David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 1301 (2025-03-14)

 
Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
Bullet Operational Issues
  - Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (5),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (1)
Bullet Images from 2025-03-14 >>         
Bullet New Master Flats (2025-03-15)
   
   

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-03-14)

Main aims

  1. LX200 Focus.  Refocus LX200 Primary Mirror to bring telescope focus back to middle of TCF-S Focuser range
  2. Camera Orientation.  Check/rotate camera to 180 deg position following prior camera removal to clean filters
  3. Resync Telescope. Perform a telescope resync & short mapping job, following camera reorientation & telescope refocusing
  4. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
  5. Flats.  Acquire new camera flats following cleaning of camera filters and camera reorientation.

 Equipment & Software

Highlights

Notes

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan
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Observing Result
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Dome & Scope Slewing Performance
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Slew/Centering Performance
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Guiding Performance
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Sky Conditions (Locate Frames)
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Night Sky Summary Plot
Top axis: Sky Brightness at Zenith (in ADU/s)
Lefthand axis: Local Time (hh LT). Righthand axis: Sun Altitude (degs)
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Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast
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Session Event Log
Time     Event Detail
19:07:46   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.)
19:07:59 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2025-03-14 S01301, ImageSaveNum: 1301001)
19:08:20   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
19:09:47   Observatory Door Observatory Door has opened
19:10:07   Services Started Observatory Services started
19:10:40   Observatory Door Observatory Door has closed (open time 53s)
19:11:14   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6)
19:11:52   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
19:14:28       Dome Unparked Dome unparked
19:14:31   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 47s, Zigbee 41s)
19:33:26     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 7, HIP 34070)
19:35:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:38:49       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed (failed QC check - Range)
19:38:51     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 7, HIP 34070)
19:43:40     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 7, HIP 34070)
19:52:05     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 7, HIP 34070)
19:55:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:57:05       Focusing Aborted Foc1 Focusing Aborted
19:57:07     Target Aborted (NrZen) Target aborted (Focus Field 7, HIP 34070) due to User Intervention
20:03:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:06:57       Focusing Aborted Foc1 Focusing Aborted
20:14:03     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 8, HIP 39357)
20:14:51   CCDSoft Issue CCDSoft has encountered an image save issue [0000]
20:14:53   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix unsaved file issue)
20:15:00   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled
20:15:53   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
20:18:14   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (user action)
20:18:21   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled
20:19:14   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
20:20:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:24:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
20:26:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
20:30:14   Automapping Started Automapping started (12 points planned)
20:31:04   Observatory Door Observatory Door has opened
20:31:10   Observatory Door Observatory Door has closed (open time 6s)
20:43:04   Automapping Completed Automapping completed (11 points mapped out of 12 points)
20:44:51   Automapping Started Automapping started (12 points planned)
20:48:13   Automapping Aborted Automapping aborted (3 points mapped out of 12 points)
20:48:40   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 10s total)
20:49:04   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.'
20:50:01   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
20:50:59 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 20:50 & 04:19
20:51:01 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode
20:51:04 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (20:51)
20:51:12   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
20:52:46   Services Started Observatory Services started
20:52:54 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
20:52:58 Session Pending Session pending (2025-03-14)
20:53:00 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-03-14)
20:53:09   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -25°C)
20:53:16   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.43)
20:54:03   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1085)
20:54:12   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6)
20:55:19 Session Running Session running
20:55:22   Queue Started Observing Queue started (29 targets selected)
20:55:25     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 8, HIP 39357)
20:57:31       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
20:59:42       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3, wide)
21:01:31       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
21:01:49     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 8, HIP 39357)
21:01:54     Target Started (1/29) Target started (1/29, WDS GRB 34)
21:06:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:09:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
21:11:18     Target Completed Target completed (1/29, WDS GRB 34)
21:11:22     Target Started (2/29) Target started (2/29, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS))
21:15:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:18:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
21:26:52     Target Completed Target completed (2/29, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS))
21:26:56     Target Started (3/29) Target started (3/29, NGC 1275 w/SN2024xav)
21:30:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:33:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
21:49:04     Target Completed Target completed (3/29, NGC 1275 w/SN2024xav)
21:49:08     Target Started (4/29) Target started (4/29, AT2023cuz)
21:52:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:55:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
22:03:39     Target Completed Target completed (4/29, AT2023cuz)
22:03:43     Target Started (5/29) Target started (5/29, GCVS RR Tau)
22:06:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:09:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
22:16:21     Target Completed Target completed (5/29, GCVS RR Tau)
22:16:25     Target Started (6/29) Target started (6/29, AT2024aeey)
22:18:39       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity)
22:20:37     Target Failed (6/29) Target failed due to cloud (6/29, AT2024aeey)
22:20:39   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
22:20:41 Session Suspending Session suspending
22:21:40   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 60s, Zigbee 44s)
22:21:41 Session Suspended Session suspended
22:32:52     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (6/29, AT2024aeey) due to cloud
22:44:22 Session Resuming Session resuming
22:45:07   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
22:45:10 Session Running Session running
22:45:12   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
22:45:15     Target Started (7/29) Target started (7/29, IC 1231 w/SN2024aeds)
23:01:41     Target Completed Target partially completed (7/29, IC 1231 w/SN2024aeds)
23:01:45     Target Started (8/29) Target started (8/29, AT2024accj)
23:25:18     Target Completed Target completed (8/29, AT2024accj)
23:25:22     Target Started (9/29) Target started (9/29, NGC 2744 w/SN2025oq)
23:44:13     Target Completed Target completed (9/29, NGC 2744 w/SN2025oq)
23:44:17     Target Started (10/29) Target started (10/29, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann)
23:48:19       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
00:04:07     Target Completed Target completed (10/29, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann)
00:04:11     Target Started (11/29) Target started (11/29, UGC 8239 w/SN2025N)
00:08:39       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
00:24:42     Target Completed Target completed (11/29, UGC 8239 w/SN2025N)
00:26:31     Target Started (12/29) Target started (12/29, T CrB)
00:30:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:32:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
00:37:35     Target Completed Target completed (12/29, T CrB)
00:37:39     Target Started (13/29) Target started (13/29, AT2023acib)
00:37:55       Dome Unparked Dome unparked
00:41:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:44:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
00:53:14     Target Completed Target completed (13/29, AT2023acib)
00:53:18     Target Started (14/29) Target started (14/29, NGC 5876 w/SN2024igg)
00:56:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:57:56       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost
01:14:33     Target Completed Target completed (14/29, NGC 5876 w/SN2024igg)
01:15:00     Target Started (15/29) Target started (15/29, CGCG 224-064 w/SN2023aiw)
01:18:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:21:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12)
01:37:07     Target Completed Target completed (15/29, CGCG 224-064 w/SN2023aiw)
01:37:11     Target Started (16/29) Target started (16/29, AT2025md (CV))
01:40:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:43:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13)
01:49:02     Target Completed Target completed (16/29, AT2025md (CV))
01:49:20     Target Started (17/29) Target started (17/29, AT2025lc (CV))
01:52:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:55:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14)
02:01:06     Target Completed Target completed (17/29, AT2025lc (CV))
02:01:40     Target Started (18/29) Target started (18/29, AT2023dwm (CV))
02:04:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:07:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15)
02:14:05     Target Completed Target completed (18/29, AT2023dwm (CV))
02:14:09     Target Started (19/29) Target started (19/29, GCVS R CrB)
02:17:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:19:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16)
02:23:21     Target Completed Target completed (19/29, GCVS R CrB)
02:23:25     Target Started (20/29) Target started (20/29, AT2024xpy)
02:27:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:30:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17)
02:47:12     Target Completed Target completed (20/29, AT2024xpy)
02:47:16     Target Started (21/29) Target started (21/29, AT2025oj (CV))
02:50:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:51:01       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
02:53:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18)
02:59:11     Target Completed Target completed (21/29, AT2025oj (CV))
02:59:13   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
02:59:15 Session Suspending Session suspending
03:00:02   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s)
03:00:05 Session Suspended Session suspended
03:16:57     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/29, LEDA 2243580 w/AT2025gp) due to cloud
03:28:18     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/29, HIP 87937) due to cloud
03:47:39     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/29, AT2024dyj) due to cloud
03:59:57     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/29, GCVS BL Lac) due to cloud
04:20:17     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (26/29, AT2025la) due to too few stars
04:21:01 Session Resuming Session resuming
04:21:46   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
04:21:49 Session Running Session running
04:21:51   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
04:21:53     Target Started (27/29) Target started (27/29, 61 Cyg)
04:24:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:27:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19)
04:29:03     Target Completed Target completed (27/29, 61 Cyg)
04:30:38     Target Started (28/29) Target started (28/29, AT2024wzq (CV))
04:32:07       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity)
04:34:58   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
04:35:00   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
04:35:03     Target Aborted (28/29) Target aborted (28/29, AT2024wzq (CV)) due to cloud
04:35:05   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
04:35:07 Session Suspending Session suspending
04:35:53   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 44s)
04:35:55 Session Suspended Session suspended
04:41:54     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (28/29, AT2024wzq (CV)) due to cloud
05:05:14     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (29/29, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)) due to cloud
05:05:18   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
05:05:21 Session Closing Session closing
05:05:26   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 04:35, closing time 49s, zigbee 44s)
05:06:05   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 31s), Az: 90.0 deg
05:06:44   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 30s total)
05:07:14   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.'
05:07:36   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
05:08:58   Services Stopped Night Services stopped
05:09:01 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
05:09:29     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow)
05:10:16     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.4°)
05:10:22     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.4°)
05:10:24   Dome Parked Dome parked
05:12:12   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (22mA)
05:12:14 Session Finished Session Finished
 
Session Alerts & Alarms
Time     Type       Name Detail
20:14:51 Red Alert CCDSoft Image file [0000] hasn't been saved to disk, possible CCDSoft issue
20:31:02 Green Clear CCDSoft Image file has been saved to disk following CCDSoft Restart
20:52:58 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (49.47 GB) is less than 50 GB
05:09:24 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (47.78 GB) is less than 50 GB
05:12:12 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (22mA)
 

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Operational Issues (2025-03-14, S1301)

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Critical Issues

Major Issues

Minor Issues

Small Defects

Continuous Improvement

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New Master Flats (2025-03-15)

Sets of New Flat Frames were acquired on 2025-03-15 using Light Board place in front of the LX200.  This was necessiatated by earlier cleaning of filters held in the SBIG CFW10 Filter Wheel and cleaning of outer window on the SBIG ST-10XE Camera, reattachment of the SBIG Camera onto the telescope with rotational adjustment , refocusing of the telescope.

Flat Frames

Flat frames were acquired for each binning mode (3x3, 2x2 & 1x1) and for each of the 10 filters held in the Filter Wheel., with CCD Tempearture operating at -10°C per the following table

Filter Filter   3x3     2x2     1x1  
Position  Name n   Exp(s). Sheets   n   Exp(s) Sheets n    exp(s) Sheets
                                     
1 C   21 x 1.6s (2)   21 x 3.6s (2)   19 x 2.5s (1)    
2 B 19 x 0.2s -   19 x 0.4s - 19 x 1.6s -
3 V   19 x 0.7s (1)   19 x 1.7s (1)   19 x 0.8s -    
4 R 19 x 2s (2) 19 x 4s (2) 19 x 3.4s (1)
5 I   19 x 5.8s -    7 x 15s -     7 x 60s -    
6 Ha   19 x 5.s -   7 x 12s -   13 x 30s -    
7 DB ?   19 x 0.3s -   19 x 0.7s -   19 x 2.5s -    
8 Xo   19 x 2s (2)   19 x 3.5s (2)   19 x 3s (1)    
9 S   19 x 2s (2)   19 x 4.0s (2)   19 x 3s (1)    
10 Nd   19 x 2.8s -    7 x 6s -     7 x 3s -    

Due to short exposures required (only 0.3s for 3x3 binning) it is questionable if the flat frames made for the 7th position in the filter wheel is truely from the DB Filter (Dual Band Optolong L-eNhance) rather than a Green Filter which formally occupied the filter wheel at this position..

Bias & Dark Frames

In order to create Master Bias & Master Dark Frames, sets of bias & dark frames were acquired with CCD Temperature operating at the same value of -10°C that the flat frames were acquired at.

Bin Temp n Exp
3x3   -10   21 x Bias
3x3   -10   21 x 0.12s
3x3   -10   21 x 15s
             
2x2   -10   21 x Bias
2x2   -10   21 x 0.12s
2x2   -10   21 x 15s
             
1x1   -10   21 x Bias
1x1   -10   21 x 0.12s
1x1   -10   17 x 60s

Master Frames

For each Bias & Dark Set the Dark Frames were stacked using AvMedian method in the Sigma Beta program. The Master Bias & Master Dark Frames generated were copied to the relevant subfolder (1x1 Masters, 2x2 Masters & 3x3 Masters) at 'C:\Data\CCD Imaging\Analysis\_Darks\-10c'

For each Flat Set the Flat Frames were reduced in CCDSoft using the Reduce Folder facility using the Flat Frame Reduction group and relevant master Dark and Master Bias Frames. Reduced flats from each set were then stacked using AvMedian method in Sigma Beta program. The Master Flats generated were copied to the relevant subfolder (1x1 Masters, 2x2 Masters & 3x3 Masters) at 'C:\Data\CCD Imaging\Analysis\_Flats'

Pictures below show the newly generated Master Flats for the C & R Filters, and are compared with the respective previous Master Flats.

Whilst the cleaniness of the filters & optical path in general are no particularly improved with the new cleaning, the new Flats are at least representative of the current state of optical pth.

New Master Flat, C filter (3x3) from S1301
(Average Median for 21 frames ) 
  New Master Flat, R filter (3x3) from S1301
(Average Median for 19 frames ) 
Image    Image 
     
C - Dust Motte on C Filter 
W - Dust Motte on Camera Window
  R - Dust Motte on R Filter 
W - Dust Motte on Camera Window
Image    Image 
     
Previous Master Flat, C filter (3x3) from S1220
(Average Median for 25 frames )  
  Previous Master Flat, R filter (3x3) from S739
(Average Median for 19 frames )  
Image    Image 
     
All Frames 50% original size, north down   All Frames 50% original size, north down

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