David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 865 (2021-02-27)

Notes (S864)

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Notes (S866)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (1),  Minor Issues (1),  Continuous Improvement (3)
	Images from 2021-02-27 >>     [ Local Files >> ]

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-02-27)

Main aims

1. AstroMain.  Test AstroMain 3.37.5 for stability and presence/absence of UI lockups
2. Targets. Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by conditions.

Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, PHD2,  DeviceHub 6.5.1.0,  UPB 1.5, ASCOM 6.5 SP1
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.9Dev3
   
• AstroMain 3.37.5,  AstroGuard 1.5,   AstroPlan 1.20.5, AstroShCap 1.3.10, AstroVOE 1.5.2, AstroSN 1.4.1,  AstroProtect 1.5
  (AstroWeather 1.11, AstroAllSky 3.9.3, AstroObsCam 1.4.5)

Highlights

• AstroMain 3.37.5  New version was stable throughout but still suffers from issue that UI locks up when an attenpt is main to click on the program with intent of bringing the form to front of other windows.

Lowlights

•   UI Hang Up. One case of UI lock up when the one and only attempt to bring the program window to the front of other windows during the automated session.

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)

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 18:59:10 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity starting between 18:59 & 05:10 18:59:15 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (18:59) 18:59:46 Session Created Live Session Created (2021-02-27 S00865, ImageSaveNum: 865001) 18:59:49   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 19:01:48   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:01:56 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 19:02:00 Session Pending Session pending (2021-02-27) 19:02:02 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-02-27) 19:02:04   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.20.5) 19:03:35   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 602) 19:03:45 Program Resumed AstroMain UI resumed again at 19:03 after 6s 19:03:47   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 19:03:53   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 19:04:04 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 19:04:50   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 46s) 19:05:00 Session Running Session running 19:05:01   Queue Started Observing Queue started (39 targets selected) 19:06:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:09:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 19:11:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 19:11:59       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 19:14:22       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 19:16:14       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 19:16:30       Focusing Checked Foc2 Focusing Check Succeeded 19:17:00     Target Started (1/39) Target started (1/39, GCVS FU Ori) 19:20:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:23:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 19:25:40     Target Completed Target completed (1/39, GCVS FU Ori) 19:25:42     Target Started (2/39) Target started (2/39, NGC 304 w/SN2021dnn) 19:31:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:33:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 19:49:41     Target Completed Target completed (2/39, NGC 304 w/SN2021dnn) 19:49:43     Target Started (3/39) Target started (3/39, UGC 2505 w/SN2021bge) 19:54:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:56:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 20:12:39     Target Completed Target completed (3/39, UGC 2505 w/SN2021bge) 20:12:41     Target Started (4/39) Target started (4/39, AT2021cxz (CV)) 20:16:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:18:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 20:23:48     Target Completed Target completed (4/39, AT2021cxz (CV)) 20:23:50     Target Started (5/39) Target started (5/39, GCVS RR Tau) 20:26:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:28:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 20:34:08     Target Completed Target completed (5/39, GCVS RR Tau) 20:34:10     Target Started (6/39) Target started (6/39, AT2021ckv) 20:38:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:40:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 20:56:20     Target Completed Target completed (6/39, AT2021ckv) 20:56:22     Target Started (7/39) Target started (7/39, UGC 1436 w/SN2021nv) 21:00:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:02:26       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 21:18:32     Target Completed Target completed (7/39, UGC 1436 w/SN2021nv) 21:18:34     Target Started (8/39) Target started (8/39, SN 2021xn) 21:21:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:23:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 21:39:22     Target Completed Target completed (8/39, SN 2021xn) 21:39:24     Target Started (9/39) Target started (9/39, UGC 3502 w/AT2021cwc) 21:42:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:44:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 21:47:50 Critical Humidity Alert Critical Humidity Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 21:47:52   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (high humidity) 21:47:55     Target Aborted (9/39) Target aborted (9/39, UGC 3502 w/AT2021cwc) due to high humidity 21:47:57   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 21:47:59 Session Suspended Session suspended 21:48:45   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 45s) 21:57:28     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (9/39, UGC 3502 w/AT2021cwc) due to other condition 22:09:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (10/39, GCVS ER UMa) due to other condition 22:29:38     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (11/39, CGCG 264-017 w/AT2021bjy) due to other condition 22:42:56     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (12/39, GCVS RZ LMi) due to other condition 22:50:24 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2021-02-27 S00865, ImageSaveNum: 865073) 22:50:41   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 22:50:43   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 22:50:47   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:51:16   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 22:53:00   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:53:09 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:53:11 Session Pending Session pending (2021-02-27) 22:53:13 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-02-27) 22:53:16   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 602) 22:53:19   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 22:53:28   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 22:53:41 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 22:54:26   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 22:54:28 Session Running Session running 22:54:30   Queue Started Observing Queue started (27 targets selected) 22:54:32     Target Started (13/39) Target started (13/39, GCVS DX Cnc) 23:00:01     Target Completed Target partially completed (13/39, GCVS DX Cnc) 23:00:04     Target Started (14/39) Target started (14/39, 398P/Boattini) 23:02:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:04:55       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 23:13:22     Target Completed Target completed (14/39, 398P/Boattini) 23:13:24     Target Started (15/39) Target started (15/39, 156P/Russell-LINEAR) 23:16:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:18:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 23:27:04     Target Completed Target completed (15/39, 156P/Russell-LINEAR) 23:27:06     Target Started (16/39) Target started (16/39, AT2021dbp (CV)) 23:30:04       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:32:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 23:37:59     Target Completed Target completed (16/39, AT2021dbp (CV)) 23:38:01     Target Started (17/39) Target started (17/39, Nova Per 2020 (CV)) 23:41:04       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:42:59       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 23:51:04     Target Completed Target completed (17/39, Nova Per 2020 (CV)) 23:51:06     Target Started (18/39) Target started (18/39, UGC 5829 w/LBV2021blu) 23:55:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:57:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 00:13:23     Target Completed Target completed (18/39, UGC 5829 w/LBV2021blu) 00:13:25     Target Started (19/39) Target started (19/39, GCVS SY Cnc) 00:16:36       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:18:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 00:22:01     Target Completed Target completed (19/39, GCVS SY Cnc) 00:22:03     Target Started (20/39) Target started (20/39, NGC 4227 w/SN2021biz) 00:25:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:27:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 00:43:20     Target Completed Target completed (20/39, NGC 4227 w/SN2021biz) 00:48:13     Target Started (21/39) Target started (21/39, AT2021bgi) 00:50:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:52:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 01:08:58     Target Completed Target completed (21/39, AT2021bgi) 01:09:00     Target Started (22/39) Target started (22/39, AT2021bxp (CV)) 01:13:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:16:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 01:22:08     Target Completed Target completed (22/39, AT2021bxp (CV)) 01:22:11     Target Started (23/39) Target started (23/39, LAMOST-HVS1) 01:31:45     Target Completed Target completed (23/39, LAMOST-HVS1) 01:31:47     Target Started (24/39) Target started (24/39, NGC 4631 w/AT2021biy) 01:51:01     Target Completed Target partially completed (24/39, NGC 4631 w/AT2021biy) 01:51:04     Target Started (25/39) Target started (25/39, IC 992 w/AT2021dwg) 01:55:26       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:12:58     Target Completed Target completed (25/39, IC 992 w/AT2021dwg) 02:13:01     Target Started (26/39) Target started (26/39, KUG 1206+328 w/SN2020aeps) 02:17:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:19:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23) 02:30:28     Target Completed Target completed (26/39, KUG 1206+328 w/SN2020aeps) 02:30:30     Target Started (27/39) Target started (27/39, UGC 6930 w/SN2020rcq) 02:33:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:35:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24) 02:42:53   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 02:42:58   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 02:46:06     Target Completed Target completed (27/39, UGC 6930 w/SN2020rcq) 02:46:08     Target Started (28/39) Target started (28/39, NGC 4774 w/AT2021cjd) 02:46:28   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 02:46:53   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 02:49:57       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 02:54:29   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 02:55:19   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 02:57:39   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 03:07:27     Target Completed Target completed (28/39, NGC 4774 w/AT2021cjd) 03:07:29   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:07:30 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:08:20   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 03:25:47     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (29/39, C/2020 T2 (Palomar)) due to other condition 03:35:20     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (30/39, GCVS AM CVn) due to cloud 03:51:35     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (31/39, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN)) due to other condition 04:01:50 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:02:35   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 04:02:37 Session Running Session running 04:02:39   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:02:41     Target Started (32/39) Target started (32/39, 7P/Pons-Winnecke) 04:12:21   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 04:12:26   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 04:15:50     Target Completed Target partially completed (32/39, 7P/Pons-Winnecke) 04:15:52     Target Started (33/39) Target started (33/39, GCVS R CrB) 04:19:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:21:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 25) 04:24:19     Target Completed Target completed (33/39, GCVS R CrB) 04:24:21     Target Started (34/39) Target started (34/39, GCVS U Her) 04:28:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:29:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 26) 04:36:08   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 04:37:00     Target Completed Target completed (34/39, GCVS U Her) 04:37:02   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 04:37:04 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:37:54   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 04:40:57     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (35/39, GCVS BL Lac) due to cloud 04:48:59     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (36/39, 61 Cyg) due to cloud 05:07:53     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (37/39, AT2021dtd) due to cloud 05:18:17 Session Resuming Session resuming 05:19:02   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 05:19:04 Session Running Session running 05:19:06     Target Started (38/39) Target started (38/39, GCVS SS Cyg) 05:19:08   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 05:27:46     Target Completed Target completed (38/39, GCVS SS Cyg) 05:27:49     Target Started (39/39) Target started (39/39, HIP 87937) 05:31:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:33:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 27) 05:36:27     Target Completed Target completed (39/39, HIP 87937) 05:36:30   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 05:36:34 Session Closing Session closing 05:37:29   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 05:38:07   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 30s), Az: 90.0 deg 05:38:41   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 29s) 05:39:11   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:40:07   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:40:09 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:40:52 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail 02:31:28 Dome Discrepency Difference between Telescope Az and Dome Az is > 8 deg (UGC 6930)

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Operational Issues (2021-02-27 S865)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• AstroMain's UI hung during session following attempted user interaction with the Program Form  (22:36).   Scope had to be parked , the AstroMain program killed and software/session restarted. Program hang happened when the main program form was clicked upon to bring it to the front.  Issue happened despite a number of changes to code in 3.7.5. Fixed in AstroMain 3.38 following major re-factoring to provide greater isolation of the UI Thread from the business code.  Deemed fixed by tests during the final part of session S867 (2021-03-05).
  Resolved 2021-03-06 (AstroMain 3.38)

Minor Issues

• ObsCam1 camera was accidently knocked slightly out of position when attaching a new Storage Drive to AllSky/Weather Computer / USB Hub.   Fixed in shortterm by readjusting the ObsCam1 camera position, but long term fix is required wherenby the camera is permanently fixed in position.
  Temporarily Fixed 2021-02-28 (Observatory / ObsCam)

Continuous Improvement

• Remove individual filter folders in VMA (ie mixed band only) and add buttons to easily flip between 3x3 and 2x2 folders.  Buttons added and field for individual filter folders hidden.
  Done 2021-03-08 (AstroMain 3.38.1)
   
• Add a means to FitSummary.xls to autoselect a good x and y axes reference values from Monitor data.
  To  Do  (Excel)
   
• Fix ObsCam1 camera in permanent position.
  To  Do  (Observatory / ObsCam)

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