David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1304 (2025-03-19)

Notes (S1303)

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Notes (S1305)

	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 (6)
	Images from 2025-03-19 >>
	DS18B20 Waterproof Digital Temperature Sensor
	AstroMag 1.0

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-03-19)

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. 29/29 planned targets observations were completed.
•   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 2025-03-19  >>
  
  

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 18:32:30 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:14 & 04:05 18:32:31   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 19:14 19:14:36   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 19:28:33 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:28) 19:28:54   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 19:29:22   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -25°C) 19:29:25 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2025-03-19 S01304, ImageSaveNum: 1304001) 19:29:30   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 19:31:13   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:31:21 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 19:31:23   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 19:31:25 Session Pending Session pending (2025-03-19) 19:31:27 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-03-19) 19:31:35   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 19:31:42   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.43) 19:32:17   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1088) 19:32:58   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 19:33:23 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 19:34:08   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 46s, Zigbee 41s) 19:34:43 Session Running Session running 19:34:46   Queue Started Observing Queue started (29 targets selected) 19:34:49     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 7, HIP 34070) 19:35:03       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 19:38:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:41:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 19:43:36       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 19:43:38       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 19:45:50       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 19:47:40       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 19:47:59     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 7, HIP 34070) 19:48:10     Target Started (1/29) Target started (1/29, GCVS NV Ori) 19:52:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:54:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 19:59:17     Target Completed Target completed (1/29, GCVS NV Ori) 19:59:21     Target Started (2/29) Target started (2/29, Scholz's Star) 20:03:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:05:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 20:21:49     Target Completed Target completed (2/29, Scholz's Star) 20:21:53     Target Started (3/29) Target started (3/29, GCVS U Mon) 20:25:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:28:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 20:34:57     Target Completed Target completed (3/29, GCVS U Mon) 20:35:01     Target Started (4/29) Target started (4/29, GCVS YZ Cnc) 20:49:57     Target Completed Target partially completed (4/29, GCVS YZ Cnc) 20:50:01     Target Started (5/29) Target started (5/29, UGCA 153) 21:10:58     Target Completed Target completed (5/29, UGCA 153) 21:11:02     Target Started (6/29) Target started (6/29, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 21:14:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:16:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 21:32:12     Target Completed Target completed (6/29, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 21:32:17     Target Started (7/29) Target started (7/29, UGCA 185) 21:35:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:38:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 21:54:53     Target Completed Target completed (7/29, UGCA 185) 21:54:57     Target Started (8/29) Target started (8/29, UGCA 221) 22:15:52     Target Completed Target completed (8/29, UGCA 221) 22:15:56     Target Started (9/29) Target started (9/29, NGC 3521 w/SN2024aecx) 22:19:47       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:35:53     Target Completed Target completed (9/29, NGC 3521 w/SN2024aecx) 22:35:57     Target Started (10/29) Target started (10/29, NGC 3660) 22:39:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:42:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 22:58:43     Target Completed Target completed (10/29, NGC 3660) 22:58:48     Target Started (11/29) Target started (11/29, GCVS ER UMa) 23:02:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:05:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 23:09:37     Target Completed Target completed (11/29, GCVS ER UMa) 23:09:42     Target Started (12/29) Target started (12/29, UGCA 254) 23:14:15       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 23:30:21     Target Completed Target completed (12/29, UGCA 254) 23:30:46     Target Started (13/29) Target started (13/29, UGCA 258) 23:34:11       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:50:19     Target Completed Target completed (13/29, UGCA 258) 23:53:06     Target Started (14/29) Target started (14/29, LEDA 924001 w/SN2022ztk) 23:56:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:59:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 00:15:30     Target Completed Target completed (14/29, LEDA 924001 w/SN2022ztk) 00:15:34     Target Started (15/29) Target started (15/29, NGC 3981) 00:19:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:21:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 00:37:23     Target Completed Target completed (15/29, NGC 3981) 00:37:27     Target Started (16/29) Target started (16/29, NGC 4027) 00:41:17       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:57:53     Target Completed Target completed (16/29, NGC 4027) 00:59:18     Target Started (17/29) Target started (17/29, NGC 5044) 01:02:36       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:05:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 01:21:34     Target Completed Target completed (17/29, NGC 5044) 01:21:38     Target Started (18/29) Target started (18/29, SN 2024adhf) 01:25:04       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:41:16     Target Completed Target completed (18/29, SN 2024adhf) 01:43:58     Target Started (19/29) Target started (19/29, AT2025esv) 01:48:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:51:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 02:07:07     Target Completed Target completed (19/29, AT2025esv) 02:07:11     Target Started (20/29) Target started (20/29, GCVS BL Lac) 02:11:08       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:13:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 02:18:27     Target Completed Target completed (20/29, GCVS BL Lac) 02:18:31     Target Started (21/29) Target started (21/29, T CrB) 02:22:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:24:56       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing check failed 02:24:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 02:29:48     Target Completed Target completed (21/29, T CrB) 02:29:52     Target Started (22/29) Target started (22/29, GCVS U Her) 02:33:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:35:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 02:44:20     Target Completed Target completed (22/29, GCVS U Her) 02:44:24     Target Started (23/29) Target started (23/29, AT2022acje) 02:47:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:50:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 03:06:38     Target Completed Target completed (23/29, AT2022acje) 03:06:42     Target Started (24/29) Target started (24/29, AT2024gfh) 03:09:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:12:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 03:28:45     Target Completed Target completed (24/29, AT2024gfh) 03:28:49     Target Started (25/29) Target started (25/29, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)) 03:32:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:35:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 03:42:21     Target Completed Target completed (25/29, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)) 03:42:25     Target Started (26/29) Target started (26/29, GCVS SS Cyg) 03:45:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:48:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 03:52:36     Target Completed Target completed (26/29, GCVS SS Cyg) 03:52:40     Target Started (27/29) Target started (27/29, M31 w/AT2025etj) 03:56:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:58:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 04:15:16     Target Completed Target completed (27/29, M31 w/AT2025etj) 04:15:20     Target Started (28/29) Target started (28/29, ZTF24aaomlxy) 04:19:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:21:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 04:37:44     Target Completed Target completed (28/29, ZTF24aaomlxy) 04:37:49     Target Started (29/29) Target started (29/29, AT2024wys (CV)) 04:44:48     Target Completed Target completed (29/29, AT2024wys (CV)) 04:44:50   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 04:44:51 Session Closing Session closing 04:45:46   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 04:46:28   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 35s), Az: 90.0 deg 04:47:06   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 33s total) 04:47:29   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 04:47:52   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 04:49:14   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 04:49:17 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 04:49:49     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 04:50:33     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.4°) 04:50:38     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.4°) 04:50:40   Dome Parked Dome parked 04:53:42   Dome Charging Dome is parked and well charged (95%, 14.9v 04:53:44 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 19:31:23 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (42.65 GB) is less than 50 GB 04:49:43 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (39.78 GB) is less than 50 GB 04:53:42 Yellow Alert Dome Charging Dome is parked and well charged (95%, 14.9v

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Operational Issues (2025-03-19, S1304)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (0)
• Small Defects (0)
• Continuous Improvement (6)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• None

Small Defects

• None

Continuous Improvement

• Create a new program called AstroMag for reading and displaying temperature from DS18B20 Sensor.  A MASUNN DS18B20 Waterproof Digital Temperature Sensor Probe on a 15m cable is to be used in the Observatory's Geomagnetic Observing Station that is currently being built,  and an Ardunio Uno running a simple program has been developed to read temperatures from the sensor.  AstroMag 1.0 was created to read in the temperature data being fed from the Ardunio Uno and display it.   Implemented 2025-03-21 (see notes DS18B20 Waterproof Digital Temperature Sensor  &  AstroMag 1.0).  Later the program will be extended to create magnetogram charts and temperature plots comparing ambient temperature and downhole temperatue to check stability of the thermal environment within the Buried Magnetometer Sensor Fixture.
  Done 2025-03-21 (AstroMag 1.0)
   
• Extend AstroMove functions to be quickly copy Aurora related files from Observatory to Development/Analysis Computer.  Following a night with Aurora the process of copying relevant files from AllSky/Weather Computer across to the Development/Analysis Computer involves multiple stages each one involving user action or intiation.  It would be a timing saving feature if the AstroMove program could reduce the user involvment to simply selecting the relevant night date and any options such as whether to including full AllSky and Southern Panorama Files. New feature implemented in AstroMove 1.15.
  Done 2025-03-22 (AstroMove 1.15) 
   
• Extend AstroMove functions to copy the new AstroMag program to Observatory and to make backup copies of the program. New feature implemented in AstroMove 1.15.
  Done 2025-03-22 (AstroMove 1.15)
   
• Build a final project box for holding Ardunio & Circuitry for reading temperature from DS18B20 Sensor, and passing it to the Observartory Computer.  A MASUNN DS18B20 Waterproof Digital Temperature Sensor Probe on a 15m cable is to be used in the Observatory's Geomagnetic Observing Station that is currently being built.  A prototype circuitry (on a breadboard) has been connected to an Ardunio Uno running a simple program demonstrates that temperatures from the DS18B20 sensor can be read and passed on to a computer via USB cable.  This setup is a temporary one and not robust for using in the Observatory.  A finalised setup now needs to be built, involving the installation of the Ardunio Uno and Soldered Circuitry to be built into a plastic project box.  Parts have been ordered for delivery on 2025-03-22, and then after replacing the soldering iron with a new one, the project box was completed on 2025-03-24.
  Done 2025-03-24 (AstroMove 1.15) 
   
• Enable GitHub CoPilot in Visual Studio. GitHub CoPilot is now free, worth trying it out.Sign-in with Github username/pw and enable Copilot.  Option enabled but it hasn't been tried as yet.
  Done 2025-03-25 (Visual Studio 2022)
   
• Create new 'Delete Property Windows' button/routine to AstroMove's Admin Tab.  After opening multiple windows to access Properties' for a  selection of image files (to access Date Taken or Lat/Long coords), the windows have to be individually closed. They seem to all have the process name 'Windows Explorer' but it this can be used to kill al Windows Explorer processes as they may be some processes which belong to Windows Folders or Windows Explorer (Main) which would be inappropriate to kill/stop.  All the required Windows have ".. Properties' in their window title. Perhaps this can be used to selectively close the required windows.  Installed Process Explorer and used 'Find/Find Handle or DLL'  to look for  "Properties" and found mutiple entries for each explorer process. Selected one of them at random Process ID 8472 and stopped the process. which has the effect of closing all Property Windows. But haven't managed to replicate this using code. Button added and a number of potential solutions attempted in AstroMove 1.15.1, but was unable to find a solution that worked, and the improvement ticket is therefore placed on hold for the time being.
  Unable to implement a working solution  2025-03-27 (AstroMove 1.15.1)

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DS18B20 Waterproof Digital Temperature Sensor

A MASUNN DS18B20 Waterproof Digital Temperature Sensor Probe on a 15m cable was purchased about 3 months ago as part of the project to set up a Geomagnetic Observing Station.  With the recent arrival of SAM III system, it is now time to progress work to integrate the DS18B20 Temperature Sensor for monitoring the temperature around geomagnetometer sensor unit to check/confirm that the stability of the thermal environment.

Product Page on Amazon - MASUNN DS18B20 Waterproof Digital Temperature Sensor Probe

DS18B20 Waterproof Digital Temperature Sensor with 15m cable		Temperature Sensor Probe

How to use DS18B20 Digital Temperature sensor with Arduino - YouTube

Ardunio Code

 #include <OneWire.h>
#include <DallasTemperature.h>

// Data wire is plugged into digital pin 2 on the Arduino
#define ONE_WIRE_BUS 2

// Setup a oneWire instance to communicate with any OneWire device
OneWire oneWire(ONE_WIRE_BUS);

// Pass oneWire reference to DallasTemperature library
DallasTemperature sensors(&oneWire);

void setup(void)
{
sensors.begin(); // Start up the library
Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop(void)
{
// Send the command to get temperatures
sensors.requestTemperatures();

//print the temperature in Celsius
Serial.print("Temperature: ");
Serial.print(sensors.getTempCByIndex(0));
Serial.print((char)176);//shows degrees character
Serial.print("C | ");

delay(500);
}

 

Arduino IDE
Installed  Arduino-ide 2.3.4 (Windows 64bit) on Development Computer (2025-03-20)

Created Sketch  'TempMonitor_v1.ino

Install OneWire 2.3.8
Installed DallasTemperature 4.0.3

Loaded code
Verified code
   Sketch uses 5754 bytes (17%) of program storage space. Maximum is 32256 bytes.
   Global variables use 259 bytes (12%) of dynamic memory, leaving 1789 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 2048 bytes.

Connected Arduino Uno to computer using USB cable (connected as COM6)

Uploaded sketch to Ardunio Uno
Used VOVSOFT Serial Port Monitor to examine output :
    Temperature: -127.00°C
    Temperature: -127.00°C

Temporary Setup

A temporary setup was made using an Ardunio Uno,  a breadboard, a 10 K ohm resistor, and the DS18B20 Sensor  (see image below)

The resistor should be a 4.7K resistance, but the closest resistor to hand for testing was a 10K one.

Running a Serial Port Monitor showed that the Ardunio was returning valid temperature data :

 

Perrmant Setup

The Ardunio Uno & Circularity will be now be mounted within a project box.   A number of items are required for this :

- A plastic project box, 100x60x25mm (internal 96x56x23mm) for holding the Ardunio & Circularity
- A pack of 4.7K Resistors (one needed)
- A pack of PCB Mount Screw Terminal Blocks (one 3 pin terminal neded)

These have been ordered on 2025-03-21 for expected arrival on 2025-03-22.

A Screw Terminal Block is to be used to allow temporary connection of DS18B20 cables during construction of the project box and for testing, yet allow the 3-wire cable from the DS18B20 to be easily reconnected after the DS18B20 Sensor Probe has been installed in the Buried Magnetometer Sensor Fixture and its cable run back to the Observatory.

Holes will be cut in the side of the project box for i) connecting USB cable,  ii) passing the cable from the DS18B20 Sensor.

Cable from DS18B20 will need some kind of strain relief so that its 3 internal wires aren't pulled out of the terminal block.

AstroMag 1.0

A new VB.Net WinForms program "AstroMag" has been created that runs a thread to monitor and display the temperature reading from the DS18B20 Sensor.  See notes AstroMag 1.0

Update 2025-03-22

- Items for permanent setup arrived today 2025-03-22
- Confirmed that Ardunio Uno & Circut Board can fit with the plastic project box.
- Holes have been cut in the side of the project box for
   i) connecting USB cable, 
   ii) passing the cable from the DS18B20 Sensor.

-  Tried soldering terminal block to circuit board, but failed. Soldering Iron doesn't maintain a higher enough heat to easily melt solder.
-  Ordered a new digital Soldering Iron for expected arrival on 2025-03-23.

Plastic Project Box (100x60x25mm ) for holding Ardunio Uno + Circuitry		Project Box with holes cut for USB Port (Square) and for sensor Cable (Circular)
Project Box showing Ardunio Board and Circuit Board to confirm positioning Top View		Project Box showing Ardunio Board and Circuit Board to confirm positioning Oblique View

Update 2025-03-23
New digital Soldering Iron arrived.

Update 2025-03-24

Project Box finally completed

Project Box Completed Top View		Project Box Completed Oblique View

Update 2025-04-11

Detailed photo to confirm wiring connections prior to detaching and installing probe Showing the correct attachment of cable's black, red & yellow wires to the terminal block		Temperature Probe Installation

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AstroMag 1.0

A new VB.Net WinForms program "AstroMag" has been created that runs a thread to monitor and display the temperature reading from the DS18B20 Sensor as continuously output by the Ardunio Uno + Circuitry that is connected to the PC via a USB Cable (to COM6 in this case).   Sensor tested by transfering Sensor to and fro between a glass of warm water, a glass of cold water and a glass of iced water.

Later the program will make magnetogram charts and temperature plots comparing ambient temperature and downhole temperatue to check stability of the thermal environment within the Buried Magnetometer Sensor Fixture.

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