David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1342 (2025-07-16)

Notes (S1341)

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Notes (S1343A)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (3),  Minor Issues (3),  Small Defects (6),  Continuous Improvement (14)
	- Figures (3)
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	2025-07-18
	New Focuser - OptecLynx TCF-LSI  2"

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-07-16)

Main aims

1. UPB V3. Run first live session using new Pegasus Astro UPB V3 box (which has replaced the UPB V1 box that was previously being used). Check for any issues and opportunities for improvement.
2. 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.
3. CCD Camera. Test if major CCD Camera issues during recent have been resolved or not

 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 3.76,  AstroPlan 1.43.14, AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.11  (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroMag 1.5.6, 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 1.13.4

Highlights

• Targets.  0/11 planned target were completed with 2 targets partially completed.  Images from the two partially completed targets were later rejected due to bad TS80 focusing & consequential bad guiding.
• UPB V3. This was the first live session using new Pegasus Astro UPB V3 box (which has replaced the UPB V1 box that was previously being used).  Main issue is that Dew Heaters don't appear to be being controlled by AstroMain
• CCD Camera. There were a number of issues with the CCDSoft / CCDCamera during the first part of the session, which required user interventation and issues continued.
•  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 23:48:52 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 23:48 & 02:19 23:48:54   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to cloud 23:49:14 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (23:49) 23:49:26   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 23:49:55   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -5°C) 23:49:58 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2025-07-16 S01342, ImageSaveNum: 1342001) 23:50:03   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 23:51:49   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:51:59 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 23:52:01   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to cloud 23:52:04 Session Pending Session pending (2025-07-16) 23:52:06 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-07-16) 23:52:16   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 23:52:18   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.43.14) 23:53:12   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1127) 23:53:55   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 23:54:19 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 23:55:05   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 23:55:20 Session Running Session running 23:55:23   Queue Started Observing Queue started (11 targets selected) 23:55:25     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 18, HIP 88232) 23:55:39       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 23:59:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:02:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 00:03:20       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (user action) 00:03:28       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:04:19       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (user action) 00:04:27       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:05:34 User Intervention User Intervention to abort job queue & switch back to Manual Mode 00:05:38       Focusing Aborted Foc1 Focusing Aborted 00:05:40     Target Aborted (NrZen) Target aborted (Focus Field 18, HIP 88232) due to User Intervention 00:05:42   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 00:05:44 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode 00:11:04     Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:11:46 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 00:11 & 02:19 00:11:48 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 00:11:50 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (00:11) 00:11:59   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:12:05 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 00:12:07 Session Pending Session pending (2025-07-16) 00:12:09 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-07-16) 00:12:19   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:12:26   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1127) 00:12:36   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 00:12:58 Session Running Session running 00:13:01   Queue Started Observing Queue started (11 targets selected) 00:13:03     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 00:13:17       CcdCamera Frozen CcdCamera appears to be frozen at around 00:13 in section 'GetProperty / Temperature' 00:13:54       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 00:14:02       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:14:53       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix frozen CcdCamera) 00:15:01       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:15:50       CCDSoft Issue CCDSoft has encountered an image save issue [0000] 00:15:52       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix unsaved file issue) 00:16:00       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:18:07       CCDSoft Issue CCDSoft has encountered an image save issue [0000] 00:18:09       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix unsaved file issue) 00:18:17       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:20:24       CCDSoft Issue CCDSoft has encountered an image save issue [0000] 00:20:26       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix unsaved file issue) 00:20:34       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:22:34       CCDSoft Issue CCDSoft has encountered an image save issue [0000] 00:22:36       CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (attempt to fix unsaved file issue) 00:22:44       SBIG Camera Reset SBIG Camera being power-cycled 00:23:55 User Intervention User Intervention to abort job queue & switch back to Manual Mode 00:24:18     Target Aborted (NrZen) Target aborted (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) due to User Intervention 00:24:21   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 00:24:23 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode 00:25:54     Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:26:42 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 00:26 & 02:19 00:26:44 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 00:26:46 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (00:26) 00:26:57   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:27:04 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 00:27:06 Session Pending Session pending (2025-07-16) 00:27:08 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-07-16) 00:27:17   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:27:23   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1127) 00:27:35   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 00:27:56 Session Running Session running 00:27:59   Queue Started Observing Queue started (11 targets selected) 00:28:02     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 00:28:51       SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 00:31:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:35:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 00:38:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 00:38:40       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 00:38:56     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 00:38:58     Target Missed (1/11) Target's time slot was missed (1/11, 2MFGC 13744 w/SN2024afyu) 00:39:01     Target Started (2/11) Target started (2/11, GCVS CY Lyr) 00:43:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:45:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 00:45:37     Target Failed (2/11) Target failed due to other condition - ExceededTimeSlot (2/11, GCVS CY Lyr) 00:45:39     Target Started (3/11) Target started (3/11, AT2024aane) 01:05:55       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 01:06:35   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:06:37   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 01:06:39     Target Aborted (3/11) Target aborted (3/11, AT2024aane) due to cloud 01:06:41   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:06:43 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:07:25   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 45s, Zigbee 43s) 01:07:28 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:14:06     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (4/11, T CrB) due to cloud 01:27:56     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (5/11, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS)) due to cloud 01:40:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (6/11, AT2025md (CV)) due to cloud 01:51:04     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (7/11, GCVS BL Lac) due to cloud 02:00:16     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (8/11, GCVS HH And) due to cloud 02:08:43     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (9/11, WDS GRB 34) due to cloud 02:12:02 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:12:47   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 02:12:49 Session Running Session running 02:12:51   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:12:54     Target Started (10/11) Target started (10/11, M31 w/AT2025kvc) 02:19:22       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:19:47       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 02:20:32       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:24:02   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 02:24:04   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 02:24:06     Target Aborted (10/11) Target aborted (10/11, M31 w/AT2025kvc) due to cloud 02:24:08   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:24:10 Session Suspending Session suspending 02:24:58   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 42s) 02:25:00 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:27:48     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (10/11, M31 w/AT2025kvc) due to cloud 02:50:56     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (11/11, GCVS SS Cyg) due to cloud 02:51:00   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 02:51:05 Session Closing Session closing 02:51:10   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 02:24, closing time 50s, zigbee 42s) 02:51:28   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 10s), Az: 90.0 deg 02:52:14   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 41s total) 02:52:44   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 02:53:06   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 02:54:33   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 02:54:35 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 02:54:42     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 02:55:27     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.0°) 02:56:30   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (48mA) 02:56:32 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 00:05:46 Red Alert Program Hung AstroMain UI appears to have stopped responding at 00:05:39 00:05:51 Green Clear Program Resumed AstroMain UI has resumed again after 12s 00:13:52 Red Alert CcdCamera CcdCamera appears to be frozen (last cycle at 00:13:17) in section 'GetProperty / Temperature' 00:15:50 Red Alert CCDSoft Image file [0000] hasn't been saved to disk, possible CCDSoft issue 00:18:07 Red Alert CCDSoft Image file [0000] hasn't been saved to disk, possible CCDSoft issue 00:20:24 Red Alert CCDSoft Image file [0000] hasn't been saved to disk, possible CCDSoft issue 00:22:34 Red Alert CCDSoft Image file [0000] hasn't been saved to disk, possible CCDSoft issue 00:28:51 Green Clear SBIG Camera Take Image successfully completed (earlier flags are reset) 00:28:54 Green Clear CCDSoft Image file has been saved to disk following CCDSoft Restart 02:56:30 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (48mA)

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Operational Issues (2025-07-16, S1342)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (3)
• Minor Issues (3)
• Small Defects (6)
• Continuous Improvement (14)
• Figures (3)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• Multiple issues with CCDCamera freezing, CCDSoft becoming non-responsive & not being connected to SBIG USB Camera (00:01, 00:13 to 00:23) None of the changes in AstroMain have resolved these regular / ongoing issues, and attention has changed to the possibility that problem relates to possibility of issue with USB cable or USB Hub. With the introduction of UPB V3 box (replacing the older UPB V1 box) the USB routing from the Camera is nearly entirly different. Previously the connection was "SBIG USB Camera - CableA - UPB V1 Box / Hub (USB 2) - CableB - Lindy Hub (USB 2) - CableC - Computer".  In the new setup the connection is "SBIG USB Camera - CableA - UPB V3 Box / Hub (USB 3) - CableD - Computer".  However the camera issues remain. It is noted that the USB Hubs and Cables in the new setup are different apart from the cable (CableA) between Camera and the UPB Powerbox. The USB cable between Camera and Powerbox was changed out for a new/different one (CableE, 2025-07-17) but the issue seems to remain.  New operating practice of ensuring that both CCDSoft and AstroMain programs are started up from fresh seems to reduce/ even prevent the occurance of Camera issues as established by daytime testing on 2025-07-18.  Propose to employ new operating practice during the next few live sessions and assess if there is any improvement.  More testing on 2025-07-20 working on the observation that issue is significantly reduced or prevented by restarting CCDSoft & AstroMain together and the hypothesis that issue can also be significantly reduced/prevented by destroying CCDSoft Camera Objects when closing/restarting AstroMain has managed to confirm a root cause of issue. Fix applied to AstroMain 3.76.2 and finalised in AstroMain 3.76.3.  Daytime testing on 2025-07-21 & 2025-07-22 shows that Camera issues are not fully resolved (see separate Major Issue ticket below).
  Fixed 2025-07-21 (AstroMain 3.76.3,  CCDSoft/SBIG Camera, USB Devices, User Awareness)
   
• Reconnecting CCDSoft Camera to SBIG ST10 Camera is producing the error "SBIG driver: Device not found" (00:04 to 00:07, 00:14 to 00:23).  Reconnection to Camera is performed at the end of RestartCCDSoft() operation in an attempt to resolve CCDImage/CCDSoft issues. Even though SBIG Camera has been powered off / powered on and a 30s wait is made, Camera.Connect occasionally or (more recently) frequently fails with the error "SBIG driver: Device not found". This is noted to occur in situations when 'SBIG USB Camera With Firmware' is missing from DeviceManager list and there is an 'Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed' item with the Universal Serial Bus controllers section (see Fig 2).  Closing the USB Port to Camera using UPB V3 / Unity and then turning the Port on again appears capable of allowing SBIG USB Camera to reappear in the DeviceManager again (see Fig 3)
  Fix attempted 2025-07-17  (SBIG Camera, Observatory)
   
• Further issues with CCDCamera freezing, CCDSoft becoming non-responsive & not being connected to SBIG USB Camera (2025-07-21 & 2025-07-22). Daytime testing shows continued / further problems operating the SBIG ST-10XME USB Camera, despite work done in AstroMain 3.76.3 and incorporated in 3.77 following installation of and switch over to using new TCF-LSI focuser. Test runs vary between runs with lots of problem, or runs without issue. It is clear alway what gives rise to the different forms of behaviour. Sometimes one imagines there is a problem with the Camera itself , sometimes one imagines that the problem is to do with the USB driver, Windows or the length / quality of the USB cable.  After a run of a couple of hours with 200 or more image frame without problem one thinks there is hope, but a series of run with lots of problems take away the confidence. Some of the error dialogs produced by CCDSoft are shown in  Fig 4.  It is proposed to continue tests to establish the precise circumstances that give rise to the problem runs/tests and which circumstances give rise to problem free operation. A separate continuous improvement ticket has been raised to make improvements and additions to AstroMain to facilitate testing and rapid repair. Issues with CCDCamera / CCDSoft.Camera fixed on or just before 2025-07-27. There were no camera related issues from during sessions S1343 to S1349A).
  Resolved 2025-07-27 (AstroMain, CCDSoft/SBIG Camera, User Awareness)

Minor Issues

• Dew Heaters attached to new UPB V3 Powerbox are not being correctly controlled by AstroMain.   This is likely a teething issue associated with transfer from UPB V1 box to a UPB V3 box. Further more Dew Heater information isn't being correctly written to MonitorData file or to ObsEnv record. Although cSwitchDew1, cSwitchDew2, cSwitchAutoDew1 & cSwitchAutoDew2 variables were added to AstroMain 3.76 and values correctly assigned in AssignSwitchNumbers() routine, the UpdateDewHeaterFields() routine is still using hardcoded values in various calls to GetSwitch & GetSwitchValue that were used with UPB V1.  Whilst UPB V1 Switch Driver used value of 255 for max (100%) dew heater power, the new Unity driver uses value of 100 for max (100%) dew heater power.
   Fixed in AstroMain 3.76.1.
  Fixed 2025-07-17 (AstroMain 3.76.1)
   
• USB connection to SBIG Camera kept dropping out with Windows Notification "USB device not recognised". Windows notification appeared briefly a number of times during the session with the message "USB device not recognised" (see Fig 1). Issue is not new and was occuring before when using a connection via UPB V1 & Lindy USB Hub. It is unclear if this notification occurs in response to power to SBIG Camera being turned-off, or if it can also occur in response to a problem with the USB connection whilst the camera is powered.  A modification to RestartCCDSoft made in AstroMain 3.76.1 turns off USB Port to Camera (USB Port 7) before turning off power to the SBIG Camera, and then turns on the USB Port tagain after turning on power to the SBIG Camera.
  Possibly resolved 2025-07-18  (SBIG Camera, AstroMain 3.76.1)
   
• Foc2 Focusing wasn't performed as part of Near Zenith Focusing at start of session. A Foc2 Focus Profile wasn't taken at start of session, leaving the TS80 telescope not correctly focused. This would normally be not a significant issue, but after the move to UPB V3 box and other adjustments to equipment / cables etc, it is likely that the TS80's Foc2 Motor Focus had changed, and the quality of the focus was not sufficient to allow good guiding during the session. Foc2 focus must be checked / rerun at start of next session.
  Closed after review  2025-07-18  (Session, Foc2 Focusing (TS80) )

Small Defects

• Whilst testing on Development Computer the flagObsManagerData 'flag' was unexpectedly left with a magneta fill. Whilst testing AstroMain & Optec LSI focuser operation on Development Computer, it was noticed that stopping all Observatory Services the ObsManager panel flag (flagObsManagerData) was left with a magneta fill (backcolor) instead of expected white fill. This is likely a timing issue with the routine that updates the field according to whether ObsManager is running has already stopped.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.76.1, the code line  'VM.flagObsManagerData = Color.White' is explicitly added to end of the StopObservatoryManager() routine.
  Fixed 2025-07-18 (AstroMain 3.76.1)
   
• Powerbox (V3) Services are failing to start. Investigating show that Unity UI wasn't started before starting AstroMain services and since neither Peg.Ui or Peg.Server process were running the operation to start services failed.  The Restart Powerbox operation then failed repeatedly as the path to open Unity UI executable was incorrect.  WIth UPB V3 it is not necessary for Peg.UI or Peg.Server to be running when one of the 3  ASCOM Unity drivers (Switch, Focuser or ObservingConditions) is started, but AstroMain is trying to force this.   Fixed in AstroMain 3.76.1 Update.  Powerbox (V3) services will now start regardless of whether Unity UI is running or not.  However when it's not running the connection to first Unity driver (the Switch Driver is hard-coded to be first) takes around 10s, as it has to start up Peg.Server & connect to the UPB V3 box.
  Fixed 2025-07-18 (AstroMain 3.76.1)
   
• Dew Heater control bars are not aligned in Unity Frontend UI Software  Dew Heater control bars are not aligned with each other in Unity Frontend Software (2.10 ) but have position dependants associated on the label widths. This is a minor but annoying defect.  When all 3 heaters are meant to be off,  two of the threes heaters appear to have values slightly above zero.  When all 3 heaters are set to 50% power level, one of the heater appears to have a setting slightly lower than the other two.  Issue has been passed onto Pegasus Astro Support (2025-07-17) who have passed issue to their UI development team (2025-07-17) under request #8210 so they can investigate and work towards a fix. Development team have addressed this bug (2025-07-21). The fix will be included in the next release of the Unity platform .
  2025-07-21  (Pegaus Astro Unity Platform)
   
• RestartCCDSoft () routine needs to include a report line saying that CCDSoft is already stopped when attempting to Stop CCDSoft. Also an empty line needs to be included ahead of the  the 'Check Camera Device ' subtitle.
  Fixed 2025-07-20 (AstroMain 3.76.2)
   
• The report line "Disconnect TheSky6 Scope..." when Stopping Observatory Services is inconsistent with other service reporting.  When Observatory Services are stopped, services being stopped have report lines like "ObsEnv:  Stopped", "Dome:  Stopped" etc, but the line "Disconnect TheSkyScope"  Disconnected" is inconsistent.   and should be written as "TheSky6 Scope:    Stopped ".
  Fixed 2025-07-21 (AstroMain 3.76.3)
   
• Operation to reset USB Port to SBIG Camera didn't  resolve missing SBIG USB Camera (2025-07-20). AstroMain 3.76.1 introduced a self-repair routine to toggle the USB Port to SBIG Camera when SBIG USB Camera was found to be missing from Device Manager. Whilst this will sometime resolve a missing SBIG USB Camera, sometime it won't. The follow-up attempt should be more aggressive and include resetting the USB Camera by toggling its power off/on.. Review on 2025-11-18 concluded that since there have no recent issues / problems with SBIG camera that the issue should be closed.
  Closed after review 2025-11-18  (AstroMain 3.76.2 - AstroMain 3.78.5)

Continuous Improvement

• Add routines & user buttons to turn off/turn on USB Port to SBIG Camera. With the upgrade to Pegasus Astro UPB V3 it is now possible to turn on/off a specific USB port on the UPB Powerbox.  Since this is potentially useful mean to resolve an issue with CCDCamera / SBIG Camera it is proposed to add buttons on AstroMain's More/Cam1 tab and add routines  Powerbox.SetSbigUsbOn() & Powerbox.SetSbigUsbOff().  Implemented in AstroMain 3.76.1
  Done 2025-07-17 (AstroMain 3.76.1)
   
• Modify AstroMain to handle new Optec TCFLSI focuser. With the transition of telescope equipment from Optec TCF-S focuser to a new TCF-LSI  focuser, AstroMain needs to be updated handle the communications with the new Focuser.  A new checkbox 'Use TCF LSI Focuser',  (cboxUseTCF_LSI) is added for indicating that the new LSI focuser is to be used.  The checkbox state is then used in StartFocuser1() routine for connecting with the appropriate new driver (ASCOM.FocusLynx.Focuser) instead of the driver used for TCF-S (ASCOM.OptecTCF-S.Focuser).  RestartTcfsFocuser() also modified.   Implemented in AstroMain 3.76.1. Once installed Secondary Com Port modified to point to the COM Port used by the new LSI focuser.  Certain routines are named  '..Tcfs..()'.  These names will be retained in the short term and/or moved to ..Tcf...
  Done 2025-07-18 (AstroMain 3.76.1)
   
• Modify ConnectCamera to check DeviceManager for 'SBIG USB Camera' .  Implemented in AstroMai 3.76.1.  This has been built in using calls to a new PreCheckCameraConnection(bError) routine.
  Done 2025-07-19 (AstroMain 3.76.1)
   
• Add FocusLynx Commander to programs that can be lauched by AstroLaunch.  FocusLynx Commander is the Optec Lynx program for setting up the new OptecLynx TCF-LSI focuser.and a button is required to launch "C:\Program Files (x86)\Optec\FocusLynx\FocusLynxCommander.exe".   Implemented in AstroLaunch 1.13.6. 
  Done 2025-07-19 (AstroLaunch 1.13.6)
   
• Modify AstroLaunch' Settings Tab to make the default value of 'Use UPB V3' checkbox to be True. Now that the UPB V3 is now operating in the Observatory, the default value is 'Use UPB V3'  is checked (ie True).  Implemented in AstroLaunch 1.13.6. 
  Done 2025-07-19 (AstroLaunch 1.13.6)
   
• Improve the button options regarding connecting the camera when using the 'Camera's 'Switch On' button.  In AstroMain 3.76.1 and earlier versions , a 'Connect Camera' dialog is shown when using 'Switch On' Camera with  'Yes / Cancel' buttons. The name of 'Cancel'  button is ambiguous (it could incorrectly imply that the whole Switch On Camera process should be cancelled,) and should be renamed as 'No'  instead to avoid the ambiguity.   Fixed in AstroMain 3.76.2. 
  Done 2025-07-20 (AstroMain 3.76.2)
   
• Add a '>> _Logs' button on the 'More/Tests&Logs' Tab. A '>> _Log's button should be added to  'More/Tests&Logs' tab (placed next to WriteLogFilesNow button) in order to quickly navigate to the htm files created by the running the 'WriteLogFilesNow' routine.  Name of WriteLogFilesNow button should be renamed "Write .htm Log Files"'.  Implemented i n AstroMain 3.76.2.  New button is 'btnOpenLogsFolder7'
  Done 2025-07-20 (AstroMain 3.76.2)
   
• Modify AstroMain's FinaliseLogFiles and FInaliseReportFile routines to add a row to the bottom of Contents List called 'Last Entry/Bottom' that hyperlinks to the bottom of the file.  Implemented in AstroMain 3.76.2.
  Done 2025-07-20 (AstroMain 3.76.2)
   
• Add a backdoor button routine to RestartSbigCamera, including toggling the USB Port.  New button 'Restart SBIG Camera' add to More/Backdoor Tab. Two New Routines created RestartSbigCameraByThread() and RestartSbigCamera(). Implemented in AstroMain 3.76.2.
  Done 2025-07-20 (AstroMain 3.76.2)
   
• Investigate why CCDSoft / Camera becomes upset and prone to freezing when AstroMain program is restarted without restarting CCDSoft. Following a long period of issues with CCDSoft/CCDCamera, it has been established that the issues don't appear if the CCDSoft program is restarted at the same time that the AstroMain program is restarted.  The best practice is two restart both programs before a new live session is conducted.   When this isn't done and there have been one or more restarts of AstroMain to install new program versions (frequency increased trying various attempted fixes / mitigations for the Camera issues, compounding the issue) the problems seem to appear and sometimes immediately after connecting the camera.  But why does this happen.  Hypothesis is that the Camera isn't disconnected when stopping AstroMain or AstroMain isn't releasing an instance of CCDSoft.Camera or other CCDSoft object.  Testing on 2025-07-20 conclusively shows that camera issue all stem from  AstroMain being closed without setting CCDSoft Camera Objects to Nothing, which leaves camera object instances still alive in CCDSoft , and this upsets CCDSoft Camera and this AstroMain.CCDCamera after AstroMain is restarted and is reconnects to the Camera. A fix has been added under a Major Issue ticket above.
  Query answered 2025-07-21 (AstroMain, CCDSoft)
   
• Rationalise & streamline routines assoicated with Camera Connect, CCDSoftRestart & UsbCamera Repair. Following identification of root cause to CCD Camera issues and fix added to AstroMain 3.76.2 / 3.76.3 it is time to go back and streamline the various mitigation and repair routines added over the course of last 6 months.  CCDSoft / Camera routines that were formerly in globals.vb module have been moved to a new Camera1.vb module, and extra routines added to reduce duplication of code.
  Done   (AstroMain 3.76.3)
   
• Install new Optec TCF-LSI focuser on Observatory's LX200 Telescope. Following completion of modifications to AstroMain to handle the new Optec Lynx TCF-LSI focuser install new focuser onto the LX200 Telescope. This will involve the following tasks:
   - Remove Camera/Filter Wheel
   - Remove TCF-S focuser,  Focus Control Box and Cables
   - Attach TCF-LSI focuser (it is assumed that existing adapter on telescope will work with new focuser)
   - Connect new cables between TCF-LSI focuser & UPB V3 powerbox
   - Reattach Camera/Filter Wheel
   - Test connection and operations
   - Perform Near Zenith Focusing & rotate Camera to 180 deg position whilst taking & plate-solving images
   - Resync Telescope Pointing & perform short mapping job
  Whilst the installation could have been made as early as 2025-07-19, the work was deferred until it could be demonstrating that recent CCDCamera issues have been largely resolved (or are at least tolerable), given the need to be able to take multiple images to reorientate the camera and perform short mapping job.  A fix to prevent CCDCamera issues was added to AstroMain 3.76.3 and testing gave sufficient assurances to allow the installation of the TCF-LSI focuser on 2025-07-21. New focuser was installed on 2025-06-21.  The length of the 12v power cable to the TCF-LSI focuer is a little shorter than ideal and to accomodate it the cable's plug was moved from Output 2 on the UPB V3 box to Output 6. This requires AstroMain to be modified to change the ASCOM Switch number associated with the cPowerSwitchTCF variable.
  Done 2025-07-21 (Observatory, LX200, Optec TCF-LSI)
   
• Release AstroMain 3.77 which uses TCF-LSI Focuser by default. Following installation of TCF-LSI focuser on the Observatory's LX200, the "Use TCF-LSI Focuser" checkbox needs to gave the default value of checked (True).  The new version changes the hardcoded value or cPowerSwitchTCF from 2 (Output 2) to 10 (Output 6), and remove the Connect Camera option from the btnSwitchOnSbigPower() routine
  Done  2025-07-21 (AstroMain 3.77) 
   
• Make a number of improvements to AstroMain Observatory in light of daytime test results and experience operating the SBIG USB Camera.
  Done 2025-07-23 (AstroMain 3.77.1)

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2025-07-18

New Focuser - Optec-Lynx TCF-LSI 2"

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