David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1054 (2022-11-04)

Notes (S1053)

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Notes (S1055)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (1),  Small Defects (0),  Continuous Improvement (7)
	Images from 2022-11-04 >>        [ Local Files >> ]

Session Aims & Highlights (2022-11-04)

Main aims

1. AstroMain.  Check new AstroMain version (3.56.10) for any issues introduced by recent changes and additions.
2. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
3. CCDSoft / SBIG : Understand issues with CCDSoft not responding, SBIG Issues, AstroMain ObsMonitor lockups.

 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 3.56.10 & 3.56.11 AstroPlan 1.32.6,   AstroShCap 1.3.12, AstroGuard 1.10.1
  AstroVOE 1.12  AstroSN 1.8.6,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.9.4
  (AstroWeather 1.19.2, AstroAllSky 3.17.1,  AstroObsCam 1.10.1, AstroLaunch 1.10.3

Highlights

• Targets. 38 out of 38 planned targets where successfully acquired
• Guiding Performance. Guiding performance was good throughout the session.
• AstroMain. Both AstroMain 3.56.10 & 3.56.11 worked without problem or issue.
• CCDSoft/SBIG Camera/AstroMain. No issues/failures/exceptions from CCDSoft.Camera. No unplanned RestartCCDSoft operations required.

Notes:

• Opportunity was taken to try out new AstroMain version 3.56.11 during the second part of the session, as it contains a number of changes that would be useful and/or would benefit from live testing  (first 12 targets up to BL Lac executed using AstroMain 3.56.10. Remainder of targets executed using AstroMain 3.56.11)
  

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 17:37:04 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 17:37 & 05:24 17:37:05 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (17:37) 17:37:24   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 17:37:36 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2022-11-04 S01054, ImageSaveNum: 1054001) 17:37:39   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 17:39:23   Services Started Observatory Services started 17:39:30 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 17:39:34 Session Pending Session pending (2022-11-04) 17:39:36 Session Initiating Session initiating (2022-11-04) 17:39:38   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.32.6) 17:40:30   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 816) 17:40:45   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -20°C) 17:40:51   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 17:41:15 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 17:42:00   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 17:42:40 Session Running Session running 17:42:42   Queue Started Observing Queue started (38 targets selected) 17:42:46     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 20, HIP 98535) 17:46:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 17:49:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 17:51:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 17:52:00       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 17:54:08       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 17:55:51       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 17:56:08     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 20, HIP 98535) 17:56:12     Target Started (1/38) Target started (1/38, C/2022 E3 (ZTF)) 18:00:08       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 18:12:14     Target Completed Target completed (1/38, C/2022 E3 (ZTF)) 18:13:40     Target Started (2/38) Target started (2/38, IC 1132 w/SN2022prv) 18:18:26       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 18:34:25     Target Completed Target completed (2/38, IC 1132 w/SN2022prv) 18:35:40     Target Started (3/38) Target started (3/38, NGC 662 w/SN2022ojo) 18:40:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:42:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 18:58:07     Target Completed Target completed (3/38, NGC 662 w/SN2022ojo) 18:58:11     Target Started (4/38) Target started (4/38, AT2022xiv) 19:01:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:04:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 19:20:12     Target Completed Target completed (4/38, AT2022xiv) 19:20:16     Target Started (5/38) Target started (5/38, AT2022zkp (CV)) 19:24:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:26:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 19:32:32     Target Completed Target completed (5/38, AT2022zkp (CV)) 19:32:36     Target Started (6/38) Target started (6/38, AT2022jsu (CV)) 19:35:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:38:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 19:54:42     Target Completed Target completed (6/38, AT2022jsu (CV)) 19:54:46     Target Started (7/38) Target started (7/38, AT2022szi) 19:58:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:00:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 20:16:28     Target Completed Target completed (7/38, AT2022szi) 20:16:32     Target Started (8/38) Target started (8/38, AT2022yeu (CV)) 20:19:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:21:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 20:38:29     Target Completed Target completed (8/38, AT2022yeu (CV)) 20:38:33     Target Started (9/38) Target started (9/38, NGC 6745 w/SN2022prr) 20:41:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:44:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 21:00:16     Target Completed Target completed (9/38, NGC 6745 w/SN2022prr) 21:00:20     Target Started (10/38) Target started (10/38, NGC 5894 w/SN2022pgf) 21:05:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:07:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 21:23:47     Target Completed Target completed (10/38, NGC 5894 w/SN2022pgf) 21:23:51     Target Started (11/38) Target started (11/38, GCVS SS Cyg) 21:27:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:29:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 21:34:12     Target Completed Target completed (11/38, GCVS SS Cyg) 21:37:56     Target Started (12/38) Target started (12/38, GCVS BL Lac) 21:40:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:42:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 21:46:41     Target Completed Target completed (12/38, GCVS BL Lac) 21:46:42 User Intervention User Intervention to pause session to install AstroMain 3.56.11 21:46:43   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 21:46:52   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 21:47:03 Program Closed Program closed by User 21:47:59 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2022-11-04 S01054, ImageSaveNum: 1054100) 21:48:05   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 21:48:07   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 21:48:10   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:48:35 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:48 & 05:24 21:48:37 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 21:49:35 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:49) 21:50:31   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:50:38 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:50:40 Session Pending Session pending (2022-11-04) 21:50:42 Session Initiating Session initiating (2022-11-04) 21:50:48   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 816) 21:51:01   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -20°C) 21:51:07   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:51:26 Session Running Session running 21:51:28   Queue Started Observing Queue started (26 targets selected) 21:51:35     Target Started (13/38) Target started (13/38, AT2022kl (CV)) 21:54:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:56:30       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 22:14:32     Target Completed Target completed (13/38, AT2022kl (CV)) 22:14:36     Target Started (14/38) Target started (14/38, AT2021axb) 22:17:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:20:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 22:36:09     Target Completed Target completed (14/38, AT2021axb) 22:36:14     Target Started (15/38) Target started (15/38, AT2022fnb (CV)) 22:39:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:41:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 22:48:00     Target Completed Target completed (15/38, AT2022fnb (CV)) 22:48:05     Target Started (16/38) Target started (16/38, UGC 2508 w/AT2022trp) 22:51:29     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 268.0, 267.7, 266.6, 246.4, 221.4° (Total delay 114s) 23:11:12     Target Completed Target completed (16/38, UGC 2508 w/AT2022trp) 23:11:16     Target Started (17/38) Target started (17/38, AT2022oar) 23:30:20     Target Completed Target completed (17/38, AT2022oar) 23:30:24     Target Started (18/38) Target started (18/38, AT2022zkn (CV)) 23:31:50     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 88.6° (Delay 58s) 23:34:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:36:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 23:43:12     Target Completed Target completed (18/38, AT2022zkn (CV)) 23:43:16     Target Started (19/38) Target started (19/38, C/2020 V2 (ZTF)) 23:44:45     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 66.4° (Delay 50s) 23:47:38       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:04:28     Target Completed Target completed (19/38, C/2020 V2 (ZTF)) 00:04:32     Target Started (20/38) Target started (20/38, UGC 6983 w/SN2022pru) 00:07:48       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 00:24:09     Target Completed Target completed (20/38, UGC 6983 w/SN2022pru) 00:25:12     Target Started (21/38) Target started (21/38, GCVS GK Per) 00:28:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:30:55       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 00:34:22     Target Completed Target completed (21/38, GCVS GK Per) 00:34:26     Target Started (22/38) Target started (22/38, NGC 946 w/SN2022yid) 00:37:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:39:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 00:56:14     Target Completed Target completed (22/38, NGC 946 w/SN2022yid) 00:56:29     Target Started (23/38) Target started (23/38, Nova Per 2020) 00:58:29     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 177.2, 176.8, 156.3° (Total delay 78s) 01:00:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:02:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 01:11:07     Target Completed Target completed (23/38, Nova Per 2020) 01:11:11     Target Started (24/38) Target started (24/38, GSC 1224:29) 01:14:23       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:19:18     Target Completed Target completed (24/38, GSC 1224:29) 01:21:19     Target Started (25/38) Target started (25/38, 2MFGC 03677 w/SN2021agpj) 01:22:33     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 177.4, 176.6° (Total delay 48s) 01:26:10       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:42:05     Target Completed Target completed (25/38, 2MFGC 03677 w/SN2021agpj) 01:43:19     Target Started (26/38) Target started (26/38, AT2022vzb) 01:46:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:48:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 02:04:52     Target Completed Target completed (26/38, AT2022vzb) 02:05:20     Target Started (27/38) Target started (27/38, AT2022vdr (CV)) 02:08:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:11:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23) 02:17:09     Target Completed Target completed (27/38, AT2022vdr (CV)) 02:17:13     Target Started (28/38) Target started (28/38, AT2022qcs) 02:20:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:23:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24) 02:38:58     Target Completed Target completed (28/38, AT2022qcs) 02:39:19     Target Started (29/38) Target started (29/38, AT2022dzi) 02:42:36       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:45:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 25) 02:50:48     Target Completed Target completed (29/38, AT2022dzi) 02:51:19     Target Started (30/38) Target started (30/38, UGC 3923 w/SN2022rqc) 02:52:34     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 162.6, 156.4° (Total delay 35s) 02:54:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:57:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 26) 03:14:26     Target Completed Target completed (30/38, UGC 3923 w/SN2022rqc) 03:14:30     Target Started (31/38) Target started (31/38, SN 2022uiv) 03:17:39       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:33:29     Target Completed Target completed (31/38, SN 2022uiv) 03:35:19     Target Started (32/38) Target started (32/38, NGC 3859 w/AT2022zia) 03:39:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:41:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 27) 03:45:19   Dome Unparked Dome unparked 03:57:48     Target Completed Target completed (32/38, NGC 3859 w/AT2022zia) 03:57:52     Target Started (33/38) Target started (33/38, UGC 3702 w/AT2022ktk) 03:59:24     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 156.0° (Delay 41s) 04:01:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:03:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 28) 04:20:07     Target Completed Target completed (33/38, UGC 3702 w/AT2022ktk) 04:20:11     Target Started (34/38) Target started (34/38, NGC 2994) 04:23:53       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 04:40:20     Target Completed Target completed (34/38, NGC 2994) 04:41:19     Target Started (35/38) Target started (35/38, NGC 3938 w/SN2022xlp) 04:42:53     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 88.6° (Delay 49s) 04:45:16       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 05:01:06     Target Completed Target completed (35/38, NGC 3938 w/SN2022xlp) 05:03:19     Target Started (36/38) Target started (36/38, GCVS CN Leo) 05:08:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:11:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 29) 05:19:05     Target Completed Target completed (36/38, GCVS CN Leo) 05:19:10     Target Started (37/38) Target started (37/38, NGC 3705 w/SN2022xxf) 05:40:44     Target Completed Target completed (37/38, NGC 3705 w/SN2022xxf) 05:40:48     Target Started (38/38) Target started (38/38, UGC 8379 w/AT2022qza) 06:02:59     Target Completed Target completed (38/38, UGC 8379 w/AT2022qza) 06:03:02   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:03:03 Session Closing Session closing 06:03:58   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 06:04:29   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 23s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:05:48   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 74s) 06:06:03   Telescope State Scope parked Turn scope off. (Handbox) 06:06:25   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:07:21   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:07:23 Session Housekeeping Session Housekeeping started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:09:00 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail 01:11:18 Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 160.2° (T+2.8s)

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Operational Issues (2022-11-04, S1054)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• There were delays during slewing to certain targets due to holdup in the Dome Rotation. Holdups occurred at Az 268° (20s),  Az 221°, 246° & 268° (114s),  Az 89° (58s), Az 66° (50s), Az 156°  & 177° (48s),  Az 177° (48s),   Az 156° & 163° (35s),  Az 156° (41s), Az 89° (49s).  Problem was again particularly bad this session, with 9 out of 40 dome slews experiencing a holdup (23%).   Need to check the Dome's Rotation Drive Tension and check for grease on roof flange.  Issue was eventually determined to be due to a loose/worn Drive Wheel Connector and was resolved by installing a Replacement Drive Wheel & Connector on 2023-11-17 (see Pulsar Dome - Replacement Rotation Drive Wheel, 2023-11-17).
  Fixed 2023-11-17 (Observatory, Pulsar Dome)

Small Defects

• None

• Add a local horizon line to AzAlt Plan Plot.  Two targets failed in session S1053 due to slew error (limits exceeded). Showing local horizon line might offer a chance for the user spot a potential issue in future and/or confirm that routines to check and avoid planning a target below the local horizon are working.  Local Horizon is read into LocalHorizon(Az) array (0 to 359) by ReadLocalHorizonFile() routine when schedular is run.
  Done 2022-11-05 (AstroPlan 1.33)  
   
• Add Wind Forcast & Dec Limit legend to AzAltChart. Added to AzAltChart.DrawChartBase along with Local Horizon legend.
  Done 2022-11-05 (AstroPlan 1.33)
   
• Draw positions of dome holdups on Dome Slewing Chart.  Draw red line indicators extending outwards from the Dome Slew Plot circumference, with loci proportional to hold up time, in order to highlight occurance of dome hold-ups. Added new routine DomeChart.DrawDomeHoldUp() to plot hold-up indicator on Dome Slewing Chart.
  Done 2022-11-06 (AstroMain 3.56.13) 
   
• Copy Ra/Dec Location panel with centre RaDec in TheSky button from Observing/TheSky tab to Analysis tab. This is a useful utility that would be useful to have available in AstroMain's Analysis mode. .
  To do 2022-11-05 (AstroMain 3.56.12)
   
• Add MustInclude Tier3 facility in AstroPlan. Tier3 is a special MustInclude type to represents targets that are a standby list for future use as a Tier 1 or 2 target. Modify Targets form to include Tier 3 (Standby)checkbox. Modify MustInclude form to include Tier 3 column. Add appropriate checkbox handling, form load & form save handling.  This is a repeat of earlier ticket that hasn't yet been implemented.   Finally included in AstroPlan 1.33
  Done 2022-11-05 (AstroPlan 1.33)
   
• Add Counts by Tier fields to AstroPlan's MustInclude form. Modify MustInclude form to count targets by MustInclude Tier (ie Tier 1 total, Tier 2 total, Tier 3 total).  Implemented in AstroPlan 1.33.  The count automatically updates when MustInclude Tier is changed.  Sort order is changed to list Tier 1 targets first, and Tier 3 targets last.
  Done 2022-11-05 (AstroPlan 1.33)
   
• Add a blank white row to Observatory Alarm's History Table when a 'Session Created' event is recieved.  A blank row will make it easier to differentiate events, alerts & alarms belonging to a new session.  The  'session_alarms.htm' page was modified 2022-11-05 to call 'AddToHistoryTable("Break")' when EventSubject == "Session Created" is received.  First opportunity to test this new feature was at 2022-11-05 17:48:25 when session S1055 was created, unfortunately the event was quickly followed by 'Scope Switched On' event at 17:48:27 and the 'Session Created' event wasn't read-in/processed by Observatory Alarms scripts. If it is important to ensure that Observatory Alarms picks up 'Session Created' events it would be appropriate to put in a 20s delay after Session Created event has been generated (applied to Observatory Computer only).
  Done 2022-11-09 (Website / Observatory Alarms page, AstroMain 3.56.13)

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