 8139 w/SN2024ifu) 03:55:11     Target Started (32/39) Target started (32/39, M33 w/AT2024abqt) 04:00:18       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 04:02:09   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 04:02:11   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 04:02:13     Target Aborted (32/39) Target aborted (32/39, M33 w/AT2024abqt) due to cloud 04:02:15   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 04:02:17 Session Suspending Session suspending 04:02:59   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 45s, Zigbee 43s) 04:03:01 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:10:56     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (32/39, M33 w/AT2024abqt) due to wind 04:33:16     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (33/39, M31 w/Nova M31 2024-11b?) due to wind 04:43:29 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:44:13   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 04:44:16 Session Running Session running 04:44:18   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:44:19     Target Started (34/39) Target started (34/39, UGC 9343 w/SN2024bqr) 04:46:29       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 04:47:44   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 04:47:46   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 04:47:48     Target Aborted (34/39) Target aborted (34/39, UGC 9343 w/SN2024bqr) due to cloud 04:47:50   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 04:47:52 Session Suspending Session suspending 04:48:39   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 04:48:42 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:55:16     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (34/39, UGC 9343 w/SN2024bqr) due to wind 05:17:36     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (35/39, NGC 5876 w/SN2024igg) due to wind 05:18:52 Session Resuming Session resuming 05:19:37   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 05:19:40 Session Running Session running 05:19:42   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 05:20:40     Target Started (36/39) Target started (36/39, T CrB) 05:25:24       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 05:26:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:27:04       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 05:27:44       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 05:33:00     Target Completed Target completed (36/39, T CrB) 05:33:04     Target Started (37/39) Target started (37/39, NGC 5162 w/SN2024aawh) 05:38:37       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 05:54:57     Target Completed Target completed (37/39, NGC 5162 w/SN2024aawh) 05:55:01     Target Started (38/39) Target started (38/39, NGC 5235 w/SN2024grb) 06:00:42       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 06:10:24     Target Completed Target completed (38/39, NGC 5235 w/SN2024grb) 06:10:28     Target Started (39/39) Target started (39/39, NGC 5690 w/SN2024jlf) 06:16:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:18:03       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 06:34:27     Target Completed Target completed (39/39, NGC 5690 w/SN2024jlf) 06:34:29   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:34:31 Session Closing Session closing 06:35:27   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 06:35:50   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 15s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:36:36   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 41s total) 06:37:00   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 06:37:23   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:38:49   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:38:52 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:38:59     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°, Wide) 06:39:24     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 82.0°) 06:39:30     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 84.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 06:40:14     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 82.0°) 06:40:20     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: +8.0°) 06:40:23   Dome Parked Dome parked 06:40:32   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (19mA) 06:40:34 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 19:21:44 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 19:21:14) in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 19:21:49 Green Clear CcdCamera CcdCamera has resumed again (19:21) after 35s 06:40:32 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (19mA)

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Operational Issues (2024-11-24 S1275)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (3)
• Small Defects (8)
• Continuous Improvement (5)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Unable to AutoStart Session due to Wind. Whilst conditions were known to marginal due to high wind, the skies were clear and there was benefit in checking the system and learning from a 'Windy' session tin order to establish a working limit for the Observatory and optimise the WindThreshold Value used. With wind at around 18 mph or so Autostart was kept waiting due to Wind Levels.  Relaxing the WindThreshold on the More/Obs Tab to 25 - 30 didn't allow the session to commence. Investigating on the Development Computer revealed a bug in ObsManager where the WindThreshold was read from the obsConsole.txtWindThreshold.text filed (which caused it to go back to the design text value (18) instead of the user entered threshold value (30)). Fixed in AstroMain 3.73.1 by adjusting the statement to get Threshold value from objConsole.txtWindThreshold.text, and then installing the corrected AstroMain version on the Observatory Computer & then restarting AstroMain.
  Resolved in-session 2024-11-24 (AstroMain 3.73.1)
   
• CCD Camera appeared to be frozen for 35s (19:21) Shortly after starting session a red CcdCamera alert was raised at 19:21:44 with the message "CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 19:21:14) in section 'GetCameraProperties / State'". A green all-clear was raised at 19:21:49 with the message "CcdCamera has resumed again (19:21) after 35s".  The Camera operated normally without issue for the remainder of the session. It later transpired however that CCDSoft's Camera Autosave Directory was changed from "C:\Data\CCD Imaging\New\2024-11-24 S01275" to  "..\New\2024-11-14 S01269" at this time, and subsequent images from the session were placed at this unintended location. The problem seems to be caused by CCDSoft crashing & restarting or being killed and restarted which causes AutoSave folder to take on the value it had when CCDSoft was closed by the user (as opposed to being killed by AstroMain's automated operations). Whilst the problem of missing Image files was resolved, AstroMain needs to perform checks and taking correcting actions if CCDSoft has been restarted (knowingly restarted or not). Checking report & log files shows that CCDSoft was automatically restarted by AstroMain, with the log message "CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera)" being shown at 19:21:46.   Checking logs in more detail it is noted that when the Session was started CCDSoft Camera's 'AutoSave folder' was checked and changed to be that save folder for the current session
    19:12:09.24 | Get    Cam1.AutoSavePath Info | C:\Data\CCD Imaging\New\2024-11-14 S01269
  19:12:09.39 | Set    AutoSaveFolder    Ok   | .\New\2024-11-24 S01275
  Following the CCDSoft Restart was made at around 19:22 CCDSoft Camera's AutoSave folder was again checked but it was found to be correct and didn't require changing.
    19:22:57.09 | Get    Cam1.AutoSavePath Info | C:\Data\CCD Imaging\New\2024-11-24 S01275
  19:22:57.09 | Report AutoSaveFolder    Ok   | .\New\2024-11-24 S01275
  AstroMain would seem to have operated precisely as per design and did what it should to try to ensure that the AutoSave folder was correct.
  Prehaps we doing the check at the start of each target should be done as a backup, but it is unclear that even this would have worked on this occasion.
  Closed after review, issue is put done to being some form of glitch in CCDSoft ?
  Closed after review 2024-11-25 (Session, CCDSoft, AstroMain, UserAwareness )
   
• Raw Folder / FIts Summary contained only 2 Fits image (post-session Reduction). During post-session reduction the 'Create Workbook' operation listed only 2 Fits files from the session (1275001.FIT & 1275002.FIT), but it was known that a lot more images were taken in the session (239 in total). Checking the session's analyis/raw folder and new folder showed just the two FIT files.   Likewise checking the equivalent folder on the Observatory Computer likewise showed just the two image files.   Files couldn't be found in the preceeding session. Based on a hunch the 'AutoSave Folder' field in CCDSoft's Camera Tab was examined and this showed "C:\Data\CCD Imaging\New\2024-11-14 S01269". Checking this folder revealed the missing image files. Names were correct (ie 1275003 ...1275240). Files were moved to correct folder and post-session reduction operations continued.
  Resolved 2024-11-25 (Session, AstroMain 3.73.2+, CCDSoft, User Awareness)

Small Defects

• AstroMain's Observatory Tab show a red flag against Weather Station service after Closing All Services. Fixed in AstroMain 3.73.1
  Fixed 2024-11-24 (AstroMain 3.73.1)
   
• Night times images from new Tapo Camera are showing an orange patch just above horizon on left hand side. An orange patch is present on images this evening in a position just above horizon on the left hand side of the image (just left of the farm). Is this due to dirt on the lens, a defective patch on the camera's sensor, or a distant light source (non-led light or some form).  Examining images from two nights before (2024-11-22) show a dim patch of somewhat orangish light in the same position, but it is not so obvious or bright  as the current images (night of 2024-11-24). The light pollution from nearesy town is also appearing brighter in the latest images.
  Closed after review 2024-11-24 (Tapo C325WB Camera) but continue to monitor.
   
• Images from new Tapo Camera produced by iSpy/AstroColorCam are not playing back in correct order (eg  24:41). When playing back images in ascending file name order it is noted approximately every 6 or 7th frame the image briefy jumps backs to earlier time point. Initially it was though that the problem lay within the logic in main handling loop in the new AstroColorCam application  or with its FileWatcher for one reason or another  Investigating the specific case of the problem image at around 23:41 when the '234113' image (23:41:13) is followed by a problem image  '23414'  image (23:04:23), before continuing with a 234144' image (23:41:44). The issue was determined to be due to the saved image name not having the expected 'NorthCam.20241124.230413.{counter}.jpg' name but had the name 'NorthCam.20241124.23413.{counter}.jpg' instead and is consequently 'incorrectly' sorted when playing back images later on (or if using frames for making a video).  This was due to the FileName format being mistakenly entered in iSpy settings as  'NorthCam.{0:yyyyMMdd.HHmsss}.{C}.jpg instead of 'NorthCam.{0:yyyyMMdd.HHmmss}.{C}.jpg  The issue was affecting images produced due the first 10 minutes of each hour, i.e.when minutes < 10. Fixed in iSpy settings' (2024-11-25).
  Resolved 2024-11-25 (iSpy Settings, User Awareness)
   
• NorthCam images aren't getting uploaded to Observatory WebSite during daylight hours.  NorthCam images are continuously being created by AstroColorCam every 30s or so and copied to the Server folder as 'NorthCam.LatestImage.jpg'. AstroAllSky should be uploading them every 15 minutes or so to the Observatory. It is doing this during night time hours but not during the daytime.  Fixed in AstroAllSky 3.21.2 by adding upload of the NorthCam image to the UploadDaytmeFiles() routine
  Fixed 2024-11-25 (AstroAllSky 3.21.2 )
   
• AstroColorCam is losing 2 sub-frames in every 15 or 30s interval cycle.  The new AstroColorCam' FIleWatcher recognises subframes that are saved every 1s to the grab folder by the iSpy application. However the main loop in AstroColorCam misses the use 2 or so subframes at the end of each interval cycle whilst it is busy waiting for a batch job to finish combining subframes into a final image for the interval and to display the image in a picturebox on AstroColorCam's Console Form. Rather than conduct the time consuming itself the main loop should cast the work off to a thread, which can execute whilst the main loop gets on with the next interval cycle.  Fix implemented in AstroColorCam 1.0.5, which should prevent most of the missed frames, but there may still be a few that are still missed. Monitor the situation for next few days.
  Fix attempted 2024-11-26 (AstroColorCam 1.0.5)
   
• AstroColorCam night-time images have semi-blurred time annotation  The NightTime images produced by the new AstroColorCam application have semi- blurred timestamp annotation. The bluring is always present on the seconds term, sometimes on the minutes term and very rarely also on the hour term.  This is because the timestamped subframes are stacked during creation of the night time image, and the element that changes most frequently is the seconds term (then the minutes, and then the hours and finally the date).  Daytime Images are not affected as the first subframe is soley used for creating the image.  Proposed is to grab the timestamp region of the first subframe and then to paste over the blurred timestamp in the final image. Alternatively the images could be produced without timestamps in iSpy and a timestamp added in AstroColorCam instead. Fixed implemented in AstroColorCam 1.0.14, by capturing the timestamp from the 1st subframe as an mini-image and then drawing it on the final stacked image.
  Fixed 2024-12-04 ( AstroColorCam 1.0.14)
   
• The Telescope Slew Speeds shown on the Slew Performance Chart and Slew Table are generally to low.  The telescope slew speeds are more oftern orange rather than green coloured compared to previous. This is due to the use of Composite Slewing Reporting in DeviceHub (which is a workaround for Dome Slew Anomalies) and the difficult/imprecision in determing the end of the telescope slew when it is quicker than the dome slew. A potential fix to MeadeGeneric driver to correctly report Telescope Slewing would solve this issue as it would not longer require Composite Slewing. Issue fixed 2024-12-04 with the combined use of update drivers/ascom software Meade Generic 1.3.11.512 & DeviceHub 7.0.3-rc2.4692.  MeadeGeneric's settle time will be taken back to 0s (from 2s), and AstroMain's SlewMonitor will be modified to better record the actual telescope slew time with greater accuracy
  Resolved 2024-12-04 (MeadeGeneric 1.3.11.512, DeviceHub 7.0.3-rc2.4692, MeadeGeneric Settings, AstroMain 3.73.6)
   
• The Wind Direction/Strength lines on the AzAlt Results Chart show very subdued wind spikes.  The AzAlt Chart is set up to show Wind Direction & Strength  around the main circular area of the chart. Position around the circular chart area represents the wind direction with length based on forecast or actual wind speed. The AzAlt Plan Chart for the S1275 session showed very obviously expected wind spikes on the AzAlt Plan Chart, however the Wind Spikes for the actual wind on the AzAlt Results Chart show very subdued wind direction spikes.
  To investigate 2024-11-27+ (AstroMain 3.73.2+)

Continuous Improvement

• AstroColorCam application should begin a new log file for each day.  AstroColorCam 1.0.2 is currently putting all log messages into AstroColorCam.log in the program's own folder. The application should be modified to begin a new log each day with name like AstroColorCam.2024-11-25.log stored in the "C:\Data\AllSky Imaging\Logs" folder.  Implemented in AstroColorCam 1.0.3.
  Done 2024-11-25 (AstroColorCam 1.0.3)
   
• AstroColorCam application shouldn't combine subframes during the daytime.  During day time, AstroColorCam shouldn't combine frames (mean or medium processing) but save just the first subframe as the image for the interval. At night time stacking of frames is useful for reducing image noise, but during the daytime it is unnecessary.  Implemented in AstroColorCam 1.0.3.
  Done 2024-11-25 (AstroColorCam 1.0.3)
   
• Make other small improvement to the new AstroColorCam application.  Add Session Name and Sun Altitude fields  Change 'Latest Image' field to show file name rather than full path. Implement ">> Logs" button and add a ">> Session" button/routine . Implemented in AstroColorCam 1.0.3.
  Done 2024-11-25 (AstroColorCam 1.0.3)
   
• Make small improvement to the AstroWeather application.  Add 5h Rain graph, add description (On/Off, Open/Closed, Yes/No) to State fields on Data Tab, Add mm/hr and mm units to Weather Station Rain fields.  Select  Y Axis range for Solar Radiation graphs (69 & 71)based on data.
  Done 2024-11-25 (AstroWeather  1.26.1)
   
• Create a Keogram Plot based on images from new Tapo C325WB Colour Camera. Night time and Daytime Keogram Plots should be created in AstroColorCam using NorthCam (Tapo C325WB Colour Night Vision Camera). Code will be based in the first instance on that used in the AstroAllSky program for creating NorthSummaryPlot5.
  Done 2024-11-27 (AstroColorCam 1.0.6)
   

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2024-11-26

AstroColorCam - New Application for handling NorthCam Colour Images

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Meade Scope (125 ?)