David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 881 (2021-04-03)

Notes (S880)

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Notes (S882)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (2),  Continuous Improvement (1)
	Images from 2021-04-03 >>     [ Local Files >> ]

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-04-03)

Main aims

1. AstroMain  Test out v 3.38.13. Check that version is stable and doesn't crash like 3.38.12 did in last session (S880)
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  2.6.9Dev4
   
• AstroMain 3.38.13,  AstroGuard 1.6,   AstroPlan 1.21.6,  AstroShCap 1.3.11, AstroVOE 1.7, AstroSN 1.5,  AstroProtect 1.6
  (AstroWeather 1.12.1, AstroAllSky 3.10.3, AstroObsCam 1.5.4 )

Highlights

•   AstroMain.   AstroMain was stable and didn't crash as in the last session (S880, 2021-04-02)

Lowlights

•   Sky Conditions.   Conditions were poorer than hoped, with poorer transparency / high cloud from 00:45 onwards

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan

Observing Result

Dome & Scope Slewing Performance

Slew/Centering Performance

Guiding Performance Dec Notes : Run 11 (black) failed due to cloud/lost star Run 14 (black) failed due to cloud/lost star in first frame (other frames ok) Run 1 (red) impacted by settling period being too short (focusing cancelled, frame 1 started before selection of Dec Guide Mode) Run 13 (red) impacted by wrong Dec Guide Mode (should have used South Mode, instead of North Mode) Run 2 (orange) impacted by periods of ineffective Dec guiding Run 17 (orange) impacted by cloud/lost star during final frame

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)

Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 20:25:52 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity starting between 20:51 & 04:28 20:51:57   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 20:51 20:51:58   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to cloud 21:03:14 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:03) 21:03:44 Session Created Live Session Created (2021-04-03 S00881, ImageSaveNum: 881001) 21:03:46   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 21:05:44   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:05:52 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:05:54 Session Pending Session pending (2021-04-03) 21:05:56 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-04-03) 21:05:58   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.21.6) 21:06:37   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 619) 21:06:51   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 21:06:57   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 21:07:07 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 21:08:39   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 21:08:55   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started 21:13:55   Equilibration Skipped Dome Equilibration skipped by user 21:13:57 Session Running Session running 21:13:59   Queue Started Observing Queue started (26 targets selected) 21:15:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:19:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 21:21:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 21:21:08       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:23:28       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 21:25:21       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 21:25:38       Focusing Checked Foc2 Focusing Check Succeeded 21:25:54     Target Started (1/26) Target started (1/26, WDS GRB 34) 21:31:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:33:27       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - failed QC check (Ambiguous) 21:35:41     Target Completed Target completed (1/26, WDS GRB 34) 21:35:43     Target Started (2/26) Target started (2/26, UGC 3502 w/SN2021cwc) 21:40:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:42:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 21:58:38     Target Completed Target completed (2/26, UGC 3502 w/SN2021cwc) 21:58:40     Target Started (3/26) Target started (3/26, NGC 3310 w/SN2021gmj) 22:03:31       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:20:43     Target Completed Target completed (3/26, NGC 3310 w/SN2021gmj) 22:20:46     Target Started (4/26) Target started (4/26, NGC 4165 w/SN2021gno) 22:24:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:26:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 22:42:33     Target Completed Target completed (4/26, NGC 4165 w/SN2021gno) 22:42:35     Target Started (5/26) Target started (5/26, NGC 4227 w/SN2021biz) 22:46:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:48:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 23:03:36     Target Completed Target completed (5/26, NGC 4227 w/SN2021biz) 23:03:38     Target Started (6/26) Target started (6/26, UGCA 284) 23:06:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:08:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 23:23:48     Target Completed Target completed (6/26, UGCA 284) 23:24:29     Target Started (7/26) Target started (7/26, Nova Per 2020 (CV)) 23:27:27 Critical Humidity Alert Critical Humidity Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 23:27:29   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (high humidity) 23:27:41     Target Aborted (7/26) Target aborted (7/26, Nova Per 2020 (CV)) due to high humidity 23:27:43   Queue Paused Queue paused For Session Suspension 23:27:45 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:28:32   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 49s) 23:37:51     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (7/26, Nova Per 2020 (CV)) due to high humidity 23:38:43 Session Resuming Session resuming 23:39:28   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 23:39:30 Session Running Session running 23:39:32   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 23:39:34     Target Started (8/26) Target started (8/26, UGC 7774) 23:47:06       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:04:45     Target Completed Target completed (8/26, UGC 7774) 00:04:47     Target Started (9/26) Target started (9/26, C/2020 T2 (Palomar)) 00:07:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:09:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 00:24:01     Target Completed Target completed (9/26, C/2020 T2 (Palomar)) 00:24:03     Target Started (10/26) Target started (10/26, NGC 3389 w/AT2021hkw) 00:28:00       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:45:15     Target Completed Target completed (10/26, NGC 3389 w/AT2021hkw) 00:45:17     Target Started (11/26) Target started (11/26, UGCA 252) 00:50:14       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:04:41   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 01:07:57     Target Completed Target completed (11/26, UGCA 252) 01:07:59   Queue Paused Queue paused For Session Suspension 01:08:01 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:08:51   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 01:15:42 Session Resuming Session resuming 01:16:27   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 01:16:29 Session Running Session running 01:16:31   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 01:16:33     Target Started (12/26) Target started (12/26, IC 3322A w/SN2021hiz) 01:29:45     Target Completed Target partially completed (12/26, IC 3322A w/SN2021hiz) 01:29:47     Target Started (13/26) Target started (13/26, NGC 5018 w/SN2021fxy) 01:33:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:35:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 01:49:30   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 01:51:10     Target Completed Target completed (13/26, NGC 5018 w/SN2021fxy) 01:51:12   Queue Paused Queue paused For Session Suspension 01:51:14 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:52:00   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 02:07:30     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/26, IC 992 w/SN2021dwg) due to other condition 02:07:33 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:08:16   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 02:08:18 Session Running Session running 02:08:20   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:10:30     Target Started (15/26) Target started (15/26, IC 863 w/SN2021foa) 02:16:57       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 02:34:18     Target Completed Target completed (15/26, IC 863 w/SN2021foa) 02:34:20     Target Started (16/26) Target started (16/26, 61 Cyg) 02:38:04       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:39:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 02:41:06     Target Completed Target completed (16/26, 61 Cyg) 02:41:08     Target Started (17/26) Target started (17/26, GCVS BL Lac) 02:45:46       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 02:50:32     Target Completed Target completed (17/26, GCVS BL Lac) 02:50:34     Target Started (18/26) Target started (18/26, GCVS SS Cyg) 02:50:35   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 02:55:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:57:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 03:00:54     Target Completed Target completed (18/26, GCVS SS Cyg) 03:00:56   Queue Paused Queue paused For Session Suspension 03:00:59 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:01:46   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 03:04:40     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/26, GCVS SS Cyg) due to cloud 03:23:47     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (19/26, AT2021hkn) due to cloud 03:34:57     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (20/26, GCVS HH And) due to cloud 04:00:28     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/26, UGC 10310) due to cloud 04:11:18     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/26, HIP 87937) due to cloud 04:19:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/26, GCVS R CrB) due to cloud 04:28:37     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/26, GCVS SS Her) due to cloud 04:47:09     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/26, 7P/Pons-Winnecke) due to cloud 05:07:12     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (26/26, GCVS CY Lyr) due to cloud 05:07:17   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 05:07:23 Session Closing Session closing 05:07:28   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 03:01, closing time 50s) 05:07:56   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 20s), Az: 90.0 deg 05:08:45   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 44s) 05:09:15   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:10:05   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:10:07 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:10:23 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail 21:45:57 Dome Dome has been stationary for more than 10 mins 21:58:43 Dome Dome Movements have begun again (outage 22.8 mins) 22:00:55 Dome Discrepency Difference between Telescope Az and Dome Az is > 8 deg (NGC 3310)

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Operational Issues (2021-04-03 S881)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (2)
• Continuous Improvement (1)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Rain Values on Manager Tab are showing Light values rather than Rain Values. Issue is probably long standing one, but has only just been noticed. Rain value on ObsViewer is correct.  Bug fixed on 2021-04-05 (bug had been introduced when input field converted to using Virtual Model)
  Fixed 2021-04-05 (AstroMain 3.38.14)
   
• ObsCam again producing too many false intrusion alarms (2021-04-04).  After working ok for a few days ObsCam with a fix to prevent false alarms caused by rapid sky brightness changes, ObsCam is again producing too many false alarms.  These are caused by strong wind moving the shutter and affecting light conditions at the top and sides of the shutter during daytime (see picture below).  In the 24 hour period starting 2021-04-04 11:00  there were 100 false alarms !.  Fixed by tightening intrusion threshold from previous value of 2 (%) to a new value of 4 (%).   (Alternative method would be to set a rectangle mask where values would be avoided.)
  Fixed 2021-04-05 (AstroObsCam 1.5.5)
  
  

Continuous Improvement

• Make small adjustments to text shown on ObsCam pictures.  Session/State lines to be reduced to only 1 on Scope Picture and also only shown during live session.  The Scope Time field on main ObsPic to be labelled 'Data' to distinguish it from the Picture Date / Time.
  Done 2021-04-05 (AstroObsCam 1.5.5)

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