David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1180 (2024-01-07)

Notes (S1179)

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Notes (S1181)

	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 (2)
	Images from 2024-01-07 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-01-07)

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.

 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 1.23.9, AstroAllSky 3.19.11,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4, AstroLaunch 1.11.1

Highlights

• Targets. 32/35 planned targets observations were completed, with 1 other targets partially completed. Other planned targets failed due to cloud & session suspension.
• 12P/Pons-Brooks. Images of Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks were successfully acquired.
•  Dome Parking.  Dome parked ok at the correct position at end of the session, but again a red alert was given saying that Dome Charging had started with 3 minutes (similar to previous S1179 session)

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 19:08:44 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:08 & 06:25 19:08:47 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:08) 19:09:06   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 19:09:20 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-01-07 S01180, ImageSaveNum: 1180001) 19:09:27   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 19:11:09   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:11:16 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 19:11:18 Session Pending Session pending (2024-01-07) 19:11:20 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-01-07) 19:11:22   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.39.5) 19:12:15   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 954) 19:12:38   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -25°C) 19:13:15   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 19:13:39 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 19:14:24   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 19:14:27 Session Running Session running 19:14:29   Queue Started Observing Queue started (35 targets selected) 19:14:32     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 2, HIP 9508) 19:14:42       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 19:19:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:22:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 19:24:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 19:24:15       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 19:26:24       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 19:28:07       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 19:28:24     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 2, HIP 9508) 19:28:28     Target Started (1/35) Target started (1/35, AT2023abtv (CV)) 19:31:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:34:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 19:40:19     Target Completed Target completed (1/35, AT2023abtv (CV)) 19:40:23     Target Started (2/35) Target started (2/35, 12P/Pons-Brooks) 19:43:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:45:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 19:57:34     Target Completed Target completed (2/35, 12P/Pons-Brooks) 19:57:52     Target Started (3/35) Target started (3/35, NGC 6745 w/SN2023ucy) 20:00:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:03:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 20:18:48     Target Completed Target completed (3/35, NGC 6745 w/SN2023ucy) 20:20:12     Target Started (4/35) Target started (4/35, GCVS BL Lac) 20:22:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:25:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 20:28:59     Target Completed Target completed (4/35, GCVS BL Lac) 20:30:31     Target Started (5/35) Target started (5/35, NGC 7625 w/SN2023vyl) 20:33:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:35:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 20:51:47     Target Completed Target completed (5/35, NGC 7625 w/SN2023vyl) 20:52:30     Target Started (6/35) Target started (6/35, NGC 682 w/SN2023xtg) 20:55:52       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 21:11:42     Target Completed Target completed (6/35, NGC 682 w/SN2023xtg) 21:14:30     Target Started (7/35) Target started (7/35, UGC 12604 w/AT2024bv) 21:17:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:19:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 21:35:25     Target Completed Target completed (7/35, UGC 12604 w/AT2024bv) 21:36:30     Target Started (8/35) Target started (8/35, UGC 530 w/SN2023yma) 21:39:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:41:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 21:57:38     Target Completed Target completed (8/35, UGC 530 w/SN2023yma) 21:58:30     Target Started (9/35) Target started (9/35, AT2023aaky (CV)) 22:01:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:03:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 22:09:22     Target Completed Target completed (9/35, AT2023aaky (CV)) 22:10:30     Target Started (10/35) Target started (10/35, AT2023wbv (CV)) 22:13:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:15:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 22:20:55     Target Completed Target completed (10/35, AT2023wbv (CV)) 22:22:30     Target Started (11/35) Target started (11/35, Nova Per 2020) 22:23:28       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 22:24:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:26:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 22:31:59       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 22:37:55     Target Completed Target completed (11/35, Nova Per 2020) 22:39:50     Target Started (12/35) Target started (12/35, AT2022qcs) 22:43:16       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:59:21     Target Completed Target completed (12/35, AT2022qcs) 23:02:10     Target Started (13/35) Target started (13/35, GCVS RR Tau) 23:05:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:06:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 23:14:18     Target Completed Target completed (13/35, GCVS RR Tau) 23:14:54     Target Started (14/35) Target started (14/35, AT2023wue) 23:18:08       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:20:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 23:36:37     Target Completed Target completed (14/35, AT2023wue) 23:36:54     Target Started (15/35) Target started (15/35, AT2023rt (CV)) 23:39:26       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:41:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 23:57:49     Target Completed Target completed (15/35, AT2023rt (CV)) 23:58:54     Target Started (16/35) Target started (16/35, AT2022xio (CV)) 00:01:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:03:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 00:19:54     Target Completed Target completed (16/35, AT2022xio (CV)) 00:21:14     Target Started (17/35) Target started (17/35, AT2022acgb) 00:24:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:26:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 00:42:33     Target Completed Target completed (17/35, AT2022acgb) 00:43:34     Target Started (18/35) Target started (18/35, AT2023acjp (CV)) 00:47:00       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 00:52:57     Target Completed Target completed (18/35, AT2023acjp (CV)) 00:55:34     Target Started (19/35) Target started (19/35, MCG +9-27-70 w/SN2023acha) 00:59:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:01:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 01:18:15     Target Completed Target completed (19/35, MCG +9-27-70 w/SN2023acha) 01:18:19     Target Started (20/35) Target started (20/35, AT2024mu (CV)) 01:21:43       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:27:35     Target Completed Target completed (20/35, AT2024mu (CV)) 01:30:14     Target Started (21/35) Target started (21/35, ARP 115) 01:30:51       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 01:33:28       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:56:40     Target Completed Target completed (21/35, ARP 115) 01:58:46     Target Started (22/35) Target started (22/35, SN 2023tsz) 02:02:07       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:18:38     Target Completed Target completed (22/35, SN 2023tsz) 02:20:46     Target Started (23/35) Target started (23/35, NGC 2848 w/SN2023usp) 02:24:02       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:39:54     Target Completed Target completed (23/35, NGC 2848 w/SN2023usp) 02:42:46     Target Started (24/35) Target started (24/35, IC 564 w/SN2023abqf) 02:46:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:48:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 03:04:18     Target Completed Target completed (24/35, IC 564 w/SN2023abqf) 03:04:46     Target Started (25/35) Target started (25/35, UGC 6665) 03:07:46       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:23:42     Target Completed Target completed (25/35, UGC 6665) 03:27:06     Target Started (26/35) Target started (26/35, 62P/Tsuchinshan) 03:31:36       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 03:44:06     Target Completed Target completed (26/35, 62P/Tsuchinshan) 03:45:08     Target Started (27/35) Target started (27/35, UGC 4308 w/SN2023usf) 03:48:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:50:05       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 03:50:55       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 03:52:05       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 03:55:20       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 03:58:56       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 04:06:42     Target Completed Target completed (27/35, UGC 4308 w/SN2023usf) 04:07:28     Target Started (28/35) Target started (28/35, UGC 5886 w/AT2024hw) 04:10:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:13:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 04:19:59       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 04:29:03     Target Completed Target completed (28/35, UGC 5886 w/AT2024hw) 04:29:05   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 04:29:07 Session Suspending Session suspending 04:29:55   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 04:29:58 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:48:44     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (29/35, NGC 4216 w/SN2024gy) due to cloud 05:11:05     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (30/35, M101 w/SN2023ixf) due to cloud 05:23:17 Session Resuming Session resuming 05:24:17   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 60s, Zigbee 41s) 05:24:19 Session Running Session running 05:24:21   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 05:24:24     Target Started (31/35) Target started (31/35, NGC 3893 w/AT2023uhx) 05:41:02     Target Completed Target partially completed (31/35, NGC 3893 w/AT2023uhx) 05:41:06     Target Started (32/35) Target started (32/35, LEDA 1258828 w/SN2023cyx) 06:00:28     Target Completed Target completed (32/35, LEDA 1258828 w/SN2023cyx) 06:00:32     Target Started (33/35) Target started (33/35, SN 2023bhb) 06:04:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:06:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 06:22:41     Target Completed Target completed (33/35, SN 2023bhb) 06:22:45     Target Started (34/35) Target started (34/35, IC 983) 06:25:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:27:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23) 06:43:38     Target Completed Target completed (34/35, IC 983) 06:43:42     Target Started (35/35) Target started (35/35, IC 1125 w/AT2024jz) 06:47:07       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 07:03:20     Target Completed Target completed (35/35, IC 1125 w/AT2024jz) 07:03:23   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 07:03:25 Session Closing Session closing 07:04:15   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 45s, Zigbee 43s) 07:04:57   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 35s), Az: 90.0 deg 07:06:09   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 68s) 07:06:24   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 07:06:46   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 07:08:12   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 07:08:15 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 07:08:51     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°, Wide) 07:09:57     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 91.0°) 07:10:04     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 94.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 07:11:23     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.7°) 07:11:30     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.7°) 07:11:32   Dome Parked Dome parked 07:14:31 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 19:11:18 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (29.60 GB) is less than 50 GB 07:08:10 Yellow Alert Dome Charging Dome hasn't started re-charging after 3.2 mins. Dome may not have parked correctly 07:08:47 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (26.76 GB) is less than 50 GB 07:14:31 Red Alert Dome Charging Dome hasn't started re-charging after 3.0 min. Dome may not have parked correctly

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Operational Issues (2024-01-07, S1180)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Free Disk Space on Observatory Computer's C Drive has fallen to 26.7 GB.  Disk space tidied up by deleting unneeded ObsPic files and raw FIT files.  A significant benefit (47 GB) came from archiving old 2021-2023 ASCOM logs to E Drive.  Free Space on C Drive is now 97.4 GB.
  Fixed 2024-01-08 (Observatory Computer)

Small Defects

• Target circle drawn on JPG pictures for IC 1125 w/AT2024jz seems to be significantly offset form its expected position (06:47).   Target Circle is drawn correctly on locate frames and target is correctly centered (pointing error 0.19') and correctly centered in the main image frames, but the JPG picture shows the target offset by some 7.6'.  Target Images were replayed post-session on Development Computer (Target ID 3128 , #1180238-44) but were unable to replicate the issue. Closed after review
  Closed after review 2024-01-08 (Session, AstroMain)
   
• CGCG Galaxies are not listed correctly by smart sorting on AstroMain/Analysis/ImageSets tab. During analysis of  earlier S1141 session 'CGCG 373-018' is noted to be sorted within the 'stars' section on the end of combo field list, instead of in its appropriate place just before IC galaxies. Fixed in AstroMain 3.65.12.
  Fixed 2024-01-08 (AstroMain 3.65.12)

Continuous Improvement

• Query . Target 21/35 (ARP 115) wasn't centered in acquired images ? (01:33).   The ARP 115 target seems to be off-centered by around 1.5' in 7 x 180s set of main images even though the final centering frame (Locate 2) showed a pointing error of only 0.03'.  Investigating showed that the target was specified with a N offset of 1.5' which explains the seemingly off-centered target positioning. Its uncertain why the 1.5' offset was specified as there seems to be not other target in FOV that was intended for opportunistic capture or a interferring bright star. Ticket answered and closed (2024-01-08)
  Closed 2024-01-08 (Session, Target)
   
• Shorten FindDomePark routine when starting Search with Zigbee DomeParkSensor shows 'Parked' .   If dome is already at or close to optimal Park position such that the routine is starting off with Zigbee DomePark Sensor showing 'Parked' (which is parked +/- 0.6deg), the FindDomePark routine can skip 'wide search' and go immediately to performing a 'narrow search'.
  Done 2024-02-18 (AstroMain 3.65.15)

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