David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1191 (2024-02-24)

Notes (S1190)

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Notes (S1192)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (0),  Small Defects (3),  Continuous Improvement (0)
	Images from 2024-02-24 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2024-02-24)

Main aims

1. Telescope Pointing. Check pointing accuracy follow telescope sync & short mapping job during last session, where a number of issues were encountered.
2. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
3. 12P/Pons-Brooks. Acquire images of Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks which has been undergoing regular outbursts.
4. AstroMain. Continue to test fixes to CCDSoft Camera/SBIG Camera operations to prevent stalled execution during starting, fix issues due to occasional repeated failures during Cam1 focusing and occassional unexpected CCD Temperature regulation.

 Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• TheSky6, CCDSoft5, DeviceHub 6.6.1.1,  MeadeGeneric 1.3.5.414, UPB 1.5, ASCOM 6.6,   Pulsar Dome Firmware 1.51 & Driver 6.3.10
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.13, Siril 1.0.6, deCONZ 1.18.2, ASCOM 6.6 SP1
• [ DomeLink 1.0 / 1.1 - not used ]
   
• AstroMain 3.65.19, AstroPlan 1.39.7,  AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.2   (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroVOE 1.13,  AstroSN 1.10.2,  AstroProtect 1.7,  AstroMove 1.12.10
  (AstroWeather 1.23.10, AstroAllSky 3.19.11,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4, AstroLaunch 1.11.1

Highlights

• Telescope Pointing. Telescope Pointing Accuracy was good with average. This confirms that the Telescope ReSync & Short Mapping Run in perevious S1190 session were successful in improving the telescope pointing accuracy.
• Targets. 36/37 planned targets observations were completed, with 1 other targets partially completed. There were no failed targets
• 12P/Pons-Brooks. Images of Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks were successfully acquired.
• AstroMain. No issues with CCDSoft Camera/SBIG Camera.
•  Dome Parking.  Dome parked ok at the correct position at end of the session.

Notes:

• Short Mapping Job was eventually conducted but it it was unusually complicated and after the telescope restart from Park there were some issues with unstable communication with the PHD2 server.

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 18:39:26 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 18:39 & 05:09 18:39:27 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (18:39) 18:39:37   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 18:39:51 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2024-02-24 S01191, ImageSaveNum: 1191001) 18:39:57   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 18:41:46   Services Started Observatory Services started 18:41:52 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 18:41:54 Session Pending Session pending (2024-02-24) 18:41:56 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-02-24) 18:41:58   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.39.7) 18:42:52   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 965) 18:43:12   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 18:43:49   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 18:44:13 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 18:44:58   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 18:45:00 Session Running Session running 18:45:03   Queue Started Observing Queue started (37 targets selected) 18:45:04     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 5, HIP 23569) 18:45:17       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 18:48:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:51:26       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 18:53:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 18:53:25       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 18:55:18       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 18:57:06       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 18:57:25     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 5, HIP 23569) 18:58:24     Target Started (1/37) Target started (1/37, UGC 3174 w/SN2023mut) 19:02:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:04:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 19:21:03     Target Completed Target completed (1/37, UGC 3174 w/SN2023mut) 19:21:07     Target Started (2/37) Target started (2/37, 12P/Pons-Brooks) 19:42:44     Target Completed Target partially completed (2/37, 12P/Pons-Brooks) 19:42:48     Target Started (3/37) Target started (3/37, UGC 12639 w/SN2023jri) 20:02:28     Target Completed Target completed (3/37, UGC 12639 w/SN2023jri) 20:02:32     Target Started (4/37) Target started (4/37, GCVS BL Lac) 20:05:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:07:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 20:11:51     Target Completed Target completed (4/37, GCVS BL Lac) 20:11:55     Target Started (5/37) Target started (5/37, AT2023rao (CV)) 20:15:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:18:26       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 20:34:16     Target Completed Target completed (5/37, AT2023rao (CV)) 20:34:20     Target Started (6/37) Target started (6/37, NGC 1752 w/AT2023exk) 20:39:05       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:41:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 20:57:44     Target Completed Target completed (6/37, NGC 1752 w/AT2023exk) 20:57:48     Target Started (7/37) Target started (7/37, AT2022udu (CV)) 21:01:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:03:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 21:09:02     Target Completed Target completed (7/37, AT2022udu (CV)) 21:09:06     Target Started (8/37) Target started (8/37, AT2023wbv (CV)) 21:12:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:14:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 21:20:06     Target Completed Target completed (8/37, AT2023wbv (CV)) 21:20:10     Target Started (9/37) Target started (9/37, AT2023vqz) 21:23:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:25:09       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing check failed 21:25:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 21:41:49     Target Completed Target completed (9/37, AT2023vqz) 21:41:53     Target Started (10/37) Target started (10/37, GCVS CN Ori) 21:45:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:47:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 21:55:00     Target Completed Target completed (10/37, GCVS CN Ori) 21:55:05     Target Started (11/37) Target started (11/37, AT2023tjz) 21:57:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:00:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 22:16:05     Target Completed Target completed (11/37, AT2023tjz) 22:17:07     Target Started (12/37) Target started (12/37, AT2024ajb) 22:20:05       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:20:26       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 22:36:17     Target Completed Target completed (12/37, AT2024ajb) 22:39:07     Target Started (13/37) Target started (13/37, AT2024nn (CV)) 22:42:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:44:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 22:50:55     Target Completed Target completed (13/37, AT2024nn (CV)) 22:51:07     Target Started (14/37) Target started (14/37, AT2024ctz (CV)) 22:54:10       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:00:03     Target Completed Target completed (14/37, AT2024ctz (CV)) 23:03:07     Target Started (15/37) Target started (15/37, C/2021 F1 (Lemmon-PANSTARRS)) 23:06:02       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:14:30     Target Completed Target completed (15/37, C/2021 F1 (Lemmon-PANSTARRS)) 23:17:58     Target Started (16/37) Target started (16/37, GCVS DX Cnc) 23:20:49       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:25:31     Target Completed Target completed (16/37, GCVS DX Cnc) 23:29:10     Target Started (17/37) Target started (17/37, SN 2023oun) 23:33:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:35:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 23:51:50     Target Completed Target completed (17/37, SN 2023oun) 23:51:54     Target Started (18/37) Target started (18/37, SN 2023dzc) 23:54:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:57:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 00:13:16     Target Completed Target completed (18/37, SN 2023dzc) 00:13:17 User Intervention User Intervention to test Shutter Closure & restart flow of Shutter Information 00:13:18   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 00:14:17   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 44s) 00:15:22   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 46s, Zigbee 42s) 00:15:47 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 00:15 & 05:09 00:15:49 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 00:15:52 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (00:15) 00:16:03   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:16:08 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 00:16:12 Session Pending Session pending (2024-02-24) 00:16:14 Session Initiating Session initiating (2024-02-24) 00:16:19   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 965) 00:16:33   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -25°C) 00:16:39   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 00:16:58 Session Running Session running 00:17:00   Queue Started Observing Queue started (19 targets selected) 00:17:07     Target Started (19/37) Target started (19/37, 103P/Hartley) 00:32:13     Target Completed Target completed (19/37, 103P/Hartley) 00:32:17     Target Started (20/37) Target started (20/37, GCVS RZ LMi) 00:35:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:37:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 00:42:31     Target Completed Target completed (20/37, GCVS RZ LMi) 00:42:35     Target Started (21/37) Target started (21/37, GCVS AM CVn) 00:45:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:47:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 00:50:37     Target Completed Target completed (21/37, GCVS AM CVn) 00:51:05     Target Started (22/37) Target started (22/37, AT2024crd) 00:54:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:56:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 01:13:44     Target Completed Target completed (22/37, AT2024crd) 01:14:05     Target Started (23/37) Target started (23/37, UGC 9002 w/SN2023pls) 01:17:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:19:30       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 01:35:36     Target Completed Target completed (23/37, UGC 9002 w/SN2023pls) 01:36:05     Target Started (24/37) Target started (24/37, AT2024dcg (CV)) 01:40:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:42:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 01:53:29     Target Completed Target completed (24/37, AT2024dcg (CV)) 01:53:34     Target Started (25/37) Target started (25/37, 62P/Tsuchinshan) 01:58:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:01:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 02:13:07     Target Completed Target completed (25/37, 62P/Tsuchinshan) 02:13:11     Target Started (26/37) Target started (26/37, LEDA 1045595 w/AT2023nwv) 02:16:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:19:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 02:35:00     Target Completed Target completed (26/37, LEDA 1045595 w/AT2023nwv) 02:35:04     Target Started (27/37) Target started (27/37, NGC 3690 w/SN2023wrk) 02:39:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:41:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23) 02:57:00     Target Completed Target completed (27/37, NGC 3690 w/SN2023wrk) 02:57:05     Target Started (28/37) Target started (28/37, M101 w/SN2023ixf) 03:00:42       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 03:17:16     Target Completed Target completed (28/37, M101 w/SN2023ixf) 03:18:07     Target Started (29/37) Target started (29/37, UGC 11858 w/SN2023rjj) 03:21:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:23:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24) 03:39:45     Target Completed Target completed (29/37, UGC 11858 w/SN2023rjj) 03:40:28     Target Started (30/37) Target started (30/37, SN 2023zvq) 03:45:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:47:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 25) 04:03:22     Target Completed Target completed (30/37, SN 2023zvq) 04:03:26     Target Started (31/37) Target started (31/37, CGCG 221-034 w/SN2023sza) 04:06:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:08:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 26) 04:24:02     Target Completed Target completed (31/37, CGCG 221-034 w/SN2023sza) 04:24:47     Target Started (32/37) Target started (32/37, GCVS SS Her) 04:28:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:30:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 27) 04:34:23     Target Completed Target completed (32/37, GCVS SS Her) 04:34:43     Target Started (33/37) Target started (33/37, HIP 87937) 04:38:05       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:40:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 28) 04:42:40     Target Completed Target completed (33/37, HIP 87937) 04:43:05     Target Started (34/37) Target started (34/37, AT2023aanv (CV)) 04:45:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:47:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 29) 04:53:50     Target Completed Target completed (34/37, AT2023aanv (CV)) 04:55:05     Target Started (35/37) Target started (35/37, AT2023abtv (CV)) 04:58:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:00:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 30) 05:06:46     Target Completed Target completed (35/37, AT2023abtv (CV)) 05:07:05     Target Started (36/37) Target started (36/37, AT2023txn) 05:09:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:12:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 31) 05:17:55     Target Completed Target completed (36/37, AT2023txn) 05:19:25     Target Started (37/37) Target started (37/37, AT2023tow) 05:22:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:25:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 32) 05:41:11     Target Completed Target completed (37/37, AT2023tow) 05:41:14   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 05:41:16 Session Closing Session closing 05:42:12   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 05:42:44   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 25s), Az: 90.0 deg 05:43:59   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 71s) 05:44:14   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 05:44:36   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:45:59   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:46:02 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:46:54     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 87.0 to 93.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 05:48:24     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.7°) 05:48:30     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.7°) 05:48:32   Dome Parked Dome parked 05:51:33 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 19:25:13 Red Alert Dome Alert Shutter Data isn't being refreshed 19:25:25 Yellow Alert Dome Shutter Pulsar Shutter appears to be asleep (last fresh data was at 19:05:13) 00:13:35 Green Clear Dome Shutter Pulsar Shutter has woken up (fresh data at 00:13:30, outage 308.4 min) 00:16:14 Green Clear Dome Alert Shutter Data has resumed updating 02:36:14 Yellow Alert Dome Discrepency Difference between Dome Az and Telescope Az is > 8 deg (NGC 3690)

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Operational Issues (2024-02-24 S1191)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (0)
• Small Defects (3)
• Continuous Improvement (0)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• None 

Small Defects

• AstroPlan Visual Studio Project wasn't backed up for versions 1.39.5 & 1.39.6. Whilst checking project back ups for current AstroPlan version (1.39.7) its was noticed that versions 1.39.5 and 1.39.6 hadn't been backed up locally or to project archive on AllSky/Weather Computer. 1.39.6 was just a transient version and was used in any session. This backup omission isn't a problem (at present), the current version is backed up, however the obmission is annoying and points to a breakdown in user procedure, alebit a very rare one.
  Closed after review  (User Awareness, Astromove VS Project Backup)
   
• 'Connect TheSky Telescope' procedure failed to report difference between telescope coords from DeviceHub & TheSky (00:16).  When the TheSky is connected at start-up (park position near due South horizon) the discrepency between the telescope coordinates from DeviceHub and those from TheSky6 are reported. Currently this is 2.0°.  The difference is due to TheSky6 position reporting a coordinates based on those derived from TPoint model and possibly also due to consideration of refraction near to the horizon. When procedure was run at 00:16 the telescope was at around Az 300° / Alt  58° where there is much less difference between coords from Device Hub & TheSky6, and no discrepency or coord difference is reported. This is presumably because there is no significant discrepency as the difference (<0.5°) is small which is confirmed by visual comprison of the DeviceHub(Ascom) & TheSky6 Telescope coordinates which are reported. Routine should be modified to show the difference in all cases. Fix implemented in AstroMain 3.65.20.
  Fixed 2024-02-26  (AstroMain 3.65.20,)
   
• Trace message in the log file relating to Dome/Cloud Sensor relay are interrupting to overflow of log message, can they be removed (20:34:37). Messages like  "RelayValues (trace) | Protection: 0 Ok , Dome.Relay: 0 51s (20:33:46), CS.Relay: 0 7250s (18:33:46)" can often appear in thde middle of a Scope Path or Dome Path and the interruption to the respective Path table is annoying. Does this trace message still need to be written ?    Dome Relay related Trace messages  have been commented out in AstroMain 3.66.6.
  Done  2024-03-15  (AstroMain 3.66.6)

Continuous Improvement

• None

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