David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1206 (2024-04-10)

Notes (S1205)

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Notes (S1207)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (4),  Small Defects (0),  Continuous Improvement (1)
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Session Aims & Highlights (2024-04-10)

Main aims

1. 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 feasible target for the session due to evening cloud)
2. CCDCamera. Continue to test recently re-factored & extended CCDCamera object.

 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 3.68.1,  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

• Targets. 15/15 planned targets observations were completed.
• 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.
•  Dome Parking.  Dome parked at correct position at the end of the 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 23:39:07 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 23:39 & 03:55 23:39:08 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (23:39) 23:39:29   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 23:39:56   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 23:39:59 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-04-10 S01206, ImageSaveNum: 1206001) 23:40:04   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 23:41:47   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:41:53 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 23:41:56 Session Pending Session pending (2024-04-10) 23:41:58 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-04-10) 23:42:05   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 23:42:12   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.40) 23:48:29 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode 23:49:44   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 23:49:47 Session Closed Session closed by User 23:49:50 Program Closed Program closed by User 23:55:26 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 23:55 & 03:55 23:55:29 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (23:55) 23:55:50   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 23:56:17   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 23:56:19 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2024-04-10 S01206, ImageSaveNum: 1206001) 23:57:03   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:57:09 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 23:57:14 Session Pending Session pending (2024-04-10) 23:57:16 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-04-10) 23:57:25   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 23:57:32   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.40) 23:58:33   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 981) 23:59:14   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 23:59:38 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 00:00:23   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 00:00:33 Session Running Session running 00:00:36   Queue Started Observing Queue started (15 targets selected) 00:00:39     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 14, HIP 69068) 00:00:53       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 00:03:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:06:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 00:08:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 00:08:52       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 00:10:34       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 00:12:16       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 00:12:34     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 14, HIP 69068) 00:14:00     Target Started (1/15) Target started (1/15, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 00:18:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:20:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 00:37:03     Target Completed Target completed (1/15, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 00:37:07     Target Started (2/15) Target started (2/15, M101 w/SN2023ixf) 00:40:58       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:57:08     Target Completed Target completed (2/15, M101 w/SN2023ixf) 00:57:34     Target Started (3/15) Target started (3/15, NGC 3206 w/SN2024bch) 00:59:39   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 00:59:41   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 00:59:43     Target Aborted (3/15) Target aborted (3/15, NGC 3206 w/SN2024bch) due to cloud 00:59:45   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:59:47 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:00:34   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 01:00:36 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:02:39 Session Resuming Session resuming 01:03:24   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 01:03:26 Session Running Session running 01:03:28   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 01:03:29     Target Started (3/15) Target started (3/15, NGC 3206 w/SN2024bch) 01:23:48     Target Completed Target completed (3/15, NGC 3206 w/SN2024bch) 01:23:52     Target Started (4/15) Target started (4/15, GCVS BL Lac) 01:27:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:29:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 01:33:19     Target Completed Target completed (4/15, GCVS BL Lac) 01:33:23     Target Started (5/15) Target started (5/15, AT2024crd) 01:37:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:39:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 01:45:36     Target Completed Target completed (5/15, AT2024crd) 01:45:40     Target Started (6/15) Target started (6/15, SN 2023zvq) 01:48:29       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:04:29     Target Completed Target completed (6/15, SN 2023zvq) 02:04:33     Target Started (7/15) Target started (7/15, NGC 5630 w/SN2023zdx) 02:07:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:10:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 02:26:02     Target Completed Target completed (7/15, NGC 5630 w/SN2023zdx) 02:26:53     Target Started (8/15) Target started (8/15, CGCG 108-092 w/AT2024cp) 02:29:43       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 02:46:02     Target Completed Target completed (8/15, CGCG 108-092 w/AT2024cp) 02:48:52     Target Started (9/15) Target started (9/15, GCVS U Her) 02:51:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:53:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 03:01:58     Target Completed Target completed (9/15, GCVS U Her) 03:02:56     Target Started (10/15) Target started (10/15, NGC 6433 w/SN2024efn) 03:06:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:09:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 03:25:24     Target Completed Target completed (10/15, NGC 6433 w/SN2024efn) 03:25:28     Target Started (11/15) Target started (11/15, NGC 6004 w/SN2024cld) 03:28:20       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:44:26     Target Completed Target completed (11/15, NGC 6004 w/SN2024cld) 03:47:36     Target Started (12/15) Target started (12/15, GCVS SS Her) 03:50:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:53:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 03:57:04     Target Completed Target completed (12/15, GCVS SS Her) 03:57:32     Target Started (13/15) Target started (13/15, AT2024epa (CV)) 04:00:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:03:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 04:09:17     Target Completed Target completed (13/15, AT2024epa (CV)) 04:09:32     Target Started (14/15) Target started (14/15, AT2023txn) 04:12:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:14:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 04:20:43     Target Completed Target completed (14/15, AT2023txn) 04:21:52     Target Started (15/15) Target started (15/15, AT2021agpw (CV)) 04:24:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:27:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 04:33:45     Target Completed Target completed (15/15, AT2021agpw (CV)) 04:33:47   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 04:33:50 Session Closing Session closing 04:34:43   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 04:35:39   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 49s), Az: 90.0 deg 04:36:55   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 71s total) 04:37:10   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 04:37:32   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 04:38:53   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (47mA) 04:38:55   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 04:38:58 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 04:39:20     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 87.0 to 93.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 04:40:53     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.2°) 04:40:59     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.2°) 04:41:01   Dome Parked Dome parked 04:41:03   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (43mA) 04:41:05 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 04:41:03 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (43mA)

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Operational Issues (2024-04-10 S1206)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (4)
• Small Defects (0)
• Continuous Improvement (1)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• WebUploader's stopped working on both Observatory and AllSky/Weather Computer, and WinSCP not creating a connecting session on Development Computer. For almost 24 hours WinSCP was unable to make a connected service to the Observatory WebSite Host and therefore session pictures and info for the Live Session couldn't be seen on the Current/Latest Session WebPage. AllSky pictures and Weater charts similarly weren't available on line.  Although WinSCP wasn't working on all 3 computers, files could be manually uploaded to web site using Windows FTP. Remote Monitoring (VNC) was used to monitor the status of the session instead of IPad/Safai.  Issue resolved itself the following morning. Whilst the AstroSuite programs (like AstroPlan, AstroWeather & AstroAllSky) formerlly used FTP transfer to upload files to web, this earlier capability wasn't suspended / removed when more secure WinSCP transfers were added. This may have been ranked as Major except that this is the first time this problem has been seen and it resolved itself, however if it occurs again it will need to be escalated.
  Resolved  2024-04-11 (WinSCP, Web Uploaders, WebSite)
   
• AstroPlan GUI locking up when used the Restart WebUploader facility. To see if AstroPlan could remake a WinSCP connection and upload live files to website. The Restart WebUploader button was clicked, but due to the problems opening the WinSCP session, AstroPlan GUI froze and AstroMain was waiting an excessivly long time for AstroPlan to make a observing plan for the session.  This would seem to because the Restart WebUploader is being run on the main program thread rather than being cast off to a separate thread. Whilst normally this is not a problem (as the WinSCP connection/session is usually quickly made) on this occasion it presented a significant problem.  Whilst it was later shown that AstroPlan would probably have eventually allowed the GUI to resume, it was clear if this was going to happen or not, so AstroPlan was killed and restarted along with other Observatory software, as AstroPlan uses a COM objects in TheSky6. Fixed in AstroPlan 1.40.1.
  Fixed 2024-04-12 (AstroPlan 1.40.1)
   
• Unable to create a Session Result Chart or a Observing Plan Chart due to a logic block with message "Sorry - Not available on Observatory Computer". After problems with WinSCP connection to the observatory website and the failure to upload Live Pictures from the S1206 session, and with a remote VNC connection to the Observatory Computer open, AstroPlan was used in an attempt to see a visual summary of the session result.  So it was annoying to be blocked in this aim.   The block is there to protect a live session in progress, as it accesses a series of targets in TheSky6 but after the session has finished, the justification for making a block is no longer there.   Prehaps a check can be done regarding Live Session Status and to require User Confirmation to proceed. Fixed in AstroPlan 1.40.1.
  Fixed 2024-04-12 (AstroPlan 1.40.1)
   
• AstroAllSky & AstroWeather are making too many repeated automated attempts to Restart WebUploader, whilst AstroPlan isn't making any attempt. AstroAllSky made 1159 Restart attempts over the course of 24 hours till the restart at 2024-04-11 09:04:51 eventually succeeded. AstroWeather doesn't post how many restart attempts in make but it seems to have becoming uploading charts to website again at around the same time.   AstroPlan was manually restarted to begin upload to all live files from last night's session
  To fix  2024-04-11 (AstroPlan 1.40.1, AstroWeather 1.24.2, AstroAllSky 3.20.5)

Small Defects

• None

Continuous Improvement

• Add 'Percent guide <1" values to AstroMain's Guiding Summary Table. Implemented in AstroMain 3.67.2
  Done  2024-04-12 (AstroMain 3.67.2)

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