David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 848 (2021-01-11)

Notes (S847)

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Notes (S848)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (6),  Continuous Improvement (12)
	Images from 2021-01-11 >>
	Aurora Images/Video from 2021-01-11 >>
	Investigation - Autoguiding Issues (Uncorrected Dec drift during Guide Run 4)
	Analysis: Protection from approaching showers

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-01-11)

Main aims

1. Software. Check out new versions of AstroPlan and AstroMain which have received notable changes since last session
2. Targets. Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets and deep sky targets as allowed by conditions.

Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, PHD2,  DeviceHub 6.5.1.0,  UPB 1.5, ASCOM 6.5 SP1
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.9Dev3
   
• AstroMain 3.34  AstroGuard 1.4.6,   AstroPlan 1.19  AstroShCap 1.3.6, AstroVOE 1.5.2, AstroSN 1.3,  AstroProtect 1.4.1
  (AstroWeather 1.10.14, AstroAllSky 3.6)

Highlights

• Targets.  x Targets successfully acquired in first part of night.
• Software. New versions of AstroMain, AstroSN and AstroPlan worked well with no material new bugs or issues.
• AutoStart. Autostart successfully picked a hardware connection issue (ASCOM Telescope) before fully committing to new session.
• Shower Protection. AllSky/Weather monitoring, Obs.Manager and Shutter operation all worked well to give to protect observatory from fast moving, short showers during the course of the night, whilst enabling target acquisition during intervening clear intervals.

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan

Observing Result

Dome & Scope Slewing Performance

Slew/Centering Performance

Guiding Performance Black Points correspond to Guide Runs 26 to 36 , where guding failed due to a closed observatory dome issue. Apart from that the Guiding was relatively good.

Sky Conditions (Locate Frames) Data for second part of night is erronous as Observatory shutter was unknowingly closed

Chart unavailable for this session

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) Pre-Session Weather forecast showed initial snow showers followed by slight clearing (85-91% cloud cover), followed by overcast skies,  with possible sleet/snow showers moving to later to rain showers as temperatures rose from -2 degC at dusk to 4 degC at dawn Wind calm/light in first part of night, but strengthening later reached 17-19 mph by dawn. In the event skies were very clear from dusk to 22:30 before clouding over for the remainder of the night with prolonged rain shower at rain shower at 02:30-03:15. Minumum Temperature of -4 degC at 22:00 before warming later in night under cloud. Winds relatively light in first half of night, but strengthening towards dawn.

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 19:53:20   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -30°C) 19:53:22 Session Created Live Session Created (2021-01-11 S00848, ImageSaveNum: 848001) 19:53:24   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 19:54:36   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:54:37 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode 20:05:59   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 20:06:09 Program Closed Program closed by User 20:06:11 Program Closed Program closed by User 20:20:50 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2021-01-11 S00848, ImageSaveNum: 848001) 20:21:30   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 20:21:32   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 20:21:35   Services Started Observatory Services started 20:22:40   Services Started Observatory Services started 20:23:37   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 20:23:53   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -25°C) 20:24:17   Services Started Observatory Services started 20:24:30 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 20:24:32 Session Pending Session pending (2021-01-11) 20:24:34 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-01-11) 20:24:36   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.19) 20:25:05   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2021-01-11 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 583) 20:25:09   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -25°C) 20:25:13   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 20:25:25 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 20:26:10   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 20:26:12 Session Running Session running 20:26:14   Queue Started Observing Queue started (34 targets selected) 20:27:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:30:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 20:31:55       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 20:31:58       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 20:34:13       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 20:36:04       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 20:36:20       Focusing Checked Foc2 Focusing Check Succeeded 20:36:26     Target Started (1/34) Target started (1/34, Nova Per 2020 w/AT2020abap) 20:47:52     Target Completed Target partially completed (1/34, Nova Per 2020 w/AT2020abap) 20:47:54     Target Started (2/34) Target started (2/34, C/2020 M3 (Atlas)) 20:50:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:52:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 20:57:29     Target Completed Target completed (2/34, C/2020 M3 (Atlas)) 20:57:31     Target Started (3/34) Target started (3/34, GSC 1224:29) 21:00:13       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 21:06:53     Target Completed Target completed (3/34, GSC 1224:29) 21:06:55     Target Started (4/34) Target started (4/34, UGC 784 w/SN2021pc) 21:10:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:12:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 21:28:16   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -25°C) 21:28:21     Target Completed Target completed (4/34, UGC 784 w/SN2021pc) 21:28:23     Target Started (5/34) Target started (5/34, UGC 1436 w/SN2021nv) 21:31:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:33:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 21:49:05     Target Completed Target completed (5/34, UGC 1436 w/SN2021nv) 21:49:45     Target Started (6/34) Target started (6/34, UGC 2528 w/AT2020adnx) 21:52:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:54:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 22:09:51     Target Completed Target completed (6/34, UGC 2528 w/AT2020adnx) 22:09:53     Target Started (7/35) Target started (7/35, NGC 1555, ToO) 22:11:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:13:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 22:22:26     Target Completed Target completed (7/35, NGC 1555, ToO) 22:22:28     Target Started (8/35) Target started (8/35, GCVS CM Tau) 22:35:38     Target Completed Target partially completed (8/35, GCVS CM Tau) 22:35:40     Target Started (9/35) Target started (9/35, UGCA 114) 22:38:19       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 22:53:04 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 22:53:06   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 22:53:08     Target Aborted (9/35) Target aborted (9/35, UGCA 114) due to cloud 22:53:10   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 22:53:12 Session Suspended Session suspended 22:53:59   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 49s) 22:58:59     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (10/36, NGC 4414 w/SN2021J, ToO) due to cloud 23:03:57     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (11/36, GCVS U Mon) due to cloud 23:24:06 Session Resuming Session resuming 23:24:08     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (12/36, Scholz's Star) due to wind 23:24:52   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 23:24:54 Session Running Session running 23:24:56   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 23:26:09     Target Started (13/36) Target started (13/36, UGCA 164) 23:28:17       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:29:02   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 23:29:07   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 23:34:37   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 23:34:47   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 23:39:18   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 23:42:58   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 23:45:38     Target Completed Target completed (13/36, UGCA 164) 23:48:30     Target Started (14/36) Target started (14/36, GCVS RZ LMi) 23:52:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:53:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 23:59:04     Target Completed Target completed (14/36, GCVS RZ LMi) 00:00:18     Target Started (15/36) Target started (15/36, M85) 00:04:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:06:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 00:13:31   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 00:14:21   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 00:15:11     Target Completed Target completed (15/36, M85) 00:15:20     Target Started (16/36) Target started (16/36, GCVS RR Tau) 00:18:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:20:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 00:26:18     Target Completed Target completed (16/36, GCVS RR Tau) 00:26:20     Target Started (17/36) Target started (17/36, UGC 3879) 00:28:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:30:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 00:46:11     Target Completed Target completed (17/36, UGC 3879) 00:48:46     Target Started (18/36) Target started (18/36, GCVS ER UMa) 00:51:07       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 00:52:49 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 00:52:52   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 00:52:54     Target Aborted (18/36) Target aborted (18/36, GCVS ER UMa) due to cloud 00:52:56   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:52:58   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 00:53:00 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:53:40   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 45s) 00:58:04     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/36, GCVS ER UMa) due to cloud 00:58:55 Session Resuming Session resuming 00:59:40   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 00:59:42 Session Running Session running 00:59:44   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 00:59:46     Target Started (19/36) Target started (19/36, UGCA 184) 01:01:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:03:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 01:04:31   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 01:17:02 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 01:17:04   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 01:17:06     Target Aborted (19/36) Target aborted (19/36, UGCA 184) due to cloud 01:17:08   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:17:10 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:17:57   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 01:18:26     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (19/36, UGCA 184) due to wind 01:40:48     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (20/36, NGC 2377) due to wind 01:45:39 Session Resuming Session resuming 01:46:24   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 01:46:26 Session Running Session running 01:46:28     Target Started (21/36) Target started (21/36, GCVS SY Cnc) 01:46:30   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 01:48:32       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:53:22     Target Completed Target completed (21/36, GCVS SY Cnc) 01:53:24     Target Started (22/36) Target started (22/36, NGC 2782 w/SN2020scc) 01:55:10       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 02:12:56     Target Completed Target completed (22/36, NGC 2782 w/SN2020scc) 02:15:50     Target Started (23/36) Target started (23/36, UGCA 201) 02:17:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:19:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 02:35:52     Target Completed Target completed (23/36, UGCA 201) 02:38:11     Target Started (24/36) Target started (24/36, NGC 3277) 02:40:04   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 02:40:07       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:41:10 Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 02:41:12   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain) 02:41:14     Target Aborted (24/36) Target aborted (24/36, NGC 3277) due to threat of rain 02:41:16   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:41:18 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:42:05   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 49s) 02:57:33     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/36, NGC 3277) due to wind 02:57:51 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:58:36   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 02:58:38 Session Running Session running 02:58:40   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:00:33     Target Started (25/36) Target started (25/36, NGC 3321) 03:03:42       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:19:43     Target Completed Target completed (25/36, NGC 3321) 03:22:55     Target Started (26/36) Target started (26/36, UGCA 217) 03:25:37       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:32:44   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 03:33:29 Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 03:33:31   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain) 03:33:34     Target Aborted (26/36) Target aborted (26/36, UGCA 217) due to threat of rain 03:33:37   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:33:40 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:34:29   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 03:42:17     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (26/36, UGCA 217) due to rain 03:43:40   Camera1 SetPoint -20°C SBIG Camera Set Point Temperature Updated (new set point -20°C) 04:04:39     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (27/36, NGC 4454 w/SN2020abgq) due to other condition 04:27:01     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (28/36, IC 3558) due to cloud 04:32:35 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:33:20   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 04:33:22 Session Running Session running 04:33:24     Target Started (29/36) Target started (29/36, UGC 7321) 04:33:26   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:35:05       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 04:37:30   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 04:38:15   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 04:51:26   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 04:52:32   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 04:53:18     Target Completed Target completed (29/36, UGC 7321) 04:53:21     Target Started (30/36) Target started (30/36, NGC 4290) 04:59:56       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 05:17:20     Target Completed Target completed (30/36, NGC 4290) 05:17:22     Target Started (31/36) Target started (31/36, NGC 4414 w/SN2021J) 05:19:28       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 05:37:20     Target Completed Target completed (31/36, NGC 4414 w/SN2021J) 05:37:22     Target Started (32/36) Target started (32/36, UGCA 314) 05:40:16       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-S) 05:58:07     Target Completed Target completed (32/36, UGCA 314) 05:59:29     Target Started (33/36) Target started (33/36, NGC 5331 w/AT2020abir) 06:01:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:03:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 06:11:54   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 06:11:56 Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 06:11:58   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 06:11:59     Target Aborted (33/36) Target aborted (33/36, NGC 5331 w/AT2020abir) due to cloud 06:12:01   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 06:12:04 Session Suspended Session suspended 06:12:54   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 06:18:21     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (33/36, NGC 5331 w/AT2020abir) due to cloud 06:25:20 Session Resuming Session resuming 06:26:05   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 06:26:07 Session Running Session running 06:26:09   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 06:26:11     Target Started (34/36) Target started (34/36, GCVS R CrB) 06:27:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:29:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 06:32:27     Target Completed Target completed (34/36, GCVS R CrB) 06:32:29     Target Started (35/36) Target started (35/36, GCVS U Her) 06:32:36   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 06:35:11   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 06:36:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:38:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 06:41:26   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 06:41:51   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 06:44:32   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 06:45:17   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 06:45:41     Target Completed Target completed (35/36, GCVS U Her) 06:45:43     Target Started (36/36) Target started (36/36, UGC 6930 w/SN2020rcq) 06:48:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:50:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 07:02:00     Target Completed Target completed (36/36, UGC 6930 w/SN2020rcq) 07:02:03   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 07:02:05 Session Closing Session closing 07:02:58   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 07:04:26   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 81s), Az: 90.0 deg 07:05:10   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 38s) 07:05:40   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 07:06:30   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 07:06:32 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 07:06:44 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail 19:54:37 Telescope Alert ASCOM Telescope not connnected 21:50:57 Dome Dome position has been static for more than 5 mins 01:00:38 Dome Discrepency Difference between Telescope Az and Dome Az is > 8 deg (UGCA 184) 04:55:04 Dome Discrepency Difference between Telescope Az and Dome Az is > 8 deg (NGC 4290)

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Operational Issues (2021-01-11 S848)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (6)
• Continuous Improvement (12)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Initial issue connecting to ASCOM Telescope, picked up by AutoStart.   Red Alert raised  "ASCOM Telescope not connected".  Issue might be related to switching off the UPB during earlier testing of a new Temp/Humidity sensor for the Pegasus Powerbox or COM issue.  Resolved in this case by restarting the Observatory Computer and then restarting observatory software.  
  Resolved 2021-01-11 (Session)
   
• After restarting Observatory Computer, Kaspersky Firewall unexpectedly raised flags saying that SharpCap and AstroMain needed Network Access and asking for permission. Initial issue connecting to ASCOM Telescope, picked up by AutoStart.  Resolved by permitting programs to access Network.  
  Resolved 2021-01-11 (Observatory Computer)
   
• After restarting Observatory Computer, Windows required credentials to be rentered for accessing latest AllSky image on AllSky/Weather Computer.   Resolved by entering credentials.  Password for main user account on Observatory Computer reset to be the same as that on the AllSky/Weather computer.
  Resolved 2021-01-11 (Observatory Computer)
   
• Observing Result plot is still showing older format Display Names for Transient objects,   e.g Nova Per 2020 w/AT should be Nova Per 2020 (CV).   Issue fixed but older format might still be produced for older Sessions, unless the Session Observations are retrieved and re-saved.
  Fixed 2021-01-25 (AstroPlan 1.20.2, AstroMain 3.35.2) 
   
• Indication that Observatory Computer Restarts are failing. Computer was thought to have been restarted remotely but a visit had to be made to the observatory to turn on the computer's power button. At the time it was thought that the computer must have been accidently shutdown rather restarted.    However a similar issue happened when attempting to restart the computer on 2021-01-15.     A computer restart during session attempt on 2021-01-30 (with AstroProtect disabled) was successful. AstroProtect checked on Development Machine and Observatory Computer, and appears ok and functions ok.   Updated made to AstroProtect to also write log output to console in order to show progress.
  Checked Ok  2021-01-31(Observatory Computer, AstroProtect 1.4.2)
   
• Guide Run 4 shows particular anomalous 6 arc sec Dec Drift in Frame 5 .  See Investigation - Autoguiding Issues (Uncorrected Dec drift during Guide Run 4)    Effect of cable dragging & weight distribution on guiding needs to be viewed in person in the observatory during a live session. Alternatively a daytime  telescope slews, telescope tracking to series of prior night sky positions needs to be run and considered in light of guide run results from each sky position.  Guiding problems further reviewed 2021-01-21 (see Investigation -  Guiding Issues (West of Meridian).  Closed after review 2022-02-12, although this issue is form of Dec guding anomaly can still occur it has been mitigated as far as possiible at this time with the limitations of the LX200 fork mount design.
  Closed after review 2022-02-12 (AstroMain/Session)

Continuous Improvement

• Fix log file format issue for the record "Obs. Overseer    Check.Return for StatGuiderInfo   Alert .... "  (20:39:36).   "Check.Return for StatGuideInfo" is too wide for format.
  Done 2020-01-12 (AstroMain 3.34.1)
   
• Add "Build Title (TNS)"  button/routine to buid WebSite image title text for Transient Objects.  e.g.
  "KUG 0830+278 with SN 2020adow - 2021-01-09 (T+13.7)
  Image below (2021-01-09.068) was taken 13.7 days after discovery of SN 2020adow"
  Done 2020-01-12 (AstroMain 3.34.1)
   
• Create new functions to calculate formatted number for days since Transient discovery (eg. 12.735) and formatted version (e.g  "T+12.7d").  Two New functions added: DaysSinceDiscovery() and StrDaysSinceDiscovery(), both taking DiscoveryDate (in "yyyy-MM-dd.xxx" format) and Date (in DateTime format, eg Now() ) as parameters.
  Done 2020-01-12 (AstroMain 3.34.1, AstroPlan 1.19.1)
   
• Extend Transient details written to TargetInfo Chart and Report File to also show discovery date and days since discovery.
  Done 2020-01-12 (AstroMain 3.34.1)
   
• Cutoff for Obs.Overseer warning for slow UI should be raised to 500 ms (0.5s). Log file from S848 reporting slow UI for 218ms and 281ms (these are few but necessary). 
  Done 2020-01-12 (AstroMain 3.34.1)
   
• Modify AstroPlan's Target List filtering to ignore case when using Constellation Filter (CON). 
  Done 2020-01-12 (AstroPlan 1.19.1)
   
• Increase length of Latest Report Log uploaded to website whilst executing a Live Session..   Number of bytes (x) increased from 20000 to 30000 in WriteLatestLiveLogs() routine.
  Done 2020-01-12 (AstroMain 3.34.1) 
   
• Fix text overflow of 'Comets by Year' and 'Highlighlights by Year' field in the side panel of Index.htm page on website (when viewed via Safari) . 
  Done 2020-01-12  (Website)
   
• Adjust position of Star Annotation on AllSky Images.   Star labels to be moved 1 px left, 2 px up.
  Done 2020-01-12 (AstroAllSky 3.6.2) 
   
• Query: CCD Cooling started at -30°C, but after restart immediately changed to -25°C. Why was -30°C used initially ?
  Camera was connected at 19:53 with a Temperature setpoint  of -30°C.  At the time outside temperature and OTA temperature were both 0.9°C.  UPB Env Temperture is used and this was 0.6°C (similar to outside temperature and OTA temperature which were both 0.9°C).  This should have led to a Temperature setpoint of -25°C (GetProposedCcdTempSetPoint() routine returns -25°C for the ambient range of  -4 to +1.5°C).     But if UPB Env Temperature was vcNull when starting, the temperature setpoint will not have been updated and camera would have been started with previous value held by CCDSoft5. When the previous session (2021-01-08 S847) finished a CCD Temperature SetPoint of -30°C was in use.   At 20:23 Camera Connection was again made and this time a Setpoint of -25°C was used based on UPB Env Temperature of 0.7°C.  So this probably explains why the S848 session started with a setpoint of -30°C, but why did UPB Env Temperature have the value vcNull ?   It is assumed that this was a startup default which hadn't been overwritten by first valid value.   Code changed so that OutdoorTemperature can be used a a backup temperature value if UPB Env Temperature is vcNull.
  Closed (AstroMain 3.34.2/Session)
   
• Query: Can Autostart be used twice in same session ? .  Autostart creates session, but halts due to a hardware/connection check before running a plan, can AutoStart be initiated again after resolving the hardware/connection issue.  This would save user from hanging around to perform startup tasks, when they can be performed equally well (or better) by the AutoStart routine.  Code review suggests it should be possible to re-run AutoStart, through some events/logs from autostart attempt might be lost (hard to tell without performing live testing)
  Closed (AstroMain/Session)
   
• Produce dedicated version of Graph Monitor especially for use by Focus Profiles.  Current form is too generic, and number of buttons could be simplified.  Also update form title to reflect the id/type/focus field of the Profile. Placed 'on hold' (2022-02-12).
  To do (AstroMain)

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Investigation - Autoguiding Issues (Uncorrected Dec drift during Guide Run 4)

Issue.  Guide Run 4 showed particular anomalous 6 arc sec Dec Drift in Frame 5 .  

Description.  After acquiring  4 x 180s with more or less acceptable guiding, the guide star drifted 6" away from Lock Position either though Dec Guide corrections where being made.  Target observation lay west of Meridian (Az 232°/Alt 19.5°) where autoguiding issues seem to be more common/worse.

Guiding Results for Guide Run 4 Declination drift ( to north) corrected over some intervals, but during Frame 5 Dec guide corrections have no effect (Dec) ,  some residual periodic error & random mechanical movement  (RA),  plus normal seeing variations ( RA & Dec)

Impact on Imaging.  The small picture inserts on the guiding chart above show expected (simulated) star shapes based on the guide error seen.
Looking at the simulated star shape for Frame 5 It would be expected that Frame 5 would have been deemed unusable and would have been thrown away to make a 4 x 180s stack of the first 4 frames only.  In fact the effect on Frame 5 was minimal and the frame was included in the original 5 x 180s final stack (with alignment of frames). See image below.

UGC 784 with SN 2021pc - 2021-01-11 (T+4.7d) UGC 784 / PGC 4443 (catalog mag + 16.0) Other galaxies in same FOV: PGC 1110475 (catalog mag + 16.8)

Annotated CCD Image  (50% size, square root scale) 5 x 180s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, C Filter 2021-01-11 21:21 UT (#848043-47) 12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2

Re-examining the individual image frames shows that there is a minimal visual difference between frames. The original inclusion of frame 5 in stacking was surprisingly justified. Measured Av. Star Elongation in frames 1 to 5 is 1.15, 1.11, 1.13, 1.12 & 1.16. Frame 5 (1.16) is marginally worse that the other frames and visually its star elongation is perceived to be very slightly higher, but the impact on star elongation is no where as bad as would be suggested by the guiding results and the simulated star shape.

Frame 2 and 5 Compared Frame 5 had very slightly more elongation than Frames 2 but it is significantly less than is suggested by the frame's guiding result and the simulated star shape (see guiding chart above)

180s exposures, 150% size, cropped areas from  Frame2 #848044 (left),  Frame 5 #848047 (right)

The full frame Y pixel position of the centroid associated with star at the centre of above image has the following value in Frames 1 to 5  :
275.6, 275.2, 276.2, 276.4, 274.2 .  The largest Y position difference is between Frame 4 and Frame 5 where the 2.2 px difference corresponds to a distance of 3.1".    Comparing the Stacked Composite of Frames 4 and 5 with and without alignment of the frames shows the impact of this difference on overal star shape.
 

Frames 4 and 5 Stacked With Alignment (Left), Without Alignment (Right) Whilst alignment (left) has nullified the effect of guiding anomaly in Frame 5,  the difference in Y Position of the two frames (central star 276.4 (left) and 274.2 (right) shows that guiding anomaly seen in guidescope camera has affected the main scope.

2 x 180s exposures, 150% size, cropped areas from  Frames 4 &5,  #848046-47

Discussion.

Action: The effect of cable dragging & weight distribution on guiding needs to be viewed in person in the observatory during a live session. Alternatively a daytime  telescope slews, telescope tracking to series of prior night sky positions needs to be run and considered in light of guide run results from each sky position. 

Guiding problems were reviewed 2021-01-21 (see Investigation -  Guiding Issues (West of Meridian)

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Analysis: Protection from approaching showers

Although night of 2020-01-11 was mostly relatively clear three fast moving light showers came through between 01:30 and 4:00. These are shown on the Night Sky Summary Plot below.

Although the Observatory System & Shutter worked perfectly to protect the observatory, an analysis was made to understand exactly how much notice there was for each shower and how quickly the Observatory System & Shutter responded.  What was the margin for error and how does this impact on the level of risk to the Observatory

Night Sky Summary Plot , S848 Top axis: Sky Brightness at Zenith (in ADU/s) Lefthand axis: Local Time (hh LT). Righthand axis: Sun Altitude (degs)

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