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 Notes - Session 1287 (2024-12-24)

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Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
Bullet Operational Issues
  - Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (1),  Small Defects (0),  Continuous Improvement (3)
Bullet Images from 2024-12-24 >>         
2024-12-24
Bullet Review - Potential Geomagnetic Monitoring Station
   

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-12-24)

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

Highlights

Notes

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan
Image
  
Observing Result
Image
   
Image
 
Dome & Scope Slewing Performance
Image
  
Slew/Centering Performance
Image
  
Guiding Performance
Image
  
Sky Conditions (Locate Frames)
Image 
  
Night Sky Summary Plot
Top axis: Sky Brightness at Zenith (in ADU/s)
Lefthand axis: Local Time (hh LT). Righthand axis: Sun Altitude (degs)
Image   
  
Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast
Image
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Session Event Log
Time     Event Detail
17:19:43 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 17:19 & 06:27
17:19:45   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars
17:40:42 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (17:40)
17:41:03   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.)
17:41:30   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
17:41:33 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-12-24 S01287, ImageSaveNum: 1287001)
17:41:38   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
17:43:33   Services Started Observatory Services started
17:43:41 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
17:43:43   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars
17:43:45 Session Pending Session pending (2024-12-24)
17:43:47 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-12-24)
17:43:54   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C)
17:44:01   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.42.5)
17:44:35   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1070)
17:45:18   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6)
17:45:42 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome
17:47:03   Wait On Weather Waiting for acceptable conditions
17:47:05 Session Suspending Session suspending
17:47:07   Dome Closed Dome already closed
17:47:09 Session Suspended Session suspended
17:47:35   Queue Started Observing Queue started (44 targets selected)
17:56:24 Session Resuming Session resuming
17:57:08     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 0, HIP 106)
17:57:09   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s)
17:57:12 Session Running Session running
17:57:15   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
17:57:23       Dome Unparked Dome unparked
17:59:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
18:02:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide)
18:05:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
18:05:34       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
18:07:46       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
18:09:36       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
18:09:55     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 0, HIP 106)
18:09:59     Target Started (1/44) Target started (1/44, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS))
18:17:03       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
18:18:02     Target Completed Target partially completed (1/44, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS))
18:18:06     Target Started (2/44) Target started (2/44, AT2024xpy)
18:38:25     Target Completed Target completed (2/44, AT2024xpy)
18:38:29     Target Started (3/44) Target started (3/44, AT2024dyj)
18:41:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
18:44:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
19:00:49     Target Completed Target completed (3/44, AT2024dyj)
19:00:53     Target Started (4/44) Target started (4/44, AT2024wqf)
19:04:56       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
19:20:57     Target Completed Target completed (4/44, AT2024wqf)
19:21:01     Target Started (5/44) Target started (5/44, AT2024acem (CV))
19:23:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:26:36       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
19:32:35     Target Completed Target completed (5/44, AT2024acem (CV))
19:32:40     Target Started (6/44) Target started (6/44, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS))
19:36:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:39:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
19:50:01     Target Completed Target completed (6/44, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS))
19:50:05     Target Started (7/44) Target started (7/44, AT2024aeey)
20:12:43     Target Completed Target completed (7/44, AT2024aeey)
20:12:47     Target Started (8/44) Target started (8/44, AT2023aanv (CV))
20:16:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:18:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
20:24:45     Target Completed Target completed (8/44, AT2023aanv (CV))
20:24:49     Target Started (9/44) Target started (9/44, GCVS RX And)
20:28:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:30:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
20:33:58     Target Completed Target completed (9/44, GCVS RX And)
20:34:02     Target Started (10/44) Target started (10/44, WDS GRB 34)
20:36:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:39:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
20:41:30     Target Completed Target completed (10/44, WDS GRB 34)
20:41:34     Target Started (11/44) Target started (11/44, GCVS BL Lac)
20:44:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:47:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
20:51:18     Target Completed Target completed (11/44, GCVS BL Lac)
20:51:23     Target Started (12/44) Target started (12/44, GCVS HH And)
20:55:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:57:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
20:59:48     Target Completed Target completed (12/44, GCVS HH And)
20:59:52     Target Started (13/44) Target started (13/44, M31 w/Nova M31 2024-11b?)
21:02:54       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
21:19:01     Target Completed Target completed (13/44, M31 w/Nova M31 2024-11b?)
21:20:32     Target Started (14/44) Target started (14/44, NGC 681 w/SN2024abup)
21:26:35       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S)
21:43:45     Target Completed Target completed (14/44, NGC 681 w/SN2024abup)
21:43:49     Target Started (15/44) Target started (15/44, NGC 1275 w/SN2024xav)
21:46:55       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
22:03:32     Target Completed Target completed (15/44, NGC 1275 w/SN2024xav)
22:04:52     Target Started (16/44) Target started (16/44, AT2024aelh (CV))
22:08:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:10:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11)
22:16:40     Target Completed Target completed (16/44, AT2024aelh (CV))
22:17:12     Target Started (17/44) Target started (17/44, GCVS RR Tau)
22:21:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:23:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12)
22:30:45     Target Completed Target completed (17/44, GCVS RR Tau)
22:30:49     Target Started (18/45) Target started (18/45, Jupiter, ToO)
22:40:33     Target Completed Target completed (18/45, Jupiter, ToO)
22:40:38     Target Started (19/45) Target started (19/45, NGC 2182)
22:53:03     Target Completed Target partially completed (19/45, NGC 2182)
22:53:07     Target Started (20/45) Target started (20/45, UGC 1325 w/SN2024aedt)
22:56:32       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
23:12:55     Target Completed Target completed (20/45, UGC 1325 w/SN2024aedt)
23:12:59     Target Started (21/45) Target started (21/45, GSC 1224:29)
23:16:55       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
23:23:13     Target Completed Target completed (21/45, GSC 1224:29)
23:24:13     Target Started (22/45) Target started (22/45, UGC 604 w/SN2024advj)
23:27:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:29:59       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13)
23:45:56     Target Completed Target completed (22/45, UGC 604 w/SN2024advj)
23:46:13     Target Started (23/45) Target started (23/45, AT2024aasb)
23:48:57       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
23:49:57       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
23:50:33       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
23:54:12       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
00:06:41     Target Completed Target completed (23/45, AT2024aasb)
00:06:43   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
00:06:44 Session Suspending Session suspending
00:07:29   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 45s, Zigbee 42s)
00:07:32 Session Suspended Session suspended
00:18:33     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/45, GCVS FO Ori) due to cloud
00:34:07     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/45, NGC 2170) due to cloud
00:55:27     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (26/45, AT2024adzo) due to cloud
01:07:45     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (27/45, GCVS ER UMa) due to cloud
01:19:45     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (28/45, AT2023cwd (CV)) due to cloud
01:40:05     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (29/45, AT2024accj) due to cloud
01:53:13     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (30/45, GCVS RZ LMi) due to cloud
02:14:27     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (31/45, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) due to cloud
02:35:17     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (32/45, AT2022wtm) due to cloud
02:57:37     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (33/45, UGC 5426 w/SN2024aanq) due to cloud
03:12:03     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (34/45, GCVS RR Leo) due to cloud
03:32:08     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (35/45, NGC 3389) due to cloud
03:54:08     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (36/45, UGC 6049 w/SN2023dff) due to cloud
04:16:08     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (37/45, IC 1231 w/AT2024aeds) due to cloud
04:29:34     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (38/45, T CrB) due to cloud
04:49:24     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (39/45, AT2024adwa) due to cloud
05:11:44     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (40/45, AT2024aart) due to cloud
05:34:04     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (41/45, NGC 3521 w/SN2024aecx) due to cloud
05:56:24     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (42/45, SN 2024adhf) due to cloud
06:18:44     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (43/45, UGCA 258) due to cloud
06:41:04     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (44/45, NGC 5151 w/SN2024acnr) due to cloud
07:13:04     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (45/45, AT2024aapf) due to cloud
07:13:08   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
07:13:11 Session Closing Session closing
07:13:16   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 00:07, closing time 45s, zigbee 42s)
07:14:36   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 70s), Az: 90.0 deg
07:15:24   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 41s total)
07:15:44   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.'
07:16:06   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
07:17:28   Services Stopped Night Services stopped
07:17:31 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
07:18:08     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow)
07:18:54     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.4°)
07:19:00     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.4°)
07:19:02   Dome Parked Dome parked
07:19:26   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (12mA)
07:19:28 Session Finished Session Finished
 
Session Alerts & Alarms
Time     Type       Name Detail
00:01:48 Yellow Alert Dome Dome has been stationary for more than 15 mins
00:05:19 Green Alarm Dome Dome Movements have begun again (outage 18.9 mins)
07:19:26 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (12mA)
 

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Operational Issues (2024-12-24 S1287)

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2024-12-24

Review - Potential Geomagnetic Monitoring Station

A Geomagnetic Monitoring Station may be added to the Observatory for monitoring changes in the earth's magnetic field and to supplement and build upon the Observatory's existing Aurora monitoring using AllSky Camera and new NorthCam Camera.

The following notes describe the Review Phase

Other Notes:
| Review | SAM III  | Site Prep | Assembly Design | Parts Assembly |  Testing  | Final Assembly | Installation | Commissioning | Remedial Fix | Operation |

Route to Magnetic Station
There were seem to be two potential routes :

  1. Build a cheap system using a single fluxgate magnetometer, with ardunio and other self built circuitry
  2. Buy and install a SAM-III system from Reeve.com including build option and 2 or 3 sensors.

Issues / Decisions

 Provisional Decisions (2024-12-27)
- System : SAM III
- Number of sensors : 3 (x,y,z)
- Location :  In the lawn
- Hole :   1m deep
- Cable Run :  Below the lawn
- Base Station :  Observatory Computing Bay
- Installation Target:   April 2025

 

SAM-III Provisional Cost Breakdown      
SAM-III Kit with (3) magnetometer sensors   SK3-3 $ 341.00
Enclosure, Rectangular, gray polycarbonate, machined & drilled   BEN-1 $  74.50
USB-Serial adapter, USB 2.0   USB-1 $  16.40
12 V Power Adapter, regulated 12vdc, 10w   ACU-1210 $  65.00
Build Option, Construct and test the SAM-III PCBs   BLD-1 $100.00
International Shipping (say $80)   INS-1 $  80.00
    Total $666.90
       
GBP (incl tax 25%)     £665.00
       
100m Cat6 Cable  (provides up to 33m cable run)     £  50
Piping  (say £40)     £  40

Order Inquiry (2024-12-29)

An initial order enquiry was sent to OrderInfo@reeve.com on 2024-12-29.

Update 2025-01-18

- SAM III ordererd & paid. System will ship out around 2025-03-03 for delivery in mid/late March.
- Cat6 ethernet cable (60m) purchased & received
- Flexible Conduit piping purchased & received
- Potential magnetic interference source (large coil of stock fencing adjacent to fence line) relocated to a distant position.

Update 2025-03-03
- SAM II Order Shipped from US

Update 2025-03-15
 -  Import Costs Paid £117.52  (Customs Duty £5.50, Import VAT £110.02,  Clearance Fee £12.00 )

Update 2025-03-18
 - SAM III Order Arrived.
 - Package Contents Checked  (package and contents arrived in good condition, expected items are all present)


- Further updates & installation details given at SAM III Geomagnetic Monitoring Station (S1303 Notes)

| Review | SAM III  | Site Prep | Assembly Design | Parts Assembly |  Testing  | Final Assembly | Installation | Commissioning | Remedial Fix | Operation |

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This Web Page: Notes - Session 1287 (2024-12-24)
Last Updated : 2025-07-04
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