David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1422 (2026-04-17)

Notes (S1421)

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Notes (S1423)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (0),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (0)
	- Figures (0)
	Images from 2026-04-17  >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2026-04-17)

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 3.81.8  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 3.27.10, AstroWeather 1.30.3   AstroObsCam 1.13.1, AstroNorthCam 1.8.2, AstroLaunch 1.14.9

Highlights

• Targets. 19/21 planned targets were completed with 1 target partially completely. One targets failed due to cloud/too few stars..
•  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 21:09:44 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:10 & 04:02 21:09:45   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 21:10 21:10:55 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:10) 21:11:01 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-04-17 S01422) 21:11:04   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 21:11:25   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 21:13:10   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:13:19 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:13:22 Session Pending Session pending (2026-04-17) 21:13:24 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-04-17) 21:13:47   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 21:13:53   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.46.2) 21:14:33   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1222) 21:15:14   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:15:38 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 21:16:24   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 21:16:28   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started 21:16:30   Equilibration Ended Dome Equilibration ended (0.0 mins total) 21:16:32 Session Running Session running 21:16:34   Queue Started Observing Queue started (21 targets selected) 21:16:38     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 10, HIP 49253) 21:16:53       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 21:22:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:24:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 21:26:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 21:26:54       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:28:56       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 21:30:44       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 21:31:05     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 10, HIP 49253) 21:55:51     Target Started (1/21) Target started (1/21, C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos)) 22:01:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:03:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 22:12:25     Target Completed Target completed (1/21, C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos)) 22:12:30     Target Started (2/21) Target started (2/21, NGC 3689 w/SN2026gwx) 22:16:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:19:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 22:35:37     Target Completed Target completed (2/21, NGC 3689 w/SN2026gwx) 22:35:41     Target Started (3/21) Target started (3/21, NGC 3861 w/SN2026ihi) 22:39:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:41:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 22:57:58     Target Completed Target completed (3/21, NGC 3861 w/SN2026ihi) 22:58:03     Target Started (4/21) Target started (4/21, UGC 5607 w/SN2026kc) 23:02:51   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 23:02:53   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 23:02:56     Target Aborted (4/21) Target aborted (4/21, UGC 5607 w/SN2026kc) due to cloud 23:02:58   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 23:03:00 Session Suspending Session suspending 23:03:47   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 23:03:50 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:13:59     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (4/21, UGC 5607 w/SN2026kc) due to cloud 23:22:04 Session Resuming Session resuming 23:22:49   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 23:22:54 Session Running Session running 23:22:56   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 23:22:58     Target Started (5/21) Target started (5/21, NGC 3660 w/SN2026cff) 23:44:11     Target Completed Target completed (5/21, NGC 3660 w/SN2026cff) 23:44:15     Target Started (6/21) Target started (6/21, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 00:00:34     Target Completed Target completed (6/21, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 00:00:38     Target Started (7/21) Target started (7/21, NGC 4205 w/SN2026fvx) 00:04:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:07:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 00:23:34     Target Completed Target completed (7/21, NGC 4205 w/SN2026fvx) 00:23:38     Target Started (8/21) Target started (8/21, PCG 1513+1907) 00:44:47     Target Completed Target completed (8/21, PCG 1513+1907) 00:44:51     Target Started (9/21) Target started (9/21, IC 4556 w/SN2026fuz) 00:48:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:51:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 01:07:19     Target Completed Target completed (9/21, IC 4556 w/SN2026fuz) 01:07:24     Target Started (10/21) Target started (10/21, UGC 11058 w/SN2026ewd) 01:11:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:13:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 01:29:49     Target Completed Target completed (10/21, UGC 11058 w/SN2026ewd) 01:29:53     Target Started (11/21) Target started (11/21, AT2026iul (CV)) 01:33:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:36:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 01:42:09     Target Completed Target completed (11/21, AT2026iul (CV)) 01:42:13     Target Started (12/21) Target started (12/21, AT2026juw (CV)) 01:45:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:47:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 01:54:17     Target Completed Target completed (12/21, AT2026juw (CV)) 01:54:22     Target Started (13/21) Target started (13/21, C/2025 K1 (ATLAS)) 01:57:36       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:59:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 02:14:39     Target Completed Target partially completed (13/21, C/2025 K1 (ATLAS)) 02:14:43     Target Started (14/21) Target started (14/21, GCVS BL Lac) 02:22:15     Target Completed Target completed (14/21, GCVS BL Lac) 02:22:19     Target Started (15/21) Target started (15/21, NGC 7292 w/SN2026fov) 02:26:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:28:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 02:44:57     Target Completed Target completed (15/21, NGC 7292 w/SN2026fov) 02:45:01     Target Started (16/21) Target started (16/21, T CrB) 02:48:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:51:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 02:55:49     Target Completed Target completed (16/21, T CrB) 02:55:53     Target Started (17/21) Target started (17/21, NGC 6070 w/SN2026ejy) 02:59:47       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 03:15:58     Target Completed Target completed (17/21, NGC 6070 w/SN2026ejy) 03:16:02     Target Started (18/21) Target started (18/21, AT2026jcv (CV)) 03:20:07       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 03:26:24     Target Completed Target completed (18/21, AT2026jcv (CV)) 03:27:49     Target Started (19/21) Target started (19/21, AT2026hur) 03:31:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:34:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 03:50:44     Target Completed Target completed (19/21, AT2026hur) 03:50:49     Target Started (20/21) Target started (20/21, GCVS CY Lyr) 03:54:13       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 03:58:26     Target Completed Target completed (20/21, GCVS CY Lyr) 04:00:27     Target Started (21/21) Target started (21/21, GCVS SS Cyg) 04:04:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:06:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 04:09:31     Target Completed Target completed (21/21, GCVS SS Cyg) 04:09:33   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 04:09:35 Session Closing Session closing 04:10:26   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 44s) 04:10:47   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 11s), Az: 90.0 deg 04:11:40   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 42s total) 04:12:04   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 04:12:43   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 04:14:08   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 04:14:11 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 04:15:18     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°, Wide) 04:16:14     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 91.0°) 04:16:20     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 89.0 to 93.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 04:17:07     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.8°) 04:17:13     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.8°) 04:17:15   Dome Parked Dome parked 04:20:16   Dome Charging Dome is parked and well charged (97%, 15.0v) 04:20:18 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 04:20:16 Yellow Alert Dome Charging Dome is parked and well charged (97%, 15.0v)

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Operational Issues (2026-04-17 S1422)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• None

Small Defects

• ObsManager was reported to have frozen for 39s elescope (04:20). ObsOverseer logged a red alert at 04:20:50 with the message "Obs.Manager is Frozen (0s) in 'Finished", followed by a green all-clear 5s later with message "Obs.Manager has resumed again at 04:20:55 after 39 sec " The red frozen message should have been '34s',   not '0s'.  Warnings with messages like "Obs.Manager is pending (14s)" were logged from 04:20:30 to 04:20:45, which indicate that ObsManager froze at some point between 04:20:16 and 04:20:20.  This appears to have been after entering Finished State (04:20:16) and directly after LogFiles were finalised. generated (04:20:20), but before the Live Folder was backed up (04:20:54).  It is suspected that ObsManager was runnning CreateDomeLog(), CreateScopeLog() routines on the ObsManager thread at this time.   Indication of issue has been present in other recent sessions, but hasn't always reached the 30s threshold that generates red error instead of orange warning message. Creation of Dome/Scope Logs is reported by currenty isn't logged - it should be logged as well.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.81.9.   New ActionManager routines RunCreateDomeAndScopeLog() & Run_CreateDomeAndScopeLog() created.  New execution/completion flag created bCreatingDomeAndScopeLogs (boolean).  Formally introduction FinishedStage0 to waiting of  bCreatingDomeAndScopeLogs to turn False (i.e. action finished).
  Fixed 2026-04-18 (AstroMain 3.81.9)

Continuous Improvement

• None

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