David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1411 (2026-03-27)

Notes (S1410)

Notes Main

Home Page

Notes (S1412)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (1),  Minor Issues (5),  Small Defects (2),  Continuous Improvement (4)
	- Figures (1)
	Images from 2026-03-27  >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2026-03-27)

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 (Reinstall), 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 1.4.1, deCONZ 1.18.2, ASCOM 7.1.0.4707
   
• AstroMain 3.80.31,  AstroPlan 1.46.2, AstroShCap 1.3.23, AstroGuard 1.13.2  (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroMag 1.5.12, AstroVOE 1.16,  AstroSN 1.16,  AstroProtect 1.10.6,  AstroMove 1.18.1
  AstroAllSky 3.27.7, AstroWeather 1.30.2,   AstroObsCam 1.13.1, AstroNorthCam 1.8.1, AstroLaunch 1.14.9

Highlights

• Targets. 10/31 planned targets were completed with 2 targets partially completely. 7 targets at start of session missed slots due to a CCDSoft Software Issue, 2 targets failed to a TheSky6 issue or were replaced by 2 targets (29P) injected into the Job queue to replace prior failures, 8 targets failed at end of session due to cloud & increasing wind.
•  CCDSoft. An issue with dll's / registry meant that CCDSoft couldn't be started and had to be reinstalled before the session could commence. Observatory software including AstroMain & TheSky6 had to be killed which led to loose of some settings in TheSky6 including the Telescope which led to further delay.
•  Dome. No issues open/closing shutter. Dome was successfully parked at the end of the session.

Notes

• Aurora Video from 2026-03-27 / 2026-03-28 >>
  

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 19:34:17 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:34 & 03:59 19:34:18   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 19:38:33 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:38) 19:38:40 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-03-27 S01411) 19:38:42   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 19:38:52 Program Hung CCDSoft failed to restart due to dll/registry issue 19:39:01   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 19:40:48   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:40:59 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 19:41:01   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 19:41:03 Session Pending Session pending (2026-03-27) 19:41:05 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-03-27) 19:41:11   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.46.2) 19:41:59   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1209) 19:42:43   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 19:43:07 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 19:43:53   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 19:43:54   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started 19:45:03   Equilibration Ended Dome Equilibration ended (1.2 mins total) 19:45:05 Session Running Session running 19:45:27   Queue Started Observing Queue started (31 targets selected) 19:45:37     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 9, HIP 44139) 19:45:38 User Intervention User Intervention to stop/kill AstroMain in order to reinstall CCDSoft             Session Suspended (19:45 to 21:00) AstroMain offline whist CCDSoft was reinstalled         21:01:28 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-03-27 S01411) 21:01:30   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 21:01:45   Observatory Door Observatory Door has opened 21:01:51   Observatory Door Observatory Door has closed (open time 5s) 21:01:58   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 21:02:05   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 21:03:52   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:03:54 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode 21:03:56 User Intervention User Intervention to resolve loss of TheSky6 settings including Telescope 21:19:20   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:20:53 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:20 & 03:59 21:20:55 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 21:20:57 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:20) 21:21:01 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-03-27 S01411) 21:21:03   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 21:21:30   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 21:21:39   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:21:47 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:21:49 Session Pending Session pending (2026-03-27) 21:21:51 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-03-27) 21:22:04   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 21:22:07   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1209) 21:22:48   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:23:13 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 21:23:58   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 21:24:00 Session Running Session running 21:24:02   Queue Started Observing Queue started (24 targets selected) 21:24:07     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 11, HIP 53798) 21:24:17       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 21:29:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:32:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 21:34:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 21:34:28       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:36:09       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 21:37:55       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 21:38:15     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 11, HIP 53798) 21:38:19     Target Started (8/31) Target started (8/31, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 21:45:15       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 21:45:17     Target Failed (8/31) Target failed due to exceeded time slot (8/31, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 21:45:19     Target Started (9/31) Target started (9/31, NGC 3660 w/SN2026cff) 22:06:17     Target Completed Target partially completed (9/31, NGC 3660 w/SN2026cff) 22:06:21     Target Started (10/31) Target started (10/31, Z 160-45 w/SN2025abwt) 22:06:28 Program Hung TheSky6 Telescope Hung 22:08:15 User Intervention User intervention to restart TheSky6 and reconnect telescope 22:08:15   TheSky6 Restarting TheSky6 being restarted (resolve unresponsive TheSky6) 22:09:10   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 22:09:21     Target Failed (10/31) Target failed due to slew error (10/31, Z 160-45 w/SN2025abwt) 22:10:23     Target Aborted (11/31) Target aborted (11/31, UGC 8457 w/AT2026gua) due to Priority 1 ToO Target 22:10:27     Target Started (12/32) Target started (12/32, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann, ToO) 22:14:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:17:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 22:28:57     Target Completed Target completed (12/32, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann, ToO) 22:34:10     Target Aborted (13/32) Target aborted (13/32, GCVS R CrB) due to Priority 1 ToO Target 22:34:14     Target Started (14/33) Target started (14/33, UGC 8457 w/AT2026gua, ToO) 22:38:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:40:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 22:57:08     Target Completed Target completed (14/33, UGC 8457 w/AT2026gua, ToO) 22:57:43     Target Started (15/33) Target started (15/33, NGC 4914 w/SN2026fjc) 23:21:12     Target Completed Target completed (15/33, NGC 4914 w/SN2026fjc) 23:21:16     Target Started (16/33) Target started (16/33, 24P/Schaumasse) 23:25:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:28:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 23:37:46     Target Completed Target completed (16/33, 24P/Schaumasse) 23:37:51     Target Started (17/33) Target started (17/33, T CrB) 23:41:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:43:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 23:48:09     Target Completed Target completed (17/33, T CrB) 23:48:13     Target Started (18/33) Target started (18/33, GCVS U Her) 23:51:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:54:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 00:01:09     Target Completed Target completed (18/33, GCVS U Her) 00:01:13     Target Started (19/33) Target started (19/33, UGC 11058 w/SN2026ewd) 00:06:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:08:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 00:24:55     Target Completed Target completed (19/33, UGC 11058 w/SN2026ewd) 00:24:59     Target Started (20/33) Target started (20/33, GCVS AM Her) 00:28:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:30:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 00:35:23     Target Completed Target completed (20/33, GCVS AM Her) 00:35:27     Target Started (21/33) Target started (21/33, NGC 6070 w/SN2026ejy) 00:41:22       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 00:57:25     Target Completed Target completed (21/33, NGC 6070 w/SN2026ejy) 00:57:29     Target Started (22/33) Target started (22/33, GCVS SS Her) 01:02:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:04:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 01:07:10     Target Completed Target completed (22/33, GCVS SS Her) 01:07:14     Target Started (23/33) Target started (23/33, AT2026gzl) 01:11:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:13:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 01:29:28     Target Completed Target completed (23/33, AT2026gzl) 01:29:32     Target Started (24/33) Target started (24/33, AT2026cqc (CV)) 01:32:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:35:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 01:37:46       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 01:42:03     Target Completed Target completed (24/33, AT2026cqc (CV)) 01:42:05   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:42:07 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:42:57   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 01:42:59 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:00:53 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:01:39   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 02:01:41 Session Running Session running 02:01:43   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:01:46     Target Started (25/33) Target started (25/33, AT2026cpv) 02:33:11       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 02:33:32       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 02:35:16       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 02:47:46     Target Completed Target partially completed (25/33, AT2026cpv) 02:47:48   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:47:50 Session Suspending Session suspending 02:48:38   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 02:48:40 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:53:52     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (26/33, GCVS CI Cyg) due to cloud 03:03:25     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (27/33, KIC 8462852) due to cloud 03:12:45     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (28/33, HIP 87937) due to cloud 03:22:05     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (29/33, GCVS CY Lyr) due to cloud 03:30:20     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (30/33, 61 Cyg) due to cloud 03:49:22     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (31/33, NGC 7292 w/SN2026fov) due to cloud 04:01:40     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (32/33, GCVS BL Lac) due to cloud 04:31:40     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (33/33, UGC 622 w/AT2026epv) due to wind 04:31:44   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 04:31:47 Session Closing Session closing 04:31:49   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 02:48, closing time 50s, zigbee 44s) 04:32:09   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 10s), Az: 90.0 deg 04:32:57   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 43s total) 04:33:21   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 04:34:18   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 04:35:44   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 04:35:47 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 04:36:14     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 04:36:59     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.4°) 04:37:05     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.4°) 04:37:07   Dome Parked Dome parked 04:38:57   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (16mA) 04:38:59 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 21:03:54 Red Alarm Telescope Alert TheSky's scope is reporting a RA=0/Dec=0 position or is not connected. 21:03:56 Red Alert Observatory Mode Obs.Manager has put Observatory back to manual mode (problem with TheSky telescope 04:38:57 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (16mA)

Back to Top

Operational Issues (2026-03-27 S1411)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (1)
• Minor Issues (5)
• Small Defects (2)
• Continuous Improvement (4)
• Figures (1)
  

[ Prev | Next ]

Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• Upon trying to start session there was a series of CCDSoft error dialog regarding missing .dlls (19:38). Upon restarting CCDSoft at start of session a series of  CCDSoft System Errors dialogs appeared.  This were blocking dialogs and gave the impression that they could be dismissed (but in fact one dialog led to another), see Fig 1.  These dialogs each stayed on top of all other windows and at one point covered up an AstroMain dialog that was required to confirm return to manual mode. This eventually necessitated killing all Observatory Software including AstroMain from the backdoor facility in AstroLaunch program. Initially the issue was throught to be due to a recent Windows Update overwritting a dll or two but with further thought it is believed that this was a consequence of accepting a suggested fix from KasperSky to repair 8 errors in the Registry to improve computer performance (big mistake...).  Replacing the '.dll's' with backup copies didn't resolve issue.  In the end the only remaining option was to reinstall CCDSoft.   This was done by reinstalling from original program CDROM,  and then after restarting computer and initially running the program as Administrator (a previous known key step),  the following version updates were installed 6.0.77, 6.0.135 (New), 6.0.156 (Key), 6.0.201 (Latest). This was relatively quick as only selected updates were made and setup to install SBIG drivers were skipped/cancelled throughout. It would be interesting next time, if installation could go directly to 6.0.135.  As a consequence of the issue the first 7 planned targets missed their slots.
  The same issue with CCDSoft occurred on 2026-05-03 following a Window In-Place Repair (see notes S1428 2026-04-30) on this new occasion CCDSoft was recovered by reinstalling original CDROM version, followed by  6.0.135 (New), 6.0.156 (Key) & 6.0.201 (Latest).
  Fixed in-session 2026-03-27 (Observatory Computer, CCDSoft)

Minor Issues

• AstroMain recorded "Cannot create ActiveX component" exceptions whilst trying to create CCDSoft Camera Objects (19:38). Log file shows "Cannot create ActiveX component" exceptions whilst trying to create Camera Object and GuideCamera objects (CCDSoft.Camera) at start of session.  After starting a new session, the existing Camera/GuideCamera objects are destroyed and new ones created. This is to allow registry to be updated with the starting image number for the new session (1411001 in this case).  However the CCDSoft encounted issues in restarting and produced a series of system error dialogs complaining that various .dll files couldn't be found and recommended reinstalling the program (see Fig 1). Access to CCDSoft Camera is critical to a successful live session operation, and the issue should have been raised as a red alert. and prevented a continuation of automated operation (see separate tickets below).
  Resolved in-session 2026-03-27 (Session, TheSky6)
   
• TheSky6 lost a number of its settings - scrollbars, status bar etc (21:03)   It is unclear if this was a side-effect of the  installation of CCDSoft (unlikely ?) or a more-likely a sideeffect of killing TheSky6 and other Observatory Software because of the  CCDSoft issue. TheSky6 active document, Scroll Bars, Status Bar, Toolbar positions were all affected and had to be setup again and toolbar positions re-saved.  TheSky6 program also lost its setup to TeleApi at the same time (see issue below) which also had to be resolved before the session could be continued. 
  Resolved in-session 2026-03-27 (Session, TheSky6)
   
• TheSky6 lost its telescope setup (21:03). Following an issue with CCDSoft that necessiated killing AstroMain and TheSky6, and after reinstallation of CCDSoft, an attempt was made to reconnect TheSky6 to the LX200 Telescope (via TeleApi, TeleLink, DeviceHub), but this failed with the error message "Could not open communications port. The port is either in use by another application or not recognized by the system. COMM_INITFAIL Error code = 21009 (0x5211)".  Investigating show that along with various other TheSky6 user interface settings its telescope set up to TeleApi had been lost and was pointing to another telescope. At around this time there was a Telescope red alert at 21:03:54 with the message "TheSky's scope is reporting a RA=0/Dec=0 position or is not connected".  Resolved by resetting the TheSky6 telescope to point to  'TeleApi'.  Eventually connected to telescope at 21:19.
  Resolved in-session 2026-03-27 (Session, TheSky6)
   
• No red alert was raised when CCDSoft Canera Objects couldn't be created at start of session (19:38). When tryingto restart CCDSoft at start of session as exceptions were recorded when trying to create CCDSoft Camera Objects.  Access to CCDSoft Camera is critical to a successful live session operation, and the issue should have been raised as a red alert but didn't. This is a gap that should be fixed. Fixed in AstroMain 3.80.2 , Session Alarm raised in
  Fixed 2026-03-28 (AstroMain 3.80.32 / ObsManager)
   
• Automated Operations were allowed to continue even though CCDSoft Camera Objects hadn't been created(19:38, 19:41). When trying to restart CCDSoft at the beginning of the live session exceptions were recorded when trying to create CCDSoft Camera Objects.  Access to CCDSoft Camera Objects is critical to a successful live session operation, and the issue should have have prevented the automated operations including opening the dome and turning on the telescope. ObsManager should have aborted the operation during initiating stage and returned the program to manual mode. Fixed in AstroMain 3.80.2, checks on Flag.bRestartingCCDSoft added to InitiatingStage1 and StartingStage12, with exit to Manual Mode if Objects don't exist.
  Fixed  2026-03-28 (AstroMain 3.80.32 / ObsManager, CCDSoft)

Small Defects

• AstroMain's Page Builder produced two sections for comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann (post-session). After building Session Images page for S1411 for the first two targets (both comets) it was noted that there were duplicate section for the second object (29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann).  The issue was repeatable.  The Session.xml,  Target_Comet_29P_Schwassmann-Wachmann.xml and TargetSnippet_Comet_29P_Schwassmann-Wachmann.htm files all seemed normal. Need to run page builder operation through debugger to see why this bug is happening. Could repeat issue when BuildSessionPage was rerun in the VS debugger. As issue hasn't be noted and can't be recreated in the Debugger, the issue is deternmined to be closed.
  Closed after review 2026-03-28 (AstroMain 3.80.32 / Page Builder) 
   
• Log File Record using '(fail)' are incorretly shown in '(log).htm' file and aren't included in '(error).htm' (19:45:27). Fixed erronous line in FinaliseLogFile() routine in AstroMain 3.80.32.
  Fixed 2026-03-28 (AstroMain 3.80.32 / Page Builder)

Continuous Improvement

• Modify the TNS Remarks to replace "We report" by "Group reports". Proposal to modify the TNS Remarks to make it clear that remark is from the TNS Reporting Group and disassociate the remark from the astro-richweb site author.  Implemented in Page Builder's FillTnsData() routine in AstroMain 3.80.32.
  Done 2026-03-28 (AstroMain 3.80.32 / Page Builder)
   
• Investigate if a second internal drive can be installed in the Development Computer. The existing drive in the Development/Anaysis Computer is a 1 GB SDD,  but typically the computer runs with only 50-80 GB free space, which is not enough for dealing with the volumes of data produced from the Observatory. External drives whilst suitable for off-loading folders and files to offline storage, they are not convenient to use for active storage. Ideally if there was room to add a second internal drive that would be the best solution.   Opening the back of laptop showed that there was neither room or facility for adding a second drive, which definitively elimates the option of increasing the internal storage of the laptop.  Opening the computer did allow confirmation that there only 1 of the 2  ram slots are occupied, and provided opportunity to clean the two fans of substantial dust.
  Done 2026-03-28 (Development/Analysis Computer)
   
• Increase the RAM in the Development/Analysis Computer from 16GB to 32GB.  Although the Development/Analysis Computer (Chillblast Apollo GTX 1650 laptop) is relatively high powered (Intel Core i7-12700H Alder Lake CPU, 14 Cores* / 20 Threads, 3.5 - 4.7GH), it has just 16 GB of RAM and stuggles with the large datasets used by Siril for processing image data taken with TS80/178M telescope & camera..  Opening the computer to see if there was any room for a secondary drive (there wasn't) did reveal that only one of the two RAM slots is occupied. Running 'wmic memorychip get speed, capacity, partnumber' at a command prompt gave the following results
     Capacity        PartNumber       Speed
   17179869184   9905700-084.A00G    3200
  Manufacturer is Kingston ( verified by the 99057 prefix)..   The closest retail equivalent to my current module is Kingston Value RAM 16GB DDR4 3200MTs 1.2V SODIMMM. Besides the extra RAM there will be a benfit from running RAM in dual channel mode.  One has been ordered today (2026-03-28) which should arrive in 48 hours or so. New RAM Card eventually arrived yesterday (2026-04-02) and was fitted immediately.   Although Task Mananger's Performance/Memory tab showed that Memory has increased to 32 GB with 2 of 2 slots used, it didn't indicate when memory was running in two channel mode, however using CPU-Z (free online tool) showed that the memory was is dual channel mode reporting 'Channel # : 2 x 64-bit'. Tests used Powershell to take and touch 10 GB memory, and seeing the increase in TaskMaanger's Memory Graph confirmed that extra memory was accessible/usable.
  Done 2026-04-03 (Development/Analysis Computer)
   
• Find optimised cpu settings for running Siril scripts.  Examining computer performance whilst running Siril script for pre-processing and stacking Light Frames shows that the bottle neck at least for the Development/Analysis Computer is the Disk.  (CPU 2.7 MHZ i7, 14 core processors and RAM (now 32 GB) are fine but the disk get hits at 100%, with peak writes speeds around 250-350 MB/s. Even though is a SSD drive (930 GB) it is currently runnning with only 9% (80 GB) free space, and the not the recommended 20% (185 GB) free space.  Tests showed that running a stacking script using maximum processor threads (20) is takes around 35s.   however by limiting the number of processor threads to 20, saw the processing time decrease to 22s.   Although counter-intuitive, the increase in performance can be explained by a reduction in competition for share of disk i/o bandwidth.  In comparison the Observatory Computer has 4 core processors and 8 logical processors.
  Done 2026-04-03 (Development/Analysis Computer)

[ Prev | Next ]

Back to Top Issue,  Back to Top

[ Prev | Next ]

Back to Top Issue,  Back to Top