So I got most things worked out on my setup. I've been trying the Ekos scheudler and have success.

Last night I ran a schedule and it did everything correctly.

I then set up another scheduled session on the same night a few hours later and ran into an issue. I think it was on the plate solving phase (or maybe it was guiding) that the stars were streaks. It looks like the tracking turned off. The focus module completed but the plate solving failed because it looks like the tracking was off. This happened to me recently before. I tried to restart everything and run the scheduler again, but the same thing would happen.

I ended up doing a goto, focus, and align manually with the software and then started the internal guider. I created and ran a capture sequence and everything tracked and meridian flipped and solved and worked great the whole night.


The question is, what failed during the scheduler? I'll keep testing.

From the log it looks like tracking stops. After I noticed the issue I did try turning tracking on and off, so I don't know how to figure out where I did that in the log.


Any advice on how to attack this would be great!

I was going to attach the log but it's huge.

I checked the log and it does look like the tracking stops right before the auto focus routine when I use the scheduler. The only thing I can guess is that the target was close to the meridian.
I have the meridan flip option in Ekos set to .1ha so it should still track . . .

Any advice?


This happens at 19:07:40 in the log - you see the RA number changes.


log file:
[2021-02-23T19:07:38.214 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] CMD <p> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:38.236 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] RES <E#> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:38.237 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] latitude 34.1761, sop E, PierSide W "
[2021-02-23T19:07:38.237 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] CMD <L> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:38.241 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] RES <0#> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:38.243 PST INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[INFO] Slew complete, tracking... "
[2021-02-23T19:07:38.244 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] raoffset 27.6, SlewOffsetRa 27.6 arcsec "
[2021-02-23T19:07:38.607 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.scheduler] - Mount State changed to 2
[2021-02-23T19:07:38.607 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.scheduler] - Slewing stage...
[2021-02-23T19:07:39.113 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.mount] - Mount status changed from "Slewing" to "Tracking"
[2021-02-23T19:07:39.113 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.mount] - Slew finished, MFStatus "FLIP_NONE"
[2021-02-23T19:07:39.127 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.scheduler] - Mount State changed to 3
[2021-02-23T19:07:39.127 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.scheduler] - Slewing stage...
[2021-02-23T19:07:39.128 PST INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.scheduler] - "Job 'M 78' slew is complete."
[2021-02-23T19:07:39.245 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] CMD <e> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:39.308 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] RES <3DD61000,0010FB00#> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:39.309 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[SCOPE] RA-DEC ( 5:47:50, 0:05:36) "
[2021-02-23T19:07:39.309 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] CMD <p> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:39.330 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] RES <E#> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:39.330 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] latitude 34.1761, sop E, PierSide W "
[2021-02-23T19:07:39.604 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.scheduler] - Get next action...
[2021-02-23T19:07:39.604 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.scheduler] - startFocusing on 3514
[2021-02-23T19:07:39.606 PST INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.scheduler] - "Job 'M 78' is focusing."
[2021-02-23T19:07:39.621 PST INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.focus] - "Autofocus in progress..."
[2021-02-23T19:07:39.623 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.capture] - setFocusStatus: 5
[2021-02-23T19:07:39.625 PST INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.focus] - "Capturing image..."
[2021-02-23T19:07:39.648 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.scheduler] - Focus State "In Progress"
[2021-02-23T19:07:39.649 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - ZWO CCD ASI294MC Pro : "[DEBUG] StartExposure->setexp : 5.000s "
[2021-02-23T19:07:39.650 PST INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - ZWO CCD ASI294MC Pro : "[INFO] Taking a 5 seconds frame... "
[2021-02-23T19:07:40.332 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] CMD <e> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:40.398 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] RES <3DD6E500,0010FB00#> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:40.399 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[SCOPE] RA-DEC ( 5:47:51, 0:05:36) "
[2021-02-23T19:07:40.399 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] CMD <p> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:40.422 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] RES <E#> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:40.422 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] latitude 34.1761, sop E, PierSide W "
[2021-02-23T19:07:41.422 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] CMD <e> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:41.489 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] RES <3DD7BA00,0010FB00#> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:41.489 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[SCOPE] RA-DEC ( 5:47:52, 0:05:36) "
[2021-02-23T19:07:41.489 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] CMD <p> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:41.512 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] RES <E#> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:41.512 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] latitude 34.1761, sop E, PierSide W "
[2021-02-23T19:07:42.513 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] CMD <e> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:42.580 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] RES <3DD88D00,0010FB00#> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:42.580 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[SCOPE] RA-DEC ( 5:47:53, 0:05:36) "
[2021-02-23T19:07:42.581 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] CMD <p> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:42.608 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] RES <E#> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:42.608 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] latitude 34.1761, sop E, PierSide W "
[2021-02-23T19:07:43.608 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] CMD <e> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:43.670 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] RES <3DD96200,0010FB00#> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:43.671 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[SCOPE] RA-DEC ( 5:47:54, 0:05:36) "
[2021-02-23T19:07:43.671 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] CMD <p> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:43.693 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] RES <E#> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:43.694 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] latitude 34.1761, sop E, PierSide W "
[2021-02-23T19:07:44.694 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] CMD <e> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:44.761 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] RES <3DDA3600,0010FB00#> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:44.761 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[SCOPE] RA-DEC ( 5:47:55, 0:05:36) "
[2021-02-23T19:07:44.762 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] CMD <p> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:44.783 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] RES <E#> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:44.784 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] latitude 34.1761, sop E, PierSide W "
[2021-02-23T19:07:45.642 PST INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - ZWO CCD ASI294MC Pro : "[INFO] Exposure done, downloading image... "
[2021-02-23T19:07:45.662 PST INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - ZWO CCD ASI294MC Pro : "[INFO] Download complete. "
[2021-02-23T19:07:45.784 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] CMD <e> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:45.807 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - ZWO CCD ASI294MC Pro : "[DEBUG] Uploading file. Ext: fits, Size: 23397120, sendImage? Yes, saveImage? No "
[2021-02-23T19:07:45.851 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] RES <3DDB0A00,0010FB00#> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:45.851 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[SCOPE] RA-DEC ( 5:47:56, 0:05:36) "
[2021-02-23T19:07:45.851 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] CMD <p> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:45.874 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] RES <E#> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:45.874 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] latitude 34.1761, sop E, PierSide W "
[2021-02-23T19:07:46.251 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - ZWO CCD ASI294MC Pro : "[DEBUG] BLOB transfer took 0.325378 seconds "
[2021-02-23T19:07:46.252 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - ZWO CCD ASI294MC Pro : "[DEBUG] Upload complete "
[2021-02-23T19:07:46.489 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - processBLOB() mode 1
[2021-02-23T19:07:47.504 PST INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.focus] - "Image received."
[2021-02-23T19:07:47.506 PST INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.focus] - "Detecting sources..."
[2021-02-23T19:07:47.509 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] CMD <e> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:47.509 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] RES <3DDBDF00,0010FB00#> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:47.509 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[SCOPE] RA-DEC ( 5:47:57, 0:05:36) "
[2021-02-23T19:07:47.509 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] CMD <p> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:47.509 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] RES <E#> "
[2021-02-23T19:07:47.509 PST DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Celestron CGEM : "[DEBUG] latitude 34.1761, sop E, PierSide W "
[2021-02-23T19:07:47.870 PST INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.focus] - "FITS received. HFR 1.75 @ 8999."
[2021-02-23T19:07:47.877 PST INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.focus] - "Focusing outward by 100 steps..."

Interesting enough I had had something like that happen to me last night. I had 90 mins of data and the last lot is ruined because it looked like the tracking would stop, I'd get a few more frames where tracking and guiding was working and then it would happen again. I've not looked at my logs so not sure what happened. But that hopefully I could find something in there.

The tracking stopping happened again last night: mount stops tracking after align.

So as soon as I noticed this, I checked the software and it said the mount was tracking. I went outside and looked at my hand controller and it said it was not tracking (Celestron CGEMII). I turned on tracking at the mount, and then after that everything worked fine with Ekos.

I have something to go on now. I'm thinking it might have to do with the mount parking the night before and the mount startup routine. I'll pay close attention to my startup and check to see if the mount is tracking after I turn it on at the mount and make sure it's tracking. I'll also test the mount and software to make sure: tracking on off with the software actually turns the mount on or off, and where does it fail.

Wasn't clear for me last night, even had rain around. Also found out I didn't have logging on. I might get some time over the weekend and will see if this happens again.

I found the issue!
Unpark in Ekos does not turn tracking on in my case. I'm using the Celestron CGEM driver.


Here's what I did:
Park my mount in Ekos, and then power off the mount.

Power on the mount, start INDI.
Mount time/location are updated.
Select Quick align on the CGEMII hand control. The mount is now tracking.

Ekos shows the mount is parked.
I unpark the mount in Ekos.
Tracking does not start.
Checked the mount and it has stopped tracking.
Turn tracking on in Ekos in the mount module.
Checked mount and it is now tracking.
Ran a scheduled job with the scheduler, with unpark mount at start up and park mount at shutdown.
Everything works as expected. Mount parks at completion.

Reset the scheduled job and run the scheduler again.
Mount is unparked, goto is performed, tracking indicator turns on in Ekos, but RA is changing and the focus module shows an image with streaked stars.
Pressing tracking on, then off (in mount module), and then back on starts tracking. RA coordinates stop moving.

Any suggestions other than do a workaround? Maybe I have a setting wrong somewhere?




Attached is my log
This was a different job but will show the issue at startup, so here is the exact process for the log:

Park my mount in Ekos, and then power off the mount.

Power on the mount, start INDI.
Mount time/location are updated.
Select Quick align on the CGEMII hand control. The mount is now tracking.

Ekos shows the mount is parked.
I unpark the mount in Ekos.
Tracking does not start.
Checked the mount and it has stopped tracking.
Turn tracking on in Ekos in the mount module.
Checked mount and it is now tracking.
Ran a scheduled job with the scheduler