David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1323 (2025-05-09)

Notes (S1322)

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Notes (S1323)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (3),  Small Defects (3),  Continuous Improvement (2)
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Session Aims & Highlights (2025-05-09)

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 3.74.10,  AstroPlan 1.43.6,  AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.6   (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroMag 1.4.3, AstroVOE 1.15.1,  AstroSN 1.14,  AstroProtect 1.10.6,  AstroMove 1.15.12
  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. 8/13 planned target observations were completed with 3 targets partially completed.  Two targets failed due to cloud.
• CCD Camera. There were multiple issues with the CCDCamera freezing and images failing, with Red Alerts being raised at 01:31, 01:34, 02:34, 02:58, 02:59. Issues were autiomatically resolved, but time was lost each time whilst RestartCCDSoft operations were carried out..
•   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 22:03:10 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 22:33 & 02:23 22:03:15   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 22:33 22:33:58   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 23:10:41 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (23:10) 23:11:02   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 23:11:30   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 23:11:32 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2025-05-09 S01323, ImageSaveNum: 1323001) 23:11:37   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 23:13:23   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:13:33 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 23:13:35   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 23:13:37 Session Pending Session pending (2025-05-09) 23:13:39 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-05-09) 23:13:49   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 23:13:51   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.43.6) 23:15:16   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1107) 23:15:57   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 23:16:22 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 23:17:07   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 46s, Zigbee 40s) 23:17:10 Session Running Session running 23:17:13   Queue Started Observing Queue started (13 targets selected) 23:17:15     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 13, HIP 63666) 23:17:28       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 23:21:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:24:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 23:26:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 23:26:36       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 23:28:52       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 23:30:45       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 23:31:04     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 13, HIP 63666) 23:31:09     Target Started (1/13) Target started (1/13, NGC 2407 w/SN2025gmc) 23:38:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:41:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 23:57:33     Target Completed Target completed (1/13, NGC 2407 w/SN2025gmc) 23:57:38     Target Started (2/13) Target started (2/13, Vega) 00:04:23     Target Completed Target completed (2/13, Vega) 00:04:27     Target Started (3/13) Target started (3/13, UGC 12131 w/SN2025jyl) 00:24:03     Target Completed Target completed (3/13, UGC 12131 w/SN2025jyl) 00:24:07     Target Started (4/13) Target started (4/13, GCVS BL Lac) 00:27:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:30:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 00:34:15     Target Completed Target completed (4/13, GCVS BL Lac) 00:34:19     Target Started (5/13) Target started (5/13, AT2025kej) 00:37:16   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 00:37:18   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 00:37:20     Target Aborted (5/13) Target aborted (5/13, AT2025kej) due to cloud 00:37:22   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:37:24 Session Suspending Session suspending 00:38:11   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 00:38:14 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:45:59     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (5/13, AT2025kej) due to cloud 00:57:55     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (6/13, T CrB) due to cloud 01:14:09 Session Resuming Session resuming 01:14:54   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 01:14:57 Session Running Session running 01:14:59   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 01:15:01     Target Started (7/13) Target started (7/13, NGC 2744 w/SN2025oq) 01:23:21     Target Completed Target partially completed (7/13, NGC 2744 w/SN2025oq) 01:23:25     Target Started (8/13) Target started (8/13, GCVS RR Leo) 01:27:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:30:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 01:31:13   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 01:31 in section 'GetCameraProperties / Status' 01:31:35   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 01:31:47   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 01:31:54   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 01:32:48   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 01:32:51   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 01:34:05   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 01:34:09   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix locked thread) 01:34:16   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 01:35:10   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 01:35:12   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 01:37:55     Target Completed Target partially completed (8/13, GCVS RR Leo) 01:37:59     Target Started (9/13) Target started (9/13, AT2023ylu (CV)) 01:47:47       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 01:48:38     Target Completed Target completed (9/13, AT2023ylu (CV)) 01:48:43     Target Started (10/13) Target started (10/13, ZTF24aaomlxy) 01:54:43       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 01:55:13       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 02:09:33     Target Completed Target completed (10/13, ZTF24aaomlxy) 02:09:37     Target Started (11/13) Target started (11/13, AT2022tvf) 02:13:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:15:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 02:32:43     Target Completed Target completed (11/13, AT2022tvf) 02:32:47     Target Started (12/13) Target started (12/13, AT2023tpj (CV)) 02:34:52   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 02:43:29   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix locked thread) 02:43:37   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 02:44:30   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 02:44:34   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 02:53:49     Target Completed Target partially completed (12/13, AT2023tpj (CV)) 02:53:53     Target Started (13/13) Target started (13/13, AT2025fbd) 02:57:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:58:20   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 02:58:23   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 02:58:55   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 02:58:58   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 02:59:29   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 02:59:31       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 02:59:40   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix locked thread) 02:59:47   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 03:00:41   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 03:00:44   SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 03:16:42     Target Completed Target completed (13/13, AT2025fbd) 03:16:44   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 03:16:46 Session Closing Session closing 03:17:42   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 03:18:09   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 20s), Az: 90.0 deg 03:18:50   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 37s total) 03:19:13   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 03:19:35   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 03:20:59   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 03:21:02 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 03:21:14     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 03:21:59     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 89.9°) 03:22:05     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: +0.1°) 03:22:07   Dome Parked Dome parked 03:22:12   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (19mA) 03:22:14 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 01:31:35 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 01:31:45 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 01:31:13) in section 'GetCameraProperties / Status' 01:32:49 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 01:34:05 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 01:35:12 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 02:34:52 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 02:44:34 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 02:58:20 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 02:58:23 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 02:58:55 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 02:58:58 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 02:59:29 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 03:00:44 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image command accepted (bSbigDriverException flag is reset) 03:22:12 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (19mA)

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Operational Issues (2025-05-09, S1323)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (3)
• Small Defects (3)
• Continuous Improvement (2)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• CCD Temperature and Cooling Power stopped being available within parts of AstroMain (01:32).  There was a repeat of the issue that occurred in the last session (S1322, 2025-05-08) and the details will not be repeated here.  Tracing was added to AstroMain 3.74.10 to log the values of bRestartingCCDSoft and gCameraConnected after leaving the RestartCCDSoft() routine, and also added to TakeImageAsync to log status of various utilised flags after an Image has been successfull obtained and  iCameraOk = 0.  Logs from the new S1323 session to be reviewed to gain more insight into the cause of the issue.
   To investigate & fix 2025-05-10 (Session, AstroMain 3.74.11+)
   
• Several Images were taken with CCD Camera not at its Temperature Set Point.  Temperature setpoint for the session's ambinet condition was -15°C but due to several Camera restarts the Tempearture regulation was lost (allowing CCD to warm) and then cool down again when Temperation Regulation was restarted.  Normally AstroMain's job executor would wait until the CCD Tempearture had restabilised at the set point, but due to the issue at 01:30 onwards, the part of the AstroMain program to check CCD Temperature and organise a wait loop, didn't have access to the CCD Temperature.  This result in some images being taken with varuous tempeartures between -5 and -14°C.  Issue is a side-impact of the above issue, and will be resolved with the above issue is fixed.
   Waiting on wider fix  2025-05-10 (Session, AstroMain 3.74.11+)
   
• Foc1 Focusing failed due to Camera Issue and wasn't immediately resolved (02:57).  Whilst acquiring a focus profile for Target 13/13 (name), Focus Frame xx/xx to xx/xx failed due image failures between xx and x, and the focusing task failed with the message "Star has been lost. Aborting Profile", and the focuser was set to restore to its previous position.  The issue wasn't immediately resolved with a RestartCCDSoft operation and it led to the first main image failing which finally led to a RestartCCDSoft operation. A similar issue occurred during the ast session (S1322, 2025-05-08, see details).
   To fix 2025-05-10 (Session, AstroMain 3.74.11+)

Small Defects

• AstroMain's Job Executor allowing Locate Frame Exposure to be increased in situation where Locate Frame fails (xx:xx).  When there is a CCDCamera Issue / Image Failure and CCDSoft+Camera are restarted there is no image to link and assess. The Centering routine takes the Image Failure as a ImageLink failure and elects to increase the Exposure Time for the next locate frame. This is inappropriate as there is no information to justify taking a longer exposure, and wastes observing time (already reduced by the image failure/CCDSoft restart).  .
   To fix 2025-05-09 (AstroMain 3.74.11)
   
• Job Executor is continuing with next image when RestartCCDSoft is running (xx:xx).  When a Image fails due to CCDCamera issue and RestartCCDSoft is initiated, the Job executor is continuing with the next image which can often fail because the CCDSoft & Camera aren't yet ready (due to the RestartCCDSoft operation in progress), and results in a further RestartCCDSoft cycle. The job executor should go into a wait loop until the first RestartCCDSoft operation is completed.  
   To fix 2025-05-09 (AstroMain 3.74.11)
   
• Job Executor is continuing with next image when RestartCCDSoft is running (01:30).  During Target x/x (GCVS RR Leo) there are multiple lines reporting exception in 'CCDCamera.GetProperty IsExposureComplete' with the message "Error: Undescribed error. Error code = 1044 (414)."   Between 01:30:35 and 01:31:13 there were 130 exceptions reported.  The large number of lines logging the exception is such a short period is unnecessary, and lengthens the logfile unnecessarily.  Similarly during Target 13/13 (AT2025fbd) there were multiple exceptions in CCDCamera.GetProperty IsExposureComplete' with the message "Error: SBIG driver: Operating system error. Error code = 1032 (0x408)".
  There should be a filter in the relevant Try.Catch.End Try block to only show the first error of a kind within a 30s interval.   
   To fix 2025-05-09 (AstroMain 3.74.11)

Continuous Improvement

• Create a chart that tracks the downhole temperature across an entire year.  It would be expected that the downhole temperature, positioned at around 1.0m depth will show a sinusoidal shape.  Having a process to automatically collect the average temperature in each 12h period and plot it on a chart will be used to determine if this is actually the case. This new feature is probably best handled by having a data-file that stores the average temperature in each hour period (8760 points per annum)  or each 3 hour period (2920 points per annum) and to have a chart with a graph width of  730 pixels (2 x 365).   Ideally the chart could also show average daily outdoor ambient temperature line or daily minimum and daily maximum lines.
   To do 2025-05-09 (AstroMag 1.4.4+)
   
• RestartCCDSoft routine shouldn't put an end line when the Job Executor it is in the middle of conducting a Target.  The finished htm report file shows a solid line break & Back to Top link at end of Restart CCDSoft section which seems unnatural. The automatic end line should be disabled in this situation.
   To do 2025-05-09 (AstroMain 3.74.11)

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