David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1104 (2023-03-07)

Notes (S1103)

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Notes (S1105)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (2),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (2)
	Images from 2023-03-07 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2023-03-07)

Main aims

1. New Development Computer.  Confirm that new development computer fully meets its role in software and database deployment ahead of a live session,  for monitoring and support during a live session, and for data download and analysis post-session.
2. AstroMain.  Check new 3.61.10 version of AstroMain for any introduced issues
3. 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  2.6.11dev4, Siril 1.0.6, deCONZ 1.18.2, ASCOM 6.6 SP1
   
• AstroMain 3.61.10, AstroPlan 1.36.5,   AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.2
  AstroVOE 1.13  AstroSN 1.10,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.11.1
  (AstroWeather 1.20, AstroAllSky 3.18,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4, AstroLaunch 1.10.9 / 1.11

Highlights

• Targets.  20 out of 22 planned targets were completed with the one partially completed. A further target was attempted but due to cloud a ToO was substituted.
• New Development Computer.  There were no issues using the new Development Computer before or during the session. A couple of issues arose during post-session work the following morning but were quickly fixed.  Earlier issues with CCDSoft crashing during Analysis on old computer seemed to be resolved using the new computer.
• AstroMain.  There were no new issues associated with new 3.61.10 version of AstroMain.
• Dome Slews.  Session suffered a significant number of hold-ups, with a third of dome slews affected costing over 10 minutes in total (Hold Up Stats: 8/33 slews affected, 33%, 10.2 minutes total hold-up time). Problem Azimuths were generally in the range 40-100 deg. Worst slew had a total holdup of 130s, stopping at 3 points.  Problem may have been worse due to the low temperatures (-5°C to -8°C) ?

Notes:

• Ambient temperature was -5°C or lower throughout the session. Lowest temperature was -8°C.
  

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 22:35:25 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 22:35 & 04:44 22:35:30 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (22:35) 22:35:50   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 22:36:15   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -20°C) 22:36:17 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2023-03-07 S01104, ImageSaveNum: 1104001) 22:36:42   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 22:38:27   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:38:34 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:38:37 Session Pending Session pending (2023-03-07) 22:38:39 Session Initiating Session initiating (2023-03-07) 22:38:41   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.36.5) 22:39:36   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 876) 22:39:52   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -30°C) 22:40:27   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 22:40:51 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 22:41:41   Wait On Weather Waiting for acceptable conditions 22:41:44 Session Suspending Session suspending 22:41:46   Dome Closed Dome already closed 22:41:48 Session Suspended Session suspended 22:42:13   Queue Started Observing Queue started (21 targets selected) 22:45:42 Session Resuming Session resuming 22:46:27   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 22:46:29 Session Running Session running 22:46:31   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 22:47:28     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 10, HIP 49253) 22:47:44       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 22:49:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:52:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 22:54:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 22:54:15       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:56:24       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 22:58:08       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 22:58:26     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 10, HIP 49253) 22:58:30     Target Started (1/21) Target started (1/21, IC 1874 w/SN2023fu) 23:02:16       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 23:18:50     Target Completed Target completed (1/21, IC 1874 w/SN2023fu) 23:18:55     Target Started (2/21) Target started (2/21, C/2022 U2 (ATLAS)) 23:21:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:23:35       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed (failed QC check - Ambiguous) 23:41:21     Target Completed Target completed (2/21, C/2022 U2 (ATLAS)) 23:41:25     Target Started (3/21) Target started (3/21, C/2020 V2 (ZTF)) 23:46:49       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 23:51:57     Target Aborted (3/21) Target aborted (3/21, C/2020 V2 (ZTF)) due to Priority 1 ToO Target 23:52:02     Target Started (4/22) Target started (4/22, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS), ToO) 23:55:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:58:26       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 00:06:41     Target Completed Target completed (4/22, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS), ToO) 00:06:45     Target Started (5/22) Target started (5/22, AT2023vp (CV)) 00:10:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:13:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 00:19:03     Target Completed Target completed (5/22, AT2023vp (CV)) 00:19:07     Target Started (6/22) Target started (6/22, UGC 3044 w/SN2023cf) 00:22:07       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:38:19     Target Completed Target completed (6/22, UGC 3044 w/SN2023cf) 00:38:23     Target Started (7/22) Target started (7/22, UGC 8046 w/SN2022zxr) 00:43:06       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:58:59     Target Completed Target completed (7/22, UGC 8046 w/SN2022zxr) 01:00:03       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 01:00:05   Queue Paused Observing Queue pausing for Session Suspension 01:00:08 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:00:58   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 01:01:00 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:13:04 Session Resuming Session resuming 01:13:49   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 01:13:52 Session Running Session running 01:13:54   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 01:13:55     Target Started (8/22) Target started (8/22, NGC 5631 w/SN2022aaiq) 01:14:52     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 89.6° (Delay 37s) 01:26:29     Target Completed Target partially completed (8/22, NGC 5631 w/SN2022aaiq) 01:26:33     Target Started (9/22) Target started (9/22, UGC 4025 w/SN2023boc) 01:46:15     Target Completed Target completed (9/22, UGC 4025 w/SN2023boc) 01:46:19     Target Started (10/22) Target started (10/22, NGC 2708 w/SN2023bee) 01:49:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:51:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 02:07:39     Target Completed Target completed (10/22, NGC 2708 w/SN2023bee) 02:07:43     Target Started (11/22) Target started (11/22, C/2019 U5 (PANSTARRS)) 02:09:37     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 224.4, 223.6° (Total delay 69s) 02:13:44       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 02:24:27     Target Completed Target completed (11/22, C/2019 U5 (PANSTARRS)) 02:24:31     Target Started (12/22) Target started (12/22, NGC 5915 w/SN2023cpt) 02:25:44     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 179.7° (Delay 39s) 02:28:57       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:44:52     Target Completed Target completed (12/22, NGC 5915 w/SN2023cpt) 02:45:41     Target Started (13/22) Target started (13/22, SN 2022acyq) 02:48:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:50:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 03:06:53     Target Completed Target completed (13/22, SN 2022acyq) 03:08:01     Target Started (14/22) Target started (14/22, UGC 11225 w/SN2023bqh) 03:11:13     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 99.4, 91.5, 69.3° (Total delay 130s) 03:13:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:16:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 03:33:07     Target Completed Target completed (14/22, UGC 11225 w/SN2023bqh) 03:33:11     Target Started (15/22) Target started (15/22, HIP 87937) 03:35:28     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 69.2, 93.1° (Total delay 90s) 03:40:29     Target Completed Target completed (15/22, HIP 87937) 03:40:33     Target Started (16/22) Target started (16/22, GCVS SS Cyg) 03:43:18     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 92.1, 91.6, 70.4, 59.2, 58.6° (Total delay 109s) 03:45:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:47:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 03:51:48     Target Completed Target completed (16/22, GCVS SS Cyg) 03:56:09     Target Started (17/22) Target started (17/22, GCVS BL Lac) 03:59:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:01:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 04:05:01     Target Completed Target completed (17/22, GCVS BL Lac) 04:06:27     Target Started (18/22) Target started (18/22, C/2022 A2 (PANSTARRS)) 04:09:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:11:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 04:17:28     Target Completed Target completed (18/22, C/2022 A2 (PANSTARRS)) 04:18:47     Target Started (19/22) Target started (19/22, GCVS HH And) 04:21:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:23:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 04:26:03     Target Completed Target completed (19/22, GCVS HH And) 04:27:15     Target Started (20/22) Target started (20/22, WDS GRB 34) 04:30:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:32:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 04:34:26     Target Completed Target completed (20/22, WDS GRB 34) 04:35:42     Target Started (21/22) Target started (21/22, UGCA 402 w/SN2023cv) 04:37:47     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 43.5° (Delay 32s) 04:40:51       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 04:57:23     Target Completed Target completed (21/22, UGCA 402 w/SN2023cv) 04:58:02     Target Started (22/22) Target started (22/22, 81P/Wild) 05:01:45       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 05:19:09     Target Completed Target completed (22/22, 81P/Wild) 05:19:12   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 05:19:15 Session Closing Session closing 05:20:08   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 05:21:51     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 97.1, 96.7° (Total delay 48s) 05:21:53   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 98s), Az: 90.0 deg 05:23:04   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 65s) 05:23:19   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 05:23:41   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:25:06   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:25:08 Session Housekeeping Session Housekeeping started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:25:33 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 01:14:52 Yellow Alert Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 89.6° (Delay 37s) 02:09:37 Yellow Alert Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 224.4, 223.6° (Total delay 69s) 02:25:44 Yellow Alert Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 179.7° (Delay 39s) 03:11:13 Red Alert Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 99.4, 91.5, 69.3° (Total delay 130s) 03:35:28 Yellow Alert Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 69.2, 93.1° (Total delay 90s) 03:43:18 Yellow Alert Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 92.1, 91.6, 70.4, 59.2, 58.6° (Total delay 109s) 04:37:47 Yellow Alert Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 43.5° (Delay 32s) 05:21:51 Yellow Alert Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 97.1, 96.7° (Total delay 48s)

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Operational Issues (2023-03-07, S1104)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• The 'Create Workbook' button routine from Reduction Workflow tab fails (post-session). Creating Session Workbook fails with the message "01104_Fits Summary.xls doesn't seem to have been created after 30s".   Problem is due to path name to Excel program being located is in "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16" on the new computer compared with "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16" on the old computer. Fixed in AstroMain 3.61.11.
  Fixed  2023-03-08 (AstroMain 3.61.11) 
   
• Reduction not initially available (post-session). Unable to use automated image reduction due to Reduction Group and settings not bing setup in advance in CCDSoft.  Reduction Group created and setting manually entered by reference to the settings on old computer. .
  Fixed  2023-03-08 (CCDSoft, Development Computer) 

Small Defects

• The '_JPGS >>' button on Manager Tab isn't working. The button should open the session's _JPG subfolder from the Manager tab but it doesn't seem to work.  Bug fixed (the button was going to the intended handler as it had been incorrectly defined)
  Fixed   2023-03-08 (AstroMain 3.61.11) 

Continuous Improvement

• Query: Session Suspended ObsCam picture produced at 22:41:58, which was less than 2 minutes after 'Starting Session' ObsCam picture (22:40:09).   Examining session's Report file shows that final checks ahead of opening dome failed due to "Threat of rain" and the session was moved to the 'Suspended State'.  Closed after review 2023-03-08
  Closed 2023-03-08 (Session)
   
• The message 'Threat of Rain' wasn't appropriate for the ambient temperatures (22:41). Final checks ahead of opening dome failed due to "Threat of rain" and the session was moved to the 'Suspended State'.  At the temperature conditions the better message would be 'Threat of snow' or 'Threat of precipitation'. For borderline cases 'Threat of rain/snow' might be appropriate. Implemented in AstroMain 3.61.12 ,   GetShortFailDescription()  and ObsManager/Observatory Alert section modified to consider Ambient Temperature when give a description relating to an Rain or RainThreat enum.
  Done  2023-03-12 (AstroMain 3.61.12)

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