David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1326 (2025-05-15)

Notes (S1325)

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Notes (S1327)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (2),  Small Defects (2),  Continuous Improvement (4)
	Images from 2025-05-15  >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-05-15)

Main aims

1. 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
• TheSky6, CCDSoft5, DeviceHub 7.0.3 RC3.4694, MeadeGeneric 1.3.12.522 , UPB 1.5,  Pulsar Dome Firmware 1.51 & Driver 6.3.10
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S 6.0.6
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.13, Siril 1.0.6, deCONZ 1.18.2, ASCOM 7.0.3 RC3
• [ DomeLink 1.0 / 1.1 - not used ]
   
• AstroMain 3.74.15,  AstroPlan 1.43.8,  AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.10.6   (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroMag 1.4.10, AstroVOE 1.15.1,  AstroSN 1.14,  AstroProtect 1.10.6,  AstroMove 1.16
  AstroWeather 1.27.9, AstroAllSky 3.23.5,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4 (not 1.11.5), AstroNorthCam 1.3, AstroLaunch 1.13.1

Highlights

• Targets.  8/11 planned target observations were fully completed and 2 targets were partially completed.  The final target failed due to cloud/fog. Images from 1 target (UGC 12131 w/SN2025jyl) were later rejected due to poor sky quality.
• CCD Camera. There was no issue with the CCDCamera freezing but one image failed which may/may not have been due to TheSky6 freezing for 90s.
•   Dome. There was an issues opening the shutter at start of session. Dome closed and parked at end of session ok.

Notes

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 21:46:06 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 22:58 & 01:59 21:46:07   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 22:58 22:58:08   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 23:06:34 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (23:06) 23:06:55   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 23:07:22   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 23:07:24 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2025-05-15 S01326, ImageSaveNum: 1326001) 23:07:29   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox. 23:09:16   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:09:24 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 23:09:26   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 23:09:28 Session Pending Session pending (2025-05-15) 23:09:30 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-05-15) 23:09:36   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 23:09:43   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.43.8) 23:10:28   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1111) 23:11:10   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 23:11:34 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 23:19:15   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 23:19:18 Session Running Session running 23:19:21   Queue Started Observing Queue started (11 targets selected) 23:19:24     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 14, HIP 69068) 23:19:35       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 23:23:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:26:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 23:28:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 23:28:51       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 23:30:51       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 23:32:32       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 23:32:48     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 14, HIP 69068) 23:32:52     Target Started (1/11) Target started (1/11, NGC 2744 w/SN2025oq) 23:37:11       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 23:50:56     Target Completed Target partially completed (1/11, NGC 2744 w/SN2025oq) 23:51:00     Target Started (2/11) Target started (2/11, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 23:55:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:58:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 00:13:22     Target Completed Target completed (2/11, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 00:13:26     Target Started (3/11) Target started (3/11, UGC 5695 w/SN2025cfc) 00:17:12       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 00:33:26     Target Completed Target completed (3/11, UGC 5695 w/SN2025cfc) 00:33:31     Target Started (4/11) Target started (4/11, UGC 10058 w/SN2025gvs) 00:38:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:41:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 00:57:24     Target Completed Target completed (4/11, UGC 10058 w/SN2025gvs) 00:57:28     Target Started (5/11) Target started (5/11, T CrB) 01:07:40     Target Completed Target completed (5/11, T CrB) 01:07:44     Target Started (6/11) Target started (6/11, 2MFGC 13744 w/SN2024afyu) 01:11:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:14:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 01:31:11     Target Completed Target completed (6/11, 2MFGC 13744 w/SN2024afyu) 01:31:15     Target Started (7/11) Target started (7/11, AT2024xpy) 01:34:28       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:51:11     Target Completed Target completed (7/11, AT2024xpy) 01:51:15     Target Started (8/11) Target started (8/11, GCVS BL Lac) 01:54:29       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S) 01:56:41       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 01:58:31     Target Completed Target completed (8/11, GCVS BL Lac) 01:58:33   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:58:36 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:59:26   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 01:59:29 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:01:41 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:02:26   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 02:02:29 Session Running Session running 02:02:31   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:02:33     Target Started (9/11) Target started (9/11, UGC 12131 w/SN2025jyl) 02:03:22       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:03:26       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 02:03:51       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:04:21       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 02:05:16   SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 02:05:55   SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 02:07:44       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-S) 02:20:03       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:20:38       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 02:22:03       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:24:18     Target Completed Target completed (9/11, UGC 12131 w/SN2025jyl) 02:24:20   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:24:22 Session Suspending Session suspending 02:25:08   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 02:25:11 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:33:34 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:34:19   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 02:34:22 Session Running Session running 02:34:24   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:34:27     Target Started (10/11) Target started (10/11, AT2025kej (CV)) 02:38:25       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:42:22     Target Completed Target partially completed (10/11, AT2025kej (CV)) 02:42:24   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:42:25 Session Suspending Session suspending 02:43:15   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 02:43:16 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:55:45     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (11/11, HIP 87937) due to cloud 02:55:49   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 02:55:51 Session Closing Session closing 02:55:56   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 02:43, closing time 50s, zigbee 43s) 02:56:33   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 28s), Az: 90.0 deg 02:57:18   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 39s total) 02:57:41   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 02:58:38   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 03:00:03   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 03:00:06 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 03:00:18     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 03:01:03     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.2°) 03:01:09     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.2°) 03:01:11   Dome Parked Dome parked 03:01:16   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (55mA) 03:01:18 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 23:12:35 Red Alarm Dome Opening Dome failed to finish opening after 60s (ShutterState=Opening) 02:05:16 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 02:05:55 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 03:01:16 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (55mA)

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Operational Issues (2025-05-15, S1326)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Dome failed to open at start of session (23:11). At the end of Session Starting stage, and with conditions ok,  the Dome was commanded to open by the Obs.Manager at 23:11.    "Dome is opening" was reported however it was followed up by messages reporting "Dome opening hasn't finished after 60s"  and "Open Dome   Fail  There may be a mechannical, electrical or software issue.". Logfile show "Setting bDomeOpenOpeningIssue=True" message at 23:12:35.  There were no zigbee message reporting 'Shutter  is opening' and it presumed that there was no physical opening of the shutter.  The failed Open Dome attempt  was noticed by the user at 23:18 and the 'Close Shutter' button was clicked. After reporting Dome is closing, the Open Dome () routine somehow commenced and the expected Zigbee messages ' Shutter is opening" and "Shutter is Open" were reported, culminating were received with "Dome is Open" message. Log shows the orginal command to open dome being made at around 23:11:34.71 , and the Pulsar Dome getting the OpenShutter request at 23:11:34.74. and opening the shutter (state 2) at 23:11:35.30.  Pulsar log shows the Shutter remaining in shutterOpening state (2) until 23:18:27 .  when it changed to ShutterClosing state (3) at 23:18:27.96, following a CloseShutter request at 23:18:27.95. Before reaching shutterClosed state and OpenShutter request was received at 23:18:30.87 to which the shutter opened normally.  Obs.Manager didn't appear to intervene to resolve the failed dome opening, and the session would likely have been a failure without user intervention.  Whilst the CloseShutter command at 23.18:27 was initiated by the user (logged as "User Request to Close Dome"), it would seem that the ObsManager was behind the OpenShutter command at 23:18:30 (logged as "Starting (Manager) Start OpenDome").   It would seem the user's CloseShutter command had reset a flag (bDomeOpenOpeningIssue ?), that allowed the ObsManager to continue with the session. ObsManager seemed to perform as per design, in the face of an open shutter issue it played safe but not attempt a second open shutter operation itself with user involvement.
   Resolved in-Session  2025-05-15 (Session, Pulsar Dome, AstroMain, User Intervention)
   
• Image failed (command timeout) whilst centering Target 9/11 (02:05). This was a somewhat unusual case in not being associated with any freeze of the CCDCamera but was related to TheSky6 hanging for one of its 90s 'sleep' moments. Whilst Centering Target 9/11 (UGC 12131 w/SN2025jyl ). Locate Frame 3 was reported to have failed ith the message "Image Failed (Timed-out)" but there was no call to RestartCCDSoft() as the CCDCamera was running ok (ie it was not in a 'Pending' state). Log file shows TakeImageAsync being called at 02:04:14, with TimeOutPoint set as 02:05:15.  At 02:05:16 the Camera.TakeImage was logged as Image failed (Timed-out).  Through this time the ScopeMonitor was logged as being in a Pending State, indicating that TheSky6 was unresponsive having froze at an estimated time of 02:03:48 (which would have been just after the previous Locate Frame 2 had started to image). An attempt to acquire Locate Frame 4 (30s exposure) was made at 02:05:19 but logs show an exception from CCDCamera.TakeImage with the message "Error: Command in progress." at 02:05:19.20 .  Despite this TakeImageAsync routine appeared to continue on and logged the message "Take Image command accepted" and "Setting TimeOutPoint as 02:06:20.18" also at 02:05:19.20.  At 02:05:21 the TheSkyScope Monitor was logged as having resumed (but TheSky6 could have actually resumed as early as 02:05:19) .  With a 30s exposure the frame would be expected to have finished at around 02:05:51. 
  At 02:05:55 image #1326066 was reported to have been completed, and this linked ok and the target proceeded on without further issue.
  Question is whether the CCDCamara.TakeImage exception "Command in progress" was one associated with call to TakeImage (LocateFrame 4) at that time (02:05:19) or is was delayed exception associated with earlier call to TakeImage (LocateFrame 3) at that time 02:04:14 but was somehow held up by the unresponsive TheSky6 program and was only logged at this time (02:05:19) when TheSky6 resumed again.  The associated question is whether image #1326066 belonged to LocateFrame4 or whether it belonged to the earlier LocateFrame3.  Its FITS header indicates a  Image Time of 01:05:22 UT (02:05:22) As this is a 'Start Exposure' Time it indicates that it was most probably the LocateFrame4.  However it is possible that CCDSoft was held up waiting for TheSky6 at start of LocateFrame3 which only released when TheSky began responding again and the 'Command in progress exception was related to LocateFrame4.   In a situation like this one the TakeImageAsync should probably identify a potential hold-up could be occuring with a TheSky6 waited until TheSky.ScopeMonitor had resumed again or it had past a 90s normal wait time.   Issue is largely understood and is closed after review 2025-05-16.
   Closed after review 2025-05-16 (Session,  AstroMain, CCDSoft,  TheSky6)

Small Defects

• User Intervened to resolve a failed Dome Opening but it was not recorded as an intervention on the ObservingResult chart (23:18). At the end of Session Starting stage, and with conditions ok,  the Dome was commanded to open by the Obs.Manager at 23:11.  but it failed to open and the  bDomeOpenOpeningIssue flag was raised. The failed Open Dome attempt  was noticed by the user at 23:18 and the 'Close Shutter' button was clicked. After reporting Dome is closing, the ObsManager continued with session by opening the shutter at 23:18:30. It would seem the user's CloseShutter command had reset a flag (bDomeOpenOpeningIssue ?), that allowed ObsManager to continue with the session.  User Intervention should have been recorded by the AstroMain as it was critical to session progress but wasn't.   This intervention had to be manually recorded in the Session Events table.
   To fix  2025-05-16 (AstroMain 3.74.16+)
   
• Problems with 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann links on several web pages (post-session).  Issue first noticed when trying to 'Follow Hyperlink' to 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann from the contents item on the 'Session Images' pages for S1326 and S1319 session, it seems that the link is not working on multiple earlier pages involving this comet.  Issue was identified as being due to the 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann image section having incorrect bookmark  ('Comet_29P_Schwassmann-Wachmann0'  instead of the expected bookmark 'Comet_29P_Schwassmann-Wachmann'). Issue first appeared with S1315.  Issue fixed by correcting the bookmark on all the affected pages.
   Fixed  2025-05-16 (Website)

Continuous Improvement

• Add fields to AstroMag's Main tab to show calibrated/corrected X, Y, Z values. Implemented in AstroMag 1.4.11
   Done 2025-05-16 (AstroMag 1.4.11)
   
• Add a new chart to AstroMag that plots the high resolution variations in magnetometer readings.  A first pass implementation has been made in AstroMag 1.4.13, using Minute Data and using  Xc, Yc, Zc parameter (X,Y,Z  might be averaged which we don't want). In due course we want to be able to use 10s data and to also draw a full size image, beside the smaller summary.  Chart is saved to live folder as "Latest.Magnetogram.HighResolution.png" and uploaded to website by AstroPlan 1.43.9.
   Done 2025-05-18 (AstroMag 1.4.13, AstroPlan 1.43.9, Website)
   
• NorthCam Images to be annotated with Sun Altitude. It would be useful if NorthCam images could be annotated with Sun Altitude. Implemented in AstroNorthCam 1.31.1.  Tweaked to to make background consistent with that of the adjacent TimeStamp.
   Done 2025-05-18 (AstroNorthCam 1.3.1)
   
• Add a 'Retry FV' option to AstroMain's Analysis/Post FV dialog. Sometimes there is a need to go back to reopen FV before capturing image because FV had been accidently closed or whatever. Currently user would have to cancel the Post-FV dialog, in order to get back to a Analysis/ImageSet tab to Open FV again, so having an option to retry FV would be useful.
   Improvement 2025-05-16 (AstroMain 3.74.16)

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