David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 898 (2021-05-22)

Notes (S897)

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Notes (S899)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (1),  Minor Issues (7),  Small Defects (0),  Continuous Improvement (10)
	Images from 2021-05-22 >>      [ Local Files >> ]

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-05-22)

Main aims

1. AstroMain.  Try out AstroMain 3.40, following major refactoring of parts of code connected with plate-solving.  Check out fixes and enhancements. Check for any new issues / introduced bugs.
2. DeviceHub. Try out 6.5.1.4 version of Device Hub. Check for stability/absence of issues
3. Guiding.  Collect information to understand the impact of focuser movements & associated change in weight distribution on guiding
4. 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 6.5.1.4,  MeadeLX200GPS / 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 3.40,  AstroPlan 1.22.1,  AstroShCap 1.3.11, AstroGuard 1.6,   AstroVOE 1.7, AstroSN 1.5.1,  AstroProtect 1.6
  (AstroWeather 1.12.4, AstroAllSky 3.10.4, AstroObsCam 1.5.5 )

Highlights

•   AstroMain.  No major issues with AstroMain 3.40.  A number of minor issues related to transition to new code routines. 
•   DeviceHub.  No issues with DH 6.5.1.4 (new version)

Lowlights

•   MeadeLX200GPS. Unable to connect to telescope using MeadeLX200GPS driver at beginning of session
•   Sky Quality. Sky quality poorer than expected (summer sky and moon )

Notes:

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan

Observing Result

Dome & Scope Slewing Performance

Slew/Centering Performance Large errors (red circles) are due to a bug whereby the scope wasn't re-slewed to the relevant target following session suspension &  near zenith re-focusing

Guiding Performance Dec Notes : Run 1 & Run 9 (black) failed due to cloud/lost star. RA Notes:  Ra guiding (generally yellow) was poorer than normal

Sky Conditions (Locate Frames) Bugs in AstroMain 3.40 caused incorrect Sky Transparency and Elongation values to be drawn on realtime graphs (post session graphs are shown for information)

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 23:31:51   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -10°C) 23:31:53 Session Created Live Session Created (2021-05-22 S00898, ImageSaveNum: 898001) 23:31:55   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 23:33:07   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:33:09 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode 23:40:34   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:41:29   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 23:42:22 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 23:42:24 Session Pending Session pending (2021-05-22) 23:42:26 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-05-22) 23:42:28   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.22.1) 23:44:43   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 637) 23:44:48   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 23:44:53   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 23:45:03 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 23:45:49   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 46s) 23:45:53   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started 23:50:25   Equilibration Skipped Dome Equilibration skipped by user 23:50:27 Session Running Session running 23:50:29   Queue Started Observing Queue started (11 targets selected) 23:50:31     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 15, HIP 73454) 23:51:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:53:26       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 23:53:28     Target Completed Target completed (Focus Field 15, HIP 73454) 23:53:30     Target Started (1/11) Target started (1/11, NGC 3310 w/SN2021gmj) 23:55:15   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 23:56:15     Target Failed Target failed due to cloud (1/11, NGC 3310 w/SN2021gmj) 23:56:17   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 23:56:19 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:57:06   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 00:00:11 Session Resuming Session resuming 00:01:01   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 50s) 00:01:03 Session Running Session running 00:01:05   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 00:01:07     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 15, HIP 73454) 00:01:11   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 00:02:16   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 00:02:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:03:21   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 00:03:41   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 00:03:55       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 00:03:57     Target Completed Target completed (Focus Field 15, HIP 73454) 00:03:59     Target Started (1/11) Target started (1/11, NGC 3310 w/SN2021gmj) 00:09:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:11:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 00:17:33     Target Completed Target partially completed (1/11, NGC 3310 w/SN2021gmj) 00:17:35     Target Started (2/11) Target started (2/11, GCVS AM CVn) 00:22:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:24:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 00:27:04     Target Completed Target completed (2/11, GCVS AM CVn) 00:27:06     Target Started (3/11) Target started (3/11, UGC 8426 w/AT2021knq) 00:34:05       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 00:48:03     Target Completed Target partially completed (3/11, UGC 8426 w/AT2021knq) 00:48:05     Target Started (4/11) Target started (4/11, C/2020 T2 (Palomar)) 00:51:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:53:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 01:06:32     Target Completed Target completed (4/11, C/2020 T2 (Palomar)) 01:06:34     Target Started (5/11) Target started (5/11, 61 Cyg) 01:12:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:14:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 01:15:42     Target Completed Target completed (5/11, 61 Cyg) 01:15:44     Target Started (6/11) Target started (6/11, GCVS BL Lac) 01:18:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:21:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 01:24:39     Target Completed Target completed (6/11, GCVS BL Lac) 01:24:41     Target Started (7/11) Target started (7/11, AT2021hkn) 01:25:14   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 01:25:39   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 01:27:09   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 01:28:19 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 01:28:21   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 01:28:34     Target Aborted (7/11) Target aborted (7/11, AT2021hkn) due to cloud 01:28:36   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:28:40 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:29:29   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 49s) 01:32:22     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (7/11, AT2021hkn) due to cloud 01:52:14     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (8/11, NGC 7767 w/AT2021kni) due to cloud 02:03:04     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (9/11, HIP 87937) due to cloud 02:04:22 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:05:07   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 02:05:09 Session Running Session running 02:05:11   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:05:13     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 17, HIP 83575) 02:06:22   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:06:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:08:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 02:08:23     Target Completed Target completed (Focus Field 17, HIP 83575) 02:08:25     Target Started (10/11) Target started (10/11, UGC 11177 w/AT2021koq) 02:10:13     Target Failed Target failed due to cloud (10/11, UGC 11177 w/AT2021koq) 02:10:15   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:10:18 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:11:08   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 02:13:03 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:13:53   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 50s) 02:13:55 Session Running Session running 02:13:57   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:13:59     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 17, HIP 83575) 02:14:01   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:14:28   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 02:14:33   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:14:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:14:58   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 02:15:18   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:15:23   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 02:16:03   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:16:08   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 02:16:28   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:16:36       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 02:16:38     Target Completed Target completed (Focus Field 17, HIP 83575) 02:16:40     Target Started (10/11) Target started (10/11, UGC 11177 w/AT2021koq) 02:16:48   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 02:16:53   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:18:08   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 02:18:39   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:19:34   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 02:19:54   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:19:59   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 02:20:09   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:21:54 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 02:21:56   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 02:21:58     Target Aborted (10/11) Target aborted (10/11, UGC 11177 w/AT2021koq) due to cloud 02:22:00   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:22:02 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:22:49   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 02:29:30 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:30:20   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 50s) 02:30:22 Session Running Session running 02:30:24   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:30:26     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 17, HIP 83575) 02:30:28   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:30:30   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 02:30:45   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:30:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:31:15   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 02:31:20   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:31:35   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 02:32:00   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:32:15   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 02:32:30   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:32:35   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 02:32:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 02:32:41     Target Completed Target completed (Focus Field 17, HIP 83575) 02:32:43     Target Started (11/11) Target started (11/11, GCVS AM Her) 02:32:45   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:33:00   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 02:33:05   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:33:10   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 02:40:51   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:40:56   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 02:43:47     Target Completed Target completed (11/11, GCVS AM Her) 02:43:50   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 02:43:53 Session Closing Session closing 02:44:46   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 02:45:24   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 31s), Az: 90.0 deg 02:46:26   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 58s) 02:46:41   Telescope State Scope parked Turn scope off. (Handbox) 02:47:01   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 02:47:53   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 02:47:55 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 02:48:06 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail 23:33:09 Telescope Alert ASCOM Telescope not connnected 23:45:49 Dome Shutter Pulsar Shutter has woken up (fresh data started at 23:45:49, outage 220.1mins)

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Operational Issues (2021-05-22, S898)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (1)
• Minor Issues (7)
• Small Defects (0)
• Continuous Improvement (10)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• Unable to connect to telescope at start of session (MeadeLX200GPS driver).  There had been telescope connection problems back in March but  a workaround had been found and put in place to allow the MeadeLX200GPS driver to be used. It was therefore quite a surprise to again have connection problems (it was intended to use the MeadeLX200GPS driver for this session to get around an issue with the MeadeGeneric driver which currently makes it unable to effect a physical change to the telescope tracking state - preventing the telescope tracked to be turned off during a prolonged suspension).   Unclear why connection failed and why Date Field requests weren't by-passed using the special bypass/date setting command . Issue resolved in-session by switching over to use the MeadeGeneric driver (despite its ongoing Get/Set Tracking State issue). Connection occurred without further issue.     The original issue using MeadeLX200GPS driver needs to be investigated via daytime testing ahead of the next session.
  When trying to get Properties for MeadeLX200GPS driver the following day,  an ASCOM Chooser dialog popped up with message "Failed to load driver "MeadeLX200GPS.Telescope" System.RunTtime.InteropServices.COM Exception .. failed due to .. Class not registered".  Problem not fixed by reinstalling the Meade driver. Conformance Test on the MeaderLX200GPS driver showed following Driver Access ERROR  "Error creating driver object using late binding: System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x800A01A9): Creating an instance of the COM component with CLSID {E09E5EA3-18C9-4AAD-96C9-F474E4C374B3} from the IClassFactory failed"   Although a connection to telescope and/or access to Driver properties fails an instance of 'MeadeLX200GPS Driver.exe' does appear in TaskManager's process list indicating that driver details are at least recognised by ASCOM telescope chooser. Problem persisted after reinstalling the driver and rebooting the computer.  Problem occurs on 3 different Computers.  Problem occurs when Kaspersky Protection temporarily turned off. Problem occurs after unregistering and re-registering MeadeLX200GPS Driver.exe.    It would seem that the underlying issue with MeadeLX200GPS driver is terminal !
  Resolved in-session (using MeadeGeneric driver instead)

Minor Issues

• Very large Pointing Errors was reported during 2nd attempt at centering the first target.  Pointing Error of 2364.5 arc mins (39.4 arc degs)  reported for Locate Frame 2 & 3 from Target 1/11 (NGC 3310) (#898005-06).  This was initially thought to be due to using new refactored code, however reverting to old PositionAndSync code for Locate 4 (#898007) showed that that this didn't seem to be the case.   Examining the log file in-session showed that were two attempts to acquire Target 1/11 interrupted by a short session suspension due to passing cloud.  On the first attempt (and after initial locate frame failures due to too few stars)  the Locate 3 frame was successfully plate solved and had a pointing error of only 2.6 arc mins. After resuming the telescope was slewed back to a near zenith focus field for 'completed'  initial automated focusing.  This scope movement wasn't recognised by the job queue manager which operated on the basis that the telescope didn't need slewing to Target 1/11 for its second attempt) as it had already been slewed to the target prior to the session suspension.  Issue is understood.  Fix to cure under problem made 2021-05-23 (AstroMain 3.40.1)
  Issue understood (Session)
   
• Target was allowed to be continued  (following session suspension) without checking that telescope was definately still on target. Telescope was slewed to Target 1/11 (NGC 3310) at 23:53 but centering was interrupted at 23:56 when session was suspended due to cloud.  When session resumed Foc1 focusing was reperformed at Near Zenith Focus Point.   This wasn't realised by the Job Queue executor which didn't order a reslew to NGC 3310 target when it resumed operations (report file shows the message "Target has already been slewed to") but instead preceded with take fresh locate images to complete the target centering task. This happened because a flag was still raised to say that slew to target had been completed.   Flag needs to be reset if telescope is known to have been slewed away from the target (as happened in this case).  Flag also needs to be reset if scope position isn't lying close (<30 arc mins) away from the Target location using a new OB function 'DistanceToTargetInDegs()'.  Fix implemented 2021-05-23 (AstroMain 3.40.1)
  Fixed  2021-05-23 (AstroMain 3.40.1)
   
• Full Focusing of both Main & Secondary Scopes wasn't conducted at start of session.  Although Foc1 Wide/Standard and Foc2 Wide/Standard autofocusing would have occurred at Near Zenith Focus Field at start of session using Autostart,  these operations weren't reached at start of session as  AutoStart detected a problem connecting to telescope using MeadeLX200GPS Driver.   When session was restarted using Fully-Automated mode the enhanced Near Zenith Focusing options aren't automatically selected and only the Foc1 Standard focusing was conducted.   It isn't clear why Foc1 Standard focusing was repeated after briefly session suspended. Fixed by setting Forcing Foc1 and Foc2 focusing at start of Automated Run subject to 'Force Initial Wide Focus' user option which is checked by default.
  Fixed  2021-05-23 (AstroMain 3.40.1)
   
• Formatting & Consistency Issues with the text reported for 'Corrective jog'  (00:19). Following a Jog discrepency for the Jog operation associated with Locate 2 Centering for Target 2/11 (GCVS AM CVn) there are issues with the reporting of text: Issues with  'Reviewing Position (2b)',  'Jogging ...' ,  'Ok   Scope Change'  without an associated AddComment. Acceptance Test pointing within 1.0 arc mins.  . New routine added called ApplyJogs() to create a single place from where Jogs are dispatched from. This will improve both report consistency and code maintainence.
  Fixed  2021-05-23 (AstroMain 3.40.1)
   
• Possible issue with Sky Transparency (ZeroPoint) and Elongation data posted to SkyConditonsChart In AstroMain. Sky Transpareny values are all < 18 (dew ?,  poor transparency/high cloud ? / coding error). Elongation values are all 1 (coding error ?). It would appear that calls to calculate these values are either not being made or values are not being written to iAm image data array or are being overwritten.  This would seem to a bug introduced during code-refactoring for AstroMain 3.40.   aImZeroPoint(iImPts) is assigned in AnalyseStarsInImage() routine.   It will take a value of vcNull (-99) is there are no Active Stars (when no OBJCT entries in FITS Header, or Image.FindInventoryAtRADec fails for some reason). Similarly SavedAvElong takes on vcNull for same reasons.   Identified issue due to condition in AnalyseStarsInImage which cause the routine to illogically exit before reaching the code that determine ZeroPoint and Elongation values. Fixed in AstroMain 3.40.1. Opportunity taken to speed up AnalyseStarsInImage() routine where FITS header doesn't contain any OBJCT data.
  Fixed  2021-05-23 (AstroMain 3.40.1)
   
• Pulsar Shutter data suggests it has been asleep for near 4.5 days. Shutter seems to have gone asleep on 2021-05-18 (xx:xx).  Shutter appears to have woken at 23:45 (2021-05-22) when the dome connection was stopped and restarted.   Dome trace log needs to be checked.    Problem is thought to be unrelated to earlier issue where the shutter would fall a asleep for up to a few hours at a time since that issue was fixed with the installation of v1.25 of Pulsar Shutter Software. Problem may have occurred due to Dome's COM Port switching from primary port COM9 to secondary port COM10 without a disconnection/reconnection of Dome.  Logs were unfortunately deleted for this time period, so it's not possible to diagnose the problem any further. A COM Port change would normally lead to a reconnection attempt which if successful would 'restart'  Shutter data flow again, however an earlier incident in session S777 (2020-05-02) show that the automatic attempt to restart the Dome Connection can sometime fail to make a valid connection, and Dome Object is disconnected. Proposal is to close issue.
  Closed but monitor for any future incidents  2021-05-26 (AstroMain / Dome)
   
• Cam2 Temperature chart didn't show any data from the session. Whilst Foc2 Focusing wasn't performed at the start of session, later guiding was being conducted in PHD2 using Cam2.   Unclear why Chart hasn't started. This would normally occur when first Temperature point is added.  Issue might be associated with not using Camera from SharpCap at start of session this was due to Foc2 focusing not being performed at the Near Zenith Focus Field or issue connecting PHD2 to equipment at start of session (due to Telescope Connection issue using MeadeLX200GPS driver).   Chart was ok in following session S899 (2021-05-31) so without further diagnostic information the issue is deemed to be closed.
  Done  2021-06-01  (Session / AstroMain)
   
• Display of Focusing Changes on Guiding Charts are not sufficiently clear and doesn't seen to be posted at all during Focus Profile measurements (Settling phase). Green lines added in AstroMain 3.40 to show positions when the TCF-S focuser is being moved to new positions but the lines aren't being clearly or consistently drawn.  Only lines drawn are associated with larger >180 steps moves (Mode 1). Smaller moves (Mode 2) don't seem to be drawn and none are drawn whilst scope is settling.    Change to the drawn position & line thickness made in AstroMain 3.40.1 (2021-05-23).  Extra Tracing also added to help understand why the focus change lines aren't being shown during settling phase.  The tracing showed that in following session S899 (2021-05-31) the GuidingChart.DrawFocusChange() routine is being called ok during the settling period,  which indicates an issue within the DrawFocusChange procedure itself.  Code shows that subroutine is immediately exiting due to an inappropriate condition check on 'bRecording'.   Fixed in AstroMain 3.30.3.
  Fixed 2021-06-01 (AstroMain 3.40.3)

Small Defects

• None

Continuous Improvement

• Query:  Why was Near Zenith Focusing repeated when session was resumed at  00:01 following a 5 min suspension . Initial Foc1/Standard Focusing was completed using Focus Field 15 at 23:53 (Best Focus 5167) and Target 1/11 was being centered when the session suspended at  23:56.   At 00:00 the session resumed and returned to the Focus Field 15 at 00:01 where Foc1/Standard Focusing was again conducted (Best Focus 5121).  This led to a Pointing Error / Centering Issue when the job queue executor began taking Locate frames at the Focus Field 15 location assumed that was were the scope was still pointing (it didn't realise that the cope had moved back to the Near Zenith Focus field). Code shows that in event of job queue resuming after a suspension or the 'InterruptedBySuspension' flag is raised then the FocusScopeNearZenith() is called if the following condition is true
  ' (bFoc1ScopeIsFocused = False Or bFoc2ScopeIsFocused = False) And Dome.ShutterIsOpen() '.  Since the Foc2 focusing wasn't initially conducted and Foc2 focusing wasn't flagged for subsequent  Near Zenith Focusing attempts, the session was caught in a cycle for repeated Near Zenith Foc1 focusing each time the session was resumed. Issue is understood, but the course of action still needs to be decided and implemented.  Fix made to AstroMain 3.40.1 to force Foc1 and Foc2 focusing when starting session from Automated Mode. May need other smarter action.
  Fix made 2021-05-23 (AstroMain 3.40.1)
   
• Make further improvements to Report File messages. Incorporate further use of LPad18 () & fourth column
  Done  2021-05-24 (AstroMain 3.40.1)
   
• In the event that Pointing Error is > 1000 arc mins, it should be shown on Charts, Tables and Reports as a whole number (0 dp), without thousand separator.   Implemented in AstroMain 3.40.1 by making calls to new 'FormatNumber2() function instead of directly call the built-in FormatNumber() function or using long winded code for each part of the program where values of this kind need to be written.
  Done  2021-05-23 (AstroMain 3.40.1)
   
• In the event that a Target is 'restarted' pointing data should be shown on a new line in the (slew).dat file.  This has been previously proposed as a issue or continuous improvement item but not delivered. Code change made in AstroMain 3.40.1 to 'reset' the  RecordSlewAccuracy to True when resuming new target even if a new slew isn't conducted.
  Done  2021-05-23 (AstroMain 3.40.1)
   
• Add a utility to easily copy (focus).dat file for a particular session to the general focus.dat file that is used to replay a Focus Profile.  Implemented in AstroMain 1.7.4 using a new 'Copy Focus File' button facility on the program's Sessions tab.
  Done  2021-05-25 (AstroMove 1.7.4)
   
• Add links to GuideSummary Plots from Local Web Page. Images are too large to embed in local web page but it would be handy to quickly access data without having to navigate to image using File Explorer.
  Done  2021-05-25 (AstroMain 3.40.1)
   
• Add links to Focus Profile Graphs from Local Web Page. Too many images to embed in local web page but it would be handy to quickly access data without having to navigate to a particular graph using File Explorer.
  Done  2021-05-27 (AstroMain 3.40.2)
   
• Remove AirmassTolerance form field and AirmassTolerance variable from AstroPlan.  Airmass Tolerance gives unwanted sideeffect when used and isn't used anymore.   Code easier to maintain by removing it from the program. .
  Done  2021-05-27 (AstroPlan 1.22.2)
   
• Show average wind speed on GuidingChart and in GuideSumm File.
  Done  2021-05-28 (AstroMain 3.40.2)
   
• Remove old Q1 tab & Q1 datafields, old Target Edit Form,  old ImageTargetT handling etc as they are no longer used. Functionality taken on by OB / Job Queue handling, AstroPlan Targets, Q2 tab.   Code maintainence will be easier by removing unused pieces of code and may speed up the Visual Studio project editing.   Old code remove, Q1 (TabStatus), EditObject & Old Planner removed from Project.    Certain retained functions 'Take Dark Set', 'Build Mosaic' may need to be used with caution until they are proven to be safe.
  Done  2021-05-28 (AstroMain 3.40.2)

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