David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 892 (2021-04-29)

Notes (S891)

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Notes (S893)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (5),  Small Defects (0),  Continuous Improvement (0)
	Images from 2021-04-29 >>      [ Local Files >> ]

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-04-29)

Main aims

1. Resync LX200. Resync LX200 telescope and perform short mapping job.
   (requirement for resync was a consequence of the scope loosing its Park Position when the scope was accidently turned off before scope had been correctly parked during day time testing over the last few days.)
2. MeadeGeneric. Test out new version 1.1.0.337 under live conditions.
3. Targets. Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by time & conditions

Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, PHD2,  DeviceHub 6.5.1.0,  MeadeGeneric 1.1.0.337, UPB 1.5, ASCOM 6.5 SP1
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.9Dev4
   
• AstroMain 3.39.5,  AstroPlan 1.21.6,  AstroShCap 1.3.11, AstroGuard 1.6,   AstroVOE 1.7, AstroSN 1.5,  AstroProtect 1.6
  (AstroWeather 1.12.4, AstroAllSky 3.10.3, AstroObsCam 1.5.5 )

Highlights

•   MeadeGeneric driver.  The new 'bypass date prompts' method for remediating a show-stopping scope connection issue when using MeadeLX200GPS telescope driver with AutoSetTime option worked successfully, and allowed session to be commenced in automated mode using 'AutoStart'

Lowlights

•   Sky Quality.  Sky Transparency gradually deteriorated until  it became so bad session had to be suspended. Resulting in fewer targets than hoped.

Notes:

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)

Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 02:42:31 Session Created Live Session Created (2021-04-29 S00892, ImageSaveNum: 892001) 02:43:12   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 02:44:54   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 02:44:56   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 02:45:00   Services Started Observatory Services started 02:45:26   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 02:45:37   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 02:48:35   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 48s) 02:53:00   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 03:20:02 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 03:20:05 Session Pending Session pending (2021-04-29) 03:20:07 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-04-29) 03:20:09   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.21.6) 03:26:40   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 631) 03:26:47   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -25°C) 03:26:52   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 03:27:02 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 03:27:04 Session Running Session running 03:27:06   Queue Started Observing Queue started (3 targets selected) 03:28:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:30:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 03:30:09     Target Missed (1/3) Target's time slot was missed (1/3, 61 Cyg) 03:30:11     Target Started (2/3) Target started (2/3, GCVS HH And) 03:34:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:36:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 03:38:37     Target Completed Target completed (2/3, GCVS HH And) 03:38:40     Target Started (3/3) Target started (3/3, WDS GRB 34) 03:41:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:43:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 03:44:53     Target Completed Target completed (3/3, WDS GRB 34) 03:44:56   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 03:44:58 Session Closing Session closing 03:45:53   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 03:46:21   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 21s), Az: 90.0 deg 03:47:26   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 59s) 03:47:56   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 03:48:45   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 03:48:47 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 03:48:53 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail -- No Alerts                --

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Operational Issues (2021-04-29, S892)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (5)
• Small Defects (0)
• Continuous Improvement (0)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Lost connection with SBIG Camera at start of session after Windows reported problem with a USB device. Resolved in session by remotey switching off/switching on the power to SBIG camera using HUE Smart Plug.
  Resolved in-session 2021-04-30 (Session / SBIG Camera)
   
• AstroPlan took long time creating observing plan (3 targets). Waited until plan finished. Presumed to be an issue making plan at end of night where Plan was trying to include many more 'Must-Include' targets than could be accomodated. Led to Target 1/3 (61 Cyg) being missed.
  Monitor future sessions (AstroPlan)
   
• Reduction/Analysis of AutoMap frames not giving a PointIngError value, even though they are linking?. Fixed (point-forward) by having AutoMapping code insert TAG-RA and TAG-Dec keywords into FITS Images containing the calculated Ra2000, Dec2000 coordinates for the Az/Alt Map point.
  Fixed 2021-05-03 (AstroMain 3.39.8) 
   
• More signs of frost starting to appear on ST-10's CCD Chip/CCD Window.  First noted in Session S884 (2021-04-13) . CCD Desicator from SBIG Camera needs to be renewed in near future. Desicator renewed in oven (2021-05-05)
  Fixed (SBIG Camera)
   
• Frames from Short Mapping appears to show signs of IR leakage again. Observatory/Telescope checked but not obvious reason fpund for why IR light was by-passing the jumper wrapped around camera/TCF-S focuser. Prehaps there is another leak path ?.   Jumper was rewrapped around camera/TCF-S focuser which seems to have stopped the IR leak path again.  However a more permanent solution needs to be found.
  Resolved 2021-04-30 (ObsCam / LX200 Scope)

Small Defects

• None

Continuous Improvement

• None

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