David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 740 (2020-01-11)

Notes (S739)

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Notes (S741)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (5),  Minor Issues (10),  Continuous Improvement (2)
	Guiding Performance
	Images from 2020-01-11  >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2020-01-11)

Main aims

1. Guider Settling whilst focusing: Test new feature in AstroMain (3.19.3) which initiates Target Autoguiding before Focusing which allows guider to be settled, direction of Dec drift to be established and Dec Mode to be set before Imaging starts
2. Telescope Rebalance:  Continue check performance following rebalancing of scope (RA and Dec)
3. Targets: Acquire images of selected variable and nearby stars (conditions too light for deep sky imaging)
4. Guiding:  Continue checking 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 3.19.3 ,  Astroguard 1.2.9,   AstroPlan 1.13.9,  AstroShCap 1.2.10, AstroVOE 1.3.4, UPB 1.4.17  (AstroWeather 1.8.2, AstroAllSky 3.5.1)
  
  During the session AstroMain 3.19.4 was installed  (30s delay between Park Scope and Power Down Scope)
  During the session AstroPlan 1.13.10 was installed (increased timings for targets to start-up autoguiding)
  

Highlights

• Targets. x targets successfully acquired.

Lowlights

•   Guiding Performance.  Several targets suffered from poor guiding in Declination. due to variable backlash experienced at different points in the sky.

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  In the event skies

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 20:52:23 Session Created Live Session Created (2020-01-11 S00740, ImageSaveNum: 740001) 20:52:44   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 20:54:29   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 20:54:31   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 20:54:36   Services Started Observatory Services started 20:55:16   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 20:55:41   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 21:00:11   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 45s) 21:06:32   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 36s) 21:06:40   Scope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Powerbox. 21:07:29   Scope Switched On Telescope power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 21:10:51   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:11:31   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:14:10 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:14:13 Session Pending Session pending (2020-01-11) 21:14:15 Session Initiating Session initiating (2020-01-11) 21:14:17   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.8) 21:15:17   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2020-01-11 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 451) 21:15:22   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 21:15:26   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 21:15:37 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 21:15:40   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started 21:15:42   Equilibration Skipped Dome Equilibration skipped by user 21:15:44 Session Running Session running 21:15:46   Queue Started Observing Queue started (21 targets selected) 21:16:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:19:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 21:19:44       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:21:18       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 21:21:20     Target Started (1/21) Target started (1/21, GCVS DY Per) 21:23:00 User Intervention User Intervention to Sync telescope on a known star 21:23:55     Target Failed Target failed due to centering error (1/21, GCVS DY Per) 21:23:57   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 21:33:15   Scope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Powerbox. 21:33:33   Scope Switched On Telescope power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 21:35:43   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:36:52   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 21:39:06 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:39:11 Session Pending Session pending (2020-01-11) 21:39:13 Session Initiating Session initiating (2020-01-11) 21:39:15   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2020-01-11 V1 ACTIVE PLAN S740, Plan ID: 451) 21:39:17   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 21:39:19   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 21:39:32 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 21:39:35   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started 21:39:37   Equilibration Skipped Dome Equilibration skipped by user 21:39:39 Session Running Session running 21:39:41   Queue Started Observing Queue started (20 targets selected) 21:39:43     Target Started (2/21) Target started (2/21, GCVS U And) 21:48:18     Target Completed Target partially completed (2/21, GCVS U And) 21:48:20     Target Started (3/21) Target started (3/21, GCVS TT Ari) 21:50:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:53:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 21:59:09     Target Completed Target partially completed (3/21, GCVS TT Ari) 21:59:11     Target Started (4/21) Target started (4/21, GCVS NV Ori) 22:02:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:05:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 22:07:13     Target Completed Target partially completed (4/21, GCVS NV Ori) 22:07:16     Target Started (5/21) Target started (5/21, GCVS FU Ori) 22:10:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:13:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 22:14:48     Target Completed Target partially completed (5/21, GCVS FU Ori) 22:14:51     Target Started (6/21) Target started (6/21, GCVS CN Ori) 22:22:01     Target Completed Target completed (6/21, GCVS CN Ori) 22:22:03     Target Started (7/21) Target started (7/21, GCVS FO Ori) 22:26:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:29:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 22:31:23     Target Completed Target partially completed (7/21, GCVS FO Ori) 22:31:26     Target Started (8/21) Target started (8/21, GCVS U Mon) 22:41:05     Target Completed Target completed (8/21, GCVS U Mon) 22:41:07     Target Started (9/21) Target started (9/21, GCVS RZ LMi) 22:44:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:47:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 22:52:19     Target Completed Target completed (9/21, GCVS RZ LMi) 22:52:21     Target Started (10/21) Target started (10/21, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs)) 23:04:06     Target Completed Target completed (10/21, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs)) 23:04:08     Target Started (11/21) Target started (11/21, GCVS Z And) 23:07:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:10:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 23:14:07     Target Completed Target completed (11/21, GCVS Z And) 23:14:09     Target Started (12/21) Target started (12/21, GCVS RX And) 23:16:57       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 23:18:32       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 23:19:26       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:22:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 23:22:24     Target Completed Target partially completed (12/21, GCVS RX And) 23:22:26     Target Started (13/21) Target started (13/21, GCVS RR Tau) 23:32:53     Target Completed Target partially completed (13/21, GCVS RR Tau) 23:32:55     Target Started (14/21) Target started (14/21, GCVS CM Tau) 23:47:00 Program Hung Job queue became frozen 23:48:23   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 48s) 23:49:06   Dome Parked Dome moved to Az 90 deg (Park Position) 23:55:00 User Intervention User intervention to install AstroMain 3.19.4 00:03:17 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2020-01-11 S00740, ImageSaveNum: 740106) 00:03:41   Scope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Powerbox. 00:03:54   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 00:05:36   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 00:05:38   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 00:05:40   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:06:15   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:07:07   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:09:44   TCF-S Switched Off TCF-S Power has been switched off via UPB Powerbox. 00:10:07   TCF-S Switched On TCF-S Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 00:10:17   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:10:43   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 00:10:50 Program Closed Program closed by User 00:27:00 User Intervention User intervention to restart AstroMain after problems with TCF-S connection 00:27:18 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2020-01-11 S00740, ImageSaveNum: 740106) 00:27:45   TCF-S Switched Off TCF-S Power has been switched off via UPB Powerbox. 00:27:51   TCF-S Switched On TCF-S Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 00:27:59   Scope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Powerbox. 00:28:15   Scope Switched On Telescope power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 00:30:15   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 00:30:17   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 00:30:19   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:31:01   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:31:27   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:31:41   TCF-S Switched Off TCF-S Power has been switched off via UPB Powerbox. 00:32:13   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 00:32:18   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:32:26   TCF-S Switched On TCF-S Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 00:33:33   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:34:04   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:34:56   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:36:49   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:37:03   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 00:37:17   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:38:38   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:38:42   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:39:10   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 00:39:13 Program Closed Program closed by User 00:39:36 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2020-01-11 S00740, ImageSaveNum: 740106) 00:39:46   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 00:39:48   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 00:39:52   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:40:42   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:41:16 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 00:41:18 Session Pending Session pending (2020-01-11) 00:41:20 Session Initiating Session initiating (2020-01-11) 00:41:22   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2020-01-11 V1 ACTIVE PLAN S740, Plan ID: 451) 00:41:24   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 00:41:27   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 00:41:37 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 00:42:23   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 45s) 00:42:26   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started 00:42:28   Equilibration Skipped Dome Equilibration skipped by user 00:42:30 Session Running Session running 00:42:32   Queue Started Observing Queue started (7 targets selected) 00:43:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:46:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 00:46:20       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 00:48:18       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 00:48:20     Target Missed (15/21) Target's time slot was missed (15/21, GCVS SU Tau) 00:48:22     Target Missed (16/21) Target's time slot was missed (16/21, GCVS ER UMa) 00:48:24     Target Missed (17/21) Target's time slot was missed (17/21, GCVS ER UMa) 00:48:26     Target Missed (18/21) Target's time slot was missed (18/21, GCVS U Gem) 00:48:28     Target Missed (19/21) Target's time slot was missed (19/21, GCVS GK Per) 00:48:30     Target Missed (20/21) Target's time slot was missed (20/21, GCVS AM Her) 00:48:32     Target Started (21/21) Target started (21/21, GCVS AM CVn) 00:56:18     Target Completed Target completed (21/21, GCVS AM CVn) 00:56:22   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 00:56:26 Session Continuing Session continuing 01:00:00 User Intervention User intervention after program became stuck attempting to continue with new plan 01:00:09 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode 01:00:41 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 01:00:43 Session Pending Session pending (2020-01-11) 01:00:45 Session Initiating Session initiating (2020-01-11) 01:00:47   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.10) 01:01:43   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2020-01-11 V2 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 452) 01:01:46   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 01:01:51   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 01:02:02 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 01:02:05   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started 01:02:07   Equilibration Skipped Dome Equilibration skipped by user 01:02:09 Session Running Session running 01:02:11   Queue Started Observing Queue started (24 targets selected) 01:06:43     Target Started (1/24) Target started (1/24, GCVS SU Tau) 01:11:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:14:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 01:18:17     Target Completed Target completed (1/24, GCVS SU Tau) 01:18:19     Target Started (2/24) Target started (2/24, GCVS U Mon) 01:22:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:24:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 01:30:36     Target Completed Target completed (2/24, GCVS U Mon) 01:30:38     Target Started (3/24) Target started (3/24, GCVS U Gem) 01:35:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:38:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 01:40:59     Target Completed Target completed (3/24, GCVS U Gem) 01:41:01     Target Started (4/24) Target started (4/24, GCVS DY Per) 01:50:07     Target Completed Target completed (4/24, GCVS DY Per) 01:50:09     Target Started (5/24) Target started (5/24, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs)) 01:54:36       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:57:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 02:05:39     Target Completed Target completed (5/24, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs)) 02:05:41     Target Started (6/24) Target started (6/24, GCVS RR Tau) 02:16:01     Target Completed Target completed (6/24, GCVS RR Tau) 02:16:04     Target Started (7/24) Target started (7/24, GCVS GK Per) 02:19:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:22:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 02:25:39     Target Completed Target completed (7/24, GCVS GK Per) 02:25:41     Target Started (8/24) Target started (8/24, GCVS CM Tau) 02:29:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:32:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 02:45:30     Target Completed Target completed (8/24, GCVS CM Tau) 02:45:32     Target Started (9/24) Target started (9/24, GCVS FU Ori) 02:48:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:51:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 02:53:58     Target Completed Target completed (9/24, GCVS FU Ori) 02:54:00     Target Started (10/25) Target started (10/25, M101) 03:17:44     Target Completed Target completed (10/25, M101) 03:17:46     Target Started (11/26) Target started (11/26, M51) 03:31:02 Critical Conditions Alert Critical Conditions Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 03:31:04   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (other condition) 03:31:05     Target Aborted (11/26) Target aborted (11/26, M51) due to other condition 03:31:07   Queue Paused Queue pausing for HardSuspend 03:31:10 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:31:57   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 49s) 03:31:59     Target Missed (12/26) Target's time slot was missed (12/26, GCVS RZ LMi) 03:32:01     Target Missed (13/26) Target's time slot was missed (13/26, GCVS AM CVn) 03:32:03     Target Missed (14/26) Target's time slot was missed (14/26, GCVS ER UMa) 03:32:05     Target Missed (15/26) Target's time slot was missed (15/26, GCVS ER UMa) 03:33:12 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:33:57   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 45s) 03:33:59 Session Running Session running 03:34:01   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:34:03     Target Started (16/26) Target started (16/26, GCVS S Cyg) 03:37:08       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:39:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 03:49:47     Target Completed Target completed (16/26, GCVS S Cyg) 03:49:49     Target Started (17/26) Target started (17/26, 38P/Stephan-Oterma) 03:53:34       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 03:54:53       Focusing Failed Foc2 Focusing Failed - star lost 03:55:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:58:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 04:01:51     Target Completed Target partially completed (17/26, 38P/Stephan-Oterma) 04:01:53     Target Started (18/27) Target started (18/27, K2-18) 04:13:49     Target Completed Target completed (18/27, K2-18) 04:13:51     Target Missed (19/27) Target's time slot was missed (19/27, GCVS R CrB) 04:13:53     Target Started (20/27) Target started (20/27, GCVS R CrB) 04:14:50 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode 04:15:02     Target Failed Target failed due to centering error (20/27, GCVS R CrB) 04:15:04   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 04:15:13 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 04:15:17 Session Pending Session pending (2020-01-11) 04:15:19 Session Initiating Session initiating (2020-01-11) 04:15:21   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.10) 04:15:37   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2020-01-11 V3 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 453) 04:15:40   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -25°C) 04:15:44   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 04:15:57 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 04:16:00   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started 04:16:02   Equilibration Skipped Dome Equilibration skipped by user 04:16:04 Session Running Session running 04:16:06   Queue Started Observing Queue started (14 targets selected) 04:21:17     Target Started (1/14) Target started (1/14, GCVS GK Per) 04:24:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:27:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23) 04:30:53     Target Completed Target completed (1/14, GCVS GK Per) 04:30:55     Target Started (2/14) Target started (2/14, GCVS CM Tau) 04:30:57     Target Failed Target failed due to airmass limit (2/14, GCVS CM Tau) 04:49:58     Target Started (3/14) Target started (3/14, GCVS U Gem) 04:53:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:56:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24) 04:58:52     Target Completed Target completed (3/14, GCVS U Gem) 04:59:31     Target Started (4/14) Target started (4/14, GCVS ER UMa) 05:02:36       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:05:36       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 25) 05:09:09     Target Completed Target completed (4/14, GCVS ER UMa) 05:09:49     Target Started (5/14) Target started (5/14, GCVS RZ LMi) 05:15:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:18:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 26) 05:23:41     Target Completed Target completed (5/14, GCVS RZ LMi) 05:23:43     Target Started (6/14) Target started (6/14, GCVS AM CVn) 05:27:39       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 05:30:24     Target Completed Target completed (6/14, GCVS AM CVn) 05:31:10     Target Started (7/14) Target started (7/14, GCVS AM Her) 05:46:03     Target Completed Target partially completed (7/14, GCVS AM Her) 05:46:05     Target Started (8/14) Target started (8/14, GCVS CI Cyg) 05:55:41     Target Completed Target partially completed (8/14, GCVS CI Cyg) 05:55:43     Target Started (9/14) Target started (9/14, GCVS S Cyg) 06:11:22     Target Completed Target partially completed (9/14, GCVS S Cyg) 06:11:24     Target Started (10/14) Target started (10/14, 46P/Wirtanen) 06:28:49     Target Completed Target partially completed (10/14, 46P/Wirtanen) 06:28:51     Target Started (11/14) Target started (11/14, GCVS R CrB) 06:39:46     Target Completed Target partially completed (11/14, GCVS R CrB) 06:39:48     Target Started (12/14) Target started (12/14, GCVS U Her) 06:49:05     Target Completed Target partially completed (12/14, GCVS U Her) 06:49:07     Target Started (13/14) Target started (13/14, GCVS SS Her) 06:56:52     Target Completed Target completed (13/14, GCVS SS Her) 06:56:54     Target Started (14/14) Target started (14/14, 38P/Stephan-Oterma) 07:06:48     Target Completed Target completed (14/14, 38P/Stephan-Oterma) 07:06:51   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 07:07:00 Program Hung Program hung as 07:07 just after session entered 'Closing' state 08:06:00 Shutter Closed Astroguard intervened to close shutter 09:00:00 User Intervention User Intervention to park dome and park telescope

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Operational Issues (2020-01-11, S740)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (5)
• Minor Issues (10)
• Continuous Improvement (2)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• Target was not fully parked when the scope was turned off at end of last session.   Upon starting the scope it began by thinking it was at Dec 0 , due South and then proceeded to turn the worm driver to its reference position.  This is the behaviour it has when it wasn't previously parked.  Although 3.19.2 and 3.19.3 had an 8s delay after parking the scope, this isn't enough for the scope to save it's park status before the power is turned off.  3.9.4 version uses a 30s delay between parking and turning off the power to the scope.
  Fixed (AstroMain 3.19.4)
   
• Many targets not being completed within their time slots.  This is a combination of centering problems including rogue jogs and possible extra time taken to begin autoguiding for previous short duration, < 30s frame targets that didn't previously use on autoguiding or extra settling time due to suboptimal tinings in new code.   Changes made to AstroPlan - begin Guiding time increased from 20s to 50s. and applied to all targets with exp > 2s.
  Changes made (AstroPlan 1.13.10)
   
• After finishing V1 plan program Session entered 'Continuing' state (as 'Continue with New Plan' option was active) however Obs.Manager didn't seem to request a new plan and seemed stuck in the state (AstroMain 3.19.4).  Investigation showed the the entire code block for handling 'Continuing'  had been accidently deleted from Obs.Manger's main loop. This happened when trying to modify code to resolve and earlier problem
  Fixed  2020-01-12 (AstroMain 3.19.5).
   
• ASCOM TCF-S focuser couldn't be connected to, COM17 couldn't be disabled/enabled and the ASCOM TCF-S process couldn't be killed.  WIndows gave message that because of a Hardware Config change COM17 couldn't be enable/disabled without restarting the computer.  Even after gracefully closing the computer (parking the scope as a precaution first), checking leads and then restarting the TCF-S (with power cycle) , the TCF-S focuser couldn't be connected to from AstroMain.  However it could be connected to from TCF-S Commander software. After disconnecting from TCF-S Commander, it was still impossible to connect to focuser from AstroMain. Finally AstroMain was restarted and then TCF-S connection was found to be possible. A preliminary (nighttime) check of leads/HUB during the session revealed nothing.  It is possible that dampness has entered the USB-Serial adapter which nows sits on the telescope and is giving the problem. A new all-in-one usb-serial cable has been bought from Optec but still hasn't arrived after 5 weeks.
  Closed for time being. Problem appears to have resolved itself (AstroMain /Observatory).
        Note : >> Use Process Explorer to examine the process next time it becomes 'locked'
   
• AstroMain UI, Obs.Manager, Obs.Worker hung immediately after the session entered closing state. Job Manager finished V3 plan and the session entered closing state at 07:06.  Before beginning to Check Shutter/Park Dome etc, the program effectively hung.    Program has hung/crashed at a similar point in the past. In the event the Shutter remained open for one hour. Conditions were good and were being monitored by AstroGuard & Cloud Sensor Relays. AstroGuard closed the shutter at 08:06 due to 'Light' conditions.   Status of observatory was checked via website/remote connection at 08:50. Finding the  session was still active and after making appropriate lock-down screen captures at 08:54, the Dome was parked via AstroGuard program and the Telescope parked from the POTH hub at 09:00.  Issue closed on 2021-01-04 following a review that showed that the AstroMain was essentially stable (following a series of improvements and fixes), with an absence of any unexplained program hangs or crashes during the 35 sessions between  2020-09-18 & 2021-01-03.
  Closed 2021-01-04 (AstroMain 3.33)

Minor Issues

• Frost Slugs on CCD Images. There were a couple of frost slugs on CCD frames (at least initial ones). It is presumed that the Camera dessicator is still drying out the CCD cell, and situation will improve further by the next session.
  Resolved by following session.
   
• ASCOM TCF-S focuser couldn't be connected to .  During initial setting up, the TCF-S focuser couldn't be connected to.   The trick of disabling the Com Port (COM17) and then re-enbling it was successfully used to allow a new attempt to connect to focuser to work. It's unclear why the focuser/COM port has developed this behaviour. Proposal is to check all leads to /from hub, but take the opportunity of adding a button to allow COM17 port to be disabled/reenabled in a single step.
  Closed for time being. Problem appears to have resolved itself (AstroMain /Observatory).
   
• Some targets start imaging without a settle period (which should be 60s minimum according to 3.19.3 design)
    Fixed 2020-01-19 (AstroMain 3.19.8)
   
• U Mon set Dec Guide Mode to North based on the trend seen during settling, but after imaging started the Dec drift switched direction which left the guider totally unable to bring the guide star back to the Lock position.  Chart indicates large variations in Dec position (4" changes) and it is presumed that problem was due to poor seeing or wind 
    Fixed 2021-02-09 (Session)
   
• The logic of adjusting the Lock Position before Dec Mode is set to North or to South, doesn't allow the Dec motor to take up any backlash before main images commences.
  Issue is deemed to be resolved/closed (2021)
    Resolved 2021-02-09 (Session)
   
• Line legend on CCD Temperature Chart is plotted 10 pixels too high and should be lowered..
    Fixed 2020-01-19 (AstroMain 3.19.8)
   
• Problems towards end of session with images from CCDSoft being transferred into TheSky as negative images (black stars on white background). Believed to be just a rare one/off UI glitch
  User Awareness (TheSky/CCDSoft)
   
• AstroMain 3.19.4 crashed during later support session on 2019-01-12, whilst attempting a jog (globals / Jog) due to unhandled exception where server threw exception.   Issues with AstroMain have generally decreased following a number of improvements through 2020 and introduction of DeviceHub 6.5
  Closed 2021-02-09 (AstroMain)
   
• There are times when Scope Power is Off and ASCOM.Scope is being connected to, but there is no message inviting scope power to be turned, but instead Obs.Services tries to connect to scope but fails. Issue has been fixed/resolved in 2020. Issue is closed.
  Closed 2021-02-09  (AstroMain/ObsEnv)
   
• Problems analysing reduced images of M101 - Images either not linking of causing CCDSoft/TheSky/AstroMain to all hang.  Resolved by moving M101 problem images to an offline folder and continuing with remainder of images.  Pointing errors for target (29') were unusually large.
  >> Unclear why this is happening  (AstroMain/ TheSky)

Continuous Improvement

• Add button to allow remedial task of disabling, then reenabling COM17 (TCF-S focuser))
  Button added but closed for time being pending further occurrances of the problem (AstroMain /Observatory).
   
• When a session is recontinued (due to AstroMain restart) the Session SkyConditionsTab.png should be saved and a new one started.  This is to prevent data plot to be overwritten.  Added but not fully tested.
    Added 2020-01-19 (AstroMain 3.19.8)

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Guiding Performance

Examples of guiding results from the session are shown below:

Example of Guiding Performance from Session S739

Comparison with previous results

• Forward Plan
  
  - Consider starting the Dec Drift monitoring during an extended setting period. This would be instead of during the first 180s frame or first few 45s frames.
     To do
  
  - Consider recording the direction in which the scope comes onto the target (ie from north or from south) and use that to help predict the backlash that may need to be taken up before the guiding is able to move the scope
      To do

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Flat Frames

A new set of Flat Frames were collected using Light Board for 1x1, 2x2, 3x3 following recent cleaning of Camera & Filter Wheel and Filters, cleaning of SCT corrector lens and installation of a new 2" to T2 adapter.   Flats are a lot cleaner than previous (in particular in the critical central zone of the image) but the amount of vignetting has increased.  Initial testing of the new master flats on raw frames from Session S739, are not producing 'Reduced' frames that are as flat as desirable. 

Sky flats have previously been shown to give better results than Light Board Flat, but take several days to collect flats for 10 filter in 3 different binning configuratopm.  A new sky flats (C filter) will be initially collected and compared, and depending on results, sky flats for other filters gradually collected and used to replace the light board flats.  

Note: The time available for collecting Sky Flats at Dusk/Dawn is much shorter in mid-winter than at other times of the year where the sun desends in altitude much more slowly.

Results

New Sky Flats, S740 Sky Flats,  CCD Temp -20°C		Earlier Flats, S739 Light Board Flats,  CCD Temp -20°C
Master Sky Flat, C filter (3x3) (Average Median for 25 frames )		Master Flat, C filter (3x3), 2020-01-10 (Average Median for 26 frames )
Master Sky Flat, B filter (3x3) (Average Median for 15 frames )		Master Flat, B filter (3x3), 2020-01-10 (Average Median for 13 frames )
All Frames 50% original size

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Flat Reduction Testing

Two 60s C filter images from different sky regions were reduced using different Flat Fields (Flat A - Master Light Board Flat, and Flat B - Master Sky Flat)

Vignetting Analysis of the two raw images is broadly similar.  Analysis of the two flat fields are also broadly similar, however both flats a shadow area at top of field where the illumination contours are flattened.   The shadow can be seen in the raw images but this doesn't come across in the illumination contours. Is this related to how contouring/filtering on bright fields in CCDInspector is different to dim fields

		Image 1 60s, C, #740289, AM Her Field		Image 2 60s, C, #740307, S Cyg Field
Raw Images 60s, C
Raw Frames Vignetting Analysis (using CCDWares's CCDInspector 2.5.3)
Flat A (Light Board Flat) Master Flat, S739 Created using 60% Normalisation Area Displayed in CCDInspector 2.5.3 Flat Field Analysis
Flat B Sky Flat Master Sky Flat, S740 Created using 60% Normalisation Area
Reduced Images Reduced using Flat A
Reduced Images Reduced using Flat B
Reduced Image (reduced with Flat A)   Illumination Anaysis
Reduced Image (reduced with Flat B)   Illumination Anaysis
		All Frames 50% original size

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