David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1302 (2025-03-17)

Notes (S1301)

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Notes (S1303)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (0),  Small Defects (0),  Continuous Improvement (0)
	Images from 2025-03-17 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-03-17)

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 RC3.4694, MeadeGeneric 1.3.12.522 , UPB 1.5,  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 RC3
• [ DomeLink 1.0 / 1.1 - not used ]
   
• AstroMain 3.73.14,  AstroPlan 1.43,  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 1.27.5, AstroAllSky 3.23.1,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4 (not 1.11.5), AstroColorCam 1.2.2, AstroLaunch 1.11.14

Highlights

• Targets. 27/30 planned targets observations were completed (but only 18 successfully), with 1 target partially completed. Other targets failed due to user interruption in order to refocus the Guide (Secondary) Scope. Images from first 9 targets were rejected due to bad guiding caused by bad focusing of the guide scope.
• Guide Scope Focusing. Guide scope was unsuccessfuly focused at start of session which was due to AstroMain settings deficiency (following earlier loss of settings and recreation over the past couple of days).  The badly focused secondary scope resulted in bad guiding and in unacceptable images from the main scope
•   Dome. There was no issues opening/closing the shutter during the session. Dome closed and parked at end of session Ok.

Notes

• Aurora Images from 2025-03-17  >>
  
  

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 18:51:49 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:09 & 04:11 18:51:52   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 19:09 19:09:54   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 19:24:01 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:24) 19:24:13   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 19:24:41   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 19:24:43 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2025-03-17 S01302, ImageSaveNum: 1302001) 19:24:48   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 19:26:34   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:27:22 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 19:27:24   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 19:27:26 Session Pending Session pending (2025-03-17) 19:27:28 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-03-17) 19:27:38   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 19:27:45   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.43) 19:28:27   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1086) 19:29:06   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 19:29:31 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 19:30:31   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 61s, Zigbee 41s) 19:30:46 Session Running Session running 19:30:49   Queue Started Observing Queue started (30 targets selected) 19:30:52     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 7, HIP 34070) 19:31:07       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 19:33:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:35:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 19:38:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 19:38:27       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 19:39:57       Focusing Failed Foc2 focusing failed (failed QC check - Range) 19:40:01     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 7, HIP 34070) 19:44:13     Target Started (1/30) Target started (1/30, GSC 1224:29) 19:48:20       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 19:55:08     Target Completed Target completed (1/30, GSC 1224:29) 19:56:40     Target Started (2/30) Target started (2/30, 49P/Arend-Rigaux) 20:00:54       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 20:12:08     Target Completed Target completed (2/30, 49P/Arend-Rigaux) 20:14:00     Target Started (3/30) Target started (3/30, UGCA 167) 20:19:56       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 20:36:04     Target Completed Target completed (3/30, UGCA 167) 20:36:21     Target Started (4/30) Target started (4/30, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 20:42:18       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 20:57:44     Target Completed Target completed (4/30, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 20:57:48     Target Started (5/30) Target started (5/30, NGC 3200) 21:04:01       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 21:20:11     Target Completed Target completed (5/30, NGC 3200) 21:20:15     Target Started (6/30) Target started (6/30, NGC 2642 w/SN2023aaby) 21:25:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:27:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 21:44:20     Target Completed Target completed (6/30, NGC 2642 w/SN2023aaby) 21:44:24     Target Started (7/30) Target started (7/30, NGC 2986 w/SN2025gj) 22:05:53     Target Completed Target completed (7/30, NGC 2986 w/SN2025gj) 22:05:57     Target Started (8/30) Target started (8/30, AT2024gfk) 22:10:14       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:26:37     Target Completed Target completed (8/30, AT2024gfk) 22:26:42     Target Started (9/30) Target started (9/30, GCVS RZ LMi) 22:40:01     Target Completed Target completed (9/30, GCVS RZ LMi) 22:40:05     Target Started (10/30) Target started (10/30, NGC 3277 w/SN2025coe) 22:42:36 User Intervention User Intervention to abort job queue & switch back to Manual Mode 22:42:41     Target Failed (10/30) Target failed due to aborted (10/30, NGC 3277 w/SN2025coe) 22:42:43   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 22:44:50     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 10, HIP 49253) 22:47:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:49:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 22:49:38       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:51:05       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4, wide) 22:52:03       Focusing Aborted Foc2 Focusing Aborted 22:52:07     Target Aborted (NrZen) Target aborted (Focus Field 10, HIP 49253) due to User Intervention 22:52:45       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:53:53       Focusing Aborted Foc2 Focusing Aborted 23:07:25       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 23:09:21       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5, wide) 23:10:00       Focusing Failed Foc2 focusing failed - star lost 23:20:38       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 23:22:47       Focusing Failed Foc2 focusing failed (failed QC check - Range) 23:23:56       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 23:26:11       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 23:28:26 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 23:28 & 04:11 23:28:28 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 23:28:29 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (23:28) 23:28:40   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:28:45 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 23:28:49 Session Pending Session pending (2025-03-17) 23:28:51 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-03-17) 23:29:00   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -25°C) 23:29:09   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1086) 23:29:18   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 23:29:40 Session Running Session running 23:29:43   Queue Started Observing Queue started (19 targets selected) 23:29:49     Target Started (12/30) Target started (12/30, UGC 5695 w/SN2025cfc) 23:48:51     Target Completed Target completed (12/30, UGC 5695 w/SN2025cfc) 23:48:56     Target Started (13/30) Target started (13/30, AT2025lr) 00:09:25     Target Completed Target completed (13/30, AT2025lr) 00:09:29     Target Started (14/30) Target started (14/30, NGC 3521 w/SN2024aecx) 00:12:54       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:19:56   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 00:19:58   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 00:20:00     Target Aborted (14/30) Target aborted (14/30, NGC 3521 w/SN2024aecx) due to cloud 00:20:02   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:20:04 Session Suspending Session suspending 00:20:51   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 00:20:54 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:23:17 Session Resuming Session resuming 00:24:01   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 00:24:04 Session Running Session running 00:24:06   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 00:24:09     Target Started (14/30) Target started (14/30, NGC 3521 w/SN2024aecx) 00:31:58     Target Completed Target partially completed (14/30, NGC 3521 w/SN2024aecx) 00:32:02     Target Started (15/30) Target started (15/30, AT2024aeey) 00:36:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:39:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 00:56:21     Target Completed Target completed (15/30, AT2024aeey) 00:56:25     Target Started (16/30) Target started (16/30, IC 4479 w/SN2024afpi) 01:15:37     Target Completed Target completed (16/30, IC 4479 w/SN2024afpi) 01:15:41     Target Started (17/30) Target started (17/30, 2MFGC 13744 w/SN2024afyu) 01:18:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:21:55       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 01:38:09     Target Completed Target completed (17/30, 2MFGC 13744 w/SN2024afyu) 01:38:13     Target Started (18/30) Target started (18/30, UGC 10913 w/AT2025hy) 01:41:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:44:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 02:00:20     Target Completed Target completed (18/30, UGC 10913 w/AT2025hy) 02:00:24     Target Started (19/30) Target started (19/30, T CrB) 02:03:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:06:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 02:11:05     Target Completed Target completed (19/30, T CrB) 02:11:09     Target Started (20/30) Target started (20/30, AT2023osr (CV)) 02:14:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:17:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 02:33:11     Target Completed Target completed (20/30, AT2023osr (CV)) 02:33:15     Target Started (21/30) Target started (21/30, HIP 87937) 02:37:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:39:17       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed (failed QC check - RmsE) 02:42:16     Target Completed Target completed (21/30, HIP 87937) 02:42:20     Target Started (22/30) Target started (22/30, AT2024re (CV)) 02:45:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:48:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 02:54:16     Target Completed Target completed (22/30, AT2024re (CV)) 02:54:21     Target Started (23/30) Target started (23/30, AT2025la) 02:57:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:00:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 03:16:37     Target Completed Target completed (23/30, AT2025la) 03:16:41     Target Started (24/30) Target started (24/30, GCVS HH And) 03:20:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:22:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 03:25:07     Target Completed Target completed (24/30, GCVS HH And) 03:25:11     Target Started (25/30) Target started (25/30, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)) 03:28:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:31:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 03:35:00       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 03:37:45     Target Completed Target completed (25/30, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)) 03:37:49     Target Started (26/30) Target started (26/30, GCVS BL Lac) 03:41:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:43:36       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 03:47:38     Target Completed Target completed (26/30, GCVS BL Lac) 03:47:42     Target Started (27/30) Target started (27/30, C/2021 X1 (Maury-Attard)) 03:51:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:53:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 04:05:29     Target Completed Target completed (27/30, C/2021 X1 (Maury-Attard)) 04:05:33     Target Started (28/30) Target started (28/30, AT2022acqx) 04:08:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:11:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 04:27:40     Target Completed Target completed (28/30, AT2022acqx) 04:27:44     Target Started (29/30) Target started (29/30, AT2024wzq (CV)) 04:31:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:34:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 04:40:47     Target Completed Target completed (29/30, AT2024wzq (CV)) 04:40:52     Target Started (30/30) Target started (30/30, 19P/Borrelly) 04:44:34       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 04:53:43     Target Completed Target completed (30/30, 19P/Borrelly) 04:53:45   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 04:53:49 Session Closing Session closing 04:54:43   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 04:55:33   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 41s), Az: 90.0 deg 04:56:13   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 32s total) 04:56:36   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 04:56:58   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 04:58:26   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 04:58:29 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 04:59:01     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 04:59:46     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.8°) 04:59:51     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.8°) 04:59:53   Dome Parked Dome parked 05:02:54   Dome Charging Dome hasn't started re-charging after 3.0 minutes 05:02:56 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 19:27:26 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (43.43 GB) is less than 50 GB 19:30:32 Red Alarm Dome Opening Dome failed to finish opening after 60s (ShutterState=Open) 23:28:49 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (42.57 GB) is less than 50 GB 04:58:54 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (41.16 GB) is less than 50 GB 05:02:54 Yellow Alert Dome Charging Dome hasn't started re-charging after 3.0 minutes

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Operational Issues (2025-03-17, S1302)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (1)
• Minor Issues (2)
• Small Defects (0)
• Continuous Improvement (0)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• Images from first 9 targets were uncceptable, due to bad / failed guiding ( - 22:40).  After noticing very bad images from first 9 targets, and noting that guiding was totally off, with multiple lost (guide) star events, and several failed Foc1 Focusing the automated operations were stopped and the guide scope focusing investigating.  This showed that the secondary scope wasn't focussed, and wouldn't focus using automated focusing.  Approximate best focus position was obtained by some trial and error (and was found t c. 9500 instead of around 7900 as expected).  After changing settings, the Scope was refocused by automated focusing at a final position at 9691. Problem was caused by a corruption/loss of (AstroMain) program settings and failure to recall /rebuild the necessary correct settings, and it was known that there was a potential risk to Secondary Scope focusing.  Issue is deemed a Major Issue since without user interventation the session wouldn't have been produced any useable images at all. Whilst fixed in-session  Automated Foc2 focusing needs to be closely monitored / confirmed at the start of the next session.
  Resolved in Session 2025-03-17 (Secondary Scope, Autofocusing, User Awareness)

Minor Issues

• Dome Opening failed to finishing with 60s at start of session (19:30).  A red 'Dome Opening' alert was raised at 19:30:32 with the message "Dome failed to finish opening after 60s (ShutterState=Open) " . Zigbee sensor show that shutter opened in 41s. Based on Pulsar Dome values the Shutter appeared to take 61s to open, which is longer than the 40-48s normally expected.   Shutter seems to have opened ok,  but some delay on Pulsar Dome properties tripped the red alert as it exceeded its 60s threshold.  Pulsar logs will be checked to see if they can shed any further light on the issue. Log shows ShutterStatus 1 (Closed) until 19:29:31.41,  a OpenShutter command at 19:29:31.42,  ShutterStatus 2 (Opening) at 19:29:32.35 until 19:30:26.84, reaching ShutterStatus 0 (Open) at 19:30:27.82, which calculates out as an opening time of 56.41s. This is outside the normal closing time range and is clearly longer that zigbee opening time by around 15s. This can't be explained apart from a delayed communication between the Shutter Unit and the Dome Controller.  With ObsManager operating on a 5s cycle the apparent closing time of 61s can be explained. The issue had no consequential impact on the Observatory Session. Reopening the shutter at 00:23:17 following a short session suspension had a normal opening times (opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s).  Issue closed after review 2025-03-18.  Propose to continue monitoring opening times in future.
  Closed after review 2025-03-18 (Observatory Shutter)
   
• Foc2 wide focusing failed to determine best focus position for the TS80 Secondary Scope during initial Near Zenith Focusing (19:38).  After successful Foc1 focusing, Foc2 focuing failed to find a best focus position for the TS80 Guide Scope. A wide focus run examined the range 7546 to 8296 but couldn't determine any measureable star values (peak, FWHM etc) even though it found a focus star with initial FWHM at 4.68" & max pixel of 22263.  at a notional focuser position of 7921 (based on the last session and not moving focuser during the intervening period).  Later on it was determined that that best focus lay at 9691 which is clearly outside the focus range examined. There is no reason to believe that the physical best focus position of the scope had changed, but is due to how the backlash in the focuser is picked up and applied. The necessary information to do this correctly from one session to the next was lost when the AstroMain program's settings file was accidentally corrupted and had to be restablised.without a recent backup.   A backlash measurements of 3500 was used which is consistent with the most recently mentioned backlash value in Notes (Foc2 Auto-Focusing Results (2020-08-29 to 2020-08-31) ), however it seems to have been not applied. Checking showed that 'Use Backlash Compensation' checkbox was initially unchecked, after which it was turned on for the final Foc2 focusing which was successful.  It is possible that Wide (Focus) Search mode isn't sufficiently wide for handling this situation.
  Closed after review 2025-03-18 (Secondary Scope, Autofocusing, AstroMain Settings, User Awareness)

Small Defects

• None

Continuous Improvement

• None

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