David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 631  (2018-10-02)

Notes (S630)

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Notes (S632)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (2),  Minor Issues (3),  Continuous Improvement (1)
	Fully Automated Operation
	Autofocussing
	Images from 2018-10-02  >>
	New Dome Clamps (2018-10-03)

Session Aims & Highlights (2018-10-02)

Main aims

1. Targets. Acquire images for a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets and deep sky targets
2. Schedulling. Test impact/benefits of revised overhead times for defining the scheduled durations for target observations  (as used by the schedule builder)
3. Automated Operations. Test automated operations under variable sky conditions
4. Stability. Continue checking stability of the Observatory System (hardware & software) 

Equipment & Software

•  12" LX200 and ST-10XME
•  80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
•  CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, PHD2,  POTH Hub

Highlights

• Image Data.  Images for a further 18 Targets were successfully acquired
• Scheduled Target Durations.  Increased overhead times (based on data from previous sessions) enabled a greater number of target observations to be fully completed rather than only partially completed. The job queue executor doesn't have the same need to interevene to cancel frames in order to keep the schedule on track.
• Observatory Manager / Weather . Observatory Manager performed well,  delaying  the start due to wind conditions, temporarily suspending the session due to cloud, and later closing the observatory due to forecast rain from radar and keeping it closed as a actual rain shower came through.
  
• Stability. Observatory Systems & Control Program reasonably stable throughout the session.
• CCDApp2.  There were no incidents of CCDApp2 Program freezing (was this because it wasn't being run as with VS2017 Debugging ?)

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Result (2018-10-02, S631) Session started ~23:00, Session on auto from 23:05, Job queue started at 23:10, Hardware interruptions at 00:22 (15 mins downtime), 02:40 (12 mins downtime), Focussing run at 02:59 (5 mins). Session suspended at 04:10 (10 mins) and 04:37 (10 mins) due to critical cloud. Job queue ended a 05:25. Session finished at 05:27 ( observatory closed/parked)

(Observation Status :  Green=Completed, Yellow= Partially Completed, Red= Failed)

Night Sky Summary Plot - 2018-10-02 Top axis: Sky Brightness at Zenith (in ADU/s) Lefthand axis: Local Time (hh LT). Righthand axis: Sun Altitude (degs)

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Operational Issues (2018-10-02, S631)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (2)
• Minor issues (3)
• Continuous Improvement (1)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• Unable to aqcuire/maintain lock on guidestar due to out of focus images.    PHD2 initially had an initial issue achieving a reliable star lock on a guide star due to it being too far out of focus (FWHM ~ 15" )  and an extra (unplanned) visit to the observatory was made in order to focus the guidescope ( TS 80mm APO ). This was done on the fly whilst the main scope was busy imaging a target (Hickson xx) with no impact on the observing schedule . After focusing the guidescope (to FWHM ~ 3 or 4") PHD2 was able to reliably autoselect and maintain a lock on suitable guidestars.
  Reason:  Temperature difference between current session (6 deg C) and last session (x deg C) meant the scope was initially out of focus.
  Issue Resolved (Installed a computer controlled stepper focuser onto the TS 80mm guidescope and Foc2 Focusing including Wide Search Mode)
  Resolved
   

• Lost Connection to TCF-S focuser.   Connectivity to the focuser is critical to observatory operations as it is need to adjust focusing when using different filters and to adjust the focuser as temperature gradually changes. Whilst executing the job queue connection to TCF-S focuser was suddenly  lost for some unknown reason. This was initially evident from the Focuser readings of 0 degC and 0 steps  displayed in CCDApp2, but confirmed in CCDSoft5.    The issue has been seen before.   Attempts to reconnect the focuser from within CCDSoft5 didn't work, and in  fact trying to adjust the connection caused the CCDApp2 observatory program to crash.    Restarting CCDSoft5 didn't fix the problem, nor did power cyclying the TCF-S focuser.  

  Focuser connection appears to have been lost at 01:57 , 4 targets had potentially poorly focussed images ( ci cyg, tee gardens star, hickson 30, hickson 24. Problem appears not to have been noticed for 40 minutes. The issue was fixed on this occasion by disabling/reenabling COM Port 5 to which the TCF-S focuser is connected. (This required an extra (unplanned) visit to the observatory).  Actions:  Look for/write a script that can disable/reenable the COM Port and test its effectiveness in fixing the issue.   If successful this script can be either started from the  remote (indoors) computer or executed by the Observatory Program if it detects a similar issue.  Problem eventually fixed by updating software/drivers and connecting to TCF-S using ASCOM connection rather via CCDSoft5).
  Resolved

Minor issues

• Focus run should have aborted itself when it found Focuser steps was "0" or encounters 'failed - outside of allowed range, situation
  Fixed (AstroMain)
   
• Guide stats for frames and total target not getting written to guide.dat (stats on each frame are written)
  Fixed (AstroMain)
   
• Targets proceeded with when 4 failed locates images and 'Heavy cloud' allsky Meas all suggest poor conditions at the target.
  - 34 observatory alerts reporting critical cloud conditions reported from 04:06 to 04:10' yet the observatory wasn't suspended and dome not shut ( this was whilst waiting for target Hickson 27 to start.
  FResolved or no longer an issue

Continuous Improvement

• Make various improvement to reporting and logging
  - Need to write Target Results Ok Completed (or otherwise) at end of each target
  - Need to align/justify N, W values for pointing error, jog required etc.
  - Need to look at not putting report line and indenting some obs. Manager titles when in middle of executing job queue.
  - Need to indent "Connect PHD2"
  - 'Starting observatory manager' should write report lines before Phd2 startup does.
  - Consider writing the actual start time of each target.
  - Consider writing b(3), v(3), r(15) instead of bvr (15 frames)
  - Consider writing 160 adu/s. For Allsky Meas, instead of just a number (160)
  - Consider adding a report line
     Tab2 Commence imaging...    Ok.         GCVS FU Ori. (Overhead time 3.2 mins)
     Tab2 Checking Focuser.          Ok/Fail. 2342 steps (tube temp. 5.7 degC)
     Tab2 Checking CCD Cooling. Ok          -26.2 degC below ambient
  - Text "QC Focus Result..." Is out of place, unneeded or has wrong indent.
  -  A current conditions line should be reported when suspending and when resuming.
  -  clarity 24.2 , 27.9 but heavy cloud (167- 214 ) at targets.
  Done (AstroMain)

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Autofocussing / HFD Profiles

Two Focus profiles during session (both including HFD measurements). The first one was measured under reasonable sky conditions, but the second was measured under much poorer conditions.

Focus Profiles,  including new HFD measurements

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New Dome Clamps (2018-10-03)

The Dome Clamps that were originally supplied with the Pulsar Dome Order in April 2018 didn't fit, as the slots for taking the retaining bolts didn't align with the wall flanges.  Apparently the clamps sent out by Pulsar Observatories at this time had used the clamp design associated with the wall-less Dome  and not for the walled Dome, and a new batch needed to be manufactured. The new clamps were finally delieved in late September 2018 and where successfully fitted in the observatory on 2018-10-03.

 There are four dome clamps that are designed to provide a permanent in-place security to prevent the dome roof from lifting in strong wind or from being removed. Whilst the observatory gave no indication that the roof would be likely to lift in winds, the observatory site is close to the sea and pretty exposed to the wind. Having previously had my roll-off roof blown off  former shed observatories  I'm very pleased to have new clamps installed before the inevitable autumnal/winter storms arrive.

New Dome Clamps (finally delivered and fitted)
Picture showing original dome clamps (clamps couldn't be used as the slots for taking the retaining bolts didn't align with the wall flanges, the overlap was completely insufficient)

 

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