David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1043 (2022-09-30)

Notes (S1042)

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Notes (S1044)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (1),  Minor Issues (0),  Small Defects (3),  Continuous Improvement (1)
	Images from 2022-09-30 >>        [ Local Files >> ]

Session Aims & Highlights (2022-09-30)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by time & twilight conditions.

 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  2.6.11dev2
   
• AstroMain 3.55.1  /  3.55.2,  AstroPlan 1.32.5,   AstroShCap 1.3.12, AstroGuard 1.9
  AstroVOE 1.12  AstroSN 1.8.6,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.9.1
  (AstroWeather 1.18.1, AstroAllSky 3.17.1,  AstroObsCam 1.9, AstroLaunch 1.9.4)

Highlights

• Targets.  Data was acquired from only 4 out of 30 planned targets, with partial data acquired from 1-2 further targets (one of which was later rejected due to bad guiding).  This was due a bug with the handling of Rain Trim setting at start of session and later on due to cloud.

Notes:

• Start of session was delayed by a problem with the application of Rain Trim Setting. This also caused the first 3 targets to be missed/skipped.
• Cloud (high cloud that reduced star count without dropping Cloud Sensor's Clarity value effected the session significantly and it was not until later 04:04 that sky was clear enough for productive observing.
  

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 19:37:12 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:37 & 05:12 19:37:15   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to rain 20:43:08 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (20:43) 20:43:41 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2022-09-30 S01043, ImageSaveNum: 1043001) 20:43:43   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 20:45:27   Services Started Observatory Services started 20:45:34 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 20:45:39 Session Pending Session pending (2022-09-30) 20:45:41 Session Initiating Session initiating (2022-09-30) 20:45:43   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.32.5) 20:46:19   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 805) 20:46:43   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -15°C) 20:46:50   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 20:47:14 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 20:48:45   Wait On Weather Waiting for acceptable conditions 20:48:47 Session Suspended Session suspended 20:48:49   Dome Closed Dome already closed 20:48:51   Queue Started Observing Queue started (30 targets selected) 21:21:08     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (1/30, IC 1132 w/SN2022prv) due to threat of rain 21:31:19   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 21:31:34   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 21:31:38 Program Closed Program closed by User 21:32:27 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2022-09-30 S01043, ImageSaveNum: 1043001) 21:32:34   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 21:32:36   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 21:32:39   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:33:17 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:33 & 05:12 21:33:19 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 21:33:21   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 21:37:45   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:53:41 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:53) 21:54:03   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:54:09 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:54:12 Session Pending Session pending (2022-09-30) 21:54:14 Session Initiating Session initiating (2022-09-30) 21:54:19   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 805) 21:54:33   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -15°C) 21:54:38   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:55:02 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 21:55:04   Wait On Weather Waiting for acceptable conditions 21:55:06 Session Suspended Session suspended 21:55:08   Dome Closed Dome already closed 21:55:10   Queue Started Observing Queue started (28 targets selected) 21:57:07 Session Resuming Session resuming 21:57:52   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 21:57:54 Session Running Session running 21:57:56   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 21:57:58     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 21, HIP 103850) 21:58:09   Dome Unparked Dome unparked 22:01:05       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:03:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 22:05:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 22:05:29       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:06:53   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 22:06:58   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 22:07:23       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 22:09:06       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 22:09:23     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 21, HIP 103850) 22:09:25     Target Missed (3/30) Target's time slot was missed (3/30, GCVS SS Cyg) 22:09:28     Target Started (4/30) Target started (4/30, AT2022kl (CV)) 22:13:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:15:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 22:17:24   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 22:19:14   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 22:25:10   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 22:29:44     Target Completed Target partially completed (4/30, AT2022kl (CV)) 22:29:46   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 22:29:48 Session Suspended Session suspended 22:30:31   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 45s) 22:41:16     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (5/30, C/2022 E3 (ZTF)) due to cloud 23:01:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (6/30, NGC 5894 w/SN2022pgf) due to cloud 23:23:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (7/30, AT2022tru (CV)) due to cloud 23:45:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (8/30, UGC 12599 w/SN2022mhn) due to cloud 00:07:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (9/30, AT2022vxe) due to cloud 00:20:24     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (10/30, GCVS Z And) due to cloud 00:28:37     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (11/30, WDS GRB 34) due to cloud 00:42:50     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (12/30, GCVS U And) due to cloud 00:52:18     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (13/30, GCVS HH And) due to cloud 01:01:29     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/30, GCVS BL Lac) due to cloud 01:21:29     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/30, UGC 6983 w/SN2022pru) due to cloud 01:43:29     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/30, NGC 157 w/SN2022jli) due to cloud 01:56:39     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/30, GSC 1224:29) due to cloud 02:07:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/30, AT2022weo (CV)) due to cloud 02:27:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (19/30, NGC 7495 w/SN2022ubb) due to cloud 02:49:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (20/30, LEDA 3096725 w/AT2021agpx) due to cloud 03:11:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/30, M31 w/Nova2022qpg) due to cloud 03:23:35     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/30, GCVS RX And) due to cloud 03:32:47     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/30, GCVS GK Per) due to cloud 03:52:02     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/30, UGC 2508 w/AT2022trp) due to cloud 04:03:51 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:04:36   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 04:04:38 Session Running Session running 04:04:40   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:04:43     Target Started (25/30) Target started (25/30, Nova Per 2020) 04:13:56     Target Completed Target partially completed (25/30, Nova Per 2020) 04:14:00     Target Started (26/30) Target started (26/30, AT2022ivv) 04:17:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:18:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 04:22:03   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 04:22:08   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 04:29:49   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 04:35:30     Target Completed Target completed (26/30, AT2022ivv) 04:35:32   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 04:35:35 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:36:25   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 04:50:32     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (27/30, AT2022tqu) due to too few stars 04:53:27 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:54:12   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 04:54:14 Session Running Session running 04:54:16   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:54:19     Target Started (28/30) Target started (28/30, UGC 3923 w/SN2022rqc) 04:57:16       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 05:13:31     Target Completed Target completed (28/30, UGC 3923 w/SN2022rqc) 05:15:36     Target Started (29/30) Target started (29/30, AT2022tmq) 05:19:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:21:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 05:37:27     Target Completed Target completed (29/30, AT2022tmq) 05:37:31     Target Started (30/30) Target started (30/30, GCVS DX Cnc) 05:40:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:42:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 05:47:11     Target Completed Target completed (30/30, GCVS DX Cnc) 05:47:14   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 05:47:16 Session Closing Session closing 05:48:04   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 45s) 05:48:24   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 13s), Az: 90.0 deg 05:49:42   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 72s) 05:49:57   Telescope State Scope parked Turn scope off. (Handbox) 05:50:19   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:51:16   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:51:18 Session Housekeeping Session Housekeeping started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:51:24 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail 04:14:12 Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 142.8° (T+7.4s)

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Operational Issues (2022-09-30, S1043)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• Session unable to start running even though conditions were acceptable to open observatory dome. Due to probable dampness in the CloudSensor following a rain event earlier in the day, the Rain Sensor reading where elevated above its normal level (-0.5) and where sitting at a value of 1.6 to 1.8, which are enough to normally prevent session from running or for shutter to be opened or left open.  Because of this a rain trim setting of 2.5 was being used in AstroMain and AstroGuard to raise the critical rain alert threshold, and the Relay setting for Dry/Rain threshold changed in the CloudSensor Head. This should have allowed the dome to be opened and the session to continue, however AstroMain continued to say that conditions were unsuitable.  AstroMain was opened on development computer in a debugging test session where it was established that the issue was due to a bug which was misapplying the Rain Trim setting in the determination and assignment of a LastRainTime. With ObsManager setting this variable to the present time every 5s, the separate code that check whether shutter can be opened by ensuring that at least 10 minutes have passed since LastRainTime is failing the check and the session can not proceed.  Bug was fixed in-session and a new AstroMain version 3.55.2 installed on the Observatory Computer and the session was restarted. The fix was successfully resolved the issue.
  Fixed 2022-09-30 (AstroMain 3.55.2) 

Minor Issues

• None

Small Defects

• Anomalous Dome Slew (04:14).  An anomalous dome slew was recorded a 04:14:12 during a slew to Target 26/30 (AT 2022ivv). With the telescope previously at Az 147.0° / Alt 74.8° this involved a telescope slew to Az 138.2° / Alt 70.0°. Logs show telescope slew being commanded at 04:14:04.78, with the slew finishing at 04:14:25.90.  The dome slew appears to momentarily stopped at 04:14:10.97 (T+6.2s, Az 142.0) but resuming again by 04:14:12.23 (Az 142.8, T+7.4s) and being finished at  04:14:13.34 (Az 143.3, T+8.6s).  DH Activity log show telescope being commanded to perform a Telescope.SlewToCoordinatesAsync at 04:14:05.199 (T+0.4s).  A fraction of a second earlier at 04:14:04.803 (T+0.02s) : the log shows a 'dome position recalculation due to a telescope slew-in-progress' and a Dome.SlewToAzimith (142.01°) being made at 04:14:04.845.  The logs suggest that Dome has reached Az 142.0 at around 04:14:10.923 and a 'Dome position recalculation due to periodic timer expiration' was made that led to a SlewToAzimuth (143.31329°) at 04:14:11.163 (T+6.2s).   Review shows slew is ok, and the reporting apparent anomaly is correct given the data.   It is possible that this anomaly may not flag up once promised updates to the Pulsar Dome' ASCOM driver are eventually made by Pulsar Observatories. In the meantime it is proposed to change the Alert from Red (level 1) to Yellow (level 2). Updated in AstroMain 3.55.3'
  Closed after review 2022-10-01 (AstroMain 3.55.3 / DeviceHub / Pulsar Dome ASCOM driver) 
   
• Guide Chart for Guide Run 2, Nova Per 2020, show anomalous lost star / Dec deflection. During Guide Run 2 (Nova Per 202), In 6 minus of guding there were 8 intervals where the guide star was lost for 3 steps or so and when guide steps resumed RA error was unexpectedly offset by 3-4" (and by 6"+ in one case). There was no effect on the Dec error. which was close to 0.0".  Intervals weren't preceeded by any large correction in RA (or Dec). Target lay at Az 142 / Alt 74 is is thus well away from known (? worm drive) anomaly region. Is this a problem with cable drag ?.
  Closed but monitor future sessions. (LX200, PHD2 Guiding)
   
• Unable to make VNC Connection to AllSky/Weather Computer (post-session). Unable to make a VNC Connection to AllSky/Weather Computer (Laptop7) from Development Computer, Observatory Computer or IPAD.  The Network connection to the AllSky/Weather Computer is Ok,  it is sending/recieving data ok over TCP/IP connection, and Windoes explorer, uploaded its data to Website ok (last last night at least), responds to Pings and the VNC connections to other computers can be made ok from the connecting computer/device.  So it looks like the VNC Server has frozen or crashed on the AllSky/Weather Computer ? Visit to Observatory showed the computer to be running but it would respond / wake to mouse-pad movements.  Performed a Reboot by holding the Power Button down for 5s. and logged in. Logs show that files stopped updating at 08:12 and EVent Logs show a WindowsKernal problem of some kind at this time.  So looks like some form off glitch that took down the operating system and evidently stopped VNC servers.  Restarted AllSky/Weather Programs. at 14:30 (6 hours weather data lost).
  Resolved 2022-10-01. (AllSky/Weather Computer, VNC)

• Complete backlog of image building and web page documentation from Sep 2022.  3 sessions still incomplete as of 2022-12-16 (S1041-43). Backlog completed Jul 2023.
   Done 2023-07-21 (Session, Website)

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