----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mauna Loa Solar Observatory Observer's Log ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sat Apr 25 16:56:57 GMT 2026 Year:26 Doy:115 Observer: mcotter Weather COMMENT BY mcotter: Sat Apr 25 16:58:45 GMT 2026 MLO Current Weather Timestamp (UTC): 2026-04-25 16:53:00 Temperature : 43.25 deg F Dew Point : -6.12 deg F Pressure : 678.92 mbar Wind Speed : 11.41 mph Wind Direction : 240.3 deg Skies: Very hazy subversion layer visible on the horizon above Haleakala. Skies appear to be quite bright. ___end___ GENERAL COMMENT BY mcotter: Sat Apr 25 16:59:01 GMT 2026 Opened windows upstairs ___end___ GENERAL COMMENT BY mcotter: Sat Apr 25 16:59:08 GMT 2026 Opened windows upstairs ___end___ ** KCOR PM mcotter ** : Sat Apr 25 16:59:24 GMT 2026 Blew off Kcor O1 ___end___ KCOR COMMENT BY mcotter: Sat Apr 25 17:08:08 GMT 2026 Kcor Calibration ___end___ Sat Apr 25 17:16:53 GMT 2026 Kcor Focus/alignment program exited KCOR COMMENT BY mcotter: Sat Apr 25 17:30:43 GMT 2026 I ran the Kcor Focus Routine multiple times and could not obtain a decent parabola. The skies are bright and as I watch the Guider voltage trace on the SGS program It continues to climb since it was first energized. Though I could not get a decent Focus parabola I started the Kcor Synoptic Acquisition Mode anyways. The images are bright, but I am going to run it for a while and see if it improves as the Sun rises on the horizon and out of the highest area of haze. ___end___ COMMENT BY mcotter: Sat Apr 25 17:32:43 GMT 2026 Global Protect has been turned on on both computers. ___end___ KCOR COMMENT BY KCOR: Sat Apr 25 17:54:22 GMT 2026 KCOR file transfer report KCor created 119 .bin files 119 .fts files WARNING 109 fts file(s) found locally that was not transfered dawn ACTION must be taken to copy: 20260425_171716_kcor.fts 20260425_171731_kcor.fts 20260425_171747_kcor.fts 20260425_171802_kcor.fts 20260425_171817_kcor.fts 20260425_171832_kcor.fts 20260425_171847_kcor.fts 20260425_171902_kcor.fts 20260425_171918_kcor.fts 20260425_171933_kcor.fts 20260425_171948_kcor.fts 20260425_172003_kcor.fts 20260425_172018_kcor.fts 20260425_172033_kcor.fts 20260425_172049_kcor.fts 20260425_172104_kcor.fts 20260425_172119_kcor.fts 20260425_172134_kcor.fts 20260425_172149_kcor.fts 20260425_172204_kcor.fts 20260425_172220_kcor.fts 20260425_172235_kcor.fts 20260425_172250_kcor.fts 20260425_172305_kcor.fts 20260425_172320_kcor.fts 20260425_172336_kcor.fts 20260425_172351_kcor.fts 20260425_172406_kcor.fts 20260425_172421_kcor.fts 20260425_172436_kcor.fts 20260425_172451_kcor.fts 20260425_172507_kcor.fts 20260425_172522_kcor.fts 20260425_172537_kcor.fts 20260425_172552_kcor.fts 20260425_172607_kcor.fts 20260425_172622_kcor.fts 20260425_172638_kcor.fts 20260425_172653_kcor.fts 20260425_172708_kcor.fts 20260425_172723_kcor.fts 20260425_172738_kcor.fts 20260425_172753_kcor.fts 20260425_172809_kcor.fts 20260425_172824_kcor.fts 20260425_172839_kcor.fts 20260425_172854_kcor.fts 20260425_172909_kcor.fts 20260425_172924_kcor.fts 20260425_172940_kcor.fts 20260425_172955_kcor.fts 20260425_173010_kcor.fts 20260425_173025_kcor.fts 20260425_173040_kcor.fts 20260425_173055_kcor.fts 20260425_173111_kcor.fts 20260425_173126_kcor.fts 20260425_173141_kcor.fts 20260425_173156_kcor.fts 20260425_173211_kcor.fts 20260425_173226_kcor.fts 20260425_173242_kcor.fts 20260425_173257_kcor.fts 20260425_173312_kcor.fts 20260425_173327_kcor.fts 20260425_173342_kcor.fts 20260425_173358_kcor.fts 20260425_173413_kcor.fts 20260425_173428_kcor.fts 20260425_173443_kcor.fts 20260425_173458_kcor.fts 20260425_173513_kcor.fts 20260425_173529_kcor.fts 20260425_173544_kcor.fts 20260425_173559_kcor.fts 20260425_173614_kcor.fts 20260425_173629_kcor.fts 20260425_173644_kcor.fts 20260425_173700_kcor.fts 20260425_173715_kcor.fts 20260425_173730_kcor.fts 20260425_173745_kcor.fts 20260425_173800_kcor.fts 20260425_173815_kcor.fts 20260425_173831_kcor.fts 20260425_173846_kcor.fts 20260425_173901_kcor.fts 20260425_173916_kcor.fts 20260425_173931_kcor.fts 20260425_173946_kcor.fts 20260425_174002_kcor.fts 20260425_174017_kcor.fts 20260425_174032_kcor.fts 20260425_174047_kcor.fts 20260425_174102_kcor.fts 20260425_174117_kcor.fts 20260425_174133_kcor.fts 20260425_174148_kcor.fts 20260425_174203_kcor.fts 20260425_174218_kcor.fts 20260425_174233_kcor.fts 20260425_174249_kcor.fts 20260425_174304_kcor.fts 20260425_174319_kcor.fts 20260425_174334_kcor.fts 20260425_174349_kcor.fts 20260425_174404_kcor.fts 20260425_174420_kcor.fts 20260425_174435_kcor.fts ___end___ Sat Apr 25 18:26:02 GMT 2026 Kcor Focus/alignment program exited ** KCOR PROBLEM REPORTED BY mcotter ** : Sat Apr 25 19:04:57 GMT 2026 I started taking data with Kcor but the NRGF image looked a bit out of focus. I had called Ben because I wanted to know if I may be running the Kcor Synoptic program trying to get data with the sky too bright. Ben agreed that the sky was a bit bright and the image looked out of focus, so he had me run the Kcor Focus routine several more times in an attempt to get a more normal looking parabola and a focus distance more inline with what we have had previously. Several attempts were done with the focus routine but a parabola was never obtained. Ben instructed me to manually expand the Focus Range from 20 up to 24 mm. A parabola could not be obtained. At that point Ben had me manually change the Focus value from 135 to 133.5 mm (our average for 2026). I left the focus at that value at 133.5 then restarted the Kcor Synoptic program. The NRGF image that came up looked to be in a sharper focus, though the skies are still quite bright. ___end___ Weather COMMENT BY mcotter: Sat Apr 25 19:06:13 GMT 2026 MLO Current Weather Timestamp (UTC): 2026-04-25 19:02:00 Temperature : 51.8 deg F Dew Point : -9.27 deg F Pressure : 679.85 mbar Wind Speed : 10.96 mph Wind Direction : 280.3 deg Skies: Skies continue to be very bright. Elevated aerosol levels are visible in the Kcor NRGF images. ___end___ Guider/spar COMMENT BY mcotter: Sat Apr 25 19:14:29 GMT 2026 The SGS voltage display is fluctuating dramatically at times. The Voltage Range Scale opens up wide from 0.0 volts to 10.0 volts making the trace display line look like a straight line across the approximate 8.0 volt scale. After the trace completes a full time scale the Voltage Scale returns to approximately 7.0 volts to 8.5 volts and then the trace values begin to tighten up and the voltage display returns to normal. The Spar and Guider appear to be functioning normally but the anomaly does appear from time to time. At this time I am not sure what is causing this fluctuation. ___end___ Sat Apr 25 20:00:25 GMT 2026 KCOR Start Calibration script: c:\kcor\mlso-calibration22deg-20171025.ini Sat Apr 25 20:15:40 GMT 2026 KCOR End Calibration Script Weather COMMENT BY mcotter: Sat Apr 25 20:25:38 GMT 2026 MLO Current Weather Timestamp (UTC): 2026-04-25 20:20:00 Temperature : 53.76 deg F Dew Point : 24.2 deg F Pressure : 679.95 mbar Wind Speed : 11.86 mph Wind Direction : 306.4 deg Skies: The sky continues to be bright and the wind is getting blustery blowing from the Northwest. ___end___ Weather COMMENT BY mcotter: Sat Apr 25 21:19:20 GMT 2026 MLO Current Weather Timestamp (UTC): 2026-04-25 21:14:00 Temperature : 52.9 deg F Dew Point : 35.46 deg F Pressure : 679.73 mbar Wind Speed : 10.29 mph Wind Direction : 334.1 deg Skies: Skies are very bright and Orographic Clouds are coming up the slopes of Maunaloa and are also forming in the area of observations. ___end___ KCOR BY mcotter: Sat Apr 25 21:23:02 GMT 2026 Kcor is now paused and the lens cover is in beam due to sky conditions. ___end___ Weather COMMENT BY mcotter: Sat Apr 25 21:49:36 GMT 2026 MLO Current Weather Timestamp (UTC): 2026-04-25 21:44:00 Temperature : 51.94 deg F Dew Point : 35.82 deg F Pressure : 679.62 mbar Wind Speed : 6.93 mph Wind Direction : 335.2 deg Skies: The sky is still quite bright but the clouds have somewhat dissipated overhead, in the viewing area. ___end___ KCOR BY mcotter: Sat Apr 25 21:50:42 GMT 2026 Kcor Started Kcor is again observing, though the sky is bright. ___end___ KCOR COMMENT BY mcotter: Sat Apr 25 21:52:28 GMT 2026 Kcor Stopped. That was a short lived opportunity to observe, as the clouds are again back overhead in the viewing area. Kcor has been stopped. ___end___ KCOR COMMENT BY KCOR: Sat Apr 25 21:59:28 GMT 2026 KCOR file transfer report KCor created 911 .bin files 908 .fts files NOTICE ? 3 .bin file(s) with no matching .fts: 20260425_180735_kcor.bin 20260425_212158_kcor.bin 20260425_215050_kcor.bin Remote site is complete ? no rsync required. ___end___ KCOR COMMENT BY KCOR: Sat Apr 25 22:00:13 GMT 2026 KCOR file transfer report KCor created 911 .bin files 908 .fts files NOTICE ? 3 .bin file(s) with no matching .fts: 20260425_180735_kcor.bin 20260425_212158_kcor.bin 20260425_215050_kcor.bin Remote site is complete ? no rsync required. ___end___ Weather COMMENT BY mcotter: Sat Apr 25 22:05:46 GMT 2026 MLO Current Weather Timestamp (UTC): 2026-04-25 21:59:00 Temperature : 51.69 deg F Dew Point : 40.21 deg F Pressure : 679.53 mbar Wind Speed : 10.74 mph Wind Direction : 353.3 deg Skies: The Skies have become very bright and clouds keep forming and dissipating in the viewing area. Additionally, Orographic clouds are beginning to push there way up the slopes of the mountain. ___end___ KCOR COMMENT BY mcotter: Sat Apr 25 22:13:48 GMT 2026 Kcor Stopped. Because the sky conditions are poor and at the present time observations cannot be accomplished I have completely shutdown the Kcor Instrument and computer (this also turns off the HEPA System) in order to let the ECO FLO battery bank charge up for a while. I am hoping that I can let the system charge enough to allow the ILX to run overnight and maintain power to the heaters. ___end___ GENERAL COMMENT BY mcotter: Sat Apr 25 22:16:20 GMT 2026 ECO FLO readings at this time; Power input: 1420 W Output: 220 W Battery Power Storage: 38% ___end___ Weather COMMENT BY mcotter: Sat Apr 25 22:39:59 GMT 2026 MLO Current Weather Timestamp (UTC): 2026-04-25 22:35:00 Temperature : 52.97 deg F Dew Point : 35.3 deg F Pressure : 679.3 mbar Wind Speed : 7.61 mph Wind Direction : 334.5 deg Skies: Clouds are encroaching on the observatory from all directions with thicker clouds forming and dissipating above in the viewing area. The sky is becoming increasingly overcast. ___end___ GENERAL COMMENT BY mcotter: Sat Apr 25 23:18:20 GMT 2026 Dome closed. The sky is now mostly overcast. ___end___ GENERAL BY mcotter: Sat Apr 25 23:19:41 GMT 2026 Dome and windows are both all shut. ___end___ KCOR COMMENT BY KCOR: Sat Apr 25 23:24:30 GMT 2026 KCOR file transfer report KCor created 911 .bin files 908 .fts files NOTICE ? 3 .bin file(s) with no matching .fts: 20260425_180735_kcor.bin 20260425_212158_kcor.bin 20260425_215050_kcor.bin Remote site is complete ? no rsync required. ___end___ GENERAL COMMENT BY mcotter: Sun Apr 26 00:32:36 GMT 2026 End of Day. The day began with bright skies and elevated aerosols, but I was able to run the Kcor Instrument for most of the morning without any issues. Toward noon time I shut down the Kcor Instrument and powered down the Kcor computer due to the poor sky conditions. Having shut down the Kcor computer I was able to allow the ECO FLO power supply to increase it's input to out ratio and was able to bring up the ECO FLO battery storage to 76%. With the battery level at 76% I am going to leave the Kcor ILX and heaters on overnight. Currently the Yeti Power Unit battery storage is at 100%., so the network should have no issues with power overnight. ___end___ Logger COMMENT BY mcotter: Sun Apr 26 00:32:49 GMT 2026 Log closed ONSITE STAFF: mcotter ___end___