David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 1394 (2026-02-17)

 
Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
Bullet Operational Issues
- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (5),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (0)
- Figures (0)
   
Bullet Images from 2026-02-17  >>           
   
   

Session Aims & Highlights (2026-02-17)

Main aims

  1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
  2. AstroMain. Check overall stability and capability of AstroMain 3.80.14 following significant software changes made in during the last month, together with new StateMachine (based on restructure of existing SessionState code blocks) and a new ObsManager Main Loop made during the fortnight prior to that which was only partially tested during S1391 & S1392 sessions in Mid -Jan.

 Equipment & Software

Highlights

Notes

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan
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Observing Result
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Dome & Scope Slewing Performance
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Slew/Centering Performance
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Guiding Performance
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Sky Conditions (Locate Frames)
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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)
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Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast
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Session Event Log
Time     Event Detail
19:52:10 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-02-17 S01394)
19:52:13   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.)
19:53:08   Services Started Observatory Services started
19:53:09 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode
19:54:22   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped
19:54:55 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-02-17 S01394)
19:54:56 Program Opened Program Opened (AstroMain 3.80.15)
19:54:59   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started
20:02:14 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-02-17 S01394)
20:02:15 Program Opened Program Opened (AstroMain 3.80.15)
20:02:18   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started
20:03:20   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started
20:03:22   Services Started Observatory Services started
20:03:39   Services Started Observatory Services started
20:04:05 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 20:04 & 05:42
20:04:07 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode
20:04:10 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (20:04)
20:04:17 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-02-17 S01394)
20:04:25   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch
20:06:12   Services Started Observatory Services started
20:06:23 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
20:06:25 Session Pending Session pending (2026-02-17)
20:06:27 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-02-17)
20:06:49   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -25°C)
20:06:57   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.46)
20:07:39   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1190)
20:08:19   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6)
20:08:44 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome
20:09:29   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
20:09:59 Session Running Session running
20:10:02   Queue Started Observing Queue started (34 targets selected)
20:10:09     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 6, HIP 28634)
20:10:26       Dome Unparked Dome unparked
20:15:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:18:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide)
20:20:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
20:20:31       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
20:22:25       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
20:24:03       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
20:24:22     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 6, HIP 28634)
20:24:27     Target Started (1/34) Target started (1/34, GSC 1224:29)
20:31:18       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
20:37:59     Target Completed Target completed (1/34, GSC 1224:29)
20:38:04     Target Started (2/34) Target started (2/34, Nova Per 2020)
20:41:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
20:44:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
21:00:13     Target Completed Target completed (2/34, Nova Per 2020)
21:00:17     Target Started (3/34) Target started (3/34, 240P/NEAT)
21:04:03       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
21:14:46     Target Completed Target completed (3/34, 240P/NEAT)
21:14:58     Target Started (4/34) Target started (4/34, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS))
21:18:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:20:55       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
21:29:20     Target Completed Target completed (4/34, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS))
21:29:24     Target Started (5/34) Target started (5/34, GCVS RR Tau)
21:35:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:38:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
21:43:51     Target Completed Target completed (5/34, GCVS RR Tau)
21:43:55     Target Started (6/34) Target started (6/34, GCVS DX Cnc)
21:44:01 User Intervention User Intervention to abort job queue & switch back to Manual Mode
21:44:14     Target Failed (6/34) Target failed due to slew error (6/34, GCVS DX Cnc)
21:44:16   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted
21:44:18 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode
21:44:43   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped
21:45:41 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-02-17 S01394)
21:45:42 Program Opened Program Opened (AstroMain 3.80.16)
21:45:45   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started
21:46:15   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started
21:46:17   Services Started Observatory Services started
21:47:55 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:47 & 05:42
21:47:57 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode
21:48:00 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:48)
21:48:06 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-02-17 S01394)
21:48:52   Services Started Observatory Services started
21:49:02 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
21:49:05 Session Pending Session pending (2026-02-17)
21:49:07 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-02-17)
21:49:21   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -25°C)
21:49:31   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1190)
21:49:44   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6)
21:50:08 Session Running Session running
21:50:11   Queue Started Observing Queue started (28 targets selected)
21:53:26     Target Started (7/34) Target started (7/34, NGC 2398 (CV))
21:53:31   TheSky6 Restarting TheSky6 being restarted (resolve unresponsive TheSky6)
21:53:57   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6)
21:57:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:00:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
22:17:00     Target Completed Target completed (7/34, NGC 2398 (CV))
22:17:04     Target Started (8/34) Target started (8/34, GCVS YZ Cnc)
22:20:36       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:23:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
22:29:50     Target Completed Target completed (8/34, GCVS YZ Cnc)
22:29:55     Target Started (9/34) Target started (9/34, AT2025afsx)
22:33:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:36:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
22:52:19     Target Completed Target completed (9/34, AT2025afsx)
22:52:23     Target Started (10/34) Target started (10/34, Scholz's Star)
22:56:33       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
23:11:56     Target Completed Target completed (10/34, Scholz's Star)
23:12:18     Target Started (11/34) Target started (11/34, UGCA 200)
23:18:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:21:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11)
23:45:03     Target Completed Target completed (11/34, UGCA 200)
23:45:07     Target Started (12/34) Target started (12/34, AT2026coj (CV))
00:04:06     Target Completed Target completed (12/34, AT2026coj (CV))
00:04:10     Target Started (13/34) Target started (13/34, UGCA 170)
00:08:53       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-LSI)
00:26:34     Target Completed Target completed (13/34, UGCA 170)
00:26:38     Target Started (14/34) Target started (14/34, GCVS RR Leo)
00:30:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:33:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12)
00:39:01     Target Completed Target completed (14/34, GCVS RR Leo)
00:39:06     Target Started (15/34) Target started (15/34, GCVS CN Leo)
00:53:17     Target Completed Target completed (15/34, GCVS CN Leo)
00:53:22     Target Started (16/34) Target started (16/34, Z 160-45 w/SN2025abwt)
00:57:48       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-LSI)
01:14:14     Target Completed Target completed (16/34, Z 160-45 w/SN2025abwt)
01:14:18     Target Started (17/34) Target started (17/34, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann)
01:18:53       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
01:28:09   Critical Conditions Alert Critical Conditions Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
01:28:11   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (too few stars)
01:28:13       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
01:28:15     Target Aborted (17/34) Target aborted (17/34, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) due to too few stars
01:28:17   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
01:28:19 Session Suspending Session suspending
01:29:04   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s)
01:29:06 Session Suspended Session suspended
01:31:08 Session Resuming Session resuming
01:31:53   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 42s)
01:31:55 Session Running Session running
01:31:57   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
01:32:00     Target Started (17/34) Target started (17/34, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann)
01:35:14       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
01:36:14       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
01:38:09     Target Completed Target partially completed (17/34, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann)
01:38:13     Target Started (18/34) Target started (18/34, GCVS ER UMa)
01:43:04       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
01:43:34       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
01:44:34       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
01:45:04       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
01:45:29     Target Completed Target completed (18/34, GCVS ER UMa)
01:45:33     Target Started (19/34) Target started (19/34, GCVS RZ LMi)
01:45:36       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
01:46:05       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
01:46:34       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
01:47:14       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
01:48:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:51:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13)
01:56:26     Target Completed Target completed (19/34, GCVS RZ LMi)
01:56:30     Target Started (20/34) Target started (20/34, NGC 3660 w/SN2026cff)
02:00:26       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:02:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14)
02:12:47       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
02:18:37   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
02:18:39   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
02:18:42     Target Aborted (20/34) Target aborted (20/34, NGC 3660 w/SN2026cff) due to cloud
02:18:44   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
02:18:46 Session Suspending Session suspending
02:19:33   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s)
02:19:35 Session Suspended Session suspended
02:37:29     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/34, AT2026ciw) due to cloud
02:59:29     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/34, IC 700 w/SN2025aico) due to cloud
03:21:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/34, UGCA 283) due to cloud
03:35:15     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/34, T CrB) due to cloud
03:49:04     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/34, GCVS U Her) due to cloud
04:08:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (26/34, CGCG 137-080 w/SN2025zpw) due to cloud
04:21:07     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (27/34, GCVS BL Lac) due to cloud
04:41:07     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (28/34, AT2025afuu) due to cloud
04:53:25     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (29/34, GCVS CY Lyr) due to cloud
05:05:26     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (30/34, AT2025sdf (CV)) due to cloud
05:17:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (31/34, Nova Ser 2025 (Nova)) due to cloud
05:33:14     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (32/34, GCVS S Cyg) due to cloud
05:45:22     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (33/34, GCVS SS Cyg) due to cloud
06:08:57     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (34/34, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS)) due to cloud
06:09:01   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
06:09:03 Session Closing Session closing
06:09:05   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 02:19, closing time 50s, zigbee 44s)
06:10:05   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 50s), Az: 90.0 deg
06:10:39   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 30s total)
06:11:03   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.'
06:12:00   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
06:13:25   Services Stopped Night Services stopped
06:13:28 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
06:14:26     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow)
06:15:10     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.6°)
06:15:16     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.6°)
06:15:18   Dome Parked Dome parked
06:15:33   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (5mA)
06:15:36 Session Finished Session Finished
 
Session Alerts & Alarms
Time     Type       Name Detail
19:53:09 Red Alarm Telescope Alert ASCOM Telescope not connnected
19:53:11 Red Alert Observatory Mode Obs.Manager has put Observatory back to manual mode (problem connecting telescope
23:57:37 Red Alert AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data has been inactive for more than 5 mins
01:28:09 Green Clear AllSky/Synopsis AllSky Star & Synopsis data is active again (outage 95.6 mins)
03:24:33 Red Alert Dome Alert Shutter Data isn't being refreshed
03:24:38 Yellow Alert Dome Shutter Pulsar Shutter appears to be asleep (last fresh data was at 03:04:31)
03:24:58 Green Clear Dome Shutter Pulsar Shutter has woken up (fresh data at 03:24:46, outage 20.5 min)
03:25:00 Green Clear Dome Alert Shutter Data has resumed updating
06:15:33 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (5mA)
 

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Operational Issues (2026-02-17 S1394)

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Critical Issues

Major Issues

Minor Issues

Small Defects

Continuous Improvement

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Fig 1

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