David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1198 (2024-03-15)

Notes (S1197)

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Notes (S1199)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (2),  Small Defects (6),  Continuous Improvement (3)
	Images from 2024-03-15 >>
	Review - Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for the Pulsar Dome & Cloud Sensor
	2024-03-18
	Zigbee - Greenhouse's Temperature/Humidity Sensor not reconnecting to network

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-03-15)

Main aims

1. 12P/Pons-Brooks. Acquire images of Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks which has been undergoing regular outbursts.
2. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
3. AstroMain. Test new 3.66.5 version of AstroMain in a live session, following mutliple changes earlier in version 3.66.4 and futher tweaks in 3.66.5. Verify there are no significant sideeffects or issues with the new versions.

 Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• TheSky6, CCDSoft5, DeviceHub 6.6.1.1,  MeadeGeneric 1.3.9, 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 3.66.5,  AstroPlan 1.39.10,  AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.2   (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroVOE 1.13,  AstroSN 1.10.2,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.12.11
  AstroWeather 1.23.14, AstroAllSky 3.20.3,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4, AstroLaunch 1.11.3

Highlights

• Targets. 25/27  planned targets observations were completed, with the other 2 targets partially completed.
  12P/Pons-Brooks. Images of Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks were not acquired as the AstroPlan's Schedule Builder didn't put 12P/Pons-Brooks on to the evening plan, and lengthening days meant that the comet had risen far enough in NNE-NE sky by mornng twilight.  Were there simply too many Tier 1 targets in the Must Include List ?
• AstroMain / SBIG Camera. There was one case with CcdCamera / SBIG Camera.but were resolved by AstroMain's Manager/Job Executor.
•  Dome Parking.  Dome parked at correct position at the end of the session.

Notes:

• Mains Outage Test at ....

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 18:52:03 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:05 & 04:16 18:52:05   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 19:05 19:05:47   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to threat of rain 19:34:16 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:34) 19:34:26   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 19:34:51   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 19:34:53 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-03-15 S01198, ImageSaveNum: 1198001) 19:34:58   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 19:36:44   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:36:51 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 19:36:53 Session Pending Session pending (2024-03-15) 19:36:55 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-03-15) 19:36:57   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.39.10) 19:38:12   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 972) 19:38:27   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 19:39:03   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 19:39:27 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 19:40:12   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 19:40:14 Session Running Session running 19:40:16   Queue Started Observing Queue started (27 targets selected) 19:40:18     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 7, HIP 34070) 19:40:33       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 19:43:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:46:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 19:48:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 19:48:07       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 19:50:12       Focusing Failed Foc2 focusing failed (failed QC check - Range) 19:50:16     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 7, HIP 34070) 19:53:24     Target Started (1/27) Target started (1/27, 13P/Olbers) 19:58:40       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 20:11:21     Target Completed Target completed (1/27, 13P/Olbers) 20:11:25     Target Started (2/27) Target started (2/27, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS)) 20:14:26       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:16:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 20:24:38     Target Completed Target completed (2/27, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS)) 20:25:45     Target Started (3/27) Target started (3/27, GCVS YZ Cnc) 20:28:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:29:15       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 20:34:44   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 20:34:46   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 20:34:48     Target Aborted (3/27) Target aborted (3/27, GCVS YZ Cnc) due to cloud 20:34:50   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 20:34:52 Session Suspending Session suspending 20:35:39   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 20:35:41 Session Suspended Session suspended 20:37:44 Session Resuming Session resuming 20:38:11     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (3/27, GCVS YZ Cnc) due to 20:38:29   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 20:38:31 Session Running Session running 20:38:33   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 20:38:45     Target Started (4/27) Target started (4/27, IC 2190 w/SN2024dhp) 20:41:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:43:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 20:59:56     Target Completed Target completed (4/27, IC 2190 w/SN2024dhp) 21:00:45     Target Started (5/27) Target started (5/27, 103P/Hartley) 21:03:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:05:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 21:16:34     Target Completed Target completed (5/27, 103P/Hartley) 21:17:29     Target Started (6/27) Target started (6/27, NGC 3467 w/AT2024dda) 21:20:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:22:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 21:38:42     Target Completed Target completed (6/27, NGC 3467 w/AT2024dda) 21:39:29     Target Started (7/27) Target started (7/27, NGC 3690 w/SN2023wrk) 21:43:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:45:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 22:01:32     Target Completed Target completed (7/27, NGC 3690 w/SN2023wrk) 22:01:49     Target Started (8/27) Target started (8/27, M101 w/SN2023ixf) 22:05:26       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:21:56     Target Completed Target completed (8/27, M101 w/SN2023ixf) 22:24:09     Target Started (9/27) Target started (9/27, NGC 4619 w/SN2024drt) 22:27:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:29:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 22:45:37     Target Completed Target completed (9/27, NGC 4619 w/SN2024drt) 22:46:09     Target Started (10/27) Target started (10/27, UGC 9002 w/SN2023pls) 22:48:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:51:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 23:07:11     Target Completed Target completed (10/27, UGC 9002 w/SN2023pls) 23:08:09     Target Started (11/27) Target started (11/27, Segue 1) 23:11:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:13:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 23:52:57     Target Completed Target completed (11/27, Segue 1) 23:53:01     Target Started (12/27) Target started (12/27, UGC 5886 w/SN2024hw) 23:55:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:58:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 00:14:20     Target Completed Target completed (12/27, UGC 5886 w/SN2024hw) 00:14:24     Target Started (13/27) Target started (13/27, 62P/Tsuchinshan) 00:17:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:19:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 00:31:04     Target Completed Target completed (13/27, 62P/Tsuchinshan) 00:32:13     Target Started (14/27) Target started (14/27, NGC 5036 w/SN2024dop) 00:35:12       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:41:16   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 00:41 in section 'GetCameraProperties' 00:41:51   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 00:41:58   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:42:49   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -25°C) 00:42:51     Target Completed Target partially completed (14/27, NGC 5036 w/SN2024dop) 00:54:33     Target Started (15/27) Target started (15/27, UGC 9659 w/SN2024ech) 00:57:22       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:13:20     Target Completed Target completed (15/27, UGC 9659 w/SN2024ech) 01:16:33     Target Started (16/27) Target started (16/27, AT2024crd) 01:19:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:21:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 01:38:09     Target Completed Target completed (16/27, AT2024crd) 01:39:33     Target Started (17/27) Target started (17/27, NGC 4995 w/SN2023gfo) 01:42:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:45:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 02:00:56     Target Completed Target completed (17/27, NGC 4995 w/SN2023gfo) 02:01:54     Target Started (18/27) Target started (18/27, UGC 8630 w/SN2024drv) 02:04:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:07:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 02:23:02     Target Completed Target completed (18/27, UGC 8630 w/SN2024drv) 02:23:53     Target Started (19/27) Target started (19/27, AT2023tsk) 02:27:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:29:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 02:46:19     Target Completed Target completed (19/27, AT2023tsk) 02:46:23     Target Started (20/27) Target started (20/27, AT2024dsj (CV)) 02:49:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:52:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 02:58:09     Target Completed Target completed (20/27, AT2024dsj (CV)) 02:58:33     Target Started (21/27) Target started (21/27, NGC 3206 w/SN2024bch) 03:02:15       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:18:26     Target Completed Target completed (21/27, NGC 3206 w/SN2024bch) 03:20:53     Target Started (22/27) Target started (22/27, AT2023txn) 03:24:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:26:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 03:32:37     Target Completed Target completed (22/27, AT2023txn) 03:33:13     Target Started (23/27) Target started (23/27, GCVS BL Lac) 03:37:49       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 03:41:59     Target Completed Target completed (23/27, GCVS BL Lac) 03:43:31     Target Started (24/27) Target started (24/27, NGC 6040) 03:46:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:49:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 04:05:03     Target Completed Target completed (24/27, NGC 6040) 04:05:51     Target Started (25/27) Target started (25/27, AT2023tow) 04:09:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:11:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 04:27:05     Target Completed Target completed (25/27, AT2023tow) 04:28:11     Target Started (26/27) Target started (26/27, NGC 6745 w/SN2023ucy) 04:31:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:33:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 04:49:34     Target Completed Target completed (26/27, NGC 6745 w/SN2023ucy) 04:50:31     Target Started (27/27) Target started (27/27, 61 Cyg) 04:53:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:55:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 04:57:09     Target Completed Target completed (27/27, 61 Cyg) 04:57:12   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 04:57:14 Session Closing Session closing 04:58:07   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 04:58:24   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 10s), Az: 90.0 deg 04:59:45   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 76s total) 05:00:00   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 05:00:22   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:01:47   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (4mA) 05:01:49   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:01:52 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:02:29     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 87.0 to 93.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 05:03:59     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.6°) 05:04:05     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.6°) 05:04:07   Dome Parked Dome parked 05:05:08   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (15mA) 05:05:10 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 19:36:51 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (48.82 GB) is less than 50 GB 00:41:51 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 00:41:16) in section 'GetCameraProperties' 00:41:56 Green Clear CcdCamera CcdCamera has resumed again (00:41) after 40s 05:02:25 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (46.98 GB) is less than 50 GB 05:05:08 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (15mA)

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Operational Issues (2024-03-15 S1198)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (2)
• Small Defects (6)
• Continuous Improvement (3)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Secondary Scope focusing at Near Zenith Focus Field 7 failed (19:48). After successfully focusing the Main Scope (Foc1 system) on star HIP 34070 in the Focus Field 7, the directly following focusing attempt using Secondary Scope focusing (Foc2 system) failed.  Focus star is present in the Focus Reference Frame,  but somewhat dimmer than expected. Individual focus frames are devoid of expected bright star, but a trace of star object can be seen but not detectable by the CCDSoft star extract process. Examination of ALlSky Images show that a cloud passed across the area of the Star Field at the precise time that focus profile was being take. Issue is therefore explained and can be closed.
  Closed, issue is explained  2024-03-17 (Session)
   
• AstroPlan's WebUploading stopped by a temporary disconnection of LAN & Internet (2024-03-19).  Broadband cable was accidentally pulled out of the wall in the router room, disconnecting the internet and router was rebooted as art of attempt to reconnect.   Although LAN/intenet were quickly restored it was noticed several house later that whilst AstroAllSky was continuing to upload images to the web, AstroPlan had stopped uploading files at around the tim ethe LAN/Intenet went down. Log file shows exception "Network error: Software caused connection abort. Copying files to remote side failed." at 12:20:16, followed by a "Session has unexpectedly closed" exception and thereafter a "Element session @ 0 already read to the end" exception for each further upload attempt.   The later exception was picked up as being associated with file uploading to stop in an issue  S1146 (2023-09-18) and a tickets was raised to recognise the exception and begin a new WinSCP connection.  Fixed in AstroPlan 1.39.12, the bRestartWebUploader flag is now raised whenever these exceptions occur.  The same fix has also been put into AstroAllSky 1.20.3.
  Fixed  2024-03-20 (AstroPlan 1.39.12,  AstroAllSky 1.20.3)

Small Defects

• Colour of 'AutoStart Delayed' event line in General Session Events and Live Session Events were different (19:05). The Event 'AutoStart Delayed'  with message "Session delayed due to threat of rain" at 19:05 was presented as a blue row in the General Session Events table, but as a yellow row in the Session Events table.  Code examined and the bug identfied. Blue rows should be assoicated with weather/conditions reasons for delay.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.66.6, a new ReasonIsWeather() function created and used to determine if row should be yellow or blue,   a new variable  created and used for saving a 'Autstart Delay' retrospective event for the Live Session.
  Fixed 2024-03-17 (AstroMain 3.66.6)
   
• Report message "Calculating Link using Main Scope coords & Scope 2 Offset" is missing its 'AddComment'  (20:27). During Target 3/27 (GCVS YZ Cnc) whilst linking the Guiding Reference Frame and after image failed to link the following line was reported
    Ok        Calculating Link using Main Scope coords & Scope 2 Offset
without an assoicated AddComment or S1 text.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.66.6
  Fixed 2024-03-17 (AstroMain 3.66.6)
   
• Greenhouse Door's Last Updated field on AstroMain's More/Greenhouse tab isn't ticking over.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.66.6, the required code lines for updating the field were missing from the UpdateSynopsisFields() routine and has now been added.
  Fixed 2024-03-17 (AstroMain 3.66.6)
   
• Target 3/27 cancelled without a stated reason (20:38). After aborting Target 3/27 (GCVS YZ Cnc) due to cloud at 20:34 and suspending the session, the session resumed at 20:37:44 when conditions improved. The job executor hadn't formally finished the YZ Cnc target  and a 'Target Cancelled' event was recorded with message "Target 3/27 (GCVS YZ Cnc) due to ", with a blank reason.  This is a tricky one.  Target was partially completed and imaging second image group, when a hardSuspend was called due to Cloud. The session was suspended and an 'Attempt 2' section opened. After waiting a minute or so, conditions improved and session resumed. After opening the dome, execution of YZ Cnc continued. Whilst reporting conditions the Session Status was reported as "Suspended  (Due to  )", after which Target Result was reported as "Target failed  (Other- Blank)". It seems that the issue has arisen at the precise boundary between two session states.  The ReasonToSuspend is blank because conditions are acceptable to resume session and the reason is consequently is blank (null).  The issue is that since the session is resuming the Session Status should not be reporting as 'Suspended".   Current code the has  "Suspended" hard coded in if ObsManager.SessionState isn't  'Running'.   Fix attempted in AstroMain 3.66.6, the Job Executore now enters a Wait Loop until Session has finished 'Resuming'. This should resolve the issue and other past similar issues.
  Fix attempted 2024-03-19 (AstroMain 3.66.6)
   
• Greenhouse Temperature sensor not reconnecting to Observatory's Zigbee Sensor (2024-03-17). Whilst cleaning the cleaning the Greenhouse the temperature/humidity/pressure sensor came off its fixing, possibly sprayed with water and was moved indoors before later replacing it some 2-3 hours later.  The sensor lost its connection to the zigbee network, and after 24 hours it still hadn't connected (see Greenhouse's Temperature/Humidity Sensor not reconnecting to Zigbee network )  The issues was eventually resolved by resetting the sensor and then re-adding it in Phoscon .
  Fixed  2024-03-18 (Zigbee Network, Greenhouse)
   
• Attempting to Auto-Build a Paste Imported Image gives the error "Base Name is empty. Aborting"  (post-session). Whilst analysing AT2023txn image frame from Session S1189 (2024-02-22) gives the 'Build Picture' error "Base Name is empty. Aborting".  The reduced subfolder contains a single frame. Issue not replicated during later test. It is assumed that a Combined image wasn't saved. Ticket closed 2024-03-20.
  Closed 2024-03-20 (AstroMain)

Continuous Improvement

• AstroPlan and AstroWeather should have some extra fields added that post the number of Power Outages since program started, and the time & duration of the last outage.   Implemented in AstroPlan 1.39.11 and AstroWeather 1.23.14.
  Done 2024-03-17 (AstroPlan 1.39.11, AstroWeather 1.23.15)
   
• Outage Management (1) and Outage Management (6) to appear in Contents section of Session Report File.   It would be useful to be able to go direct to these key points in the report file, should they occur. Implemented in AstroMain 3.66.6 using new routine ReportSubTitleEntry() instead of ReportSubTitle.
  Done 2024-03-20 (AstroMain 3.66.6)
   
• Add bStartingServices and bStoppingServices flags that can better act as flags that can be used to allow or block after service actions. Currently ObsServicesThread status is used to indicate of Services are in th eprocess of starting or stopping. Implemented in AstroMain 3.66.6. For the time being both methods are valid.
  Done 2024-03-20 (AstroMain 3.66.6)

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Review - Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for the Pulsar Dome & Cloud Sensor

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2024-03-18

Zigbee - Greenhouse's Temperature/Humidity Sensor not reconnecting to network

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