David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1343 (2025-07-27)

Notes (S1343A)

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Notes (S1344)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (1),  Small Defects (2),  Continuous Improvement (0)
	- Figures (0)
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Session Aims & Highlights (2025-07-27)

Main aims

1. CCD Camera. Test if major CCD Camera issues during recent have been resolved or not.
2. TCF-LSI Focuser. Run first live session using new OptecLynx TCF-LSI Focuser  (which has replaced the TCF-S focuser that was previously being used). Check for any issues and opportunities for improvement.
3. AstroMain.  Check latest AstroMain version 3.77.2
4. LX200 & TS80 Focus.  Refocus both telescopes and in particular get a new best focus position for the TS80 telescope, which was lost when equipment was disturbed during the installation of the UPB V3 Powerbox
5. Cam1, Cam2  Camera Angle
6. TS80 alignment. Align TS80 guide scope pointing with that of the LX200 main scope.
7. Telescope Resync & Short Mapping.
8. 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 3.77.2 / 3.77.3,  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 1.16.2
  AstroWeather 1.27.9, AstroAllSky 3.24.4,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4 (not 1.11.5), AstroNorthCam 1.5.3, AstroLaunch 1.13.6

Highlights

• CCD Camera.  No issues with CCD Camera during session. This is a significant milestone after the major issues during the last few sessions / session attempts. 
• Targets.  1/14 planned  targets were completed with 1 target partially completed, though several frames will likely be rejected due to bad guiding.  Other targets failed due to rain, cloud or had missed start times.
• TCF-LSI Focuser. There were no issues with the new TCF-LSI Focuser itself, but direction of steps during Focus Profiles wasn't optimal which made the process slightly longer than ideal.
• LX200 & TS80 Focus.  Refocussing was successfully performed for both main scope & guide scope. (best focus for TS80 changed from 9970 (S1341) to 12458 (S1343)
  This is a significant change and explains why Foc2 focusing and subsequent guiding wasn't successful in the S1342 session.
• Cam1 & Cam2 Camera Angles.  There was no time to rotate the SBIG ST-10XME and ZWO 178MC cameras to the correct angles (180.0° & 0.0° respectively), nor was there time to precisely align the TS80 scope to the LX200 main scope. These objectives will roll forward to the next session (camera angles during S1343 were around 180.7 and 358.0° which is tolerable in the short-term)
• Telescope Resync & Short Mapping.  There was no time to resync telescope pointing & perform a short mapping run.  These objectives will roll forward to the next session. (post-slew pointing errors during S1343 were around 7 arc min, which is tolerable in the short-term)
•  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 22:44:04 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 22:44 & 02:40 22:44:05 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (22:44) 22:44:17   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 22:44:32 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2025-07-27 S01343, ImageSaveNum: 1343001) 22:44:39   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 22:46:25   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:46:35 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:46:37 Session Pending Session pending (2025-07-27) 22:46:39 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-07-27) 22:46:55   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 22:46:58   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.43.14) 22:48:23   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1128) 22:49:05   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 22:49:30 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 23:01:17   Wait On Weather Waiting for acceptable conditions 23:01:19 Session Suspending Session suspending 23:01:21   Dome Closed Dome already closed 23:01:23 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:01:49   Queue Started Observing Queue started (14 targets selected) 23:25:05     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (1/14, T CrB) due to cloud 23:36:55     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (2/14, AT2024wzq (CV)) due to rain 23:57:15     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (3/14, AT2024aane) due to cloud 00:13:35     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (4/14, AT2025kej (CV)) due to cloud 00:26:25     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (5/14, AT2025md (CV)) due to cloud 00:32:19 User Intervention User Intervention to abort job queue & switch back to Manual Mode 00:32:22   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 00:32:24 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode 00:33:04   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 00:33:23 Session Closed Session closed by User 00:33:26 Program Closed Program closed by User 00:35:08 Program Opened Program Opened (AstroMain 3.77.3) 00:35:10 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2025-07-27 S01343, ImageSaveNum: 1343001) 00:35:15   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 00:35:38   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 00:35:43   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:36:56   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:37:22   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 00:38:06   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:39:33 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 00:39 & 02:40 00:39:35 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 00:39:37   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to cloud 01:34:45 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (01:34) 01:34:56   Services Started Observatory Services started 01:35:04 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 01:35:07 Session Pending Session pending (2025-07-27) 01:35:09 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-07-27) 01:35:17   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 01:35:22   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1128) 01:36:05   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 01:36:30 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 01:37:15   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 01:37:17 Session Running Session running 01:37:20   Queue Started Observing Queue started (5 targets selected) 01:37:21     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 21, HIP 103850) 01:37:36       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 01:41:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:43:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 01:45:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 01:46:04       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 01:46:40     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 21, HIP 103850) 01:46:44     Target Started (10/14) Target started (10/14, UGC 12793 w/AT2025kjx) 01:50:34 User Intervention User Intervention to abort job queue & switch back to Manual Mode 01:50:37     Target Failed (10/14) Target failed due to aborted (10/14, UGC 12793 w/AT2025kjx) 01:50:39   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 01:50:42 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode 01:53:47     Target Started (1/1) Target started (1/1, HIP 103850) 01:55:49       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 01:56:31     Target Failed (1/1) Target failed (1/1, HIP 103850) due to aborted 02:02:20       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 02:04:36       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 02:06:24       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 02:06:57 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 02:06 & 02:40 02:06:59 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 02:07:01 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (02:06) 02:07:10   Services Started Observatory Services started 02:07:18 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 02:07:21 Session Pending Session pending (2025-07-27) 02:07:23 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-07-27) 02:07:31   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 02:07:38   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1128) 02:07:48   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 02:08:11 Session Running Session running 02:08:13   Queue Started Observing Queue started (4 targets selected) 02:08:20     Target Started (11/14) Target started (11/14, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS)) 02:08:25     Target Failed (11/14) Target failed due to missed start time (11/14, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS)) 02:09:55     Target Started (12/14) Target started (12/14, UGC 1325 w/SN2024aedt) 02:17:00       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-LSI) 02:17:22       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:17:47       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 02:34:16     Target Completed Target completed (12/14, UGC 1325 w/SN2024aedt) 02:34:20     Target Started (13/14) Target started (13/14, IC 1496 w/SN2025X) 02:38:32       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 02:47:55       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:48:20       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 02:49:20       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:50:00   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 02:50:02   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 02:50:04     Target Aborted (13/14) Target aborted (13/14, IC 1496 w/SN2025X) due to cloud 02:50:06   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:50:08 Session Suspending Session suspending 02:50:55   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 43s) 02:50:58 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:51:31     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (13/14, IC 1496 w/SN2025X) due to cloud 03:12:54     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/14, WDS GRB 34) due to cloud 03:12:58   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 03:13:02 Session Closing Session closing 03:13:08   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 02:50, closing time 49s, zigbee 43s) 03:13:48   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 33s), Az: 90.0 deg 03:15:04   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 34s total) 03:15:28   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 03:15:50   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 03:17:15   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 03:17:18 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 03:17:25     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 03:18:07     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.0°) 03:20:13   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (45mA) 03:20:15 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 03:20:13 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (45mA)

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Operational Issues (2025-07-27, S1343)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• AstroMain Foc1 Focus Profile was collected in the 'Out' Direction instead of the more efficient 'In' Direction.  Sessions prior to S1343 used the TCF-S focuser with AstroMain performing the required backlash compensation movements. Foc1 Focus Profiles were collected in 'In' Direction for efficieny giving profiles that started at say position  3500 and progressively moved to say 2200. Session S1343 saw the first use of the new TCF-LSI focuser which performs its own backlash compensation. AstroMain's own backlash compensation was turned off accordingly ( .UseBacklashComp = False ). During the NearZenith focusing it was noticed that the Wide focus profile ran from  754 to 3994 whilst Standard focus profile ran from 2077 to 3397, i.e.  in oppposite directions to those previously used.   Checking the actual action of the TCF-LSI focuser shows that when moving from  3000 to 4000 it would overshoot (by around 255 steps) and then come back to 4000 position in an 'In' Direction.   To make the focus profile perform efficiently the focus profile has to move in the 'In' direction, i.e. progressively smaller step positions, otherwise the overshoot and reverse is performed for each focus position.  This meant that the Foc1 Focus Profiles captured during S1343 session were sub-optimally performed - taking a fraction longer than necessary (but multiplied by the number of step position in the profile).  Examination of code used in AstroMain 3.77.3 and earlier showed than  a "Out" Focus Direction was specified for use when AstroMain's backlash compensation was turned off (though in practice backlash compensation was always turned turned on during sessions and a 'In' Focus Direction was applied). Fixed in AstroMain 3.77.4 by changing the code to use the following line in the SetUpFocusProfile () routine :
     If .UseBacklashComp = False Then FocusDirection = "In"
Fixed in-session  2025-07-28 (AstroMain 3.77.4)

Small Defects

• AstroMain reported multiple lines with the message "Proceed...   Ok   Proceeding"  (22:55 to 23:01).  After the session had waited 5.7 minutes in order to Proceed, the ObsManager began the output of a total of 73 report lines beginning ay 22:55 with the message   "Proceed...    Ok          Proceeding".   Due to deteriorating conditions the wait period lasted to around 23:01 before the session was placed into Suspended Mode.  
    Waiting                        2025-07-27 22:49 (Local, BST)
  Waiting to proceed... Info     Wait till 22:55 (5.7 mins)
  Proceed...            Ok       Proceeding
  Proceed...            Ok       Proceeding      (repeated 73 times)
  Proceed...            Ok       Proceeding   Proceed...
  Continue                       2025-07-27 23:01 (Local, BST)
  Check Conditions      Warning  Conditions are not currently acceptable (cloud)
  Current Conditions:   Warning  Stars 2 (Clarity 19.2, Rain 0, Wind 3.0 mph, T 12.6°C)
  Wait on Weather...    Hold     Move to 'Session Suspended'
  Working with the timeframe (22:55  to 23:01) one  'Proceed' message was output every 5s (~ 6 * 60 / 73), which corresponds to the Obs,Manager's 5s cycle  time. Examining code shows that  "Proceed...    Ok          Proceeding" message is output when  'Now() >= EarliestProceedTime' and is repeated 5s later if 'CanResume(Reason)<> True.  Defect is fixed in AstroMain 3.77.3, using new flags bProceedWithSessionReported & bProceedWithSessionDelayed.
  Fixed in-session  2025-07-27 (AstroMain 3.77.3)
   
• AstroMag's Activity Charts are showing spurious high activity levels due to spiking/large shifts in Y Axis magnetometer readings.  Due to ongoing issues with the Geomagnetic Station the Y axis magnetometer readings are prone to anomalous spikes & large shifts. Tthese are causing the Activity Charts (which use both X and Y readings) to produce corresponding spurious high activity levels.  Whilst the underlying issue remains resolved , the issue of the spurious high activity bars / lines on the activity charts is fixed in AstroMag 1.5.7.  A checkbox 'Include Y axis is Activity Calcs' has been added to the 'Charts' tab (default value: unchecked)  with associated changes to ActivityChart and ActivityChart2 'plotdata()' routines allow chart to be created based on X Axis readings alone.
  Fixed 2025-07-27 (AstroMag 1.5.7)

Continuous Improvement

• None

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