David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 1341 (2025-07-11)

 
Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
Bullet Operational Issues
- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (5),  Small Defects (2),  Continuous Improvement (8)
- Figures (6)
   
Bullet Images from 2025-07-11  >>           
   
2025-07-13
Bullet New Powerbox - Pegasus Astro UPB V3
   

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-07-11)

Main aims

  1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions and the short summer night.
  2. CCD Camera. Test if major CCD Camera issues during recent have been resolved or not

 Equipment & Software

Highlights

Notes

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan
Image
  
Observing Result
Image
   
Image
 
Dome & Scope Slewing Performance
Image
  
Slew/Centering Performance
Image
  
Guiding Performance
Image
  
Sky Conditions (Locate Frames)
Image 
  
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)
Image   
  
Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast
Image
Image
 
Session Event Log
 
Time     Event Detail
23:04:29 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 23:14 & 02:03
23:04:29   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 23:14
23:14:55 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (23:14)
23:15:16   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.)
23:15:44   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C)
23:15:47 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2025-07-11 S01341, ImageSaveNum: 1341001)
23:15:52   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch
23:16:46   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 23:16 in section 'GetProperty / Temperature'
23:17:54   Services Started Observatory Services started
23:18:03   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera)
23:18:11   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled
23:19:12   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C)
23:19:15 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
23:19:16 Session Pending Session pending (2025-07-11)
23:19:18 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-07-11)
23:19:27   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -5°C)
23:19:34   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.43.14)
23:20:31   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 23:20 in section 'GetProperty / FilterIndexZeroBased'
23:20:49   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1126)
23:21:03   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera)
23:21:11   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled
23:22:12   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -5°C)
23:22:21   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6)
23:22:46 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome
23:31:17   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s)
23:31:33   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started
23:36:28   Equilibration Skipped Dome Equilibration skipped by user
23:36:30 Session Running Session running
23:36:33   Queue Started Observing Queue started (10 targets selected)
23:36:35     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 18, HIP 88232)
23:36:48       Dome Unparked Dome unparked
23:40:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:43:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide)
23:44:02       SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out)
23:44:04       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix Camera Exception)
23:44:13       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled
23:45:14       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -5°C)
23:45:20       SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset)
23:46:34       SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out)
23:46:36       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera)
23:46:44       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled
23:47:45       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -5°C)
23:47:50       SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset)
23:48:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
23:48:37       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
23:50:37       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
23:52:17       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
23:52:33     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 18, HIP 88232)
23:52:37     Target Started (1/10) Target started (1/10, UGC 10058 w/SN2025gvs)
23:56:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:59:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
00:15:55     Target Completed Target completed (1/10, UGC 10058 w/SN2025gvs)
00:15:59     Target Started (2/10) Target started (2/10, T CrB)
00:24:54     Target Completed Target completed (2/10, T CrB)
00:24:58     Target Started (3/10) Target started (3/10, SN 2024aeey)
00:28:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:31:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
00:47:49     Target Completed Target completed (3/10, SN 2024aeey)
00:47:53     Target Started (4/10) Target started (4/10, AT2024wys (CV))
00:52:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:55:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
00:58:51     Target Completed Target completed (4/10, AT2024wys (CV))
00:58:56     Target Started (5/10) Target started (5/10, GCVS BL Lac)
01:03:00       SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out)
01:03:02       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera)
01:03:10       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled
01:04:12       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C)
01:05:41       SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset)
01:08:08     Target Completed Target completed (5/10, GCVS BL Lac)
01:08:12     Target Started (6/10) Target started (6/10, UGC 12793 w/AT2025kjx)
01:12:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:15:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
01:31:52     Target Completed Target completed (6/10, UGC 12793 w/AT2025kjx)
01:31:56     Target Started (7/10) Target started (7/10, UGC 386 w/SN2025kno)
01:35:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:37:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
01:54:09     Target Completed Target completed (7/10, UGC 386 w/SN2025kno)
01:54:13     Target Started (8/10) Target started (8/10, AT2025kej (CV))
01:58:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:00:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
02:09:10     Target Completed Target completed (8/10, AT2025kej (CV))
02:09:14     Target Started (9/10) Target started (9/10, AT2023acib)
02:21:32     Target Completed Target completed (9/10, AT2023acib)
02:21:36     Target Started (10/10) Target started (10/10, KIC 8462852)
02:25:04       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:27:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
02:31:49     Target Completed Target completed (10/10, KIC 8462852)
02:31:51   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
02:31:53 Session Closing Session closing
02:32:41   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 45s, Zigbee 42s)
02:33:40   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 52s), Az: 90.0 deg
02:34:24   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 42s total)
02:34:54   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.'
02:35:16   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
02:36:43   Services Stopped Night Services stopped
02:36:46 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
02:37:03     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°, Wide)
02:37:48     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 89.0°)
02:37:54     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 87.0 to 91.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow)
02:38:38     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 88.7°)
02:38:43     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: +1.3°)
02:38:45   Dome Parked Dome parked
02:39:46   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (49mA)
02:39:48 Session Finished Session Finished
 
Session Alerts & Alarms
 
Time     Type       Name Detail
23:18:01 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 23:16:46) in section 'GetProperty / Temperature'
23:19:13 Green Clear CcdCamera SBIG Camera has been successfully restarted
23:21:01 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 23:20:31) in section 'GetProperty / FilterIndexZeroBased'
23:22:12 Green Clear CcdCamera SBIG Camera has been successfully restarted
23:44:02 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out)
23:45:20 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset)
23:46:34 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out)
23:47:50 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset)
01:03:00 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out)
01:05:41 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset)
02:39:46 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (49mA)
 

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Operational Issues (2025-07-11, S1341)

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Critical Issues

Major Issues

Minor Issues

Small Defects

Continuous Improvement

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Fig 1.  NorthCam Keogram for 2025-07-11

The shift in line traces at 23:25 is distinct and corresponds to around 8 or 9° of vertical shift.

Image

Fig 2.  NorthCam Pictures from around the time of shift at 23:25:40

Composite of 3 frames (15s exposures) of the NorthCam view
i) immediately before the shift (left), ii) during the shift (middle) and immediately

Image

Fig 3.  Ghost image of an approaching bird.

A ghost image of an approaching bird is visible in the first and middle frame

Image

Image
 

Fig 4.  NorthCam Camera after adjustment and addition of improvised bird spikes

 Image       Image
 

Fig 5.  Choose Just-in-Time Debugger Dialog due to unhandled exception in Pegasus Astro Unity Server

 Image      

Fig 6.   Code for searching DeviceManager

Imports System.Management

Module DeviceManagerExample
  Sub Main()
  ' Create a ManagementObjectSearcher to query WMI for devices
    Dim searcher As New ManagementObjectSearcher("SELECT * FROM Win32_PnPEntity")

    ' Iterate through the results
    For Each device As ManagementObject In searcher.Get()
       ' Display the device name and status
        Console.WriteLine("Device Name: " & device("Name"))
        Console.WriteLine("Status: " & device("Status"))
        Console.WriteLine("------------------------------------------------")
    Next

   Console.ReadLine()
  End Sub

End Module

 

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2025-07-13


New Powerbox - Pegasus Astro UPB V3

A new powerbox (a Pegasus Astro UPB V3) has arrived on 2025-07-11 and will replace the UPB V1 powerbox (that has been in service since Nov 2018).

Background
After a couple of years thinking that about getting a UPB V2 box / later UPB V3 box it has been finally decided to get one, due to combination of small benefits and a strategy to reduce the number of cables associated with the scope.

Whilst the UPB V1 powerbox is still working, the new UPB V3 model has some key benefits.

- a UBS 3.1 Hub, allowing one of the two existing USB cables from the scope to be removed.
- VESA screwhole, allowing a better option for attaching the box to the Observatory's LX200 Telescope
- has individually controllable USB Ports, allowing options for repairing the connection to the SBIG USB Camera.

Product Page :  https://pegasusastro.com/products/ultimate-powerbox-v3/

 Other extra features of the new powerbox are not of any immediate use, but provide future options.
 - 1 extra dew controller,
 - 2 extra USB port,
 - 2 extra 12V outputs
 - a Relay Output
-  2 voltage selectable outputs

Equipment that was connected to old V1 box and will moved across to the new V3 box is as follows

12V Output
 - LX200 telescope
 - TCF-S focuser    (being shortly replaced by TCF-LSI focuser)

Dew Heaters
   - LX200 telescope / heater band
   - TS80 telescope / heater band

USB
 - LX200 telescope
 - TCF-S focuser  (being shortly replaced by TCF-LSI focuser)

Notes : See notes on earlier UPB V1 powerbox

Links
-
UPB v3 Product Page   [ https://pegasusastro.com/products/ultimate-powerbox-v3/ ]
- UPB v3 Manual (pdf)      [ https://pegasusastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/UPBv3-manual.pdf ] 
- Pegasus Unity Platform  [ https://pegasusastro.com/unity-platform/ ]

Installation :
Pegasus Unity Software downloaded from https://pegasusastro.com/download/  and installed on Observatory Computer (2025-07-12) .

This installs a frontend program (PEG.UI), a server (PEG.Server) and ASCOM drivers for  'Switch', 'Focuser,' and 'ObservingConditions ' :

Firmware upgraded from version 1.4 to 1.5

AstroMain modifications made (3.75.13 & 3.76) to handle the new V3 powerbox
Connection Tests made in Observatory by temporarily disconnected 12V input to V1 Powerbox and connecting it to the V3 Powerbox

Secondary COM Port set to COM Port used by the new V3 box (COM 10 on Observatory Computer)

The association between ASCOM Switch numbers and the particular outputs/ports on the V3 powerbox was established by user testing.
This involved connecting to V3 powerbox via 'ASCOM .pegasus1.switch' driver , and then toggling each switch number in turn using a AstroMain side routine and watching which port/output state was changing in Pegasus Unity UI Software.

This work resulted in the following table:

6 x 12 v power outputs
   0 = Output 1
   2 = Output 2
   4 = Output 3
   6 = Output 4
   8 = Output 5
  10 = Output 6

 1,3,5,7,9,11 didn't seem to be associated with any functionality on the UPBv3 ?
 
6 x USB3.1 ports
  12 = USB port 1
  13 = USB port 2
  14 = USB port 3
  15 = USB port 4
  16 = USB port 5
  17 = USB port 6
 
2 x USB2 ports

  18 = USB port 7
  19 = USB port 8
 
3 Dew Controller Outputs
  20 = Dew A
  21 = Dew B
  22 = Dew C

  26 = Auto Dew A
  27 = Auto Dew B
  28 = Auto Dew C

  23, 24, 25 didn't seem to be associated with any functionality on the UPBv3 ?

Actions:

Image Modify AstroMain to handle new UPB V3 Powerbox
- added checkbox objConsole.cboxUseUPB_V3 to specifiy which powerbox (UPBv1 or UPBv3) is being used
- added new  variables (cPowerSwitchLX200,  cPowerSwitchTCF, cSwitchDew1  & cSwitchDew2) which are assigned by call to Powerbox.AssignSwitchNumbers() dependant on the state of the checkbox objConsole.cboxUseUPB_V3. Implemented in AstroMain 3.76.
- added routines to toggle the USB Port associated with SBIG USV Camera.

Image Setup UPV V3 powerbox on Observatory Computer
- Install Pegaus Unity Software (2.10)
- Determined COM Port for new power box is COM 10
- Setup Power Start settings and Port/Output labels using Pegasus Unity front-end
- Set new COM Port (COM10) as UPB's Secondary Port in AstroMain settings

Image Install UPV V3 powerbox on Observatory Telescope
- Remove long USB3 cable between ZWO 178MC Camera & Observatory Computer.
- Detach power and usb-serial cabling from TCF-S Focus Controller
- Detach all cabling to/from UPB V1 Powerbox from LX200 Fork Arm
 -Detach TCF-S Focus Controller  & UPB V1 Powerbox from LX200 Fork Arm

- Attach UPB V3 powerbox to LX200 Fork Arm (involving removing LX200 Battery Holder &  drilling 4 holes in Fork Arm and then buying/using 4 x M4x16mm bolts)
- Attach  12v cables from new V3 powerbox to Telescope  & TCF-S Controller
- Attach USB Cables/ USB-Serial Adapters from new V3 powerbox to Telescope, TCF-S Controller, & SBIG USB Camera
- Attach short USB3 Cable from new V3 powerbox to ZWO 178MC camera
- Attach cables from V3 powerbox to dew heater bands on the main (LX200) & secondary (TS80) scopes
- Attach cables from V3 powerbox to Pegasus Motor Focus attached to TS80 (secondary scope)


Image Finalised AstroMain 3.76
 - set default value of cboxUseUPB_v3.checked to True

Image Test Performance of UPB V3 powerbox during live session.
 - new setup was tested during session S1342 (2025-07-16)

Power, USB & Dew Heater Labels  in Pegaus Unity - 2025-07-16

Image
 

Image
 

Image

 

Update 2025-07-17
AstroMain 3.76.1 modified to handle/set dew heaters correctly

Dew Heater levels in V1 box used a setting between 0 and 255, whilst dew heater levels in V3 box use a setting between 0 and 100.

Update 2025-07-26
ReportPowerboxSwitches routine modified in AstroMain 3.77.2to produce a table of the ASCOM Switches associated with the currently connected Switch Driver. Running it against the Unity Switch Driver produced the following table.

Image

Previously it wasn't known what ASCOM switches numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 23, 24 & 25 were associated with (if anything) or whether there were any other operational switch numbers beyond id 28.

The new report shows that 1,3,5,7,9,11 corresponds to current (Amps)  values for each of the 12V outputs, and that 23,24,25 correspond to Input Voltage and total Current (Amps) and total Power (Watts) respectively.


The report table also shows that 29, 30, & 31 are switches controlling Adj(12v-24v),  Adj(3v-12v) and Relay respectively, and confirms that the range for Dew A, B & C is 0 - 100. 

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