David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 964 (2022-02-05)

Notes (S963)

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Notes (S965)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (1),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (7)
	Images from 2022-02-05 >>         [ Local Files >> ]

Session Aims & Highlights (2022-02-05)

Main aims

1. 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, 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 3.48.29 / 3.48.30,  AstroPlan 1.29.8,   AstroShCap 1.3.12, AstroGuard 1.6.3
  AstroVOE 1.9.2  AstroSN 1.7.3,  AstroProtect 1.6
  (AstroWeather 1.15.3, AstroAllSky 3.14.5,  AstroObsCam 1.8, AstroLaunch 1.8.2)

Highlights

•  Targets.  x targets acquired.

Notes:

  Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan

Observing Result

Dome & Scope Slewing Performance

Slew/Centering Performance

Guiding Performance Reasons for poor Dec guiding : Black/Purple points () - None Red point/Orange points ( ) - None Yellow point (7, 9, 17) - Locally non-effective or poorly effective Dec guiding (South), Av RMS 1.1 to 1.2") Green point (1) - Dec Guiding Ok but Purple Point on RA plotdue to large RA jumps (bad RA gear sector or cable hangups ?)

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 19:48:48 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:48 & 05:50 19:48:52 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:48) 19:49:20 Session Created Live Session Created (2022-02-05 S00964, ImageSaveNum: 964001) 19:49:22   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 19:51:04   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:51:11 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 19:51:12 Session Pending Session pending (2022-02-05) 19:51:14 Session Initiating Session initiating (2022-02-05) 19:51:16   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.29.8) 19:52:00   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 722) 19:52:22   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -25°C) 19:52:29   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 19:52:53 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 19:53:38   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 19:54:18 Session Running Session running 19:54:21   Queue Started Observing Queue started (37 targets selected) 19:54:23     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 5, HIP 23569) 19:56:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:59:36       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 20:01:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 20:01:51       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 20:04:03       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 20:05:48       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 20:06:06     Target Completed Target completed (Focus Field 5, HIP 23569) 20:06:20     Target Started (1/37) Target started (1/37, Nova Cas 2021) 20:09:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:12:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 20:18:42     Target Completed Target completed (1/37, Nova Cas 2021) 20:18:46     Target Started (2/37) Target started (2/37, C/2019 L3 (ATLAS)) 20:22:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:24:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 20:32:48     Target Completed Target completed (2/37, C/2019 L3 (ATLAS)) 20:32:52     Target Started (3/37) Target started (3/37, 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko) 20:35:45       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 20:49:27     Target Completed Target completed (3/37, 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko) 20:51:18     Target Started (4/37) Target started (4/37, UGC 4550) 20:54:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:57:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 21:13:36     Target Completed Target completed (4/37, UGC 4550) 21:13:38   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 21:13:49   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 21:13:53 Program Closed Program closed by User 21:15:35 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2022-02-05 S00964, ImageSaveNum: 964048) 21:15:38   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 21:15:40   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 21:15:44   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:17:12   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:17:33 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:17:36 Session Pending Session pending (2022-02-05) 21:17:38 Session Initiating Session initiating (2022-02-05) 21:17:42   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (, Plan ID: 722) 21:17:55   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -25°C) 21:18:09   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 21:18:30 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 21:18:32 Session Running Session running 21:18:34   Queue Started Observing Queue started (33 targets selected) 21:18:38     Target Started (5/37) Target started (5/37, GCVS DX Cnc) 21:18:41   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -25°C) 21:26:33     Target Completed Target completed (5/37, GCVS DX Cnc) 21:26:37     Target Started (6/37) Target started (6/37, UGC 4671 w/SN2021afsj) 21:29:32       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 21:45:21     Target Completed Target completed (6/37, UGC 4671 w/SN2021afsj) 21:45:38     Target Started (7/37) Target started (7/37, GCVS CN Ori) 21:49:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:51:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 21:59:34     Target Completed Target completed (7/37, GCVS CN Ori) 21:59:38     Target Started (8/37) Target started (8/37, UGC 3457 w/AT2022blm) 22:02:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:04:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 22:20:32     Target Completed Target completed (8/37, UGC 3457 w/AT2022blm) 22:20:55     Target Started (9/37) Target started (9/37, Scholz's Star) 22:24:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:26:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 22:42:26     Target Completed Target completed (9/37, Scholz's Star) 22:42:30     Target Started (10/37) Target started (10/37, UGC 5528 w/SN2022B) 22:45:39       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 23:01:46     Target Completed Target completed (10/37, UGC 5528 w/SN2022B) 23:03:59     Target Started (11/37) Target started (11/37, GCVS U Gem) 23:06:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:09:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 23:12:18     Target Completed Target completed (11/37, GCVS U Gem) 23:13:20     Target Started (12/37) Target started (12/37, UGC 4719) 23:16:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:18:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 23:33:41     Target Completed Target completed (12/37, UGC 4719) 23:34:24     Target Started (13/37) Target started (13/37, GCVS SY Cnc) 23:37:15       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:40:34     Target Completed Target completed (13/37, GCVS SY Cnc) 23:43:51     Target Started (14/37) Target started (14/37, NGC 2922 w/AT2022bdu) 23:46:54       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:03:08     Target Completed Target completed (14/37, NGC 2922 w/AT2022bdu) 00:05:51     Target Started (15/37) Target started (15/37, UGC 6014 w/AT2022bil) 00:08:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:11:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 00:27:33     Target Completed Target completed (15/37, UGC 6014 w/AT2022bil) 00:27:51     Target Started (16/37) Target started (16/37, NGC 5117 w/SN2022abq) 00:30:46       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:46:49     Target Completed Target completed (16/37, NGC 5117 w/SN2022abq) 00:49:51     Target Started (17/37) Target started (17/37, PGC 38265) 00:52:47       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:09:00     Target Completed Target completed (17/37, PGC 38265) 01:11:51     Target Started (18/37) Target started (18/37, UGC 8012 w/SN2022aod) 01:14:51       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:30:59     Target Completed Target completed (18/37, UGC 8012 w/SN2022aod) 01:33:51     Target Started (19/37) Target started (19/37, NGC 4896 w/SN2021wad) 01:36:07       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:52:35     Target Completed Target completed (19/37, NGC 4896 w/SN2021wad) 01:55:51     Target Started (20/37) Target started (20/37, 100P/Hartley) 01:58:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:00:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 02:06:42     Target Completed Target completed (20/37, 100P/Hartley) 02:07:52     Target Started (21/37) Target started (21/37, GCVS AM CVn) 02:10:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:12:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 02:15:31     Target Completed Target completed (21/37, GCVS AM CVn) 02:17:12     Target Started (22/37) Target started (22/37, GCVS GK Per) 02:19:56   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 02:21:23     Target Failed Target failed due to cloud (22/37, GCVS GK Per) 02:21:25   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:21:28 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:22:16   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 02:26:10     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/37, GCVS GK Per) due to cloud 02:45:25     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/37, NGC 4227 w/SN2021biz) due to other condition 02:45:49 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:46:34   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 02:46:36 Session Running Session running 02:46:38   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:48:29     Target Started (24/37) Target started (24/37, NGC 4348 w/SN2022fw) 02:52:16       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:52:55   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 03:01:46   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 03:08:43     Target Completed Target completed (24/37, NGC 4348 w/SN2022fw) 03:10:29     Target Started (25/37) Target started (25/37, UGC 7522) 03:13:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:15:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 03:31:47     Target Completed Target completed (25/37, UGC 7522) 03:32:29     Target Started (26/37) Target started (26/37, NGC 4533 w/SN2021bug) 03:35:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:37:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 03:48:46   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 03:53:16     Target Completed Target completed (26/37, NGC 4533 w/SN2021bug) 03:53:18   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:53:20 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:54:07   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 04:13:25     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (27/37, AT2021kmb) due to cloud 04:35:25     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (28/37, NGC 5945 w/AT2021abqm) due to cloud 04:57:25     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (29/37, UGC 10566 w/SN2022aab) due to cloud 05:09:31     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (30/37, GCVS BL Lac) due to other condition 05:21:31     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (31/37, AT2021agpw (CV)) due to cloud 05:29:59     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (32/37, HIP 87937) due to cloud 05:43:09     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (33/37, C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS)) due to cloud 05:54:54     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (34/37, AT2022sl (CV)) due to cloud 06:04:56     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (35/37, GCVS R CrB) due to cloud 06:17:24     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (36/37, GCVS U Her) due to cloud 06:37:21     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (37/37, GCVS SS Her) due to other condition 06:37:26   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:37:28 Session Closing Session closing 06:37:33   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 03:54, closing time 50s) 06:38:28   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 47s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:39:37   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 64s) 06:39:52   Telescope State Scope parked Turn scope off. (Handbox) 06:40:14   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:41:10   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:41:12 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:41:33 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail -- No Alerts                --

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Operational Issues (2022-02-05, S964)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• 'mkstack plot' picture and planetary k index files was not copied when session data was downloaded from observatory in morning.  Investigating it was found the files weren't saved to the night's AllSky folder as they normally are.  Aurora Forecast were saved/coped ok.  Plots were latest downloaded manually but not until the evening of 2021-02-06 and therefore didn't cover he first part of the night 2021-02-05.  Perhaps there was an internet outage at the time plots were normally downloaded and saved.  Code to be examined, prehaps the code should be modified to  reattempt download/saving after some interval of time.  This will be done under a separate continuous improvement ticket. Plots were automatically captured and downloaded ok during the following S965 session (2022-02-06) confirmed that there is no new showstopping issue at play.
  2022-02-06  (AllSky/Weather Computer,  AstroAllSky)  

Small Defects

• Traffic light for Shutter on ObsViewer/ObsPic shows Red for dome/scope az discrepencies as small as 1-2 deg. Red to be shown when shutter is not open or when dome/scope az difference is >8 deg.  With yellow shown for 6 to 10 deg differences and green for < 6 deg difference.  Small differences are to be expected as DeviceHub optimises azimuth of the dome aperature according to telescope pointing (which is a complex function of scope/mount geometry, dome geometry and target azimuth/altutide).  Bug found and fixed (bug was causing light to always be set to Red , even though it was initially set to green.)
  Fixed 2022-02-05  (AstroMain 3.49)    

Continuous Improvement

• Query. First frame from 1st target (Nova Cas 2021) shows trailed star. Why ?. 1st frame shows 2nd frames showing large 16" RMS guide error (in RA),  with 5" error from. Guiding Chart shows that guide run suffers large RA jumps that appear to be either cable hang-up or tooth damage in the RA gear train.  Item closed after review.
  Closed 2022-02-05 (Session, LX200)   
   
• Query. The focus Box size shown on Focus Locate JPG pictures appears larger than needed. Box looks to be up to x2 too big.  Unclear if this is an issue with FocusPicture routine that calls to ConvertsFitsToJpg or the it lies with the selection of Focus Box size setting. As a trial the Focus Box on the (Foc1) TCF-S Focuser tab was changed in-session at 22:10 from 150 px to 100 px.  Focus locate pictures created after this time were  examined and compared with earlier pictures. The later images show a more reasonably looking box size.  Default value for the 'txtFocBoxSize' textbox reduced from 150 px to 100 px.
  Fixed 2022-02-05 (AstroMain 3.49)
   
• White space to be added to contents section of the 'Latest AllSKy Images & Videos' webpage (allsky_latest.htm). Blanks lines to be added before Panoramas and before Keograms.
  Done 2022-02-05 (Website)   
   
• Modify 'Analysis/Image Sets' tab to move righthand buttons and widen the area used by the various sub-tabs. Currrent subtabs area is proving to be too small to accomodate the required components.  Reorganising the Tab will allow better use of the space and help deliver the required workflow processes. 
  Done 2022-02-06 (AstroMain 3.49)
   
• Develop functionality to automatically calculate the Centre Crop and Cross-Hair/Target coordinates associated with presentation images been ing prepared using new 'ImageBuilder' tool. It is proposed to utilise the LocateInfo array, which is populated when linking Locate Frame during LiveSessions ahead of auto-annotating JPG pictures.  New routine added to  called PlateSolver.vb module called  UpdateLocateInfo_Test(T As classT), based on the OB.UpdateLocateInfo_OB() routine using during linking LocateFrame.   New global variable added ObjTargetT as classT to hold the T details for the Target associated with current Image Set in Analysis/ImageSets. InitialiseLocateInfo() used to reset LocateInfo.  Prototype shown to work and succesfully populate the LocateInfo.ObjectX, ObjectY, HostX,HostY values.
  Done 2022-02-08 (AstroMain 3.49.1) 
   
• Develop functionality to save and later recover settings associated with building presentation images for each target using new 'ImageBuilder' tool. Settings files to be stored in a _Settings subfolder in each target's Store Folder. First stage of this new feature has been added to new ImageBuilder tool.  A further development with act as a form of master settings for each target, that define the normal resize / crop dimensions used with the target.
  Done 2022-02-08 (AstroMain 3.49.1) 
   
• Extend routine that captures 'mkstack plot' and planetary k index picture files at end of session to reattempt capture when it is unsuccessful the first time.   These files weren't saved to the night's AllSky folder as they normally following night 2022-02-05  It is suspected that there was an internet outage at the time the plots were normally captured/downloaded and saved. 
  To do 2022-02-07  (AllSky/Weather Computer,  AstroAllSky)  

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