David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1139 (2023-09-04)

Notes (S1138)

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Notes (S1140)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (1),  Minor Issues (0),  Small Defects (3),  Continuous Improvement (1)
	Images from 2023-09-04 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2023-09-04)

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.  Continue to check new AstroMain version (3.62.10) for recent fixes & 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  2.6.11dev4, Siril 1.0.6, deCONZ 1.18.2, ASCOM 6.6 SP1
   
• AstroMain 3.62.10, AstroPlan 1.38.2,   AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.2
  AstroVOE 1.13  AstroSN 1.10,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.12.4
  (AstroWeather 1.21.2, AstroAllSky 3.19.1,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4, AstroLaunch 1.10.9 (1.11.1 on Dev Computer)

Highlights

• Targets. x/x planned target were completed, with 4 other targets partially completed. Other targets failed due to cloud/session suspension.
• Dome Slews. Two dome slews were affected by significant hold-up (Hold Up Stats: 013slews affected, 0%, 0.0 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 21:39:21 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:39 & 04:06 21:39:22 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:39) 21:39:51   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 21:40:05 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2023-09-04 S01139, ImageSaveNum: 1139001) 21:40:31   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 21:42:16   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:42:22 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:42:25 Session Pending Session pending (2023-09-04) 21:42:27 Session Initiating Session initiating (2023-09-04) 21:42:29   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.38.2) 21:43:23   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 913) 21:43:43   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -10°C) 21:44:20   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:44:44 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 21:45:29   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 21:45:31 Session Running Session running 21:45:33   Queue Started Observing Queue started (25 targets selected) 21:45:36     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 20, HIP 98535) 21:45:48       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 21:50:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:52:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 21:54:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 21:54:59       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:57:08       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 21:58:52       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 21:59:09     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 20, HIP 98535) 21:59:13     Target Started (1/25) Target started (1/25, C/2022 L2 (ATLAS)) 22:02:50       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:11:28     Target Completed Target completed (1/25, C/2022 L2 (ATLAS)) 22:13:28     Target Started (2/25) Target started (2/25, C/2019 T4 (ATLAS)) 22:16:06       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:25:04     Target Completed Target completed (2/25, C/2019 T4 (ATLAS)) 22:28:00     Target Started (3/25) Target started (3/25, C/2020 R7 (ATLAS)) 22:30:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:32:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 22:40:52     Target Completed Target completed (3/25, C/2020 R7 (ATLAS)) 22:42:31     Target Started (4/25) Target started (4/25, HIP 87937) 22:45:26       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:47:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 22:49:58     Target Completed Target completed (4/25, HIP 87937) 22:50:54     Target Started (5/25) Target started (5/25, LCSB S2416O w/SN2023mtc) 22:53:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:55:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 23:11:32     Target Completed Target completed (5/25, LCSB S2416O w/SN2023mtc) 23:12:54     Target Started (6/25) Target started (6/25, AT2023qoo) 23:15:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:17:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 23:33:52     Target Completed Target completed (6/25, AT2023qoo) 23:35:14     Target Started (7/25) Target started (7/25, NGC 2326 w/AT2023pgb) 23:39:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:41:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 23:57:59     Target Completed Target completed (7/25, NGC 2326 w/AT2023pgb) 23:58:03     Target Started (8/25) Target started (8/25, UGC 9350 w/SN2023nny) 00:01:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:04:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 00:19:58     Target Completed Target completed (8/25, UGC 9350 w/SN2023nny) 00:20:02     Target Started (9/25) Target started (9/25, AT2023rfq) 00:22:39     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 268.3, 267.7, 247.9° (Total delay 92s) 00:24:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:26:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 00:43:00     Target Completed Target completed (9/25, AT2023rfq) 00:43:04     Target Started (10/25) Target started (10/25, GCVS BL Lac) 00:45:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:47:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 00:51:50     Target Completed Target completed (10/25, GCVS BL Lac) 00:51:54     Target Started (11/25) Target started (11/25, C/2023 E1 (ATLAS)) 00:55:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:57:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 01:10:54     Target Completed Target completed (11/25, C/2023 E1 (ATLAS)) 01:11:07     Target Started (12/25) Target started (12/25, NGC 7495 w/SN2022ubb) 01:13:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:15:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 01:31:35     Target Completed Target completed (12/25, NGC 7495 w/SN2022ubb) 01:33:27     Target Started (13/25) Target started (13/25, AT2022szi) 01:35:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:38:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 01:54:00     Target Completed Target completed (13/25, AT2022szi) 01:55:47     Target Started (14/25) Target started (14/25, M31 w/AT2022acwk) 01:58:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:00:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 02:16:08     Target Completed Target completed (14/25, M31 w/AT2022acwk) 02:18:07     Target Started (15/25) Target started (15/25, AT2023dnz) 02:21:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:23:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 02:40:05     Target Completed Target completed (15/25, AT2023dnz) 02:40:09     Target Started (16/25) Target started (16/25, AT2022whd (CV)) 02:44:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:46:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 02:52:03     Target Completed Target completed (16/25, AT2022whd (CV)) 02:52:27     Target Started (17/25) Target started (17/25, GCVS RX And) 02:55:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:57:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 03:00:40     Target Completed Target completed (17/25, GCVS RX And) 03:01:47     Target Started (18/25) Target started (18/25, AT2022obq (CV)) 03:05:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:08:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 03:14:17     Target Completed Target completed (18/25, AT2022obq (CV)) 03:14:21     Target Started (19/25) Target started (19/25, GCVS SS Cyg) 03:17:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:19:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 03:23:25     Target Completed Target completed (19/25, GCVS SS Cyg) 03:31:52     Target Started (20/25) Target started (20/25, GCVS EV Lac) 03:34:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:36:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 03:39:20     Target Completed Target completed (20/25, GCVS EV Lac) 03:39:24     Target Started (21/26) Target started (21/26, Nova Per 2020, ToO) 03:43:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:45:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 03:56:50     Target Completed Target completed (21/26, Nova Per 2020, ToO) 03:56:52     Target Missed (22/26) Target's time slot was missed (22/26, Nova Cas 2021) 03:56:54     Target Started (23/26) Target started (23/26, GCVS HH And) 04:00:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:02:30       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 04:04:33     Target Completed Target completed (23/26, GCVS HH And) 04:05:00     Target Started (24/26) Target started (24/26, WDS GRB 34) 04:07:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:09:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23) 04:11:41     Target Completed Target completed (24/26, WDS GRB 34) 04:13:27     Target Started (25/26) Target started (25/26, GCVS X TRI) 04:16:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:18:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24) 04:25:44     Target Completed Target completed (25/26, GCVS X TRI) 04:27:22     Target Started (26/26) Target started (26/26, NGC 1461 w/AT2023och) 04:33:10       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 04:50:03     Target Completed Target completed (26/26, NGC 1461 w/AT2023och) 04:50:06   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 04:50:09 Session Closing Session closing 04:51:02   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 04:51:57   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 48s), Az: 90.1 deg 04:53:03   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 61s) 04:53:18   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 04:53:40   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 04:55:04   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 04:55:07 Session Housekeeping Session Housekeeping started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 04:55:32 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 00:22:39 Yellow Alert Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 268.3, 267.7, 247.9° (Total delay 92s)

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Operational Issues (2023-09-04, S1139)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (1)
• Minor Issues (0)
• Small Defects (3)
• Continuous Improvement (1)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• Unable to connect TheSky6 to Telescope Simulator (Development Computer). Attempts to connect produces a 'TheSky TeleAPI ASCOM Plugin'  dialog with the message  "You have not yet configured your telescope type and settings" and whilst it seems to connect (telescope icon goes green and telescope circle appears in TheSky's virtual sky and attempt to slew the telescope to a location produces a TheSky6 error dialog with message "Error Code = 1401" .   Attempting to reslelct telescope, change properties etc in the normally used telescope series 'TheSky6/ TeleAPI >> TeleLink >> DeviceHub Telescope >> 'Telescope Simulator for .NET' doesn't fix things.  Simply trying to directly select TheSky6/TeleAPI to  'Telescope Simulator for .NET' doesn't fix things.  Problem seems to be a new instance of earlier issues with TheSky6 on the Development Computer whereby after selecting a Telescope in TeleAPI's telescope chooser, it is isn't saved, as the next time that TeleAPI's Settings are opened the Telescope Chooser field is blank.  Recalling previous experience with this issue, TheSky6 was run as administrator and telescope successfully changed under TeleAPI settings. This time the setting is saved and resolves the problem, and allows TheSky6 to be run under a normal account next time.
  Resolve 2023-09-05 (TheSky6)

Minor Issues

• None

Small Defects

• CCDSoft produced a "Unrecognised or bad file format, Error code = 701" during Reduced Folder analysis. During Reduced Folder analysis of 217 images from the S1139 session one of the images gave rise to a "Unrecognised or bad file format" error dialog in CCDSoft. Analysis continued interrupted and all images were successfully analysed. The folder contained only the 217 FIT files (i.e. folder didn't contain any non-FIT files). Unclear what gave rise to the error.  Issue closed after review.
  Closed after review 2023-09-05 (AstroMain, CCDSoft). 
   
• Position of 'AT2023qoo' is drawn on Main Frame JPG pictures is incorrect (23:21).  Although Target 6/25 (transient AT2023qoo) was centered correctly and position of target object is highlighted correctly on Locate and Cam2 JPG pictures, the position that is circled for the transient is incorrect on Main Frame JPG pictures. Transient's position is also incorrect on the preceding Focus Frame JPG picture.  Problem didn't occur on previous nights that imaged AT2023qoo. Replaying Target images (#1139052 - 58) did not see the issue re-present itself - the transient was correctly positioned in JPG pictures produced from the playback  (Note: Playback did not include focusing and guiding). Issue is put down to a unexplained one-off or rare glitch.
  Closed after review 2023-09-05 (AstroMain). 
   
• AstroMain unable to receive Scorecard/Synopsis & Star Count info from AllSky/Weather Computer (Development Computer).  AstroMain whilst running Observatory Services on Development Computer) is unable to make TCP-IP connection to AstroAllSky program running on AllSky/Weather computer in Observatory. CloudSensor & Weather Station information is received ok.  Issue acknowleged and closed after review 2023-10-07.  A separate Continuous Improvement ticket has been raised to address the current limitations in AstroAllSky/AstroMain.
  Closed 2023-10-07  (AstroMain, AstroAllSky). 

Continuous Improvement

• Extend AstroAllSky capability to be able to send TCP Messages with Synopsis/Star Count data to AstroMain running on Development Computer (actually a defect). AstroMain whilst running Observatory Services on Development Computer) is currently unable to make TCP-IP connection to AstroAllSky program running on AllSky/Weather computer in Observatory. CloudSensor & Weather Station information is received ok. A separate Continuous Improvement ticket has been raised to allow AstroAllSky (on AllSky/Weather Computer) to communicate with AstroMain on Development Computer.   'Setting's tab in AstroWeather 1.22.2 extended to document use of the new port (4013) by ScoreCard (AstroAllSky). AstroAllSky 3.19.6 scorecard handling extended to enable serving of ScoreCard/AllSky Count on port 4013.  Whilst it initially appeared that a new port number needs to be set aside to handle the sending of Scorecard/AllSky Count records to the Development Computer an examination of Scorecard Server in AstroAllSky shows that existing COMP(3) and COMP(4) connections using Ports 4009 and 4010 respectively are available to use. Currently these connections are setup to point to LAPTOP10. This is the Computer Name of the old Development Computer, rather than the new (Current) Development Computer.  This ticket is therfore really a defect. Most-likely communication of Scorecard/AllSky Star Count to the Development Computer formally did work, but stopped working when the Development Computer was replaced with new computer.  Defect (originally ticketed as a 'New Feature') fixed by changing the Computer Name links for COMP(3) and COMP(4) to point to LAPTOP11 (the Computer Name for the current Development Computer).  
  Fixed  2023-10-20 (AstroAllSky 3.19.6, AstroWeather 1.22.2). 

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