David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1114 (2023-04-18)

Notes (S1113)

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Notes (S1115)

	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 (0)
	Images from 2023-04-18 >>
	Geomagnetic Shock Front (2023-04-18 14:00 UT)

Session Aims & Highlights (2023-04-18)

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  2.6.11dev4, Siril 1.0.6, deCONZ 1.18.2, ASCOM 6.6 SP1
   
• AstroMain 3.62.3, AstroPlan 1.38.1,   AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.2
  AstroVOE 1.13  AstroSN 1.10,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.12.2
  (AstroWeather 1.20, AstroAllSky 3.19,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4, AstroLaunch 1.10.9 / 1.11

Highlights

• Targets. 20 out of 21 planned targets were completed.  Images from 1 target (AT2023ctx) were subsequently rejected (cloud)
• Dome Slews.  Two slews suffered hold-ups during session with hold-ups of 62s (Az 179) & 85s (Az 239).  (Hold Up Stats: 2/22 slews affected, 9%, 3.0 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 20:59:08 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:27 & 03:35 20:59:11   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 21:27 21:27:55   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 21:48:22 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:48) 21:48:51   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 21:49:04 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2023-04-18 S01114, ImageSaveNum: 1114001) 21:49:31   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 21:51:14   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:51:21 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:51:23 Session Pending Session pending (2023-04-18) 21:51:25 Session Initiating Session initiating (2023-04-18) 21:51:27   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.38.1) 21:52:32   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 886) 21:52:53   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -20°C) 21:53:29   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:53:53 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 21:54:39   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 21:54:41 Session Running Session running 21:54:43   Queue Started Observing Queue started (21 targets selected) 21:54:46     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 11, HIP 53798) 21:54:57       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 21:59:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:02:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 22:04:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 22:04:34       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:06:35       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 22:08:16       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 22:08:33     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 11, HIP 53798) 22:08:37     Target Started (1/21) Target started (1/21, UGC 3044 w/SN2023cf) 22:12:21       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:29:20     Target Completed Target completed (1/21, UGC 3044 w/SN2023cf) 22:30:15     Target Started (2/21) Target started (2/21, UGC 4132 w/AT2023fqv) 22:33:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:35:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 22:51:39     Target Completed Target completed (2/21, UGC 4132 w/AT2023fqv) 22:52:35     Target Started (3/21) Target started (3/21, NGC 2708 w/SN2023bee) 22:56:06       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:12:07     Target Completed Target completed (3/21, NGC 2708 w/SN2023bee) 23:14:55     Target Started (4/21) Target started (4/21, C/2019 U5 (PANSTARRS)) 23:17:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:20:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 23:30:33     Target Completed Target completed (4/21, C/2019 U5 (PANSTARRS)) 23:31:39     Target Started (5/21) Target started (5/21, UGC 5276 w/SN2023cxk) 23:34:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:36:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 23:52:30     Target Completed Target completed (5/21, UGC 5276 w/SN2023cxk) 23:53:39     Target Started (6/21) Target started (6/21, M108 w/SN2023dbc) 23:56:44       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:13:21     Target Completed Target completed (6/21, M108 w/SN2023dbc) 00:15:59     Target Started (7/21) Target started (7/21, UGC 6674 w/SN2023bvi) 00:18:08     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 259.7, 239.1, 216.4, 215.5° (Total delay 85s) 00:20:32       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 00:37:10     Target Completed Target completed (7/21, UGC 6674 w/SN2023bvi) 00:37:59     Target Started (8/21) Target started (8/21, IC 4305 w/SN2023edc) 00:41:00       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 00:57:26     Target Completed Target completed (8/21, IC 4305 w/SN2023edc) 00:59:59     Target Started (9/21) Target started (9/21, NGC 5915 w/SN2023cpt) 01:01:28     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 179.1, 178.6° (Total delay 62s) 01:04:55       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 01:20:53     Target Completed Target completed (9/21, NGC 5915 w/SN2023cpt) 01:21:59     Target Started (10/21) Target started (10/21, IC 4688 w/SN2023ftg) 01:25:04       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:40:55     Target Completed Target completed (10/21, IC 4688 w/SN2023ftg) 01:44:19     Target Started (11/21) Target started (11/21, AT2023ctx (CV)) 01:44:51       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 01:47:26     Target Failed (11/21) Target failed due to cloud (11/21, AT2023ctx (CV)) 01:47:28   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:47:30 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:48:17   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 01:48:19 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:03:35     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (11/21, AT2023ctx (CV)) due to too few stars 02:07:34 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:08:19   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 02:08:21 Session Running Session running 02:08:23   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:08:26     Target Started (12/21) Target started (12/21, GCVS SS Cyg) 02:11:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:13:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 02:19:05     Target Completed Target completed (12/21, GCVS SS Cyg) 02:24:24     Target Started (13/21) Target started (13/21, GCVS BL Lac) 02:27:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:29:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 02:33:31     Target Completed Target completed (13/21, GCVS BL Lac) 02:34:42     Target Started (14/21) Target started (14/21, GCVS HH And) 02:37:56       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:40:03     Target Completed Target completed (14/21, GCVS HH And) 02:43:10     Target Started (15/21) Target started (15/21, M31 w/Nova M31 2023-03a?) 02:46:11       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:02:52     Target Completed Target completed (15/21, M31 w/Nova M31 2023-03a?) 03:05:30     Target Started (16/21) Target started (16/21, WDS GRB 34) 03:08:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:10:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 03:15:18     Target Completed Target completed (16/21, WDS GRB 34) 03:15:22     Target Started (17/21) Target started (17/21, AT2023dwm (CV)) 03:18:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:20:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 03:27:32     Target Completed Target completed (17/21, AT2023dwm (CV)) 03:27:36     Target Started (18/21) Target started (18/21, AT2022fnb (CV)) 03:32:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:35:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 03:41:56     Target Completed Target completed (18/21, AT2022fnb (CV)) 03:42:00     Target Started (19/21) Target started (19/21, C/2022 A2 (PANSTARRS)) 03:52:37     Target Completed Target completed (19/21, C/2022 A2 (PANSTARRS)) 03:52:42     Target Started (20/21) Target started (20/21, AT2023cvz (CV)) 03:55:52       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:57:22       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 03:58:57       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 04:01:51     Target Completed Target completed (20/21, AT2023cvz (CV)) 04:02:37     Target Started (21/21) Target started (21/21, GCVS CI Cyg) 04:05:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:07:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 04:11:44     Target Completed Target completed (21/21, GCVS CI Cyg) 04:11:47   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 04:11:49 Session Closing Session closing 04:12:44   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 04:13:06   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 15s), Az: 90.0 deg 04:14:20   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 70s) 04:14:35   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 04:14:57   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 04:16:21   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 04:16:24 Session Housekeeping Session Housekeeping started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 04:16:44 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 22:08:44 Yellow Alert Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 167.8° (T+2.2s) 00:18:08 Yellow Alert Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 259.7, 239.1, 216.4, 215.5° (Total delay 85s) 01:01:28 Yellow Alert Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 179.1, 178.6° (Total delay 62s) 03:50:16 Red Alert Dome Alert Shutter Data isn't being refreshed 03:50:19 Yellow Alert Dome Shutter Pulsar Shutter appears to be asleep (last fresh data was at 03:30:13) 03:50:37 Green Clear Dome Shutter Pulsar Shutter has woken up (fresh data at 03:50:37, outage 20.4 min) 03:50:41 Green Clear Dome Alert Shutter Data has resumed updating 04:16:39 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (49.38 GB) is less than 50 GB

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Operational Issues (2023-04-18, S1114)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Apparent Delays updating certain session images on session web page (IPAD). Viewing the Latest session page for S1114 in Safari Browser on IPad initially showed correct S1114 header and other key pictures,  but other pictures (such as TargetInfo,  ImageFrame, FocProfile) either failed to show a blank image or a new actual image created by the S1114 session, instead several pictures continued to show pictures from the previous S1113 session.  Problem appeared to suggest that AstroPlan eiher didn't upload blank files at start of session and was slow to up date pictures thereafter, however log data doesn't support this.  S1114 session was created at 21:48.  Blank files were created by AstroPlan at 21:49 and its report file shows files, including FocusProfile (1-3), Foc2Profile (1-2),  TargetInfo (1-5), ImageFrames (1-15) and TargetFrame (1-30 , missing 31-50) being uploaded between 21:49 and 21:56.  It is difficult to see why Safari doesn't show fresh images when page is refreshed, pictues are linked in page as '?<?=rand(1,1000000)?' which should mean that the browser goes back to the server when refreshing, but it seemingly still seems to use cached data.  Eventually the correct S1114 pictures gradually appeared after 1-2 hours and replaced the S1113 pictures.   Similar issues have been noted before. Next time review the Last Session webpage on both Safari, Edge & Chrome, to understand what differences they show.   There were no issue during following session (2023-04-19 S1115),  blank pictures were initially displayed as expected on Latest Session webpage after starting of new session and were gradually replaced with actual session pictures as they were written. Considered to be resolved or at least manageable in review at beginning of Nov 2023.
  Considered resolved 2023-11-01 (AstroPlan, Current Session Web Page)
   
• Existing Master Flat frames are not correcting a double dust motte that was appeared in raw images in recent session.  Problem seems to affect C Filter images only (no effect evident on R Filter). See Fig 1. A new set of Flat Frames for C Filter is required in order to finish processing images from the S1114 & S1115 session.  Dusk Flats (2x2 & 3x3) collected at start of S1116 session (2023-04-20) for C Filter and used to generate new Master Flats (2023-04-21).   These were then used to reprocess the images from the S1114 session. See Fig 2. which shows that the double dust motte has now been corrected. The new flat has also removed the wavelength sensitive streaks seen previously (due to residue cleaning streaks on the CCD Chip).  These streaks are activited by natural light used for Dusk Flats and actual raw images, but are not activated by Flats taken with Light Plate in the Observatory.
  Resolved 2023-04-21 (Session, Master Flat Frames)

Small Defects

• Target Circle for AT2023dwm drawn at incorrect position on Locate Frame1 jpg picture.  Blue target circle is drawn in a slightly incorrect position on Locate Frame1 (pointing error 2.4') in live jpg picture. Circle position error is around 1 arc min. The Target circle is drawn correctly in Locate Frame 2 (pointing error 0.2'),  and in other support frames & image frames. Logs to be reviewed. Target to be re-played to see if problem persists or it magically goes away.  Unable to replicate bug during playback of target (Target ID 2763, Images 1114124-30) on 2023-11-19 using AstroMain 3.64.7.
  Closed after review 2023-11-19 (Session, AstroMain)

Continuous Improvement

• None

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Geomagnetic Shock Front (2023-04-18 14:00 UT)

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