David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1093 (2023-01-28)

Notes (S1092)

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Notes (S1094)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (2)  Small Defects (5),  Continuous Improvement (10)
	Images from 2023-01-28 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2023-01-28)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
2. Secondary Scope Imaging/Stacking.  Continue test out of secondary scope imaging with automated in-session stacking of ZWO 178MC frames using and AstroMain's StackCam2Frames() routine, Siril-cli and a Siril script (OSC_stackframes.ssf).

 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, Siril 1.0.6, deCONZ 1.18.2, ASCOM 6.6 SP1
   
• AstroMain 3.60.13, AstroPlan 1.35.12,   AstroShCap 1.3.14, 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 x planned 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
• Secondary Scope Imaging/Stacking. After a couple of teething issues caused by inappropriate preference settings on new Siril installation were resolved in session, the live session proved that the Secondary Scope (Cam2) imaging with automated in-session stacking of ZWO 178MC frames worked.
  AstroMain. There were no new issues introduced by the new AstroMain version (3.60.13)
• Dome Slews.   (Hold Up Stats: 1/27 slews affected, 4%, 2.3 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 18:07:00 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 18:06 & 06:08 18:07:02 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (18:07) 18:07:31   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 18:07:44 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2023-01-28 S01093, ImageSaveNum: 1093001) 18:08:11   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 18:09:50   Services Started Observatory Services started 18:09:57 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 18:09:59 Session Pending Session pending (2023-01-28) 18:10:02 Session Initiating Session initiating (2023-01-28) 18:10:04   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.35.12) 18:11:05   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 866) 18:11:27   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -25°C) 18:12:04   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 18:12:23 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 18:13:09   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 18:13:11 Session Running Session running 18:13:13   Queue Started Observing Queue started (39 targets selected) 18:13:16     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 3, HIP 14181) 18:13:28       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 18:18:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:20:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 18:22:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 18:22:45       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 18:24:41       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 18:26:22       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 18:26:39     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 3, HIP 14181) 18:26:43     Target Started (1/39) Target started (1/39, C/2022 A2 (PANSTARRS)) 18:31:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:33:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 18:39:24     Target Completed Target completed (1/39, C/2022 A2 (PANSTARRS)) 18:39:28     Target Started (2/39) Target started (2/39, AT2023fm (CV)) 18:42:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:44:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 18:50:21     Target Completed Target completed (2/39, AT2023fm (CV)) 18:50:50     Target Started (3/39) Target started (3/39, C/2020 V2 (ZTF)) 18:53:42       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 19:10:37     Target Completed Target completed (3/39, C/2020 V2 (ZTF)) 19:14:10     Target Started (4/39) Target started (4/39, C/2021 Y1 (ATLAS)) 19:20:53       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 19:29:02     Target Completed Target completed (4/39, C/2021 Y1 (ATLAS)) 19:29:06     Target Started (5/39) Target started (5/39, GCVS SS Cyg) 19:32:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:34:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 19:38:52     Target Completed Target completed (5/39, GCVS SS Cyg) 19:46:27     Target Started (6/39) Target started (6/39, GCVS BL Lac) 19:49:00       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 19:53:20     Target Completed Target completed (6/39, GCVS BL Lac) 19:56:45     Target Started (7/39) Target started (7/39, IC 1525 w/AT2023aov) 19:59:30       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 20:15:30     Target Completed Target completed (7/39, IC 1525 w/AT2023aov) 20:18:46     Target Started (8/39) Target started (8/39, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 20:22:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:24:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 20:34:44     Target Completed Target completed (8/39, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 20:34:48     Target Started (9/40) Target started (9/40, C/2021 Y1 (ATLAS), ToO) 20:38:42     Target Aborted (9/40) Target aborted (9/40, C/2021 Y1 (ATLAS), ToO) due to User Intervention 20:38:46     Target Started (10/40) Target started (10/40, AT2023nf (CV)) 20:41:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:43:59       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 21:00:17     Target Completed Target completed (10/40, AT2023nf (CV)) 21:00:22     Target Started (11/40) Target started (11/40, GCVS HH And) 21:03:56       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 21:06:25     Target Completed Target completed (11/40, GCVS HH And) 21:06:29     Target Started (12/40) Target started (12/40, WDS GRB 34) 21:08:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:11:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 21:13:06     Target Completed Target completed (12/40, WDS GRB 34) 21:14:24     Target Started (13/40) Target started (13/40, AT2023vp (CV)) 21:17:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:19:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 21:25:16     Target Completed Target completed (13/40, AT2023vp (CV)) 21:26:24     Target Started (14/40) Target started (14/40, NGC 5631 w/SN2022aaiq) 21:30:06       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 21:46:46     Target Completed Target completed (14/40, NGC 5631 w/SN2022aaiq) 21:46:50     Target Started (15/41) Target started (15/41, NGC 189, ToO). Using SharpCap 21:50:20       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:04:21     Target Completed Target completed (15/41, NGC 189, ToO) 22:04:23     Target Missed (16/41) Target's time slot was missed (16/41, Nova Per 2020) 22:04:25   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -25°C) 22:04:27     Target Started (17/41) Target started (17/41, M33 w/Nova M33 2022-11a?) 22:13:03       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 22:28:45     Target Completed Target completed (17/41, M33 w/Nova M33 2022-11a?) 22:28:47   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 22:28:49 Session Suspending Session suspending 22:29:35   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 22:29:37 Session Suspended Session suspended 22:45:10     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/41, SN 2022taf) due to too few stars 22:47:57 Session Resuming Session resuming 22:48:42   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 22:48:44 Session Running Session running 22:48:46   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 22:48:47     Target Started (19/41) Target started (19/41, NGC 3938 w/SN2022xlp) 22:53:15       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 23:09:13     Target Completed Target completed (19/41, NGC 3938 w/SN2022xlp) 23:10:34     Target Started (20/41) Target started (20/41, AT2022vzb) 23:13:57       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 23:28:16       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 23:28:21       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 23:30:52     Target Completed Target completed (20/41, AT2022vzb) 23:32:54     Target Started (21/41) Target started (21/41, AT2022ablr) 23:37:09       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 23:39:12       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 23:53:08     Target Completed Target completed (21/41, AT2022ablr) 23:53:10   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 23:53:12 Session Suspending Session suspending 23:53:58   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 23:54:01 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:14:30     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/41, M31 w/AT2023ax) due to cloud 00:36:31     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/41, NGC 2528 w/SN2023jo) due to cloud 00:54:59 Session Resuming Session resuming 00:55:45   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 00:55:47 Session Running Session running 00:55:49   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 00:55:51     Target Started (24/41) Target started (24/41, NGC 3705 w/SN2022xxf) 01:03:45       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 01:03:54     Target Completed Target partially completed (24/41, NGC 3705 w/SN2022xxf) 01:03:56   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:03:58 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:04:45   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 01:04:48 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:13:10     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/41, AT2023ae (CV)) due to cloud 01:16:42 Session Resuming Session resuming 01:17:27   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 01:17:29 Session Running Session running 01:17:31   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 01:17:34     Target Started (26/41) Target started (26/41, GCVS CN Leo) 01:21:08       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:27:08       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 01:28:56     Target Completed Target completed (26/41, GCVS CN Leo) 01:28:58   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:29:00 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:29:48   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 01:29:50 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:36:43 Obs.Monitor Frozen Obs.Monitor appears to be frozen at around 01:36 in section 'Refresh Dome Picture/Label Dome Azimuth' 01:47:13     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (27/41, MCG -1-30-11 w/SN2022adpu) due to cloud 02:09:33     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (28/41, UGC 10407 w/AT2022adyb) due to cloud 02:31:53     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (29/41, NGC 5468 w/SN2023cj) due to cloud 02:54:13     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (30/41, IC 1874 w/SN2023fu) due to cloud 03:16:33     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (31/41, UGC 3044 w/SN2023cf) due to cloud 03:38:53     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (32/41, UGC 6608 w/SN2022zvr) due to cloud 04:01:13     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (33/41, M85) due to cloud 04:23:40     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (34/41, NGC 4571) due to cloud 04:42:24     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (35/41, C/2019 U5 (PANSTARRS)) due to cloud 05:02:44     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (36/41, MCG +5-26-43 w/SN2023af) due to cloud 05:25:04     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (37/41, NGC 5548 w/AT2022abcs) due to cloud 05:32:12 User Intervention User request to close and finish session 05:32:15   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 05:32:17 Session Closing Session closing 05:32:22   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 01:29, closing time 50s) 05:33:08   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 38s), Az: 90.0 deg 05:34:23   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 70s) 05:34:38   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 05:35:00   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:36:25   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:36:28 Session Housekeeping Session Housekeeping started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:36:53 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 01:37:15 Red Alert Obs.Monitor Obs.Monitor appears to be frozen in section 'Refresh Dome Picture/Label Dome Azimuth' (last cycle at 01:36:43) 01:38:15 Green Alert Obs.Monitor Obs.Monitor has resumed again (01:38) after 1.5 mins

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Operational Issues (2023-01-28, S1093)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (2)
• Small Defects (5)
• Continuous Improvement (10)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• After Secondary Scope Images for ToO target (NGC 189) job execution was held up whilst CCD Temperature was restored at -20degC (21:50 to 22:05).   After using the SBIG (ST-10) camera for centering the target using AstroMain/CCDSoft,  the SBIG camera is disconnected from CCDSoft, to allow PHD2 to use the SBIG Camera for autoguiding.  After target imaging finishes the camera is 'handed' back to CCDSoft. Problem was caused because an option in CCDSoft / Temperature Dialog Form called "Shutdown temperature regulation when terminating software communication with the camera" was enabled.   The option needs to be already disabled or set to disabled before disconnecting the camera for use by PHD2.  The option can be accessed by code using the Camera.ShutDownTemperatureRegulationOnDisconnect property. Code added to ExecuteTarget() in AstroMain 3.60.14 to ensure the shutdown regulation on disconnect is turned off.
  Fixed 2023-01-29 (AstroMain 3.60.14)  
   
• The Target Circle for Target 13/40 (AT2023vp) is drawn in an incorrect position on JPG Picture for Locate 2 and Main Images. The Locate 1 picture has the target circle drawn in the correct position and has pointing error of 1.7'. This error was corrected ok with a jog an dthe target object is centered in Locate 2 picture. However the target circle is in the wrong position.   The target circle is drawn correctly in Cam2 Reference and Guide Frame Pictures, but the yellow Cam1 FOV rectangle is drawn in the wrong position by what seem to be the same amount that the target circle is incorrect in the Locate 2 picture. Target was replayed on Development Computer (using AstroMain 3.61) substituting in the original raw frames and it was found that the target circle was drawn in the correct position on the Locate Frame2 picture. The issue that occurred with AT2023vp's Locate Frame 2 during the live session can not be replicated, so it looks like a glitch of some kind. Because the issue can't be replicated and it didn't affect data acquistion (main frames were taken of the correct field area) the issue is deemed to be closed.
  Closed after review 2023-01-31 (Session, AstroMain 3.60.13 & 3.61) 

Small Defects

• Title on Target Info chart is missing a space between the Target Name and the  '(QsoIofN)' text. Title currently look like
      C/20020 V2 (ZTF)(3/39)
  Adding a space will make it like
      C/20020 V2 (ZTF) (3/39)
  Fixed 2023-01-29 (AstroMain 3.60.14)  
   
• The Targets Of Opportunity table included on the Latest Session webpage contains two ToO targets from the previous session.   The Targets of Opportunity contains Berkely 71 and NGC 189 from session S1092, and one target from the new S1093 session.  Problem tracked back to the Targets of Opportunity written in the S1093 session by AstroMain.  The S1093 session was started with the continuation of the program run that executed S1092 session the previous night.  Often AstroMain is restarted between sessions to install an updated version, or simply as a prudent precaution but this didn't happen on this occasion and has exposed a hitherto unknown bug caused by the retention of previous ToO list without resetting at the beginning of a new session.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.60.14 so that TIO.nItems is set to 0 when starting a new live session.
  Fixed 2023-01-29 (AstroMain 3.60.14)  
   
• Status of targets on the Targets Of Opportunity table are being appropriately closed out when time passes or Session Ends.  New CloseOutUnAttemptedToO() routine added to AstroMain 3.60.14 that is called when session is about  to finish in order to 'close out'  any ToO which haven't progressed beyond the Submitted/Queued stage.  This is called before final writing of the TargetsOfOpportunity file and before inclusion of Targets of Opportunity as a report section.
  Fixed 2023-01-29 (AstroMain 3.60.14)  
   
• The number of frames completed reported in the final result section of Target 15/41 (NGC 189) was incorrect (22:04).   NGC 189 was a Secondary Scope target that was submitted as a ToO. During execution 20/20 frames were captured via AstroShCap.  Although recognised as completing 20 frames, the Target Result was reported as 'Target finished (5 / 5 frames) completed' .  The value '5 / 5' happens to be the frame completion result for the preceding target.  A similar issue occurred for Berkely 71 in previous session where 20/20 frames were completed by the result was reported as having 8 / 8 frames) completed which again was the value from the preceding target.   The incorrect value is also being used in the result part of the target's TargetInfo chart and for the result/status in the TargetsOfOpportunity file. The problem is due to TakeSecondaryScope Images isn't currently using gNumCompletedImages & gNumPlannedImages. Fix attempted in AstroMain 3.60.14 with new additions to TakeSecondaryScopeImages().
  Fix attempted 2023-01-29 (AstroMain 3.60.14)  
   
• The ordering of Target Info Charts on Current Session web page can sometimes be out of sequence or missing a target.  eg. 3/29, 2/38, 5/39 or 8/39, 6/39, 5/39 instead of 8/39, 7/39, 6/39.
  To fix 2023-01-29+ (AstroMain 3.60.14+) 

• Review putting the result of QC Focus Result into capitalised text to make it more obvious.  Result could be written PASSED or REJECTED. .
  Done 2023-01-29 (AstroMain 3.60.14)  
   
• Add link to AstroMain that will open the folder containing the image set just acquired by a Secondary Scope Imaging.  Folder path held in global string variable (LastZwoImageSetFolder) and set just before calling StackCam2Image in TakeSecondaryScopeImages(). Button added to 'Manager' tab.
  Done 2023-01-29 (AstroMain 3.60.14)  
   
• Add a tab to AstroVOE to just show VOE events from GRB Targets. This makes it easier to see/understand the nature of the G
  Done 2023-01-29+ (AstroVOE 1.13 )  
   
• The Cam1 ROI used for Autoguiding Star selection needs to be modified from what Cam2 uses.   Guide ROI is set in the Guider.StartPHD2Guiding(False) where an ROI is defined that takes off a 11% border on all sides. This is fine for Cam2 but for Cam1 it would be appropriate to define an ROI where the border taken off all sides is only 6%. Guiding Scope is available through the gGuidingScope variable is set earlier to T.GuidingScope in the OB.StartTargetGuiding() routine. Implemented in AstroMain 3.61.
  Done  2023-01-31 (AstroMain 3.61)  
   
• Use flag file 'FinishedConvertToJpg.dat' to indicate whether ConvertZwoPngToJpg & ConvertFitsToJpg should wait before submitting ImageMagick Script Job.  If two ImageMagick scripts try to run at same time then there can be problems. A minimum time gaps has been tried but this can end up being too large (ie time is wasted) or too small (some JPG conversion not made). Use of flag file provides additional protection to ensure the request conversion to JPG are all completed. Implemented in AstroMain 3.61.  A 30s timeout is included to ensure job queue doesn't stall. jobAbort, JobTargetAbort and bHardSuspend checks are also made to ensure that job queue responds ASAP to raised flags.
  Done  2023-01-31 (AstroMain 3.61)  
   
• Add Moon Location and Phase to AstroPlan's ToO Target form .
  Done  2023-02-22 (AstroPlan 1.36.4)
   
• Add Targets to re-do images from selected Planetary Nebula, which either need Spectra Images or a much longer C filter exposure.
  To add to Target Database 2023-01-29+ (Targets)  
   
• Add list of immediate upcoming Targets to AstroPlan's ToO Target form.  Adding a list of current upcoming targets in the plan will provide immediate information for user to judge which existing target would be the best one to be replaced by the ToO.
  To do 2023-01-29+ (AstroPlan 1.35.13+)   
   
• When a target is anticipated to finish well ahead of schedule how can the time best be used. When schedule is more than 5 mins ahead of schedule, the next target waits until a point which is 5 mins before its planned start time.   If the preceding target is running well ahead of schedule, how can the time that would otherwise be wasted waiting for clock to run down, best be used.  Taking extra frames, performing extra Foc1 or Foc2 focusing ?
  To reviw 2023-01-28+ (AstroMain 3.60.14+)

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