David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 914 (2021-09-19)

Notes (S914A)

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Notes (S915)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (8),  Small Defects (0),  Continuous Improvement (11)
	Images from 2021-09-19 >>          [ Local Files >> ]

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-09-19)

Main aims

1. Targets. Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by time & conditions.
2. AstroMain. Test fixes, improvements and new features in AstroMain 3.42.2 Check for stability.

Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, PHD2 2.6.10,  DeviceHub 6.5.1.4,  MeadeGeneric 1.3.1.361, UPB 1.5, ASCOM 6.5 SP1
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.10
   
• AstroMain 3.42.2 (first part), 3.42.3 (middle part) & 3.34.4 (final part) ,  AstroPlan 1.23.1,  AstroShCap 1.3.11, AstroGuard 1.6.2,  AstroVOE 1.8,  AstroSN 1.6,  AstroProtect 1.6
  (AstroWeather 1.12.4, AstroAllSky 3.10.4, AstroObsCam 1.5.7)

Highlights

• Target with Calibration Stars.  Scheduling of RR Lyr with before and after calibration using Vega worked ok.   A separate software problem and cloud conspired to prevent a full live test of the scheduled group.  Tests with 3.42.4 later in session and showed that autosetting the locate frame exposure time for BrightStar Pointing based on looked-up star magnitude worked. . 

Lowlights

•  Cloud.  No Images acquired due to initial problem importing plan and later cloud

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 21:12:09 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:12 & 04:44 21:12:14 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:12) 21:12:45 Session Created Live Session Created (2021-09-19 S00914, ImageSaveNum: 914001) 21:12:47   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 21:14:31   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:14:38 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:14:41 Session Pending Session pending (2021-09-19) 21:14:43 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-09-19) 21:14:45   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.23.1) 21:16:17   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 660) 21:16:37   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -10°C) 21:16:44   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 21:17:08 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 21:17:53   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 21:17:55 Session Running Session running 21:17:57   Queue Started Observing Queue started (32 targets selected) 21:18:00     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 20, HIP 98535) 21:20:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:23:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 21:25:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 21:25:48       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:28:17       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 21:30:16       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 21:30:36     Target Completed Target completed (Focus Field 20, HIP 98535) 21:30:39     Target Started (1/32) Target started (1/32, NGC 6500 w/SN2021wuf) 21:46:25 Critical Humidity Alert Critical Humidity Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 21:46:27   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (high humidity) 21:46:29   Queue Paused Queue pausing for Session Suspension 21:46:30 Session Suspended Session suspended 21:47:20   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 22:00:53     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (2/32, GCVS CY Lyr) due to high humidity 22:06:31   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 22:06:54   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 22:06:57 Program Closed Program closed by User 22:08:03 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2021-09-19 S00914, ImageSaveNum: 914002) 22:09:41   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 22:09:43   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 22:09:47   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:10:01   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -10°C) 22:10:03   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 22:11:13 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:11:16 Session Pending Session pending (2021-09-19) 22:11:18 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-09-19) 22:11:24   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 660) 22:11:35   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -10°C) 22:11:41   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 22:12:05 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 22:12:07 Wait On Weather Waiting For acceptable conditions 22:12:09 Session Suspended Session suspended 22:12:11   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closure time is unknown) 22:12:13   Queue Started Observing Queue started (29 targets selected) 22:19:10     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (4/32, GCVS RR Lyr) due to high humidity 22:26:30     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (5/32, Vega) due to high humidity 22:35:50     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (6/32, KIC 8462852) due to high humidity 22:36:16 Session Resuming Session resuming 22:37:01   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 22:37:03 Session Running Session running 22:37:05   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 22:37:07     Target Started (7/32) Target started (7/32, Nova Cas 2021) 22:41:00       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:43:22       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5, wide) 22:45:13       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 22:47:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:50:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6, wide) 22:52:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 22:57:48     Target Completed Target partially completed (7/32, Nova Cas 2021) 22:57:50     Target Started (8/33) Target started (8/33, NGC 6500 w/SN2021wuf, ToO) 23:19:32     Target Completed Target completed (8/33, NGC 6500 w/SN2021wuf, ToO) 23:19:34     Target Started (9/34) Target started (9/34, Vega, ToO) 23:22:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:26:05       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed (failed QC check - Range) 23:27:10     Target Completed Target completed (9/34, Vega, ToO) 23:27:12     Target Started (10/35) Target started (10/35, GCVS RR Lyr, ToO) 23:30:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:32:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 23:38:16     Target Completed Target completed (10/35, GCVS RR Lyr, ToO) 23:38:18     Target Missed (11/35) Target's time slot was missed (11/35, GCVS Z And) 23:38:20     Target Missed (12/35) Target's time slot was missed (12/35, 61 Cyg) 23:38:22     Target Missed (13/35) Target's time slot was missed (13/35, GCVS EV Lac) 23:38:24     Target Missed (14/35) Target's time slot was missed (14/35, UGC 12188 w/SN2021ucg) 23:39:28     Target Started (15/35) Target started (15/35, AT2021kku) 23:43:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:45:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 00:01:35     Target Completed Target completed (15/35, AT2021kku) 00:01:37     Target Started (16/35) Target started (16/35, NGC 6184 w/SN2021wkv) 00:04:18       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:21:18     Target Completed Target completed (16/35, NGC 6184 w/SN2021wkv) 00:21:20   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 00:23:00   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 00:23:02 Program Closed Program closed by User 00:25:26 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2021-09-19 S00914, ImageSaveNum: 914053) 00:27:05   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 00:27:07   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 00:27:11   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:27:25   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 00:41:54   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -15°C) 00:42:01 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 00:42:05 Session Pending Session pending (2021-09-19) 00:42:07 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-09-19) 00:42:14   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 660) 00:42:25   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -15°C) 00:42:30   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 00:43:00 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 00:43:02 Session Running Session running 00:43:05   Queue Started Observing Queue started (19 targets selected) 00:43:07     Target Missed (14/32) Target's time slot was missed (14/32, UGC 784 w/SN2021pc) 00:45:34     Target Started (15/32) Target started (15/32, NGC 514 w/SN2020uxz) 00:50:05       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 00:52:26       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12, wide) 00:54:24       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 00:57:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:00:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13, wide) 01:02:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 01:07:05     Target Completed Target partially completed (15/32, NGC 514 w/SN2020uxz) 01:07:08     Target Started (16/32) Target started (16/32, AT2021hfr) 01:10:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:12:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 01:28:27     Target Completed Target completed (16/32, AT2021hfr) 01:28:29     Target Started (17/33) Target started (17/33, Vega, ToO) 01:34:28     Target Completed Target completed (17/33, Vega, ToO) 01:34:30     Target Started (18/33) Target started (18/33, GCVS SS Cyg) 01:43:28     Target Completed Target completed (18/33, GCVS SS Cyg) 01:43:30     Target Started (19/33) Target started (19/33, GCVS BL Lac) 01:46:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:48:26       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 01:52:01     Target Completed Target completed (19/33, GCVS BL Lac) 01:52:03     Target Started (20/33) Target started (20/33, GCVS HH And) 01:55:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:57:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 01:59:04     Target Completed Target completed (20/33, GCVS HH And) 01:59:06     Target Started (21/33) Target started (21/33, WDS GRB 34) 02:02:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:04:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 02:05:52     Target Completed Target completed (21/33, WDS GRB 34) 02:06:47     Target Started (22/33) Target started (22/33, SN 2021gmh) 02:10:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:12:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 02:27:54     Target Completed Target completed (22/33, SN 2021gmh) 02:28:39     Target Started (23/33) Target started (23/33, NGC 1166 w/AT2021zby) 02:33:18       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:50:23     Target Completed Target completed (23/33, NGC 1166 w/AT2021zby) 02:50:25     Target Started (24/34) Target started (24/34, Vega, ToO) 02:54:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:57:50       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed (failed QC check - Range) 02:59:27     Target Completed Target completed (24/34, Vega, ToO) 02:59:29     Target Started (25/34) Target started (25/34, AT2021wxe (CV)) 03:07:18     Target Completed Target partially completed (25/34, AT2021wxe (CV)) 03:07:20     Target Started (26/34) Target started (26/34, C/2019 L3 (ATLAS)) 03:10:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:13:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 03:20:53     Target Completed Target completed (26/34, C/2019 L3 (ATLAS)) 03:20:55     Target Started (27/35) Target started (27/35, Vega, ToO) 03:29:05     Target Completed Target completed (27/35, Vega, ToO) 03:29:07     Target Missed (28/35) Target's time slot was missed (28/35, GCVS RX And) 03:29:10     Target Started (29/35) Target started (29/35, NGC 940 w/SN2021vtl) 03:30:47   CCDSoft Issue CCDSoft has encountered an image save issue [0000] 03:30:49   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft restarting in attempt to fix image save issue [0000] 03:31:11   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -15°C) 03:33:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:35:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 03:51:17     Target Completed Target completed (29/35, NGC 940 w/SN2021vtl) 03:51:19     Target Started (30/35) Target started (30/35, AT2021wuy (CV)) 03:54:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:55:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 04:01:39     Target Completed Target completed (30/35, AT2021wuy (CV)) 04:01:42     Target Started (31/35) Target started (31/35, IC 357 w/AT2021fyd) 04:05:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:07:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23) 04:23:44     Target Completed Target completed (31/35, IC 357 w/AT2021fyd) 04:23:46     Target Started (32/35) Target started (32/35, Nova Per 2020) 04:26:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:28:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24) 04:36:42     Target Completed Target completed (32/35, Nova Per 2020) 04:36:44     Target Started (33/35) Target started (33/35, SN 2021win) 04:39:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:41:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 25) 04:57:14     Target Completed Target completed (33/35, SN 2021win) 04:57:16     Target Started (34/35) Target started (34/35, AT2021ckv) 05:01:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:03:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 26) 05:08:43     Target Completed Target completed (34/35, AT2021ckv) 05:09:40     Target Started (35/35) Target started (35/35, GCVS CN Ori) 05:13:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:15:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 27) 05:22:20     Target Completed Target completed (35/35, GCVS CN Ori) 05:22:23   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 05:22:25 Session Closing Session closing 05:23:20   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 05:24:02   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 34s), Az: 90.0 deg 05:25:17   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 69s) 05:25:32   Telescope State Scope parked Turn scope off. (Handbox) 05:25:52   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:26:42   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:26:44 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:27:16 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail 22:55:43 Dome Dome has been stationary for more than 15 mins 22:57:18 Dome Dome Movements have begun again (outage 18.2 mins) 01:08:53 Dome Discrepency Difference between Telescope Az and Dome Az is > 8 deg (AT2021hfr) 01:23:53 Dome Dome has been stationary for more than 15 mins 01:28:38 Dome Dome Movements have begun again (outage 20.7 mins) 03:30:47 CCDSoft Image file [0000] hasn't been saved to disk, possible CCDSoft issue 03:32:07 CCDSoft Image file has been saved to disk following CCDSoft Restart

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Operational Issues (2021-09-19, S914)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (8)
• Small Defects (0)
• Continuous Improvement (11)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Exception during Centering Operations on Target 1/32,  stopping further operations on the target.   Exception "Conversion from string "Ok     " to type 'Double' is not valid".  Issue immediately reviewed on Development Computer, replaying the centering operation. Exception was repeated.  Debugging showed that the problem was due to presence of a " + + " in code instead of a single " + " . This is presumed to be either a coding typo /or string replacement mistake. Visual Studio doesn't highlight this as an error which is annoying.  A search revealed one other similar code error. Both errors were corrected and code rebuilt as v 3.42.3 and quickly sent over to Observatory Computer to allow the session to be restarted. The issue would normally have been classified as major, but the amount of coding changes since last live session on 2021-09-08 has been considerable, and this session (S914) was being treated as a 'live test session', to prove the code prior to leaving it to operate totally unattended. The fix was slightly rushed and the report messaging suffered due to the code line "AddComment (Tab2 + "Pointing Error") " being somehow skipped (for correction in AstroMain 3.42.4)
  Fixed in-session 2021-09-19 (AstroMain 3.42.3)
   
• Session didn't resume after restart & clouds had cleared.  Although conditions were good (Clarity: 30.2 (Stars: 35, Rain: -1.0 "None", Wind: 3.0 mph, T: 11.1°C)
  Targets 3/32 and 4/32 targets were not being acquired and Target 5 (Nova Cas 2021) was left waiting for conditions to improve. Problem fixed in-session by disabling the high humidity check (98-100% RH).  (This is such a regular problem that the setting is always turned off to allow observing to occur once the condition occurs, especially when the sky is otherwise clear.. The check is impractical, except in certain situations.  It is proposed that the default setting should be disabled (rather than enabled), with option for user to enable it in certain situations)
  Fixed in-session 2021-09-19 (Session)
   
• Web page not seeing fresh ObsCam picture (image was 2 days old).  Problem due to AstroObsCam in locked camera state. Closing and restarting AstroObsCam giving the message that camera can not be connected to.  The known solution for this problem (a visit out to observatory to take out and reinsert the USB cable between camera and USB hub) worked and AstroObsCam restarted. Fresh pictures began appearing on web site shortly after. In this case the problem could have been spotted and sorted out before the session started (user awareness). It would be nice to have the ability to turn off/turn on the USB connection remotely.  The  2 day old ObsCam picture continued to show on website as seen from MS Edge on Development Computer. The same page on Safari/IPAD was showing the new page.
  Fixed in-session 2021-09-19 (AllSky Computer / ObsCam Camera)
   
• S Filter images for Vega failed with error 'Catch situation with IV.nx=0, aborting DisplayRealTimeImage' (01:34).  10 x 0.5s frames each failed with this report message.  Earlier attempt using 5s frames worked ok. No FITS and JPG image was saved from the 1st frame. the JPG Frame Count was incremented (such that frame 100 is missing). The 'catch siuation' message is informative in that it suggest an issue with getting image width but is not an exception in itself. Log file does however indicates a number of exceptiions were occuring. Unclear why this main image set suffered this problem whilst proceeding Locate frames and the following Locate/Main frames didn't have any problem.
  - GetFileName             Fail  | Value cannot be null. Parameter name: fileName
- Get Image.Inventory     Fail  | Error: command failed.  Error code = 206 (0xce)
- ConvertFitsToJpg        Fail  | Arithmetic operation resulted in an overflow.
  Short Subs is set to off in the Target Database.   Looking at the Target's Frames form in AstroPlanit was noticed that after saving exp 0.5s gets changed to a 0 whilst 0.6s gets changed to 1.   It's assumed that images was each taken with length 0s.  Bug found in AstroPlanTarget UnloadFrames routine where the string exposure value (like  "0.5") was being converted to an integer upon  form unloading rather than to a double value. Bug fixed (2021-09-20). AstroMain should be modified to check exposure isn't 0.0 before starting imaging actions (unless bias frames are specifically being collected).
  Fixed 2021-09-20 (AstroPlan 1.23.2)
   
• The Fits image returned from ShCap Server as part of the Determine Guidescope Offsets was of small 198x200 size and unsuitable for obtaining a plate solution  and therefore no offsets or camera angle could be determined.  The ShCap Server shows capture area used for a focus box by earlier Foc2 focusing and wasn't set to Full Frame as part of Determine Guidescope Offsets.   This was done by manually entering the correct full frame region 3050x2048  into Capture Area field on the ShCap window, and then re-running the 'Determine Guidescope Offsets' routine. Code needs to be changed to ensure that Capture Area uses full frame area.  The routine calls the ShCap method "TakeLocateFrame" this takes the parameters objectname, binning, exposure & gain, but not CaptureArea.  TakeFocusLocateFrame takes the parameters focus_profile, focus_field, binning, exposure, gain but again not CaptureField. The difference is that the TakeFocusLocateFrame calls  SetFullFrame() routine in ShCap .py script to set the camera to full frame before capturing the locate image whereas the TakeLocateFrame method doesn't. Fixed in AstroShCap 1.3.12
  Fixed 2021-09-20 (AstroShCap 1.3.12)
   
• The Y Axis ranges for Focus Temperature Chart and Best Focus Chart both reset when Session was restarted. Ranges changed after restar and Y-axis values were overposted. Problem occurred in session S9xx but was put down to the AstroMain freezing/crashing and not saving settings correctly but in the current case, AstroMain was closed normally.  Chart Time scale is ok so that setting is working.  FocusTempChart.yMax and BestFocusChart.yMin are being written to and read from SessionData.dat file okay. ResumeChart() routines are called as part of AssignObservatorySession() routine when the .yMax and yMin values aren't vcNull. Y Axes labels are drawn by DrawAxisLabels() routine which is called by StartChart(.., Temperature) (which is called when AddTemperatureData(), AddData() routines are called by Obs.Monitor)  and .yMax / yMin are vcNull.  It was initially hypothesized  that AddTemperatureData/AddData is called before SessionData has been read, but it seems the problem is a timings issue between when Session data is read and when Charts are setup.
  22:08:03.60 | Observatory Session Start  AstroMain       Ok  | Running AstroMain (3.42.3)
22:08:03.63 | Observatory Session Resume Session         Try | Resuming Session, 2021-09-19 S00914
22:08:03.63 | Observatory Session Setup  SessionFolders  Try | Checking Session Folders
22:08:03.63 | Observatory Session Setup  SessionFiles    Try | Opening Session Files
22:08:03.63 | Observatory Session Setup  SessionData     Try | Reading Session Data
22:08:03.63 | Observatory Session Setup  SessionData     Ok  | Session data has been successfully read
22:08:03.63 | Observatory Session Set    ConditionsTabNo Ok  | SkyConditionsTabNo set to 2
22:08:03.65 | Observatory Session Setup  SessionCharts   Try | Reopening Session Charts  (OpenObservatoryCharts / OpenCharts called)
22:08:03.77 | Observatory Session Setup  SessionCharts   Try | Resuming Session Charts
  ymax/ymin are set when Session data read (22:08:03.63).  OpenCharts() calls SetUpChart() which sets leads to ymax/ymin being reset to vcNull a fraction of a second later (22:08:03.65).   Issue probably introduced relatively recently when InitialiseSessionData() was placed before OpenObservatoryCharts(). Fixed by swapping back the order in which these routines are called.
  Resolved 2021-09-20 (AstroMain 3.42.5)
   
• Although Near Zenith Focusing had been completed (both Foc1 & Focs2) and job exceutor closed gracefully and the program was closed normally upon restart the job executor performed wide Foc1 focusing for first target after restart and the new Foc2 Offset (-946) didn't appear to be saved / reimported after restart. The delay improsed by the extra focusing resulted in the final frames of target Nova Cas 2021 being forceably skipped to prevent the target overruning its allotted time. Issue occured again after 2nd restart. In both cases the restart of session was performed by setting mode to 'Fully Automated' (as opposed to using AutoStart).  Investigating shows that when starting Fully Automated Mode from button click the Foc1/Foc2 Focusing with Wide Search is automatically inserted when cboxForceInitialWideFocusing checkbox is True (which is the default setting).  Fully Automated (manually initiated) and AutoStartCode modified to adjust InsertFoc2 and use WideSearch checkboxes according to state of bFoc1ScopeIsFocused and bFoc2ScopeIsFocused flags.
  Fixed 2021-09-20 (AstroMain 3.42.5)
   
• Image file [0000] hasn't been saved to disk, possible CCDSoft issue (03:30). Locate frame from Target 29/35 (NGC 940 (29/35) failed to save to disk with the exception "Error: command failed. Error code = 206 (0xce).", and the alert "CCD Image [0000] has not saved to disk. Restarting CCDSoft." was raised. CCDSoft was then automatically restarted as the session continued on as normal.   Problem was immediately recognised at the time as being due to accidental deletion of the active image in CCDSoft (instead of second FITS image that had been quickly reviewed in CCDSoft).  AstroMain reacted as per design.   Issue closed.
  Closed 2021-09-19 (Session / User Error)
   
• Targets reported as failed due to 'other' or due to 'non-defined reason'. This is a long standing issue whereby targets that fail due to the high-humidity check aren't clearly reported as such but are left to a 'catch-all' condition reporting. Issue deemed to be fixed in AstroMain 3.50.5 by adding an appropriate condition check that can lead to ReasonToSuspend = FailureState.TooFewStars.
  Fixed  2022-05-09 (AstroMain 3.51.5) 
   
• Collection of AllSky Meas for Near Zenith Focus Field still times-out waiting for information from AllSky Computer (21:19).   Fix attempted in AstroMain 3.41.4, 3.41.5 & 3.41.7 hasn't worked.  Extra trace messages added to AstroMain 3.41.6 allow the following timeline to be established:
  21:17:12.54  AstroAllSky.TeleComms.ParseDataRecord stops reporting .Scope.TargetName ("Scope")
  21:17:58.61  Scope Mode set to "Waiting"
  21:18:00.34  TP.NextTarget(0).TargetName set to "Focus Field 20"
  21:18:00.75  "Scope, Focus Field 20, NGC 6500 w/SN, GCVS CY Lyr, Vega" sent to AstroAllSky (list repeated between 21:18:00.75 & 21:19:45.96)
  21:18:01+      Attempts to recover Cloud Information for "Focus Field 20" between 21:18 and 21:19 all failed
  21:19:06.75  Scope Mode set to "Slewing"
  21:19:45.96  "Focus Field 20, Focus Field 20, NGC 6500 w/SN, GCVS CY Lyr, Vega"  sent to AstroAllSky
  21:19:45.77   Scope Mode set to "Imaging "
  21:19:50.78   Scope Mode set to "Focusing" 
  21:21:56.11  AstroAllSky.TeleComms.ParseDataRecord starts reporting .Scope.TargetName ("Focus Field 20")
  21:21:56        AstroAllSky logs begin referencing 'Focus Field 20' / AstroAllSky picture begins showing 'Focus Field 20' (21:21:26  picture)
  21:30:37.33  AstroAllSky.TeleComms.ParseDataRecord resumes reporting .Scope.TargetName ("Scope")
  21:30:43        Scope Mode set to "Slewing"
  It seems that AstroMain stopped sending TP records to AstroAllSky (normally received every 1s) for a 4.5 mins period between between 21:17:13 and 21:21:56. Its unclear why it did this.   After review it has been decided to place this issue on hold.  TimeOut for waiting reduced from 60s to 30s in AstroMain 3.42.5.  (Note A similar issue happened in S844 , when Next Target went missing for 3.5 minutes during a live session when resuming from suspension.).   Issue closed 2022-06-03 as the issue can't be readily fixed and it has been decided to remove the reporting of AllSky Measurement from Near Zenith Focusing in order to avoid waiting for a 30s time-out.
  Closed 2022-06-03 (AstroMain 3.51.13) 

Small Defects

• None

Continuous Improvement

• Since adding 'Collect Calibration' specification to AstroPlan Target Form the form has the annoying behaviour of opening a target on the Calibration Tab if it set to Collect Calibration.  This behaviour happens because when cboxCollectCalibration.CheckedChanged action selects Calibration tab when the checkbox is set to true. This is the behaviour required when the user checks the checkbox, but is not required behaviour when data loads to the form. Resolved by adding a condition that check the flag bFormLoadingComplete to see whether data loading to the form is complete or not.
  Resolved 2021-09-20 (AstroPlan 1.23.2)
   
• Problem with text report of temperature when waiting for CCD temperature to stabilise.  Report text says:
  Waiting on CCD Cooler... Hold      Waiting for CCD Temperature to stabilise
Check CCD Temperature    Ok &nTemp. is stable (Wait Time was 50s)
The "&n" must be a typo or misdisplayed value.  It was due to using LPad10("Ok") as second parameter in Report() rather than using "Ok"
  Resolved 2021-09-20 (AstroMain 3.42.5)
   
• Problem with text report overrunning the console width and wrapping onto next line.  Report text says:
  Move TCF-S Focuser Ok Deferred (Movement of focuser is deferred until start of next image
The last part of the string  " image" is wrapped to the next line
  Resolved 2021-09-20 (AstroMain 3.42.5)
   
• Problem with log message with element overrunning its allotted maximum width.  Log text says:
  Copy TargetsOfOpportunityFileOk | Session.TargetsOfOpportunity file has been updated
The element "TargetsOfOpportunityFile" is too long by 4 chars (File)
  Resolved 2021-09-20 (AstroMain 3.42.5)
   
• Problem with trace log messages for Cloud Information.  The following log message doesn't use/respect the flag which is intended to turn this tracing off. Message was
   Applying Cloud Information for SN 2021gmh (Update GuideStats)
  Resolved 2021-09-20 (AstroMain 3.42.5)
   
• Modify code so that ConnectCamera and ConnectTheSky6Telescope can't be run at the same time.  Clicking connect camera whilst ConnectTheSky6 telescope is runnimg causes report messages from the two operations to be intermixed.  This shouldn't be allowed to happen.  ConnectCamera() and ConnectTheSky6Telescope() routines changed so that they use ObsServicesThread which is checked to see it is free before proceeding.
  Done 2021-09-20 (AstroMain 3.42.5)
   
• Problem report formatting / ReportComment2B with trace log messages for CloudInformation.  The following report message shows the issue in which the string "OK [00914141] .. " should be tabbed-in by 30 chars (equivalent to AddComment() ).  Unclear what problem is due to,  ReportComment2B have been used correctly to facilitate exactly this.
    Taking 10s image (C)...
> Received ToO Request     Ok     1 observation requested
> Loading ToO              Ok     Vega (priority 2) imported at 03:09:13
> Inserting ToO Target...  Ok     Target (Vega, priority 2) inserted in job queue
Ok [00914141] (Locate, Full 3x3 10s C, 02:09:02 UT, Clear [10] )
  - Inventory              Ok     nObjects = 20 (nStars = 20)
--Should be --->>                         Ok     [00914141] (Locate, Full 3x3 10s C, 02:09:02 UT, Clear [10] )
Investigating code shows that the ReportComment2B("> Received ToO Request....) is preceeded by a ReportComment("" ) which has the effect of nullifying the reporting flags used to indicate the current 'cursor' position.. Fixed by replacing ReportComment("") with ReportComment2B("< ","","")
  Resolved 2021-09-20 (AstroMain 3.42.5)
   
• Make further improvements and tweaks to the format and minor technical content of Report and Log files. 
  Done 2021-09-20 (AstroMain 3.42.5)
   
• Modify LocateInfo settings & ConvertFitsToJpg routine to allow Target Star (blue circle) and BrightStar Locate Frame AOI (yellow box) to appear on Cam2 Reference Pictures.   These plot ok when normal Locate Methods are used but doesn't when using BrightStar Locate Frame are being use. This is conjectured to be due to Center Ra/Dec and Cam1Box AOI not being currently being set in case of using the bright star method. Fixed by creating 'pseudo link' , setting SavedBestRa2000, and SavedBestDec2000 based on assumed correct star Ra2000/Dec2000 and measured N/W Offsets (in arc mins), and calling UpdateLocateInfo_OB() routine.
  Done 2021-09-21 (AstroMain 3.42.5)
   
• Create an Altitude vs Time Graph for a Created Observing Plan..   Based on existing the PlanChart, this new graph will be built on a new form. It will show time and Sun Alt like the Observing Plan chart,  but show curves that trace the altitude vs time trace taken by each target, with bold curve segments. an airmass cutoff can be shown if relevant/known. The chart will be saved to a .png file.  Future tickets will also include the uploading of page to website.
  Done 2021-09-22 (AstroPlan 1.23.3 / 1.24)
   
• Add Moon Separation, Phase etc to Target Checks section.
  Done 2021-09-25 (AstroMain 3.42.7)
   
• Modify ToO handling to support a target with required calibration collection.   Target 2/32 (GCVS RR Lyr) was in the planned job queue as the first live test of an automatically scheduled target with before & after Spectra calibration images (Vega).  Issues with AstroMain (bug during centering) and then cloud, prevented the collection of data for this target.   Although it could be achieved by sending the Calibration Before, Main Target and Calibration after as 3 separate ToO's from AstroPlan, it would be better if AstroMain's ToO handler could support the automated insertion of calibration targets into the Job Queue along with the primary target.  AstroPlan ToO submission needs to at least capture and notify the user of the calibration star/starfields.
  To do 2021-09-19 (AstroMain 3.42.4 / AstroPlan )

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