David's Astronomy - Notes 2025-08-31 (S1354)

David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 1354 (2025-08-31)

Notes
(S1353)

Notes
Main

Home
Page

Notes
(S1355)


	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result - Night Summary Plot - Session Event Log

	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0), Major Issues (0), Minor Issues (0), Small Defects (1), Continuous Improvement (5)
	- Figures (0)

	Images from 2025-08-31 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-08-29)

Main aims

Targets. Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions and the relatively short night.
AstroMain. Check AstroMain 3.77.10 to ensure that there are no retrograde issues following introduction of Camera3 code. Ensure that Foc1 focusing is still working.

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 3.77.10, AstroPlan 1.43.12, AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.11 (any new items or versions in bold)
AstroMag 1.5.8, AstroVOE 1.15.1, AstroSN 1.14, AstroProtect 1.10.6, AstroMove 1.16.2
AstroWeather 1.27.10, AstroAllSky 3.24.4, AstroObsCam 1.11.4 (not 1.11.5), AstroNorthCam 1.6.1, AstroLaunch 1.13.6

Highlights

Targets. 17/20 planned targets were successfully completed with one target partially completed. Other target failed due to missed start (replaced by ToO). In addition 3 ToO targets were also completed (C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos), C/2023 C2 (ATLAS) & Staturn). Some images may need to be rejected due to high wind levels.
T CrB & Nova Ser 2025. Both targets were successfully completed..
AstroMain.
CCD Camera. No issues with CCD Camera during session.
Dome. There was no issues opening/closing the shutter during the session. Dome closed and parked at end of session ok.

Notes

Dark Frames
-10°C Dark Frame sets taken the following day (for the exposures that were missed during earlier Dark Set acquisition, S1345)
- 21 dark frames (3x3) taken for each of the following exposures : 0.2, 0.5, 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, 8s ,10s, 20s
- 19 dark frames (2x2) taken for each of the following exposures : 2s, 5s, 10s
- 21 dark frames (1x1) taken for each of the following exposures : 0.3s
-5°C Dark Frame sets taken the following day
- 21 dark frames (3x3) taken for each of the following exposures : 0.12, 1s, 2s, 5s, 8s ,10s, 20s, 30s, 45s, 60s,

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
22:19:49	Session Monitoring	AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 22:19 & 04:15
22:19:50	Session AutoStarting	Session autostarting (22:19)
22:20:02	CCDSoft Restarting	CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.)
22:20:17	Session Created	Session Created (Live, 2025-08-31 S01354, ImageSaveNum: 1354001)
22:20:24	Scope Switched On	Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch
22:22:10	Services Started	Observatory Services started
22:22:21	Observatory (Auto)	Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
22:22:25	Session Pending	Session pending (2025-08-31)
22:22:27	Session Initiating	Session initiating (2025-08-31)
22:22:46	Camera1 Connected	SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C)
22:22:49	Plan Requested	Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.43.14)
22:23:24	Plan Loaded	Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1140)
22:24:05	Telescope Connected	Telescope connected (TheSky6)
22:24:30	Session Equilibration	Session ready to Open Dome
22:25:15	Dome Opened	Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 39s)
22:25:50	Session Running	Session running
22:25:53	Queue Started	Observing Queue started (20 targets selected)
22:25:56	Target Started (NrZen)	Target started (Focus Field 18, HIP 88232)
22:26:12	Dome Unparked	Dome unparked
22:29:08	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:31:26	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide)
22:33:34	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
22:33:37	Focusing Started-Foc2	Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
22:35:16	Focusing Completed	Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
22:36:41	Focusing Completed	Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
22:36:58	Target Completed (NrZen)	Target completed (Focus Field 18, HIP 88232)
22:39:18	Target Started (1/20)	Target started (1/20, NGC 7753 w/SN2025kyg)
22:43:33	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
22:59:51	Target Completed	Target completed (1/20, NGC 7753 w/SN2025kyg)
22:59:55	Target Started (2/21)	Target started (2/21, Nova Ser 2025, ToO)
23:03:40	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:06:15	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
23:12:13	Target Completed	Target completed (2/21, Nova Ser 2025, ToO)
23:12:17	Target Started (3/21)	Target started (3/21, AT2025mmq)
23:25:34	Target Completed	Target partially completed (3/21, AT2025mmq)
23:25:39	Target Started (4/21)	Target started (4/21, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS))
23:29:02	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:31:25	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
23:40:22	Target Completed	Target completed (4/21, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS))
23:40:26	Target Started (5/21)	Target started (5/21, T CrB)
23:44:19	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:46:27	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
23:50:46	Target Completed	Target completed (5/21, T CrB)
23:50:50	Target Started (6/21)	Target started (6/21, SN 2024aeey)
23:54:28	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
00:10:31	Target Completed	Target completed (6/21, SN 2024aeey)
00:11:05	Target Started (7/21)	Target started (7/21, UGC 10809 w/SN2025vaw)
00:14:16	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:16:31	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
00:32:44	Target Completed	Target completed (7/21, UGC 10809 w/SN2025vaw)
00:32:48	Target Started (8/22)	Target started (8/22, C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos), ToO)
00:36:14	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:38:54	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
00:47:05	Target Completed	Target completed (8/22, C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos), ToO)
00:47:07	Target Missed (9/22)	Target's time slot was missed (9/22, Nova Ser 2025)
00:47:09	Target Started (10/22)	Target started (10/22, AT2025rut)
00:50:21	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:52:28	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
01:08:25	Target Completed	Target completed (10/22, AT2025rut)
01:08:29	Target Started (11/23)	Target started (11/23, C/2023 C2 (ATLAS), ToO)
01:12:09	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI)
01:20:43	Target Completed	Target completed (11/23, C/2023 C2 (ATLAS), ToO)
01:20:45	Target Missed (12/23)	Target's time slot was missed (12/23, GCVS CI Cyg)
01:20:47	Target Started (13/23)	Target started (13/23, AT2025fwb)
01:24:14	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:26:19	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
01:42:15	Target Completed	Target completed (13/23, AT2025fwb)
01:42:19	Target Started (14/24)	Target started (14/24, Saturn, ToO)
01:48:02	Target Completed	Target completed (14/24, Saturn, ToO)
01:48:06	Target Started (15/24)	Target started (15/24, AT2025ndz)
02:06:37	Target Completed	Target completed (15/24, AT2025ndz)
02:06:41	Target Started (16/24)	Target started (16/24, GCVS BL Lac)
02:09:35	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:11:38	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
02:15:26	Target Completed	Target completed (16/24, GCVS BL Lac)
02:15:30	Target Started (17/24)	Target started (17/24, GCVS CY Lyr)
02:18:40	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
02:22:34	Target Completed	Target completed (17/24, GCVS CY Lyr)
02:22:38	Target Started (18/24)	Target started (18/24, AT2025imo)
02:25:49	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
02:42:10	Target Completed	Target completed (18/24, AT2025imo)
02:44:44	Target Started (19/24)	Target started (19/24, AT2023ugt (CV))
02:47:47	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:50:10	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11)
02:56:06	Target Completed	Target completed (19/24, AT2023ugt (CV))
02:57:04	Target Started (20/24)	Target started (20/24, AT2022fnb (CV))
03:00:16	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:02:47	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12)
03:08:45	Target Completed	Target completed (20/24, AT2022fnb (CV))
03:09:24	Target Started (21/24)	Target started (21/24, AT2023cgz)
03:12:22	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
03:28:24	Target Completed	Target completed (21/24, AT2023cgz)
03:31:24	Target Started (22/24)	Target started (22/24, AT2023abtv (CV))
03:34:41	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:36:56	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13)
03:42:53	Target Completed	Target completed (22/24, AT2023abtv (CV))
03:43:44	Target Started (23/24)	Target started (23/24, AT2025usz)
03:47:25	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:49:55	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14)
04:05:52	Target Completed	Target completed (23/24, AT2025usz)
04:06:04	Target Started (24/24)	Target started (24/24, AT2024accj)
04:11:01	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:13:29	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15)
04:29:49	Target Completed	Target completed (24/24, AT2024accj)
04:29:51	Queue Completed	Job Queue completed
04:29:53	Session Closing	Session closing
04:30:41	Dome Closed	Dome closed (Closing time 45s, Zigbee 43s)
04:31:09	Dome Parked	Dome parked (parking time 20s), Az: 90.0 deg
04:32:06	Telescope Parked	Telescope parked (parking time 52s total)
04:32:30	Telescope State	Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.'
04:32:52	Telescope Switched Off	Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
04:34:18	Services Stopped	Night Services stopped
04:34:21	Session Finishing	Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
04:34:48	Dome (Find Park)	Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°, Wide)
04:35:45	Dome	Find Park found (Best Park Az 91.5°)
04:35:50	Dome (Find Park)	Find Park started (Search Az 89.6 to 93.6°, Step 0.2°, Narrow)
04:36:34	Dome	Find Park found (Best Park Az 91.4°)
04:36:40	Dome	Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -1.4°)
04:36:42	Dome Parked	Dome parked
04:37:32	Dome Charging	Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (49mA)
04:37:34	Session Finished	Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time		Type			Name	Detail
04:37:32		Green	Clear		Dome Charging	Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (49mA)

Operational Issues (2025-08-31 S1354)

Critical Issues (0)
Major Issues (0)
Minor Issues (0)
Small Defects (1)
Continuous Improvement (5)
Figures (0)

[ Prev | Next ]

Critical Issues

None

Major Issues

None

Minor Issues

None

Small Defects

SBIG Camera was shown as 'Connected' when it wasn't (post-session). After connecting remotely to the Observatory Computer the following morning (with aim of taking selected Dark Frames) it was noted that the SBIG Camera field on the AstroMain's Observatory Tab was showing "Connected" (Green) even though the SBIG Camera was not connected in CCDSoft. ObsPics don't indicate that Cam1 Camera was connected. Session report shows that the camera was disconnected at end of session at 04:33. It is hypothesised that the camera was disconnected and bCameraConnected flag set to false, but the 'Camera connection status field (txtCameraState) wasn't changed from 'Connected' to 'Not Connected'. This was indeed the case. CloseDownCamera() routine fixed in AstroMain 3.77.11.
Fixed 2025-09-01 (AstroMain 3.77.11)

Continuous Improvement

Add 'Stars' field to night-time NorthCam Images to show the current Star Count. NorthCam Star Counts have been recently fixed so that 'not stars' are rejected (using a neural net) and the star count is forwarded to AstroMain and to AstroAllSky (where it is plotted on the NightSummaryPlot). Proposal is to add the Star Count as an annotated field on the top line of night-time NorthCam Images. Implemented in AstroNorthCam 1.6.2, but with limitation. Star Count annotation is written to image in DisplayImage() routine, which is called by CompileImage() routine. However this is performed before FindStarsInImage which works on previous image. Major revision is need to count stars before the Image is compiled, and for time being the displayed Star Count will be the most recently calculated one which might be up to 15s or even 30s out of date. Stars Annotation added to Objects Image and Updated/Resaved to Main Image, this ensures the Main Image will be correct in Videos / Archive, but at the expense of some loss of quality ? (jpg reopened and resaved)
Done 2025-09-01 (AstroNorthCam 1.6.2)
Add a user defined 'Stars Detection Threshold' to AstroNorthCam to adjust sensitivity of the FindStarsInImage() routine. In AstroMain 1.6 & 1.6.1 a Star Brightness threshold of 200 has been hardcoded. Proposal is to add a 'Star Threshold' field to Objects tab, which is used as the brightness threadhold for identifying candidate stars (which are further checked by a trained neural net). The threshold folder is written to and read the program's settings file. Implemented in AstroNorthCam 1.6.2. A user defined threshold of 180 will be used initially. In addition the FindStarsInImage() routine has been speeded up slightly by removing the need to access the previous LastImage and by calling new routine GetBitmapBrightnessArray_Fast() instead of GetBitmapDifference_Fast() thus avoiding the calculation of the Difference Array which is not needed for Star Detection.
Done 2025-09-01 (AstroNorthCam 1.6.2)
Modify AstroMain's ObsManager to use the NorthCam StarCount for helping to keep the Observatory & Equipment safe from Rain/Snow. Currently the Observatory's Protection algorithms use a number of elements in deciding whether dome can be opened, remain open or need to be closed (and session suspended if relevant). Cloud Sensor (cloud & rain), Minutely Rain Forecast (from rain radar / weather API), AllSky Star Count, AstroMain ObsManager (Software), AstroGuard (Software), Dome Relay connected to Cloud Sensor. The cloud sensor tilts slightly (to allow rain runoff) leaving the northern sky less monitored, rain sensor doesn't respond initially to dry snow (till it melts), the AllSky Camera Images & star count can be affected by water condensation/dew within the camera's perspex hemisphere. These means that rain or snow showers moving quickly in from the north with snow being blown ahead of showers in wintertime can brielfy evade existing sensors / monitoring. The Observatory's NorthCam Camera is not affected by dewing, points north (covering the sky from NW to NE), and now calculates and reports Star Count to the AstroMain program. It is proposed to update AstroMain / ObsManager's CanOpen() & MustClose() routines to incorporate the NorthCam StarCount & StarCount Thresholds to boost the Observation Protection. Implemented in AstroMain 3.78.8. Added NumericUpDown Fields for NorthCam Soft and Hard Star Thresholds, added Checkbox (on More/Backdoor2 tab) and VM.SuspendWhenTooFewStars_North property for using NorthCam TooFewStars, modified MUST_CLOSE(), CAN_OPEN(), CAN_RESUME() and TooFewStars() routines.
Done 2025-10-23 (AstroMain 3.78.8)
Modify AstroNorthCam Main Loop to perform Star Count on the Current Image, rather than the last image. AstroNorthCam 1.6 / 1.6.1 was recently modified to provide a more robust star count by using a Neural Net to filter out false star detections, and AstroCam 1.6.2 was modified to show the Star Count on night-time images. The Star Count is currently made on the last / previous image, read from disk, rather than on the current image, and is consequently issuing star count figures which are 15s later than they could be if the FindStarsRoutine used the current image in memory. Propose to make the necessary redesigns and modification to work with the current image rather than the previous disk image.
To do 2025-09-03+ (AstroNorthCam 1.6.3)

[ Prev | Next ]

This Web Page:	Notes - Session 1354 (2025-08-31)
Last Updated :	2025-11-23
Site Owner :	David Richards
Home Page :	David's Astronomy Web Site

David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1354 (2025-08-31)

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-08-29)

Operational Issues (2025-08-31 S1354)

David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 1354 (2025-08-31)