David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1204 (2024-04-04)

Notes (S1203)

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Notes (S1205)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (3),  Small Defects (2),  Continuous Improvement (0)
	Images from 2024-04-04 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-04-04)

Main aims

1. AstroMain. Test new 3.68 version  of AstroMain. Verify there are no significant side-effects or issues with the new versions
2. CCDCamera. Conduct first live test of the newly re-factored & extended CCDCamera object.
3. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
    ( 12P/Pons-Brooks is now an early evening object only and its was not a feasiblea im for the session due to expected early cloud)
4. 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 1.3.9, 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 3.68,  AstroPlan 1.40,  AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.4   (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroVOE 1.13.2,  AstroSN 1.10.3,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.12.12
  AstroWeather 1.24.1, AstroAllSky 3.20.4,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4 (not 1.11.5), AstroLaunch 1.11.3

Highlights

• AstroMain. New version of AstroMain 3.68 with a refactored and extended camera property handling was successfully used during its first live session with no major issues.
• CCDCamera. There were no problems with the recently re-factored and extended CCDCamera object.  It particular there were no incidents in which CCDCamera, CCDSoft & SBIG Camera froze and needed to be restarted.
• 12P/Pons-Brooks. Images of Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks were acquired at very low alititude.
• Targets. 2/25 planned targets observations were completed, with 3 other target partially completed.  Two ToO targets (Jupiter and Pons-Brrok were also aquired. Other targets failed due to 'cloud / session suspension or cancelled due to earlier ending of the session due to sky conditions/poor forecast for rest of the night.
•  Dome Parking.  Dome parked at correct position at the end of the session.

Notes:

• Clocks went forward at 01:00 UT at start of daylight savings.

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 20:55:04 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 20:55 & 04:14 20:55:09   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 20:55 20:55:19   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 21:11:20 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:11) 21:11:32   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 21:12:03   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 21:12:05 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-04-04 S01204, ImageSaveNum: 1204001) 21:12:10   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 21:13:58   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:14:05 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:14:07   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 21:14:09 Session Pending Session pending (2024-04-04) 21:14:11 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-04-04) 21:14:17   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 21:14:23   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.40) 21:15:33   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 979) 21:16:15   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:16:39 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 21:17:24   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 21:17:27 Session Running Session running 21:17:29   Queue Started Observing Queue started (23 targets selected) 21:17:30     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 9, HIP 44139) 21:17:44       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 21:20:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:24:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 21:27:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 21:27:09       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:29:02       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 21:30:36       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 21:30:51     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 9, HIP 44139) 21:30:55     Target Started (1/23) Target started (1/23, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 21:34:08       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:37:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 21:52:19     Target Completed Target completed (1/23, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 21:52:23     Target Started (2/23) Target started (2/23, 207P/NEAT) 21:55:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:58:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 22:16:27     Target Completed Target completed (2/23, 207P/NEAT) 22:16:31     Target Started (3/24) Target started (3/24, Jupiter, ToO) 22:33:07     Target Completed Target completed (3/24, Jupiter, ToO) 22:33:11     Target Started (4/25) Target started (4/25, 12P/Pons-Brooks, ToO) 22:47:32     Target Aborted (4/25) Target aborted (4/25, 12P/Pons-Brooks, ToO) due to User Intervention 22:47:34     Target Missed (5/25) Target's time slot was missed (5/25, NGC 4192A w/SN2024exw) 22:47:36     Target Started (6/25) Target started (6/25, NGC 3690 w/SN2023wrk) 23:04:11     Target Completed Target partially completed (6/25, NGC 3690 w/SN2023wrk) 23:04:15     Target Started (7/25) Target started (7/25, NGC 5036 w/SN2024dop) 23:07:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:08:15       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 23:08:40   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 23:08:42   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 23:08:44       Focusing Aborted Foc1 Focusing Aborted 23:08:46     Target Aborted (7/25) Target aborted (7/25, NGC 5036 w/SN2024dop) due to cloud 23:08:48   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 23:08:50 Session Suspending Session suspending 23:09:35   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 44s) 23:09:37 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:15:00 Session Resuming Session resuming 23:15:46   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 23:15:48 Session Running Session running 23:15:50   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 23:15:52     Target Started (7/25) Target started (7/25, NGC 5036 w/SN2024dop) 23:25:26       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 23:27:09     Target Completed Target partially completed (7/25, NGC 5036 w/SN2024dop) 23:27:11   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 23:27:12 Session Suspending Session suspending 23:28:02   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 23:28:04 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:41:42     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (8/25, M101 w/SN2023ixf) due to too few stars 23:42:43 Session Resuming Session resuming 23:43:28   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 23:43:30 Session Running Session running 23:43:32   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 23:44:46     Target Started (9/25) Target started (9/25, NGC 3206 w/SN2024bch) 23:48:19       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 23:52:29       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 23:54:39   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 23:54:41   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 23:54:44     Target Aborted (9/25) Target aborted (9/25, NGC 3206 w/SN2024bch) due to cloud 23:54:46   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 23:54:48 Session Suspending Session suspending 23:55:34   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 23:55:37 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:56:44 User Intervention User request to close and finish session 23:56:47   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 23:56:49 Session Closing Session closing 23:56:54   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 23:55, closing time 50s, zigbee 44s) 23:58:23   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 80s), Az: 90.0 deg 23:59:46   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 79s total) 00:00:01   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 00:00:23   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 00:01:45   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (33mA) 00:01:47   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 00:01:50 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 00:02:17     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 87.0 to 93.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 00:03:46     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.4°) 00:03:53     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.4°) 00:03:55   Dome Parked Dome parked 00:04:05   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (31mA) 00:04:07 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 21:14:05 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (37.49 GB) is less than 50 GB 00:02:11 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (36.59 GB) is less than 50 GB 00:04:05 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (31mA)

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Operational Issues (2024-04-04 S1204)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• AstroMain's Obs.Overseer gave a 4 warnings reporting that a "task ... is taking a long time" (22:49, 23:09, 23:27 & 23:55) . ObsOverseer gave 4  warnings through the course of the session. After slewing to Target 6/25 (NGC 3690) and after entering Centering section and whilst 'Waiting on CCD Cooler' it reported "Warning task in SlewToTargetRaDec/PostSlewCalcs is taking a long time? (22:49)", and then whilst suspending the session & whilst closing Shutter on 3 separate occasions it reported "Warning task in ExecuteQueue/Paused ForSuspension is taking a long time? " (at 23:09,  23:27 and 23:55). It is believed that the issue is directly related to the introduction of new code in AstroMain 3.67.3 (2024-04-01) that inserts a pause point in the Job Queue using WaitForEndPause() which should be calling ExtendIamAliveTime() to extend IamAliveData and thereby prevent ObsOverseer from believing that a job is frozen , but is clearly producing this undesirable side effect.  Examination of code for ExtendIamAliveTime() show a flaw in the logic that is corrected in AstroMain 3.68.1. Now code is
     .CheckTime = .CheckTime.AddSeconds(SecondsToExtend)
  Fixed  2024-04-05 (AstroMain 3.68.1)
   
• 1x1 binned images of Jupiter were taken as Full Frame even though they were specified as Quater Frames (22:20). B. V & Ha 1x1 frames were specified for quarter frame capture and report messages confirm this
     Taking 0.2s image (B)...    Ok        [01204135]        (1/4 1x1 0.2s B, 21:20:09 UT, Sky 43/+21)
  which should have resulted in  546 x 368 px frames (as it session S1169, 2023-11-30), however full frame images (2183x1471 px) were captured instead.   This is most-likely a bug associated with replacing direct Camera property calls with indirect CCDCamera property calls.  Normally 1x1 ful frame images are 2184 x 1472 px, but the ones produced were smaller by 1 pixel. Log file indicates that CCDCamera.Subframe Left & Right were set to 819 & 1365 respectively (width 546 px), and Top, Bottom were set to 546 & 920 respectively (height  368 px). Prior to this CCDCamera.Subframe was set to 1 and Bin X & BinY set to 1. Examining the new CCDCamera code shows that whilst Subframe Left, Right, Top, Bottom coordinate values were calculated correctly there was a bug (repeated 4 times) that was set each of the Camera's SubFrame properties to the value of the SubFrame (ie 1) rather than the calculated coordinates.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.68.1.
  Fixed 2024-04-06 (AstroMain 3.68.1)
   
• CCDSoft's Autosave No. became reset to '00010000' after performing Near Zenith Focusing. At the start of session CCDSoft was restarted ti set AutoSave No,   this sucessively set the initial Autosave No to 01204001 and the two locate frames for the Near Zenith Focus Field 9 were duly named as 01204001 and 01204002 respectively.  However the autosave no. then became reset somehow and FIT images for Target 1/23 to 9/25 were named 00010000 to 00010109.  These files were later remedially named as 01240101 to 01204209 and report, log and data updated to reflect this the revised file names.  Logs were examined and show normal setting of AutoSave No to 01204001 and CCDSoft's initial use of this starting number.  But it then changes to 00010000 for first locate frame for Target 1/25 (29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann).  CCDSoft wasn't killed/restarted in between and couldn't have got a new AutoSave No. using conventional method which writes to the required Autosave Number to the Windows Registry in between stopping and restarting CCDSoft program. Unless this issue is replicated in the next issue (and is a sideffect of changes to code in CCDSoft Connection process (using CCDCamera), tt is presumed that this must be a one-off glitch. The only hypothesis that might provide an explanation is that there was a residual CCDSoft process left running in the background (which was still using a General Session Autosave No of 00010000 and that although a new CCDSoft Process was opened and picked up the 01204001 autosave number, the original process somehow took over as the CCDSoft.Camera process attached to AstroMain.  CCDSoft has been noted to have failed with an exception after closing down AstroMain in the last couple of days.   Propose to monitor things in the next session. Issue closed 2024-04-15, as no further case has been seen in the following four sessions (S1205 - S1208).
  Closed 2024-04-06 (AstroMain / CCDSoft)

Small Defects

• Foc2 Focus Frames for Near Zenith Focus Field still suffering from saturated star profiles with flat topped max pixel values (21:29). Although analysis of Focus Locate Frame for Near Zenith Focus Field 9 (same field as the initial reporting of problem in S1183 (see S1183, 2024-01-16, Fig 2) knocked focus frame exposure time down to 0.7s from initial 1.5s used for locate frame (a change made 2024-03-29 / AstroMain 3.67.2) , the star profile was still significant saturated and max pixels values where flat topped across much of the focus profile).  Issue seems to be that the Focus Locate Frame (unlike the focus frames) is automatically corrected by a Dark Frame and the star's max pixel  value (originallly 65534 in raw image) gets knocked back to 65218 and a x0.5 exposure mutiplier is used instead of a x 0.33 mutiplier, if the max pixel had been 66534.  Fix made in AstroMain 3.68.1, threshold changed to x0.25 for max pixel > 65000, x0.3 for max pixel > 60000.
  Fixed  2024-04-05 (AstroMain 3.68.1)
   
• CCDCamera Set Property request produced a  'timed out  after 2s' message during RestartCCDSoft. Examination of the session's full log file, including trace messages showed that a Set Camera property request had produced a 'timed out after 2s' message. At 22:11:36 during RestartCCDSoft operation (to set AutoSave No.) a Set Autoguider(0) request timed-out. This shouldn't have been being requested at this time.  Identified to be due to 'CCDCamera.Autoguider = 0' code line in the CreateCCDSoftObjects() routine. Line moved to the ConnectCamera() routine.
  Fixed  2024-04-05 (AstroMain 3.68.1)

Continuous Improvement

• None

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