David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 851 (2021-01-17)

Notes (S850)

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Notes (S852)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (4),  Continuous Improvement (2)
	Images from 2021-01-17 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-01-17)

Main aims

1. Targets. Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets and deep sky targets as allowed by conditions.
2. Software. Test features recently added to AstroMain 3.34.2

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 3.34.3  AstroGuard 1.4.6,   AstroPlan 1.19.2  AstroShCap 1.3.6, AstroVOE 1.5.2, AstroSN 1.3,  AstroProtect 1.4.1
  (AstroWeather 1.10.14, AstroAllSky 3.6.2)

Highlights

• Autostart.  Autostart worked perfectly , automated opening of the observatory and start of session at 01:06 when skies were detected to have cleared.  Apart from initiating AutoStart at 23:56 the whole session ran in an entirely automated unattended mode.
• Targets.  x Targets successfully acquired
• Centering.  Targets centering was very good
• Autoguiding.  Autoguiding performance was good

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan

Observing Result

Dome & Scope Slewing Performance

Slew/Centering Performance

Guiding Performance

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 overcast conditions (cloud cover 100%) with possibility of light rain showers in first part of night, giving way to clear stars from 02:00 onwards (cloud cover 25-39%) with very low probability of light showers. Temperatures 5°C falling to 3°C by dawn.. Moderate Wind (13-16 mph) Observatory was set in AutoStart mode, so that session would begin would automatically commence when sky conditions became suitable for observing.   In the event skies were overcast until 01:00 (with rain at 00:45) and then remained clear until dawn except for a passing cloud with spots of rain at 02:55 Temperature of 4°C at 01:00 fell to 1°C by dawn. Winds light to moderate.

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 23:56:01 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity starting between 23:55 & 06:27 23:56:03   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to threat of rain 01:06:55 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (01:06) 01:07:25 Session Created Live Session Created (2021-01-17 S00851, ImageSaveNum: 851001) 01:07:27   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 01:09:24   Services Started Observatory Services started 01:09:32 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 01:09:35 Session Pending Session pending (2021-01-17) 01:09:37 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-01-17) 01:09:39   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.19.2) 01:09:55   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2021-01-17 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 586) 01:10:07   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C) 01:10:13   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 01:10:24 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 01:12:20   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 01:12:35 Session Running Session running 01:12:36   Queue Started Observing Queue started (18 targets selected) 01:13:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:16:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 01:18:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 01:18:32       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 01:20:45       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 01:22:30       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 01:22:45       Focusing Checked Foc2 Focusing Check Succeeded 01:24:35     Target Started (1/18) Target started (1/18, GCVS GK Per) 01:27:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:29:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 01:32:22     Target Completed Target completed (1/18, GCVS GK Per) 01:33:16     Target Started (2/18) Target started (2/18, Nova Per 2020 w/AT2020abap) 01:36:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:38:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 01:46:51     Target Completed Target completed (2/18, Nova Per 2020 w/AT2020abap) 01:48:08     Target Started (3/18) Target started (3/18, GCVS ER UMa) 01:52:22       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:57:48     Target Completed Target completed (3/18, GCVS ER UMa) 01:58:26     Target Started (4/18) Target started (4/18, UGC 5760 w/SN2020zoq) 02:01:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:04:59       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 02:20:55     Target Completed Target completed (4/18, UGC 5760 w/SN2020zoq) 02:20:57     Target Started (5/18) Target started (5/18, UGC 6791) 02:24:06       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 02:41:34     Target Completed Target completed (5/18, UGC 6791) 02:43:10     Target Started (6/18) Target started (6/18, NGC 4145) 02:45:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:47:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 02:54:30 Critical Rain Alert Critical Rain Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 02:54:32   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (rain) 02:54:33     Target Aborted (6/18) Target aborted (6/18, NGC 4145) due to rain 02:54:35   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:54:37 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:55:25   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 03:02:32     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (6/18, NGC 4145) due to other condition 03:04:01 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:04:46   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 03:04:48 Session Running Session running 03:04:50   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:05:32     Target Started (7/18) Target started (7/18, IC 3195) 03:08:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:10:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 03:26:17     Target Completed Target completed (7/18, IC 3195) 03:27:54     Target Started (8/18) Target started (8/18, NGC 4414 w/SN2021J) 03:30:18       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:48:06     Target Completed Target completed (8/18, NGC 4414 w/SN2021J) 03:50:16     Target Started (9/18) Target started (9/18, IC 3389) 03:53:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:55:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 04:11:15     Target Completed Target completed (9/18, IC 3389) 04:12:38     Target Started (10/18) Target started (10/18, NGC 4699) 04:16:22       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 04:34:10     Target Completed Target completed (10/18, NGC 4699) 04:35:01     Target Started (11/18) Target started (11/18, NGC 4454 w/SN2020abgq) 04:38:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:40:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 04:56:18     Target Completed Target completed (11/18, NGC 4454 w/SN2020abgq) 04:57:22     Target Started (12/18) Target started (12/18, NGC 4731) 05:00:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:02:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 05:18:48     Target Completed Target completed (12/18, NGC 4731) 05:19:44     Target Started (13/18) Target started (13/18, NGC 4856) 05:22:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:24:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 05:39:52     Target Completed Target completed (13/18, NGC 4856) 05:44:52     Target Started (14/18) Target started (14/18, NGC 4958) 05:48:34       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 06:05:57     Target Completed Target completed (14/18, NGC 4958) 06:05:59     Target Started (15/18) Target started (15/18, NGC 5331 w/SN2020abir) 06:08:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:10:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 06:26:59     Target Completed Target completed (15/18, NGC 5331 w/SN2020abir) 06:27:02     Target Started (16/18) Target started (16/18, GCVS U Her) 06:28:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:30:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 06:38:03     Target Completed Target completed (16/18, GCVS U Her) 06:38:16     Target Started (17/18) Target started (17/18, GCVS SS Her) 06:41:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:43:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 06:46:29     Target Completed Target completed (17/18, GCVS SS Her) 06:47:12     Target Started (18/18) Target started (18/18, HIP 87937) 06:49:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:51:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 06:54:27     Target Completed Target completed (18/18, HIP 87937) 06:54:30   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:54:32 Session Closing Session closing 06:55:27   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 06:55:52   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 18s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:56:32   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 33s) 06:57:02   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:57:55   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:57:57 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:58:15 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail -- No Alerts                --

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Operational Issues (2021-01-17 S851)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (4)
• Continuous Improvement (2)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• The newly added 'guide star' labels are plotting at incorrect X position and are too bold. Guide Star lables where added to realtime Guide Reference and Guide Frame jpg pictures in recent AstroMain version 3.34.3.  Code was new/untested and needs to be tweaked.
  Part Fixed 2021-01-18 (AstroMain 3.34.4) 
   
• JPG Pictures numbers are jumping by 2 image frames at a time (2021-01-18 Test).  Main Images (Single Object) are jumping from Final Locate Frame 851003, to 851005 to 851007.   In test mode the Code 2 images substituted for first frame (851004 & 851005) because Trial Linking of first frame is being used,   second frame substituted 851006, third frame substituted 851007.    Question is why was 851006 picture not created.  Problem seems to be caused by FITs image file still being open in CCDSoft when ImageMagicK runs. Code added that closes image file (Image.Close() ) if UseTestMode=True.
  Fixed 2021-01-18 (AstroMain 3.34.4) 
   
• AstroPlan's Programs To Use form isn't listing M31 Transients or M33 Transients (Prog ID 45  & 46).  CV Transients (Prog ID 47) and Novae (Prog ID 48) are shown ok. Code reveals that Only Programs with Active (non-completed) targets are listed.  Neither M31 Transients or M33 Transients had active targets at the moments (they each have 1 completed target). Fixed by modifying read/count database code in ProgramsUse.DisplayPrograms() routine.
  Fixed 2021-01-18 (AstroPlan 1.19.3) 
   
• Legend on CCD Temperature Chart is collapsed, legend lines and labels are overposted. This is a bug that follows from code changes in AstroMain 3.34.4.
  Fixed 2021-01-19 (AstroMain 3.34.5) 

Continuous Improvement

• Circle GCVS stars on realtime JPG pictures, adding cross when offset is used.   Requires adding and using need LocateInfo fields (ObjectX, ObjectY, bOffsetObject and changes in ConvertsFitsToJpg () routine). RetrieveTarget code modified so that Circle  (0.5 arc min radius) is set ErrorPositionRadius isn't already set and if Target Name contains GCVS or Target belongs to a project which normally has stellar or other small target. (eg Nearby Stars, Main Variables, HyperVelocity Stars, Novae, M31 Transients or Distant Galaxies). MIght have a problem with stars having large proper motion (need to monitor)
  Done 2021-01-18 (AstroMain 3.34.4)
   
• Create replacement Rain Forecast/Weather Forecast routines using alternate API.  For the last 2 years DarkSky.net has been used to get rain radar forecast (minutely data for 60 mins) and weather forecast information (hourly data for 48 hours) in support of observatory operations and protection. DarkSky.net mas been taking over by Apple and the API resource will at some point be no longer available. There are other API sources online. A replacement needs to be found and routines for importing and processing API responses need to be built.  Work on this item finally began on 2021-10-24 (see details). Replacement open using OpenWeatherMap implemented in AstroWeather 1.14 (2021-10-28).
  Done 2021-10-28 (AstroWeather 1.14)

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