David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1320 (2025-05-05)

Notes (S1319)

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Notes (S1321)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (1),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (3)
	Images from 2025-05-05  >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-05-05)

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 3.74.8,  AstroPlan 1.43.4,  AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.6   (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroMag 1.3.14, AstroVOE 1.15.1,  AstroSN 1.14,  AstroProtect 1.10.6,  AstroMove 1.15.11
  AstroWeather 1.27.8, AstroAllSky 3.23.5,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4 (not 1.11.5), AstroColorCam 1.2.13, AstroLaunch 1.13

Highlights

• Targets. 12/15 planned target observations were completed with 2 targets partially completed. One additional ToO target (NGC 5957 w/ SN2025fvw) was also successfully completed.
•   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 22:33:42 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 22:33 & 02:38 22:33:45   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 22:52:12 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (22:52) 22:52:33   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 22:53:01   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 22:53:03 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2025-05-05 S01320, ImageSaveNum: 1320001) 22:53:08   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 22:54:54   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:55:03 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:55:05   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 22:55:08 Session Pending Session pending (2025-05-05) 22:55:10 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-05-05) 22:55:20   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 22:55:22   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.43.4) 22:55:57   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1104) 22:56:44   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 22:57:07 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 22:57:53   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 22:58:23 Session Running Session running 22:58:26   Queue Started Observing Queue started (15 targets selected) 22:58:37     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 13, HIP 63666) 22:58:52       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 23:03:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:06:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 23:09:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 23:10:03       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 23:12:23       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 23:14:18       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 23:14:38     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 13, HIP 63666) 23:14:43     Target Started (1/15) Target started (1/15, GCVS AM Her) 23:19:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:22:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 23:27:43     Target Completed Target partially completed (1/15, GCVS AM Her) 23:27:47     Target Started (2/16) Target started (2/16, NGC 5957 w/SN2025fvw, ToO) 23:32:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:35:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 23:52:16     Target Completed Target completed (2/16, NGC 5957 w/SN2025fvw, ToO) 23:52:18     Target Missed (3/16) Target's time slot was missed (3/16, AT2023apa (CV)) 23:52:21     Target Started (4/16) Target started (4/16, ARK 479 w/SN2024agly) 00:00:04     Target Completed Target partially completed (4/16, ARK 479 w/SN2024agly) 00:00:09     Target Started (5/16) Target started (5/16, UGC 10058 w/SN2025gvs) 00:04:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:07:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 00:23:55     Target Completed Target completed (5/16, UGC 10058 w/SN2025gvs) 00:23:59     Target Started (6/16) Target started (6/16, T CrB) 00:33:37     Target Completed Target completed (6/16, T CrB) 00:33:41     Target Started (7/16) Target started (7/16, AT2025img (CV)) 00:44:40     Target Completed Target completed (7/16, AT2025img (CV)) 00:44:44     Target Started (8/16) Target started (8/16, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 00:48:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:51:30       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 01:07:17     Target Completed Target completed (8/16, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 01:07:21     Target Started (9/16) Target started (9/16, M31 w/Nova M31 2025-04c?) 01:28:11     Target Completed Target completed (9/16, M31 w/Nova M31 2025-04c?) 01:28:15     Target Started (10/16) Target started (10/16, M31 w/Nova M31 2025-04a?) 01:32:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:35:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 01:51:49     Target Completed Target completed (10/16, M31 w/Nova M31 2025-04a?) 01:51:53     Target Started (11/16) Target started (11/16, M31 w/Nova M31 2025-04d?) 01:55:09       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:12:29     Target Completed Target completed (11/16, M31 w/Nova M31 2025-04d?) 02:12:33     Target Started (12/16) Target started (12/16, GCVS BL Lac) 02:15:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:18:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 02:22:11     Target Completed Target completed (12/16, GCVS BL Lac) 02:22:15     Target Started (13/16) Target started (13/16, GCVS HH And) 02:25:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:28:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 02:31:12     Target Completed Target completed (13/16, GCVS HH And) 02:31:16     Target Started (14/16) Target started (14/16, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS)) 02:35:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:37:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 02:46:33     Target Completed Target completed (14/16, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS)) 02:46:37     Target Started (15/16) Target started (15/16, 104P/Kowal) 03:00:50     Target Completed Target completed (15/16, 104P/Kowal) 03:00:58     Target Started (16/16) Target started (16/16, AT2023jtw) 03:25:38     Target Completed Target completed (16/16, AT2023jtw) 03:25:41   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 03:25:44 Session Closing Session closing 03:26:36   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 03:27:22   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 35s), Az: 90.0 deg 03:27:59   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 32s total) 03:28:23   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 03:28:46   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 03:30:08   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 03:30:11 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 03:30:39     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 03:31:26     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.2°) 03:31:32     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.2°) 03:31:34   Dome Parked Dome parked 03:31:51   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (9mA) 03:31:53 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 03:31:51 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (9mA)

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Operational Issues (2025-05-05, S1320)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Small Defects (1)
• Minor Issues (1)
• Continuous Improvement (3)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• AstroMag's SamMonitor exited with "Process 'not found" exception (2025-05-06).  AstroMag's SAM Monitor had been running continuously since 2025-05-06 12:13 LT (11:13 UT), when it handled an exception at 2025-05-06 17:36:43 (16:36:43) with the exception message "Process '7500' was not found" and proceeded to exit the SamMonitor. This occurred shortly after SAM_View encountered a fatal exception and lead to AstroMag attempting to kill the SAM_View Process at 17:36:38, Purge Files and then restart SAM_View.  However the kill process appears to have failed as an exception was reported "Exception whilst killing SAM_View_v2-8 in KillProcess()" with message "Access is denied".  It is unclear why the kill process failed, but it would seem that it triggered the '7500' exception.  Issue reviewed with decision to monitor for future attempts to kill the SAM_View process.  Same issue happened 2025-05-08 at around 18:42 LT (17:42 UT) except that the exception message was "Process '15440' was not found"  The 'Choose Just-In-Time Debugger' dialog that appears when Sam_View encounters has unhandled exception is associated with a process with the name "vsjitdebugger.exe". Prehaps this vsjitdebugger process needs to be killed, as it doesn't raise the "Access Is Denied' exception and killing it automatically causes the Sam_View to exit due to its unhandled exception status. Fix attempted in AstroMag 1.4.1 using KillProcess("vsjitdebugger").
    Fixed 2025-05-08 (AstroMag 1.4.1)

Small Defects

• Not all 'Bad' Sam Records are getting counted/referenced in the associated field on AstroMag's Main tab (2025-05-05).  AstroMag's SAM Monitor has been running continuously since 2025-05-03 12:46:53 LT, and according to logfile has encountered 6 bad records with the most recent one at 2025-05-05 18:50:29, however the counter on the Main tab shows only 1 bad record which had occurred at 2025-05-04 04:12:33' .  Examination of code revealed source of bug the BadSamRecords counter / form update was only happening upon a parse exception and not on a parse failure.   Fixed in AstroMag 1.3.15. 
    Fixed 2025-05-06 (AstroMag 1.3.15)

Continuous Improvement

• Save Magnetometer Charts to a DateStamped Session Folder. Currently in AstroMag (v 1.3.16) magnetometer charts are copied to the 'Live'  folder where they are uploaded to the Observatory Website, but are overwritten on a rolling basis.  Whilst Charts can be retrospectively created for a given time interval. it would be most useful if charts were saved to a date stamped session folder for later use.  It is most appropriate if datestamped session folder and file names used the NightDate used for Observing Session which has a 09:00 LT cutoff   Implemented in AstroMag 1.4. 
    Done 2025-05-07 (AstroMag 1.4.0)
   
• Modify AstroMove to be able to copy magnetometer charts to Observing Session and Aurora Session folders on Development/Analysis Computer. AstroMag 1.4 has been updated to save magnetometer Charts to a Date Stamped Magnetometer Session Folder (like "\\LAPTOP9\Data\Magnetometer\Sessions\2025-05-07". AstroMove's 'From Observatory' tab should be updated to include a 'Magnetometer Charts' checkbox and 'Copy Files from Observatory' routine updated to copy charts to a 'Magnetometer Charts' folder in the specified session folder.
  Similarly  a Magnetometer Charts checkbox should be added to the 'Aurora Files' tab and the 'Copy Files From Observatory' routine updated to copy magnetometer charts to a Magnetometer Charts folder in the Aurora Session.   Implemented in AstroMove 1.15.12.
    Done 2025-05-06 (AstroMove 1.15.12)
   
• Modify AstroMain's 'Build Local JPG Page' facility to incorporate Magnetometer Charts.  AstroMove 1.15.12 has been updated to copy Magnetometer charts from Observatory to the Session Folder on the Development/Analysis Computer.  The BuildLocalFilesPage() routine should modified to incorporate the Magnetometer Charts into the session's Local Files Page.
    To Do 2025-05-09+ (AstroMMain 3.74.9+)

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