David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 704 (2019-10-02)

Notes (S703)

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Notes (S705)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (3),  Continuous Improvement (4)
	Pegasus UPB - ASCOM Switch Driver Update (2.0)
	Images from 2019-10-02  >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2019-10-02)

Main aims

1. Targets . Acquire images of selection of comet and deep sky targets,
2. Check Bug Fixes: Confirm that recent bug fixes have worked
3. Software & Systems  - Check stability of software and presence of any side effects following ongoing enhancements to AstroMain and associated support programs.

 
Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
•  80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
•  CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, PHD2,  POTH Hub
•   Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
   
• AstroMain 3.13.2,  Astroguard 1.2.6,   AstroPlan 1.12.2,  AstroVOE 1.3.3, UPB 1.4.17  (AstroWeather 1.7.8, AstroAllSky 3.4.11)

Highlights

• Stability. System/Software seems to be running well after recent changes and introduction of new background processes and the disassociation of Obs.Manager with ObjConsole.

Lowlights

• ? Sky Quality was rather poor and time wasted on hazy low altitude targets that couldn't be focused or guided upon.

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan

Observing Result

Slew/Centering Performance

Dome Slewing Performance

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

Pre-Session Weather Forecast (AstroWeather 1.7.8) Forecast showed patchy cloud up to 00:00 and then cloud thickeneing until total cloud cover at 04:00 In the event therre was a moderately clear interval between 23:00 and 00:45. Operations suspended at 23:42 and remained that way until the morning

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 22:07:12 Session Created Live Session Created (2019-10-02 S00704, ImageSaveNum: 704001) 22:08:10   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 22:08:12   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 22:08:18   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:09:05 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:09:06 Session Pending Session pending (2019-10-02) 22:09:08 Session Initiating Session initiating (2019-10-02) 22:09:10   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.12.2) 22:09:42   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-10-02 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 378) 22:09:54   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -15°C) 22:09:57   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 22:10:06 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 22:10:52   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 46s) 22:10:55   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started 22:15:07   Equilibration Ended Dome Equilibration ended (4.2 mins total) 22:15:09 Session Running Session running 22:15:11   Queue Started Observing Queue started (24 targets selected) 22:15:13     Target Started (1/24) Target started (1/24, NGC 5714) 22:17:40       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:33:59     Target Completed Target completed (1/24, NGC 5714) 22:34:01     Target Started (2/24) Target started (2/24, GCVS V Sge) 22:38:36       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:40:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 22:48:45     Target Completed Target completed (2/24, GCVS V Sge) 22:48:47     Target Started (3/24) Target started (3/24, NGC 6765) 22:50:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:52:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 23:08:03     Target Completed Target completed (3/24, NGC 6765) 23:08:05     Target Started (4/24) Target started (4/24, NGC 125) 23:12:17       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:28:25     Target Completed Target completed (4/24, NGC 125) 23:28:27     Target Started (5/24) Target started (5/24, UGC 1503) 23:30:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:32:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 23:48:46     Target Completed Target completed (5/24, UGC 1503) 23:49:31     Target Started (6/24) Target started (6/24, UGC 1641) 23:51:14       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:07:22     Target Completed Target completed (6/24, UGC 1641) 00:11:23     Target Started (7/24) Target started (7/24, UGC 1470) 00:13:26       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:15:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 00:31:31     Target Completed Target completed (7/24, UGC 1470) 00:33:15     Target Started (8/24) Target started (8/24, UGC 2614) 00:35:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:37:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 00:54:04     Target Completed Target completed (8/24, UGC 2614) 00:55:07     Target Started (9/24) Target started (9/24, NGC 4157) 01:02:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:04:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 01:20:29     Target Completed Target completed (9/24, NGC 4157) 01:20:31     Target Started (10/24) Target started (10/24, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN)) 01:23:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:25:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 01:33:39     Target Completed Target completed (10/24, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN)) 01:33:41     Target Started (11/24) Target started (11/24, IC 298) 01:35:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:37:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 01:54:16     Target Completed Target completed (11/24, IC 298) 01:54:18     Target Started (12/24) Target started (12/24, NGC 809) 01:56:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:58:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 02:15:04     Target Completed Target completed (12/24, NGC 809) 02:15:06     Target Started (13/24) Target started (13/24, NGC 1110) 02:17:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:19:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 02:36:08     Target Completed Target completed (13/24, NGC 1110) 02:36:20     Target Started (14/24) Target started (14/24, NGC 985) 02:38:56 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 02:38:58   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 02:40:02     Target Aborted (14/24) Target aborted (14/24, NGC 985) due to cloud 02:40:04   Queue Paused Queue pausing for HardSuspend 02:40:07 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:40:56   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 49s) 02:40:58     Queue Resumed Queue resumed after HardSuspend (54s) 02:59:03 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:59:48   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 45s) 02:59:51 Session Running Session running 02:59:53   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:59:55     Target Started (15/24) Target started (15/24, GCVS RZ LMi) 03:06:23 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 03:06:25   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 03:07:36     Target Aborted (15/24) Target aborted (15/24, GCVS RZ LMi) due to cloud 03:07:38   Queue Paused Queue pausing for HardSuspend 03:07:39 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:08:28   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 49s) 03:08:31     Queue Resumed Queue resumed after HardSuspend (53s) 03:28:22     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/24, NGC 3921) due to cloud 03:50:14     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/24, IC 2461) due to cloud 04:03:03     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/24, GCVS RR Tau) due to cloud 04:13:04 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:13:49   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 45s) 04:13:52 Session Running Session running 04:13:54   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:13:56     Target Started (19/24) Target started (19/24, NGC 2445) 04:15:09 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 04:15:11   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 04:15:29     Target Aborted (19/24) Target aborted (19/24, NGC 2445) due to cloud 04:15:31   Queue Paused Queue paused for SoftSuspend 04:15:33   Queue Resumed Queue resumed after SoftSuspend (0s) 04:15:35   Queue Paused Queue pausing for HardSuspend 04:15:37 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:15:39 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:16:20   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 48s) 04:16:22     Queue Resumed Queue resumed after HardSuspend (51s) 04:19:25 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:20:10   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 45s) 04:20:12 Session Running Session running 04:20:14   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:25:40     Target Started (20/24) Target started (20/24, NGC 1614) 04:28:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:30:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 04:35:41 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 04:35:43   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain) 04:35:45     Target Aborted (20/24) Target aborted (20/24, NGC 1614) due to threat of rain 04:35:47   Queue Paused Queue paused for SoftSuspend 04:35:49   Queue Resumed Queue resumed after SoftSuspend (0s) 04:35:51   Queue Paused Queue pausing for HardSuspend 04:35:53 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:35:55 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:36:36   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 45s) 04:36:39     Queue Resumed Queue resumed after HardSuspend (55s) 05:00:04 Session Resuming Session resuming 05:00:39 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 05:01:19   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 40s) 05:06:24     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/24, IC 2098) due to cloud 05:17:17     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/24, GCVS FO Ori) due to cloud 05:25:50     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/24, GCVS U Gem) due to other condition 05:55:27     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/24, UGC 4457) due to cloud 05:55:32   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:37:18 Session Closing Session closing 06:37:22   Shutter Closed Shutter already closed (closed at 05:01, closing time 40s) 06:40:19   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 171s) 06:40:52   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 33s) 06:41:42 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:41:55 Session Finished Session Finished

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Operational Issues (2019-10-02, S704)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (3)
  
• Continuous Improvement (4)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Dew Heater are shown as 'Off' in ObsViewer/ObsPic even when they are on. With release and installation of new UPB Switch Driver there is opportunity to use the features for showing Dew Heater Status. Whilst Dew Heater Power Levels are shown, the text shows Off'
  Fixed 2019-10-03  (AstroMain 3.13.3)
   
  
• Observing Plan wasn't updated from 'Active' to 'Executed' status at end of session.  This was the second session in a row with this issue and might be because session was suspended/resuming at end of session.
  Fixed 2019-10-03  (AstroMain 3.13.3)
   
• Session didn't immediately close & finish after completing the observing plan for the night, but waited under backup logic closed & finished the observatory at Sun Alt -5.9. .  This might be because session was suspended/resuming at end of session.
  Fixed 2019-10-03  (AstroMain 3.13.3)
  

Continuous Improvement

• Rationalise Service start up code with respect to UPB ASCOM Switch.  With release and installation of new UPB Switch Driver there is opportunity to tidy up PowerBox Services code and use the new driver by default rather than the Switch simulator.
  Done 2019-10-03  (AstroMain 3.13.3)
   
• Create Routines for Automated Dew Heater Control. With release and installation of new UPB Switch Driver there is opportunity to use its features for manipulating the dew heater power levels to provide automated dew heater control,  balancing requirements of dew control,  minimising tube currents. Taking into account withe session is likely, session is active, dome is open/closed, session is finished, day time
  Done 2019-10-12  (AstroMain 3.14.4)
   
• Create Routine for Turning Off Telescope at end of session. Part Done 2019-11-03 (AstroMain 3.16.7)  Routine created but has to be actioned by User using Button Click.  Process was made part of automated session operation at a later date (Jan 2020)
  Done 2020-01.xx  (AstroMain 3.xx) 
   
• Look at means of autochecking the Power Status of the Telescope when starting a new session. Turning on the Power if it is off and setting a timer, so that attempt to connect telescope can't happen before scope has booted up.
  Done 2019-10-11  (AstroMain 3.14.3)
   
• Have a process whereby the telescope is auto-focussed on a star closer to zenith before going to the first target. Sometimes the first 1 or argets in the night might not have a star bright enough to run autofocus on (due to poor sky transparency/close to horizon, just few stars in FOV). This new process would ensure the are focused ok.   May be selecting Star Field target from a list based on LST
  Done 2019-10-11  (AstroMain 3.14.3)

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Pegasus UPB - ASCOM Switch Driver Update (2.0)

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