David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1091 (2023-01-26)

Notes (S1090)

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Notes (S1092)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (4)  Small Defects (2),  Continuous Improvement (1)
	Images from 2023-01-26 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2023-01-26)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
2. AstroMain. Check new 3.60.12 version of AstroMain for any issues introduced by recent bug fixes and small improvements.

 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 3.60.11 & 3.60.12, AstroPlan 1.35.12,   AstroShCap 1.3.12, AstroGuard 1.10.2
  AstroVOE 1.12.2  AstroSN 1.9,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.9.8
  (AstroWeather 1.19.9, AstroAllSky 3.17.3,  AstroObsCam 1.11.2, AstroLaunch 1.10.7

Highlights

• Targets. x targets out of xplanned targets were completed with an additional x targets partially completed. Other targets weren't acquired due to cloud, or weren't attempted due to the session being terminated early due to expected continuation of cloud with rain showers
• AstroMain. There was an initial issue as the Observatory was still running the AstroMain 3.60.11 used in the previous session. AstroMain was restarted using the new 3.60.12 version at 22:42. There were no new issues introduced by the new AstroMain version (3.60.12)
• Dome Slews. No dome slews were affectced by holdups (Hold Up Stats: 0/13 slews affected, 0%, 0.2 minutes total hold-up time).

Notes:

• Due to user error specifiying program files to be uploaded to Observatory Computer, the Session was started with AstroMain 3.60.11 instead of intended version (3.60.12).
• AstroMain was restarted at 22:42 in order to pick up the new 3.60.12 version. The executable includes a late stage bug fix to Obs.Manager's ClosingStage1 in order to resolve a Dome Parking issue that was seen at the end of the S1090 session on the previous night)

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 21:29:51 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:29 & 06:11 21:29:52 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:29) 21:30:12   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 21:30:26 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2023-01-26 S01091, ImageSaveNum: 1091001) 21:30:52   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 21:32:38   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:32:45 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:32:47 Session Pending Session pending (2023-01-26) 21:32:49 Session Initiating Session initiating (2023-01-26) 21:32:51   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.35.12) 21:33:49   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 864) 21:34:12   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -25°C) 21:34:49   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:35:13 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 21:35:58   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 21:36:01 Session Running Session running 21:36:03   Queue Started Observing Queue started (26 targets selected) 21:36:04     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 6, HIP 28634) 21:36:17       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 21:39:39       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 21:41:14       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 21:41:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:43:44       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 21:43:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 21:45:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 21:45:51       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:46:30       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 21:47:51       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 21:49:34       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 21:49:51     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 6, HIP 28634) 21:49:55     Target Started (1/26) Target started (1/26, Minkowski 1-13) 21:53:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:55:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 22:04:01       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 22:07:07       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 22:13:44     Target Completed Target completed (1/26, Minkowski 1-13) 22:13:48     Target Started (2/26) Target started (2/26, NGC 2528 w/SN2023jo) 22:18:26       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:27:24       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 22:30:09   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 22:30:11   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 22:30:14     Target Aborted (2/26) Target aborted (2/26, NGC 2528 w/SN2023jo) due to cloud 22:30:16   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 22:30:18 Session Suspending Session suspending 22:31:04   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 22:31:06 Session Suspended Session suspended 22:32:38     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (2/26, NGC 2528 w/SN2023jo) due to cloud 22:34:42 Obs.Monitor Frozen Obs.Monitor appears to be frozen at around 22:34 in section 'Refresh Dome Picture/Label Dome Azimuth' 22:42:07   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 22:42:28   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 22:42:31 Session Closed Session closed by User 22:42:34 Program Closed Program closed by User 22:43:35 Program Opened Program Opened (AstroMain 3.60.12) 22:43:37 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2023-01-26 S01091, ImageSaveNum: 1091023) 22:43:40   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 22:43:50   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 22:43:59   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:44:02 Program Resumed AstroMain UI resumed again at 22:44 after 7s 22:45:19   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:45:25 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 22:45 & 06:11 22:45:27 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 22:45:29 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (22:45) 22:45:46   UPB Port Lost UPB Powerbox Port Lost 22:45:47   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:45:54 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:45:56 Session Pending Session pending (2023-01-26) 22:45:58 Session Initiating Session initiating (2023-01-26) 22:46:04   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 864) 22:46:17   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -20°C) 22:46:53   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 22:47:17 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 22:48:02   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 22:48:04 Session Running Session running 22:48:06   Queue Started Observing Queue started (24 targets selected) 22:48:11     Target Started (3/26) Target started (3/26, AT2023vq) 22:55:43       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 22:56:43       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 22:59:57     Target Completed Target partially completed (3/26, AT2023vq) 23:00:01     Target Started (4/26) Target started (4/26, UGC 2926 w/SN2022acyd) 23:01:23       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 23:01:37     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 246.4° (Delay 79s) 23:04:23     Target Failed (4/26) Target failed due to cloud (4/26, UGC 2926 w/SN2022acyd) 23:04:25   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 23:04:27 Session Suspending Session suspending 23:05:14   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 23:05:16 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:16:58     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (4/26, UGC 2926 w/SN2022acyd) due to cloud 23:25:46 Session Resuming Session resuming 23:26:31   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 23:26:33 Session Running Session running 23:26:35   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 23:26:36     Target Started (5/26) Target started (5/26, IC 1525 w/AT2023aov) 23:46:13       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 23:46:51     Target Completed Target completed (5/26, IC 1525 w/AT2023aov) 23:46:53   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 23:46:55 Session Suspending Session suspending 23:47:43   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 23:47:45 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:01:18     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (6/26, M31 w/AT2023ax) due to cloud 00:23:38     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (7/26, IC 1874 w/SN2023fu) due to cloud 00:45:58     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (8/26, UGC 3044 w/SN2023cf) due to too few stars 00:46:24 Session Resuming Session resuming 00:47:19   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 55s) 00:47:21 Session Running Session running 00:47:23   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 00:49:02     Target Started (9/26) Target started (9/26, C/2020 V2 (ZTF)) 00:51:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:54:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 01:12:12     Target Completed Target completed (9/26, C/2020 V2 (ZTF)) 01:12:16     Target Started (10/26) Target started (10/26, AT2023vp (CV)) 01:15:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:17:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 01:23:16     Target Completed Target completed (10/26, AT2023vp (CV)) 01:24:22     Target Started (11/26) Target started (11/26, NGC 189) 01:27:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:29:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 01:34:12     Target Completed Target completed (11/26, NGC 189) 01:35:24     Target Started (12/26) Target started (12/26, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 01:38:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:41:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 01:51:46     Target Completed Target completed (12/26, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 01:52:08     Target Started (13/26) Target started (13/26, MCG +5-26-43 w/SN2023af) 01:54:39     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 246.8° (Delay 88s) 01:58:32       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 02:14:31     Target Completed Target completed (13/26, MCG +5-26-43 w/SN2023af) 02:14:35     Target Started (14/26) Target started (14/26, UGC 8046 w/SN2022zxr) 02:18:56       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 02:35:15     Target Completed Target completed (14/26, UGC 8046 w/SN2022zxr) 02:36:48     Target Started (15/26) Target started (15/26, C/2019 U5 (PANSTARRS)) 02:40:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:43:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 02:54:08     Target Completed Target completed (15/26, C/2019 U5 (PANSTARRS)) 02:54:12     Target Started (16/26) Target started (16/26, NGC 3705 w/SN2022xxf) 02:58:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:00:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 03:16:48     Target Completed Target completed (16/26, NGC 3705 w/SN2022xxf) 03:16:52     Target Started (17/26) Target started (17/26, NGC 4415 w/SN2022pul) 03:18:13     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 177.1, 176.7° (Total delay 62s) 03:21:40       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 03:37:39     Target Completed Target completed (17/26, NGC 4415 w/SN2022pul) 03:38:13     Target Started (18/26) Target started (18/26, NGC 5468 w/SN2023cj) 03:42:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:44:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 04:00:00     Target Completed Target completed (18/26, NGC 5468 w/SN2023cj) 04:00:32     Target Started (19/26) Target started (19/26, NGC 5548 w/AT2022abcs) 04:03:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:05:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 04:21:23     Target Completed Target completed (19/26, NGC 5548 w/AT2022abcs) 04:22:53     Target Started (20/26) Target started (20/26, NGC 5631 w/SN2022aaiq) 04:25:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:28:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 04:44:10     Target Completed Target completed (20/26, NGC 5631 w/SN2022aaiq) 04:45:12     Target Started (21/26) Target started (21/26, AT2023fm (CV)) 04:47:30     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 88.6, 66.5° (Total delay 94s) 04:50:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:52:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 04:58:55     Target Completed Target completed (21/26, AT2023fm (CV)) 04:58:59     Target Started (22/26) Target started (22/26, C/2022 A2 (PANSTARRS)) 05:01:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:04:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 05:10:32     Target Completed Target completed (22/26, C/2022 A2 (PANSTARRS)) 05:10:36     Target Started (23/26) Target started (23/26, UGC 10407 w/AT2022adyb) 05:13:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:16:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 05:32:14     Target Completed Target completed (23/26, UGC 10407 w/AT2022adyb) 05:32:18     Target Started (24/26) Target started (24/26, NGC 3938 w/SN2022xlp) 05:36:24       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 05:52:50     Target Completed Target completed (24/26, NGC 3938 w/SN2022xlp) 05:54:12     Target Started (25/26) Target started (25/26, 81P/Wild) 05:57:12     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 246.3, 222.3, 221.5, 177.1° (Total delay 127s) 05:59:53       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 06:04:16       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 06:17:07     Target Completed Target completed (25/26, 81P/Wild) 06:17:09   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 06:17:11 Session Suspending Session suspending 06:17:57   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 06:17:59 Session Suspended Session suspended 06:46:48     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (26/26, UGCA 402 w/SN2023cv) due to cloud 06:46:53   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:46:56 Session Closing Session closing 06:47:01   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 06:17, closing time 50s) 06:47:56   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 47s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:49:07   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 66s) 06:49:22   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 06:49:44   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:51:08   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:51:11 Session Housekeeping Session Housekeeping started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:51:31 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 22:35:17 Red Alert Obs.Monitor Obs.Monitor appears to be frozen in section 'Refresh Dome Picture/Label Dome Azimuth' (last cycle at 22:34:42) 22:36:12 Green Alert Obs.Monitor Obs.Monitor has resumed again (22:36) after 1.5 mins 23:00:07 Yellow Alert Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 250.0° (T+1.6s) 23:01:37 Yellow Alert Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 246.4° (Delay 79s) 01:54:39 Yellow Alert Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 246.8° (Delay 88s) 03:18:13 Yellow Alert Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 177.1, 176.7° (Total delay 62s) 04:47:30 Yellow Alert Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 88.6, 66.5° (Total delay 94s) 05:57:12 Red Alert Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 246.3, 222.3, 221.5, 177.1° (Total delay 127s)

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Operational Issues (2023-01-26, S1091)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (4)
• Small Defects (2)
• Continuous Improvement (1)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Spectra Image Picture of Target 1/26 (Minkowski 1-13) has a very light background (22:07).  JPG picture of the 180s S filter image of Minkowski 1-13 (#1091012-13) has a very light background instead of dark background expected. Examining the FITS image show image is overexposed with an Av Sky background in range from 58100 to 64850 with no stars evident, which explains the very light background. A 180s frame was chosen to try to define a planetary nebula type spectra associated with the relatively faint pl.neb target  Minkowski 1-13, but with sky position at the low altitude of 13 deg in southern sky the image has picked up light pollution bounching of clouds above the major city located 12 km to the south.   A break in the assumed cloud allowed a darker sky background and stars with spectra to be picked up in image #1091014 (Av Sky Background only 3940 ADU). Issue understood after brief investigation and closed.
  Closed 2023-01-26 (Session) 
   
• Centering Chart, Slew Charts and Sky Condition chart are not displaying on Current Session web page. The 'session_current.htm' page was undergoing some changes and experiments earlier in the day, and the missing charts relate to introduced bugs and some accidentally deleted htm. Quickly fixed in-session
  Fixed In-Session 2023-01-26 (Website)  
   
• Offset between Cam2 and Cam1 Centre Coordinates appears to have worsened for Target 5/26 (IC 1525). For Target 3/26 (AT2023vq) has a measured offset of 0.56' (Offset N: -0.09', Offset W: 0.56') , Data from Target 4/26 didn't allow a measurement. For Target 5/26 (IC 1525) the measured offset is reported to be 3.29' (Offset N: 2.60', Offset W: 2.01').   Problem might be due to LocateInfo coordinates for Cam1 being based on Locate Frame 3, but this had a Pointing Error of 3.36' and between Locate 3 and The Cam2 Reference image the scope was jogged by approximately 2.64 - 3.36' . This explains the anomaly.  This has been picked up before (3 months ago ?). Review needed to see if Design needs to be changed to handle this sort of condition. Unclear why a Locate Frame 4 wasn't taken to assess the final pointing.   A plate solution was performed on the first main image which showed pointing error of 0.52'.  
  Issue understood, review required 2023-01-26 (Session, AstroMain) 
   
• Extract Spectra for Target Minkowski 1-13 isn't placing a spectra box around the correct object (post-session analysis).  During analysis of  image "Minkowski_1-13.20230126.im1091014.180s.S.FIT" it was found that the image linked ok, but the Extract Spectra routine didn't place a spectra box around the correct object.   Minkowski_1-13 zero order object is very faint and is probably not represented in the Star Inventory.    The extract Spectra routine may be centering on nearest star object.  This may be appropriate for certain targets but this is not applicable here where the aim is to highlight the Pl.Neb type lines/bands in the 1st order spectra. Stepping through the code, shows that X,Y coords of object are assigned ok (545, 374), but they are then run through GetNearestObject() routine which sets the 'StarX/StarY to 542, 325, confirming the hypothesis.  A new checkbox (cboxObjSpectraLockOnNearestStar, default checked) is added that allows the user to bypass the GetNearestObject() call, and use the initially assigned coordintes based on Target's RaDec2000 coordinates and Image Linking.
  Fixed 2023-02-18 (AstroMain 3.61.6) 

Small Defects

• Obs.Manager reported "Powerbox Port lost (22:45). The Obs.Manager reported "Powerbox Port lost at 22:45:46" and recorded a session event "UPB Powerbox Port Lost". There were no consequential problems or issues and it is assigned that there was a momentary glitch or port data outage of some kind which quickly resolved itself. Ports are proven to be stable on the current Observatory Computer running Windows 10 (unlike the previous comouter running windows 7). . Quickly fixed in-session. A separate ticket is raised to look at code and employ a minimum time that port must appear to be lost for before reporting the issue.
  Resolved In-Session 2023-01-26 (Website)  
   
• "Spectra Chart saved to ..." message is too long (post-session analysis).  The report message "Spectra Chart saved to Minkowski_1-13.20230126.im1091014.180s.S.spectra.png" is too long for the AstroMain's console box and wraps around to the following line.   Fixed in AstroMain 3.61.6 by removing "Spectra " from the message so that is will now read "Chart saved to ..."
  Fixed 2023-02-18 (AstroMain 3.61.6) 

• Review and improve Obs.Manager's reporting of "Powerbox Port lost" events. The Obs.Manager currently reports"Powerbox Port lost" events that are potentially just due to a momentary glitch in port information supply which quickly resolves itself. Look at Obs.Manager code and employ a minimum time that the port must appear to be lost for before reporting the issue.  Lost Port would be flagged if a PowerBox port name (either primary or secondary) isn't found in the list of ports in the collection My.Computer.Ports.SerialPortNames.   Reporting improved / fixed in AstroMain 3.61. Recording of Session Alert and All-Clear also added.
  Done 2023-03-02 (AstroMain 3.61)  

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