David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 855 (2021-01-25)

Notes (S854)

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Notes (S856)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (15),  Continuous Improvement (12)
	Images from 2021-01-25 >>    [ Local Files >>]

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-01-25)

Main aims

1. Software. Test features and fixes added in AstroMain 3.35.2 and 3.35.3
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 3.35.2 & 3.35.3  AstroGuard 1.4.6,   AstroPlan 1.20.2, AstroShCap 1.3.10, AstroVOE 1.5.2, AstroSN 1.4,  AstroProtect 1.4.1
  (AstroWeather 1.10.14, AstroAllSky 3.6.4)

Highlights

• Software.  A number of bugs in AstroMain 3.35.2 during first part of night were fixed and released in AstroMain 3.35.3 which was used for second part of night.
• Targets.  x Targets successfully acquired
•   Autoguiding.  Autoguiding performance was mixed

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)

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 17:20:29 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity starting between 17:22 & 06:17 17:22:05   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 17:22 17:22:06   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to cloud 17:49:07 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (17:49) 17:49:36 Session Created Live Session Created (2021-01-25 S00855, ImageSaveNum: 855001) 17:49:39   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 17:51:37   Services Started Observatory Services started 17:51:45 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 17:51:47 Session Pending Session pending (2021-01-25) 17:51:49 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-01-25) 17:51:51   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.20.2) 17:52:33   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2021-01-25 V1 BEST PLAN, Plan ID: 590) 17:52:45   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -25°C) 17:52:51   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 17:53:01 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 17:59:33   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 17:59:48 Session Running Session running 17:59:51   Queue Started Observing Queue started (48 targets selected) 18:01:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:04:18 Critical Humidity Alert Critical Humidity Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 18:04:20   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (high humidity) 18:04:26       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 18:06:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 18:06:15       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 18:06:19 Session Suspended Session suspended 18:07:09   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 18:08:22       Focusing Failed Foc2 focusing failed - failed QC check (Range) 18:08:27   Queue Paused Queue pausing for Session Suspension 18:20:13     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (1/48, GCVS GK Per) due to other condition 18:25:15   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 18:25:38 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 18:25:40 Session Pending Session pending (2021-01-25) 18:25:42 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-01-25) 18:25:44   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2021-01-25 V1 ACTIVE PLAN S855, Plan ID: 590) 18:25:46   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -25°C) 18:25:53   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 18:26:04 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 18:26:06 Wait On Weather Waiting For acceptable conditions 18:26:08 Session Suspended Session suspended 18:26:10   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 18:07, closing time 50s) 18:26:12   Queue Started Observing Queue started (47 targets selected) 18:28:13 Session Resuming Session resuming 18:28:58   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 18:29:00 Session Running Session running 18:29:02   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 18:29:31     Target Started (2/48) Target started (2/48, AT2021bag) 18:47:18     Target Completed Target partially completed (2/48, AT2021bag) 18:47:20     Target Started (3/48) Target started (3/48, UGC 784 w/SN2021pc) 18:49:55   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 18:51:21     Target Failed Target failed due to cloud (3/48, UGC 784 w/SN2021pc) 18:51:24   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 18:51:26 Session Suspended Session suspended 18:52:11   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 45s) 19:01:42     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (3/48, UGC 784 w/SN2021pc) due to cloud 19:14:43 Session Resuming Session resuming 19:16:23 Session Suspended Session suspended 19:16:25   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 18:52, closing time 45s) 19:18:28 Session Resuming Session resuming 19:19:13   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 19:19:15 Session Running Session running 19:19:16   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 19:19:47     Target Started (4/48) Target started (4/48, SN 2021xn) 19:31:00     Target Completed Target partially completed (4/48, SN 2021xn) 19:31:02     Target Started (5/48) Target started (5/48, AT2021apb (CV)) 19:34:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:36:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 19:42:16     Target Completed Target completed (5/48, AT2021apb (CV)) 19:42:19     Target Started (6/48) Target started (6/48, NGC 514 w/AT2020uxz) 19:45:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:47:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 19:58:45     Target Completed Target completed (6/48, NGC 514 w/AT2020uxz) 19:58:47     Target Started (7/48) Target started (7/48, UGC 1436 w/SN2021nv) 20:01:56       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 20:19:16     Target Completed Target completed (7/48, UGC 1436 w/SN2021nv) 20:19:18     Target Started (8/48) Target started (8/48, AT2021azh (CV)) 20:22:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:24:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 20:29:54     Target Completed Target completed (8/48, AT2021azh (CV)) 20:31:02     Target Started (9/48) Target started (9/48, NGC 684 w/SN2021ass) 20:35:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:37:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 20:53:32     Target Completed Target completed (9/48, NGC 684 w/SN2021ass) 20:53:34     Target Started (10/48) Target started (10/48, Nova Per 2020 (CV)) 20:57:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:57:42   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 20:58:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 21:06:54     Target Completed Target completed (10/48, Nova Per 2020 (CV)) 21:06:56   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 21:06:58 Session Suspended Session suspended 21:07:48   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 21:12:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (11/49, NGC 4290, ToO) due to other condition 21:19:08     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (12/49, AT2021agv (CV)) due to other condition 21:22:19 Session Resuming Session resuming 21:23:04   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 21:23:06 Session Running Session running 21:23:10   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 21:23:43     Target Started (13/49) Target started (13/49, GCVS CN Ori) 21:26:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:28:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 21:35:02     Target Completed Target completed (13/49, GCVS CN Ori) 21:35:04     Target Started (14/50) Target started (14/50, NGC 4290, ToO) 21:58:28     Target Completed Target completed (14/50, NGC 4290, ToO) 21:58:31     Target Missed (15/50) Target's time slot was missed (15/50, Scholz's Star) 21:58:33     Target Started (16/50) Target started (16/50, WDS GRB 34) 22:01:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:03:30       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 22:05:36     Target Completed Target completed (16/50, WDS GRB 34) 22:05:38     Target Started (17/50) Target started (17/50, GCVS TT Ari) 22:09:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:11:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 22:17:37     Target Completed Target completed (17/50, GCVS TT Ari) 22:17:39     Target Started (18/50) Target started (18/50, GSC 1224:29) 22:20:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:22:30       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 22:26:42     Target Completed Target completed (18/50, GSC 1224:29) 22:26:45     Target Started (19/50) Target started (19/50, 398P/Boattini) 22:30:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:32:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 22:33:16   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 22:33:26   SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to Improved Conditions 22:37:31   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 22:40:16     Target Completed Target completed (19/50, 398P/Boattini) 22:40:18   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 22:40:20 Session Suspended Session suspended 22:41:07   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 22:50:15     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (20/50, AT2021ayk (CV)) due to cloud 23:00:09     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/50, GCVS SY Cnc) due to cloud 23:13:30     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/50, GCVS U And) due to cloud 23:24:26     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/50, LAMOST-HVS1) due to cloud 23:36:08   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 23:36:22   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 23:36:26 Program Closed Program closed by User 23:36:28 Program Closed Program closed by User 23:41:03 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2021-01-25 S00855, ImageSaveNum: 855127) 23:41:11   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 23:41:13   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 23:41:16   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:42:28   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:42:39   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 23:42:56   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -25°C) 23:43:42 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 23:43:46 Session Pending Session pending (2021-01-25) 23:43:48 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-01-25) 23:43:50   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2021-01-25 V1 ACTIVE PLAN S855, Plan ID: 590) 23:43:51   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -25°C) 23:43:54   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 23:44:05 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 23:44:07 Wait On Weather Waiting For acceptable conditions 23:44:09 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:44:11   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closure time is unknown) 23:44:13   Queue Started Observing Queue started (27 targets selected) 23:44:15     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/48, AT2021rl) due to other condition 23:46:40 Session Resuming Session resuming 23:47:25   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 23:47:27 Session Running Session running 23:47:29   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 23:48:00     Target Started (23/48) Target started (23/48, GCVS ER UMa) 23:51:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:51:06       Focusing Aborted Foc1 Focusing Aborted 23:51:08     Target Failed Target failed due to aborted (23/48, GCVS ER UMa) 23:51:10   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 23:51:17   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 23:51:21 Program Closed Program closed by User 23:51:23 Program Closed Program closed by User 23:53:01 Session Resumed Live Session Resumed (2021-01-25 S00855, ImageSaveNum: 855130) 23:53:07   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 23:53:09   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 23:53:13   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:54:29   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:54:37 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 23:54:39 Session Pending Session pending (2021-01-25) 23:54:41 Session Initiating Session initiating (2021-01-25) 23:54:43   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (2021-01-25 V1 ACTIVE PLAN S855, Plan ID: 590) 23:54:44   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -25°C) 23:54:53   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6) 23:55:02 Session Equilibration Session ready for dome & camera equilibration 23:55:04 Session Running Session running 23:55:06   Queue Started Observing Queue started (26 targets selected) 23:55:51     Target Started (23/48) Target started (23/48, GCVS ER UMa) 00:02:23     Target Completed Target partially completed (23/48, GCVS ER UMa) 00:02:25     Target Started (24/48) Target started (24/48, UGC 5760) 00:05:56       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 00:23:37     Target Completed Target completed (24/48, UGC 5760) 00:23:40     Target Started (25/48) Target started (25/48, GCVS U Mon) 00:26:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:28:26       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 00:29:35 Critical Humidity Alert Critical Humidity Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Shutter) 00:29:37   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend is called due to Critical Conditions (high humidity) 00:29:59     Target Aborted (25/48) Target aborted (25/48, GCVS U Mon) due to high humidity 00:30:01   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:30:03 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:30:50   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 00:38:51 Session Resuming Session resuming 00:39:19     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (26/48, GCVS U Gem) due to other condition 00:39:36   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 00:39:38 Session Running Session running 00:39:40   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 00:40:04     Target Started (27/48) Target started (27/48, GCVS DX Cnc) 00:42:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:44:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 00:49:05     Target Completed Target completed (27/48, GCVS DX Cnc) 00:50:46     Target Started (28/48) Target started (28/48, KUG 0830+278) 00:53:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:55:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 01:10:39     Target Completed Target completed (28/48, KUG 0830+278) 01:13:08     Target Started (29/48) Target started (29/48, NGC 2782) 01:15:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:17:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 01:32:52     Target Completed Target completed (29/48, NGC 2782) 01:35:30     Target Started (30/48) Target started (30/48, AT2021bbn) 01:39:06       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:56:51     Target Completed Target completed (30/48, AT2021bbn) 01:57:22     Target Started (31/48) Target started (31/48, NGC 4151) 01:59:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:01:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 02:16:51     Target Completed Target completed (31/48, NGC 4151) 02:19:14     Target Started (32/48) Target started (32/48, GCVS AM CVn) 02:21:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:23:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 02:26:17     Target Completed Target completed (32/48, GCVS AM CVn) 02:28:47     Target Started (33/48) Target started (33/48, GCVS RZ LMi) 02:33:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:34:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 02:39:42     Target Completed Target completed (33/48, GCVS RZ LMi) 02:40:35     Target Started (34/48) Target started (34/48, UGC 6930) 02:43:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:45:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 02:56:05     Target Completed Target completed (34/48, UGC 6930) 02:57:57     Target Started (35/48) Target started (35/48, NGC 5331) 03:02:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:04:30       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23) 03:20:39     Target Completed Target completed (35/48, NGC 5331) 03:20:41     Target Started (36/48) Target started (36/48, NGC 4414) 03:23:53       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:41:14     Target Completed Target completed (36/48, NGC 4414) 03:42:41     Target Started (37/48) Target started (37/48, NGC 4454) 03:45:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:47:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24) 04:03:46     Target Completed Target completed (37/48, NGC 4454) 04:05:03     Target Started (38/48) Target started (38/48, GCVS CN Leo) 04:07:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:09:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 25) 04:17:46     Target Completed Target completed (38/48, GCVS CN Leo) 04:18:15     Target Started (39/48) Target started (39/48, GCVS R CrB) 04:21:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:22:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 26) 04:25:41     Target Completed Target completed (39/48, GCVS R CrB) 04:26:56     Target Started (40/48) Target started (40/48, UGC 10909) 04:29:03       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 04:46:04     Target Completed Target completed (40/48, UGC 10909) 04:49:18     Target Started (41/48) Target started (41/48, KUG 1206+328) 04:53:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:55:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 27) 05:06:21     Target Completed Target completed (41/48, KUG 1206+328) 05:06:40     Target Started (42/48) Target started (42/48, MCG +6-30-84) 05:09:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:11:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 28) 05:27:08     Target Completed Target completed (42/48, MCG +6-30-84) 05:29:02     Target Started (43/48) Target started (43/48, GCVS SS Her) 05:31:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:33:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 29) 05:37:01     Target Completed Target completed (43/48, GCVS SS Her) 05:37:58     Target Started (44/48) Target started (44/48, CGCG 056-009) 05:41:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:43:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 30) 05:58:57     Target Completed Target completed (44/48, CGCG 056-009) 05:59:50     Target Started (45/48) Target started (45/48, GCVS CY Lyr) 06:01:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:03:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 31) 06:07:03     Target Completed Target completed (45/48, GCVS CY Lyr) 06:08:42   SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend is called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 06:08:44   Queue Paused Queue pausing for Session Suspension 06:08:47 Session Suspended Session suspended 06:09:37   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 06:18:36     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (46/48, GCVS CI Cyg) due to cloud 06:21:43 Session Resuming Session resuming 06:22:28   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 45s) 06:22:30 Session Running Session running 06:22:32   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 06:23:10     Target Started (47/48) Target started (47/48, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN)) 06:26:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:27:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 32) 06:38:04   Dome Running test to see if Dome Driver is stalled 06:38:24   Dome Dome Driver/Dome Slaving found to be ok. 06:38:34     Target Completed Target completed (47/48, C/2018 N2 (ASASSN)) 06:38:36     Target Started (48/48) Target started (48/48, HIP 87937) 06:41:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:43:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 33) 06:46:30     Target Completed Target completed (48/48, HIP 87937) 06:46:33   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:46:35 Session Closing Session closing 06:47:30   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 50s) 06:48:02   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 24s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:48:38   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 31s) 06:49:08   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:49:57   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:49:59 Session Housekeeping Housekeeping Started (Cleanup FITS, Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:50:26 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts

Time     Alert Detail 19:21:08 Dome Discrepency Difference between Telescope Az and Dome Az is > 8 deg (SN 2021xn) 06:36:09 Dome Dome has been unexpectedly stationary for more than 12 mins 06:38:19 Dome Dome Movements have begun again (outage 14.2 mins) 06:38:24 Dome Dome Driver/Dome Slaving found to be ok following Slew Tests.

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Operational Issues (2021-01-25 S855)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (15)
• Continuous Improvement (12)

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• JPG Picture for Foc2 Focus Frame was not the expected image but was the image associated with previous Foc1 Focus Frame. Although earlier issue in which FPG picture weren't being generated for initial Near Zenith focusing operations, new issue has been uncovered. The JPG Picture for Foc2 AutoPick Focus Frame was not the expected image (which would have been from SharpCap/2021-01-25 S00855/FOCUS/Locate_02.fits) but was the image associated with previous Foc1 Autopick Focus Frame (ie  .\New\2021-01-25 S00855\_FOCUS\Snap.1800.56.autopick_star).
  Fixed 2021-01-25 (AstroMain 3.35.3)  
   
• JPG Pictures for 1st target  imaged (Target 2/47, AT2021bag) had an incorrect target name label (Focus Field 3 instead of AT2021bag) and were incorrectly saved with suffix 'Focus_Field_3' instead of  AT2021bag. AstroMain 3.35.2. Unclear why this was happening and unclear if fixed by following versions. Considered to be fixed following review 2021-05-25.
  Considered to be resolved  2021-05-25  (AstroMain)  
   
• Observatory Shutter unexpectedly closed during Foc2 Autofocusing following a hard-suspend with Reason To Suspend: Unknown (20), and then remained closed whilst sky was clear. AExamining data showed Outside Humidity was 99% which can prompt a must close/can not resume condition.  The full report line was 'Reason to Suspend : Unknown (20) Humidity 98%.  In order to continue session, a backdoor workaround was used to 'disable high humidity check' which immediately led to the session resuming.  The alert is valid for automated operations but the weather alert message/reason to suspend needs to be much clearer than it currently is.
  Fixed 2021-01-25 (AstroMain 3.35.3) 
   
• Observing Plan and Observing Results plots not displaying in MS Edge browser.  Charts display ok in Safari (on IPad) and in Internet Explorer (PC).  Charts are displayed by a script which also annotated the chart with the current time.    Latest Night Summary was also not displaying.
  After changing MS Edge settings to allow Insecure Content the page displayed ok. , but after changing setting back to block Insecure Content the page continued to be displayed ok. So a mystery ?. Anyway its working now, but continue to monitor for any reoccurrence of the problem.
  Closed 2021-01-25 (Website / MS Edge) 
   
• JPG pictures are not being created for 1st Main Frame (Type 3) from each target and the target image is consequently not getting uploaded to website. This is recognised as being a problem bug associated with a new condition added in AstroMain 3.35.2. Easy to fix
  Fixed 2021-01-25 (AstroMain 3.35.3) 
   
• Target Cross for NGC 684 w/SN2021aas doesn't appear in position expected. Target Databse shows Offsets of 0.05' W, -0.88' N.  The mismatch would be consistent  with N and W offsets being the wrong way around . SN discovery date was 2021-01-18.145.  Target was autoloaded by AstroSN at 2021-01-18 17:18:38  Other targets to be checked.   Checking CalculateJogOffsets() routine in AstroMain shows that is produces the Offset -0.88' W, 0.05' N and that these would have been correctly loaded to TargetsDB and correctly unloaded by AstroPlan. So the N and W offsets are indeed the wrong way around. It is assumed that there were manually entered (incorrectly) during initial development of workflow. Offsets swapped over and the NGC 684 w/SN target resaved to database.
  Closed 2021-01-25 but Monitor  (TargetsDB, AstroSN, AstroMain) 
   
• JPG Pictures not correctly created for Target GSC 1224:29 .Empty Files created with the names like '0121.855098.GSC_1224'  Problem is caused by ":" in filename/filepath.
  Fixed 2021-01-25 (AstroMain 3.35.3)
   
• Target Ellipse hasn't been drawn on NGC 4290 as expected.  New feature added in AstroMain 3.35.2 hasn't worked for some reason. NGC 4290 (Pos Error Radius n/a) should have been drawn with ellipse with size 2.2' x 1.6'  and positional angle 90.  Other targets to be checked.  Extra debug code lines added to try to understand the issue. Issue identified as being due to bug in calling GetObjectSize() from RetrieveTarget() routine (an incorrect parameter had been specified)
  Fixed 2021-01-25 (AstroMain 3.35.3)
   
• Target Ellipse drawn on JPG Pictures for UGC 5760 has wrong orientation.  After fixing the issue that was preventing Target Ellipses from drawing, the session was continued with AstroMain 3.35.3 for second part of night. Target ellipse was drawn on Jpg Pictures for UGC 5760, but the ellipse had the wrong orientation relative to the actual galaxy . Object size of 1.42' x0.38', PA=0.0° were downloaded from TheSky6 ObjectInfo upon Target Retrieval. So either the rotation is being incorrectly applied in ConvertFitsToJpg (with 90 deg needing to be added to the rotation angle used for drawing rotated ellipse) or the Position Angle in TheSky6 Catalogs is wrong.  TheSky6 target details for UGC 5760 / PGC 31435 show Positional Angle of 00°00' but this might simply reflect an unknown or unassigned value.   Other examples need to be looked at before making any conclusion. The IAU defines Position Angle as the angle measured relative to the north celestial pole (NCP), turning positive into the direction of the right ascension. After testing it was found that to draw a correctly rotated elipse in ImageMagicK , a rotate angle =  90 - PA  has to be specified. This was implemented and tested against a number of galaxy images, including UGC 5760.
  Fixed 2021-01-27 (AstroMain 3.35.4)
   
  
• Obs.Overseer produced warning message "Return from StartGuider task In ExecuteTarget/Continue Is taking a Long time? (23:58)" whilst starting autoguiding (without focusing) for Target 23/48 (GCVS ER UMa) .  Session was monitored for a while in case of thejob queue had frozen. Issue closed as the Job queue appeared to be proceeding normally.
  Closed 2021-01-25 (Session / AstroMain) 
   
• AllSky Scope Images are not showing TargetDisplayName even though they have done so following change in AstroMain 3.35.3.   Target DisplayNameLite name displaying correctly in Scope Pictures during first part of night (AstroMain 3.35.2) but names seemingly reverted to regular TargetName names after session restarted using AstroMain 3.35.3. Bug fixed (BuildTargetDisplayNames(T) was being called before .TnsID, TnsType had been retrieved from DB record)
  Fixed 2021-01-27 (AstroMain 3.35.4)
   
• Query :  Target Ellipses appear drawn on JPG Pictures appear to be too small for some galaxies . Unclear if problem is due to data held in TheSky6 catalogs or a bug in AstroMain.   Ellipses in these cases are circles associated with Transient Objects (0.5' radius).   Possible case for a new feature where both a Transient Cicle and an Ellipse for the Host Galaxy are displayed (see new ticket)
  Answered 2021-01-27 (Session / AstroMain ) 
   
• Session was held for 5 min prior to opening Dome, even though SunAlt was -12.5, and Clairty and AllSky Star Count checks all passed. Manager should begin opening dome and running Near Zenith focusing even if it has to wait 5 mins later on. Process should be more flexible and recognise value of  getting ' Near Zenith Focusing' completed ASAP.   Session will now proceed no later than point when SunAlt <= -11.5 deg.
  Fixed 2021-01-27 (AstroMain 3.35.4)
   
• JPG pictures for 180s MainFrame 0002 (#855005) and 0003 (#855006) unexpectedly have the title 'Focus FIeld 3'. Similarly 5s Locate Frame 0001 (#855012) to 0003 (#855014) unexpectedly has the  title 'Focus FIeld 3' instead of 'UGC 784 w/SN2021pc'. None of the locate frames managed a successful link due to passing cloud, and it is presumed that LocateInfo.TargetDisplayName wasn't updated and retained the previous name (Focus Field 3).  Image 855014 (Target SN 2021xn) links to location beside PGC 6041 which is the presumed host galaxy.
  Considered to be fixed 2021-01-25 (AstroMain 3.35.3) 
   
• Foc2 Focus Frames are 152x150px in size rather than the 150x150px size expected.  Issue has been ongoing and the tweaks to AstroShCap code to workaround the problem have so far all failed.  Issue hasn't been able to be fixed. Although issue is still present it doesn't cause any practical problem and after review it is deemed to be closed (2022-02-12.)
  Unable to fix 2022-02-12  (AstroShCap / SharpCap ) 
   
• Following HardSuspend and Closure of Dome the Foc2 Focus Profile needs to immediately abort . At the moment the Focus Profile does not listen to HardSuspend calls and continues taking blank images, eventually failing on Profile QC and finally returning focus position to original position.  Autofocus routines modified to respond to bHardSuspend. Need to check that Obs.Manager sets bHardSuspend when Job Queue hasn't fully started but is still doing NearZenith focusing.
  Fixed attempted 2021-01-25 (AstroMain 3.35.3) 

Continuous Improvement

• Get Scope.GetRaDec exceptions captured in logfile shortly after starting are missing a Context field.  This might because szTargetNames is still blank at this early stage.  Probably should show  'Dome'
  Done 2021-01-25 (AstroMain 3.35.3)
   
• Create a new page for showing images of Irregular Galaxies
  Done 2021-01-27 (Website)
   
• Modify sorting of Image Sets on AstroMain Analysis/Image Sets Tab to sort KUG and MCG targets with Deep Sky Targets (NGC etc).
  This is to provide smarter sorting of rows in listboxObjectFolders list box
  Done 2021-01-28 (AstroMain 3.35.4)
   
• Add Traffic Light on AstroMain's Analysis/Image Sets tab to indicate if a Store Folder exists for the current target or not.
  Done 2021-01-28 (AstroMain 3.35.4)
   
• Add routine that will build a local webpage containing the JPG Pictures acquired during a session along with TargetInfo Charts and other data.  Prototype built that works pretty well.   Requires cosmetic improvements with nice Page header, and fonts etc
  Done 2021-01-28 (AstroMain 3.35.4)
   
• Add button/routine to quickly access session's JPGS folder
  Done 2021-01-28 (AstroMain 3.35.4)
   
• Add button/routine to close all Internet Explorer windows.
  Done 2021-01-29  (AstroMove 1.5.8 / AstroMain ?)
    
• Add capability to JPG Pictures to draw Target Circle/Ellipse onto Focus Image. 
  Done 2021-01-30 (AstroMain 3.35.5)
   
• Add capability to rotate LX200/ST-10 realtime images by 180deg when making JPG Pictures. Can be achived with command  '-rotate 180' Note that star point coordinates will also need to be rotated if they are to plot in correct positions.
  Done 2021-01-30 (AstroMain 3.35.5)
   
• Add capability to JPG Pictures to draw both a circle around transient/SN object and an ellipse around the host galaxy. At present an ellipse for galaxy isn't drawn where the target is a Transient i(ie. where T.TnsID <> "")
  Done 2021-02-04 (AstroMain 3.36)
   
• Add button/clipboard copy facility to send Target or Image Coords to clipboard so that it can be used in Aladin or elsewhere.  'Aladin' button copies current object name to clipboard, and opens Aladin. (user has to paset object name from clipboard once Aladin has finished opening).
  Done 2021-02-04 (AstroMain 3.36)
   
• Add facilities & reporting to better identify if a target is a new one or has been previously acquired and when.  Closed after view (2022-02-12), AstroMain was updated in 2021 to show date, days since and result of the last target observation.  AstroPlan was updated in 2021 to list the previous observations of a target (with date, session no & result).
  Done (AstroMain / AstroPlan)
   
• Capture images and spectra of Type Variable Stars not previously imaged.   e.g DO Eri, b Per, Alpha Vir, BY Dra
  To image (Targets DB / Session / Website)

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