David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1305 (2025-03-23)

Notes (S1304)

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Notes (S1306)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (1),  Minor Issues (1),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (2)
	Images from 2025-03-23 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-03-23)

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 1.15.1 
  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. 15/16 planned targets observations were completed. One target UGC 5695 w/SN2025cfc failed due to user abort (through recorded as Partially Completed in Observing Plan).
•   Dome. There was no issues opening/closing the shutter during the 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 22:56:18 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 22:56 & 03:53 22:56:22 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (22:56) 22:56:45   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 22:57:31   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -25°C) 22:57:33 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2025-03-23 S01305, ImageSaveNum: 1305001) 22:57:40   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 22:59:23   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:59:31 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:59:35 Session Pending Session pending (2025-03-23) 22:59:37 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-03-23) 22:59:46   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 22:59:54   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.43) 23:00:35   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1089) 23:01:16   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 23:01:40 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 23:02:25   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 46s, Zigbee 41s) 23:02:55 Session Running Session running 23:02:58   Queue Started Observing Queue started (16 targets selected) 23:03:00     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 11, HIP 53798) 23:06:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:11:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 23:13:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 23:13:34       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 23:15:39       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 23:17:33       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 23:17:52     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 11, HIP 53798) 23:17:56     Target Started (1/16) Target started (1/16, UGC 5695 w/SN2025cfc) 23:23:21   Pulsar Dome Restarting Dome Controller 23:23:58       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (low battery) 23:24:01   Pulsar Dome Dome Controller has been restarted 23:24:08       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 23:24:14   Pulsar Dome Dome Service has been restarted 23:24:18       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 23:24:25       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 23:25:01   Pulsar Dome Recovering Dome 23:25:13   Pulsar Dome Restarting Dome Controller 23:25:48   Pulsar Dome Dome Controller has been restarted 23:25:53       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (low battery) 23:26:00   Pulsar Dome Dome Service has been restarted 23:26:03       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 23:26:37   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 23:27:36 User Intervention User Intervention to abort job queue & switch back to Manual Mode 23:27:39     Target Completed Target partially completed (1/16, UGC 5695 w/SN2025cfc) 23:27:41   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 23:28:28   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:29:38   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 23:29:44 Session Closed Session closed by User 23:29:47 Program Closed Program closed by User 23:30:56 Program Opened Program Opened (AstroMain 3.73.14) 23:30:58   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 23:31:11 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2025-03-23 S01305, ImageSaveNum: 1305007) 23:31:17   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 23:33:00   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 23:33:09   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:35:15 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 23:35 & 03:53 23:35:17 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 23:35:19 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (23:35) 23:35:37   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:35:45 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 23:35:48 Session Pending Session pending (2025-03-23) 23:35:50 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-03-23) 23:35:57   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 23:36:05   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1089) 23:36:15   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 23:36:37 Session Running Session running 23:36:40   Queue Started Observing Queue started (15 targets selected) 23:38:42     Target Started (2/16) Target started (2/16, NGC 2744 w/SN2025oq) 23:42:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:45:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 00:01:23     Target Completed Target completed (2/16, NGC 2744 w/SN2025oq) 00:01:27     Target Started (3/16) Target started (3/16, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 00:04:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:07:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 00:23:20     Target Completed Target completed (3/16, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 00:23:24     Target Started (4/16) Target started (4/16, NGC 3277 w/SN2025coe) 00:26:56       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 00:43:03     Target Completed Target completed (4/16, NGC 3277 w/SN2025coe) 00:44:36     Target Started (5/16) Target started (5/16, AT2025euu) 00:48:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:50:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 01:07:27     Target Completed Target completed (5/16, AT2025euu) 01:07:31     Target Started (6/16) Target started (6/16, M63) 01:11:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:14:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 01:30:17     Target Completed Target completed (6/16, M63) 01:30:22     Target Started (7/16) Target started (7/16, T CrB) 01:33:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:36:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 01:41:46     Target Completed Target completed (7/16, T CrB) 01:41:51     Target Started (8/16) Target started (8/16, NGC 6384 w/SN2024pxl) 01:45:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:48:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 02:04:59     Target Completed Target completed (8/16, NGC 6384 w/SN2024pxl) 02:05:03     Target Started (9/16) Target started (9/16, AT2022uam (CV)) 02:08:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:10:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 02:16:49     Target Completed Target completed (9/16, AT2022uam (CV)) 02:16:53     Target Started (10/16) Target started (10/16, AT2025esv) 02:19:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:22:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 02:38:49     Target Completed Target completed (10/16, AT2025esv) 02:38:53     Target Started (11/16) Target started (11/16, AT2025oj (CV)) 02:42:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:44:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 03:00:55     Target Completed Target completed (11/16, AT2025oj (CV)) 03:00:59     Target Started (12/16) Target started (12/16, GCVS BL Lac) 03:04:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:06:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 03:11:13     Target Completed Target completed (12/16, GCVS BL Lac) 03:11:17     Target Started (13/16) Target started (13/16, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)) 03:15:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:18:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 03:25:13     Target Completed Target completed (13/16, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)) 03:25:18     Target Started (14/16) Target started (14/16, 2MFGC 13744 w/SN2024afyu) 03:29:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:32:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 03:48:38     Target Completed Target completed (14/16, 2MFGC 13744 w/SN2024afyu) 03:48:42     Target Started (15/16) Target started (15/16, UGC 10913 w/AT2025hy) 03:52:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:54:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 04:11:05     Target Completed Target completed (15/16, UGC 10913 w/AT2025hy) 04:11:09     Target Started (16/16) Target started (16/16, AT2025esx) 04:30:10     Target Completed Target completed (16/16, AT2025esx) 04:30:13   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 04:30:16 Session Closing Session closing 04:31:11   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 04:31:51   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 33s), Az: 90.0 deg 04:32:30   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 32s total) 04:33:00   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 04:33:22   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 04:34:48   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 04:34:51 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 04:35:13     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 04:35:57     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.6°) 04:36:03     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.6°) 04:36:05   Dome Parked Dome parked 04:38:16   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (19mA) 04:38:19 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 22:59:35 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (36.20 GB) is less than 50 GB 23:18:40 Yellow Alert Dome Discrepency Difference between Dome Az and Telescope Az is > 8 deg (UGC 5695) 23:35:46 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (36.85 GB) is less than 50 GB 02:39:30 Yellow Alert Dome Dome position has been static for more than 5 mins 04:35:09 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (37.02 GB) is less than 50 GB 04:38:17 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (19mA)

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Operational Issues (2025-03-23, S1305)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• Anomalies with dome connection shortly after starting session (23:03).   Session commenced at 22:56 under Autostart Control, and the Dome was opened at 23:01 and the Initial Near Zenith Focusing on Focus Field 11 was successfully completed however there dome was reported to have not moved from its Park Position at Az 90, and as indicated by ObsPics. Dome was still showing as Parked on DeviceHub's Dome Tab.    It is unclear if the dome did or did not physical move during this slew, but it is clear from the Focusing Operation that the Telescope View wasn't obscured by the dome roof  (suggesting but not proving that the shutter aperature was in the correct position.  (Pulsar Dome Log to be examined).  Target 1/16 (UGC 5695 w/SN2025cfc) was started and again a dome Az discrepency was reported with the Dome still lying at Park Position (Az 90.0).   Locate images were devoid of stars suggesting the telescope view was obscured.  User intervention made using backdoor facilities to Restart Dome and subsequently to Recover Dome.  DeviceHub was used to command an azimuthal slew to Az 200 (but there wasn't any confirmation to indicate this was successfully made. A ObsPic from 23:24:44 shows the Dome at Az 137deg, and later after the second Dome Restart, the Dome was indicated to be lying at Az 200 on ObsPic at 23:26:16.  Dome was still showing with a red traffic light indicator following RecoverDome operation and it was decided to close Observatory Services , and then restart AstroMain & restart the session.  Upon restarting the session and reperforming AutoStart the Dome behaviour was normal. Resolved in-session by user.  Issue is ranked high as it may have caused multiple failed targets if operating fully autonomously without user monitoring & intervention. Review suggests there Pulsar Dome was operating correctly, and that there issue seems to be that either AstroMain didn't send a Dome.Slaving=True message to DeviceHub (although SlavingOn - Green in ObsPic) or it did but DeviceHub didn't perform the necessary slaving calculation.  Timeline (see FIg 1) shows AstroMain did turnon Dome Slaving at the time of the Initial Telescope Slew to Focus Field 11 but DeviceHub didn't perform Dome Slaving and/or didn't command Dome to Slew.  User Intervention was successful but RecoverDome was required and AstroMain restart was required.  What should AstroMain ObsOverseer/ObsManager done to correct the situation itself ?
  Resolved in-session by user 2025-03-23 (Dome, DeviceHub, AstroMain)

Minor Issues

• Disk space warnings are being raised on the Observatory Computer (22:59 - 04:35).  Yellow Disk Space' alerts have been during current and past few session.  The alert message "Free Space on C:\ Drive (37.02 GB) is less than 50 GB" was reported at the end of the S1305 session. Resolved by moving ASCOM Logs from 2024, to the external drive attached to the Observatory Computer, releasing 39.5 GB.  Data/folders not longer required were deleted releasing 40.6 GB
    Old ObsPics (2.0 GB)
    Old Target Database backups (7.7 GB).
    Old Virtual Greenhouse Charts (1.7 GB). 
    Old General Session Folders (28.6 GB)
    Old  SavedSession (Live) Folders (0.6 GB)
  As a result of actions the free space on Observatory Computer's C Drive is now 116 GB. (the Free Space on External E: Drive is now 127 GB)
  Fixed 2025-03-24 (AstroMain)

Small Defects

• Target 1/16 (UGC 5695 w/SN2025cfc) inappropriately recorded as Partially Completed. Target 1/16 (UGC 5695 w/SN2025cfc) was recorded as being partially completed (yellow) in the Observing Plan with the report message "Target finished   (0 / 5 frames completed)". The target was correctly not recorded in the Session Result. Target should have been recorded as Failed in the Observing Plan, as no images were acquired.
  To fix 2025-03-24+ (AstroMain)

Continuous Improvement

• Further extend AstroMove's 'Copy Aurora Files' facility to copy a selected time interval. AstroMove1.15  implemented a new feature on 2025-03-22 to copy relevant files from AllSky/Weather Computer across to the Development/Analysis Computer. However it copies entire folder contents when sometime it is only necessary to copy image files from a user-specified time range, perhaps only 1-3 hours long. This is particularly relevant for copying Tapo North Cam images as source folder contains 24 hours worth of data with a 15s cadence (i.e. some 5760 jpg images).  Also a text box to define new Folder Suffix (default = "Aurora") to allow a different folder to be used , e.g. "SpaceX Rocket".
  Done 2025-03-27 (AstroMove 1.15.2) 
   
• Review ObsOverseer/ObsManager's identification & response to Dome Slaving anomaly.   DeviceHub appears not to have performed dome slaving calculations after AstroMain turned on Dome Slaving upon initial telescope slew to Near Zenith Focus Field at the start of Session S1305 (see Major Issue above).  This ticket should review the actions of SlewMonitor, ObsOverseer & ObsManager in regard to self identification of a problem and the remedial actions it should have taken.
  To do 2025-03-24+ (AstroMain)

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