David's Astronomy - Notes 2023-03-27 (S1108)

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Notes - Session 1108 (2023-03-27)

Notes
(S1107)

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Notes
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	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result - Night Summary Plot - Session Event Log

	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0), Major Issues (0), Minor Issues (6), Small Defects (0), Continuous Improvement (4)

	Images from 2023-03-27 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2023-03-27)

Main aims

Targets. Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions

Equipment & Software

12" LX200 and ST-10XME
80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
CCDApp2, TheSky6, CCDSoft5, DeviceHub 6.6.1.1, MeadeGeneric 1.3.5.414, UPB 1.5, ASCOM 6.6
Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
SharpCap 3.2, PHD2 2.6.11dev4, Siril 1.0.6, deCONZ 1.18.2, ASCOM 6.6 SP1
AstroMain 3.62.1, AstroPlan 1.38, AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.2
AstroVOE 1.13 AstroSN 1.10, AstroProtect 1.7, AstroMove 1.12
(AstroWeather 1.20, AstroAllSky 3.18, AstroObsCam 1.11.4, AstroLaunch 1.10.9 / 1.11

Highlights

Targets. 25 out of 28 planned targets were completed, with two other were partially completed.
Session. There were no problems with new versions of AstroMain and AstroMove program before, during or immediately after the session.
Dome Slews. No problems encountered in this session (Hold Up Stats: 0/30 slews affected, 0%, 0.0 minutes total hold-up time).

Notes:

Aurora recorded from the Observatory on night 2023-03-23 / 2023-03-24 over an 8.5 hour period
(see Aurora Images/Video from 2023-03-23)
Aircraft Contrail recorded from the Observatory on night 2023-03-27 / 2023-03-28 over a 35 minute period
(see Contrail Images/Video from 2023-03-27)

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan

Observing Result

Dome & Scope Slewing Performance

Slew/Centering Performance

Guiding Performance

Sky Conditions (Locate Frames)

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

Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast

Session Event Log

Time	Event	Detail
19:54:11	Session Monitoring	AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 20:28 & 04:46
19:54:12	AutoStart Waiting	AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 20:28
20:28:41	AutoStart Delayed	Session delayed due to too few stars
20:44:58	Session AutoStarting	Session autostarting (20:44)
20:45:18	CCDSoft Restarting	CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.)
20:45:32	Session Created	Session Created (Live, 2023-03-27 S01108, ImageSaveNum: 1108001)
20:45:58	Scope Switched On	Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
20:47:41	Services Started	Observatory Services started
20:47:48	Observatory (Auto)	Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
20:47:51	Session Pending	Session pending (2023-03-27)
20:47:53	Session Initiating	Session initiating (2023-03-27)
20:47:55	Plan Requested	Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.38)
20:49:25	Plan Loaded	Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 880)
20:49:49	Camera1 Connected	SBIG Camera connected (set point -20°C)
20:50:26	Telescope Connected	Telescope connected (TheSky6)
20:50:50	Session Equilibration	Session ready to Open Dome
20:51:35	Dome Opened	Dome opened (opening time 45s)
20:51:38	Session Running	Session running
20:51:40	Queue Started	Observing Queue started (28 targets selected)
20:51:41	Target Started (NrZen)	Target started (Focus Field 6, HIP 28634)
20:51:56	Dome Unparked	Dome unparked
20:55:27	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:58:39	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide)
21:00:34	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
21:00:37	Focusing Started-Foc2	Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
21:02:26	Focusing Completed	Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
21:04:07	Focusing Completed	Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
21:04:24	Target Completed (NrZen)	Target completed (Focus Field 6, HIP 28634)
21:04:28	Target Started (1/28)	Target started (1/28, GCVS HH And)
21:08:09	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:10:19	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
21:12:20	Target Completed	Target completed (1/28, GCVS HH And)
21:12:48	Target Started (2/28)	Target started (2/28, C/2020 V2 (ZTF))
21:15:54	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:18:20	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
21:36:02	Target Completed	Target completed (2/28, C/2020 V2 (ZTF))
21:36:06	Target Started (3/28)	Target started (3/28, WDS GRB 34)
21:39:33	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:41:31	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
21:43:32	Target Completed	Target completed (3/28, WDS GRB 34)
21:44:36	Target Started (4/28)	Target started (4/28, AT2023dnz)
21:47:41	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:49:36	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
21:49:42	Target Failed (4/28)	Target failed due to exception (4/28, AT2023dnz)
22:06:36	Target Started (5/28)	Target started (5/28, AT2023ctt (CV))
22:09:39	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:11:50	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
22:17:36	Target Completed	Target completed (5/28, AT2023ctt (CV))
22:18:56	Target Started (6/28)	Target started (6/28, NGC 3799 w/AT2023clx)
22:23:12	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:25:27	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
22:41:17	Target Completed	Target completed (6/28, NGC 3799 w/AT2023clx)
22:41:21	Target Started (7/28)	Target started (7/28, UGC 6674 w/SN2023bvi)
22:44:09	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
22:47:31	Target Completed	Target partially completed (7/28, UGC 6674 w/SN2023bvi)
23:02:56	Target Started (8/28)	Target started (8/28, UGC 8046 w/SN2022zxr)
23:06:14	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
23:21:55	Target Completed	Target completed (8/28, UGC 8046 w/SN2022zxr)
23:25:16	Target Started (9/28)	Target started (9/28, AT2023vp (CV))
23:28:35	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:30:31	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
23:36:45	Target Completed	Target completed (9/28, AT2023vp (CV))
23:37:16	Target Started (10/28)	Target started (10/28, IC 1874 w/SN2023fu)
23:40:10	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
23:56:18	Target Completed	Target completed (10/28, IC 1874 w/SN2023fu)
23:59:36	Target Started (11/28)	Target started (11/28, UGC 11225 w/SN2023bqh)
00:03:52	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:06:17	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
00:22:37	Target Completed	Target completed (11/28, UGC 11225 w/SN2023bqh)
00:22:41	Target Started (12/28)	Target started (12/28, AT2023dwm (CV))
00:25:43	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:27:47	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11)
00:33:35	Target Completed	Target completed (12/28, AT2023dwm (CV))
00:33:39	Target Started (13/28)	Target started (13/28, AT2022oab (CV))
00:37:34	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:39:45	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12)
00:45:44	Target Completed	Target completed (13/28, AT2022oab (CV))
00:45:56	Target Started (14/28)	Target started (14/28, UGC 4269 w/AT2023dxb)
00:49:00	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:51:12	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13)
01:07:16	Target Completed	Target completed (14/28, UGC 4269 w/AT2023dxb)
01:07:56	Target Started (15/28)	Target started (15/28, C/2022 A2 (PANSTARRS))
01:11:39	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
01:17:46	Target Completed	Target completed (15/28, C/2022 A2 (PANSTARRS))
01:20:16	Target Started (16/28)	Target started (16/28, UGC 4025 w/SN2023boc)
01:24:56	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
01:41:38	Target Completed	Target completed (16/28, UGC 4025 w/SN2023boc)
01:42:16	Target Started (17/28)	Target started (17/28, UGC 5276 w/SN2023cxk)
01:45:34	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:47:45	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14)
02:03:34	Target Completed	Target completed (17/28, UGC 5276 w/SN2023cxk)
02:04:16	Target Started (18/28)	Target started (18/28, NGC 4611 w/SN2023dtz)
02:07:26	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:09:49	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15)
02:13:06	Target Completed	Target partially completed (18/28, NGC 4611 w/SN2023dtz)
02:26:36	Target Started (19/28)	Target started (19/28, M108 w/SN2023dbc)
02:29:46	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
02:45:47	Target Completed	Target completed (19/28, M108 w/SN2023dbc)
02:48:56	Target Started (20/28)	Target started (20/28, NGC 3862 w/SN2023bqk)
02:51:58	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
03:08:12	Target Completed	Target completed (20/28, NGC 3862 w/SN2023bqk)
03:10:56	Target Started (21/28)	Target started (21/28, C/2019 U5 (PANSTARRS))
03:14:10	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:16:39	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16)
03:29:00	Target Completed	Target completed (21/28, C/2019 U5 (PANSTARRS))
03:29:04	Target Started (22/28)	Target started (22/28, GCVS SS Cyg)
03:33:08	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:35:16	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17)
03:40:29	Target Completed	Target completed (22/28, GCVS SS Cyg)
03:45:25	Target Started (23/28)	Target started (23/28, GCVS BL Lac)
03:48:17	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:50:27	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18)
03:54:20	Target Completed	Target completed (23/28, GCVS BL Lac)
03:55:43	Target Started (24/28)	Target started (24/28, AT2023ctx (CV))
03:58:53	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:01:04	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19)
04:17:17	Target Completed	Target completed (24/28, AT2023ctx (CV))
04:18:03	Target Started (25/28)	Target started (25/28, AT2023cvz (CV))
04:21:14	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S)
04:27:15	Target Completed	Target completed (25/28, AT2023cvz (CV))
04:30:03	Target Started (26/28)	Target started (26/28, NGC 5915 w/SN2023cpt)
04:33:28	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
04:49:51	Target Completed	Target completed (26/28, NGC 5915 w/SN2023cpt)
04:52:03	Target Started (27/28)	Target started (27/28, HIP 87937)
04:54:53	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:57:07	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20)
04:59:34	Target Completed	Target completed (27/28, HIP 87937)
05:00:26	Target Started (28/28)	Target started (28/28, AT2023cuo)
05:04:20	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
05:06:44	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21)
05:22:32	Target Completed	Target completed (28/28, AT2023cuo)
05:22:35	Queue Completed	Job Queue completed
05:22:37	Session Closing	Session closing
05:23:30	Dome Closed	Dome closed (closing time 50s)
05:24:08	Dome Parked	Dome parked (parking time 30s), Az: 90.0 deg
05:25:21	Telescope Parked	Telescope parked (parking time 69s)
05:25:37	Telescope State	Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.'
05:25:59	Telescope Switched Off	Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
05:27:23	Services Stopped	Night Services stopped
05:27:26	Session Housekeeping	Session Housekeeping started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
05:27:56	Session Finished	Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time		Type			Name	Detail
--					No Alerts	--

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Critical Issues

None

Major Issues

None

Minor Issues

Upload of graphs, images & tables to website very slow. The revised method of uploading files to website using AstroPlan & WebDisk is simply too slow. Uploading a small dummy (empty) file or small 0.45 KB data files takes 7s instead of 2s previously using ftp. This means that uploading of the entire collection of initial dummy files for a new session is still ongoing during the earlier stages of the session when the Latest Session webpage is ideally being used to check for progress and any startup issues. Resolved in AstroPlan 1.38.1 by implementing upload via Secure (SFTP) Transfer. A small 0.45 KB data file upload now takes only 0.85s, with a 38 KB file upload taking the same time.
Fixed 2023-03-28 (AstroPlan 1.38.1)
Target 4/28 (AT2023dnz) failed with exception (21:49). Report File shows that Target 4/28 failed due to undescribed exception at point directly after Guide Stats(Focusing) were reported. Centering, Guide Initiation and Focusing operations were all normal, but main frames ( 5x180s, C) weren't attempted for some reason. Log file shows an Exception in OB.ExecuteTarget routine "The process cannot access the file 'C:\Data\CCD Imaging\Live\Session.GuideSumm.dat' because it is being used by another process". Access to this file is not critical and should be caught and Execute Target continued. It is hypothesized that problem has become exposed by issues with slow upload of files to the website (see above). Exception is most likely coming from SaveGuideSummFileToLive() routine which is called at the end of one of the threes GuideStats Reporting routines, but is trapped at an outer try catch block in ExecuteTarget, which is terminating the current target. Fixed by resolving file uploading issue in AstroPlan 1.38.1 and by adding a Try / Catch block to SaveGuideSummFileToLive() routine in AstroMain 3.62.2.
Fixed 2023-03-28 (AstroMain 3.62.2)
Target 7/28 (UGC 6674 w/SN2023bvi) was only partiallly completed due to exception (22:47). Target 7/28 failed due to exception and didn't complete the required number of frames. Log file shows an Exception in OB.ExecuteTarget routine "The process cannot access the file 'C:\Data\CCD Imaging\Live\Session.GuideSumm.dat' because it is being used by another process". Access to this file is not critical and should be caught and Execute Target continued. This is the same problem that affected Target 4/28 (AT2023dnz). It is hypothesized that problem has become exposed by issues with slow upload of files to the website (see above). Fixed by resolving file uploading issue in AstroPlan 1.38.1 and by adding a Try / Catch block to SaveGuideSummFileToLive() routone in AstroMain 3.62.2.
Fixed 2023-03-28 (AstroMain 3.62.2)
Current Session page showing some Guide Charts from previous session. Seems to be a cache issue with differences evident between Safari on IPad and MS Edge on Windows Computer. Document.Write command use ?<?=rand(1,1000000)? suffixes that should theoretically ensure that browser will always go back to source to get latest file, but there is no accounting for what browsers and web servers actually do in practice.
Closed after review 2023-03-28 (Latest Session Page)
Log file shows a total of 192 occurances of exception like "The process cannot access the file...". Various files in Live Folder are referenced including Session.GuideSumm.dat refererred to in a couple of isssues abov . It is hypothesized that the problem has become exposed by issues with slow upload of files to the website (see above).
Fixed 2023-03-28 (AstroPlan 1.38.1)
The expected 'Finished' ObsCam Image wasn't produced at the end of session. No 'Finished' image was produced by AstroObsCam on the AllSky/Weather Computer even though AstroMain made the request at end of session. Examining files indicates that AstroObsCam developed issues at around 23:56 with 'upside down image annotation' etc AstroObsCam restarted when AllSky/Weather Computer was restarted.
Temporarily resolved (AstroObsCam)

Small Defects

None

Continuous Improvement

Look into using SFTP as alternative to FTP. WebDAV (also known as Web diskWebDAV) was looked into as a more secure alternative to using FTP for uploading files to observatory's web site, but it has proved to be too slow (up to x3 slower than ftp). The need for a more secure method of uploading files and this new initiative will look into using SFTP as the alternative to FTP. WinSCP downloaded and used to test drop and drag upload files to Web Server. Visual Studio's NuGet Package Manager used to install 'WinSCP' into project (WinSCP.Net assembly 5.21.7 is a .Net wrapper around WinSCP's scripting interface). See https://winscp.net/eng/docs/library_session. After installation a new Class object (SecureTransfer) created in AstroPlan's WebUpload.vb module to setup and make ftp connection. New UploadFileUsingSecureTransfer() routine developed to make the file upload. WinSCP.exe & WinSCPnet.dll files need to be copied to location where program is deployed.
Done 2023-03-28 (SFTP)
Change AstroPlan's Web Upload routines to use SFTP Secure Transfer. Building upon initiative to replace FTP (Insecure) File Transfer with something more secure, WinSCP.Net assembly can be employed to replace previous insecure file transfers with SFTP (Secure) Transfers. WinSCP Nuget added to AstroPlan project. New routine added UploadFileUsingSecureTransfer() implemented in AstroPlan 1.38.1. Note: WinSCP.exe & WinSCPnet.dll files need to be copied (one-off) from Program's Bin folder to "C:\More Programs\AstroPlan" folder on the Local Computer and on the Observatory Computer.
Done 2023-03-28 (AstroPlan 1.38.1)
Change AstroAllSky's Web Upload routines to use SFTP Secure Transfer. Building upon initiative to replace FTP (Insecure) File Transfer with something more secure, WinSCP.Net assembly can be employed to replace previous insecure file transfers with SFTP (Secure) Transfers. WinSCP Nuget added to AstroAllSky project. New routine added UploadFileUsingSecureTransfer() implemented in AstroAllSky 3.19. Note: WinSCP.exe & WinSCPnet.dll files need to be copied (one-off) from Program's Bin folder to "C:\More Programs\AstroAllSky" folder on the Local Computer and on the AllSky/Weather Computer.
Done 2023-03-29 (AstroAllSky 3.19)
Modify AstroMove's 'Open Web Folders' routine to open WinSCP with a Secure View/Connection of web server instead of opening ftp or WebDisk views. Should open "WinSCP.exe [mysession] . Implemented in AstroMove 1.12.1
Done 2023-03-28 (AstroMove 1.12.1)

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David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1108 (2023-03-27)

Session Aims & Highlights (2023-03-27)

Operational Issues (2023-03-27, S1108)

David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 1108 (2023-03-27)