David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 731 (2019-12-22)

Notes (S730)

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Notes (S732)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (1),  Continuous Improvement (0)
	Images from 2019-12-22  >>
	New Filters, Baader Clear & Optolong L-eNhance (2019-12-23) >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2019-12-22)

Main aims

1. Targets: Acquire images of a selection of targets including deep sky objects, variable stars, nearby stars and comets.
2. Secondary Scope: Align secondary scope with the main scope
3. Guiding:  Check guiding performance after recent changes

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
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.6dev3
   
• AstroMain 3.18.8 ,  Astroguard 1.2.9,   AstroPlan 1.13.6,  AstroShCap 1.2.10, AstroVOE 1.3.4, UPB 1.4.17  (AstroWeather 1.8.2, AstroAllSky 3.5.1)

Highlights

• Targets. x targets acquired.

Lowlights

•   Slew Errors started at 03:57:51.  Error code = 219 (0xdb) developed on each slew attempt from 03:57:51 onwards

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan

Observing Result

Slew/Centering Performance

Dome Slewing 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)

Pre-Session Weather Forecast (API data from darksky.net) Forecast showed initially cloudy clear with some rain, but then clearing after midnight. Wind quite strong In the event skies rain stopped at 17:00 and skies at 20:00 Observatory opened at 22:07 and Polar Alignment, BackLash Testing was conducted. Main session was started at 02:20 and continued until 05:37 when session suspended due to passing cloud and overall reducing star count.

Session Event Log

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Operational Issues (2019-12-22, S731)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• None

Continuous Improvement

• None

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New Filters, Baader Clear & Optolong L-eNhance  (2019-12-23)

Two new filters were installed today in the CFW10 Filter Wheel that is mounted on my 12" LX200 scope.  

a)  a new 1.25" C Filter (Baader) .   This is a replacement for existing C Filter which has deteriorated from years of use.

b)  a new  1.25" Dual Narrow Band Filter (Optolong L-eNhance)

Whilst the Optolong L-eNhance may eventually be used with a Colour Camera, it's short-mid term use will be for general nebula imaging (under semi moonlit conditions) and other special targets that would benefit from viewing with significantly reduced sky background or for highlighting features that are bright in Ha, Hb and/or Oiii

Initial testing of the Optolong -L-eNhance filter with my ZWO ASI 178MC camera and 80mm APO secondary scope were generally unsuccessful as the uncooled camera prefers images of 10s or so and the (dual) narrow band filter requires rather longer exposures.   Live Stacking can be used for deep sky targets, but the reduced transmissibility of the filter reduces the stars available for guiding (the primary role for my piggy-backed secondary scope)

Opportunity was also taken to examine and partially clean other filters and remove the AO-8 unit that is no longer used.

a) New Baader C Filter

b) New Optolong L-eNhance Filter (dual narrow band)

First Light image with Optolong L-eNhance Filter &  LX200 M1, Supernova Remnant (Taurus)

CCD Image (70% size, linear scale) taken through OptoLong L-eNhance dual-band filter 5 x 120s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, DB Filter 2019-12-24 01:07 UT (#732004-08) 12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2

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