David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1280 (2024-12-09)

Notes (S1279)

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Notes (S1281)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (0),  Small Defects (4),  Continuous Improvement (4)
	Images from 2024-12-09 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-12-09)

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 7.0.3 RC2.4692, MeadeGeneric 1.3.11.512 , UPB 1.5, ASCOM 7.0.3 RC2,  Pulsar Dome Firmware 1.51 & Driver 6.3.10
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S 6.0.6
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.13, Siril 1.0.6, deCONZ 1.18.2, ASCOM 7.0.3 RC2
• [ DomeLink 1.0 / 1.1 - not used ]
   
• AstroMain 3.73.6,  AstroPlan 1.42.5  AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.6   (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroVOE 1.15.1,  AstroSN 1.14,  AstroProtect 1.10.6,  AstroMove 1.14   
  AstroWeather 1.26.7, AstroAllSky 3.21.10,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4 (not 1.11.5), AstroColorCam 1.1.3, AstroLaunch 1.11.12

Highlights

• Targets. 3/17 planned targets observations were completed with 2 further targets partially completed.  Other targets failed due to cloud
•   Cloud. Cloud clover lasted longer into the night than forecast (delaying the session start), and when conditions did get clear a bit, there was continuing passingf cloud and there were several interruptions to the observing session as a result.
•   Dome. There was no issues opening/closing the shutter during session. Dome closed and parked at end of session Ok

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 00:23:20 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 00:23 & 06:17 00:23:23   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 01:05:37 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (01:05) 01:05:58   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 01:06:25   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 01:06:27 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-12-09 S01280, ImageSaveNum: 1280001) 01:06:32   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 01:08:32   Services Started Observatory Services started 01:08:39 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 01:08:41   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 01:08:42 Session Pending Session pending (2024-12-09) 01:08:44 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-12-09) 01:08:54   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 01:09:01   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.42.5) 01:09:31   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1063) 01:10:13   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 01:10:37 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 01:11:22   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 01:12:02 Session Running Session running 01:12:05   Queue Started Observing Queue started (17 targets selected) 01:12:08     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 6, HIP 28634) 01:12:21       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 01:15:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:18:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 01:20:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 01:20:28       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 01:22:18       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 01:24:00       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 01:24:17     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 6, HIP 28634) 01:25:29     Target Started (1/17) Target started (1/17, GCVS BL Lac) 01:29:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:32:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 01:36:37     Target Completed Target completed (1/17, GCVS BL Lac) 01:36:41     Target Started (2/17) Target started (2/17, GSC 1224:29) 01:40:19       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:46:39     Target Completed Target completed (2/17, GSC 1224:29) 01:48:14     Target Started (3/17) Target started (3/17, NGC 1275 w/SN2024xav) 01:51:22       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:58:37       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 02:07:55     Target Completed Target completed (3/17, NGC 1275 w/SN2024xav) 02:07:57   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:07:58 Session Suspending Session suspending 02:08:48   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 02:08:51 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:19:18     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (4/17, AT2024zys (CV)) due to cloud 02:39:38     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (5/17, M31 w/Nova M31 2024-11b?) due to cloud 03:01:58     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (6/17, LEDA 2078778 w/SN2024xqe) due to cloud 03:24:18     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (7/17, AT2024accj) due to cloud 03:47:02     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (8/17, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) due to cloud 04:07:52     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (9/17, NGC 4192A w/SN2024exw) due to cloud 04:27:16 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:28:01   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 04:28:04 Session Running Session running 04:28:06   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:28:08     Target Started (10/17) Target started (10/17, NGC 3200) 04:30:21       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 04:32:44     Target Failed (10/17) Target failed due to cloud (10/17, NGC 3200) 04:32:46   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 04:32:49 Session Suspending Session suspending 04:33:37   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 04:33:39 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:52:32     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (11/17, SN 2024adhf) due to cloud 04:56:59 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:57:44   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 04:57:46 Session Running Session running 04:57:48   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:57:51     Target Started (12/17) Target started (12/17, M85) 05:01:55       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 05:13:50       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 05:15:55   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 05:15:57   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 05:15:59     Target Aborted (12/17) Target aborted (12/17, M85) due to cloud 05:16:01   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 05:16:03 Session Suspending Session suspending 05:16:51   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 05:16:54 Session Suspended Session suspended 05:36:52     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (13/17, NGC 4722 w/SN2024ablh) due to cloud 05:53:00     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/17, NGC 5235 w/SN2024grb) due to cloud 06:15:20     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/17, NGC 5151 w/SN2024acnr) due to cloud 06:28:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/17, T CrB) due to cloud 06:52:49 Session Resuming Session resuming 06:53:34   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 06:53:37 Session Running Session running 06:53:39   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 06:53:42     Target Started (17/17) Target started (17/17, AT2024aart) 07:06:41     Target Completed Target partially completed (17/17, AT2024aart) 07:06:43   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 07:06:45 Session Closing Session closing 07:07:41   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 07:08:30   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 42s), Az: 90.0 deg 07:09:10   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 32s total) 07:09:35   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 07:09:57   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 07:11:23   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 07:11:25 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 07:11:38     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 07:12:23     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.2°) 07:12:29     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.2°) 07:12:31   Dome Parked Dome parked 07:12:36   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (27mA) 07:12:38 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 01:08:42 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (31.59 GB) is less than 50 GB 07:11:31 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (30.86 GB) is less than 50 GB 07:12:36 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (27mA)

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Operational Issues (2024-12-09 S1280)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (0)
• Small Defects (4)
• Continuous Improvement (4)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• None

Small Defects

• Keogram are missing hourly tick marks following update to a new version AstroColorCam. Following a revision to Right Hand Axis positioning in AstroColorCam 1.1.3, the hourly tick marks along bottom of Rolling & Night keograms (probably also the Day Keogram) is either no longer being drawn or more likely is being blanked over as each new keogram line is drawn / or right axies is drawn. Bug fixed in AstroColorCam 1.1.4.
  Fixed 2024-12-10 (AstroColorCam 1.1.4) 
   
• Pressure (zigbee) is being clipped at 1040 mb on Barometer Pressure Charts. Pressure (zigbee) is being clipped at Y axis range of pressure charts (Graph12 and Graph20).  It should be clipped using the same extended clipping thresholds (Ymin - 20, Ymax + 20) used by the weather station pressure.
  Fixed 2024-12-10 (AstroWeather 1.27) 
   
• A feature added AstroMain's VMA analysis to generate vma2 results for T CrB even if image can't be linked has stopped working. VMA Analysis in AstroMain 3.71.5 (2024-10-08) was extended so that results of photometric analysis for T CrB would output raw instrument magnitudes even if  image couldn't be linked, which is the general case for images from this target object. Investigating and running a TCrB imageset from S1265 in Visual Studio revealed that the issue was due to the Target Name being changed in database from "GCVS T CrB"  at some point to 'T CrB", which didn't enable the bTCrB_Method flag to raised in the 'AnalyseVmaImage()' routine.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.73.7 in the code line
    If fits_object = "GCVS T CrB" Or fits_object = "T CrB" Then
    bTCrB_Method = True
    plateok = False ' we won't be plate solving in this case.
  Else
    bTCrB_Method = False
  End If
  Fixed 2024-12-10 (AstroMain 3.73.7) 
   
• The large black triangular Play button is misplaced on pages that contain AllSky & NorthCam videos. This is a long standing bug on web pages such as AllSky Images & Videos' and more recently on the 'Aurora Watch' page.  The large 'play button' is distracting.  This play button is not critical to functioning of the embedded videos, bug should either be fixed or this play button should be removed. The 'play button' appears near the top of the page when Video is Paused (see Fig 1) and disappears when the video playing is resumed. Several things tried in order to correctly position the button but none have worked.
  To fix 2024-12-10+ (WebSite) 

Continuous Improvement

• Use the latest Sun Alt to set the order of NorthCam Keograms on the 'Weather & Environment - last 48 hours'  section of Current Weather Web Page. This is to order that Night, Day, PriorNight, PriorDay keograms into the most appropriate order.  Implemented using scripts based on those developed for the 'Current Session' webpage and using the 'Session.Header.dat' file that AstroMain creates and which is regularly uploaded to the websites 'live' folder.
  Done 2024-12-10 (WebSite) 
   
• Darken the keogram lines added to the DaySummaryPlot6. The keogram background that is used on AstroAllSky's DaySummaryPlot6 is very wishy-washy and needs to be darkened to hightlight the variation.  Propose to do this in AstroColorCam before the keogram line is read into AstroAllSky.  Implemented in AstroColorCam 1.1.5  using ImageAttributes.SetGamma function.  Initially a Gamma value of 0.5 was used (2024-12-10) but this made the keogram background even light  (2024-12-11 am),  2.0 made it too dark.  1.5 was then used and then 1.3.   It seems that ImageAttributes.SetGamma has opposite effect to Gamma setting using in PaintShopPro.
  To do 2024-12-11 (AstroColorCam 1.1.5)
   
• Cables to Tapo Camera need to be buried with excess taken back inside Observatory.  The Tapo Camera was recently fixed on an elevated post in its final position looking slight left (west) of North, and angled up at about 20deg, but it was too cold to bury the Camera's 9v power and ethernet (ip) cables.  This task was finally achieved on 2024-12-12. Cables were buried and threaded though a white pipe into the Observatory and excess cable pulled back into the Observatory and tidied. This involved an outage of around 45 minutes in picture streaming to the iSpy & AstroColorCam applications.
  Done 2024-12-12 (Observatory, Tapo Camara)
   
• Read / Save AstroColorCam settings to an .ini file.  Modify AstroColorCam to read in settings when program opens and saves settings either when selected by user or when program closes. Implemented in AstroColorCam 1.1.6, settings are stored in 'AstroColorCam.ini' file in the program's folder. Ini fle is written/read using standard file IO, from two new routines : ReadSettings() that is called during MainForm Load and WriteSettings() that is called during MainForm Closing . An attempt was made to use My.Settings but this offered no advantages (couldn't get databinding between text boxes and My.Settings to work) and introduces difficulties every time program version is updated with the user settings being lost.
  Done 2024-12-13 (AstroColorCam 1.1.6)

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