David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1400 (2026-03-04)

Notes (S1399)

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Notes (S1400)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (1),  Minor Issues (4),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (3)
	- Figures (0)
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Session Aims & Highlights (2026-03-04)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.

 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 3.80.20,  AstroPlan 1.46.2, AstroShCap 1.3.16, AstroGuard 1.13.1  (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroMag 1.5.12, AstroVOE 1.16,  AstroSN 1.16,  AstroProtect 1.10.6,  AstroMove 1.17.7
  AstroAllSky 3.27.6, AstroWeather 1.30.1,   AstroObsCam 1.13.1, AstroNorthCam 1.8.1, AstroLaunch 1.14.6 / 1.14.8

Highlights

• Targets. Only 5 targets were built into the Observing Plan due to limited targets being available in the database and the constraints applicable to the night.  Just 1/5  planned targets were completed.  9  additional Targets were completed after injecting them into the JobQueue from AstroPlan as ToO Targets. 4 planned targets were replaced by ToO targets. 1 additional target (NGC 6166) was submitted as an ad-hoc target and was partially completed.
•  Dome. No issues open/closing shutter. Dome was successfully parked at the end of the session.

Notes

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 19:37:55 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:37 & 05:05 19:37:57 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:37) 19:38:03 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-03-04 S01400) 19:38:06   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 19:38:25   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 19:40:13   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:40:23 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 19:40:27 Session Pending Session pending (2026-03-04) 19:40:29 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-03-04) 19:40:52   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 19:40:54   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.46.2) 19:42:30   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1196) 19:43:12   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 19:43:36 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 19:44:22   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 19:44:24 Session Running Session running 19:44:26   Queue Started Observing Queue started (5 targets selected) 19:44:32     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 5, HIP 23569) 19:44:41       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 19:48:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:51:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 19:53:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 19:53:28       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 19:55:29       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 19:57:17       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 19:57:38     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 5, HIP 23569) 19:57:41 User Intervention User Intervention to abort job queue & switch back to Manual Mode 19:57:44     Target Started (1/5) Target started (1/5, UGC 117 w/SN2026cbh) 19:57:46     Target Failed (1/5) Target failed due to aborted (1/5, UGC 117 w/SN2026cbh) 19:57:49   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 19:57:51 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode 19:58:17 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:58 & 05:05 19:58:19 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 19:58:21 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:58) 19:58:24 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-03-04 S01400) 19:58:33   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:58:40 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 19:58:43 Session Pending Session pending (2026-03-04) 19:58:45 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-03-04) 19:58:58   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 19:59:05   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.46.2) 20:00:42   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1197) 20:00:52   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 20:01:16 Session Running Session running 20:01:19   Queue Started Observing Queue started (5 targets selected) 20:01:29     Target Started (1/5) Target started (1/5, UGC 117 w/SN2026cbh) 20:05:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:07:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 20:23:57     Target Completed Target completed (1/5, UGC 117 w/SN2026cbh) 20:24:01     Target Started (2/6) Target started (2/6, NGC 2129, ToO) 20:28:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:30:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 20:33:51     Target Completed Target completed (2/6, NGC 2129, ToO) 20:33:55     Target Started (3/7) Target started (3/7, NGC 2388, ToO) 20:37:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:40:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 20:56:44     Target Completed Target completed (3/7, NGC 2388, ToO) 20:56:48     Target Started (4/8) Target started (4/8, ARP 250, ToO) 21:00:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:02:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 21:11:15     Target Completed Target completed (4/8, ARP 250, ToO) 21:11:19     Target Started (5/9) Target started (5/9, UGC 622 w/AT2026epv, ToO) 21:16:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:18:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 21:35:04     Target Completed Target completed (5/9, UGC 622 w/AT2026epv, ToO) 21:35:09     Target Started (6/10) Target started (6/10, Jupiter, ToO) 21:46:34     Target Completed Target completed (6/10, Jupiter, ToO) 21:46:39     Target Started (7/11) Target started (7/11, GCVS GK Per, ToO) 21:50:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:52:36       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 21:55:32     Target Completed Target completed (7/11, GCVS GK Per, ToO) 21:55:37     Target Started (8/12) Target started (8/12, GCVS NV Ori, ToO) 21:55:42     Target Failed (8/12) Target failed due to airmass limit (8/12, GCVS NV Ori, ToO) 21:55:46     Target Started (9/13) Target started (9/13, UGC 3028 w/SN2026gm, ToO) 21:59:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:02:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 22:18:29     Target Completed Target completed (9/13, UGC 3028 w/SN2026gm, ToO) 22:18:33     Target Started (10/14) Target started (10/14, NGC 1664, ToO) 22:21:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:24:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 22:29:16     Target Completed Target completed (10/14, NGC 1664, ToO) 22:29:20     Target Started (11/15) Target started (11/15, GCVS RZ LMi, ToO) 22:34:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:36:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 22:42:00     Target Completed Target completed (11/15, GCVS RZ LMi, ToO) 22:42:02     Target Missed (12/15) Target's time slot was missed (12/15, GCVS TV Cas) 22:42:04     Target Missed (13/15) Target's time slot was missed (13/15, UGC 622 w/AT2026epv) 22:42:06     Target Missed (14/15) Target's time slot was missed (14/15, GCVS U And) 22:42:08     Target Missed (15/15) Target's time slot was missed (15/15, 240P/NEAT) 22:42:10   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 22:43:35     Target Started (1/1) Target started (1/1, NGC 6166). Using SharpCap 22:47:12       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 22:49:21     Target Failed (1/1) Target failed (1/1, NGC 6166) due to aborted 22:50:22     Target Started (1/1) Target started (1/1, NGC 6166) 22:51:42       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 22:54:39       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 23:59:48   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 00:00:33   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 46s, Zigbee 43s) 00:01:07     Target Completed Target partially completed (1/1, NGC 6166) 00:14:57   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 13s), Az: 90.0 deg 00:15:46   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 46s total) 00:16:10   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 00:17:01   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 00:17:41     Camera1 Disconnected SBIG Camera closed down & disconnected 00:19:11   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 00:27:41   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 00:28:29 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-03-04 S01400) 00:28:35 Program Opened Program Opened (AstroMain 3.80.20) 00:28:37   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 00:28:53   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 00:29:31   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 00:29:33   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:33:01   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 00:33:46 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-03-04 S01400) 00:33:53 Program Opened Program Opened (AstroMain 3.80.20) 00:33:57   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 00:34:31   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 00:34:33   Services Started Observatory Services started

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail --             No Alerts                --

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Operational Issues (2026-03-04 S1400)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (1)
• Minor Issues (4)
• Small Defects (1)
• Continuous Improvement (3)
• Figures (0)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• AstroPlan didn't have sufficient number of valid active targets to make a plan with more than 5 targets. With no warning from previous night's session, AstroPlan didn't have a sufficient number of active targets meeting criteria and made a plan with only 5 targets.  The session was placed back to manual and a session restarted with 'Force New Plan' option enabled.  AstroPlan produced a new plan with the same 5 targets.  The session was allowed to kick off with the first target, whilst a check was made on Development Computer which saw a plan created with 7 targets. Again this was a long way short of the 30-34 targets expected. It is suspected that recent session have exhausted the supply of active targets he page header. With hindsight the previous S1399 session lacked again Gallery Targets. A series of 'ToO' targets were injected into the job queue,  but a look at the list of targets needs to be made.  Probably need to select new gallery targets,  probably quite a few Herschel 400 targets that could be put into the targets database. Session was extended under point that skies deteriorated by injecting ToO's into job queue, and by running Adhoc Target (NGC .  A separate Continuous Improvement ticket has been added to increase the depth of targets in the Observatory's Target Database.
  Resolved -in-session 2026-03-05 (Targets Database)

Minor Issues

• Unable to add more than 20 ToO Targets. Whilst normally only 1-3 ToO targets might be added during a normal session, prehaps reaching 5 or 6 on a particular session,  it this session more than 20 ToO targets were submitted from AstroPlan to try to inject targets into the job queue which contained only 5 original planned targets instead of the expected 30-34 targets. Although more than 20 ToO's were submitted it seems that the targets beyond 20 weren't recieved/handled. It is hypothezed that the ToO arrays are limited to 20.  It is proposed to increase the array size to 40 or use a List Collection.. The size of the ToO array is defined by nMaxToO which is currently hard-coded with the value 20. There are 98 references to ToO array in AstroMain 3.80.20, so changing to a List Collection involves a significant refactor and is deferrred. Instead nMaxToO increased will simply be increased to 40. Fixed in AstroMain 3.80.21.
  Fixed 2026-03-05 (AstroMain 3.80.21)
   
• Mutiple applications on Observatory Computer had issues with black areas / black controls (21:30-22:00). During the session multiple applications (AstroPlan,  CCDSoft, TheSky, TextPad, AstroMain, AstroLaunch) developed black areas / black controls when viewed through VNC. This hasn't been seen before. Concern was that this was a memory issue or graphic resource issue. Issue resolved in-session, by restarting applications (AstroPlan/AstroLaunch) or by simply minimizing each application and restoring them again (other application).  Issue closed after review.
  Resolved in Session  2026-03-04 (Session, Observatory Computer)
   
• 'Close/Finish Session' routine not working.   With skies deteriorating and the session in manual mode (due to earlier problem with Observing Plan & ToO target numbers, the Close/Finish Session' button was used to finish the session. Whilst user confirmation was requested and given the routine didn't proceed to close/finish the session. Instead the 'Park & Close Down' option had to be used instead.  Closing AstroMain and restarting it, and then trying Close/Finish Session' again failed to run, showing repeatability of the issue. Review of code shows that if user confirms the operation the button routine raises the bCloseAndFinish flag, The jump into Closing State (EnterClosing() ) is then made within 5s by ObsManager's DoAuto6_CompletedFrameJobs() routine, when the bCloseAndFinish flag is raised. However in AstroMain 3.80.20 and earlier versions this only takes effect when gObservatoryMode = omFullyAutomated and certain other conditions are met.  It currently isn't expected to be used where the job queue has ended and control has exited to Manual as occurred during the S1400 session.  The conditions in ObsManager's DoAuto6_CompletedFrameJobs() has been extended in AstroMain 3.80.21 to include
      (gObservatoryMode = omManual And RunningFrameJobs = False And
     Session.SessionType <> SessionType.General And bCloseAndFinish = True)
  Fixed in AstroMain 3.80.21 and tested.
  Fixed 2026-03-05 (AstroMain 3.80.21)
   
• 'Search for Correct Park' button routine couldn't be run due to ServiceManager being reportedly busy. At end of session to correctly park the dome the 'Search for Correct Park' button was clicked but it gave a message reporting that the ServiceManager was busy.  Closing AstroMain and restarting it, and then trying 'Search For Correct Park' again failed to run, showing repeatability of the issue. Fixed in AstroMain 3.80.21 and tested. Bug was due to incorrect logic condition using ServiceManager.CanAcceptRequest().
  Fixed  2026-03-05 (AstroMain 3.80.21)

Small Defects

• Ad-Hoc Target wasn't recorded in Session Observations table (00:01).  Adhoc target NGC 6166 was commmenced at 22:50 and had completed 15/15 180s images with C filter and 6/15 180s images with DB fifter, when skies deteriorated and Observatory Managere closed the Shutter and the User aborted the job. Although the Target 'Completion' was recorded as a Session Event with the message "Target partially completed (1/1, NGC 6166)" no record of the observation was recorded to the Session Observation table and consequentially the observation is shown in the Session Result chart. The target result and post-imaging conditions are also not recorded in the Report File. Fixed in AstroMain 3.80.21 and tested.
  Fixed 2026-03-05 (AstroMain 3.80.21)

Continuous Improvement

• Closing Down Observatory Equipment should be recorded as a Session Event. As 'Close/Finish Session' button facility wasn't working the 'Park & Close Down' button facility was used instead to close down observatory equipment.  This was successfully performed, however it didn't leave any record of this in the Session Events table.  It is proposed to modify the routine so that is records a 'Equipment Closing' event in the database.  Implemented in AstroMain 3.80.21.  Also added ParkAndCloseDownObservatory() added to ActionManager and also added Flag.bClosingDownEquipment.
  Done 2026-03-05 (AstroMain 3.80.21)
   
• Make a number of small improvements to Session Log File.  A number of improvements to session logging have been noted to improve readability / layout. 
  - Redact /remove of Indent2() function
  - fix to logging of Start PHD2GuidingMonitor / thread already running
  - shortern 'DestroyCameraObjects' to 'DestroyCameraObject'
  - shortern 'CreateSessionIdenti(ty)' to 'CreateSessionIdent'
  Implemented in AstroMain 3.80.21.
  Done 2026-03-05 (AstroMain 3.80.21)
   
• Increase the number and depth of targets in the Observatory's Target Database.  AstroPlan was unable to produce an observing plan with more than 5 targets during the S1400 session. The number of available targets is restricted to around 14-18, other active targets are rejected due to altitude contraints. It is suspected that recent session have exhausted the supply of active targets (both gallery targets and due transient/supernova targets). Work is necessary to increase the number and depth of targets in the Observatory's Target Database.
  To do 2026-03-05 (Targets Database)

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