David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1276 (2024-11-26)

Notes (S1275)

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Notes (S1277)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (0),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (1)
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Session Aims & Highlights (2024-11-26)

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 3.73.1,  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 1.26.1 AstroAllSky 3.21.2,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4 (not 1.11.5), AstroColorCam 1.0.5, AstroLaunch 1.11.8

Highlights

• Targets. 38/41 planned targets observations were completed with remaining 2 targets partially completed.  One target (YZ Cnc) missed its time slot ?
•   Dome. There was no issues opening/closing the shutter during session. Dome closed and parked at end of session Ok, however Dome couldn't be confirmed to be charging within 3 minutes of final parking.

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)

Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 16:54:36 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 16:54 & 06:00 16:54:40   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 18:09:20 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (18:09) 18:09:41   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 18:10:08   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 18:10:10 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-11-26 S01276, ImageSaveNum: 1276001) 18:10:15   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 18:12:15   Services Started Observatory Services started 18:12:23 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 18:12:25   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 18:12:28 Session Pending Session pending (2024-11-26) 18:12:30 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-11-26) 18:12:37   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -25°C) 18:12:39   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.42.4) 18:13:22   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1058) 18:14:01   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 18:14:25 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 18:15:10   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 18:15:41 Session Running Session running 18:15:44   Queue Started Observing Queue started (41 targets selected) 18:15:47     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 22, HIP 108888) 18:16:00       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 18:20:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:23:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 18:25:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 18:25:45       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 18:27:59       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 18:29:46       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 18:30:04     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 22, HIP 108888) 18:30:08     Target Started (1/41) Target started (1/41, AT2024xpy) 18:33:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:36:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 18:53:18     Target Completed Target completed (1/41, AT2024xpy) 18:53:22     Target Started (2/41) Target started (2/41, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)) 18:56:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:59:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 19:06:25     Target Completed Target completed (2/41, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)) 19:06:29     Target Started (3/41) Target started (3/41, AT2023acib) 19:10:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:13:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 19:21:57     Target Completed Target completed (3/41, AT2023acib) 19:22:01     Target Started (4/41) Target started (4/41, NGC 151) 19:26:59       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 19:43:30     Target Completed Target completed (4/41, NGC 151) 19:43:34     Target Started (5/41) Target started (5/41, NGC 681 w/AT2024abup) 19:48:48       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 20:05:26     Target Completed Target completed (5/41, NGC 681 w/AT2024abup) 20:05:30     Target Started (6/41) Target started (6/41, M31 w/Nova M31 2024-11b?) 20:08:43       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 20:25:24     Target Completed Target completed (6/41, M31 w/Nova M31 2024-11b?) 20:26:32     Target Started (7/41) Target started (7/41, UGCA 14) 20:31:59       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 20:48:20     Target Completed Target completed (7/41, UGCA 14) 20:48:51     Target Started (8/41) Target started (8/41, AT2024aboj (CV)) 20:52:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:55:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 21:00:57     Target Completed Target completed (8/41, AT2024aboj (CV)) 21:01:01     Target Started (9/41) Target started (9/41, M33 w/AT2024abqt) 21:04:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:07:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 21:23:00     Target Completed Target completed (9/41, M33 w/AT2024abqt) 21:23:11     Target Started (10/41) Target started (10/41, AT2024aasb) 21:24:05       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 21:26:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:29:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 21:45:33     Target Completed Target completed (10/41, AT2024aasb) 21:45:37     Target Started (11/41) Target started (11/41, LEDA 2078778 w/SN2024xqe) 21:49:23       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:05:34     Target Completed Target completed (11/41, LEDA 2078778 w/SN2024xqe) 22:07:31     Target Started (12/41) Target started (12/41, AT2024aaxo) 22:11:49       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 22:22:12     Target Completed Target completed (12/41, AT2024aaxo) 22:23:39     Target Started (13/41) Target started (13/41, GCVS BL Lac) 22:26:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:29:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 22:33:19     Target Completed Target completed (13/41, GCVS BL Lac) 22:33:57     Target Started (14/41) Target started (14/41, GCVS HH And) 22:37:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:40:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 22:42:19     Target Completed Target completed (14/41, GCVS HH And) 22:42:23     Target Started (15/41) Target started (15/41, PGC 4728) 22:46:07       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 23:02:31     Target Completed Target completed (15/41, PGC 4728) 23:04:34     Target Started (16/41) Target started (16/41, AT2024woc) 23:08:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:11:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 23:27:40     Target Completed Target completed (16/41, AT2024woc) 23:27:44     Target Started (17/41) Target started (17/41, 61 Cyg) 23:31:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:33:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 23:35:27     Target Completed Target completed (17/41, 61 Cyg) 23:35:31     Target Started (18/41) Target started (18/41, UGCA 67) 23:39:51       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:56:15     Target Completed Target completed (18/41, UGCA 67) 23:56:31     Target Started (19/41) Target started (19/41, AT2024xdo) 00:01:07       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 00:01:11       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 00:18:26     Target Completed Target completed (19/41, AT2024xdo) 00:18:28   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:18:30 Session Suspending Session suspending 00:19:20   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 00:19:23 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:30:16 Session Resuming Session resuming 00:30:57     Target Missed (20/41) Target's time slot was missed (20/41, GCVS YZ Cnc) 00:31:01   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 00:31:04 Session Running Session running 00:31:06   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 00:31:31     Target Started (21/41) Target started (21/41, AT2024zck (CV)) 00:35:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:37:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 00:42:57     Target Completed Target completed (21/41, AT2024zck (CV)) 00:43:09     Target Started (22/41) Target started (22/41, AT2024accj) 00:43:32       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 00:47:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:50:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 01:07:05     Target Completed Target completed (22/41, AT2024accj) 01:07:09     Target Started (23/41) Target started (23/41, GCVS ER UMa) 01:10:46       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:14:52     Target Completed Target completed (23/41, GCVS ER UMa) 01:15:48     Target Started (24/41) Target started (24/41, NGC 3729) 01:19:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:22:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 01:39:17     Target Completed Target completed (24/41, NGC 3729) 01:39:21     Target Started (25/41) Target started (25/41, AT2024zys (CV)) 01:44:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:46:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 01:50:40     Target Completed Target completed (25/41, AT2024zys (CV)) 01:50:44     Target Started (26/41) Target started (26/41, GCVS RX And) 01:54:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:57:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 02:00:39     Target Completed Target completed (26/41, GCVS RX And) 02:00:44     Target Started (27/41) Target started (27/41, GCVS NV Ori) 02:04:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:07:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 02:11:58     Target Completed Target completed (27/41, GCVS NV Ori) 02:12:02     Target Started (28/41) Target started (28/41, AT2024xdm) 02:31:29     Target Completed Target completed (28/41, AT2024xdm) 02:31:34     Target Started (29/41) Target started (29/41, GCVS FU Ori) 02:34:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:37:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 02:41:05     Target Completed Target completed (29/41, GCVS FU Ori) 02:41:09     Target Started (30/41) Target started (30/41, MRK 0628 w/SN2024aakr) 02:45:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:48:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 03:04:04     Target Completed Target completed (30/41, MRK 0628 w/SN2024aakr) 03:04:09     Target Started (31/41) Target started (31/41, SN 2024epx) 03:07:38       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:23:39     Target Completed Target completed (31/41, SN 2024epx) 03:23:43     Target Started (32/41) Target started (32/41, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 03:28:48       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 03:29:06       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 03:29:18       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 03:31:48       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 03:34:18   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 03:34:21   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 03:34:23     Target Aborted (32/41) Target aborted (32/41, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) due to cloud 03:34:25   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:34:27 Session Suspending Session suspending 03:35:13   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 44s) 03:35:16 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:43:09     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (32/41, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) due to too few stars 03:45:15 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:46:00   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 03:46:03 Session Running Session running 03:46:05   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:46:06     Target Started (33/41) Target started (33/41, IC 537) 03:49:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:52:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 04:08:48     Target Completed Target completed (33/41, IC 537) 04:08:53     Target Started (34/41) Target started (34/41, AT2024zlk) 04:12:32       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 04:22:18     Target Completed Target completed (34/41, AT2024zlk) 04:23:11     Target Started (35/41) Target started (35/41, UGC 5426 w/SN2024aanq) 04:27:04       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:29:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 04:46:20     Target Completed Target completed (35/41, UGC 5426 w/SN2024aanq) 04:46:24     Target Started (36/41) Target started (36/41, AT2024xvi) 04:49:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:52:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23) 05:08:35     Target Completed Target completed (36/41, AT2024xvi) 05:08:39     Target Started (37/41) Target started (37/41, LEDA 181124 w/SN2023ytn) 05:12:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:15:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24) 05:32:27     Target Completed Target completed (37/41, LEDA 181124 w/SN2023ytn) 05:32:31     Target Started (38/41) Target started (38/41, NGC 5162 w/SN2024aawh) 05:36:55       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 05:53:00     Target Completed Target completed (38/41, NGC 5162 w/SN2024aawh) 05:53:04     Target Started (39/41) Target started (39/41, T CrB) 05:56:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:59:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 25) 06:04:43     Target Completed Target completed (39/41, T CrB) 06:04:47     Target Started (40/41) Target started (40/41, NGC 5690 w/SN2024jlf) 06:09:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:09:19   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 06:09 in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 06:09:52   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 06:09:59   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 06:10:52   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -25°C) 06:12:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 26) 06:27:04     Target Completed Target partially completed (40/41, NGC 5690 w/SN2024jlf) 06:27:08     Target Started (41/41) Target started (41/41, GCVS CN Leo) 06:30:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:33:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 27) 06:41:04     Target Completed Target completed (41/41, GCVS CN Leo) 06:41:06   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:41:08 Session Closing Session closing 06:42:01   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 06:42:54   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 45s), Az: 90.1 deg 06:43:34   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 36s total) 06:44:04   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 06:44:26   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:45:53   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:45:56 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:46:38     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°, Wide) 06:47:33     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 91.0°) 06:47:39     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 89.0 to 93.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 06:48:25     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 91.0°) 06:48:30     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -1.1°) 06:48:33   Dome Parked Dome parked 06:51:32   Dome Charging Dome hasn't started re-charging after 3.0 minutes 06:51:34 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 18:12:26 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (49.83 GB) is less than 50 GB 21:39:16 Yellow Alert Dome Dome has been stationary for more than 15 mins 21:45:57 Green Alarm Dome Dome Movements have begun again (outage 21.7 mins) 02:32:22 Red Alert Dome Dome didn't appear to move during the last telescope slew 04:47:14 Red Alert Dome Dome didn't appear to move during the last telescope slew 06:09:50 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 06:09:19) in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 06:09:55 Green Clear CcdCamera CcdCamera has resumed again (06:09) after 36s 06:46:31 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (46.28 GB) is less than 50 GB 06:51:32 Red Alert Dome Charging Dome hasn't started re-charging after 3.0 minutes

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Operational Issues (2024-11-26 S1276)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• None

Small Defects

• 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 (see Fig 1). 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 no 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)

Continuous Improvement

• Change the timing of green all-clear following a CCDCamera Freeze & CCDSoft Restart.  Following the freezing of CCDCamera and raising of a red-alert and a call to RestartCCDSoft , the green-all clear alert is current being posted at the point where the frozen CCDCamera loop is released when CCDSoft if stopped/killed.   Whilst this point should be logged, the green-all clear should only be raised at the point where the first Get/Set CCDCamera is successfully achieved, as this marks the position where CCDCamera can truly be said to fully functional again.  CCDCamera is only fully functional again at the point where SBIG Camera has been reset, CCDSoft has started again, and the Camera reconnected to again.  Implemented in AstroMain 3.73.9.  Need to test for any adverse side-effects or problems.
  Done 2024-12-18 (AstroMain 3.73.9)
   

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