David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1208 (2024-04-13)

Notes (S1207)

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Notes (S1209)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (2),  Small Defects (3),  Continuous Improvement (1)
	Images from 2024-04-13 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-04-13)

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 3.68.2,  AstroPlan 1.40.1,  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. 16/16 planned targets observations were completed. I
• 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.
•  Guiding.  Guiding was excellent (in particular Ra Guiding continues to have improve by itself).
•  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 23:23:34 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 23:23 & 03:44 23:23:35 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (23:23) 23:23:56   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 23:24:23   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 23:24:25 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-04-13 S01208, ImageSaveNum: 1208001) 23:24:30   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 23:26:14   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:26:21 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 23:26:25 Session Pending Session pending (2024-04-13) 23:26:27 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-04-13) 23:26:36   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 23:26:43   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.40.1) 23:27:50   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 983) 23:28:30   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 23:28:54 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 23:29:39   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 23:29:44 Session Running Session running 23:29:47   Queue Started Observing Queue started (16 targets selected) 23:29:50     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 13, HIP 63666) 23:30:02       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 23:34:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:37:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 23:39:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 23:39:35       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 23:41:43       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 23:43:25       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 23:43:42     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 13, HIP 63666) 23:43:47     Target Started (1/16) Target started (1/16, NGC 4192A w/SN2024exw) 23:47:13       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 00:03:32     Target Completed Target completed (1/16, NGC 4192A w/SN2024exw) 00:05:31     Target Started (2/16) Target started (2/16, NGC 4900 w/AT2023cpp) 00:08:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:10:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 00:27:06     Target Completed Target completed (2/16, NGC 4900 w/AT2023cpp) 00:27:31     Target Started (3/16) Target started (3/16, NGC 5036 w/SN2024dop) 00:30:25       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:46:54     Target Completed Target completed (3/16, NGC 5036 w/SN2024dop) 00:49:51     Target Started (4/16) Target started (4/16, UGC 8630 w/SN2024drv) 00:52:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:55:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 01:11:40     Target Completed Target completed (4/16, UGC 8630 w/SN2024drv) 01:12:11     Target Started (5/16) Target started (5/16, AT2024crd) 01:14:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:17:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 01:23:32     Target Completed Target completed (5/16, AT2024crd) 01:24:31     Target Started (6/16) Target started (6/16, NGC 6004 w/SN2024cld) 01:27:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:30:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 01:46:34     Target Completed Target completed (6/16, NGC 6004 w/SN2024cld) 01:46:51     Target Started (7/16) Target started (7/16, (2) Pallas) 01:49:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:52:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 01:54:39     Target Completed Target completed (7/16, (2) Pallas) 01:55:51     Target Started (8/16) Target started (8/16, UGC 9343 w/SN2024bqr) 01:58:36       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:01:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 02:17:41     Target Completed Target completed (8/16, UGC 9343 w/SN2024bqr) 02:17:45     Target Started (9/16) Target started (9/16, CGCG 221-014 w/SN2023cyo) 02:20:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:23:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 02:39:03     Target Completed Target completed (9/16, CGCG 221-014 w/SN2023cyo) 02:39:51     Target Started (10/16) Target started (10/16, NGC 6433 w/SN2024efn) 02:43:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:45:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 03:01:48     Target Completed Target completed (10/16, NGC 6433 w/SN2024efn) 03:02:11     Target Started (11/16) Target started (11/16, AT2023aanv (CV)) 03:05:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:07:36       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 03:13:29     Target Completed Target completed (11/16, AT2023aanv (CV)) 03:14:11     Target Started (12/16) Target started (12/16, GCVS BL Lac) 03:16:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:19:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 03:24:18     Target Completed Target completed (12/16, GCVS BL Lac) 03:24:30     Target Started (13/16) Target started (13/16, GCVS R CrB) 03:27:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:29:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 03:33:08     Target Completed Target completed (13/16, GCVS R CrB) 03:34:10     Target Started (14/16) Target started (14/16, IC 4588 w/SN2023ifv) 03:36:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:39:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 03:55:07     Target Completed Target completed (14/16, IC 4588 w/SN2023ifv) 03:56:10     Target Started (15/16) Target started (15/16, AT2023crg (CV)) 03:59:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:00:42       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 04:06:41     Target Completed Target completed (15/16, AT2023crg (CV)) 04:08:10     Target Started (16/16) Target started (16/16, HIP 87937) 04:11:05       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:13:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 04:16:12     Target Completed Target completed (16/16, HIP 87937) 04:16:14   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 04:16:17 Session Closing Session closing 04:17:10   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 04:17:51   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 33s), Az: 90.0 deg 04:19:03   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 66s total) 04:19:18   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 04:19:40   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 04:21:00   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (38mA) 04:21:02   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 04:21:05 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 04:21:27     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 87.0 to 93.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 04:22:57     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.2°) 04:23:03     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.2°) 04:23:05   Dome Parked Dome parked 04:24:16   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (43mA) 04:24:18 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 04:24:16 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (43mA)

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Operational Issues (2024-04-13 S1208)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (2)
• Small Defects (3)
• Continuous Improvement (1)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• AllSky/Weather Computer unexpectedly shutdown (pre-session, 14:53).  At around 14:53 the AllSky/Weather Computer unexpectedly shutdown which stopped Cloud Sensor, Weather Station & AllSky monitoring, preventing the supply of fresh data to the Observatory Computer and stop the refreshing of charts on the Observatory Website.
  This was noticed until around 22:00.   A Remote VNC  connection to teh AllSky/Weather Computer couldn't be made which would have been the case if the computer had performed a Restart. It is presumed that the computer had suffered a Blue Screen crash of some type.  Observatory was visited and the AllSky/Weather computer and programs restarted ahead of the session at 22:52..  The outage in AllSky/Weather data was nearly 8.0 hours.
  Resolved by observatory visit 2024-04-14 (AllSky/Weather Computer)
   
• Observatory Door was difficult to unlock (pre-session,  22:45). When visiting the Observatory in order to investigate/restart the AllSky/Weather Computer it was found difficult/impossible to unlock of the observatory door.  Key couldn't be turned the necessary half-turn (it wouldn't go more than a quarter turn) and it was then difficult to turn it fully back in order to retrieve the key. Eventually managed to retrieve the key and to squirt some WD40 into the lock.  Managed to get the door unlocked and later locked again.  The door lock needs special manipulation to open under normal circumstances but this was the worst 'warm-weather' incident so far (in cold weather it is normal for the door lock/handle to freeze and require warming in order to unlock and open the door).
  Resolved 2024-04-14 (Observatory Door)

Small Defects

• Target Circle for wasn't drawn at correct position on JPG Pictures for Target 1/16 (23:46). Target circle for Target 1/16 (NGC 4192A w/SN2024exw) wasn't not drawn at correct position on JPG images . This is known occassional issue that typically can't be repeated when the target & images are played back later on the Development Computer.  There were no issues drawing the target circle during previous sessions.  The Target circle was drawn correctly on Locate Frames and Cam2 Reference Frame, but is drawn at an incorrect position on the Focus Locate Frame and on Main Image Frames (see Fig 1). The position error is X: 112px, Y : -57 px (at 3x3). The Y Pointing Error for the final locate frame was 0.2' and stars are well defined in all frames.  It is noted that Host Ellipse is drawn around NGC 4192 rather than around NGC 4192A, but this was also the case in earlier sessions yet the Target Circle was correctly placed on the supernova target in each case.   A search for NGC 4192A in TheSky6 finds NGC 4192.  The NGC 4192A galaxy is only directly found using the search string "SAC NGC 4192A".   'SAC NGC 4192A' can't be entered as 'TheSky6 Name' in the Target's specification in AstroPlan as this causes the Explicit Coords for the supernova to be blanked out.  Examining the full log file indicates that star position offsets between final Locate Frame and the Main Image Frames are small (3.2" for Frame 1 slightly increasing to 3.5" for Frame 5) which is probably just reflective of the final jog onto the target following Locate Frame 2.  The log shows however unexpected lines:
  23:50:34 | NGC 4192A      Calc TargetMovement   Ok | Ra Movement 156.96",   Dec Movement -76.32" in 1,430.41 mins
23:50:34 | NGC 4192A      Calc TargetMovement   Ok | X Movement 111.89,   Y Movement -54.61 in 1,430.41 mins at 3x3
  These lines are normally ones that would be shown for a non-sidereal target such as a comet. The calculated movement in target (111.9,-54.6) due to the targets presumed rate of motion is applied to the Target Circle coords, and explains the measured error in target circle (112,-57).  NGC 4192A w/SN2024exw is a sidereal target and there is clearly a bug since 'Calc TargetMovement' routine is behaving as if the target is a non-sidereal one.   The time interval 1430.41 mins would indicate a time reference point at 2024-04-12 22:57 which was about the time that comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann was being acquired in the last session the previous night.   As AstroMain hadn't been restarted since the previous session it is probable that certain parameters retained values from that that time.  Calc TargetMovement refers to four LocateInfo parameters associated with non-sidereal target use (.bMovingTarget, .CoordsDate,  .RaRate & .DecRate).  LocateInfo.bMovingTarget should clearly have been set to False and other parameters should have been set to null or 0.   InitialiseLocateInfo() routine is called at start of Centering operation and sets .bMovingTarget = False and  .RaRate & .DecRate =0 before centering starts. Code shows that .bMovingTarget is set to False in UpdateLocateInfo_OB() unless .RaRate <> 0.0 Or .DecRate <> 0.0 in which case it is set to True.  .RaRate and .DecRate are set from T.RaRate & T.DecRate which are themselves set by LookupRaAndDecRates() and LookupKeyTargetInfo().   LookupKeyTargetInfo() is exited if Sky6Name = "Explicit Coords" which is the case for NGC 4192A w/SN2024exw.  This means that T.RaRate = 0 & T.DecRate = 0 lines are bypassed.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.68.3,  T.RaRate & TDecRate are now set to 0 for Sidereal targets during RetrieveTarget() and during LookupKeyTargetInfo()  if SkyName = "Explicit Coords".  This is quite a subtle bug and explains why it was only occuring in certain situations and not being repeatable when the precise situation was marginally changed.
  Fixed 2024-04-14 (AstroMain 3.68.3)
   
• Target Circle for wasn't drawn at correct position on JPG Pictures for Target 15/16 (23:46). Target circle for Target 15/16 (AT2023crg) wasn't not drawn at correct position on JPG images. Situation was almost identical to that described for Target 1/16 (NGC 4192A w/SN2024exw), with unexpected Target Movement X/Y values calculated and applied, and due to RaRate/DecRate values from Target 15/15 (C/2021 A1 (Leonard)) in previous session not being cleared/reset from TIS(15).T array  Fixed in AstroMain 4.68.3 (see above ticket for more details)
  Fixed 2024-04-14 (AstroMain 3.68.3)
   
• AstroMain's Overseer recorded that ScopeMonitor was Pending/Frozen during Finishing Stage 6.  After Telescope had been parked,  turned off & disconnected during Closing Stage 6 and after TheSky6Telescope service had been stopped ObsOverseer recorded that TheSkyScopeMonitor was Pending for around 90s during Finishing Stage 6 ('Wait for Dome Charge Data') with the last message "ScopeMonitor is Pending (89s)" just into 'Finished' state. An  89s/90s pending time  is a known occasional issue that is believed to be due to an unspecified task in TheSky6 (may be an update check or something ?, but it always takes the same time).  It is not normal to encounter this hold-up at this time and is therefore taken to be another example of a known occasional glitch. The ScopeMonitor is Pending (19s)" message as give at 04:23:07 which indicates that the start of the ScopeMonitor hold-up was 04:22:44 which was whilst 'FInd DomePark operation was being executed.  . This is not believed to be related in anyway to the issue.   In the last session (S1207 2024-04-12) the same issue occurred except that it took place during Closing Stage 13.  The issue was closed after review on 2024-04-15 as being as a known occasional glitch with no significant impact.
  Closed after review 2024-04-14 (AstroMain, TheSky6)

Continuous Improvement

• Find Dome Park search window should use be narrowed to only +/- 2° when Search starts off of with Zigbee Sensor showing 'Parked' (04:21).  Find DomePark currently uses a +/-3° search angle when operations starts off with the Zigbee Park Sensor indicated 'Parked' (it was previously +/-4°),  however +/-2° is sufficient and takes a shorter time & takes up less report & log space.
  Done 2024-04-15 (AstroMain 3.68.3)

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