David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1371 (2025-10-29)

Notes (S1370)

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Notes (S1372)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (2),  Small Defects (0),  Continuous Improvement (2)
	- Figures (2)
	Images from 2025-10-29  >>
	Observatory Computer - Upgrade to Windows 11

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-10-29)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
2. Windows 11. Check observatory system after upgrading Observatory and AllSky/Weather Computers from Windows 10 to Windows 11
       (AllSky/Weather Computer - Upgrade to Windows 11 (2025-10-28)  and Observatory Computer - Upgrade to Windows 11 (2025-10-29) )

 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 3.78.2,  AstroPlan 1.43.14, AstroShCap 1.3.16, AstroGuard 1.12  (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroMag 1.5.9, AstroVOE 1.15.1,  AstroSN 1.14,  AstroProtect 1.10.6,  AstroMove 1.16.2
  AstroWeather 1.28, AstroAllSky 3.25,  AstroObsCam 1.11.7, AstroNorthCam 1.6.2, AstroLaunch 1.13.6

Highlights

• Targets. 15/26 planned targets were completed with a further 9 targets partially completed.  Other targets failed due to cloud.. 1 target (24P/Schaumasse non-detection) was acquired as a ToO target.  
• Windows 11.  The first live session since Observatory  AllSky/Weather Computers were upgraded to Window 11.  Apart from a teething issue with TheSky6 / TeleAPI the session was successfully run.
• CCD Camera.  No issues with CCD Camera during session.
•  Dome. No issues opening/closing the shutter during the session, and the dome was successfully parked at the end of the session.
    (A total of 8 open shutter requests & 8 close shutter requests were successfully completed duirng the session)

Notes

• Aurora Images from 2025-10-29 / 2025-10-30  >>
  
  

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 21:20:07   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 21:20:21 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2025-10-29 S01371, ImageSaveNum: 1371001) 21:20:28   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 21:22:16   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:22:18 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode 21:38:05   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:41:30 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:41 & 05:26 21:41:32 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 21:41:34   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to threat of rain 21:42:07 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:42) 21:42:19   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:42:27 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:42:29 Session Pending Session pending (2025-10-29) 21:42:31 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-10-29) 21:42:49   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 21:42:55   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.43.14) 21:43:33   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1158) 21:44:12   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:44:37 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 21:45:22   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 21:45:57 Session Running Session running 21:46:00   Queue Started Observing Queue started (26 targets selected) 21:46:03     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 0, HIP 106) 21:46:18       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 21:49:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:52:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 21:54:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 21:54:23       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:56:20       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 21:58:00       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 21:58:20     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 0, HIP 106) 21:59:24     Target Started (1/26) Target started (1/26, 61 Cyg) 22:01:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:03:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 22:05:41     Target Completed Target completed (1/26, 61 Cyg) 22:06:40     Target Started (2/26) Target started (2/26, GCVS BL Lac) 22:09:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:12:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 22:15:54     Target Completed Target completed (2/26, GCVS BL Lac) 22:16:58     Target Started (3/26) Target started (3/26, GCVS CY Lyr) 22:21:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:23:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 22:23:42   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 22:23:44   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain) 22:23:46     Target Aborted (3/26) Target aborted (3/26, GCVS CY Lyr) due to threat of rain 22:23:48   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 22:23:50 Session Suspending Session suspending 22:24:37   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 43s) 22:24:39 Session Suspended Session suspended 22:26:12     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (3/26, GCVS CY Lyr) due to cloud 22:38:32     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (4/26, AT2025md (CV)) due to cloud 22:45:38 Session Resuming Session resuming 22:46:23   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 22:46:26 Session Running Session running 22:46:28   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 22:46:30     Target Started (5/26) Target started (5/26, AT2025lc (CV)) 22:55:19     Target Completed Target completed (5/26, AT2025lc (CV)) 22:55:23     Target Started (6/26) Target started (6/26, Gliese 65) 23:07:20     Target Completed Target completed (6/26, Gliese 65) 23:07:24     Target Started (7/26) Target started (7/26, NGC 7331 w/SN2025rbs) 23:10:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:13:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 23:29:38     Target Completed Target completed (7/26, NGC 7331 w/SN2025rbs) 23:29:43     Target Started (8/26) Target started (8/26, M31 w/Nova M31 2025-10a?) 23:32:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:33:56       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 23:33:58       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 23:34:00   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 23:34:02   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 23:34:04     Target Aborted (8/26) Target aborted (8/26, M31 w/Nova M31 2025-10a?) due to cloud 23:34:06   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 23:34:08 Session Suspending Session suspending 23:34:54   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 23:34:56 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:46:10     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (8/26, M31 w/Nova M31 2025-10a?) due to cloud 23:54:20 Session Resuming Session resuming 23:55:05   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 23:55:07 Session Running Session running 23:55:09   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 23:55:12     Target Started (9/26) Target started (9/26, M31 w/Nova M31 AT2025wwe) 00:03:11   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 00:03:13   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain) 00:03:15     Target Aborted (9/26) Target aborted (9/26, M31 w/Nova M31 AT2025wwe) due to threat of rain 00:03:17   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:03:19 Session Suspending Session suspending 00:04:06   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 00:04:09 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:08:30     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (9/26, M31 w/Nova M31 AT2025wwe) due to cloud 00:12:12 Session Resuming Session resuming 00:12:57   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 00:13:00 Session Running Session running 00:13:02   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 00:13:05     Target Started (10/26) Target started (10/26, WDS GRB 34) 00:16:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:18:26       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 00:20:30     Target Completed Target completed (10/26, WDS GRB 34) 00:20:34     Target Started (11/26) Target started (11/26, GSC 1224:29) 00:24:21       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 00:30:48     Target Completed Target completed (11/26, GSC 1224:29) 00:32:29     Target Started (12/26) Target started (12/26, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS)) 00:35:43       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 00:44:22     Target Completed Target completed (12/26, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS)) 00:47:01     Target Started (13/26) Target started (13/26, AT2025vel) 00:49:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:52:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 01:01:47       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 01:01:49   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:01:51   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 01:01:52     Target Aborted (13/26) Target aborted (13/26, AT2025vel) due to cloud 01:01:54   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:01:57 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:02:48   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 51s, Zigbee 43s) 01:02:50 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:05:57     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (13/26, AT2025vel) due to cloud 01:15:30 Session Resuming Session resuming 01:16:15   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 01:16:17 Session Running Session running 01:16:19   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 01:16:21     Target Started (14/26) Target started (14/26, UGC 3458 w/SN2025yao) 01:33:25     Target Completed Target partially completed (14/26, UGC 3458 w/SN2025yao) 01:33:29     Target Started (15/26) Target started (15/26, AT2022vdr (CV)) 01:37:10       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 01:43:42     Target Completed Target completed (15/26, AT2022vdr (CV)) 01:43:46     Target Started (16/26) Target started (16/26, MCG -3-12-11 w/SN2022ucj) 01:47:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:50:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 02:06:06     Target Completed Target completed (16/26, MCG -3-12-11 w/SN2022ucj) 02:06:11     Target Started (17/26) Target started (17/26, SN 2025aarn) 02:10:32       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 02:10:40   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 02:10:42   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 02:10:44     Target Aborted (17/26) Target aborted (17/26, SN 2025aarn) due to cloud 02:10:46   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:10:48       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 02:10:50 Session Suspending Session suspending 02:11:35   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 44s) 02:11:37 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:23:56 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:24:42   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 02:24:44 Session Running Session running 02:24:46   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:24:48     Target Started (17/26) Target started (17/26, SN 2025aarn) 02:30:16     Target Completed Target partially completed (17/26, SN 2025aarn) 02:30:20     Target Started (18/26) Target started (18/26, AT2025abfn) 02:32:02       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 02:33:42       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 02:34:15       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 02:47:48       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 02:47:50   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 02:47:52   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 02:47:54     Target Aborted (18/26) Target aborted (18/26, AT2025abfn) due to cloud 02:47:56   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:47:58 Session Suspending Session suspending 02:48:44   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 02:48:46 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:58:14 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:59:00   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 02:59:02 Session Running Session running 02:59:04   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:59:07     Target Started (19/26) Target started (19/26, AT2023wfq) 03:15:45     Target Completed Target partially completed (19/26, AT2023wfq) 03:15:49     Target Started (20/26) Target started (20/26, AT2023vqz) 03:18:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:21:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 03:36:28       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 03:36:58       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 03:37:18       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 03:37:28       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 03:38:00     Target Completed Target completed (20/26, AT2023vqz) 03:38:04     Target Started (21/26) Target started (21/26, AT2024accj) 03:40:03       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 03:41:32     Target Failed (21/26) Target failed due to cloud (21/26, AT2024accj) 03:41:34   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:41:36 Session Suspending Session suspending 03:42:24   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 03:42:26 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:48:59 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:49:45   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 03:49:47 Session Running Session running 03:49:49   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:49:52     Target Started (21/26) Target started (21/26, AT2024accj) 03:59:24     Target Completed Target partially completed (21/26, AT2024accj) 03:59:29     Target Started (22/26) Target started (22/26, NGC 3106 w/SN2025aauj) 04:21:49     Target Completed Target completed (22/26, NGC 3106 w/SN2025aauj) 04:21:53     Target Started (23/26) Target started (23/26, UGC 5695 w/SN2025cfc) 04:42:53     Target Completed Target completed (23/26, UGC 5695 w/SN2025cfc) 04:42:57     Target Started (24/27) Target started (24/27, 24P/Schaumasse, ToO) 04:46:36       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 04:56:34     Target Completed Target completed (24/27, 24P/Schaumasse, ToO) 04:56:38     Target Started (25/27) Target started (25/27, AT2024fxd) 05:06:05     Target Completed Target partially completed (25/27, AT2024fxd) 05:06:09     Target Started (26/27) Target started (26/27, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 05:26:32     Target Completed Target completed (26/27, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 05:26:36     Target Started (27/27) Target started (27/27, C/2025 K1 (ATLAS)) 05:49:44     Target Completed Target completed (27/27, C/2025 K1 (ATLAS)) 05:49:46   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 05:49:48 Session Closing Session closing 05:50:41   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 05:51:08   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 19s), Az: 90.0 deg 05:51:49   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 36s total) 05:52:12   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 05:52:35   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:53:58   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:54:01 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:54:48     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 05:55:31     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.6°) 05:55:37     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.6°) 05:55:39   Dome Parked Dome parked 05:57:32   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (26mA) 05:57:34 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 21:22:18 Red Alarm Telescope Alert TheSky's scope is reporting a RA=0/Dec=0 position or is not connected. 21:22:26 Red Alert Observatory Mode Obs.Manager has put Observatory back to manual mode (problem with TheSky telescope 01:31:51 Yellow Alert Dome Dome has been stationary for more than 15 mins 01:33:41 Green Alarm Dome Dome Movements have begun again (outage 16.9 mins) 05:57:32 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (26mA)

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Operational Issues (2025-10-29 S1371)

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

Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Telescope couldn't be connected in TheSky6 due to missing TeleApi driver (21:22, 21:27). During Autostart in first live session with Windows 11 and after connecting to the Telescope in ASCOM the following alert messages were given
      "TheSky's scope is reporting a RA=0/Dec=0 position or is not connected."
      "Obs.Manager has put Observatory back to manual mode (problem with TheSky telescope)"
  This resulted in autostart being aborted and observatory placed back into Manual mode. The 'Connect TheSky6  Telescope was then manually initiated during which the following error message was given
      "Establishing (telescope) link...        Fail      A necessary driver was not found. Error code =  217 (0xd9)"
  Investigating showed that the 'TeleApi.dll' file was missing from the "Program Files (x86)/Common Files/System" folder.  Copying a previous saved TeleApi.dll file into the 'Common Files/System' folder didn't resolve the problem (21:34), but re-installing TeleApi did resolve the issue (21:37). After this AutoStart was re-inititiated and the session was executed without further problem. The issue would rank as 'Major Issue' as it was a session showstopper,  but since this was a first test of the system still upgrading the Observatory Computer to Windows 11 just a few hours before the session without prior telescope testing the issue was seem as a teething issue from the Windows upgrade and it is therefore ranked under the 'Minor Issue' category instead.
  Fixed in-session 2025-10-29 (TheSky6 / TeleAPI, Observatory Computer/Windows 11 Upgrade)
   
• Observatory Computer began producing a 'Something Went Wrong [7a6ca]' error dialog when restarting (2025-10-30). After installing MyASUS and attempting to use its System Update facility to update the computer to the latest ASUS Bios version the computer began producing a 'Something Went Wrong  0x8019000' error dialogs each time that computer was restarted and 'Cancel' button has to be used to dismiss the dailog and stop the running process (see earlier notes, 2025-10-20/25)   The ASUS Bios was subsequently updated to the latest using a different method that involved downloading the latest BIOS installer file (from the ASUS Support Page) and running it in Windows, however the 'Something Went Wrong' dialog continued to appear after restarting the computer. This variety of the issue resolved itself after update to Window 11 on 2025-10-29, but seems to have been replaced instead by a 'Something Went Wrong [7a6ca]' error upon restarting the computer.   It also seems to have evolved somewhat or widened (see Fig 1) with an error tag of '7q6ca' . Apparently the 7q6ca' tag points to "a Microsoft Office sign-in issue that can often be resolved by updating and repairing Office, resetting credentials, checking network settings, or disabling add-ins. Other solutions include checking your device's time and date settings and ensuring relevant services, like the "Web Account Manager" service, are enabled".  On one restart, cancelling the dialog simply saw the dialog appear again after 5s or so.    Eventually stopped the dialogs from repeatedly appearing by killing the WWH task. MyASUS was uninstalled 2025-11-05, to follow-up & fulfill an earlier idea if the issue continued.  A potential associated issue is the appearance of 'Something Went Wrong  [0x8019001]' error dialog (see Fig 2) when attempting to sign into Microsoft Account from CoPilot app.   The problem is deemed to have resolved itself by 2025-11-09 at least regarding occurance of issue when restarting of computer.
  Resolved 2025-11-09 (Observatory Computer / Restart)

Small Defects

• None