David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1141 (2023-09-08)

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Notes (S1142)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (1),  Small Defects (2),  Continuous Improvement (1)
	Images from 2023-09-08 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2023-09-08)

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 3.62.11, 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.20/24 planned target were completed, with 4 other targets partially completed.
•   Dome Slews. 2 dome slews were affected by significant hold-up (Hold Up Stats: 2/26 slews affected, 8%, 2.5 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 20:33:01 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 20:46 & 04:16 20:33:02   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 20:46 20:46:13   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to cloud 21:03:15 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:03) 21:03:44   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 21:03:57 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2023-09-08 S01141, ImageSaveNum: 1141001) 21:04:24   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 21:06:06   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:06:13 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:06:16 Session Pending Session pending (2023-09-08) 21:06:18 Session Initiating Session initiating (2023-09-08) 21:06:20   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.38.2) 21:07:10   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 915) 21:07:31   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (set point -5°C) 21:08:07   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:08:31 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 21:09:17   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 21:09:22 Session Running Session running 21:09:24   Queue Started Observing Queue started (24 targets selected) 21:09:27     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 21:09:40       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 21:13:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:15:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 21:17:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 21:17:49       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:19:50       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 21:21:34       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 21:21:51     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 21:22:48     Target Started (1/24) Target started (1/24, UGC 9002 w/SN2023pls) 21:29:23       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 21:45:32     Target Completed Target completed (1/24, UGC 9002 w/SN2023pls) 21:45:36     Target Started (2/24) Target started (2/24, C/2020 R7 (ATLAS)) 21:47:19     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 268.6, 267.5° (Total delay 90s) 21:49:41       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 21:58:06     Target Completed Target completed (2/24, C/2020 R7 (ATLAS)) 21:59:20     Target Started (3/24) Target started (3/24, C/2019 T4 (ATLAS)) 22:00:39     Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 268.0, 267.7, 260.4° (Total delay 52s) 22:03:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:05:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 22:13:38     Target Completed Target completed (3/24, C/2019 T4 (ATLAS)) 22:13:52     Target Started (4/24) Target started (4/24, Nova Cas 2021) 22:18:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:20:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 22:30:38     Target Completed Target completed (4/24, Nova Cas 2021) 22:30:42     Target Started (5/24) Target started (5/24, UGC 11858 w/SN2023rjj) 22:33:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:35:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 22:52:13     Target Completed Target completed (5/24, UGC 11858 w/SN2023rjj) 22:52:17     Target Started (6/24) Target started (6/24, GCVS BL Lac) 22:54:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:56:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 23:00:20     Target Completed Target completed (6/24, GCVS BL Lac) 23:02:07     Target Started (7/24) Target started (7/24, 61 Cyg) 23:04:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:06:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 23:08:29     Target Completed Target completed (7/24, 61 Cyg) 23:09:24     Target Started (8/24) Target started (8/24, AT2023rgi) 23:12:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:14:59       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 23:30:46     Target Completed Target completed (8/24, AT2023rgi) 23:31:24     Target Started (9/24) Target started (9/24, AT2023rfq) 23:34:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:37:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 23:53:09     Target Completed Target completed (9/24, AT2023rfq) 23:53:24     Target Started (10/24) Target started (10/24, HIP 87937) 23:56:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:58:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 00:00:59     Target Completed Target completed (10/24, HIP 87937) 00:01:46     Target Started (11/24) Target started (11/24, CGCG 373-018 w/SN2022osg) 00:04:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:06:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 00:22:34     Target Completed Target completed (11/24, CGCG 373-018 w/SN2022osg) 00:24:06     Target Started (12/24) Target started (12/24, C/2023 E1 (ATLAS)) 00:27:05       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 00:40:34     Target Completed Target completed (12/24, C/2023 E1 (ATLAS)) 00:43:41     Target Started (13/24) Target started (13/24, M101 w/SN2023ixf) 00:48:16       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 01:04:22     Target Completed Target completed (13/24, M101 w/SN2023ixf) 01:05:41     Target Started (14/24) Target started (14/24, NGC 2805) 01:10:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:12:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 01:28:49     Target Completed Target completed (14/24, NGC 2805) 01:28:53     Target Started (15/24) Target started (15/24, NGC 2326 w/AT2023pgb) 01:32:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:34:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 01:50:18     Target Completed Target completed (15/24, NGC 2326 w/AT2023pgb) 01:50:22     Target Started (16/24) Target started (16/24, IC 458 w/SN2023rgp) 01:53:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:55:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 02:12:49     Target Completed Target completed (16/24, IC 458 w/SN2023rgp) 02:12:53     Target Started (17/24) Target started (17/24, UGC 12308 w/SN2023hlu) 02:18:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:20:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 02:37:07     Target Completed Target completed (17/24, UGC 12308 w/SN2023hlu) 02:37:11     Target Started (18/24) Target started (18/24, AT2023otv) 02:39:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:41:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 02:57:39     Target Completed Target completed (18/24, AT2023otv) 02:57:43     Target Started (19/24) Target started (19/24, AT2023rsr (CV)) 03:00:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:02:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 03:08:52     Target Completed Target completed (19/24, AT2023rsr (CV)) 03:08:56     Target Started (20/24) Target started (20/24, NGC 1086 w/AT2023rix) 03:11:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:13:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 03:29:54     Target Completed Target completed (20/24, NGC 1086 w/AT2023rix) 03:30:41     Target Started (21/24) Target started (21/24, AT2023htu) 03:33:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:35:36       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 03:37:20   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 03:37:22   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 03:37:25     Target Aborted (21/24) Target aborted (21/24, AT2023htu) due to cloud 03:37:27   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:37:29 Session Suspending Session suspending 03:38:15   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 03:38:17 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:41:00 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:41:45   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 03:41:48 Session Running Session running 03:41:50   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:41:53     Target Started (21/24) Target started (21/24, AT2023htu) 03:49:11   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 03:49:13   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 03:49:16     Target Aborted (21/24) Target aborted (21/24, AT2023htu) due to cloud 03:49:18   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:49:20 Session Suspending Session suspending 03:50:06   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 03:50:09 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:53:37 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:54:22   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 03:54:25 Session Running Session running 03:54:27   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:54:29   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 03:54:31   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 03:54:33     Target Aborted (22/24) Target aborted (22/24, LEDA 1488100 w/SN2023olz) due to cloud 03:54:35   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:54:37 Session Suspending Session suspending 03:55:17   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 03:55:20 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:58:03 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:58:48   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 03:58:50 Session Running Session running 03:58:52   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:58:54   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 03:58:56   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 03:58:58     Target Aborted (22/24) Target aborted (22/24, LEDA 1488100 w/SN2023olz) due to cloud 03:59:00   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:59:02 Session Suspending Session suspending 03:59:43   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 03:59:45 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:03:58 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:04:43   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 04:04:46 Session Running Session running 04:04:48   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:04:50     Target Started (22/24) Target started (22/24, LEDA 1488100 w/SN2023olz) 04:08:24       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 04:09:09       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 04:09:54   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 04:09:56   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 04:09:59     Target Aborted (22/24) Target aborted (22/24, LEDA 1488100 w/SN2023olz) due to cloud 04:10:01   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 04:10:03 Session Suspending Session suspending 04:10:49   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 04:10:52 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:11:57     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/24, LEDA 1488100 w/SN2023olz) due to cloud 04:15:05 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:15:50   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 04:15:52 Session Running Session running 04:15:54   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:15:55     Target Started (23/24) Target started (23/24, NGC 1461 w/AT2023och) 04:18:50       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 04:20:14     Target Failed (23/24) Target failed due to cloud (23/24, NGC 1461 w/AT2023och) 04:20:16   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 04:20:18 Session Suspending Session suspending 04:20:20   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 04:21:05   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 04:21:08 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:33:57     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/24, NGC 1461 w/AT2023och) due to cloud 04:36:22 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:37:07   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 04:37:10 Session Running Session running 04:37:12   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:37:14     Target Started (24/24) Target started (24/24, UGC 3174 w/SN2023mut) 04:40:38   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 04:40:40   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 04:40:42     Target Aborted (24/24) Target aborted (24/24, UGC 3174 w/SN2023mut) due to cloud 04:40:44   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 04:40:46 Session Suspending Session suspending 04:41:33   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 49s) 04:41:35 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:44:03 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:44:48   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 04:44:51 Session Running Session running 04:44:53   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:44:55     Target Started (24/24) Target started (24/24, UGC 3174 w/SN2023mut) 04:46:25       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 04:58:30   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 04:58:32   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 04:58:34     Target Aborted (24/24) Target aborted (24/24, UGC 3174 w/SN2023mut) due to cloud 04:58:36   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 04:58:38 Session Suspending Session suspending 04:59:25   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 04:59:28 Session Suspended Session suspended 05:01:31 Session Resuming Session resuming 05:02:16   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 05:02:18 Session Running Session running 05:02:20   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 05:02:23     Target Started (24/24) Target started (24/24, UGC 3174 w/SN2023mut) 05:02:46   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 05:02:48   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 05:02:54     Target Aborted (24/24) Target aborted (24/24, UGC 3174 w/SN2023mut) due to cloud 05:02:56   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 05:02:58 Session Suspending Session suspending 05:03:46   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 05:03:48 Session Suspended Session suspended 05:05:51 Session Resuming Session resuming 05:05:57     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/24, UGC 3174 w/SN2023mut) due to cloud 05:06:02   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 05:06:06 Session Closing Session closing 05:06:36   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 25s) 05:07:25   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 42s), Az: 90.0 deg 05:08:36   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 70s) 05:08:51   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 05:09:13   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:10:39   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:10:42 Session Housekeeping Session Housekeeping started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:11:07 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 21:47:19 Yellow Alert Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 268.6, 267.5° (Total delay 90s) 22:00:39 Yellow Alert Dome Slew Dome slew held up at Az. 268.0, 267.7, 260.4° (Total delay 52s) 03:41:57 Yellow Alert Dome Discrepency Difference between Dome Az and Telescope Az is > 8 deg (AT2023htu) 05:11:03 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (49.50 GB) is less than 50 GB

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Operational Issues (2023-09-08, S1141)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Session was Suspended and Resumed again 9 times between 03:37 and 05:02 (03:37). Observatory closed and opened again 9 times during last 90 minutes of session, ie approximately once every 10 minutes, affecting 3 targets (21/24 to 24/24). Investigating showed that in each case suspension was due to a critical cloud alert and ensuing action from AstroMain's ObsManager to abort the target in progress, close the shutter and suspend the session.  Observatory operated as per design, with critical cloud alert / HardSuspend called whenever the CloudSensor's Clarity value falls below 24. In the event whilst Clarity was falling below 24 the number of AllSky Stars whilst falling still maintained a value over 25.  The situation seems to have arisen due to a particular atmospheric state of a very warm upper atmosphere / high pressure 'omega blocking' wather pattern over Europe bring warm air to Northern Europe/UK.  Whilst number of sessions suspensions was significant, the Observatory did operate according to current design. Issue understood and is closed after review. A separate ticket is raised to examine whether any modification is required to 'ShutterMustClose' routines to respond differently/better in such circumstances.
  Closed after review 2023-09-10 (Session, CloudSensor, AstroMain)

Small Defects

• "T+" day number inappropriately shown in the title of JPG picture for Focus Field 19 (21:12).  The title of JPG pictures for Focus Field 19 acquired as part of Near Zenith Focusing at start of session contained the unexpected element "(T+42.4d)".   "T+" day number were recently added to the title of JPG pictures of SN and other transient objects (2023-09-05, AstroMain 3.62.11). It shouldn't be shown for Focus Field targets. The value T+42.4d is noted to be the same as the  'T+' day number associated with the final target from the previous session ("NGC 1461 w/AT2023och (T42.4d)" ) . Problem would seem to have occurred because LocateInfo.TargetTDays wasn't explicitily set to a blank string as start of Near Zenith Focusing (or at end of previous target).  Fixed in AstroMain 3.62.12.
  Fixed 2023-09-12 (AstroMain 3.62.12).
   
• Dome Shutter appeared to have become asleep at least 5 time during a 24 hour period (2023-09-07, Pre-Session).  Prior to the S1141 live session a series of Yellow 'Dome Shutter' Alerts were recorded with the message "Pulsar Shutter appears to be asleep ..." .  For each alert there was a corresponding Green Alert indicating that "Pulsar Shutter has worken again..."  Outages at 12:20 (20 min), 13:25 (25 min), 22:43 (49 min), 01:48 (20 min), 07:19 (22 min).  It is unclear why the Pulsar Dome was giving seemingly reporting stationary shutter data.  This is not normal behaviour.
  To monitor 2023-09-09 (Pulsar Dome).

Continuous Improvement

• Examine whether any improvement in ObsManager 'Shutter MustClose' routines could/should be made. The observatory closed and opened again 9 times during last 90 minutes of the S1141 session, ie approximately once every 10 minutes, affecting 3 targets (21/24 to 24/24). Investigating showed that in each case suspension was due to a critical cloud alert and ensuing action from ObsManager to abort the target in progress, close the shutter and suspend the session.  Observatory operated as per design, with critical cloud alert / HardSuspend called whenever CloudSensor's Clarity value falls below 24. In the event whilst Clarity was falling below 24 the number of AllSky Stars whilst falling still maintained a value over 25.  The situation seems to have arisen due to a particular atmospheric state of a very warm upper atmosphere / high pressure 'omega blocking' wather pattern over Europe bring warm air to Northern Europe/UK.  Whilst number of sessions suspensions was significant, the Observatory did operate according to current design. Issue understood and is closed after review. This ticket is raised to examine whether any modification is required to 'ShutterMustClose' routines to respond differently/better in such circumstances.
  To Do 2023-09-10+ (AstroMain, AstroGuard, CloudSensor)

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