David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 722 (2019-11-17)

Notes (S721)

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Notes (S723)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (13),  Continuous Improvement (16)
	Images from 2019-11-17  >>
	Cable Conduit Fixing for Dome Controller Leads
	Repair to Observatory Base Sealent

Session Aims & Highlights (2019-11-17)

Main aims

1. Targets: Acquire images of a selection of new targets plus monitoring of previous variable stars, nearby stars and comets.
    
2. Guiding: Test out guiding following new Guiding Calibration and Anti-Backlash Changes (made in last session)

Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, PHD2,  POTH Hub
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.6dev2
   
• AstroMain 3.17.7 ,  Astroguard 1.2.9,   AstroPlan 1.13.2,  AstroShCap 1.2.10, AstroVOE 1.3.4, UPB 1.4.17  (AstroWeather 1.7.9, AstroAllSky 3.5)

Highlights

• Targets. A moderate proportion of the planned targets were successfully acquired
• Continuous Improvement. A lot of ideas were generated for continuous improvement of the AstroMain Observatory Control program and related software

Lowlights

• Sky Deterioration. Sky Conditions deteriorated towards dawn
• Small bugs/issues.  There were a few minor issues  associated with recently added features

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan

Observing Result

Slew/Centering Performance

Dome Slewing 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)

Pre-Session Weather Forecast (API data from darksky.net) Forecast showed cloud with moderate possibility of light but becoming clear by 21:00 and staying clear till dawn. Temperature expected to drop through the night reaching a minimum of 2 degC.  In the event after a rain shower at 17:10 the sky cleared at 19:30 and operations were begun at  20:30 . Sky transparency deteriorated towards dawn with development of high cloud Observing was impacted by the full moon and hazy sky.

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 20:18:22 Session Created Live Session Created (2019-11-17 S00722, ImageSaveNum: 722001) 20:18:42   Scope Switched On Scope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 20:20:25   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 20:20:27   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 20:20:32   Services Started Observatory Services started 20:21:04   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 20:21:27 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 20:21:32 Session Pending Session pending (2019-11-17) 20:21:34 Session Initiating Session initiating (2019-11-17) 20:21:36   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.13.2) 20:22:28   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2019-11-17 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 420) 20:22:33   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 20:22:40   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 20:22:53 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 20:23:39   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 46s) 20:23:42   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started 20:27:44   Equilibration Ended Dome Equilibration ended (4.1 mins total) 20:27:46 Session Running Session running 20:27:48   Queue Started Observing Queue started (44 targets selected) 20:29:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:31:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 20:31:11     Target Started (1/44) Target started (1/44, GCVS SS Cyg) 20:37:14     Target Completed Target completed (1/44, GCVS SS Cyg) 20:38:53     Target Started (2/44) Target started (2/44, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN)) 20:41:13       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 20:49:29     Target Completed Target completed (2/44, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN)) 20:52:38     Target Started (3/44) Target started (3/44, WDS GRB 34) 20:54:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:56:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 20:58:11     Target Completed Target completed (3/44, WDS GRB 34) 21:00:03     Target Started (4/44) Target started (4/44, GCVS TT Ari) 21:02:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:04:26       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 21:11:13     Target Completed Target completed (4/44, GCVS TT Ari) 21:11:29     Target Started (5/44) Target started (5/44, GCVS CI Cyg) 21:14:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:16:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 21:20:10     Target Completed Target completed (5/44, GCVS CI Cyg) 21:20:12     Target Started (6/44) Target started (6/44, GCVS BL Lac) 21:22:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:24:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 21:28:53     Target Completed Target completed (6/44, GCVS BL Lac) 21:29:10     Target Started (7/44) Target started (7/44, GCVS HH And) 21:32:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:34:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 21:34:48       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:36:55       Focusing Failed Foc2 Focusing Failed - star lost 21:38:36     Target Completed Target completed (7/44, GCVS HH And) 21:38:38     Target Started (8/44) Target started (8/44, GCVS RX And) 21:40:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:42:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 21:42:48       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:44:16       Focusing Failed Foc2 Focusing Failed - star lost 21:46:54     Target Completed Target completed (8/44, GCVS RX And) 21:46:56     Target Started (9/44) Target started (9/44, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs)) 21:50:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:52:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 21:52:18       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:54:07       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 21:59:48   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 22:02:43     Target Completed Target completed (9/44, C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs)) 22:02:45   Queue Paused Queue paused for SoftSuspend 22:02:49 Session Suspended Session suspended 22:03:38   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 49s) 22:04:52     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (10/44, 61 Cyg) due to cloud 22:12:54   Camera1 SetPoint SBIG Camera Set Point Temperature Updated (new set point -25°C) 22:15:09 Session Resuming Session resuming 22:15:54   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 45s) 22:15:56 Session Running Session running 22:15:58   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 22:16:00     Target Started (11/44) Target started (11/44, GCVS S Cyg) 22:24:16     Target Completed Target partially completed (11/44, GCVS S Cyg) 22:24:18     Target Started (12/44) Target started (12/44, GSC 1224:29) 22:32:15     Target Completed Target completed (12/44, GSC 1224:29) 22:32:17     Target Started (13/44) Target started (13/44, GCVS Z And) 22:34:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:36:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 22:36:37       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:38:21       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 22:42:07     Target Completed Target completed (13/44, GCVS Z And) 22:42:09     Target Started (14/44) Target started (14/44, GCVS GK Per) 22:45:23       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:47:12       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 22:49:41     Target Completed Target partially completed (14/44, GCVS GK Per) 22:49:43     Target Started (15/44) Target started (15/44, GCVS FU Ori) 22:52:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:54:59       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 22:55:35       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope) 22:58:31       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 22:58:36     Target Completed Target partially completed (15/44, GCVS FU Ori) 22:58:38     Target Started (16/44) Target started (16/44, GCVS SU Tau) 23:05:46     Target Completed Target completed (16/44, GCVS SU Tau) 23:05:48     Target Started (17/44) Target started (17/44, GCVS FO Ori) 23:09:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:10:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 23:14:27     Target Completed Target partially completed (17/44, GCVS FO Ori) 23:14:29     Target Started (18/44) Target started (18/44, GCVS CM Tau) 23:17:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:19:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 23:33:23     Target Completed Target completed (18/44, GCVS CM Tau) 23:33:25     Target Started (19/44) Target started (19/44, GCVS CN Ori) 23:36:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:38:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 23:42:01     Target Completed Target completed (19/44, GCVS CN Ori) 23:42:04     Target Started (20/44) Target started (20/44, GCVS U And) 23:44:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:46:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 23:47:05       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope) 23:49:59       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 23:56:02     Target Completed Target partially completed (20/44, GCVS U And) 23:56:04     Target Started (21/44) Target started (21/44, GCVS AM Her) 00:00:56       Focusing Started Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 00:02:52       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 00:05:49     Target Completed Target partially completed (21/44, GCVS AM Her) 00:05:51     Target Started (22/44) Target started (22/44, GCVS DY Per) 00:08:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:10:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23) 00:15:04     Target Completed Target completed (22/44, GCVS DY Per) 00:15:07     Target Started (23/44) Target started (23/44, GCVS RR Tau) 00:18:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:20:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24) 00:26:10     Target Completed Target partially completed (23/44, GCVS RR Tau) 00:26:12     Target Started (24/44) Target started (24/44, GCVS NV Ori) 00:28:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:30:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 25) 00:33:57     Target Completed Target partially completed (24/44, GCVS NV Ori) 00:33:59     Target Started (25/44) Target started (25/44, GCVS SY Cnc) 00:41:48     Target Completed Target completed (25/44, GCVS SY Cnc) 00:41:50     Target Started (26/44) Target started (26/44, GCVS RZ LMi) 00:51:27     Target Completed Target completed (26/44, GCVS RZ LMi) 00:51:29     Target Started (27/44) Target started (27/44, LAMOST-HVS1) 00:54:31       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:57:47     Target Completed Target completed (27/44, LAMOST-HVS1) 00:58:16     Target Started (28/44) Target started (28/44, GCVS ER UMa) 01:02:28       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:06:26     Target Completed Target completed (28/44, GCVS ER UMa) 01:08:04     Target Started (29/44) Target started (29/44, NGC 4183) 01:11:41       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 01:27:45     Target Completed Target completed (29/44, NGC 4183) 01:29:56     Target Started (30/44) Target started (30/44, Scholz's Star) 01:33:04       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:48:24     Target Completed Target completed (30/44, Scholz's Star) 01:50:52     Target Started (31/44) Target started (31/44, GCVS U Mon) 01:52:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:54:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 26) 02:00:41     Target Completed Target completed (31/44, GCVS U Mon) 02:01:05     Target Started (32/44) Target started (32/44, NGC 3279) 02:04:51       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:21:08     Target Completed Target completed (32/44, NGC 3279) 02:22:57     Target Started (33/44) Target started (33/44, NGC 3501) 02:28:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:30:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 27) 02:46:31     Target Completed Target completed (33/44, NGC 3501) 02:46:33     Target Started (34/44) Target started (34/44, NGC 4173) 02:49:32       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 03:05:31     Target Completed Target completed (34/44, NGC 4173) 03:06:41     Target Started (35/44) Target started (35/44, NGC 4738) 03:10:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:12:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 28) 03:28:42     Target Completed Target completed (35/44, NGC 4738) 03:28:44     Target Started (36/44) Target started (36/44, NGC 3454) 03:31:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:33:26       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 29) 03:49:48     Target Completed Target completed (36/44, NGC 3454) 03:50:25     Target Started (37/44) Target started (37/44, GCVS AM CVn) 03:53:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:53:34   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 03:54:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 30) 03:58:13     Target Completed Target completed (37/44, GCVS AM CVn) 03:58:15   Queue Paused Queue paused for SoftSuspend 03:58:16 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:59:05   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 48s) 04:18:32 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:19:17   Shutter Opened Shutter opened (opening time 45s) 04:19:20 Session Running Session running 04:19:22   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:19:24     Target Started (38/44) Target started (38/44, C/2019 Q4 (Borisov)) 04:35:50     Target Completed Target partially completed (38/44, C/2019 Q4 (Borisov)) 04:35:52     Target Started (39/44) Target started (39/44, NGC 3365) 04:39:34       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 04:41:08   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 04:56:04     Target Completed Target completed (39/44, NGC 3365) 04:56:06     Target Started (40/44) Target started (40/44, NGC 3681) 04:58:20   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 04:58:34       Focusing Failed Foc1 Focusing Failed - star is too dim (TCF-S) 05:14:32   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 05:14:53     Target Completed Target completed (40/44, NGC 3681) 05:14:56   Queue Paused Queue paused for SoftSuspend 05:14:58 Session Suspended Session suspended 05:15:46   Shutter Closed Shutter closed (closing time 49s) 05:36:04     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (41/44, NGC 4330) due to cloud 05:51:06     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (42/44, GCVS CN Leo) due to cloud 06:10:18     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (43/44, IC 755) due to cloud 06:32:54     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (44/44, 38P/Stephan-Oterma) due to cloud 06:32:59   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:33:04 Session Closing Session closing 06:33:09   Shutter Closed Shutter already closed (closed at 05:15, closing time 49s) 06:33:34   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 25s) 06:33:45   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 11s) 06:34:28 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:34:53 Session Finished Session Finished

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Operational Issues (2019-11-17, S722)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (13)
• Continuous Improvement (16)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Telescope Slew Angle is frequently too large.    Review the methodology used to calculate slew angle.   Consider new method which sums the angular change in RA and the angular change in Dec. The RA change has to ensure that this isn't a change across the North Position (Az 360)
  Fixed 2019-11-18 (AstroMain 3.17.8)
   
• Av.Slew Error and Slew Adjustment values on Centering Chart are still partially overposting.   Overposting issues have reduced with bug fixes since last session, but are still partially present.  
  Fixed 2019-11-18 (AstroMain 3.17.8)
   
• During Locate Frame Centering, Calc Angular Separation calculation is producing NaN results according to Log File. The issue doesn't appear to have any impact on centering itself but needs to be understood and corrected. Problem was caused by a logic error. when testing   Double.IsNaN(d)
  Fixed 2019-11-19 (AstroMain 3.17.9)
   
• Declination guiding errors in PHD2 are too large and are oscillating between North and South positions
  Made some changes in the session (reduced the  Dec AntiBacklash setting on scope from 160% to 120%, and later on reduced Dec aggression from 80% to 60%. Partly fixed with the introduction of uni-directional Dec guiding
  Part Fixed  2020-Jan (AstroMain / LX200 / Observatory)
   
• Latest Session Events table on Current Session webpage still showing columns with inappropriate column widths
  Part Fixed 2019-11-18 (AstroPlan 1.13.3)
   
• Post that is designed to block from light from nearby security light  has shifted and its affecting quality of All-Sky Images at times when light is one (just after dusk / just before dawn)
  Fixed 2019-11-18 (Observatory) 
   
• Orange fill on OTA Temp & Dew Point graph is missing when DPD is <-2. Fixed in Jan/Feb 2020, further change made in May 2020 when OTA Temp difference uses outside dewpoint when observatory is open, but uses Obs.Ev Dew Point when the observatory is closed.
  Fixed (AstroWeather 1.8.x & 1.8.7) 
   
• Foc2 Focus Profiles are aborting themselves when routines takes succesive null FHWM valus as indicating that Star has been lost. Profile should continue and not abort, as other data is useable
  Fixed 2019-11-18 (AstroMain 3.17.8) 
   
• Automated Foc2 Focus Profiles should automatically use Focuser step size of 10.  Initial focus profile failed because routine was using the default value of 50 which is too wide (especially when Profile aborts itself so easier when it thinks that 'star' is lost)
  Fixed 2019-11-18 (AstroMain 3.17.8) 
   
• Focus data returned from SharpCap for making Foc2 Focus Profiles has 20.0 FWHM (vcNull) too often .  Example from the session was xxx where the Profile chart had FWHM was vcNull on the second step, even though stars had increased from 2 on first step to 11 stars on second step.   Initially fixed by ignoring 20.0 results. Later resolved by employing new V3 Focusing Method which uses CCDSoft to measure star FWHM from AstroShCap's Focus Frames taken using SharpCap.
  Resolved 2020-05-12 (SharpCap / AstroShCap / AstroMain 3.22) 
   
• Focus Profile Charts for Foc2 ShCap/FWHM show Peak HFD 100.00 and Zen HFD 93.76 when they should be showing Peak FWHM and Zen FWHM
  Fixed 2019-11-18 (AstroMain 3.17.8) 
   
• TS80/Foc2 Focus Profile for GCVS GK Per used 8028 as best focus (from one of the alt focus choices) even though it is clearly inferior to the quadratic fit.  Replayed Focus Profile 14 against AstroMain 3.36 (2021-02-09) and confirmed that original issue has been successfully resolved by the various earlier fixes and improvements made in 2020.
  Fixed 2021-02-09 (AstroMain) 
   
• TS80/Foc2 Focus Profile 22 for AM Her produced a Peak FWHM that was noticeably higher the data that the quadratic fit was based on. Replayed Focus Profile 22 against AstroMain 3.36 (2021-02-09)  confirmed the original observation. Although unexpected it seems that this is what the quadratic fit produces if data has a particularly distribution. Changing the FWHM value of eiher end, produces a most realistic dataset and this doesn't show the issue.  This issue hasn't been a general problem and the fact that is hadn't cropped up as a reported issue in the following 14 months suggests the issue can be deemed as closed.
  Closed 2021-02-09 (AstroMain/Session) 
   
• Target Info Chart for xxxx shows Session is suspended due to "non-defined reason(0)" when it should show 'cloud'
  >> To be fixed (AstroMain) 

Continuous Improvement

• Add Ambient Temperature to tabulation of latest data on CCD Temperature Chart
  Done 2019-11-18 (AstroMain 3.17.8)  
   
• There is no need to show Comment row if value is "-" . 
  Done 2019-11-18 (AstroMain 3.17.8) 
   
• Add Dew Heater % to OTA temperature graph.  New graph type added in April 2020
  Done 2019-04-xx (AstroWeather) 
   
• Make number of improvements/small corrections to Weather/Environment Graphs
  Done 2019-04-xx  (AstroWeather 1.8.xx) 
   
• When UPB Env Humidity is 98%, the Dew Heaters need to be run at minimum of 50%
  Done 2019-02-xx (AstroMain) 
   
• Consider dropping HFD points from automated Focus Profiles using the Main Scope. The purpose would be to achieve a saving in the time taken to make profile and increase efficiency (update : it has been decided to retain the HFD calculation and display of HFD points (but with reduced symbol size) )
  Closed 2020-05-11 (AstroMain)
    
• Remove/Disable 'Insert Re-Focus' option from Manager Tab as it is no longer relevant/used
  Done 2019-11-18 (AstroMain 3.17.8) 
   
• Reorder the options on Manager Tab into a better logical order
  Done 2019-11-18 (AstroMain 3.17.8) 
   
• Possibility of using Traffic Light flags on ObsViewer / ObsPic to show the activation status of PHD2 and SharpCap. Consider switching from Green to Yellow (and vice versa) as activation changes.
    Resolved (2019-Dec)  (AstroMain v.)   
   
• Review ObsViewer / Observatory Tab use of Dew Heaters / Auto
  Done 2020-01-03 (AstroMain) 
   
• Plot PHD2 style guiding charts for each target that is guided
  Done 2019-11-29  (AstroMain 3.17.7) 
   
• Run PHD2 Guiding Assistent at a range of sky positions.  Try to emmulate/repeat the positions where Oscillating Dec behaviour was noticed.
  Closed following review (not required)
     
• Create a section on Current Session web page for 'Focus Profiles from Secondary Scope'  . CopyFocusProfileToLiveFolder() extended to save Focus Images from Secondary/GuideScope to  Session.Foc2Profile1.gif in Live Folder for upload to website
  Done 2019-11-19 (AstroMain 3.17.9,  AstroPlan 1.13.4, Website) 
   
• Create special CcdTempChart.SaveFile  routine that will close off the CcdTemp Chart at end of session, taking out the latest data table on right hand side.    CcdTempChart.SaveFinalChartToFile() routine created which called from HouseKeeping state.
  Done 2019-11-19 (AstroMain 3.17.9) 
   
• Reduce number of stars threshold for suspending session (softsuspend) when moon in bright, as fewer stars are detectable when sky is bright / partially masked by  moon.  This has been done by adding a 'star trim' field to Manager tab that 'adds' in the specified 'missing' stars when testing against ' TooFewStars' thresholds.
  Done 2019-11-19 (AstroMain 3.17.9) 
   
• Perform an initial (Foc2) focusing of secondary scope using the same star field that is used for initial focusing of main scope
  Done 2019-11-19 (AstroMain 3.17.9) 

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Cable Conduit Fixing for Dome Controller Leads

The original cable conduit for power and USB leads going up to the dome controller, which relied on its sticky tape backing, detached from the observatory wall almost straight after fitting back in May 2017.  Attempts since them to seal the cable house to the wall haven't worked for more than a few days at a time.  Finally a firmer way of attaching the cable housing in place was developed using a pieces of suitable sized wood, held in place by one of the existing bolts that attach the AllSky/Weather Bay to the Observatory.   The cable conduit is now finally held in place in a way that won't come loose..

Pictures showing the new firm attachment for the cable conduit going to dome controller

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Repair to Observatory Base Sealent

Following entry of water into observatory during a deluge on 2019-10-18 and a failed first (emergency) attempt at fixing the sealent around the base of the observatory, a second attempt to repair the seal was made a month later on 2019-11-17 / 2019-11-18. It was not easy to find a time to do this in November in November (5 degC 90%+ humidity) when there is a lot of rain and everything remains damp for days on end.   However eventually there there was a brief weather window. After stripping out the old sealant , some 24 hours was spent drying out the concrete pad/under wall area.  After using tissues to absorb the last bits of water from under the wall and a hair dryer to remove the remaining moisture a fresh bead of sealent was finally applied.  This time (hopefully) the repair has done the job. At the least first indications (2019-11-20) are that the leak path has been fixed.

Second Repair Effort  (2019-11-18)
Observatory Floor (2019-11-20) No indication of any residual water seep along walls

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