David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 824 (2020-10-29)

Notes (S823)

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Notes (S825)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (6),  Continuous Improvement (1)
	Images from 2020-10-29 >>
	Investigation

Session Aims & Highlights (2020-10-29)

Main aims -

1. Cam1 Guiding. Test routines and settings for guiding using LX200/ST10 (main scope, north down images) whilst imaging with TS80/178MC (secondary scope)
2. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of deep sky targets
3. Bug fixes.  Check that bugs discovered in last session in AstroMain 3.31.2 have been fixed, and that recent new features are working ok

Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, PHD2,  DeviceHub 4.5.0.1, UPB 1.5 
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.9
   
• AstroMain 3.31.5,  AstroGuard 1.4.6,   AstroPlan 1.16.9  AstroShCap 1.3.1, AstroVOE 1.4.4, AstroProtect 1.4.1
  (AstroWeather 1.10.13, AstroAllSky 3.6)

Highlights

•   Dome Parking.  Data was collected about a issue that has affected the last two session  whereby false alerts are being generated by the observatory control program (AstroMain) during observatory shutdown saying that Dome Parking had failed when the dome had in fact successfuly moved to its park position, allowing a fix to be made to Dome.SlewToAzimuth (90) routine.   Fix to be tested over the course of next few sessions to make sure that it resolved the issue.

Lowlights

•   Cloud. Conditons deteriorated very shortly after starting the session and session suspended itself until dawn due to cloud.
  Cloud prevented testing routines and settings associated with Cam1 guiding (guiding using LX200/ST10 (main scope, north down images) whilst imaging with TS80/178MC (secondary scope)

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan

Observing Result

Dome & Scope Slewing Performance

Slew/Centering Performance

Guiding 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) Pre-Session Weather forecast was poor in first part of night (65-89% cloud cover with high probability of rain), but partially clear from 21:00 onwards (dry, light winds and 48 to 51% cloud cover).  Minimum temperature 7°C> In the event rain some rain around dusk quickly stopped and clear patches developed at around 20:30 and 22:30. A session was started but conditions rapidly cloud over and they were no further clear patches suitable for observing. Wind was fairly light and min temperature was .

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 01:41:08 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity starting between 01:41 & 05:19 01:41:09   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to cloud 01:43:05 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (01:43) 01:43:47   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 01:43:49 Session Created Live Session Created (2020-10-29 S00824, ImageSaveNum: 824001) 01:43:51   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 01:45:43   Services Started Observatory Services started 01:45:51 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 01:45:55 Session Pending Session pending (2020-10-29) 01:45:57 Session Initiating Session initiating (2020-10-29) 01:45:59   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.16.9) 01:46:35   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2020-10-29 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 559) 01:46:38   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -10°C) 01:46:43   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 01:46:54 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 01:48:40   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 01:48:55 Session Running Session running 01:48:58   Queue Started Observing Queue started (15 targets selected) 01:50:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:54:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 01:58:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 01:58:23       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 02:00:56     Target Started (1/15) Target started (1/15, NGC 514) 02:06:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:09:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 02:20:04     Target Completed Target completed (1/15, NGC 514) 02:20:06     Target Started (2/15) Target started (2/15, NGC 772) 02:22:48       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 02:40:40     Target Completed Target completed (2/15, NGC 772) 02:40:43     Target Started (3/15) Target started (3/15, NGC 2782) 02:44:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:47:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 03:02:53     Target Completed Target completed (3/15, NGC 2782) 03:03:02     Target Started (4/15) Target started (4/15, UGC 6930) 03:07:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:10:55       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 03:21:28     Target Completed Target completed (4/15, UGC 6930) 03:21:30     Target Started (5/15) Target started (5/15, WDS GRB 34) 03:25:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:28:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 03:29:59     Target Completed Target completed (5/15, WDS GRB 34) 03:30:01     Target Started (6/15) Target started (6/15, M31_AT2020vak) 03:32:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:35:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 03:46:36     Target Completed Target completed (6/15, M31_AT2020vak) 03:46:38     Target Started (7/15) Target started (7/15, GCVS DY Per) 03:47:45   Dome Running test to see Dome Driver is stalled 03:48:05   Dome Dome Driver/Dome Slaving found to be ok. 03:49:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:52:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 03:56:41     Target Completed Target completed (7/15, GCVS DY Per) 03:56:43     Target Started (8/15) Target started (8/15, GCVS GK Per) 03:59:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:01:59       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 04:04:55     Target Completed Target completed (8/15, GCVS GK Per) 04:04:57     Target Started (9/15) Target started (9/15, GCVS FO Ori) 04:06:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:09:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 04:13:34     Target Completed Target completed (9/15, GCVS FO Ori) 04:13:47     Target Started (10/15) Target started (10/15, Nova AT2020bfc) 04:15:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:18:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 04:25:15     Target Completed Target completed (10/15, Nova AT2020bfc) 04:26:28     Target Started (11/15) Target started (11/15, Scholz's Star) 04:28:58       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 04:46:08     Target Completed Target completed (11/15, Scholz's Star) 04:47:54     Target Started (12/15) Target started (12/15, GCVS DX Cnc) 04:50:02       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is lost (TCF-S) 04:55:59     Target Completed Target completed (12/15, GCVS DX Cnc) 04:58:36     Target Started (13/15) Target started (13/15, GCVS SY Cnc) 05:00:40       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 05:05:06     Target Completed Target completed (13/15, GCVS SY Cnc) 05:08:15     Target Started (14/15) Target started (14/15, LAMOST-HVS1) 05:09:04   Dome Running test to see Dome Driver is stalled 05:09:07   Dome Dome Driver/Dome Slaving found to be stalled. 05:10:47       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 05:16:06     Target Completed Target completed (14/15, LAMOST-HVS1) 05:18:01     Target Started (15/15) Target started (15/15, UGC 5025) 05:19:58       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 05:37:48     Target Completed Target completed (15/15, UGC 5025) 05:37:51   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 05:37:53 Session Closing Session closing 05:38:46   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 05:39:31   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 38s), Az: 90.1 deg 05:40:12   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 38s) 05:40:43   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Powerbox. 05:41:33   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:41:35 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:41:37 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail 03:47:45 Dome Dome position has been static for more than 5 mins 03:48:05 Dome Dome Driver/Dome Slaving found to be ok following Slew Tests. 05:09:05 Dome Dome Driver/Dome Slaving found to be stalled. 05:09:09 Dome Dome is confirmed to be stalled 05:09:11 Dome Dome is no longer stalled

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Operational Issues (2020-10-29 S824)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (6)
• Continuous Improvement (1)

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Critical Issues

•  None

Major Issues

•  None

Minor Issues

• 'TestForStalledDome'  concluded that Dome Driver/Dome Slaving had stalled when in fact it hadn't (05:09)   Alerts produced as a result of the test ("Dome Driver/Dome Slaving found to be stalled" & "Dome is confirmed to be stalled") indicated that dome hadn't slewed following a command to slew the dome by 10degs.  However the dome did actually moved by 10degs (proven by the Pulsar ASCOM log). The false alert was due to another instance of the 'gotcha' where Dome.Slewing=True after requesting slew was taken as indicating that slew had started, and  Slewing=False less than 1s later was taken to indicate that slew had finished.   5s later Dome.Slewing did actually turned became True (when Slewing actually started and when DeviceHub eventually repoolled the Dome.
  Fixed 2020-10-30 (AstroMain 3.31.6)
   
• TestForStalledDome was run on two occasions on suspicion that Dome had 'stalled', but without insufficient justification and both occassions (test shouldn't have been run as there was sufficient data to show Dome was probably working ok). Tests are run following a slew if Dome hasn't moved.  Previously the test would run if Dome.LastSlewAngle = 0 and Scope.LastSlewAngle > 5.   The condition is changed to 'if Dome.LastSlewAngle = 0 and Scope.LastSlewAngleAz > 5 and MinutesSince(Dome.LastAzimuthChangeTime) > 5, recognising that it is the azimuthal change in scope that is most important, not the total change,  and recognising there is uncertainty of the when DH calculates that a slew isn't necessary for a particular scope position.
  Fixed 2020-10-30 (AstroMain 3.31.6)
   
• Cam2TempChart show problem with legend with legend lines drawn twice for each of the 3 curves. Chart has just been modified to include Outside Temperature and Obs.Env Temp.  Session S823 was the first test of this new feature. Problem confirmed to be fixed in following session S824.
  Fixed 2020-10-30 (AstroMain 3.31.6)
   
• Cam2TempChart isn't plotting UPB Env Temperature curve.  Chart has just been modified to include Outside Temperature and Obs.Env Temp.  The session was the first test of this new feature. Cam2 Temperature and Outside Temperature curves plotted ok. Problem is with Obs.Env Temperature curve. Confirm to be fixed in following session S824.
  Fixed 2020-10-30 (AstroMain 3.31.6)
   
• Shutter battery noticed to have dropped to 14.7v / 88% battery strength (2020-10-30).  Battery health charts indicated that there had been no charging of the Shutter battery since before Session S823 (2020-10-28). Checking the observatory showed that dome roof position was slightly offset from Dome's normal park position (even though Dome controller reported azimuth at 90deg (Park), and the two parts of the induction charger weren't sufficiently aligned to allow battery charging. 
  
  It is presumed that ASCOM Conform tests on the Dome (one test aborted part way through) had displaced the Dome's Azimuth position and this caused the issue.   Attempts to rerun calibration failed (the dome kept revolving in vain searching for the home magnet).   Calibration was aborted and the scope placed in a position wherethe  two halves of induction charger aligned (showed as Az 91 deg on the dome controller screen) and the dome resynced to Az 90 deg using DeviceHub.   After the azimuth resync the battery began to recharge normally, and dome parked at the correct position at the end of the following session (S825).
  Fixed 2020-10-30 (Observatory)
   
• Dome Calibration failing. Two attempts to re-calibrate the dome to resolve parking mis-position failed. Dome rotating round and round  without finding home position. 'Home' magnet was checked and it was found to have disintergrated even more than last time it was checked.   Pulsar Observatories were contacted in order to get a replacement magnet or get an online source for equivalent magnet.   New Home magent arrived and installed 2020-12-26 (see Notes on New Home Magnet 2020-12-26), after which the Dome was successfully recalibrated.
  Resolved  2020-12-26 (Observatory)

Continuous Improvement

• Create a web page to host the latest session log file.  The latest session log file is at present displayed from a link direct to the log file.  Safari (on IPAD display the files with wrapped text which is highly inconvenient way of displaying/reading the log data. Embedding the log file in a web page allows better control on page width.
  Fixed 2020-10-30 (Website). 

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