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Author Topic: RA Axis Coordinate Jumps  (Read 1817 times)

vdt

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RA Axis Coordinate Jumps
« on: May 27, 2021, 17:54:48 »

Hi
First of all thank you tom, for the great work!

I have an old HEQ5 (black) and upgraded to goto with astroeq. Replaced the old stepper with some nema 14 and installed the rowan belt mod.

I have configured the astro eq correctly since tracking works fine.

The wired thing is, that the ra axis coordinates suddenly jumps somewhere while slewing with the dec axis, but also jumps back if i slew back. The mount itself behaves correctly. This happend both with KStars and Stellarium and i don't know if it's a problem with the indi driver or with astro eq. The indi drivers are running on a raspberry pi 4 that is attached to the astreo eq.
The log file reports the jumps like this:

Code: [Select]
DEBUG 694.651887 sec : Scope RA (19:57:10) DE (89:59:55) Aligned RA (10:09:29) DE (11:51:46) AZ (255:12:21) ALT (28:26:26)
INFO 695.473913 sec : Starting North slew.
DEBUG 695.474072 sec : SlewDE() : rate = 2
DEBUG 695.474147 sec : Slewing DE at 2.00 2.00 9c 79.747623

MOUNT 695.474208 sec : SetMotion() : Axis = 2 -- dir=forward mode=slew speedmode=lowspeed
SCOPE 695.474332 sec : CheckMotorStatus() : Axis = 2
COMM 695.474439 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 695.484427 sec : read_eqmod: "=101", 5 bytes read
MOUNT 695.484579 sec : SetSpeed() : Axis = 2 -- period=156
COMM 695.484685 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 695.494717 sec : read_eqmod: "=101", 5 bytes read
COMM 695.494916 sec : dispatch_command: ":I29C0000", 10 bytes written
COMM 695.508604 sec : read_eqmod: "=", 2 bytes read
MOUNT 695.508710 sec : StartMotor() : Axis = 2
COMM 695.508817 sec : dispatch_command: ":J2", 4 bytes written
COMM 695.515592 sec : read_eqmod: "=", 2 bytes read
SCOPE 695.652295 sec : Compute local time: lst=14.17866086 (14:10:43.18) - julian date=2459361.36593811
COMM 695.652554 sec : dispatch_command: ":j1", 4 bytes written
COMM 695.665641 sec : read_eqmod: "=914B81", 8 bytes read
SCOPE 695.665777 sec : GetRAEncoder() = 8473489
COMM 695.665871 sec : dispatch_command: ":j2", 4 bytes written
COMM 695.678894 sec : read_eqmod: "=3E3691", 8 bytes read
SCOPE 695.679019 sec : GetDEEncoder() = 9516606
SCOPE 695.679084 sec : Current encoders RA=8473489 DE=9516606
COMM 695.679345 sec : dispatch_command: ":f1", 4 bytes written
COMM 695.689330 sec : read_eqmod: "=111", 5 bytes read
COMM 695.689478 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 695.699450 sec : read_eqmod: "=111", 5 bytes read
DEBUG 695.699756 sec : Scope RA (19:57:10) DE (89:59:59) Aligned RA (10:09:29) DE (11:51:50) AZ (255:12:37) ALT (28:26:19)
INFO 695.909134 sec : North Slew stopped
DEBUG 695.909292 sec : StopDE() : calling DE StopWaitMotor
COMM 695.909426 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 695.919423 sec : read_eqmod: "=111", 5 bytes read
MOUNT 695.919551 sec : StopWaitMotor() : Axis = 2
COMM 695.919661 sec : dispatch_command: ":K2", 4 bytes written
COMM 695.926594 sec : read_eqmod: "=", 2 bytes read
COMM 695.926783 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 695.936778 sec : read_eqmod: "=111", 5 bytes read
COMM 696.037046 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 696.047028 sec : read_eqmod: "=101", 5 bytes read
INFO 696.047164 sec : Restarting DE Tracking...
DEBUG 696.047242 sec : StartDETracking() : trackspeed = 0 arcsecs/s, computed rate = 0
COMM 696.047345 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 696.057228 sec : read_eqmod: "=101", 5 bytes read
MOUNT 696.057336 sec : StopMotor() : Axis = 2
COMM 696.057436 sec : dispatch_command: ":K2", 4 bytes written
COMM 696.064312 sec : read_eqmod: "=", 2 bytes read
SCOPE 696.700776 sec : Compute local time: lst=14.17895290 (14:10:44.23) - julian date=2459361.36595025
COMM 696.701127 sec : dispatch_command: ":j1", 4 bytes written
COMM 696.714195 sec : read_eqmod: "=FF4B81", 8 bytes read
SCOPE 696.714338 sec : GetRAEncoder() = 8473599
COMM 696.714458 sec : dispatch_command: ":j2", 4 bytes written
COMM 696.727517 sec : read_eqmod: "=5B3691", 8 bytes read
SCOPE 696.727643 sec : GetDEEncoder() = 9516635
SCOPE 696.727728 sec : Current encoders RA=8473599 DE=9516635
COMM 696.728068 sec : dispatch_command: ":f1", 4 bytes written
COMM 696.738038 sec : read_eqmod: "=111", 5 bytes read
COMM 696.738200 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 696.748139 sec : read_eqmod: "=101", 5 bytes read
DEBUG 696.748431 sec : Scope RA ( 7:57:10) DE (89:59:52) Aligned RA (-1:50:31) DE (11:51:43) AZ (59:37:29) ALT (-9:45:46)
WARNING 696.748529 sec : Horizon Limits: Scope at AZ=59.625 ALT=-9.763 is outside limits. Nothing to abort.
INFO 696.898982 sec : Starting North slew.
DEBUG 696.899131 sec : SlewDE() : rate = 2
DEBUG 696.899207 sec : Slewing DE at 2.00 2.00 9c 79.747623

MOUNT 696.899265 sec : SetMotion() : Axis = 2 -- dir=forward mode=slew speedmode=lowspeed
SCOPE 696.899320 sec : CheckMotorStatus() : Axis = 2
MOUNT 696.899380 sec : SetSpeed() : Axis = 2 -- period=156
COMM 696.899482 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 696.909383 sec : read_eqmod: "=101", 5 bytes read
COMM 696.909596 sec : dispatch_command: ":I29C0000", 10 bytes written
COMM 696.923364 sec : read_eqmod: "=", 2 bytes read
MOUNT 696.923555 sec : StartMotor() : Axis = 2
COMM 696.923675 sec : dispatch_command: ":J2", 4 bytes written
COMM 696.930426 sec : read_eqmod: "=", 2 bytes read
INFO 697.732679 sec : North Slew stopped
DEBUG 697.732847 sec : StopDE() : calling DE StopWaitMotor
COMM 697.732985 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 697.742928 sec : read_eqmod: "=111", 5 bytes read
MOUNT 697.743098 sec : StopWaitMotor() : Axis = 2
COMM 697.743231 sec : dispatch_command: ":K2", 4 bytes written
COMM 697.750046 sec : read_eqmod: "=", 2 bytes read
COMM 697.750229 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 697.760223 sec : read_eqmod: "=111", 5 bytes read
COMM 697.860522 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 697.870427 sec : read_eqmod: "=101", 5 bytes read
INFO 697.870587 sec : Restarting DE Tracking...
DEBUG 697.870666 sec : StartDETracking() : trackspeed = 0 arcsecs/s, computed rate = 0
COMM 697.870769 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 697.880722 sec : read_eqmod: "=101", 5 bytes read
MOUNT 697.880847 sec : StopMotor() : Axis = 2
COMM 697.880948 sec : dispatch_command: ":K2", 4 bytes written
COMM 697.887922 sec : read_eqmod: "=", 2 bytes read
SCOPE 697.888238 sec : Compute local time: lst=14.17928366 (14:10:45.42) - julian date=2459361.36596399
COMM 697.888410 sec : dispatch_command: ":j1", 4 bytes written
COMM 697.901459 sec : read_eqmod: "=7B4C81", 8 bytes read
SCOPE 697.901624 sec : GetRAEncoder() = 8473723
COMM 697.901736 sec : dispatch_command: ":j2", 4 bytes written
COMM 697.914767 sec : read_eqmod: "=B33691", 8 bytes read
SCOPE 697.914878 sec : GetDEEncoder() = 9516723
SCOPE 697.914945 sec : Current encoders RA=8473723 DE=9516723
COMM 697.915209 sec : dispatch_command: ":f1", 4 bytes written
COMM 697.925096 sec : read_eqmod: "=111", 5 bytes read
COMM 697.925245 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 697.935198 sec : read_eqmod: "=101", 5 bytes read
DEBUG 697.935478 sec : Scope RA ( 7:57:10) DE (89:59:27) Aligned RA (-1:50:31) DE (11:51:18) AZ (59:37:58) ALT (-9:45:56)
SCOPE 698.936762 sec : Compute local time: lst=14.17957571 (14:10:46.47) - julian date=2459361.36597613
COMM 698.937050 sec : dispatch_command: ":j1", 4 bytes written
COMM 698.950162 sec : read_eqmod: "=E94C81", 8 bytes read
SCOPE 698.950290 sec : GetRAEncoder() = 8473833
COMM 698.950393 sec : dispatch_command: ":j2", 4 bytes written
COMM 698.963484 sec : read_eqmod: "=B33691", 8 bytes read
SCOPE 698.963642 sec : Current encoders RA=8473833 DE=9516723
COMM 698.963930 sec : dispatch_command: ":f1", 4 bytes written
COMM 698.973797 sec : read_eqmod: "=111", 5 bytes read
COMM 698.973959 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 698.983982 sec : read_eqmod: "=101", 5 bytes read
DEBUG 698.984263 sec : Scope RA ( 7:57:10) DE (89:59:27) Aligned RA (-1:50:31) DE (11:51:18) AZ (59:38:11) ALT (-9:45:47)
INFO 699.442756 sec : Starting South slew.
DEBUG 699.442932 sec : SlewDE() : rate = -2
DEBUG 699.443025 sec : Slewing DE at -2.00 2.00 9c 79.747623

MOUNT 699.443099 sec : SetMotion() : Axis = 2 -- dir=backward mode=slew speedmode=lowspeed
SCOPE 699.443166 sec : CheckMotorStatus() : Axis = 2
COMM 699.443299 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 699.453345 sec : read_eqmod: "=101", 5 bytes read
MOUNT 699.453671 sec : StopWaitMotor() : Axis = 2
COMM 699.454298 sec : dispatch_command: ":K2", 4 bytes written
COMM 699.461129 sec : read_eqmod: "=", 2 bytes read
COMM 699.461289 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 699.471220 sec : read_eqmod: "=101", 5 bytes read
COMM 699.471383 sec : dispatch_command: ":G211", 6 bytes written
COMM 699.480497 sec : read_eqmod: "=", 2 bytes read
MOUNT 699.480626 sec : SetSpeed() : Axis = 2 -- period=156
COMM 699.481016 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 699.491065 sec : read_eqmod: "=301", 5 bytes read
COMM 699.491273 sec : dispatch_command: ":I29C0000", 10 bytes written
COMM 699.504992 sec : read_eqmod: "=", 2 bytes read
MOUNT 699.505132 sec : StartMotor() : Axis = 2
COMM 699.505262 sec : dispatch_command: ":J2", 4 bytes written
COMM 699.512218 sec : read_eqmod: "=", 2 bytes read
SCOPE 699.985024 sec : Compute local time: lst=14.17986770 (14:10:47.52) - julian date=2459361.36598826
COMM 699.985321 sec : dispatch_command: ":j1", 4 bytes written
COMM 699.998441 sec : read_eqmod: "=574D81", 8 bytes read
SCOPE 699.998576 sec : GetRAEncoder() = 8473943
COMM 699.998676 sec : dispatch_command: ":j2", 4 bytes written
COMM 700.011708 sec : read_eqmod: "=7F3691", 8 bytes read
SCOPE 700.011830 sec : GetDEEncoder() = 9516671
SCOPE 700.011895 sec : Current encoders RA=8473943 DE=9516671
COMM 700.012288 sec : dispatch_command: ":f1", 4 bytes written
COMM 700.022179 sec : read_eqmod: "=111", 5 bytes read
COMM 700.022332 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 700.032248 sec : read_eqmod: "=311", 5 bytes read
DEBUG 700.032537 sec : Scope RA ( 7:57:10) DE (89:59:42) Aligned RA (-1:50:31) DE (11:51:33) AZ (59:38:15) ALT (-9:45:26)
INFO 700.305325 sec : South Slew stopped
DEBUG 700.305485 sec : StopDE() : calling DE StopWaitMotor
COMM 700.305621 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 700.315598 sec : read_eqmod: "=311", 5 bytes read
MOUNT 700.315738 sec : StopWaitMotor() : Axis = 2
COMM 700.315856 sec : dispatch_command: ":K2", 4 bytes written
COMM 700.322882 sec : read_eqmod: "=", 2 bytes read
COMM 700.323032 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 700.332986 sec : read_eqmod: "=311", 5 bytes read
COMM 700.433280 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 700.443172 sec : read_eqmod: "=301", 5 bytes read
INFO 700.443293 sec : Restarting DE Tracking...
DEBUG 700.443367 sec : StartDETracking() : trackspeed = 0 arcsecs/s, computed rate = 0
COMM 700.443462 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 700.453363 sec : read_eqmod: "=301", 5 bytes read
MOUNT 700.453491 sec : StopMotor() : Axis = 2
COMM 700.453590 sec : dispatch_command: ":K2", 4 bytes written
COMM 700.460433 sec : read_eqmod: "=", 2 bytes read
SCOPE 701.033440 sec : Compute local time: lst=14.18015971 (14:10:48.57) - julian date=2459361.36600039
COMM 701.033767 sec : dispatch_command: ":j1", 4 bytes written
COMM 701.046904 sec : read_eqmod: "=C54D81", 8 bytes read
SCOPE 701.047062 sec : GetRAEncoder() = 8474053
COMM 701.047164 sec : dispatch_command: ":j2", 4 bytes written
COMM 701.060252 sec : read_eqmod: "=5C3691", 8 bytes read
SCOPE 701.060389 sec : GetDEEncoder() = 9516636
SCOPE 701.060466 sec : Current encoders RA=8474053 DE=9516636
COMM 701.060725 sec : dispatch_command: ":f1", 4 bytes written
COMM 701.070634 sec : read_eqmod: "=111", 5 bytes read
COMM 701.070793 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 701.080790 sec : read_eqmod: "=301", 5 bytes read
DEBUG 701.081071 sec : Scope RA ( 7:57:10) DE (89:59:52) Aligned RA (-1:50:31) DE (11:51:43) AZ (59:38:22) ALT (-9:45:08)
INFO 701.575655 sec : Starting South slew.
DEBUG 701.575825 sec : SlewDE() : rate = -2
DEBUG 701.575923 sec : Slewing DE at -2.00 2.00 9c 79.747623

MOUNT 701.575992 sec : SetMotion() : Axis = 2 -- dir=backward mode=slew speedmode=lowspeed
SCOPE 701.576059 sec : CheckMotorStatus() : Axis = 2
MOUNT 701.576122 sec : SetSpeed() : Axis = 2 -- period=156
COMM 701.576237 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 701.586235 sec : read_eqmod: "=301", 5 bytes read
COMM 701.586588 sec : dispatch_command: ":I29C0000", 10 bytes written
COMM 701.600343 sec : read_eqmod: "=", 2 bytes read
MOUNT 701.600633 sec : StartMotor() : Axis = 2
COMM 701.601046 sec : dispatch_command: ":J2", 4 bytes written
COMM 701.607910 sec : read_eqmod: "=", 2 bytes read
INFO 702.037009 sec : South Slew stopped
DEBUG 702.037697 sec : StopDE() : calling DE StopWaitMotor
COMM 702.037857 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 702.047827 sec : read_eqmod: "=311", 5 bytes read
MOUNT 702.047999 sec : StopWaitMotor() : Axis = 2
COMM 702.048126 sec : dispatch_command: ":K2", 4 bytes written
COMM 702.055019 sec : read_eqmod: "=", 2 bytes read
COMM 702.055190 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 702.065286 sec : read_eqmod: "=301", 5 bytes read
INFO 702.065441 sec : Restarting DE Tracking...
DEBUG 702.065689 sec : StartDETracking() : trackspeed = 0 arcsecs/s, computed rate = 0
COMM 702.065793 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 702.075709 sec : read_eqmod: "=301", 5 bytes read
MOUNT 702.075820 sec : StopMotor() : Axis = 2
COMM 702.075919 sec : dispatch_command: ":K2", 4 bytes written
COMM 702.082738 sec : read_eqmod: "=", 2 bytes read
SCOPE 702.083046 sec : Compute local time: lst=14.18045208 (14:10:49.63) - julian date=2459361.36601254
COMM 702.083215 sec : dispatch_command: ":j1", 4 bytes written
COMM 702.096413 sec : read_eqmod: "=324E81", 8 bytes read
SCOPE 702.096579 sec : GetRAEncoder() = 8474162
COMM 702.096702 sec : dispatch_command: ":j2", 4 bytes written
COMM 702.109767 sec : read_eqmod: "=2C3691", 8 bytes read
SCOPE 702.109927 sec : GetDEEncoder() = 9516588
SCOPE 702.109995 sec : Current encoders RA=8474162 DE=9516588
COMM 702.110305 sec : dispatch_command: ":f1", 4 bytes written
COMM 702.120219 sec : read_eqmod: "=111", 5 bytes read
COMM 702.120384 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 702.130299 sec : read_eqmod: "=301", 5 bytes read
DEBUG 702.130600 sec : Scope RA (19:57:10) DE (89:59:54) Aligned RA (10:09:29) DE (11:51:45) AZ (255:13:54) ALT (28:25:13)
SCOPE 703.131903 sec : Compute local time: lst=14.18074422 (14:10:50.68) - julian date=2459361.36602468
COMM 703.132236 sec : dispatch_command: ":j1", 4 bytes written
COMM 703.145283 sec : read_eqmod: "=A04E81", 8 bytes read
SCOPE 703.145483 sec : GetRAEncoder() = 8474272
COMM 703.145622 sec : dispatch_command: ":j2", 4 bytes written
COMM 703.158733 sec : read_eqmod: "=2C3691", 8 bytes read
SCOPE 703.158896 sec : Current encoders RA=8474272 DE=9516588
COMM 703.159230 sec : dispatch_command: ":f1", 4 bytes written
COMM 703.169150 sec : read_eqmod: "=111", 5 bytes read
COMM 703.169354 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 703.179343 sec : read_eqmod: "=301", 5 bytes read
DEBUG 703.179670 sec : Scope RA (19:57:10) DE (89:59:54) Aligned RA (10:09:29) DE (11:51:45) AZ (255:14:08) ALT (28:25:03)
SCOPE 704.181050 sec : Compute local time: lst=14.18103645 (14:10:51.73) - julian date=2459361.36603682
COMM 704.181346 sec : dispatch_command: ":j1", 4 bytes written
COMM 704.194422 sec : read_eqmod: "=0E4F81", 8 bytes read
SCOPE 704.194587 sec : GetRAEncoder() = 8474382
COMM 704.194715 sec : dispatch_command: ":j2", 4 bytes written
COMM 704.207763 sec : read_eqmod: "=2C3691", 8 bytes read
SCOPE 704.207913 sec : Current encoders RA=8474382 DE=9516588
COMM 704.208252 sec : dispatch_command: ":f1", 4 bytes written
COMM 704.218202 sec : read_eqmod: "=111", 5 bytes read
COMM 704.218412 sec : dispatch_command: ":f2", 4 bytes written
COMM 704.228374 sec : read_eqmod: "=301", 5 bytes read
DEBUG 704.228644 sec : Scope RA (19:57:10) DE (89:59:54) Aligned RA (10:09:29) DE (11:51:45) AZ (255:14:21) ALT (28:24:53)

I attached a gif to demonstrate the behaviour.
I have absolutely no idea what could cause this and haven't found any similar posts.
So any thoughts/hints/help is appreciated.
Thanks!
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TCWORLD

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Re: RA Axis Coordinate Jumps
« Reply #1 on: May 27, 2021, 21:44:23 »

Very strange, not seen anything like that before.

Looking at the encoder values AstroEQ is reporting from the log, I don't see anything untoward. Between the 12 hour shift in computed RA, the encoder value changes from C54D81 to 324E81, which on the face of it looks like a large step, but the byte ordering in the synta protocol is weird, and that is actually going from 0x814DC5 to 0x814E32 which is about what would be expected during RA tracking. So the AstroEQ doesn't appear to be to blame.

Given the shift is precisely 12 hours, it looks to be some form of strange meridian flip going on, possibly in indilib. I don't know if its related to the 14 hour timezone shift that is being reported in the logs, perhaps a bad modulo in their code somewhere.
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Tom Carpenter (AstroEQ)

vzr

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Re: RA Axis Coordinate Jumps
« Reply #2 on: May 28, 2021, 02:24:40 »

I had many problems with INDIlib on Raspberry which normally don't appear on PC. My outdated GPS receiver suffered from week number rollover, RPI did not have RTC at the time (added I²C device later), and INDIlib stubbornly updates time from GPS device even though you told not to in config and there was no internet on remote location for NTP to work. Even Chrony forced GPS or fake-hwclock time on Armbian. Nevermore, the thing is, to isolate this problem try running INDIlib on desktop PC instead of RPi and then add libs one by one to be sure the problem is in INDIlib or host OS or some 3rd party lib.
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vdt

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Re: RA Axis Coordinate Jumps
« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2021, 09:43:20 »

Thank you for the input!
Unfortunately this also happens if I run indi and astroeq directly on a pc.
Still, I think you are right and the problem is indi not the astroeq. I will dive into the source code of indi eqmod to get a deeper understanding about horizon limits and meridian flip settings.
Probably my settings are somehow messed up.
Thanks again.
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vzr

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Re: RA Axis Coordinate Jumps
« Reply #4 on: June 08, 2021, 14:19:49 »

Maybe you can try without INDI then? I mean with ASCOM-EQMOD if you have windows machine nearby, just to isolate the cause.
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