David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1023 (2022-08-02)

Notes (S1022)

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Notes (S1024)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (1),  Small Defects (3),  Continuous Improvement (7)
	Images from 2022-08-02 >>        [ Local Files >> ]

Session Aims & Highlights (2022-08-02)

Main aims

1. AstroMain. Check out fixes and new features in 3.53.1 version of AstroMain. Ensure that new version hasn't introduced any new issues. 
2. Dome Slaving. Check fixes to AstroMain to workaround sideeffect of change to AbortSlew/Slaved in DeviceHub 6.6.0.16
3. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by time & twilight conditions.
4. C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS). Acquire images of comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS).

 Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, DeviceHub 6.6.0.16,  MeadeGeneric 1.3.5.414, UPB 1.5, ASCOM 6.6
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.10
   
• AstroMain 3.53.1,  AstroPlan 1.30.10,   AstroShCap 1.3.12, AstroGuard 1.8.2
  AstroVOE 1.10  AstroSN 1.8.2,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.9.1
  (AstroWeather 1.17.4, AstroAllSky 3.16,  AstroObsCam 1.9, AstroLaunch 1.9.4)

Highlights

•  AstroMain. AstroMain 3.53.1 operated without any new issues or problems during the session
•  Dome Slaving. Fixes implemented in AstroMain 3.53.1 worked ok,  but have reworked in AstroMain 3.53.2 using a different solution which will need to be tested during the next session
•  Targets. Two targets were acquired before cloud necessiated the automated suspension of the session. Both targets where on patially completed due to aborts because of critical weather conditions (threat of rain & cloud)
• C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS). No images of comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS). Target wasn't placed in Plan by the Schedular but cloud would have likely prevented acquistion anyway.  Images were eventually acquired in Session S1024 (2022-08-04).

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 21:48:02 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 22:22 & 02:56 21:48:03   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 22:22 22:22:43   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to cloud 23:41:43 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (23:41) 23:42:23   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -10°C) 23:42:25 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2022-08-02 S01023, ImageSaveNum: 1023001) 23:42:27   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 23:44:08   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:44:15 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 23:44:18 Session Pending Session pending (2022-08-02) 23:44:20 Session Initiating Session initiating (2022-08-02) 23:44:23   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.30.11) 23:44:52   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 785) 23:45:04   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -5°C) 23:45:10   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 23:45:34 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 23:46:19   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 23:46:20   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started 23:47:24   Equilibration Ended Dome Equilibration ended (1.1 mins total) 23:47:26 Session Running Session running 23:47:31   Queue Started Observing Queue started (14 targets selected) 23:47:34   Dome Unparked Dome unparked 23:47:36     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 23:49:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:52:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 23:54:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 23:54:54       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 23:56:40       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 23:58:26       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 23:58:44     Target Completed Target completed (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 00:00:50     Target Started (1/14) Target started (1/14, UGC 6983 w/SN2022pru) 00:04:48       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 00:08:21   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 00:08:23   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain) 00:08:25     Target Aborted (1/14) Target aborted (1/14, UGC 6983 w/SN2022pru) due to threat of rain 00:08:27   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:08:29 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:09:11   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 45s) 00:10:26 Session Resuming Session resuming 00:11:11   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 00:11:13 Session Running Session running 00:11:15   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 00:11:17     Target Started (1/14) Target started (1/14, UGC 6983 w/SN2022pru) 00:16:07   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 00:16:09   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 00:16:11   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 00:16:13     Target Aborted (1/14) Target aborted (1/14, UGC 6983 w/SN2022pru) due to cloud 00:16:15   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:16:17 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:16:57   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 45s) 00:19:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (1/14, UGC 6983 w/SN2022pru) due to cloud 00:31:52     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (2/14, GCVS BL Lac) due to cloud 00:43:24     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (3/14, GCVS AM Her) due to cloud 00:47:35 Session Resuming Session resuming 00:48:20   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 00:48:23 Session Running Session running 00:48:25   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 00:48:27     Target Started (4/14) Target started (4/14, NGC 6745 w/SN2022prr) 00:51:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:53:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 01:06:08   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 01:07:58   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:08:00   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 01:08:02     Target Aborted (4/14) Target aborted (4/14, NGC 6745 w/SN2022prr) due to cloud 01:08:04   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:08:06 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:08:48   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 45s) 01:25:09     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (5/14, NGC 6701 w/AT2022nxe) due to cloud 01:44:13     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (6/14, C/2021 O3 (PANSTARRS)) due to cloud 02:04:43     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (7/14, NGC 5875 w/SN2022oqm) due to cloud 02:26:43     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (8/14, NGC 5894 w/SN2022pgf) due to cloud 02:36:33     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (9/14, 61 Cyg) due to cloud 02:52:36     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (10/14, GCVS SS Cyg) due to cloud 03:01:19     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (11/14, GCVS EV Lac) due to rain 03:09:27     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (12/14, GCVS HH And) due to cloud 03:17:30     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (13/14, WDS GRB 34) due to cloud 03:36:21     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/14, GCVS RX And) due to cloud 03:36:26   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 03:36:32 Session Closing Session closing 03:36:37   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 01:08, closing time 45s) 03:37:48   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 63s), Az: 90.0 deg 03:39:08   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 75s) 03:39:24   Telescope State Scope parked Turn scope off. (Handbox) 03:39:46   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 03:40:40   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 03:40:42 Session Housekeeping Session Housekeeping started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 03:40:45 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail -- No Alerts                --

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Operational Issues (2022-08-02, S1023)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (1)
• Small Defects (3)
• Continuous Improvement (7)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Reporting of "Turn On Telescope Tracking" result was misplaced (00:11). ReportComment result ("Ok   Tracking is On") wasn't placed on same report line as the AddComment  ("Turn On Telescope Tracking") after Resuming Session at 00:11 with Target 1/14 (UGC 6983),  but were separate by several intervening rows that reported "Continue..", "Target", "Current Conditions:" and "Current Sky Meas..." . It would seem that reporting of Turn On Telescope Tracking and the intervening rows was generated by two different threads (that were writing to Log file at almost the same instance.   The issue is caused by flawed logic in SetState_RunningAgain() routine, which changes SessionState to Running, then calls  Scope.SetTrackingOn(), then reports Queue Resuming.... , then exits and continues ObsManager loop.   Normally call to SetTrackingOn and the message "Queue Resuming" happen before the job queue execution leaves its holding loop and begins reporting  "Continue..", "Target", "Current Conditions:" and "Current Sky Meas..."  however the action of changing SessionState to Running is what allows the job queue to leave its holding loop and resume again. Depending on thread timing this could cause the messages  "Continue..", "Target", "Current Conditions:" and "Current Sky Meas..."  to be reported before the result of Turn On Tracking, and the message "Queue Resuming.." Fixed in AstroMain 3.53.4 by delaying the setting of SessionState to Running to after the call to Scope.SetTrackingOn() and after the 'Queue Resuming..' message.
  Done 2022-08-07 (AstroMain 3.53.4)

Small Defects

• When Job Queue finished a meaningless pair of brackets are shown in the report line "Operation....  Ok  Completed   ()" ( 03:36). Line is reported by PostJobTasks() routine. Examining code shows that issue occurs when the time taken by the operation is greater than 1 hour. Since execution of job queue can taken several hours this is clearly a bug.  Issue fixed by showing the time taken in number of hours where operation has taken between 1 and 15 hours.
  Fixed 2022-08-04 (AstroMain 3.53.2)
   
• Session report file often contains an unnecessary extra space before 'Back To Top' lines. Problem has been reported before in association with report  the Targets of Opportunity section. Report sections are frequently preceeded by a blank report line.  This is perfect for Console viewing .  However for reading the .htm report file in a web browser the extra space is a distraction (problem is due to insertion of  ">Back To Top"  lines after the blank line has been written.   May be remove the extra space as part of 'FinaliseReportFile()' routine, or create a special ReportComment("") which write blank line to console, but doesn't write the blank line to the report file.
  Fixed 2022-08-06 (AstroMain 3.53.4)
   
• A "Target Aborting" message was written three times to Report File (00:08).  Target 1/14 (UGC 6983) was aborted following a HardSuspend flag that was raised at 00:08:21 because of threat of rain.  The message "> Target Aborting ... Ok Target aborting (Threat of rain)"  was written 3 times when it was only necessary to write it one time.
  To investigate and fix 2022-08-07 (AstroMain 3.53.5)

• Report whether Set Slaving Off/On action was initiated by user.
  Done 2022-08-04 (AstroMain 3.53.2)
   
• Make a number of cosmetic improvements to Report File and Log File messages.
  Done 2022-08-04 (AstroMain 3.53.2)
   
• Implement new logic for setting of Dome Slaving.  AstroMain 3.53.1 used in S1023 contain a fix/workaround for sideeffects seen in session S1022 following a change in DeviceHub 6.6.0.16 where the Dome.Slaved is reset to False when slaved Dome slew is aborted. (see S1022 Notes) (see DeviceHub 6.6.0.16 notes).  Whilst this previous fix worked ok in Session S1023 (2022-08-02) a better solution has been determined and is incorporated into AstroMain 3.53.2). This was successfully tested in S1024 Session (2022-08-04).
  Done 2022-08-03 (AstroMain 3.53.2)
   
• Add Plan End and Plan Start to the Observing Plan Chart. Place vertical text adjacent to lines marking the start and end of the plan.  Implemented in AstroPlan 1.30.12. Implementation also added for Observing Result  (where the start of first actual observation and the end of the last observation are labelled).
  Done 2022-08-07 (AstroPlan 1.30.12)
   
• Query. Why isn't a list of targets filtered by position and constraint not output to the log file.  Is this the result of previous change regarding size of GA logging file ? he absence of this list made it more difficult to diagnose why Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS), which was a main aim for the session, wasn't scheduled in the Observing Plan for Session S1023. The list of targets was at one stage output to the logfile, but has commeneted out at some point. Examine code and reinstate the output.  The set of targets that are potentially eligible for observing is established in the GetActiveTargetSet() routine.  Whilst a new List of Potentially Eligible Targets is added to logfile AstroPlan 1.30.12, as list of enabled targets available for schedular is already output to logfile.  List from AstroPlan.2022-08-02.log was examined. It showed that C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) was absence from the list of  enabled targets , and had therefore been excluded from the schedule building for the S1023 Observing Plan.
  Closed  2022-08-07 (AstroPlan 1.30.12)
   
• Capture a Guide Frame at the end of guiding run and create JPG picture. Initial implementation added to AstroMain 3.53.6 which calls a new routine Guider.Capture_GuideF2_Image(). Tested using AdHoc (On The Fly) Observation and seems to work.  JPG picture is incorporated into 'Build Local JPG Page' ok, and saved to Live Folder ok, Tested on Development Computer but new feature requires final live session testing.
    Done 2022-08-12 (AstroMain 3.53.6)
   
• Add a means to force the scheduling of a target using extra elevated priority. Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) was a main aim for the session, but wasn't scheduled. Whilst cloud forced a delay to Autostart, such that by the time the plan was created the comet was already very low in the SW Sky, but there was still room for it to have been included in the schedule.  The plan was made from targets database of which there where 17 Must Include targets of which C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS) was one which reduced to 9 must-include targets after filtering on sky position and constraints. Unable to find details of filtered targets in AstroPlan's logfile.  Could there be two levels for Must Include:  High priority and General priority. MustInclude is held in database as an integer and therefore it would be feasible to rework AstroPlan, AstroMain to use 1 for 'Must Include' targets (high priority) and 2 for 'Wish to Include' targets (low priority).  Code changes made to AstroMain ?. Code changes made to AstroPlan 1.31 to implement MustInclude as an integer and to introduce Tier2 MustInclude targets.  Tested during daytime testing on Development Computer. Need to test during Live Session on Observatory Computer .
   Done 2022-08-18 (AstroPlan 1.31, AstroMain 3.53.6)

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