David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1123 (2023-07-22)

Notes (S1122)

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Notes (S1124)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (1),  Major Issues (1),  Minor Issues (1),  Small Defects (2),  Continuous Improvement (1)
	Images from 2023-07-22 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2023-07-22)

Main aims

1. Dome Slews.  Check dome slewing for a successful fix to the recent ongoing issue whereby dome slews are holding up at certain azimuths. This follow adjustment to the dome rotation drive tension on 2023-07-19.  In the last session (S1122) a total of nearly 23 minutes were lost because of holdups.
2. 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 3.62.5, AstroPlan 1.38.1,   AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.2
  AstroVOE 1.13  AstroSN 1.10,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.12.3
  (AstroWeather 1.21.1, AstroAllSky 3.19.1,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4, AstroLaunch 1.10.9 (1.11.1 on Dev Computer)

Highlights

• Targets. Whilst majority of targets were recorded as either completed or were partially completed, the dome roof occluded the telescope view of the target and images from all but 3 targets were later rejected.
• Dome Slews.  Following adjustment to Rotation Drive tension on 2023-07-19 there were no hold-ups durig slewing (Hold Up Stats:0/13 slews affected, 0%, 0.0 minutes total hold-up time).  Unfortunately due to missing a crucial recalibration of the dome prior to the session the dome wasn't pointing in the correct direction for majority of targets.
• Dome Pointing.  Following adjustment to Rotation Drive tension on 2023-07-19 the rotation sensor arm wasn't tensioned against the roof flange during rotation testing and this caused the the dome to lose its calibration even though Dome Azimuth had been synced to Az 90 deg with the dome in Park position.  The dome wasn't recalibrated prior to the session and this led to the dome not pointing in the correct directions for the majority of the night's targets.

Notes:

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan Whilst majority of targets were recorded as either completed or were partially completed, the dome roof occluded the telescope view of the target and images from all but 3 targets were later rejected.

Observing Result

Dome & Scope Slewing Performance

Slew/Centering Performance

Guiding Performance Black points are due to bad/invalid guiding as the observatory roof was occluding the telescope's view of the night sky.

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 23:08:09   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 23:08:22 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2023-07-22 S01123, ImageSaveNum: 1123001) 23:08:49   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 23:30:13 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode 23:30:40   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 23:31:29 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 23:31 & 02:19 23:31:31 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 23:33:00 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode 23:34:07       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 23:34:10   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 47s) 23:34:41 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 23:34:43 Session Pending Session pending (2023-07-22) 23:34:45 Session Initiating Session initiating (2023-07-22) 23:34:47   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.38.1) 23:36:00   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 896) 23:36:23   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -15°C) 23:36:30   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 23:36:54 Session Running Session running 23:36:56   Queue Started Observing Queue started (11 targets selected) 23:36:59     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 18, HIP 88232) 23:43:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:47:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 23:49:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 23:49:32       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 23:49:35   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:49:37 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 23:49:40 Session Pending Session pending (2023-07-22) 23:49:42 Session Initiating Session initiating (2023-07-22) 23:49:44   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 896) 23:49:56   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -15°C) 23:50:01   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 23:50:31 Session Running Session running 23:50:33   Queue Started Observing Queue started (11 targets selected) 23:50:36     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 23:51:10   CCDSoft Issue CCDSoft has encountered an image save issue [0000] 23:51:12   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix unsaved file issue) 23:51:17   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 23:51:26       Focusing Aborted Foc2 Focusing Aborted 23:51:29     Target Aborted (NrZen) Target aborted (Focus Field 18, HIP 88232) due to User Intervention 23:51:31   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 23:51:55   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 23:51:59   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -15°C) 23:52:48   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (No connection. Error code = 200 (0xc8).) 23:53:01     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 23:57:31 Program Opened Program Opened (AstroMain 3.62.5) 23:57:33   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 23:57:44 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2023-07-22 S01123, ImageSaveNum: 1123005) 23:57:58   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 23:58:40   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 23:58:49   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:59:39   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:00:27 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 00:00 & 02:19 00:00:29 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 00:00:30 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (00:00) 00:00:52   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:00:58 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 00:01:00 Session Pending Session pending (2023-07-22) 00:01:02 Session Initiating Session initiating (2023-07-22) 00:01:04   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 896) 00:01:17   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -15°C) 00:01:22   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 00:01:46 Session Running Session running 00:01:48   Queue Started Observing Queue started (10 targets selected) 00:01:52     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 00:05:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:08:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 00:08:03       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 00:10:10       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5, wide) 00:11:52       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 00:12:09     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 00:12:13     Target Started (2/11) Target started (2/11, AT2023dwm (CV)) 00:19:05     Target Completed Target partially completed (2/11, AT2023dwm (CV)) 00:19:09     Target Started (3/11) Target started (3/11, M101 w/SN2023ixf) 00:39:20     Target Completed Target partially completed (3/11, M101 w/SN2023ixf) 00:39:24     Target Started (4/11) Target started (4/11, AT2022fnb (CV)) 00:43:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:46:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 00:52:06     Target Completed Target completed (4/11, AT2022fnb (CV)) 00:52:10     Target Started (5/11) Target started (5/11, AT2023dnz) 01:13:21     Target Completed Target completed (5/11, AT2023dnz) 01:13:25     Target Started (6/11) Target started (6/11, NGC 513 w/AT2023jpp) 01:34:19     Target Completed Target completed (6/11, NGC 513 w/AT2023jpp) 01:34:23     Target Started (7/11) Target started (7/11, IC 1501 w/AT2023by) 01:56:26     Target Completed Target completed (7/11, IC 1501 w/AT2023by) 01:56:30     Target Started (8/11) Target started (8/11, NGC 7769 w/SN2022aedu) 02:01:30       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 02:17:58     Target Completed Target completed (8/11, NGC 7769 w/SN2022aedu) 02:18:02     Target Started (9/11) Target started (9/11, UGC 12639 w/SN2023jri) 02:22:32       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 02:39:10     Target Completed Target completed (9/11, UGC 12639 w/SN2023jri) 02:39:14     Target Started (10/11) Target started (10/11, AT2023cvz (CV)) 02:44:36       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 02:46:37       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:47:37       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 02:48:37       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:49:42   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 02:49:44   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 02:49:46     Target Aborted (10/11) Target aborted (10/11, AT2023cvz (CV)) due to cloud 02:49:48   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:49:50 Session Suspending Session suspending 02:50:37   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 02:50:40 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:52:42 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:53:27   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 02:53:30 Session Running Session running 02:53:32   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:53:34     Target Started (11/11) Target started (11/11, 61 Cyg) 02:56:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:58:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 03:00:12     Target Completed Target completed (11/11, 61 Cyg) 03:00:16   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 03:00:18 Session Closing Session closing 03:01:08   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 45s) 03:02:21   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 66s), Az: 90.1 deg 03:03:40   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 75s) 03:03:55   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 03:04:17   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 03:05:41   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 03:05:44 Session Housekeeping Session Housekeeping started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 03:05:54 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 23:51:07 Yellow Alert Dome Discrepency Difference between Dome Az and Slave Az is > 1 deg (Focus Field 19) 23:51:10 Red Alert CCDSoft Image file [0000] hasn't been saved to disk, possible CCDSoft issue 23:52:45 Green Clear CCDSoft Image file has been saved to disk following CCDSoft Restart 23:52:48 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (No connection. Error code = 200 (0xc8).)

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Operational Issues (2023-07-22, S1123)

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

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Critical Issues

• Most Targets were occuluded by the Dome Roof / Dome Not Pointing Correctly / Dome Not Parked Correctly.  Centering for the majority of targets failed due to the Pulsar Dome having lost its calibration which meant that the dome wasn't pointing towards correct target azimuths leading to the dome roof oculuding the telescope/camera view.  The dome was left pointing in a SE direction at end of the session rather than at its correct Park Position (Az 90). This happened because the Rotation Sensor wasn't recording dome rotation during testing after Rotation Drive Adjustment on 2023-07-19, and the necessary and appropriate recalibration wasn't performed. A recalibration of the Pulsar Dome was attempted the following morning, but for some reason it initially failed,  the dome passed by the home position at least 3 times and calibration was aborted by the user, the dome did seem to recognise home as it parked within 2 degs of its correct position. Calibration managed to succeeded on the second attempt (during this the dome moved clockwise for two turns past the home position and then moved anticlockwise for two turns pass the home position).
  Done 2023-07-23 (Observatory, Pulsar Dome)

Major Issues

• Start Observatory Services' routine became frozen whilst starting the SharpCap service (23:10). Whilst starting Night Services as part of AutoStart operations at start of session, execution frozen during 'Start SharpCap Service' . The SharpCap Server' (AstroShCap) was running and was connected to and the 'SharpCap Client was reported as "Start (23:49)", but the start Services task appeared to then hang and didn't proceed with check/starting TCF-S focuser service as expected. Issue was  seen before in session S1118 (2023-04-25). On that occasion a backdoor facility was used to Restart ShCap Server which released the stalled process, and permitted the AutoStart operation to continue.  Unfortunately in this latest occurance, this proven intervention wasn't made, and instead user intervened at 23:30 by switching the observatory mode back to Normal. After then entering Automated Mode operations appeared to proceed ok and Near Zenith Focusing begun ok.  However when Foc2 (ShCap) focusing begun at 23:49 it released the original process that had been stallled whilst Starting ShCap server.  This resulted in two automated processes running at the same time, intermingling report/log messages accordingly.  'Stop Services' was used but the original process continued running. AstroMain had to be killed to stop operations after which the entire observatory software suite (including TheSky6 & CCDSoft) had to be stopped and restarted.  Extra tracing had been added to AstroMain 3.62.4 following the occurance of issue during S1118 session.  Log file messages show "ShCap Server is connected on Port: 4002" at 23:10:56, with trace line "ShCap.DataStream = Client.GetStream" at 23:10:26.05 (repeated at 23:10:26.06), and "Starting ShCap Listening Loop" at 23:10:26.06.  but the expected trace message "ShCap.GetMessage = None"  and  "ShCapConnection = Ready" are missing. ObsOverseer should probably monitor '"Start Services" and automatically call 'Restart ShCap Server' in the event that operation appears to stall whilst 'Starting Shcap'.  This is deemed a Major Issue as it prevents the automated session from preceeding (unless user spots the problem and intervenes to 'Restart ShCap Services'). Fixed under a Continuous Improvement ticket (S1130) by extending ObsOverseer monitoring to identifiy and resolve a stalled Start ShCap Service operation by automatically attempting a  'Restart ShCap Service' Fix attempted 2023-08-20. Fix tested on Development Computer but needs to be proven to work in a live observatory session.  Issue occured again in Session S1133 (2023-08-21).  Still unclear what precisely causes the issue.  Closed after review 2023-11-19 as the issue hasn't been seen during the last 35 sessions (S1134-S1168).
  Closed after review 2023-11-19 (AstroMainn 3.64.7)

Minor Issues

• Autostart not starting due to too few stars even though 'Suspend when few stars' option is turned off.  Autostart gave the message "Unable to begin AutoStart at 23:10 due to too few stars" when star count was 1 with 'Suspend when few stars" option turned off and Too Few Stars threshold is set at '2'.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.62.8.
  Fixed 2023-08-20 (AstroMain 3.62.8)

Small Defects

• AstroPlan's Targets List Form not able to find newly created target "NGC 1461"  after pasting "NGC 1461           " into Target Name field.   The value "NGC 1461           " came from copying a string from AstroSN's console screen and wasn't 'trimmed down' by the user before pasting into AstroPlan.  AstroPlan should help the user in this case. Target Name field should be automatically trimmed before search is conducted. This ticket was also recorded as a Continuous Improvement in Session S1128 (2023-08-13).  Implemented 2023-08-19.
  Fixed 2023-08-19 (AstroPlan 1.38.2).
   
• Autostart monitoring reports "Check for Too Few Stars" without further information whilst 'Suspend when few stars' option is turned off.  Report message should be made more appropriate.  Problem occurred because ReportComment wasn't being used when Option is Off.
  Fixed 2023-08-20 (AstroMain 3.62.8)

Continuous Improvement

• Add 'Nova?', YSO, 'YSO?' to list of Transient Object Types that default to a Linear Image Scale. These objects types currently default to have square root scaling, but this isn't appropriate for images from these transients. 
  Done 2023-07-27 (AstroMain 3.62.6)

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