David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1188 (2024-02-21)

Notes (S1187)

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Notes (S1189)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (1),  Small Defects (0),  Continuous Improvement (2)
	Images from 2024-02-21 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-02-21)

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. AstroMain. Continue to test fixes to CCDSoft Camera/SBIG Camera operations to prevent stalled execution during starting, fix issues due to occasional repeated failures during Cam1 focusing and occassional unexpected CCD Temperature regulation.

 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  2.6.13, Siril 1.0.6, deCONZ 1.18.2, ASCOM 6.6 SP1
• [ DomeLink 1.0 / 1.1 - not used ]
   
• AstroMain 3.65.17, 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 1.23.10, AstroAllSky 3.19.11,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4, AstroLaunch 1.11.1

Highlights

• Targets. 16/34 planned targets observations were completed, with 3 other targets partially completed. Other targets failed/cancelled due to cloud. One additional ToO target (AT2023wvl) was also completed.
• 12P/Pons-Brooks. Images of Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks failed to be acquired due to cloud/session suspension.
• AstroMain. No issues with CCDSoft Camera/SBIG Camera.
•  Dome Parking.  Dome parked ok at the correct position at end of the session.

Notes:

• Significant focus shift since the previous S1187 session the previous night (shift in LX200 primary mirror ?)

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 19:29:51 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:29 & 05:17 19:29:55 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:29) 19:30:05   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 19:30:30   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 19:30:32 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-02-21 S01188, ImageSaveNum: 1188001) 19:30:37   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 19:32:23   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:32:29 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 19:32:32 Session Pending Session pending (2024-02-21) 19:32:34 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-02-21) 19:32:36   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.39.6) 19:33:40   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 962) 19:33:52   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 19:34:27   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 19:34:51 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 19:35:36   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 19:35:39 Session Running Session running 19:35:41   Queue Started Observing Queue started (34 targets selected) 19:35:42     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 5, HIP 23569) 19:35:56       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 19:39:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:44:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 19:46:26       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 19:46:28       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 19:48:20       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 19:50:02       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 19:50:19     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 5, HIP 23569) 19:50:23     Target Started (1/34) Target started (1/34, 13P/Olbers) 19:54:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:56:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 20:08:44     Target Completed Target completed (1/34, 13P/Olbers) 20:08:48     Target Started (2/34) Target started (2/34, AT2023xum) 20:11:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:13:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 20:30:01     Target Completed Target completed (2/34, AT2023xum) 20:30:05     Target Started (3/34) Target started (3/34, AT2022obq (CV)) 20:33:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:35:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 20:41:41     Target Completed Target completed (3/34, AT2022obq (CV)) 20:41:45     Target Started (4/34) Target started (4/34, NGC 1086 w/SN2023rix) 20:45:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:47:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 21:03:15     Target Completed Target completed (4/34, NGC 1086 w/SN2023rix) 21:03:52     Target Started (5/34) Target started (5/34, SN 2023oun) 21:07:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:09:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 21:25:33     Target Completed Target completed (5/34, SN 2023oun) 21:25:52     Target Started (6/34) Target started (6/34, AT2022wel) 21:29:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:31:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 21:48:05     Target Completed Target completed (6/34, AT2022wel) 21:48:09     Target Started (7/34) Target started (7/34, Nova Cas 2021) 21:55:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:57:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 22:09:01     Target Completed Target completed (7/34, Nova Cas 2021) 22:09:05     Target Started (8/34) Target started (8/34, GCVS HH And) 22:12:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:15:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 22:17:08     Target Completed Target completed (8/34, GCVS HH And) 22:17:12     Target Started (9/34) Target started (9/34, GCVS GK Per) 22:20:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:22:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 22:25:44     Target Completed Target completed (9/34, GCVS GK Per) 22:25:49     Target Started (10/34) Target started (10/34, AT2023vqb) 22:28:36       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:30:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 22:46:51     Target Completed Target completed (10/34, AT2023vqb) 22:46:55     Target Started (11/34) Target started (11/34, UGC 9002 w/SN2023pls) 22:51:22       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:07:46     Target Completed Target completed (11/34, UGC 9002 w/SN2023pls) 23:07:51     Target Started (12/35) Target started (12/35, AT2023wvl (CV), ToO) 23:10:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:13:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 23:18:52     Target Completed Target completed (12/35, AT2023wvl (CV), ToO) 23:18:56     Target Started (13/35) Target started (13/35, AT2022xan) 23:35:31     Target Completed Target partially completed (13/35, AT2022xan) 23:35:35     Target Started (14/35) Target started (14/35, Nova Per 2020) 23:38:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:40:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 23:51:12     Target Completed Target completed (14/35, Nova Per 2020) 23:51:16     Target Started (15/35) Target started (15/35, AT2022usq) 23:53:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:56:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 00:06:00       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 00:06:10       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 00:11:54     Target Completed Target completed (15/35, AT2022usq) 00:11:58     Target Started (16/35) Target started (16/35, AT2024dcg) 00:14:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:17:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 00:27:53     Target Completed Target completed (16/35, AT2024dcg) 00:27:57     Target Started (17/35) Target started (17/35, LEDA 213371 w/AT2023uta) 00:30:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:32:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 00:41:09       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 00:42:24       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 00:44:55       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 00:48:31     Target Completed Target completed (17/35, LEDA 213371 w/AT2023uta) 00:48:33   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:48:35 Session Suspending Session suspending 00:49:25   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 00:49:28 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:51:31 Session Resuming Session resuming 00:52:16   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 00:52:18 Session Running Session running 00:52:20   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 00:52:22     Target Started (18/35) Target started (18/35, AT2023cxz (CV)) 00:55:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:57:06       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 00:57:36   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 00:57:38   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 00:57:41       Focusing Aborted Foc1 Focusing Check Aborted 00:57:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 00:57:45     Target Aborted (18/35) Target aborted (18/35, AT2023cxz (CV)) due to cloud 00:57:47   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:57:49 Session Suspending Session suspending 00:58:31   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 43s) 00:58:34 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:00:44     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/35, AT2023cxz (CV)) due to cloud 01:18:04 Session Resuming Session resuming 01:18:49   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 01:18:51 Session Running Session running 01:18:53   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 01:18:56     Target Started (19/35) Target started (19/35, M101 w/SN2023ixf) 01:28:38     Target Completed Target partially completed (19/35, M101 w/SN2023ixf) 01:28:43     Target Started (20/35) Target started (20/35, NGC 6106 w/SN2024ahv) 01:48:41     Target Completed Target completed (20/35, NGC 6106 w/SN2024ahv) 01:48:45     Target Started (21/35) Target started (21/35, CGCG 224-064 w/SN2023aiw) 01:49:58   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:50:00   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 01:50:07     Target Aborted (21/35) Target aborted (21/35, CGCG 224-064 w/SN2023aiw) due to cloud 01:50:09   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:50:11 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:50:58   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 01:51:00 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:03:39 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:04:25   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 02:04:27 Session Running Session running 02:04:29   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:04:31     Target Started (21/35) Target started (21/35, CGCG 224-064 w/SN2023aiw) 02:05:25       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:06:00       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 02:06:20       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 02:09:30       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 02:12:51     Target Completed Target partially completed (21/35, CGCG 224-064 w/SN2023aiw) 02:12:55     Target Started (22/35) Target started (22/35, UGC 11097 w/AT2024ajp) 02:15:06   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 02:15:08   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain) 02:15:10     Target Aborted (22/35) Target aborted (22/35, UGC 11097 w/AT2024ajp) due to threat of rain 02:15:12   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:15:14 Session Suspending Session suspending 02:16:01   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 02:16:03 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:27:04     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/35, UGC 11097 w/AT2024ajp) due to cloud 02:49:04     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/35, AT2023qox (CV)) due to rain 03:11:24     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/35, SN 2022wmw) due to cloud 03:33:24     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/35, NGC 6685 w/SN2023ndu) due to cloud 03:47:44     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (26/35, AT2023wvl (CV)) due to cloud 04:08:04     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (27/35, AT2022vxe) due to cloud 04:20:22     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (28/35, GCVS BL Lac) due to cloud 04:37:54     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (29/35, 12P/Pons-Brooks) due to cloud 04:50:24     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (30/35, AT2024hr (CV)) due to cloud 05:02:24     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (31/35, AT2023abtv (CV)) due to cloud 05:14:44     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (32/35, AT2023txn) due to cloud 05:24:05     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (33/35, HIP 87937) due to cloud 05:43:27     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (34/35, AT2023tow) due to cloud 06:05:45     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (35/35, GCVS CY Lyr) due to cloud 06:05:50   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:05:55 Session Closing Session closing 06:06:00   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 02:16, closing time 50s, zigbee 43s) 06:06:19   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 10s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:07:39   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 77s) 06:07:54   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 06:08:16   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:09:41   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (7mA) 06:09:43   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:09:46 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:10:08     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 87.0 to 93.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 06:11:41     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.6°) 06:11:47     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.6°) 06:11:49   Dome Parked Dome parked 06:12:01   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (7mA) 06:12:03 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 21:19:24 Yellow Alert Dome Dome has been stationary for more than 15 mins 21:26:00 Green Alarm Dome Dome Movements have begun again (outage 21.9 mins) 02:13:22 Yellow Alert Anomalous Dome Slew Dome slew resumed at Az 89.7° (T+22.3s) 06:12:01 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (7mA)

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Operational Issues (2024-02-21 S1188)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• LX200 Telescope was badly out of focus at start of session (19:38). Two locate frames taken for Focus Field 5 at start of session were badly out of focus at the start of the session with images showing 'doughnut' stars. Fortunately centering operation on the brightest star still worked and automated wide search Foc1 focusing also worked to bring the focus into roughly the correct position which was then fine tuned by narrow search focusing.  Best Focus was at 4629 steps (T. 4.8 °C, Pressure 995 mb, Focus Adj +1310).  This compares with Best Focus at end of last session the previous night at 2780 steps (T. 2.2 °C, Pressure 1019 mb, Focus Adj -798).   After allowing for the temperature difference this represents an unexpected change of 2110 focus steps.   The SBIG Camera's angle had been adjusted during the last session but focus before/after the camera angle adjustment were the same.  A large change in atmosphere properties between the two sessions can probably (?) be ruled out. The large shift in focus is therefore most-likely due to a 'sudden' shift in position of telescope's main mirror either during the previous slew to telesope park at end of last session or during the slew from park position to the Focus Field 5 at start of the new session.   The telescope's mirror lock isn't working and attempts to fix it were previously unsuccessful.  Issue closed as the automated operations were able to deal with problem.
  Automatically resolved in-session  2024-02-21 (Session, LX200, AstroMain)

Small Defects

• None

Continuous Improvement

• Create special Abort Job button for ImageSet/Image Link.   The standard Abort Job brings up a dialog window requesting user confirmation but this generally get quicky hidden by CCDSoft Application window which continuiously seeks Windows focus during CCDSoft's Plate Solution process (using TheSky6). A special (X) button next to Image Link buttons on AstroMain's Analysis/ImageSet/Reduced and /Special tabs could invoke Job Abort without seeking user confirmation. Implemented in AstroMain 3.65.18, the new buttons  call AbortJob_ImageLink() which raises the jobAbort provided the aThread is running, which is the case when ImageSet ImageLinking is running.
  Done 2024-02-22 (AstroMain 3.65.18, CCDSoft)
   
• Upon Saving Combined image in AstroMain's Analysis/ImageSet put up a Histogram window.   To bring up histogram window the user currently needs to move the Cursor Information window aside and then click on Histogram button.  Instead SendKeys (Cntl-H) can be sent to CCDSoft to automatically bring up the Historgram Window, saving user efforts & time.   Using SendKeys.Wait ("^H") should send Cntl-H to CCDSoft, but instead it seem to result in a Flip Horizontal Operation (equivalent to Cntl-Shift-H command). Using SendKeys.Wait ("^+H") equivalent to Cntl-Shift-H also results in a Flip Horizontal Operation (and not the hoped for Histogram window. his is strange as Cntl-H in CCDSoft itself does bring up the Histogram window.  There is clearly a bug in CCDSoft that prevents it interpreting a SendKeys("^H") as keyboard command to open Histogram window. Its unclear why keypad Cntl-H and SendKeys (Cntl-H) are interpreted differently by CCDSoft.  Sending "^(H)" or "^+H" or "^{H}  also performs a Flip Horizontal.  Interestingly sending  "{^}H" displays/toggles the cross-hairs on the image (normally this operated using keypad 6 ).  Sending "^h" does seem to do anything, not even Flip Horizontal.  Using My.Computer.Keyboard.SendKeys("^H", True) was tried instead but again this results in  CCDSoft performing a Flip Horizontal operation.  This is a road-blocker and totally prevents the ticket from being completed. 
  Unable to do 2024-02-22  (AstroMain 3.65.18, CCDSoft)

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