David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 960 (2022-01-27)

Notes (S959)

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Notes (S961)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (0),  Small Defects (2),  Continuous Improvement (17)
	Images from 2022-01-27 >>         [ Local Files >> ]

Session Aims & Highlights (2022-01-27)

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 bug fixes and enhancements associated with AstroMain 3.48.26)
    (in particular test out the improvements to History Graph on the Guiding Charts.)

Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, DeviceHub 6.5.1.9,  MeadeGeneric 1.3.3.373, UPB 1.5, ASCOM 6.5 SP1
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.10
   
• AstroMain 3.48.26,  AstroPlan 1.29.4,   AstroShCap 1.3.12, AstroGuard 1.6.3
  AstroVOE 1.9.2  AstroSN 1.7.3,  AstroProtect 1.6
  (AstroWeather 1.15.3, AstroAllSky 3.14.4,  AstroObsCam 1.8, AstroLaunch 1.8.2)

Highlights

•  AstroMain.  No significant issues with AstroMain 3.48.24 program, some teething issues with new code added to guiding charts, but fixed in session (3.48.25)
•  Guiding Charts. Improvements to History Graphs worked very well. Some further improvements / additions have been identified for future implementation.
•  Cloud. Session interrupted by frequent cloud. Some targets affected by cloud & bad guiding.

Notes:

• .Significant interruptions from cloud, the dome opened and closed 6 times through the night.
  
  

  Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan

Observing Result

Dome & Scope Slewing Performance

Slew/Centering Performance

Guiding Performance Reasons for poor Dec guiding : Black Point (6, 15)   - Cloud Red Point (4, 5)   - Cloud developing during 4th/5th frames Red Point (5)   - Cloud during 1st frame Yellow Point (8)   - Non-effectve Dec guiding (South) during frames 1 to 4

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 19:13:58 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:13 & 06:05 19:14:01 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:14) 19:14:29 Session Created Live Session Created (2022-01-27 S00960, ImageSaveNum: 960001) 19:14:32   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 19:16:12   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:16:19 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 19:16:22 Session Pending Session pending (2022-01-27) 19:16:24 Session Initiating Session initiating (2022-01-27) 19:16:26   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.29.4) 19:16:53   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 716) 19:17:17   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -25°C) 19:17:24   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 19:17:48 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 19:18:33   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 19:19:28 Session Running Session running 19:19:30   Queue Started Observing Queue started (37 targets selected) 19:19:33     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 4, HIP 18637) 19:21:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:22:29       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 19:22:31       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 19:24:41       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 19:26:27       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 19:26:45     Target Completed Target completed (Focus Field 4, HIP 18637) 19:31:30     Target Started (1/37) Target started (1/37, Nova Cas 2021) 19:34:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:38:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 19:40:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 19:48:06     Target Completed Target completed (1/37, Nova Cas 2021) 19:48:10     Target Started (2/37) Target started (2/37, GCVS GK Per) 19:56:01     Target Completed Target completed (2/37, GCVS GK Per) 19:56:05     Target Started (3/37) Target started (3/37, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 19:58:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:01:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 20:07:17     Target Completed Target completed (3/37, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 20:07:21     Target Started (4/37) Target started (4/37, NGC 958 w/SN2022ao) 20:10:23       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 20:26:45     Target Completed Target completed (4/37, NGC 958 w/SN2022ao) 20:27:18     Target Started (5/37) Target started (5/37, GCVS BL Lac) 20:30:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:31:22       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 20:34:45   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 20:36:03     Target Completed Target completed (5/37, GCVS BL Lac) 20:36:05   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 20:36:08 Session Suspended Session suspended 20:36:56   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 20:50:27     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (6/37, 19P/Borrelly) due to cloud 21:00:28 Session Resuming Session resuming 21:01:14   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 21:01:16 Session Running Session running 21:01:18   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 21:01:20     Target Started (7/37) Target started (7/37, NGC 1211) 21:06:44   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 21:07:49   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 21:14:25   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 21:16:20 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 21:16:22   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 21:16:26     Target Aborted (7/37) Target aborted (7/37, NGC 1211) due to cloud 21:16:28   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 21:16:31 Session Suspended Session suspended 21:17:21   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 21:32:12     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (8/37, AT2021kkh) due to other condition 21:52:10 Session Resuming Session resuming 21:52:55   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 21:52:57 Session Running Session running 21:52:59   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 21:53:02     Target Started (9/37) Target started (9/37, NGC 2402 w/SN2022ds) 21:59:33     Target Completed Target partially completed (9/37, NGC 2402 w/SN2022ds) 21:59:37     Target Started (10/37) Target started (10/37, AT2021aagc) 22:02:10       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:04:22   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 22:14:38   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 22:19:10     Target Completed Target completed (10/37, AT2021aagc) 22:19:15     Target Started (11/37) Target started (11/37, 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko) 22:21:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:24:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 22:39:12     Target Completed Target completed (11/37, 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko) 22:39:16     Target Started (12/37) Target started (12/37, NGC 2793) 22:42:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:44:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 22:49:47 Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 22:49:49   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain) 22:49:52     Target Aborted (12/37) Target aborted (12/37, NGC 2793) due to threat of rain 22:49:54   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 22:49:56 Session Suspended Session suspended 22:50:42   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 22:56:48     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (12/37, NGC 2793) due to threat of rain 23:18:47     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (13/37, AT2021djx) due to cloud 23:25:02 Session Resuming Session resuming 23:25:47   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 23:25:49 Session Running Session running 23:25:51   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 23:25:53     Target Started (14/37) Target started (14/37, UGC 5267) 23:46:00     Target Completed Target completed (14/37, UGC 5267) 23:46:04     Target Started (15/37) Target started (15/37, SN 2021abjr) 23:48:54       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 00:04:37   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 00:05:39     Target Completed Target completed (15/37, SN 2021abjr) 00:05:41   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:05:42 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:06:32   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 00:15:43     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/37, GCVS RZ LMi) due to cloud 00:26:29 Session Resuming Session resuming 00:27:14   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 00:27:17 Session Running Session running 00:27:19   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 00:27:21     Target Started (17/37) Target started (17/37, GCVS RR Leo) 00:33:58     Target Completed Target partially completed (17/37, GCVS RR Leo) 00:34:02     Target Started (18/37) Target started (18/37, AT2021afkg) 00:44:42   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 00:45:27   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 00:53:04     Target Completed Target completed (18/37, AT2021afkg) 00:53:08     Target Started (19/37) Target started (19/37, SN 2021aano) 00:57:41       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 01:14:15     Target Completed Target completed (19/37, SN 2021aano) 01:14:19     Target Started (20/37) Target started (20/37, UGC 5528 w/SN2022B) 01:17:59       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 01:21:41   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 01:34:47     Target Completed Target completed (20/37, UGC 5528 w/SN2022B) 01:34:49   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:34:51 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:35:38   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 01:54:00     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/37, UGC 4671 w/SN2021afsj) due to cloud 02:16:00     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/37, UGCA 258 w/SN2022mm) due to cloud 02:38:00     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/37, NGC 4348 w/SN2022fw) due to cloud 03:00:00     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/37, IC 4040 w/SN2022jo) due to cloud 03:22:00     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/37, NGC 4227 w/SN2021biz) due to cloud 03:36:00     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (26/37, 100P/Hartley) due to cloud 03:45:37     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (27/37, GCVS AM CVn) due to cloud 04:05:21     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (28/37, UGCA 298) due to cloud 04:27:21     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (29/37, NGC 5117 w/SN2022abq) due to other condition 04:31:54 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:32:39   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 04:32:41 Session Running Session running 04:32:43   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:32:45     Target Started (30/37) Target started (30/37, AT2021kmb) 04:35:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:37:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 04:54:03     Target Completed Target completed (30/37, AT2021kmb) 04:54:07     Target Started (31/37) Target started (31/37, UGC 9479 w/SN2021tyf) 04:56:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:59:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 05:15:04   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 05:15:13     Target Completed Target completed (31/37, UGC 9479 w/SN2021tyf) 05:15:15   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 05:15:17 Session Suspended Session suspended 05:16:04   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 05:25:21     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (32/37, AT2021agpw (CV)) due to cloud 05:39:29     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (33/37, C/2019 L3 (ATLAS)) due to cloud 05:53:22     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (34/37, C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS)) due to cloud 06:13:07     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (35/37, UGC 8975 w/SN2021adpe) due to cloud 06:28:19     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (36/37, GCVS U Her) due to cloud 06:58:04     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (37/37, UGC 10566 w/SN2022aab) due to cloud 06:58:09   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:58:13 Session Closing Session closing 06:58:18   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 05:16, closing time 50s) 06:59:04   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 38s), Az: 90.0 deg 07:00:14   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 64s) 07:00:29   Telescope State Scope parked Turn scope off. (Handbox) 07:00:51   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 07:01:45   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 07:01:47 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 07:01:58 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail 00:27:53 Dome Dome position has been static for more than 10 mins

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Operational Issues (2022-01-27, S960)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (0)
• Small Defects (2)
• Continuous Improvement (17)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• None

Small Defects

• Red Session Alerts being issued for 'Dome position has been static for more than 10 mins' (00:27).  Report log shows the message 'Last Dome Movement    16,869,627.9 mins ago (Dome last moved at 00:00:00)'. Clearly the reporting of such a large number is inappropriate / incorrect.   This number (equivalent to 32.09 years ago) corresponds with the time since the program's vcNullDate (1990-01-01 00:00:00).  The LastMovementTime (Dome.LastAzimuthChangeTime) must have been reset to vcNullDate some time between 23:46 ('Last Movement 0.3 mins ago') and 00:27 (Last Movement 16,869,627.9 mins ago'). Between these time session was suspended and then resumed again.  Investigating ObsManager code shows line 'Dome.LastAzimuthChangeTime = vcNullDate' in the 'SetState_RunningAgain()' routine when MinsSince(Dome.LastAzimuthChangeTime) > 5.
  Fixed 2022-01-29 (AstroMain 3.48.27)
   
• Improve session suspension reason (non-defined reason).  Target 9/37 / Target On Hold in TargetInfo states
  'Session is suspended due to non-defined reason'.  A reason needs to be carried and shown when required. This is an ongoing issue and need to be resolved.   Issue deemed to be fixed in AstroMain 3.50.5 by adding an appropriate condition check that can lead to ReasonToSuspend = FailureState.TooFewStars.
  To resolve 2022-01-28 (AstroMain 3.48.27) 

Continuous Improvement

•  UPB Env Humidity and UPB Env Dew Point data boxes should be hidden or removed from Current Weather webpage.  The UPB Humidity sensor isn't functioning and there is no data.  Boxes should be removed from web page to make it easier to see the data that is available.  Graphs hidden by moving the relevant document.write lines from their associated scripts and enclosing them within  <!--         --> comment tags.
  Done 2022-01-28 (Website)
   
• Add capability to set a minimum altitude for scheduling targets in AstroPlan over and above any other existing limits.  This is to allow and observing plan to be built with targets that are not located in low altitude areas of the sky when low level fog/cloud is anticapted or has already formed.   A minimum altitude of 7 deg is already hardcoded into GetAltScore () routine was previously.  This is changed to 5 deg.  In addition a new text box has been added to the schedule builder form (called txtMinAltLimit) with a default value of 7 deg. This field is read at the start of a schedule build and assigned to a new variable 'MinAltLimit' and tested against in GetAltScore() routine which is called by GetObservationFitness2().
  Done 2022-01-28 (AstroPlan 1.29.6)
   
• Modify/Improve centering of Target/Object Names written on Observing Plan, Alt Plan and Observing Result.  An small issue with centering of vertical aligned text on these time based charts is most evident when width of Target Interval is narrow. and the names abutts left hand edge of interval. Names need to be shifted right by one pixel.   The 'Must Include' indicator '*' needs to be shifted right by 2 pixels.
  Done  2022-01-28 (AstroPlan 1.29.6)
   
• Add Clarity and AllSky Star Count to Flipped AllSky Image.
  Done 2022-01-28 (AstroAllSky 3.14.5)
   
• Query. When a live data file, such as the session's (Log) file or (PHD2) file is being examined in TextPad in the middle of a session a dialog keeps popping up to say that a new version of file has been saved, do you want to reload file'. Is there a way to suppress this ?.   The dialog is an unwelcome interruption when trying to check, investigate, diagnose some aspect of live session.   Resolved by changing the program action  'When files are modified by another process' to Ignore (under under 'Configure/Preferences/ File').  If required the new version of the file can be esaily loaded by clicking the File/Revert menu option. .
  Resolved 2022-01-28 (Textpad)
   
• Logic in housekeeping's post-session admin to be slightly modifed so that  .SRC files in New Folder should be deleted before cleaning file names.  Deleting .src files first cuts the number of files to be 'cleaned'  by 50%.
  Done  2022-01-29 (AstroMain 3.48.27) 
   
• Increase size of green focus star square on Cam2 reference / guide JPG pictures.  Focus box needs to be increased to a minimum threshold size it order to see the star within its square. SaveGuideImageToJpg() routine modified to ensure that Guide Box size is not less than a minimum allowed plot size (defined to be 18 pixel sized box on a JPG image of 500px width)
  Done  2022-01-29 (AstroMain 3.48.27)
   
• Add a line legend above Guiding Chart History Graph to show Focus Change, Lock Position Change, Lost Star etc.
  Done  2022-01-29(AstroMain 3.48.27)
   
• Draw Vertical Line to Guiding Chart History Graph each Focusing Run. Label section as 'Focusing', 'Focusing (Fail)'
  Done  2022-01-29 (AstroMain 3.48.27)
   
• Slightly widen the Guiding Chart history graphs.  Space is available on right hand side and a wider graph would allows a slightly longer guide run to be displayed before it is cutoff.
  Done  2022-01-29 (AstroMain 3.48.27)
   
• Convergence Plot produced by AstroPlan schedule builder doesn't plot an Overall Score (yellow) or Av  Moon Distance Score for 1st & 2nd Gen points.  Doesn't plot a Must-Include score for 1st Gen point either.  There is a implementation /design reason why the Overall Score isn't generated for at least the 1st Gen point.  Look into the potential for adding these data points. Overall score is held in ScoresData(i).fFitness,  Av Moon Distance score values are held in ScoresData(i).fMoonDistance,   MustInclude score values are held in ScoresData(i).fMustInclude.
  Solution attempted 2022-01-29 (AstroPlan 1.29.7)
   
• Add a traffic light indicator to Guiding Chart History Graph to show RMS quality by Image Set/Image Frame.
  To consider 2022-01-28 (AstroMain 3.48.27)
   
• Allow more white space on Guiding Charts between history graph and following error graphs.  Probably need 15 pixels more. Also add a little more space before first history graph (to allow for new legend).   Can probably reduce space between successive Error Graphs.
  To do 2022-01-28 (AstroMain 3.48.27)
   
• When Session is active increase the frequency at which Flipped AllSky Image gets uploaded to website.
  To do 2022-01-28 (AstroAllSky 3.14.5)
   
• Add Target result to Guiding Chart History Chart.
  To do 2022-01-28 (AstroMain 3.48.27) 
   
• Consider rationalising the RMS Traffic Light range/colours on Guiding Chart. Traffic light ranges for the error graphs and those on the Guiding Summary charts don't match. Consider if this should be rationalised or not. 
  To consider  2022-01-28 (AstroMain 3.48.27)

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