David's Astronomy - Notes 2025-12-02 (S1382)

David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 1382 (2025-12-02)

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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 (9), Continuous Improvement (14)
	- Figures (0)

	Images from 2025-12-02 >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-12-02)

Main aims

Targets. Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
3I/ATLAS - Acquire images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS (alias C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), using fully automated acquisition.
Horizon Targets - Perform first live test of new AstroPlan & AstroMain features to pull comet locations, rates of motion from JPL's Horizon System
AstroMain - Check fixes added to AstroMain 3.78.9 for fixing issue with failed telescope slews and Dome Reconnection after a Dome Restart.

Equipment & Software

12" LX200 and ST-10XME
80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
TheSky6 6.0.0.65, CCDSoft 5.00.201, DeviceHub 7.1.0.4707, MeadeGeneric 1.3.12.522, UPB 3, Pulsar Dome Firmware 1.51 & Driver 6.3.10
Pegasus-UI 2.10, Peg-Focuser 2.10, Peg-Switch 2.10, TCF-LSI 3.3.5
SharpCap 3.2, PHD2 2.6.13, Siril 1.0.6, deCONZ 1.18.2, ASCOM 7.1.0.4707
[ DomeLink 1.0 / 1.1 - not used ]
AstroMain 3.79.1, AstroPlan 1.45.1, AstroShCap 1.3.16, AstroGuard 1.12 (1.12.1 ?) (any new items or versions in bold)
AstroMag 1.5.12, AstroVOE 1.16, AstroSN 1.15, AstroProtect 1.10.6, AstroMove 1.17.1
AstroWeather 1.29.2, AstroAllSky 3.26.2, AstroObsCam 1.12.2, AstroNorthCam 1.7.4, AstroLaunch 1.14.3

Highlights

Targets. 40/44 planned targets were completed, with a further 2 targets partially completed. Two remaining targets failed due to displacement by ToO.
Some targets affected by bright moonlight.
Horizon Targets. 2 targets (C/2025 T1 (ATLAS) and 3I/ATLAS) were successfully acquired using coordinates from JPL's Horizon System. A teething issue was uncovered in AstroMain, but this was quickly resolved and the program/session was restarted using a new build of AstroMain 3.79.1 (version name not changed).
3I/ATLAS. Images of 3I/ATLAS were successfully acquired in the pre-dawn hours as a automated target, using coordinates from JPL's Horizon System.
CCD Camera. There were no isues with the CCD Camera
Dome. No issues open/closing shutter. Dome was successfully parked at the end of the session

NotesNotes

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
16:43:56	Session Monitoring	AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 16:43 & 06:26
16:43:59	AutoStart Delayed	Session delayed due to too few stars
17:15:12	Session AutoStarting	Session autostarting (17:15)
17:15:25	CCDSoft Restarting	CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.)
17:15:39	Session Created	Session Created (Live, 2025-12-02 S01382, ImageSaveNum: 1382001)
17:15:47	Scope Switched On	Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch
17:17:34	Services Started	Observatory Services started
17:17:44	Observatory (Auto)	Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
17:17:46	AutoStart Delayed	Session delayed due to too few stars
17:17:48	Session Pending	Session pending (2025-12-02)
17:17:50	Session Initiating	Session initiating (2025-12-02)
17:18:10	Camera1 Connected	SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
17:18:16	Plan Requested	Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.45.1)
17:19:02	Plan Loaded	Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1170)
17:19:43	Telescope Connected	Telescope connected (TheSky6)
17:20:07	Session Equilibration	Session ready to Open Dome
17:20:53	Dome Opened	Dome opened (Opening time 46s, Zigbee 40s)
17:21:18	Session Running	Session running
17:21:20	Queue Started	Observing Queue started (44 targets selected)
17:21:24	Target Started (NrZen)	Target started (Focus Field 22, HIP 108888)
17:21:38	Dome Unparked	Dome unparked
17:26:15	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
17:29:03	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide)
17:31:56	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
17:31:59	Focusing Started-Foc2	Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
17:33:54	Focusing Completed	Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
17:35:38	Focusing Completed	Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
17:35:58	Target Completed (NrZen)	Target completed (Focus Field 22, HIP 108888)
17:36:02	Target Started (1/44)	Target started (1/44, UGC 10984 w/SN2022yqv)
17:39:50	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
17:42:09	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
17:58:09	Target Completed	Target completed (1/44, UGC 10984 w/SN2022yqv)
17:58:13	Target Started (2/44)	Target started (2/44, SN 2023eoc)
18:01:35	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
18:04:08	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
18:20:06	Target Completed	Target completed (2/44, SN 2023eoc)
18:20:11	Target Started (3/44)	Target started (3/44, AT2025kyb (CV))
18:23:38	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
18:26:15	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
18:32:15	Target Completed	Target completed (3/44, AT2025kyb (CV))
18:32:19	Target Started (4/44)	Target started (4/44, GCVS TV Cas)
18:36:14	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
18:38:33	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
18:40:27	Target Completed	Target completed (4/44, GCVS TV Cas)
18:40:31	Target Started (5/44)	Target started (5/44, M31 w/Nova M31 AT2025aesw)
18:43:57	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
18:46:32	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
19:03:03	Target Completed	Target completed (5/44, M31 w/Nova M31 AT2025aesw)
19:03:07	Target Started (6/44)	Target started (6/44, GCVS RX And)
19:06:42	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:08:56	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
19:11:42	Target Completed	Target completed (6/44, GCVS RX And)
19:11:47	Target Started (7/44)	Target started (7/44, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS))
19:16:00	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:18:25	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
19:26:57	Target Completed	Target completed (7/44, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS))
19:27:02	Target Started (8/45)	Target started (8/45, C/2025 T1 (ATLAS), ToO)
19:27:07	Target Failed (8/45)	Target failed due to target not found (8/45, C/2025 T1 (ATLAS), ToO)
19:27:11	Target Started (9/45)	Target started (9/45, KIC 8462852)
19:31:09	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:33:46	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
19:37:36	Target Completed	Target completed (9/45, KIC 8462852)
19:37:40	Target Started (10/45)	Target started (10/45, AT2025acse (CV))
19:41:15	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
19:43:37	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11)
19:59:40	Target Completed	Target completed (10/45, AT2025acse (CV))
19:59:44	Target Started (11/45)	Target started (11/45, AT2023jbu)
20:03:42	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
20:07:11	User Intervention	User Intervention to abort job queue & switch back to Manual Mode
20:07:15	Target Completed	Target partially completed (11/45, AT2023jbu)
20:07:17	Queue Aborted	Job Queue aborted
20:07:19	Observatory (Manual)	Observatory placed in Manual Mode
20:07:33	Services Stopped	Observatory Services stopped
20:07:46	Session Closed	Session closed by User
20:07:49	Program Closed	Program closed by User
20:08:42	Program Opened	Program Opened (AstroMain 3.79.1)
20:08:44	CCDSoft Restarting	CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.)
20:08:58	Session Resumed	Session Resumed (Live, 2025-12-02 S01382, ImageSaveNum: 1382074)
20:09:04	Obs.Overseer Started	Obs.Overseer started
20:09:33	Obs.Manager Started	Obs.Manager started
20:09:38	Services Started	Observatory Services started
20:09:56	Session Monitoring	AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 20:09 & 06:26
20:09:59	Observatory (AutoStart)	Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode
20:10:04	Session AutoStarting	Session autostarting (20:10)
20:10:55	Services Started	Observatory Services started
20:11:07	Observatory (Auto)	Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
20:11:09	Session Pending	Session pending (2025-12-02)
20:11:11	Session Initiating	Session initiating (2025-12-02)
20:11:32	Camera1 Connected	SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
20:11:42	Plan Loaded	Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1170)
20:11:54	Telescope Connected	Telescope connected (TheSky6)
20:12:15	Session Running	Session running
20:12:19	Queue Started	Observing Queue started (35 targets selected)
20:12:25	Target Started (10/44)	Target started (10/44, AT2023jbu)
20:13:06	Target Aborted (10/44)	Target aborted (10/44, AT2023jbu) due to Priority 1 ToO Target
20:13:10	Target Started (11/45)	Target started (11/45, C/2025 T1 (ATLAS), ToO)
20:17:53	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:20:25	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14)
20:29:36	Target Completed	Target completed (11/45, C/2025 T1 (ATLAS), ToO)
20:29:40	Target Started (12/45)	Target started (12/45, AT2025acsh)
20:36:13	SoftSuspend Called	Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
20:36:43	SoftSuspend Cancelled	Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
20:41:04	SoftSuspend Called	Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
20:46:09	SoftSuspend Cancelled	Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
20:46:50	Target Completed	Target partially completed (12/45, AT2025acsh)
20:46:54	Target Started (13/45)	Target started (13/45, C/2025 R2 (SWAN))
20:59:44	Target Completed	Target completed (13/45, C/2025 R2 (SWAN))
20:59:48	Target Started (14/45)	Target started (14/45, Gliese 65)
21:04:00	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:06:35	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15)
21:13:33	Target Completed	Target completed (14/45, Gliese 65)
21:13:37	Target Started (15/45)	Target started (15/45, AT2021aesn (CV))
21:24:08	Target Completed	Target completed (15/45, AT2021aesn (CV))
21:24:12	Target Started (16/45)	Target started (16/45, AT2025abul)
21:27:30	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:30:10	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16)
21:46:30	Target Completed	Target completed (16/45, AT2025abul)
21:46:34	Target Started (17/45)	Target started (17/45, GCVS BL Lac)
21:49:46	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:52:09	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17)
21:56:00	Target Completed	Target completed (17/45, GCVS BL Lac)
21:56:04	Target Started (18/45)	Target started (18/45, GCVS HH And)
21:58:54	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:01:15	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18)
22:03:09	Target Completed	Target completed (18/45, GCVS HH And)
22:03:31	Target Started (19/45)	Target started (19/45, 61 Cyg)
22:05:36	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:07:46	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19)
22:09:37	Target Completed	Target completed (19/45, 61 Cyg)
22:10:48	Target Started (20/45)	Target started (20/45, AT2025acsf)
22:14:09	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:16:37	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20)
22:32:43	Target Completed	Target completed (20/45, AT2025acsf)
22:32:47	Target Started (21/45)	Target started (21/45, GCVS FU Ori)
22:37:25	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:40:01	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21)
22:42:33	Target Completed	Target completed (21/45, GCVS FU Ori)
22:42:37	Target Started (22/45)	Target started (22/45, LEDA 213320 w/SN2025tji)
22:45:56	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:48:31	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22)
23:04:32	Target Completed	Target completed (22/45, LEDA 213320 w/SN2025tji)
23:04:36	Target Started (23/45)	Target started (23/45, SN 2025aedz)
23:07:54	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:10:22	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23)
23:27:10	Target Completed	Target completed (23/45, SN 2025aedz)
23:27:14	Target Started (24/45)	Target started (24/45, AT2025acvr (CV))
23:31:19	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:33:48	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24)
23:49:47	Target Completed	Target completed (24/45, AT2025acvr (CV))
23:49:52	Target Started (25/45)	Target started (25/45, GCVS ER UMa)
23:53:11	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
23:57:36	Target Completed	Target completed (25/45, GCVS ER UMa)
23:58:47	Target Started (26/45)	Target started (26/45, NGC 3106 w/SN2025aauj)
00:02:21	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:05:04	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 25)
00:10:38	SoftSuspend Called	Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
00:11:07	SoftSuspend Cancelled	Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
00:21:05	Target Completed	Target completed (26/45, NGC 3106 w/SN2025aauj)
00:21:09	Target Started (27/45)	Target started (27/45, MCG +7-28-15 w/SN2025adje)
00:25:01	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:27:37	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 26)
00:43:54	Target Completed	Target completed (27/45, MCG +7-28-15 w/SN2025adje)
00:43:58	Target Started (28/46)	Target started (28/46, C/2025 A6 (Lemmon), ToO)
00:44:03	Target Failed (28/46)	Target failed due to horizon limit (28/46, C/2025 A6 (Lemmon), ToO)
00:44:07	Target Started (29/46)	Target started (29/46, Scholz's Star)
00:48:34	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:51:18	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 27)
01:06:53	Target Completed	Target completed (29/46, Scholz's Star)
01:06:57	Target Started (30/46)	Target started (30/46, AT2025aefi (CV))
01:10:11	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:12:52	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 28)
01:29:23	Target Completed	Target completed (30/46, AT2025aefi (CV))
01:29:27	Target Started (31/46)	Target started (31/46, GCVS SY Cnc)
01:32:49	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
01:36:03	Target Completed	Target completed (31/46, GCVS SY Cnc)
01:36:15	Target Started (32/46)	Target started (32/46, SN 2025zry)
01:40:37	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:43:10	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 29)
01:59:42	Target Completed	Target completed (32/46, SN 2025zry)
01:59:46	Target Started (33/46)	Target started (33/46, AT2025acrt)
02:03:26	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:06:03	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 30)
02:22:02	Target Completed	Target completed (33/46, AT2025acrt)
02:22:06	Target Started (34/46)	Target started (34/46, UGC 4316 w/SN2025advo)
02:25:23	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:28:24	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 31)
02:44:25	Target Completed	Target completed (34/46, UGC 4316 w/SN2025advo)
02:44:29	Target Started (35/46)	Target started (35/46, AT2024gfk)
02:49:53	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
03:06:15	Target Completed	Target completed (35/46, AT2024gfk)
03:06:19	Target Started (36/46)	Target started (36/46, NGC 4568 w/SN2023ijd)
03:11:58	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
03:17:26	SoftSuspend Called	Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
03:20:06	SoftSuspend Cancelled	Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
03:28:17	Target Completed	Target completed (36/46, NGC 4568 w/SN2023ijd)
03:28:21	Target Started (37/46)	Target started (37/46, GCVS RR Leo)
03:31:46	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:34:10	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 32)
03:39:39	Target Completed	Target completed (37/46, GCVS RR Leo)
03:39:44	Target Started (38/46)	Target started (38/46, UGC 6363 w/SN2024adix)
03:43:13	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:45:58	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 33)
04:01:57	Target Completed	Target completed (38/46, UGC 6363 w/SN2024adix)
04:02:01	Target Started (39/46)	Target started (39/46, NGC 3023 w/AT2025addb)
04:03:01	SoftSuspend Called	Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
04:06:18	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:09:00	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 34)
04:10:21	SoftSuspend Cancelled	Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
04:10:51	SoftSuspend Called	Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
04:15:12	SoftSuspend Cancelled	Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
04:15:42	SoftSuspend Called	Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
04:16:12	SoftSuspend Cancelled	Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
04:25:00	Target Completed	Target completed (39/46, NGC 3023 w/AT2025addb)
04:25:04	Target Started (40/46)	Target started (40/46, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann)
04:47:07	Target Completed	Target completed (40/46, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann)
04:47:11	Target Started (41/46)	Target started (41/46, NGC 5033 w/SN2025mvn)
04:50:31	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
05:07:24	Target Completed	Target completed (41/46, NGC 5033 w/SN2025mvn)
05:07:29	Target Started (42/46)	Target started (42/46, T CrB)
05:12:52	Focusing Started-Foc1	Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
05:15:20	Focusing Completed	Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 35)
05:20:00	Target Completed	Target completed (42/46, T CrB)
05:20:04	Target Started (43/46)	Target started (43/46, 24P/Schaumasse)
05:24:08	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
05:33:52	Target Completed	Target completed (43/46, 24P/Schaumasse)
05:33:56	Target Started (44/47)	Target started (44/47, 3I/ATLAS, ToO)
05:37:56	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI)
05:55:36	Target Completed	Target completed (44/47, 3I/ATLAS, ToO)
05:55:39	Target Missed (45/47)	Target's time slot was missed (45/47, LEDA 924001 w/SN2022ztk)
05:55:41	Target Started (46/47)	Target started (46/47, LEDA 3089972 w/SN2025lxm)
05:59:23	Focusing Skipped	Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-LSI)
06:12:20	Critical Cloud Alert	Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
06:12:22	HardSuspend Called	Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
06:12:23	Target Aborted (46/47)	Target aborted (46/47, LEDA 3089972 w/SN2025lxm) due to cloud
06:12:26	Queue Paused	Queue paused for Session Suspension
06:12:28	Session Suspending	Session suspending
06:13:14	Dome Closed	Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 43s)
06:13:17	Session Suspended	Session suspended
06:14:10	Target Cancelled	Target cancelled (46/47, LEDA 3089972 w/SN2025lxm) due to cloud
06:20:25	Session Resuming	Session resuming
06:21:10	Dome Opened	Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
06:21:13	Session Running	Session running
06:21:15	Queue Resumed	Observing Queue resumed
06:21:17	Target Started (47/47)	Target started (47/47, IC 3084 w/AT2022aaai)
06:22:51	Critical Cloud Alert	Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
06:22:53	HardSuspend Called	Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
06:22:55	Target Aborted (47/47)	Target aborted (47/47, IC 3084 w/AT2022aaai) due to cloud
06:22:57	Queue Paused	Queue paused for Session Suspension
06:22:59	Session Suspending	Session suspending
06:23:46	Dome Closed	Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s)
06:23:48	Session Suspended	Session suspended
06:27:45	Session Resuming	Session resuming
06:28:31	Dome Opened	Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
06:28:33	Session Running	Session running
06:28:35	Queue Resumed	Observing Queue resumed
06:28:36	Target Started (47/47)	Target started (47/47, IC 3084 w/AT2022aaai)
06:48:13	Target Completed	Target completed (47/47, IC 3084 w/AT2022aaai)
06:48:15	Queue Completed	Job Queue completed
06:48:18	Session Closing	Session closing
06:49:13	Dome Closed	Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s)
06:49:56	Dome Parked	Dome parked (parking time 36s), Az: 90.0 deg
06:50:39	Telescope Parked	Telescope parked (parking time 39s total)
06:51:03	Telescope State	Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.'
06:51:25	Telescope Switched Off	Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
06:52:50	Services Stopped	Night Services stopped
06:52:53	Session Finishing	Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
06:54:15	Dome (Find Park)	Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°, Wide)
06:55:11	Dome	Find Park found (Best Park Az 91.5°)
06:55:17	Dome (Find Park)	Find Park started (Search Az 89.6 to 93.6°, Step 0.2°, Narrow)
06:56:04	Dome	Find Park found (Best Park Az 91.4°)
06:56:10	Dome	Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -1.4°)
06:56:12	Dome Parked	Dome parked
06:58:23	Dome Charging	Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (20mA)
06:58:25	Session Finished	Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time		Type			Name	Detail
06:58:23		Green	Clear		Dome Charging	Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (20mA)

Operational Issues (2025-12-02 S1382)

Critical Issues (0)
Major Issues (0)
Minor Issues (0)
Small Defects (9)
Continuous Improvement (14)
Figures (0)

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Critical Issues

None

Major Issues

None

Minor Issues

None

Small Defects

'Align Images on Comets' facility in AstroMain Analysis/ImageSet is sometimes failing to correctly align frames (post-session). In some cases the frames are incorrectly aligned by the process 'AnalysisStage.AlignOnTarget' which calls AlignFramesOnTarget(). Cases were this happens need to be examined and a fix or workaround found. Examining the process applied to 9 frames from 24P/Schaumasse in session S1380 (2025-11-28) most frames had X and Y Shift of 0-3 pixels. These frames successfully linked and generated a successful 'Check WCS Centre' result with the message 'Centres match (WCS center matches that from image link)' . However one frame failed to link, had a failed 'Check WCS Centre' results with message "Resetting WCS Center (CRVAL1, CRVAL2) back to image link coordinates" and anomalous shifts values of X Shift: -81, Y Shift: 236. Adjusting DetectThreshold (currently hardcoded) may help linking. AstroMain 3.79.2 modified to report the number of successful alignments and number of failed alignments. Analysis.Align modified to provide to options for AlignFramesOnTarget: 'Link 8' & 'Link 15' to provide greater flexibility
Fix attempted 2025-12-03 (AstroMain 3.79.2)
'Check TooFewStars_NorthCam' report messages are being posted whilst Observatory Services are starting (20:09). Since NorthCam Star Count Usage by ObsManager was introduced in AstroMain 3.78.12 (2025-11-30), report messages like the ones below are regularly appearing whilst Observatory Services are starting.
CCD Monitor: Ok Started (20:09) (CcdMonitor.MainLoop) Zigbee: (COM7) Ok Started (20:09) (Conbee II / deCONZ) > Check TooFewStars_NorthCam Info Changed (NorthCam Threshold changed to 20 stars, 20:09) > Check TooFewStars_NorthCam Info Changed (Hard) (NorthCam Threshold changed to 8 stars, 20:09) Zigbee WebSocket: Ok Started (20:09) (WebSocket4Net)
These messages appear to be due to a monitor noticing that TooFewStars_NorthCam thresholds (originating from the design time values) are being overwritten by new values (which have been loaded in from setting files, based on prior values), and are not due the user changing the threshold values on the Manager tab. Fix attempted in AstroMain 3.79.2 beta but issue continues.-
Fixed 2025-12-04 (AstroMain 3.79.2)
AstroLaunch program is unable to launch Textpad application. AstroLaunch is unable to launch Textpad due to its recent upgrade from Textpad 4 to Textpad 9 and its reinstallation at a new path at 'C:\Users\david\AppData\Local\Programs\TextPad\TextPad.exe. Fixed in AstroLaunch 1.14.5.
Fixed 2025-12-03 (AstroLaunch 1.14.5)
The Confirmation dialog for 'Take Object' task from AstroMain's Observing/On-The-Fly tab is incorrectly captioned. The caption on the dialog is labelled 'Take Mosaic' when it should be 'Take Object' Fixed in AstroMain 3.79.2.
Fixed 2025-12-04 (AstroMain 3.79.2)
Image Builder uses an inappropriate Label 1 when creating images for M31 / M33 images with Transients (post-session). Due to the way that Image Builder works in AstroMain 3.79.1 and earlier versions the Label 1 text string is saved to settings file for the given image type, and then next time the particular image type is opened the Label 1 text string is automatically read from the settings file. This generally works well, but for M31 & M33 image sets with Nova and other Transients, where the primary object (the transient) is regularly renewed the Label1 text string frequently doesn't represent the name of the current transient. When this happens either the user has to modify the Label 1 text string or the user doesn't notice and an image is published with the wrong text string. AstroMain needs to either automatically provide and update the Label 1 text string or provide a settings file that is unique to the particular transient. The latter solution means details such as cross-hairs style, label position and scale bar position are carried over. This is particularly useful where there are 2 or 3 active transients during the same period. Issue solved by using a separate Store Folder for each M31 & M33 transient, so that they can each access their own _Settings folder (and settings). This was more practical that having modifying the code to read/save differently names setting files with use of a transient name prefix or suffix. Fixed in AstroMain 3.79.3 with support from a couple of Continous Improvement tickets to split the images in existing M31 Nova and M33 Nova folders into their own store folders in '..\Store\_Transients M31' & '..\Store\_Transients M33'
Fixed 2025-12-06 (AstroMain 3.79.2)
OBJNOTE values in FITS Header appears to be shortened in some cases and make the data usefuless. In AstroMain 3.79.1 store Target's Comment data field in the FITS header of images of the target under the keyword OBJNOTE. Some FITS images (typically those from M31 transients) show a shortened note. Examples
i) M31 w/AT2025aesw images (S1382) the "AT 2025aesw (Type: EGN) discovered 2025-11-21.389 UT by Koichi Itagaki" comment is written is "AT 2025a" in OBJNOTE ii) M31 w/2025-11c images(S1380) "Nova M31 2025-11c? (Type: unk) discovered 2025-11-21.389 UT by Koichi Itagaki" comment is written as "Nova M31" in OBJNOTE
Examining code shows the OBJNOTE keyword in written in TakeImage() routine with the value trim (objnote), where objnote is passed to TakeImage as a parameter. For main image frames T.Comment is passed which corresponds to target.Comment. The reason for the shorterned string is unclear. Issue was shown repeatable by running AstroMain take images on Development Computer. Unable to replicate issue on Development Computer using Playback. Whilst there seems to be an issue here, it can not be fixed based on the data available and inability to replicate the issue whilst running AstroMain 3.79.3 program in the debugger in Visual Studio. The Issue is closed after review 2025-12-06
Closed after review 2025-12-06 (AstroMain 3.79.2)
A Job executor is resuming before ObsManager reports that session is Running Again (06:21).   Job Executor reporting that a Target is continuing and reports 3-5 execution steps before ObsManager reports that it is running, resulting in illogical sequence of reportings. Example Session Resuming sequence at 06:20 - 06:21.concerning Target 47/47 (IC 3084). Job Executor should wait until ObsManager releases it.   Following the code back from the 'Continue' subtitle in ExecuteQueue() routine it can be seen that job queue execution is released from a wait loop immediately after the Shutter is open again.
if Dome.ShutterIsOpen Then     Exit Do End If
But because the ObsManager works on a 5s cycle it may be 1-5s before ObsManager progresses the Session State to Running (Again). Fix attempted in AstroMain 3.79.12. An extra condition is added to ensure that Session State has acturally progressed to Running before the job queue is released from its wait loop.
If Dome.ShutterIsOpen And ObsManager.SessionState = SessionState.Running Then     Exit Do End If
Fix attempted 2026-01-02 (AstroMain 3.79.12)
Although Target 10/44 appears to be partially completed with a single main frame acquired but wasn't entered in the Session's Observation table. Planned Observation table and Session Events table records Target 10/44 (AT2023jbu) as failed even though the JPG pictures appear to show a 180s image (#1382073) which is recorded in Session's Fits Summary file as a completed image. Target was aborted due to a high priorty ToO target. It would seem that abort process led to the skipping over of code which would normally record the target as partially completed in the Observing Plan and Session results. Although the target is being aborted its documentation should neverthess be completed before moving to the ToO target, and not skipped over.
To fix 2025-12-04 (AstroMain 3.79.2)
5/47 first frame JPG pictures were missing Target Circles. JPG pictures of Main Frames are designed to show Target Circle (and Hot Galaxy if applicable). For five targets (AT2024gfk, NGC 3023 w/AT2025addb, LEDA 3089972, T CrB and IC 3084 w/AT2022aaai) the target circle wasn't drawn. The cases were examined and the reason for missing circles varied :
TBA.
To fix 2025-12-07+ (AstroMain 3.79.3+)

Continuous Improvement

Enlarge AstroPlan's Target Form to provide space for new fields. After adding Horizon BodyID data field and 'Use Horizon' checkbox, there was no room to add it, without relocating the rarely used Mosaic Group Box. Enlarging the form will allow the Mosaic Group box to be located back to near its original position and provide a new area for the Horizon related field & buttons.. Implemented in AstroPlan 1.45.2.
Done 2025-12-03 (AstroPlan 1.45.2)

Extend routines in AstroMain's screen capture routines to optionally hide AstroMain windows before make screen shot. CaptureScreenShot() and TakeAndSaveScreenShot(filepath) routines were added to AstroMain 3.77.2 (2025-07-25). It is proposed to extend the routine with option to optionally hide the AstroMain program windows whiilst the screen shot is being taken, with restoration of windows once the screen capture is completed. Implemented in AstroMain 3.79.2. As before screen shot images will be saved as time-stamped .png files in the session's log folder.
Done 2025-12-03 (AstroMain 3.79.2)

Events marking 'Lost connection to Focuser1' should be coloured yellow or deleted when the issue is quickly fixed. This might required require the initial use of red colour (as issue could be serious and can't be automatically resolved) but then automatically updated to yellow category, when the connection is re-established. After review it was decided that Event should initially stored as 'red' but deleted if Focuser1 issue is resolved within 90s Implemented in AstroMain 3.79.2 using new routines 'DeleteSessionEvent()' and 'Database.DeleteSessionEvent()'
Done 2025-12-03 (AstroMain 3.79.2)

Add a 'Guide Results' subtitle when reporting Guide Stats All at end of image acquisition. At the end of image acquistition for a target AstroMain's Job Executor reports the overall Guide Stats across all frames. It would be useful to begin this reporting with an underlined Sub Title with the name "Guide Results" using the ReportSubTitleLite() command. Implemented in AstroMain 3.79.2.
Done 2025-12-03 (AstroMain 3.79.2)

Modify QueryDialog so that it opens up centered on the AstroMain Form rather than centered on the screen. Implemented in AstroMain 3.79.2.
Done 2025-12-03 (AstroMain 3.79.2)

Add a 'Skip Link' option to Analysis.Link's Menu. For some images stacked on comet target it is clearly unrealistic that a plate solution will be feasible and rather than attempt a image link which could take 30-60s and still fail it would be useful to have Skip Link option, to allow analysis to proceed directly to 'Nebulosity', 'FV' or 'Copy/paste from CCDSoft'. Implemented in AstroMain 3.79.2.
Done 2025-12-03 (AstroMain 3.79.2)

Reconfigure AstroMain's Job Queue tab and add a new Tab Control with sub-tabs 'Job Queue' & 'ToO'..
Done 2025-12-04 (AstroMain 3.79.2)

Shorten AstroMain's Dome Connect time when using a Simulator Dome. The standard 8s delay in Dome.Connect() routine is to be skipped when using a simulator dome which is the normal case when running on Development Computer. Implemented in AstroMain 3.79.2.
To do 2025-12-03 (AstroMain 3.79.2)

For M31 and M33 Transient targets the szTargetName should be specially adjusted to reflect the detailed name. Since there can be multiple M31 targets in the same session it would be useful if the szTargetName can explicity show the target as "M31 w/2025wsw" or "M31 w/2025-11c". There was similar Continuous Improvement Ticket for this sometime ago. Implemented in AstroMain 3.79.2. A new function GetSzTargetName(T as TClass) has been added to QueueModule module, which is designed to become the definitive method for generating the szTargetName for the active target.
- Several "WriteLogFileRecord(T.TargetName,.....)" lines changed to "WriteLogFileRecord(szTargetName,.....)"
- Several "szTargetName = T.TargetName" lines changed to "szTargetName = GetSzTargetName(T)"
- szTargetName is saved before calling routines such as GetImageInformation() which set szTargetName from IV.Fits_Object, and then restored afterwards. The modified szTargetNames for M31 and M33 also appear in the (slew).dat file and (slewtable).dat files.
Whilst the implementation has been tested using On-The-Fly Observing in Test Mode, they could be be unforeseen side effects / or missed szTargetName resets.
Done 2025-12-04 (AstroMain 3.79.2)

Add a list box on AstroMain's 'Job Queue / ToO Queue' tab to show the list of ToO's submitted during the session and the current status of each item. Table to be added like the one on the 'JobQueue/JobQueue tab' , with buttons as appropriate to deactivate specific ToO's. If AstroMain program is restarted the table will be re-populated from a saved ToO List file.
Done 2025-12-05 (AstroMain 3.79.2)

Refactor ToO handling. In AstroMain 3.79.1 and earlier versions ToO's were held in a TIO structure (TIO.nItems, TIO.X(), TIO.T() and in nTargetsOfOpportunity, TargetsOfOpportunity(). The structures have been refactored in AstroMain 3.79.2 to a ToO() structure (including (ToO().T) and nToO. This makes things simpler with less duplication. Routines connected to ToO's have been placed in a new module 'ToO_Module' in a new code file 'ToO.vb'
Done 2025-12-05 (AstroMain 3.79.2)

Modify the handling of M31 & M33 Transients. In AstroMain 3.79.2 and earlier versions images of M31 and M33 Transients where stored in store folder "..\Store\M31 Nova" & "..\Store\M33 Nova" respectively. It is proposed to changes this so that transients are stored in
"..\Store\_Transients M31\M31_{transientname}" and "..\Store\_Transients M33\M33_{transientname}" respectively. This requires modification to GetObjectStoreFolder(), GetStoreFolderPath(), CheckStoreFolderExists routines in both AstroMain and to GetObjectStoreFolder() routine in AstroPlan. A one-off utility (MoveM31AndM33Transients()) is also required to move existing images from '/M31 Nova' and '/ M33 Nova to their respective new store folder, creating the new folder as required. Implemented in AstroMain 3.79.3 & AstroPlan 1.45.3.
Done 2025-12-06 (AstroMain 3.79.3, AstroPlan 1.45.3)

Relocate ATxxxxxx store folders to ./AT Transients and modify the Store Handling in AstroMain/AstroPlan. Previously ATxxxxxx store folders were held in "..\Store\" and make it harder to manually go to a standard folder like 'M16' due to the number of folders. It is proposed to move the 627 ATxxxxxxx store folders to a new folder "..\Store\_Transients AT", and make the necessary modifications in AstroMain and AstroPlan to access AT images in their new locations. This affects GetObjectStoreFolder() and GetStoreFolderPath() routines in AstroMain and the GetObjectStoreFolder() routine in AstroPlan. Implemented in AstroMain 3.79.3 & AstroPlan 1.45.3.
Done 2025-12-06 (AstroMain 3.79.3, AstroPlan 1.45.3)
Create a way of saving queued ToO target list when AstroMain is restarted. During the S1382 session the 3I/ATLAS was submitted as a ToO target for execution around 05:40 in the morning. This was submitted during the evening. Due to a defect in new code for acquiring comet data from Horizon System by name, the session and AstroMain were stopped whilst a fixed copy of the AstroMain program was installed and the program & session were restarted. During this process the submitted ToO target list is lost. This is a known limitation of AstroMain version 3.79.1 and earlier versions, and 3I/ATLAS was manually re-submitted as a ToO target. A new feature should be added to AstroMain to allow the ToO target list to be saved to a file, and re-read when the program & session are restarted. There are a number of other improvement tickets concerning editing the queued ToO list which could be looked again at the same time. Implemented in AstroMain 3.79.2. List of ToO is written to & read from the file ' ../session_folder/_Logs/ToO_List.dat'.
Done 2025-12-05 (AstroMain 3.79.3)

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This Web Page:	Notes - Session 1382 (2025-12-02)
Last Updated :	2026-01-24
Site Owner :	David Richards
Home Page :	David's Astronomy Web Site

David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1382 (2025-12-02)

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-12-02)

Operational Issues (2025-12-02 S1382)

David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 1382 (2025-12-02)