David's Astronomy - Notes 2025-09-02 (S1356)

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Notes - Session 1356 (2025-09-02)

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	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 (4)
	- Figures (2)

	Images from 2025-09-02 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-09-02)

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.
NGC 6802. Carry out set of test exposures of open cluster NGC 6802, looking at magnitude reach with different exposures (10, 20, 60 & 120s).

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 3.77.11, 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 1.27.9, AstroAllSky 3.24.6, AstroObsCam 1.11.4 (not 1.11.5), AstroNorthCam 1.6.1, AstroLaunch 1.13.6

Highlights

Targets. 2/16 planned targets were successfully completed. Other targets failed due cloud / suspension session including one ToO target (NGC 6802)
NGC 6802. Unable to acquire/image NGC 6802 due to cloud. Set of exposures to be attempted again during the next session.
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

Keogram Plot 2025-09-02 / 2025-09-03, showing aurora

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
23:43:43	Session Monitoring	AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 23:43 & 04:21
23:43:47	Session AutoStarting	Session autostarting (23:43)
23:44:00	CCDSoft Restarting	CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.)
23:44:14	Session Created	Session Created (Live, 2025-09-02 S01356, ImageSaveNum: 1356001)
23:44:21	Scope Switched On	Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch
23:46:06	Services Started	Observatory Services started
23:46:16	Observatory (Auto)	Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
23:46:17	Session Pending	Session pending (2025-09-02)
23:46:20	Session Initiating	Session initiating (2025-09-02)
23:46:38	Camera1 Connected	SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C)
23:46:41	Plan Requested	Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.43.14)
23:47:06	Plan Loaded	Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1142)
23:47:47	Telescope Connected	Telescope connected (TheSky6)
23:48:12	Session Equilibration	Session ready to Open Dome
23:48:58	Dome Opened	Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 39s)
23:49:43	Session Running	Session running
23:49:45	Queue Started	Observing Queue started (16 targets selected)
23:49:48	Target Started (NrZen)	Target started (Focus Field 21, HIP 103850)
23:50:05	Dome Unparked	Dome unparked
23:52:33	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:54:42	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide)
23:56:39	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
23:56:41	Focusing Started-Foc2	Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
23:58:28	Focusing Completed	Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
00:00:04	Focusing Completed	Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
00:00:24	Target Completed (NrZen)	Target completed (Focus Field 21, HIP 103850)
00:03:10	Target Started (1/16)	Target started (1/16, T CrB)
00:07:06	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:09:15	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
00:13:20	Target Completed	Target completed (1/16, T CrB)
00:14:06	Target Started (2/16)	Target started (2/16, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS))
00:19:54	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:22:06	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
00:30:34	Target Completed	Target completed (2/16, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS))
00:30:39	Target Started (3/17)	Target started (3/17, NGC 6802, ToO)
00:31:02	Critical Cloud Alert	Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
00:31:04	HardSuspend Called	Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
00:31:13	Target Aborted (3/17)	Target aborted (3/17, NGC 6802, ToO) due to cloud
00:31:15	Queue Paused	Queue paused for Session Suspension
00:31:18	Session Suspending	Session suspending
00:32:08	Dome Closed	Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s)
00:32:11	Session Suspended	Session suspended
00:40:39	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (3/17, NGC 6802, ToO) due to cloud
00:40:43	Target Missed (4/17)	Target's time slot was missed (4/17, Nova Ser 2025)
00:59:53	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (5/17, AT2025rcf) due to cloud
01:22:13	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (6/17, AT2025wbs) due to cloud
01:44:33	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (7/17, UGC 10809 w/SN2025vaw) due to cloud
02:02:53	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (8/17, C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS)) due to cloud
02:24:13	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (9/17, SN 2025jtq) due to cloud
02:46:33	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (10/17, AT2022rhq) due to cloud
03:08:53	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (11/17, SN 2025taz) due to cloud
03:21:11	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (12/17, GCVS BL Lac) due to cloud
03:44:31	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (13/17, C/2025 A6 (Lemmon)) due to cloud
03:56:51	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (14/17, AT2022aeet (CV)) due to cloud
04:09:11	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (15/17, AT2025md (CV)) due to cloud
04:29:31	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (16/17, AT2025usz) due to cloud
04:51:24	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (17/17, GCVS EV Lac) due to rain
04:51:28	Queue Completed	Job Queue completed
04:51:32	Session Closing	Session closing
04:51:38	Dome Closed	Dome already closed (closed at 00:32, closing time 50s, zigbee 43s)
04:52:22	Dome Parked	Dome parked (parking time 36s), Az: 90.0 deg
04:53:08	Telescope Parked	Telescope parked (parking time 38s total)
04:53:31	Telescope State	Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.'
04:53:53	Telescope Switched Off	Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
04:55:20	Services Stopped	Night Services stopped
04:55:23	Session Finishing	Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
04:55:30	Dome (Find Park)	Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°, Wide)
04:56:12	Dome	Find Park found (Best Park Az 87.5°)
04:56:19	Dome (Find Park)	Find Park started (Search Az 85.6 to 89.6°, Step 0.2°, Narrow)
04:57:03	Dome	Find Park found (Best Park Az 87.6°)
04:57:09	Dome	Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: +2.4°)
04:57:11	Dome Parked	Dome parked
04:57:48	Dome Charging	Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (48mA)
04:57:50	Session Finished	Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time		Type			Name	Detail
04:57:48		Green	Clear		Dome Charging	Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (48mA)

Operational Issues (2025-09-02 S1356)

Critical Issues (0)
Major Issues (0)
Minor Issues (0)
Small Defects (1)
Continuous Improvement (4)
Figures (2)

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Critical Issues

None

Major Issues

None

Minor Issues

None

Small Defects

Magnetometer XYZ graph showed anomalous shift in readings from active axis (2025-09-03 20:30 to 20:55 UT) . Observing that X and Z graph lines had drifted from their respective most appropriate levels (based on reference value based on BGS Forecast and the geomagnetic deviation based on comparison Stations), the appropriate offset values were set and the AstroMag's SamMonitor restarted at around 20:30 UT. Whilst this moved the latest corrected readings to the appropriate levels it was noticed that there was an unexpected and anomalous shift in X and Z graphs between 20:30 and 20:55 UT (see Fig 1). Investigating showed that the a Downhole Temperature graph line that was flat lining with the value 15.1 degC (likely the value that was last held prior to deactivating the Temperature Sensor for diagnostic system testing some 7-10 days ago), ended at 20:30 (see Fig 2). This was most likely because the value changed to vcNull, that was either due to a restart of the SAM monitor loop or alteratively it was a pure coincidence. Either way it seems to have the unwanted effect of causing the graph line shift as the temperature inputs for magnetometer sensor corrections changed.had significantly.
To fix 2025-09-03 (AstroMag, Geomagnetic Station)

Continuous Improvement

Create buttons & associated routines in AstroMain / VMA tab to open the vma2 & vma3 results folder for the active session. Add buttons ">> vma2 results" and ">> vma3 results" to open the relevant vma results file in Textpad. When a VMA session is opened, the 'results' buttons to be shown if the relevant .dat results exists, or hidden if the results file doesn't yet exists. Buttons should be made visible when the respective VMA analysis is run.
Done 2025-09-03 (AstroMain 3.77.12)
Report SharpCap 'Camera Index' when connecting and disconnecting Camera via ShCap. Implemented in AstroMain 3.77.12. CameraIndex moved from a local variable to a classShCap variable, so that the index used for connecting camera, can be accessed when disconnecting the camera.
Done 2025-08-31 (AstroMain 3.77.12)
Extend the number of routines that Camera3 (second ZWO Camera) can be used in place of Camera1 (SBIG CCD Camera). Basic handling for Camera3 has been introduced in AstroMain 3.77.10 as part of a longer term project to detect and record a light curve of the pulsar in M1. Support for autofocusing the Main Scope / TCF Focuser using Camera 3 and taking and linking snap shot images taken with Camera3 have been added. This ticket is to extend the number of routines / operations that can use Camera3.
- Determine GuideScope Offsets    Done 2025-09-03 (AstroMain 3.77.12)
- Link Active Image                            To Do
test with FitsPath = "C:\Data\CCD Imaging\Sessions\2025-08-26 S01352\_RAW\_AUTOGUIDE" +
"\" + "Guider.20250826.234315.Guide05_Ref_10.0s.Nova_Ser_2025.FIT"
' near GSC 5121:549, size 3096 x 2080 (4x4 774x520)

Redone with C:\Data\ZWO Imaging\SharpCap\Locate_02.fits   (HIP 93376)
To do 2025-09-03 (AstroMain 3.77.12)
Add new method calls to AstroMain & AstroShCap to support starting, stopping and restarting of Camera Preview in SharpCap. Implemented in AstroMain's ShCap class & AstroShCap 1.3.16 by using new methods 'start_preview', 'stop_preview' and 'restart_preview' and the associated SharpCap commands
SharpCap.SelectedCamera.StartPreview() SharpCap.SelectedCamera.StopPreview() SharpCap.SelectedCamera.RestartPreview()
As proof of concept StopPreview has been extended to return MResult "Ok" or "Fail" and MNote a result note or description.
Done 2025-09-03 (AstroMain 3.77.12, AstroShCap 1.3.16 )

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Fig 1. XYZ Magnetometer and X Stackplot for 2025-09-03 showing anomalous shift between 20:30 & 20:55 UT

Fig 2. Subsurface Temperature Sensor Plot for same period

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This Web Page:	Notes - Session 1356 (2025-09-02)
Last Updated :	2025-09-09
Site Owner :	David Richards
Home Page :	David's Astronomy Web Site

David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1356 (2025-09-02)

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-09-02)

Operational Issues (2025-09-02 S1356)

David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 1356 (2025-09-02)