David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1337 (2025-06-29)

Notes (S1336)

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Notes (S1338A)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (2),  Small Defects (3),  Continuous Improvement (8)
	- Figures (1)
	Images from 2025-06-29  >>
	2025-06-30
	Investigation - CCDSoft / CCD Camera Issues (S1337)
	Difficulties in taking Deep Sky Images on mid summer nights (NGC 5957 w/SN 2025fvw )
	Current/Latest Session >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-06-29)

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.

 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 3.75.8,  AstroPlan 1.43.12, AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.11  (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroMag 1.5.2, AstroVOE 1.15.1,  AstroSN 1.14,  AstroProtect 1.10.6,  AstroMove 1.16.1
  AstroWeather 1.27.9, AstroAllSky 3.24.4,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4 (not 1.11.5), AstroNorthCam 1.5.3, AstroLaunch 1.13.3

Highlights

• Targets.  None of the 6 planned target observations were completed due to Camera Issues, Missed Start, & Cloud.  One Too Target (NGC 5957 w/SN) was acquired but only 1/5 subframes was usuable
• CCD Camera. There were multiple issues with the CCDSoft / CCDCamera during the session., and prevented imaging in at least 2 targets (due to delays during Centering and Focusing, or due to CCDsoft/Camera failures.
•  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 00:22:55 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 00:22 & 01:25 00:22:57 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (00:22) 00:23:19   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 00:23:46   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:23:49 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2025-06-29 S01337, ImageSaveNum: 1337001) 00:23:55   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 00:25:46   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:25:59 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 00:26:03 Session Pending Session pending (2025-06-29) 00:26:05 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-06-29) 00:26:14   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:26:17   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.43.12) 00:28:21   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1122) 00:29:03   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 00:29:40 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 00:30:25   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 00:30:27 Session Running Session running 00:30:38   Queue Started Observing Queue started (5 targets selected) 00:30:41     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 18, HIP 88232) 00:31:04       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 00:33:28       SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 00:33:30       CCDSoft Issue CCDSoft has encountered an image save issue [0000] 00:33:32       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 00:33:37       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:34:29       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:34:41       SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 00:35:20       SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 00:35:22       CCDSoft Issue CCDSoft has encountered an image save issue [0000] 00:35:24       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix Camera Exception) 00:35:29       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:36:21       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:36:50       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 00:36:57       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:37:49       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:38:03       SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 00:38:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:39:57         SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 00:39:59         CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 00:40:06         SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:40:58         Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:41:14         CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix Camera Exception) 00:41:21         SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:42:12         Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:42:29         CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix Camera Exception) 00:42:37         SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:43:28         Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:43:37         SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 00:44:55         CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix Camera Exception) 00:45:02         SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:46:24         CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix unspecified problem) 00:46:31         SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:47:22         Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:47:38         SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 00:47:41         CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix Camera Exception) 00:47:48         SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:48:40         Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:48:56         CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 00:49:03         SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:49:54         Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:50:04         SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 00:50:46         SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 00:50:48         CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix Camera Exception) 00:50:55         SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:51:47         Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:51:57         SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 00:51:58       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 00:52:01       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 00:52:55         CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 00:52 in section 'GetCameraProperties / FilterIndexZeroBased' 00:53:32         CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 00:53:39         SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:54:32         Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:55:09       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 00:55:18       CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 00:55 in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 00:55:52       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 00:56:02       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:56:54       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:57:10       CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 00:57 in section 'GetCameraProperties / FilterIndexZeroBased' 00:57:47       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 00:57:54       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:58:47       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:58:52       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 00:59:14     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 18, HIP 88232) 00:59:18     Target Started (1/5) Target started (1/5, UGC 10058 w/SN2025gvs) 01:03:18       SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 01:03:20       CCDSoft Issue CCDSoft has encountered an image save issue [0000] 01:03:22       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix Camera Exception) 01:03:27       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 01:04:19       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 01:04:36       SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 01:08:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:09:06         SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 01:09:08         CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix Camera Exception) 01:09:15         SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 01:10:07         Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 01:10:21         SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 01:11:16         SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 01:11:18         CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix Camera Exception) 01:11:25         SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 01:12:17         Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 01:12:27         SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 01:12:29       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 01:12:32     Target Failed (1/5) Target failed due to other condition - ExceededTimeSlot (1/5, UGC 10058 w/SN2025gvs) 01:12:35     Target Started (2/6) Target started (2/6, NGC 5957 w/SN2025fvw, ToO) 01:12:39       CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 01:12 in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 01:13:14       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 01:13:21       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 01:14:13       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 01:14:49       SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 01:14:52       CCDSoft Issue CCDSoft has encountered an image save issue [0000] 01:14:54       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 01:14:59       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 01:15:51       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 01:16:09       SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 01:27:13       SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 01:27:15       CCDSoft Issue CCDSoft has encountered an image save issue [0000] 01:27:17       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix Camera Exception) 01:27:22       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 01:28:15       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 01:31:23       SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 01:38:01     Target Completed Target completed (2/6, NGC 5957 w/SN2025fvw, ToO) 01:38:05     Target Started (3/7) Target started (3/7, T CrB, ToO) 01:41:35       SBIG Camera Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 01:41:37       CCDSoft Issue CCDSoft has encountered an image save issue [0000] 01:41:39       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix Camera Exception) 01:41:45       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 01:42:36       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 01:42:57       SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 01:43:43   CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 01:43 in section 'GetCameraProperties / Status' 01:43:59       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 01:44:01   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:44:03   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 01:44:06     Target Aborted (3/7) Target aborted (3/7, T CrB, ToO) due to cloud 01:44:08   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:44:10 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:44:17   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 01:44:24   SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 01:45:00   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 51s, Zigbee 43s) 01:45:03 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:45:17   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 01:53:35     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (3/7, T CrB, ToO) due to cloud 01:53:40     Target Missed (4/7) Target's time slot was missed (4/7, AT2025kej (CV)) 01:53:43     Target Missed (5/7) Target's time slot was missed (5/7, GCVS CY Lyr) 01:53:45     Target Missed (6/7) Target's time slot was missed (6/7, GCVS CI Cyg) 01:59:50     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (7/7, KIC 8462852) due to cloud 01:59:54   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 01:59:56 Session Closing Session closing 02:00:02   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 01:45, closing time 51s, zigbee 43s) 02:01:26   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 72s), Az: 90.0 deg 02:02:33   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 47s total) 02:02:57   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 02:03:48   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 02:05:14   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 02:05:17 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 02:05:25     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 02:06:13     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.1°) 02:06:19     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.1°) 02:06:21   Dome Parked Dome parked 02:08:02   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (15mA) 02:08:04 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 00:33:28 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 00:33:30 Red Alert CCDSoft Image file [0000] hasn't been saved to disk, possible CCDSoft issue 00:34:41 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 00:35:20 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 00:35:22 Red Alert CCDSoft Image file [0000] hasn't been saved to disk, possible CCDSoft issue 00:38:03 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 00:39:57 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 00:43:37 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 00:47:39 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 00:50:04 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 00:50:46 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 00:51:57 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 00:53:30 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 00:52:55) in section 'GetCameraProperties / FilterIndexZeroBased' 00:54:33 Green Clear CcdCamera SBIG Camera has been successfully restarted 00:55:50 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 00:55:18) in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 00:56:54 Green Clear CcdCamera SBIG Camera has been successfully restarted 00:57:45 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 00:57:10) in section 'GetCameraProperties / FilterIndexZeroBased' 00:58:47 Green Clear CcdCamera SBIG Camera has been successfully restarted 01:03:18 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 01:03:20 Red Alert CCDSoft Image file [0000] hasn't been saved to disk, possible CCDSoft issue 01:04:36 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 01:09:06 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 01:10:21 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 01:11:16 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 01:12:27 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 01:13:12 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 01:12:39) in section 'GetCameraProperties / State' 01:14:13 Green Clear CcdCamera SBIG Camera has been successfully restarted 01:14:50 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 01:14:52 Red Alert CCDSoft Image file [0000] hasn't been saved to disk, possible CCDSoft issue 01:16:09 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 01:27:13 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 01:27:15 Red Alert CCDSoft Image file [0000] hasn't been saved to disk, possible CCDSoft issue 01:31:23 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 01:41:35 Red Alert SBIG Camera Alert Take Image failed (Command timed-out) 01:41:38 Red Alert CCDSoft Image file [0000] hasn't been saved to disk, possible CCDSoft issue 01:42:57 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 01:44:15 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 01:43:43) in section 'GetCameraProperties / Status' 01:45:17 Green Clear CcdCamera SBIG Camera has been successfully restarted 02:08:02 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (15mA)

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Operational Issues (2025-06-29, S1337)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (2)
• Small Defects (3)
• Continuous Improvement (8)
• Figures (1)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• A CCDSoft warning dialog was unexpectedly shown on two ocaassions with the message "You are about to start another instance of CCDSoft (00:54 & 00:58).  During operations a CCDSoft modal dialog was unexpectedly shown with the message "You are about to start another instance of CCDSoft. Are you sure you want to continue?" (see Fig 1). .Precise point when this occured is somewhat uncertainn (screen captures made at 00:54 and 00:5. User interrvenedvened on each occasion to dismiss/cancel the second instance.  The same issue occurred during the preceeding S1336 session (2025-06-26), see details, but not prior to that.  Issue seem to be related in some way to Foc2 Focusing (using images captured in SharpCap, but then opened in CCDSoft for FWHM measurement.  Fix attempted in AstroMain 3.75.9 .  Foc2 Focusing now enters a wait loop if RestartCCDSoft is in progress. RestartCCDSoft to not be called if Foc2 Focusing is in progress.(indicated by new  bRunningAutoFocusScope2  flag)
   Fix attempted 2025-07-01 (AstroMain 3.75.9)
   
• Multiple failures taking CCD Images using SBIG Camera/CcdCamera. Throughout the session there were multiple instance of failed image (timeout), or failed image (CcdCamera frozen). Issue being investigated (see Investigation - CCDSoft / CCD Camera Issues (S1337) ).  The 'Test CCDCamera/Focus Frames' button routine (located on Main Scope / TCF-S Focuser tab) was used on 2025-07-02 to see if the issue can be replicated at all. This showed multiple image failures (TakeImageAsync Timed-Out).  In one case witnessed it seemed that Camera is taking longer to start taking the image and the expected duration used to set TimeOutPoint is too short and a longer time should be used.  This sub-issue was fixed in AstroMain 3.75.10,  but it doesn't fix the the more general issue. Running tests and examining log files showed a correspondance between Image Failures / CCDCamera freezes and periods when the ScopeMonitor was logged as Pending.     Fixed in AstroMain 3.75.11.   Get_State and Get_Status operations in CCDcamera, GetProperties () routine save results to _State and _Status, when triggered by property calls from TakeImageAsync() and these can now be accessed via CCDCamera.LastState and CCDCamera.LastStatus respectively and used by DrawObservatoryPicture() whenever an image is being taken (avoiding conflicts).  In the event of continued issues a new checkbox on the More/Cam1 tab (see separate Continuous Improvement ticket below) can be used to disable all calls to CCDCamera when an image is being taken.  In this latter case the ObsViewer will show 'Taking Image',  'Status calls disabled'
   Fix attempted 2025-07-03 (AstroMain 3.75.11)

Small Defects

• Finalised Log File doesn't show a Focus Scope Near Zenith' item in file contents.  Finalised log file (.htm) doesn't show "Focus Scope Near Zenith' in the contents list at top of file.  Issue appeared in Session S1337 (2025-05-29). It is hypothesized that this is a sideffect of changes to certain log elements introduced in AstroMain 3.75.7 since the S1336 session (2025-06-26). The S3 element of the Starting Log Line for Near Zenith Focusing has been shortened from 'FocusScopeNearZenith' to 'FocusNearZenith' in AstroMain 3.75.7 or 3.75.8.  Fixed FinaliselogFile() routine to accept either form ("Start   FocusScopeNearZenith" or "Start   FocusNearZenith") as marking the top of  the 'Focus Scope Near Zenith' section, allowing the Contents item to be defined/shown.
   Fixed 2025-06-30 (AstroMain 3.75.9)
   
• RestartCCDSoft was called by Obs.Overseer whilst Session Suspending producing interlaced report messages (01:44).  Locate Frame 4 for Target 3/7 (T CrB) failed due to Frozen CCDCamera, and due to deteriorating sky conditions a SoftSuspend was called by the ObsManager.  Whilst the session was suspending  and closing the shutter, the Obs.Overseer reported that CcdCamera was frozen and called RestartCCDSoft() to fix frozen CcdCamera. The RestartCCDSoft task was successfully completed, but its report messages were interlaced with those associated with Suspending / Suspended. Fixed in AstroMain 3.75.9.
   Fixed 2025-07-01  (AstroMain 3.75.9)
   
• Z Axis match quality / data trends are rather poor at present (2025-07-01) . Z axis reading are showing diurnal changes that temperature correction doesn't fully correct. Added a Continuous Improvement ticket to make DelayMinsB parameter an axis-dependant term.  Requires change to Settings tab, GA tab, Temperature Correction routine(s) and to GA Tool.
   To monitor 2025-06-30 (Session, SAM III)

Continuous Improvement

• Add scale bar to AstroMag's High Resolution Chart.   Add scale bar to to High Resolution Magnetometer Chart, showing Delta Change (Abs (nT)/ min ).  Implemented in AstroMag 1.5.6.
   Done 2025-07-01 (AstroMag 1.5.6)
   
• Add '1 day' & '5 day' links to Geomagnetic Station Charts page. Add links within 'geomagnetic_station.htm' page to allow easy movement between 1 day charts and 5 day chart cale bar to to High Resolution Magnetometer Chart, showing Delta Change (Abs (nT)/ min ).  Implemented 2025-07-01
   Done 2025-07-01 (Website)
   
• Modify Legend on AstroMag's Downhole/Subsurface Temperature Charts to include 1d" or "5d" in Range text.    Implemented in AstroMag 1.5.6.
   Done 2025-07-01 (AstroMag 1.5.6)
   
• Make Line Normalisation & Fitness Measure on 5d Difference Charts use last 1d, 2d, or 5d data. Difference Plots can become badly centered and show elevated Fitness (Error) scores when 5d period show large shifts in reading due to Anomalous Y Axis Shift or SAM System (Power) Reset.  Have a means of using just last 1 or 2 days worth of data
   Done 2025-07-01 (AstroMag 1.5.6)
   
• Modify AstroMag's Message / Dialog Boxes so they are centered on the location of Main Form, rather than on Screen Centre.  Implemented in AstroMag 1.5.6.
   Done 2025-07-01 (AstroMag 1.5.6)
   
• Add '5d Magnetogram (DIF)' to files uploaded to website. Modify AstroPlan to upload  file "Latest.MagnetogramChart_DIF_5d.png". Modify geomagnetic_station.htm to display 5d chart. Implemented in AstroPlan 1.43.13.
   Done 2025-07-01 (AstroPlan 1.43.13, Website)
   
• Make DelayMinsB' an axis dependant term.  Some issues with Fitness of Z Axis match, suggest that the Z magnetometer might see a delayed reaction to Temperature Probe changes (located just above Y axis) due to it being the deepest magnetometer, and slower to react to temperature rises (and falls ?).  Requires changes to Settings Tab, GA tab, Temperature Correction routines and GA Tool
   Done 2025-07-01+ (AstroMag 1.5.6+)
   
• Add Custom Annotation to AstroMag charts. It would be useful to display remarks & lines at selected date/time points following an Anomaly, a System Reset or Temperature data outage. Requires a new tab to enter the custom remarks information with saving to Settings file, changes to Charts.
   Done 2025-07-01+ (AstroMag 1.5.6+) 

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2025-06-30

Investigation - CCDSoft / CCD Camera Issues

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Difficulties in taking Deep Sky Images on mid summer nights (NGC 5957 w/SN 2025fvw)

One current observing project is tracing the rise and fall in the brightness of Type 1a Supernova 2025fvw (discovered 2025-03-26.799 UT by Koichi Itagaki) via a series of images acquired over 80+ days.

The following image taken in April 2025 shows  SN 2025fvw at a point 12 days after discovery in its host spiral galaxy (NGC 5957 in Serpens).  This particular image was acquired under dark sky (Sun Altutude -24.2°)

NGC 5957 with SN 2025fvw - 2025-04-08 (T+12.2d) Image below (2025-04-08.051) was taken 12.2 days after discovery of 2025fvw Position of reported supernova (distinct, brightening, peak) is shown by white cross-hairs  Measured Magnitude +13.70 (Clear Filter)		Histogram (full-range) Background Peak 7041 ADU
Annotated CCD Image (125% size, square root scale, cropped) 3 x 180s exposure (average combine), 3x3 binning, Clear Filter 2025-04-08 01:21 UT (#1312143-47) 12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2

It is hoped to follow the supernova down to mag 18.0 to 19.0,  but with short summer nights & 'bright ' nautical twilight skies this task is becoming increasingly difficult.  The image below taken at end of June (95 days after SN discovery) shows the nucleus of NGC 5957 but not much more. In particular the supernova is not visible. Sun Altitude at the time was -9.4°.

NGC 5957 with SN 2025fvw - 2025-06-30 (T+95.2d) Image below (2025-06-30.014) was taken 95.2 days after discovery of 2025fvw Position of reported supernova (very faint or not visible) is shown by white cross-hairs  Very poor quality image (very bright sky background, single frame, guiding issue)		Histogram (full-range) Background peak 59485 ADU
Annotated CCD Image (125% size, square root scale, cropped) 180s exposure (single frame), 3x3 binning, Clear Filter 2025-06-30 00:20 UT (#1337012) 12" LX200R (at f/10.4) + ST-10XME Auto-guided using TS 80mm APO, ZWO ASI178MC & PHD2

See Images of SN 2025fvw (in NGC 5957) on Supernova 2025 Page >>

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