David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1083 (2023-01-07)

Notes (S1082)

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Notes (S1084)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (0),  Small Defects (4),  Continuous Improvement (2)
	Images from 2023-01-07 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2023-01-07)

Main aims

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

 Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, DeviceHub 6.6.1.1,  MeadeGeneric 1.3.5.414, UPB 1.5, ASCOM 6.6
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.11dev2, deCONZ 1.18.2, ASCOM 6.6 SP1
   
• AstroMain 3.60.4, AstroPlan 1.35.6,   AstroShCap 1.3.12, AstroGuard 1.10.2
  AstroVOE 1.12.2  AstroSN 1.8.6,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.9.8
  (AstroWeather 1.19.6, AstroAllSky 3.17.2,  AstroObsCam 1.11.2, AstroLaunch 1.10.5

Highlights

• Targets. 9 out of 38 planned targets were completed. 4 targets failed due to cloud, too few stars, whilst other targets were cancelled when the session was finished early due to deteriorating sky conditions and  forecast higher wind with possible showers.
• Dome Slews. All dome slews proceeded without any significant holdup. (0/11 slews affected, 0%, 0.0 minutes total hold-up time).

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 19:54:35 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:54 & 06:29 19:54:37 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:54) 19:54:58   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 19:55:11 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2023-01-07 S01083, ImageSaveNum: 1083001) 19:55:38   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 19:57:21   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:57:28 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 19:57:33 Session Pending Session pending (2023-01-07) 19:57:35 Session Initiating Session initiating (2023-01-07) 19:57:37   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.35.6) 19:58:28   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 854) 19:58:53   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -15°C) 19:59:29   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 19:59:53 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 20:00:39   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 20:00:41 Session Running Session running 20:00:43   Queue Started Observing Queue started (38 targets selected) 20:00:44     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 5, HIP 23569) 20:00:58       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 20:04:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:06:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 20:09:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 20:09:32       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 20:11:20       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 20:13:00       Focusing Failed Foc2 focusing failed (failed QC check - Quadratic) 20:13:04     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 5, HIP 23569) 20:14:05     Target Started (1/38) Target started (1/38, UGC 8046 w/SN2022zxr) 20:18:15       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 20:34:35     Target Completed Target completed (1/38, UGC 8046 w/SN2022zxr) 20:36:05     Target Started (2/38) Target started (2/38, GCVS BL Lac) 20:39:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:42:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 20:45:03       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (wind) 20:45:23       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 20:46:07     Target Completed Target completed (2/38, GCVS BL Lac) 20:46:11     Target Started (3/38) Target started (3/38, WDS GRB 34) 20:49:04       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:51:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 20:53:44     Target Completed Target completed (3/38, WDS GRB 34) 20:54:14     Target Started (4/38) Target started (4/38, NGC 5631 w/SN2022aaiq) 20:57:41       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 21:13:57     Target Completed Target completed (4/38, NGC 5631 w/SN2022aaiq) 21:16:14     Target Started (5/38) Target started (5/38, 61 Cyg) 21:19:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:21:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 21:23:29     Target Completed Target completed (5/38, 61 Cyg) 21:23:33     Target Started (6/38) Target started (6/38, GCVS SS Cyg) 21:26:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:28:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 21:32:52     Target Completed Target completed (6/38, GCVS SS Cyg) 21:39:21     Target Started (7/38) Target started (7/38, AT2022absk (CV)) 21:41:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:44:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 21:50:31     Target Completed Target completed (7/38, AT2022absk (CV)) 21:51:21     Target Started (8/38) Target started (8/38, M31 w/Nova M31 2022-12a?) 21:54:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:56:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 22:12:47     Target Completed Target completed (8/38, M31 w/Nova M31 2022-12a?) 22:13:21     Target Started (9/38) Target started (9/38, GCVS DY Per) 22:15:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:18:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 22:21:18       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 22:23:29     Target Completed Target completed (9/38, GCVS DY Per) 22:23:31   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 22:23:33 Session Suspending Session suspending 22:24:18   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 45s) 22:24:20 Session Suspended Session suspended 22:32:29     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (10/38, GCVS EV Lac) due to cloud 22:42:25 Session Resuming Session resuming 22:43:10   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 22:43:12 Session Running Session running 22:43:14   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 22:43:16     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 8, HIP 39357) 22:46:14       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:47:05       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 22:48:22       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10, wide) 22:49:25   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 22:49:27   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 22:49:49       Focusing Aborted Foc2 Focusing Aborted due to HardSuspend 22:49:53     Target Aborted (NrZen) Target aborted (Focus Field 8, HIP 39357) due to cloud 22:49:55     Target Aborted (11/38) Target aborted (11/38, AT2022xwk) due to cloud 22:49:57   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 22:49:59 Session Suspending Session suspending 22:50:41   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 45s) 22:50:43 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:13:39     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (12/38, NGC 7769 w/SN2022aedu) due to too few stars 23:30:24 User Intervention User request to close and finish session 23:30:27   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 23:30:29 Session Closing Session closing 23:30:34   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 22:50, closing time 45s) 23:30:56   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 14s), Az: 90.0 deg 23:32:19   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 78s) 23:32:34   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 23:32:56   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 23:34:22   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 23:34:25 Session Housekeeping Session Housekeeping started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 23:34:35 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail --             No Alerts                --

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Operational Issues (2023-01-07, S1083)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (0)
• Small Defects (4)
• Continuous Improvement (2)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• None

Small Defects

• Several M31 Transients are without Sky Constraint definitions. Sky Constraint field was blank when opened in AstroPlan, which might cause such targets to not be included in Observing Plans.  Problem is due to AstroSN setting sky constraint to "P3" for SN.Types other than "CV",  however M31 Transients project doesn't have a P3 constraint, a C3 constraint should be used. Fixed in AstroSN 1.8.7. Database updates made via AstroPlan to correct past inconstancies associated with M31 and M33 Transients
  Fixed 2023-01-09 (AstroSN 1.8.7, Database) 
   
• Two failed targets are not listed on left hand side of AzAlt Results Chart. Two blank rows on AzAltResultsChart probably both corresponding to AT2022xwk. AT2022xwk is shown as 'Wating to Start' in Plan and isn't closed out correctly (see separate issue below).  In the first case (OID 12, AT2022xwk) the session was immediately suspended due to threat of rain,  and job queue went into a wait loop. When conditions improved the job executor inserted a Near Zenith Focusing operation (ID 13, Focus Field 8) as original Foc2 focusing during initial Near Zenith Focusing had failed QC check.    Since AT2022xwk hadn't failed but was instead interrupted there was no call to add a AzAltResultPoint from OID 12. FocusField 8 was aborted part way through due to critical cloud conditions and job execution moved to OID 14, AT2022xwk (our second case) at 22:49:53.  This was a point which was after the target's Planned Start (22:37) and 10 minutes before the Planned End (22:59). At 22:49:55 a session event and log entry were recorded Target aborted (11/38, AT2022xwk) due to cloud,  but there were no report messages to say this and no call to AddAzAltResult or update of Planned Target Result.  Session state moved to 'Suspending' at 22:49:56 and then after the session was suspended and Special ObsCam Image had been taken the job executor moved directly onto Target 12/38 (OID 15, NGC 7769) at 22:51:11 without reporting any result for OID 14, AT2022xwk.    For the first case a call to AzAltChart.AddAzAltResult is added to ExecuteQueue ahead of making the call to FocusScopeNearZenith().  The second case seems to be due to bProceed being set to False in ExecuteQueue() routine in situation where Planned Start has been passed and bHardSuspend flag is raised.  After passing over target actions after acknowledging bSuspendOk and waiting for Session to become Suspended  the executer doesn't go around for a further attempt at the target as the code to do lies inside a condition that  requires bProceed to be True. Fix attempted 2023-01-09 in AstroMain 3.60.5 by removing the bProceed condition for testing opportunity to continue with the current target.
  Fixes attempted 2023-01-09 (AstroMain 3.60.5)
   
• Target Result wasn't correctly recorded in Session Plan in database.  Target 11/38 (AT2022xwk) was recorded in Session Events as "Target aborted .. due to cloud", however in Plan it is left with status "Waiting to Start". After beginning AT2022xwk under suspended session state, and then after aborting a Focus Field 8  to suspend again, a session event and log entry "Target aborted (11/38, AT2022xwk) due to cloud" were recorded at 22:49:55, however there were no report messages to record this result and no call to AddAzAltResult or any update of Planned Target Result in database. Issue seems to be due to bProceed being set to False in ExecuteQueue() routine in situation where Planned Start has been passed and bHardSuspend flag is raised.  After passing over target actions after acknowledging bSuspendOk and waiting for Session to become Suspended  the executer doesn't go around for a further attempt at the target as the code to do lies inside a condition that  requires bProceed to be True. Fix attempted 2023-01-09 in AstroMain 3.60.5 by removing the bProceed condition for testing opportunity to continue with the current target.
  Fix attempted 2023-01-09 (AstroMain 3.60.5) 
   
• When Session becomes Suspended a blank line isn't getting inserted into the Report file before the 'Take ObsCam Image' subtitle (22:24 & 22:50) .  In the TakeSpecialObsCamImage() routine which is executed via it own thread, a 'ReportComment("")' line is present in code immediately before the 'ReportSubTitleLite("Take ObsCam Image")' line and a blank line should therefore always appear.  A blank line appears before the "Take ObsCam Image" subtitle when taking ObsCam Image when Starting and when Finished.    In previous S1082 session there were two session suspended : at 03:21 the "Take ObsCam Image" subtitle was missing altogether but the blank line seems to be present, whilst at 06:42 the blank line and subtitle where both present but there was an unexpected ">  " text and formating on the following "Switch On Aux Light" line.  In the S1081 session : at 20:11, 21:30, 05:20, 06:04 the blank line is missing, at 22:55 & 05:39 the blank line and subtitle are both missing. This is very strange.  Extra trace statements added to TakeSpecialObsCamImage() routine in AstroMain 3.60.5 to record use of Report statements and incorporate 200ms sleep intervals between Report statements, when the ObsCam Action is 'TakeSessionSuspendedImage'.  Monitored S1085 & S1086, issue appears to be fixed.
  Fixed 2023-01-09 (AstroMain 3.60.5) 

• Close 'fv' application when using the 'KillDataFoldersAndOpenReducedFolder'  X button .  Use the time whilst Opening Reduced Folder to close the fv application.
  Done 2023-01-08 (AstroMain 3.60.5) 
   
• Add TNS, Gaia, Simbad link buttons to AstroPlan'sTarget Form. Buttons would be based on those recently added to AstroMains ImageBuilder form. In progress TNS Link added to AstroPlan 1.35.8 on 2023-01-11. Gaia and Simbad links added to AstroPlan 1.35.8 on 2023-01-14.
  Done  2023-01-14 (AstroPlan 1.35.10) 

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