David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1332 (2025-06-03)

Notes (S1331)

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Notes (S1333)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (1),  Minor Issues (1),  Small Defects (5),  Continuous Improvement (9)
	- Figures (1)
	Images from 2025-06-03  >>
	Geomagnetic Station -  GA Tool (2025-06-06 to 2025-06-20)

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-06-03)

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 3.75.1,  AstroPlan 1.43.11, AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.11   (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroMag 1.4.22, AstroVOE 1.15.1,  AstroSN 1.14,  AstroProtect 1.10.6,  AstroMove 1.16
  AstroWeather 1.27.9, AstroAllSky 3.24.2,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4 (not 1.11.5), AstroNorthCam 1.4.7, AstroLaunch 1.13.3

Highlights

• Targets.  2/7 planned target observations were completed with 2 targets partially completed. Other targets failed due to cloud.  Some images may be rejected due to cloud.
• Cloud.  Conditions were cloudier than hoped for or expected based on initially clear sky.
• CCD Camera. There were no issues with the CCDSoft / CCDCamera, which may be good fortune or may actually be due to positive changes made to code in AstroMain 3.75.1
•  Dome. There was no issues opening/closing the shutter during the 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) Note:  The NorthCam Star Count line is unreliable and should be ignored (The AstroNorthCam 'Find' Star method is producing many false positives from clouds)

Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 00:05:34 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 00:05 & 00:55 00:05:36   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 00:05 00:05:46 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (00:05) 00:06:07   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 00:06:35   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 00:06:37 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2025-06-03 S01332, ImageSaveNum: 1332001) 00:06:42   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 00:08:33   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:08:40 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 00:08:42 Session Pending Session pending (2025-06-03) 00:08:44 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-06-03) 00:08:54   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 00:09:00   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.43.11) 00:10:25   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1117) 00:11:07   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 00:11:32 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 00:12:17   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 00:12:19   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started 00:17:03   Equilibration Ended Dome Equilibration ended (4.8 mins total) 00:17:05 Session Running Session running 00:17:08   Queue Started Observing Queue started (7 targets selected) 00:17:10     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 14, HIP 69068) 00:17:24       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 00:21:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:24:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 00:27:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 00:27:07       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 00:29:08       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 00:30:49       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 00:31:06     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 14, HIP 69068) 00:31:10     Target Started (1/7) Target started (1/7, GCVS BL Lac) 00:36:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:38:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 00:43:21     Target Completed Target completed (1/7, GCVS BL Lac) 00:43:26     Target Started (2/7) Target started (2/7, AT2025kej (CV)) 00:45:06   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 00:45:08   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 00:45:10     Target Aborted (2/7) Target aborted (2/7, AT2025kej (CV)) due to cloud 00:45:12   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:45:14 Session Suspending Session suspending 00:46:02   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 00:46:05 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:54:02     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (2/7, AT2025kej (CV)) due to cloud 01:14:32     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (3/7, NGC 6685 w/SN2023ndu) due to cloud 01:26:50     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (4/7, KIC 8462852) due to cloud 01:32:07 Session Resuming Session resuming 01:32:52   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 01:32:55 Session Running Session running 01:32:57   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 01:32:59     Target Started (5/7) Target started (5/7, 61 Cyg) 01:37:12     Target Completed Target completed (5/7, 61 Cyg) 01:37:16     Target Started (6/7) Target started (6/7, GCVS CI Cyg) 01:41:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:43:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 01:45:13   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:45:15   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 01:45:18     Target Aborted (6/7) Target aborted (6/7, GCVS CI Cyg) due to cloud 01:45:20   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:45:22 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:46:08   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 01:46:11 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:56:45 Session Resuming Session resuming 01:56:55   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:56:57   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 01:56:59     Target Aborted (7/7) Target aborted (7/7, AT2024hr (CV)) due to cloud 01:57:01   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:57:30   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 01:57:32 Session Running Session running 01:57:34   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 01:57:37     Target Started (7/7) Target started (7/7, AT2024hr (CV)) 01:59:45   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:59:47   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 01:59:49     Target Aborted (7/7) Target aborted (7/7, AT2024hr (CV)) due to cloud 01:59:51   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:59:53 Session Suspending Session suspending 02:00:40   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 02:00:43 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:02:45 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:03:31   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 02:03:33 Session Running Session running 02:03:35   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:03:36     Target Started (7/7) Target started (7/7, AT2024hr (CV)) 02:09:41   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 02:09:43   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 02:09:45     Target Aborted (7/7) Target aborted (7/7, AT2024hr (CV)) due to cloud 02:09:47   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:09:49 Session Suspending Session suspending 02:10:36   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 02:10:39 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:11:07   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 02:11:11 Session Closing Session closing 02:11:16   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 02:10, closing time 50s, zigbee 43s) 02:11:45   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 20s), Az: 90.0 deg 02:12:27   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 39s total) 02:12:51   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 02:13:13   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 02:14:39   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 02:14:41 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 02:14:49     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°, Wide) 02:15:09     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 80.5°) 02:15:15     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 78.4 to 82.4°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 02:15:57     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 80.6°) 02:16:03     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: +9.4°) 02:16:05   Dome Parked Dome parked 02:17:32   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (20mA) 02:17:34 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 00:08:42 Yellow Alert Disk Space Free Space on C:\ Drive (49.51 GB) is less than 50 GB 02:17:32 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (20mA)

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Operational Issues (2025-06-03, S1332)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (1)
• Minor Issues (1)
• Small Defects (5)
• Continuous Improvement (9)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• Lock on Observatory Door has failed (2025-06-04).  Lock on Observatory Door which has become increasingly difficult to lock is finally deemed to have become non-functional. No amount of WD40 is getting the lock to move.  A link to replacement lock was suggested by Pulser Observatories ( https://www.faparkes.co.uk/large-t-handle-locking-44mm-open-20862-9-00244 which was order and successfully fitted upon arrival.  In order to remove the old lock it was necessary to cut off the axle / interior handle using a hacksaw.  A suitably functional replacement for the interior handle was found amongst odds & ends at home and after fitting the new lock the replacement interior door handle was attached to axle and secured with Aradite. Resolved 2025-06-10.
   Replacement fitted  2025-06-10 (Observatory)

Minor Issues

• Night Video from 2025-06-08 / 09 was not generated / not uploaded to website (2025-06-09 am).  AstroNorthCam 1.5.1 was released on 2025-06-08 13:07 with a modification to use new generalised BuildStandardVideo() routine and a fix related to the generation of Sunrise Video.  Investigating showed that Day, Sunset and Sunrise videos were created and uploaded to website ok, however there was an issue creating the Night Video.  Logs show
    2025-06-09 02:26:24.81 | Setting EndNightVideoTime at SunAlt -8.0 to 02:26:24
  2025-06-09 02:26:24.81 | Setting StartSunriseVideoTime at SunAlt -8.0 to 02:25:24
  2025-06-09 02:26:24.81 | Submitting Build Night Video (2025-06-08 - 23:47:13 to 02:26:24)
  2025-06-09 02:26:25.21 | No jpg frames found meeting filter cutoff
  A later check showed that whilst a SunriseVideo was created it contains frames from the previous sunrise on the morning of 2025-06-08 rather that frames of the sunrise on the morning of 2025-06-09.  BuildStandardVideo() routine checked and a bug found  (VideoSuffix wasn't getting assigned until after the condition check ' VideoSuffix = "Night" Or VideoSuffix = "Sunrise" ' . Issue fixed in AstroNorthCam 1.5.2.
   Fixed 2025-06-09 (AstroNorthCam 1.5.2)

Small Defects

• Ticks marks on top of AstroMag's AnnualTempChart are incorrect.  Tick marks along the top axis of the AnnualTempChart are incorrect and don't match the monthly tick marks drawn along bottom of chart. Fixed in AstroMag 1.4.24.
   Fixed 2025-06-05 (AstroMag 1.4.24)
   
• Teething issues associated with creation of Sunrise Videos. (2025-06-08). AstroNorthCam 1.5 was released on 2025-06-07 with a new feature to create Sunset & Sunrise Video's covering period Sun Alt +4 to -8 (Sunset) and -8 to +4 (Sunrise). Whilst the Sunset Video production process is working there are issues with the Sunrise Video production process.  There are several issues:   i) issue setting initial StartSunriseVideo time when the main loop run starts  ii) issue passing EndSunriseVideoTime to the BuildCustomVideo() routine, that means that no jpg frames meet the selection criteria and iii) issue with the following Build3hVideo which copies Latest3hVideo to LatestSunriseVideo.  Fixed in AstroNorthCam 1.5.1.
   Fixed 2025-06-08 (AstroNorthCam 1.5.1)
   
• Certain First Frame/Poster pictures are not being uploaded to website (2025-06-09).  Although DayVideo and FirstFrameDayVideo files were successfully created by AstroNorthCam and copied to the Server (Live) Folder,  the FirstFrame/Poster Picture was not uploaded to the website even though the Video file was.  It is hypothesized that first frame are  not getting uploaded as the file modified date comes from the original 0001.jpg file (eg FirstFrameDayVideo  2025-06-08 03:44) , which can be older than the 'reference' time set in AstroAllSky when it was lasted started if this happening at a later time  (eg 2025-06-08 13:21)    First frame issue solved by setting LastWriteTime on the file after it is copied
      File.SetLastWriteTimeUtc(DestFile, DateTime.UtcNow())
   An alternative fix would have been to used the CopyFileWithNewDate() routine.  (from AstroPlan program  where routine it was first developed). Fixed in AstroNorthCam 1.5.2.
   Fixed 2025-06-09 (AstroNorthCam 1.5.2)
   
• AstroNorthCam inappropriately attempted to build a sunrise video shortly after restarting AstroNorthCam (13:10).  AstroNorthCam 1.5.1 was released on 2025-06-08 13:07 with a modification to use new generalised BuildStandardVideo() routine and a fix related to the generation of Sunrise Video.  After starting the new version at 13:09 the program made an attempt to create a Sunrise Video at 13:10.   The video wasn't produced as no Jpg frames were found in the inappropriately specified time window.
    Submitting Build Sunrise Video (2025-06-08 - 13:09:11 to 13:09:11)
  No jpg frames found meeting filter cutoff.
  Fixed in AstroNorthCam 1.5.2.
   Fixed 2025-06-09 (AstroNorthCam 1.5.2)
   
• AstroMag's GA Tool isn't improving Fitness as quickly as expected. (2025-06-09).  A GA tool to find best parameters for Temperature Correction was introduced in AstroMag 1.5, which was extended in AstroMag 1.5.1 (beta) to include a checkbox to include the Previous Base Parameters in the Initial Population set. Particularly when having this checkbox checked the Fitness Score using 300/30 nPop/nGen was noted to not improve or very slowly.  Tracning demonstrated a bug  in code which was meant to duplicates of the best scenario. This was confirmed by an examination of the code. Bug fixed in AstroMag 1.5.1.
   Fixed 2025-06-09 (AstroMag 1.5.1)

Continuous Improvement

• Modify AstroMag to be able to create an additional Difference Charts showing differences for X, Y and Z on a single chart .  AstroMag 1.4.21 and earlier versions have been able to make separate charts for X, Y & Z showing difference between readings from Clair Observatory and those from 3 comparison stations (typically roe/bfe, kar & sol). For the new GA tool to determine the best parameters for temperature correction and extra chart show the difference between readings from Clair Observatory and the roe/bfe station for all 3 axes (X, Y & Z) on a single chart. Implemented in AstroMag 1.4.23 which produces 24h and 5d versions of new chart ('Latest.MagnetogramDifference_XYZ.png' and 'Latest.MagnetogramDifference_XYZ_5d.png'), (see Fig 1). The version also includes generation of a 5-day Activity Chart2  ('Latest.MagnetometerActivityChart2_5d.png').
   Done 2025-06-04 (AstroMag 1.4.23, AstroPlan 1.43.12, Website)
   
• Modify AstroMag Charts to draw rotated vertical Y Axis labels.   AstroMag 1.4.23 and earlier versions have drawn Y axis using StringFormatFlags.DirectionVertical but this produces a text which faces outwards from the graph when the requirement is to have text that faces inwards, ie to have vertical text that is rotated 180°. Implemented in AstroMag 1.4.24 by using a new DrawRotatedVerticalLabel() routine
    Sub DrawRotatedVerticalLabel(ByRef bmp As Bitmap, S As String, drawFont As Font, Brush As Brush, x As Integer, y As Integer)
  The new routine is used by Temperature Graphs, Activity Charts
   Done 2025-06-05 (AstroMag 1.4.24)
   
• Modify AstroMag to enter, save, load and use (B) Temperature Coefficients (B) for temperature correction of magnetometer readings using Subsurface Temperature .  AstroMag 1.4.24 and earlier versions can be used to enter, save, load and use (A) Temperature Coefficients for temperature correction of magnetometer readings using Observatory Temperature or Outdoor Temperature.  Although Subsurface Temperature variations are small (often only 0.2°C per day) overtime the temperature change can amount to around 1°C every two weeks or so, and given the magnetometer's relatively high temperature coefficient they need to be included in temperature correction.   Implemented in AstroMag 1.4.25.   AverageSubsurfaceTemp added to TMagRecord Structure.
  Code to create AverageSubsurfaceTemp added to CalculateAverageTemperature() routine using a 40 minute moving average.
   Done 2025-06-05 (AstroMag 1.4.25)
   
• Modify AstroAllSky to capture Aurora Forecast pictures hourly throughout the entire 24h day.  In AstroAllSky 3.24.2 and earlier versions, Aurora Forecast pictures are captured hourly during the nighttime hours. This was fine for monitoring / analysing Aurora events during nightime, but with the addition of a gemagnetic station there is a need to analyse geomagnetic storms events that might occur during daylight hours. Proposal is to modify AstroAllSky routines or create a new routine to also capture Aurora Forecast pictures during daytime hours.  AstroAllSky settings are set up to capture  'aurora-forecast' pictures using capture mode 4 (hourly).  A picture capture is triggered by an hourly call to  RunCaptureInternetImages(4) that occurs when NewHour = true.  Adding the same hourly call to daytime loop should ensure the capture 'auora-forecast' picture during the rest of the 24 hoour cycle.  Implemented in AstroAllSky 3.24.3 and established to be working ok 2025-06-07 (pm).
   Done 2025-06-07 (AstroAllSky 3.24.3)
   
• Modify AstroNorthCam to capture sunset and sunrise videos.  In AstroNorthCam 1.4.7 and earlier 1.4 versions, Daytime videos are captured when the Sun Altitude is above -2°, and Nighttime videos are created when Sun Altitude is below -8°.   3h videos are continuously made that can record the North Sky when the Sun Altitude is between -2 and -8° these videos are overwritten by later video versions are are not permanently saved/archived. and not saved.  Custom videos can be created later to cover the 'missing' time but these videos have to be manually initiated.  Since sunset (and to a lesser degree sunrise) are interesting intervals of changing sky and changing colours it is proposed to also record 'Sun rise'  and 'Sun set' video that cover Sun Altitude period -8° to +4° (for sunrise) and +4° to -8° (from sunset).  Sunset video should be copied to live folder and uploaded to website. The sunrise video should be copied to the live folder but not yet uploaded to website (added in AstroAllSky 3.24.4).  Implemented in AstroAllSky 3.24.3,  two new generalised routines created : SubmitStandardVideo() & CopyVideoToLiveFolder().  If successful AstroNorthCam will be further upload to use these generalised routines for Night and Day videos (added in AstroNorthCam 1.15.1 2025-06-08).
   Done  2025-06-07 (AstroNorthCam 1.5, AstroAllSky 3.24.4, Website)
   
• Develop a GA Tool in AstroMag to find and understand the best parameter values for Temperature Correction.  Magnetometer readings from the Observatory's SAM III / Geomagnetic Station are affected by temperature (subsurface & surface) in a subtle yet complex way that needs to be corrected for to achieve best results from the stations.  However it is difficult to find the correct coefficients and temperature effect delays to optimise the necessary temperature correction.  It is proposed to add a GA (Genetic Algorithm) Tool to AstroMag program to be able to find and understand best parameter values for the various parameters for temperature.  It is proposed to run the GA tool against 5 days worth of data, and AstroMag has been recently upgraded to work with 5 days worth of Clair and Comparison Station data. A station (either roe or bfe) located around 2 degs south of the Clair Observatory will be used as the primary data for calculating match quality,more northerly stations showing more variation due to the close proximity to the main aurora belt.  A new Difference Chart showing differences for X, Y and Z and the associated difference errors has been added in AstroMag 1.4.23 to visually and numerically show the quality of the current temperature correction, and provide the algorithm for the Objective Function that will be used in the GA Tool.     Tool developed in AstroMag versions 1.4.24 to 1.4.27 and when deemed to be working it would be released as AstroMag 1.5.  
   Done  2025-06-07 (AstroMag 1.5)
   
• Add a Restart SAM Monitor button to AstroMag's Settings Tab.  After copying calculated offsets to Live Offsets fields or making any other change to settings it would be handy to have 'Restart Monitor' button to conveniently restart the Sam Monitor. Implemented in AstroMag 1.5.  
   Done  2025-06-07 (AstroMag 1.5)
   
• Remove the production of LiveVideo/SessionVideo from AstroNorthCam.  With the production of Day, Sunset, Night and Sunrise Videos there is no need to produce Session Video that cover the entire 24 hr period from 09:00 until to 08:59 the following day. These videos aren't used, consume program resources and take up valuable disk space.   Removed in AstroNorthCam 1.5.1 & AstroAllSky 3.24.4 
   Done  2025-06-07 (AstroNorthCam 1.5.1)
   
• Convert Build NightVideo and Build DayVideo processes to use BuildStandardVideo.  A new generalised BuildStandardVideo() routine introduced in AstroNorthCam 1.5 and has proven to successfully work with the build Sunset Video process.  The final part of this code optimisation is to move NightVideo and DayVideo prcesses over to using the new BuildStandardVideo() routine.   BuildDayVideo() and BuildNightVideo() routines are re-dacted.   Removed in AstroNorthCam 1.5.1  
   Done  2025-06-07 (AstroNorthCam 1.5.1)
   
• Add facility to AstroMag's GA Tool to allow the Base (Live) Params to be included when creating initial population.  Implemented in AstroMag 1.5.1.  
   Done  2025-06-09 (AstroMag 1.5.1) 

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Geomagnetic Station -  GA Tool (2025-06-06 to 2025-06-20)

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