David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1179 (2024-01-06)

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	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (2),  Small Defects (3),  Continuous Improvement (2)
	Images from 2024-01-06 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-01-06)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
2. 12P/Pons-Brooks. Acquire images of Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks which has been undergoing regular outbursts.
3. Pulsar Dome. Conduct first live session using new  Pulsar Dome Software (Firmware 1.52 & ASCOM driver 6.4) which was installed on 2023-01-05.

 Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• TheSky6, CCDSoft5, DeviceHub 6.6.1.1,  MeadeGeneric 1.3.5.414, UPB 1.5, ASCOM 6.6,  Pulsar Dome Firmware 1.51 & Driver 6.3.10
• 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
• DomeLink 1.0 / 1.1
   
• AstroMain 3.65.11, AstroPlan 1.39.5,  AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.2
  AstroVOE 1.13,  AstroSN 1.10.2,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.12.10
  (AstroWeather 1.23.8, AstroAllSky 3.19.11,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4, AstroLaunch 1.11.1

Highlights

• Targets. 26/42 planned targets observations were completed, with 4 other targets partially completed. 2 planned targets failed due to cloud & session. Images from 3 targets were later rejected due to cloud & bad guiding.
• 12P/Pons-Brooks. Images of Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks were successfully acquired.
•  Pulsar Dome.  Dome operations using new Pulsar software (Firmware 1.52 & ASCOM driver 6.4) proceeded ok with any issues and confirm that the prior issue with delayed results from Shutter Open/Close operations using Firmware 1.51 has been successfully fixed with the new software.
•  Dome Parking.  Dome parked ok at the correct position at end of the session, although it was initially reported and red alert raised that the dome was not recharging after 3.1 minutes.

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 15:18:28 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 16:50 & 06:26 15:18:33   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 16:50 16:50:49   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 17:03:31 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (17:03) 17:03:41   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 17:03:54 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-01-06 S01179, ImageSaveNum: 1179001) 17:04:01   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 17:05:47   Services Started Observatory Services started 17:05:54 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 17:05:56 Session Pending Session pending (2024-01-06) 17:05:58 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-01-06) 17:06:00   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.39.5) 17:07:01   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 953) 17:07:21   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 17:07:58   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 17:08:22 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 17:09:07   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 17:09:10 Session Running Session running 17:09:12   Queue Started Observing Queue started (42 targets selected) 17:09:13     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 0, HIP 106) 17:09:28       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 17:12:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 17:15:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 17:17:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 17:17:45       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 17:19:35       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 17:21:19       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 17:21:36     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 0, HIP 106) 17:22:28     Target Started (1/42) Target started (1/42, NGC 7171 w/SN2023yoo) 17:26:39       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 17:43:20     Target Completed Target completed (1/42, NGC 7171 w/SN2023yoo) 17:44:48     Target Started (2/42) Target started (2/42, C/2023 E1 (ATLAS)) 17:49:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 17:51:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 18:04:09     Target Completed Target completed (2/42, C/2023 E1 (ATLAS)) 18:04:23     Target Started (3/42) Target started (3/42, 12P/Pons-Brooks) 18:07:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:09:30       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 18:21:25     Target Completed Target completed (3/42, 12P/Pons-Brooks) 18:22:25     Target Started (4/42) Target started (4/42, AT2023abtv (CV)) 18:27:47       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 18:27:52       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 18:29:17   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 18:29:20   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 18:29:22     Target Aborted (4/42) Target aborted (4/42, AT2023abtv (CV)) due to cloud 18:29:24   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 18:29:26 Session Suspending Session suspending 18:30:13   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 18:30:15 Session Suspended Session suspended 18:33:21     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (4/42, AT2023abtv (CV)) due to cloud 18:38:04 Session Resuming Session resuming 18:38:49   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 18:38:51 Session Running Session running 18:38:53   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 18:38:55     Target Started (5/42) Target started (5/42, AT2022whd (CV)) 18:41:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:43:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 18:49:35     Target Completed Target completed (5/42, AT2022whd (CV)) 18:49:39     Target Started (6/42) Target started (6/42, NGC 7625 w/SN2023vyl) 18:55:36       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 18:56:01   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 18:56:03   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 18:56:06     Target Aborted (6/42) Target aborted (6/42, NGC 7625 w/SN2023vyl) due to cloud 18:56:08   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 18:56:10 Session Suspending Session suspending 18:56:56   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 18:56:58 Session Suspended Session suspended 19:05:41     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (6/42, NGC 7625 w/SN2023vyl) due to threat of rain 19:12:33 Session Resuming Session resuming 19:13:18   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 19:13:20 Session Running Session running 19:13:22   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 19:13:25     Target Started (7/42) Target started (7/42, AT2023aaur (CV)) 19:22:50     Target Completed Target completed (7/42, AT2023aaur (CV)) 19:22:54     Target Started (8/42) Target started (8/42, NGC 6745 w/SN2023ucy) 19:34:56       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 19:38:56       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 19:41:37       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 19:41:42       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 19:44:27     Target Completed Target completed (8/42, NGC 6745 w/SN2023ucy) 19:44:32     Target Started (9/42) Target started (9/42, GCVS BL Lac) 19:47:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:49:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 19:53:24     Target Completed Target completed (9/42, GCVS BL Lac) 19:53:28     Target Started (10/42) Target started (10/42, UGC 12604 w/AT2024bv) 19:56:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:58:11       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 20:00:34       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 20:01:44       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 20:05:55       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 20:08:00   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 20:08:02   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 20:08:05     Target Aborted (10/42) Target aborted (10/42, UGC 12604 w/AT2024bv) due to cloud 20:08:07   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 20:08:09 Session Suspending Session suspending 20:08:55   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 20:08:57 Session Suspended Session suspended 20:12:19     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (10/42, UGC 12604 w/AT2024bv) due to cloud 20:22:47 Session Resuming Session resuming 20:23:32   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 20:23:34 Session Running Session running 20:23:36   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 20:23:39     Target Started (11/42) Target started (11/42, M33 w/AT2023nou) 20:42:24     Target Completed Target completed (11/42, M33 w/AT2023nou) 20:42:28     Target Started (12/42) Target started (12/42, NGC 682 w/SN2023xtg) 20:45:10       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 20:46:32     Target Failed (12/42) Target failed due to cloud (12/42, NGC 682 w/SN2023xtg) 20:46:34   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 20:46:35 Session Suspending Session suspending 20:47:25   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 20:47:27 Session Suspended Session suspended 20:55:26 Session Resuming Session resuming 20:56:11   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 20:56:13 Session Running Session running 20:56:15   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 20:56:18     Target Started (12/42) Target started (12/42, NGC 682 w/SN2023xtg) 21:01:38     Target Failed (12/42) Target failed due to (12/42, NGC 682 w/SN2023xtg) 21:01:42     Target Started (13/42) Target started (13/42, AT2023qun) 21:04:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:06:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 21:22:59     Target Completed Target completed (13/42, AT2023qun) 21:23:03     Target Started (14/42) Target started (14/42, AT2023bji) 21:26:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:28:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 21:44:53     Target Completed Target completed (14/42, AT2023bji) 21:44:57     Target Started (15/42) Target started (15/42, Nova Per 2020) 21:48:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:50:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 22:01:02     Target Completed Target completed (15/42, Nova Per 2020) 22:01:06     Target Started (16/42) Target started (16/42, AT2022ablr) 22:03:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:05:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 22:22:03     Target Completed Target completed (16/42, AT2022ablr) 22:23:23     Target Started (17/42) Target started (17/42, AT2022uae) 22:26:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:28:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 22:44:50     Target Completed Target completed (17/42, AT2022uae) 22:45:43     Target Started (18/42) Target started (18/42, GCVS DX Cnc) 22:48:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:50:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 22:55:37     Target Completed Target completed (18/42, GCVS DX Cnc) 22:56:56     Target Started (19/42) Target started (19/42, AT2023tjz) 23:00:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:02:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 23:18:21     Target Completed Target completed (19/42, AT2023tjz) 23:18:58     Target Started (20/42) Target started (20/42, UGC 3937 w/SN2022acfz) 23:22:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:25:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 23:40:47     Target Completed Target completed (20/42, UGC 3937 w/SN2022acfz) 23:41:18     Target Started (21/42) Target started (21/42, UGC 3174 w/SN2023mut) 23:45:21       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:01:36     Target Completed Target completed (21/42, UGC 3174 w/SN2023mut) 00:03:18     Target Started (22/42) Target started (22/42, AT2023vqz) 00:05:26       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:07:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 00:09:16       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 00:09:31   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 00:09:33   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 00:09:35     Target Aborted (22/42) Target aborted (22/42, AT2023vqz) due to cloud 00:09:37   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:09:39 Session Suspending Session suspending 00:10:26   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 00:10:28 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:22:14     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/42, AT2023vqz) due to cloud 00:44:34     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/42, UGC 4308 w/SN2023usf) due to cloud 01:06:54     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/42, AT2023gqc) due to cloud 01:28:54     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/42, UGC 530 w/SN2023yma) due to cloud 01:42:54     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (26/42, AT2023aaky (CV)) due to cloud 01:57:26     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (27/42, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS)) due to cloud 02:09:26     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (28/42, AT2023acjp (CV)) due to cloud 02:29:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (29/42, M101 w/SN2023ixf) due to cloud 02:52:06     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (30/42, NGC 3021 w/SN2023bvj) due to cloud 03:14:26     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (31/42, UGC 5276 w/SN2023cxk) due to cloud 03:36:26     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (32/42, IC 564 w/SN2023abqf) due to cloud 03:46:58 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:47:43   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 03:47:45 Session Running Session running 03:47:47   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:47:48     Target Started (33/42) Target started (33/42, NGC 3893 w/AT2023uhx) 03:50:28   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 03:50:30   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain) 03:50:47     Target Aborted (33/42) Target aborted (33/42, NGC 3893 w/AT2023uhx) due to threat of rain 03:50:49   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:50:51 Session Suspending Session suspending 03:51:38   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 03:51:41 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:55:39 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:56:24   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 03:56:26 Session Running Session running 03:56:28   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:56:31     Target Started (33/42) Target started (33/42, NGC 3893 w/AT2023uhx) 03:58:09       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 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) 03:58:59     Target Aborted (33/42) Target aborted (33/42, NGC 3893 w/AT2023uhx) due to cloud 03:59:01   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:59:03 Session Suspending Session suspending 03:59:49   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 03:59:52 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:07:40 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:08:25   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 04:08:28 Session Running Session running 04:08:30   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:08:32     Target Started (34/42) Target started (34/42, MCG +9-27-70 w/SN2023acha) 04:28:07     Target Completed Target completed (34/42, MCG +9-27-70 w/SN2023acha) 04:28:11     Target Started (35/42) Target started (35/42, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 04:45:05     Target Completed Target completed (35/42, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 04:45:10     Target Started (36/42) Target started (36/42, GCVS CN Leo) 04:48:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:50:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 04:57:46     Target Completed Target completed (36/42, GCVS CN Leo) 04:57:50     Target Started (37/42) Target started (37/42, NGC 4568 w/SN2023ijd) 05:00:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:03:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 05:19:10     Target Completed Target completed (37/42, NGC 4568 w/SN2023ijd) 05:19:14     Target Started (38/42) Target started (38/42, UGC 5886 w/AT2024hw) 05:22:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:23:03       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 05:39:13     Target Completed Target completed (38/42, UGC 5886 w/AT2024hw) 05:40:28     Target Started (39/42) Target started (39/42, SN 2022xnk) 05:44:18       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 06:00:29     Target Completed Target completed (39/42, SN 2022xnk) 06:02:48     Target Started (40/42) Target started (40/42, M98) 06:07:32       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 06:24:01     Target Completed Target completed (40/42, M98) 06:25:08     Target Started (41/42) Target started (41/42, AT2023cmu (CV)) 06:28:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:30:59       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 06:36:48     Target Completed Target completed (41/42, AT2023cmu (CV)) 06:37:08     Target Started (42/42) Target started (42/42, NGC 4216 w/SN2024gy) 06:40:24       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 06:56:34     Target Completed Target completed (42/42, NGC 4216 w/SN2024gy) 06:56:37   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:56:39 Session Closing Session closing 06:57:32   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 06:58:38   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 58s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:59:56   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 72s) 07:00:11   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 07:00:33   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 07:02:00   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 07:02:03 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 07:02:44     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°, Wide) 07:03:48     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 91.0°) 07:03:55     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 94.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 07:05:18     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.8°) 07:05:24     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.8°) 07:05:26   Dome Parked Dome parked 07:08:28 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 17:05:56 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (34.87 GB) is less than 50 GB 19:23:17 Yellow Alert Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 306.4° (T+18.4s) 05:49:28 Red Alert Dome Alert Shutter Data isn't being refreshed 05:49:44 Yellow Alert Dome Shutter Pulsar Shutter appears to be asleep (last fresh data was at 05:29:26) 05:49:46 Green Clear Dome Shutter Pulsar Shutter has woken up (fresh data at 05:49:41, outage 20.3 min) 05:49:48 Green Clear Dome Alert Shutter Data has resumed updating 07:01:58 Yellow Alert Dome Charging Dome hasn't started re-charging after 3.3 mins. Dome may not have parked correctly 07:02:39 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (31.78 GB) is less than 50 GB 07:08:28 Red Alert Dome Charging Dome hasn't started re-charging after 3.1 min. Dome may not have parked correctly

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Operational Issues (2024-01-06, S1179)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (2)
• Small Defects (3)
• Continuous Improvement (2)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Unable to open AllSky Camera's Hemisphere (pre-session). Due to a build up of dew drops inside AllSky Camera's Hemisphere after several days of wet weather and knowing the skies where going to be clear tonight (2024-01-06), the AllSky Camera was visited with the intention of opening the hemisphere and wiping dry the inside. Instead of opening easily (or relatively so) the hemisphere couldn't be opened at all. The hemisphere's retaining ring couldn't be rotated by more than a fraction.  An attempt was made to lift the dew using a hairdryer to push warm air to the  outside of the hemisphere.  This didn't lift the dew drops but it did heat up the rim and allowed the retaining ring to be rotated further. After several more attempts alternating with application of heat from the hair dryer finally got the hemisphere released. and the inside was wiped dry. The thread on the retaining ring didn't seem to be crossed at all.  The problem may be related to earlier insertion of 4 rubber strips to increase ventilation.  Whilst this has largely been successful, apart from the last few days, but it still has to allow the hemisphere to be opened.  Two of the rubber strips were lost when the hemisphere was opened, so only 2 were used when the hemisphere was closed up.
  Resolved Pre-Session 2024-01-06 (AllSky Camera)
   
• Observatory's dehumidifier has stopped working (pre-session). When Observatory was visited during the day (2024-01-06), the dehumidifier's 'bucket' was checked and was found to be fairly empty which was surprising given how wet and how high humidity levels have been recently.  Investigating show that the dehumidifier wasn't working with power applied.  Dehumidifier was brought indoors and tried on a different socket but was still not working.  Plug's fuse (3A) was changed and power applied again, but it still didn't work. The dehumidifier was tipped slightly whilst viewing the 'bucket in-place' trigger' when there was a bang and slight flash as if something electrical had blown. On the last occasion that the Dehumidifier was checked in late December , the 'bucket' was completely full when it was emptied. Had this caused or contributed to the Dehumidifier's failure ?. A replacement Dehumidifier, Pro Breeze Dehumidifier 1500ml (similar to failed one) was delivered from Amazon today (2023-01-08) and has been installed in the Observatory.
  Resolved 2024-01-08 (Observatory, Dehumidifier)

Small Defects

• A "Dome hasn't started re-charging after 3.1 min" Red Alert was unexpectedly raised at end of session (07:08). After parking dome at 06:58:38 and sunsequently conducting an automated SearchForDomePark operation which was coompleted at 07:05:24, a 'Dome Charging' red alert was raised at 07:08:28 with message "Dome hasn't started re-charging after 3.1 min. Dome may not have parked correctly". This was unexpected as the SearchForDomePark seemed to have fully operated as per design. Checking later show that Dome Shutter was charging ok with a charge rate of 11 mA. This is the first live session using new Dome Software 1.52 / ASCOM driver 6.4.  Alert was raised at 07:08:28. Between 07:05:24 and 07:08:22 the charge rate was -3mA then -2mA.  Checking ASCOM Log showing charge rate changing to -3mA at 07:08:44  to -2 mA at 07:11:00, to -3 mA at 07:17:45, to -2 mA at 07:19:59, staying at -2 mA at 07:26:44, changing to -3 mA at 07:29:00, continuing at -3 mA at 07:31:15, changing to -2 mA at 07:33:29, to -3 mA at 07:35:45, to -2 mA at 07:40:15, to -3 mA at 07:42:30,  to -2 mA at 07:47:00,   continuing - 2mA at 07:49:14, to -3 mA at 07:53:45,  to -2 mA at 07:55:59, to 15 mA at 07:58:15 (50 min after parking) before then gradually falling to 6 mA by 13:03:17.  Data shows that the Shutter Battery Status is being polled every 135s.  Why was there such a long delay in the start of charging ? Visiting the Observatory showed that the dome was lying around 0.1 to 0.2° away from best park position. This should have been adequate for charging to start, but the separation between the two halves of induction charger was seemingly wider than ideal (or at least wider than it was ahead of the session when Induction Charger was last checked/adjusted). Whilst the induction charger can be tilted to decrease the separation this doesn't keep the two plates at a consistent separation from top to bottom (top is closer, causing the plates to be non-parallel) and the charger doesn't seem to always stay in this position through the course of the session.  A separate Continuous Improvement ticket is raised to make a modification to the dome charger to make the two halves have a narrower natural separation that doesn't require the charging plate to be tilted. This improvement was completed on 2024-01-19.
  Closed 2024-01-08 (Pulsar Dome, Session)
   
• Session Lines & Labels are missing from Two Shutter Battery Graphs (ID 40 & 45 ). Although code to display yellow session start/end lines and labels were added to Battery Level and Battery Charging charts (Graph ID 40 & 45) in late Dec and confirmed as working when tested on Development Computer they are missing from current set of live Graphs produced by AstroWeather.  Executable date on Development Computer and AllSky/Weather Computer (2023-12-23) are the same.  Session Lines appear on Battery Volts Chart (GraphID = 28). Rerunning graphs tests on Development Computer confirmed that lines are missing from these 2 charts. Bug found and fixed (2024-01-07). The variable SessionIdNo wasn't getting reset ahead of Graph ID 40 & 45, explaining why lines displayed ok for the earlier Graph ID 28 and why lines added during original tests were there more than one session in the time range.  Session Label changed from black/normal to yellow/bold.
  Fixed 2024-01-08 (AstroWeather 1.23.9)
   
• Shutter Battery Charts show flat-lined data (Pre-Session, 2024-01-04). From 2024-01-04 13:00 to 2024-01-05 18:00 the Shutter Battery Graphs show flat-lined data for Battery Volts, Battery Level, Battery Charging and Battery Temperature.  Report file show following messages from Pulsar Dome Monitor "Warning   Pulsar Shutter appears to be asleep (13:11)" and "Info    Last fresh data was from Shutter was at 12:51:46".  This occured with Shutter Firmware 1.51/Driver 6.30.10 running and proceeded the installation of new Firmware Version 1.52 and ASCOM Driver 6.4 on 2024-01-05 at around 17:50. Examining Pulsar ASCOM log showed that Volatile message every 1s with shutter battery values seemingly stuck on 970 14999 -2 129085 9745 from 2024-01-04 12:51:46 to  2024-01-05.  It seems unlikely that charge rate and battery temperature reading would have remained completely constant for some 31 hours. The incident is unexplained and it put down to a 'glitch' in the Dome driver or Dome system.  Issue closed after review, 2024-01-07.
  Closed after review 2024-01-07 (Pulsar Dome)

Continuous Improvement

• 'Create Session Workbook' doesn't leave the Group Raw Files button visible.  After Creating a Session Workbook the 'Group Raw Files' button isn't immediately visible to the user. Grouping Raw Files is the natural next step to take after creating the session workbook and it is frustrating to have to adjust the speadsheet view to bring the button into view.  Cell G4 should be automatically selected at end of ImportFitsSummary routine to allow the button to be seen. Fix made to FitsSummary.xls and FitsSummary_Loader.xlsm.
  Done 2024-01-07 (Fits Summary)
   
• Modify Dome's Induction Charger positioning so that the two halves of charger have a closer natural spacing.  After parking dome at end of session and conducting an automated SearchForDomePark operation a 'Dome Charging' red alert was raised at 07:08:28 with message "Dome hasn't started re-charging after 3.1 min. Dome may not have parked correctly". Dome didn't begin Shutter Charging until 07:58 (50 minutes later). Investigations suggest that the separation between two halves of the induction charger was wider than ideal. The Induction Charger (attached to Dome Drive Unit) can be tilted towards the Induction Reciever (attached to dome roof) but this this doesn't keep the two plates at a consistent separation from top to bottom (ie plates are parallel) and the charger doesn't seem to always stay in a tilted position (with narrow separation) for the whole session. It is proposed to make a modification of dome charger to make the two halves have a narrower natural separation.   Initially the idea was to widening the hole on the charger plate or on the dome rotation drive to allow the optimum configuration to be made, however in the end (2024-01-19) a piece of plywood was used to increase the standoff of the Induction Reciever from the Dome Roof which had the effect of reducing the separation between the charging plate and the recieving plate.  At the same time the position of ties for inducton charging wiring was changed to improve the stability of the charging plate, making the separation distance more consistent.  Increase in Trickle Charge Rate following modification can be seen in Shutter Battery Graphs here.
  Done 2024-01-19 (Pulsar Dome, Observatory)

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