David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1311 (2025-04-06)

Notes (S1310)

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Notes (S1312)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (3),  Small Defects (6),  Continuous Improvement (7)
	Images from 2025-04-06 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-04-06)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
2. CompStar. Test new CompStar Acquistion in AstroMain 3.74.3, where telescope it alternately between a reference star field and target star field. Test will use 'T CrB at Max' target which will be needed for photometric work on T CrB if/when it goes novae.

 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 3.74.3 / 3.74.4,  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 1.52.4
  AstroWeather 1.27.5, AstroAllSky 3.23.1,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4 (not 1.11.5), AstroColorCam 1.2.2, AstroLaunch 1.12.1

Highlights

• Targets. 21/23 planned targets observations were completed with one target partially completed. One target failed as it was replaced by a ToO target.  In addition one ToO target (T CrB at Max) was completed and one ToO target (again T CrB at Max) was partially completed.
• CompStar. Newly redeveloped CompStar/Target Acquistion was tested in AstroMain 3.74.3, but had some issues which prevented full completion of T CrB at Max target. Fixes were quickly implemented in AstroMain 3.74.4  and installed onto the Observatory Computer and AstroMain was restarted.   The new version allowed the successful acquisition/completion of CompStar Images for 'T CrB at Max' during the second part of session.  Some small defects noted and will be implemented in next AstroMain version (3.74.5).
•   Dome. There was no issues opening/closing the shutter during the session. Dome closed and parked at end of session Ok.

Notes

• AstoMain updated to version 3.7.4 part way through S1311 session in order to resolve a CompStar Issue
• WinSCP updated to version 6.5 on Development Computer (2025-04-07)
  
  

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 20:35:24 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:00 & 04:09 20:35:26   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 21:00 21:00:03   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 21:19:45 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:19) 21:20:07   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 21:20:36   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 21:20:38 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2025-04-06 S01311, ImageSaveNum: 1311001) 21:20:43   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 21:22:30   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:22:47 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:22:49   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 21:22:51 Session Pending Session pending (2025-04-06) 21:22:53 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-04-06) 21:23:02   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 21:23:04   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.43) 21:23:25   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1095) 21:24:06   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:24:30 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 21:25:16   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 21:26:06 Session Running Session running 21:26:09   Queue Started Observing Queue started (22 targets selected) 21:26:11     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 9, HIP 44139) 21:26:25       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 21:30:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:33:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 21:35:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 21:35:59       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:37:49       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 21:39:28       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 21:39:45     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 9, HIP 44139) 21:39:49     Target Started (1/22) Target started (1/22, AT2025euu) 21:46:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:48:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 22:05:09     Target Completed Target completed (1/22, AT2025euu) 22:05:13     Target Started (2/22) Target started (2/22, UGC 3355 w/SN2025dbx) 22:08:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:11:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 22:27:24     Target Completed Target completed (2/22, UGC 3355 w/SN2025dbx) 22:27:28     Target Started (3/22) Target started (3/22, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 22:46:13     Target Completed Target completed (3/22, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 22:46:17     Target Started (4/22) Target started (4/22, AT2025gcz) 22:51:36       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 23:08:35     Target Completed Target completed (4/22, AT2025gcz) 23:08:39     Target Started (5/22) Target started (5/22, M84) 23:12:23       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:28:56     Target Completed Target completed (5/22, M84) 23:29:00     Target Started (6/22) Target started (6/22, NGC 3956) 23:33:08       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:35:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 23:52:29     Target Completed Target completed (6/22, NGC 3956) 23:52:33     Target Started (7/23) Target started (7/23, T CrB, ToO) 23:56:25       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 00:02:03     Target Started (8/23) Target started (8/23, UGCA 277) 00:16:21     Target Completed Target partially completed (8/23, UGCA 277) 00:16:26     Target Started (9/23) Target started (9/23, AT2025fdr) 00:20:05       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:22:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 00:38:45     Target Completed Target completed (9/23, AT2025fdr) 00:38:47   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 00:39:08   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 00:39:16 Session Closed Session closed by User 00:39:19 Program Closed Program closed by User 00:40:08 Program Opened Program Opened (AstroMain 3.74.4) 00:40:10 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2025-04-06 S01311, ImageSaveNum: 1311073) 00:40:14   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 00:40:51   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 00:41:00   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:41:15 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 00:41 & 04:09 00:41:17 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 00:41:41 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (00:41) 00:42:30   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:42:39 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 00:42:42 Session Pending Session pending (2025-04-06) 00:42:44 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-04-06) 00:42:53   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 00:43:01   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1095) 00:43:11   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 00:43:33 Session Running Session running 00:43:35   Queue Started Observing Queue started (14 targets selected) 00:43:42     Target Started (9/22) Target started (9/22, NGC 3521 w/AT2025gti) 00:44:58     Target Aborted (9/22) Target aborted (9/22, NGC 3521 w/AT2025gti) due to Priority 1 ToO Target 00:45:02     Target Started (10/23) Target started (10/23, T CrB, ToO) 01:02:19     Target Started (11/23) Target started (11/23, NGC 5068) 01:23:37     Target Completed Target completed (11/23, NGC 5068) 01:23:41     Target Started (12/23) Target started (12/23, T CrB) 01:27:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:29:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 01:34:41     Target Completed Target completed (12/23, T CrB) 01:34:45     Target Started (13/23) Target started (13/23, T CrB) 01:51:31     Target Started (14/23) Target started (14/23, AT2025fwg) 01:54:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:57:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 02:13:55     Target Completed Target completed (14/23, AT2025fwg) 02:13:59     Target Started (15/23) Target started (15/23, 2MFGC 13744 w/SN2024afyu) 02:17:36       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:20:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 02:36:45     Target Completed Target completed (15/23, 2MFGC 13744 w/SN2024afyu) 02:36:49     Target Started (16/23) Target started (16/23, NGC 6106 w/SN2024ahv) 02:40:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:42:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 02:59:04     Target Completed Target completed (16/23, NGC 6106 w/SN2024ahv) 02:59:08     Target Started (17/23) Target started (17/23, NGC 5957 w/SN2025fvw) 03:02:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:04:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 03:20:52     Target Completed Target completed (17/23, NGC 5957 w/SN2025fvw) 03:20:56     Target Started (18/23) Target started (18/23, UGC 10058 w/SN2025gvs) 03:24:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:27:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 03:43:41     Target Completed Target completed (18/23, UGC 10058 w/SN2025gvs) 03:43:45     Target Started (19/23) Target started (19/23, UGC 10913 w/AT2025hy) 03:47:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:49:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 04:05:45     Target Completed Target completed (19/23, UGC 10913 w/AT2025hy) 04:05:49     Target Started (20/23) Target started (20/23, Vega) 04:11:24     Target Completed Target completed (20/23, Vega) 04:11:28     Target Started (21/23) Target started (21/23, GCVS RR Lyr) 04:14:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:16:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 04:27:38     Target Completed Target completed (21/23, GCVS RR Lyr) 04:27:42     Target Started (22/23) Target started (22/23, Vega) 04:33:13     Target Completed Target completed (22/23, Vega) 04:33:17     Target Started (23/23) Target started (23/23, GCVS BL Lac) 04:36:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:38:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 04:42:58     Target Completed Target completed (23/23, GCVS BL Lac) 04:43:00   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 04:43:03 Session Closing Session closing 04:43:56   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 04:44:16   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 12s), Az: 90.0 deg 04:45:07   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 43s total) 04:45:31   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 04:45:53   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 04:47:18   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 04:47:21 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 04:48:03     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 04:48:50     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.3°) 04:48:56     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.3°) 04:48:58   Dome Parked Dome parked 04:51:01   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (21mA) 04:51:04 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 04:51:01 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (21mA)

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Operational Issues (2025-04-06, S1311)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (3)
• Small Defects (6)
• Continuous Improvement (7)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• CompStar type target was only partially completed (00:01). 'T CrB at Max' submitted as a ToO target was executed starting at 23:52 as Target 7/23. Only the first 2 observations were completed, the last 5 observations failed due to 'missed start'.  Investigating showed that first 2 observations unnecessarily setup and commenced guiding and then attempted to conduct Foc1 focussing. This used some of the time slot.  Fix implemented in AstroMain 3.74.4 whilst was installed onto the Observatory Computer part way through the session in order to test the corrected code.  The fix was successfully used during a further ToO execution of T CrB at Max at 00:45 (Target 10/23) and a planned execution of T CrB at Max at 01:34 (Target 13/23).
  Fixed in session 2025-04-06  (AstroMain 3.74.4)
   
• Unable to successfully start SAM_View (Logging mode) from AstroLaunch (01:35). Attempting to start SAM_View from AstroLaunch led to multiple error dialog windows,  indicating an 'access violation' with text in german (See Fig 1), which eventually all closed themselves without SAM_View starting. This was despite SAM_View (with log option) having been successfully started from AstroLaunch over the last 3 days. Problem was repeatable even after reinserting USB Cable coming from the SAM III unit, and after moving data files from the previous day which had some rows in non sequential order due to a UT/LT recording discrepency. Problem was resolved by starting SAM_View without the log option, and then opening SAM_View with log option using a ShortCut, rather than AstroLaunch. Issue to be monitored, repeating the launch from AstroLaunch.
  Resolved 2025-04-07  (Development Computer, SAM View)
   
• SAM_View gave an 'EscapeCommFunction' error dialog upon closing and then gave multiple error dialogs in German upon reopening(2025-04-07 17:46).  In order to see if last night's problem with multiple error dialogs in German could be replicated today, SAM_View was closed. On doing so an 'EscapeCommFunction' error dialog appeared (see Fig 2). After attempting to restart using SAM_View (log mode) shortcut, or trying SAM_View (basic) and then SAM_view (log mode), multiple error dialogs appeared as per the issue last night (see  Fig 1 and the above ticket).  This shows that launching SAM_view (log mode) via AstroLaunch's button is not  specifically responsible. In the 30 minutesbefore closing SAM_View there were around 4 windows dialogs saying that a USB device had failed.  Examining the sam_data log file showed that there are only 4 lines logged between 16:58 and 17:46 suggesting some problem with the COM Port or USB adapter connection was at fault. USB cable was disconnected and reconnected which solved the problem and allowed SAM_View (log mode) to restart normally.
  Resolved 2025-04-07  (Development Computer, SAM View, ComPort 4)

Small Defects

• New CompStar routines aren't always inserting a blank line before reporting CompStar Observation as subtitle (type target was only partially completed (00:01). 'Examining code show that blank line was inserted into Report file for CompStar (odd) observations but not inserting a blank line for Target (even) observations. me of the time slot.  Fix implemenetd in AstroMain 3.74.4 and installed onto the Observatory Computer part way through the session.
  Fixed 2025-04-06  (AstroMain 3.74.4)
   
• CompStar routines didn't post result details to Observing Plan & Session Results (01:34+) . Although the Target 13/23 (T CrB at Max) was started and appeared to be successful complete the specified number of Object Observations (7),  a 'Target 13/23 Completed' result did appear to be posted on Observing Plan and Observing Results charts.  Investigating showed that the Observing Plan table was being updated with the result due to obmission of the necessary code line in the recently re-developed ExecuteCompStar () routine.  Investigating showed that the result was been inserted into the Observing Result (Session) table, but wasn't being immediately shown in the Observing Result chart due to an obmission of the necessary code line to flag the need to generate an updated chart by AstroPlan.  Log file doesn't show the expected line 'Update PlanObservationStateInfo | Recording ObservationStatus ('Completed'). Fixes implemented in AstroMain 3.74.5
  Fixed 2025-04-07 (AstroMain 3.74.5)
  
• CompStar routines are not centering the destination object for 2nd and subsequent observations (00:48). Brightest Star centering is being performed ok of the first Observation object (CompStar), but is not being performed for second (TargetStar) and subsequent observations (mixed CompStar/TargetStar). Report File shows the message "Target has already been centered"  following the second & subsequent slews at the points where centering is expected to occur.  Fix implemented in AstroMain 3.74.5, the  bTargetIsCentered is reset to False after each observation.
  Fixed 2025-04-07 (AstroMain 3.74.5)
   
• A blank line and a line should be reported when starting 'Copy Reduced Images' and 'Analyse Reduced Folder' (post-session). Operations conducted via buttons on AstroMain's Reduced tab should generate reporting space/line when starting new operations. 
  Fixed 2025-04-07 (AstroMain 3.74.5)
   
• A Version Number field on AstroMag's Main Form isn't display the program's version number.  This is an obmission in the initial 1.0 /1.1 versions of this new application. Fixed in AstroMag 1.2.
  Fixed 2025-04-07 (AstroMag 1.2)
   
• Tapo NorthCam images are noticed to show a number of artefact light lines on left hand side of image.  Tapo NorthCam images are sometimes noted to contain a number of artefact lines of light on the left hand side of the image (see Fig 3). The artefacts tend to start near the top left of the Tapo images and progressively move lower with time.  Eventually the artefacts give way to the appearance of the Moon as a saturated area, as the it moves northwards in the western & northwestern sky. There is little than can be done to really stop or suppress these light axis given the nature of the camera and the movements of the Moon.  In theory it might been possible to add a mini-light shield but obviously this can of such a size that it  reduce the camera's field of view nor create artefacts of its own. Closed after review - no action at present.
  Closed after review 2025-04-07 (Tapo NorthCam)

Continuous Improvement

• Ensure Jpg pictures for CompStar type targets have appropriate titles.  All the JPG pictures associated with the CompStar type target  'T CrB at Max',  have title like "T CrB", even though the CompStar observations don't have 'T CrB in the FOV, but have the CompStar (Comparison Star) instead.  In order for all JPG pictures for a CompStar Type target to be associated with the principal Target and plotted together on the Pictures/Local Files html page,  LocateInfo.TargetDisplayName needs to be used for naming the JPG file.    'TargetName' that is used for title of the picture but TargetName is also derived from LocateInfo.TargetDisplayName.  LocateInfo extended to include AltTargetNameForJpg, and used to
  Done  2025-04-07  (AstroMain)
   
• Automatically perform a refresh on AstroMove's Aurora Files tab when 'Last Night' button is used. 
  Done 2025-04-07  (AstroMove 1.15.5) 
   
• The name of the Slew Destination should be reported to TargetInfo Chart when acquiring CompStar Type Targets. ChartInfo charts contains lines like "Slew To Target:  Slewed"  or "Slew To Target: Failed".   For CompStar type targets where the slew destination for a particular observation may be either the TargetStar or the CompStar the name of the specific destination should be given when writing "Slew To Target:" results.  Implemented in AstroMain 3.74.5.
  Done 2025-04-07  (AstroMain 3.74.5)
   
• Query. Are Cam2 Reference images necessary for each CompStart Observation or just the first two Observation ? (one for CompStar and one for Target Star.  For time being AstroMain will be allowed to continue with current logic which is to take a Cam2 reference after completing centering on each observation made.
  Closed  2025-04-07  (AstroMain)
   
• Add traffic lights to AstroMag to indicate the 'running' status of the SamMonitor an TempMonitor threads. Implemented in AstroMag 1.2.
  Fixed 2025-04-07 (AstroMag 1.2)
   
• Clear Magnetometer fields when AstroMag's SamMonitor is closed.  Implemented in AstroMag 1.2.
  Fixed 2025-04-07 (AstroMag 1.2)
   
• Create a workflow to perform photometry on T CrB at Max using Comparison Star HIP 80816 taken from interlaced but separate star field exposures. If/when T CrB goes Nova the currently used reference star & check star from the same field / same FIT file will be too dim to be useful, due to need to significantly reduce the exposure time to keep T CrB from saturating the CCD chip. When this happens the CompStare method will need to be used where images of T CrB are interlaced with images taken of an offset field containing a similarly bright star that can act as a reference star.  The CompStar acquistion routines have redeveloped, and is capable of delivering the required datasets. A work flow now needs to be developed to automate as far as possible the photometry process, involving stars from two different star fields.
  To investigate & implement  2025-04-07  (AstroMain) 

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