David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 607 (2017-12-13)

Notes (S606)

Notes Main

Home Page

Notes (S608)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (1),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (4),  Small Defects (0),  Continuous Improvement (0)
	Communication Ports
	Images from 2017-12-13 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (S607)

Main Aims

1. CCDApp2. Conduct a live test of VS2017 version of CCDapp2 Observatory Control Program
2. Targets. Acquire images from a selection of deep sky objects.
3. Dual Camera Ops. Continue testing of dual camera operations using both PHD2 and SharpCap 3.0, including updated routines for autoguiding communications and a new routine for taking & plate solving a SharpCap image.
   

Equipment & Software

•  12" LX200 and ST-10XME for imaging
•  TS 80mm APO & ZWO ASI178MC for guiding
   
•  CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft 5, Poth Hub, PHD2, SharpCap 3.0,  SharpCap Server

Highlights

• CCDApp2. The VS2017 version of CCDApp2 again worked perfectly during the session (or at least didn't hang or crash at any point).  This is a key milestone as it enables me to freeze any further development on the VS2010 version and to entirely move over resources over to the VS2017 version with it's cleaner code (keeping both versions in parallel development was becoming too labour intensive).
• Targets. Images acquired for a number of deep sky targets.

Back to Top

Operational Issues (2017-12-13, S607)

• Critical Issues (1)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (4)
• Small Defects (0)
• Continuous Improvement (0)

[ Prev | Next ]

Critical Issues

• Unable to Open Roof-Off Roof.  Despite prior removal of snow/ice from roll-roof rails and from end wall flap an attempted session three nights earlier failed as it was impossible to open the observatory roof despite several attempts.   Snow, which hadn't been cleared from the observatory roof beforehand, made the roof too heavy to easily move.  This was compounded by the ongoing warping and consequential spreading of the observatory's roof that moves wheel tracks to positions beyond the shed walls, together with bits of snow/slush on the observatory floor (brought into on the soles of my boots) which made it impossible to get sufficient purchase to either push or pull the roof open.  It later turned out that the principle problem was that 3 castor wheels had totally seized up and weren't rotating whilst trying to open/close the roof.   A Dome Observatory is being seriously considered for 2018 to solve the ongoing roof opening problem.  Resolved in-session with much effort. .  Eventually fully resolved in Mar - May 2018 when the new  Dome Observatory was erected to replace the old Roll-Off Roof Observatory.
  Resolved May 2018 (Dome Observatory)

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Guidescope Images were initially too far out of focus to see any stars.  Quite a bit of time was taken up trying to find focus (knowing which way to turn the focus knob would have been a good start). Manipulating the focus knob in -5deg C conditions whilst tying to see laptop screen containing an image which is initially devoid of any stars is difficult. This was due to the Focus position on TS 80mm APO scope being altered for solar observing in the previous session.  Having some means of marking or recording the focus position of each imaging setup would be helpful.  A Dome Observatory in which the guidescope can be left attached to the LX200 between sessions would help faster setup.  Issue Resolved in 2018 when a computer controlled stepper focuser was fitted to the GuideScope that allows remote and automated operation.
  Resolved in 2018  (Secondary Scope, Motor Focus)
   
• Interface/Server Script wouldn't start up in SharpCap. This is a script that allows my CCDApp2 control software to communicate and control SharpCap imaging.  Turning on Python Console showed that during start-up of the script it was having difficulty getting access to Port 4000.  The apparent cause of the problem is that Aurora Cloud Software which had been opened first also uses Port 4000 and this prevented the Server Script from working. This was the first time the two bits of software had been tested at the same time.  Problem should have been foreseen but wasn't.  It will be fixed as a priority before the next session.
  Fixed (CCDApp2/AstroMain)
   
• Connection to Optec TCF Focuser became lost. This occured just over 5 hours into the session when focuser position and tube temperature data were lost. (This problem only became evident post-session when Monitor log file was reviewed) . Intermittent problem eventually fixed by updating software/drivers and by connecting to the TCF-S focuser using ASCOM connection rather via CCDSoft5.
  Fixed (TCF-S Focuser, ASCOM, CCDApp2/AstroMain)
  
• Wind (2017-12-14).  After clearing snow from roof, a planned observatory session was cancelled the following night as there was just too much wind. This was a shame as sky conditions were clear the whole evening/night.   The 12" LX200 in the Roll-Off Roof Observatory design that I have had since (2009) is very senstive to the wind conditions. Slightly too much wind produces poor imaging. This is one of the main limiting factors for using the current observatory. A Dome Observatory is being seriously considered for 2018 to solve this major observing limitation.
  Resolved May 2018 (Dome Observatory)

Small Defects

• None

Continuous Improvement

• None

[ Prev | Next ]

Back to Top

Communication Ports

Back to Top