David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1425 (2026-04-22)

Notes (S1424)

Notes Main

Home Page

Notes (S1426)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (1),  Small Defects (3),  Continuous Improvement (6)
	- Figures (0)
	Images from 2026-04-22  >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2026-04-22)

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 3.81.10  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. 12/17 planned targets were completed with 1 target partially completed. Other targets failed due to cloud & session suspension.
•  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 23:24:02 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 23:23 & 03:46 23:24:05 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (23:24) 23:24:12 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-04-22 S01425) 23:24:14   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 23:24:34   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 23:26:21   Services Started Observatory Services started 23:26:33 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 23:26:36 Session Pending Session pending (2026-04-22) 23:26:38 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-04-22) 23:27:02   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 23:27:08   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.46.2) 23:28:02   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1225) 23:28:45   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 23:29:09 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 23:29:55   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 23:29:57 Session Running Session running 23:29:59   Queue Started Observing Queue started (17 targets selected) 23:30:06     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 12, HIP 58514) 23:30:20       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 23:33:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:36:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 23:38:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 23:38:46       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 23:40:56       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 23:42:43       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 23:43:04     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 12, HIP 58514) 23:43:36     Target Started (1/17) Target started (1/17, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 23:51:52       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 00:04:05     Target Completed Target completed (1/17, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 00:04:09     Target Started (2/17) Target started (2/17, NGC 3689 w/SN2026gwx) 00:08:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:10:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 00:27:01     Target Completed Target completed (2/17, NGC 3689 w/SN2026gwx) 00:27:05     Target Started (3/17) Target started (3/17, NGC 4205 w/SN2026fvx) 00:30:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:33:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 00:49:30     Target Completed Target completed (3/17, NGC 4205 w/SN2026fvx) 00:49:34     Target Started (4/17) Target started (4/17, AT2026jcv (CV)) 01:00:11     Target Completed Target completed (4/17, AT2026jcv (CV)) 01:00:15     Target Started (5/17) Target started (5/17, IC 4556 w/SN2026fuz) 01:04:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:06:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 01:23:02     Target Completed Target completed (5/17, IC 4556 w/SN2026fuz) 01:23:06     Target Started (6/17) Target started (6/17, T CrB) 01:26:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:28:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 01:33:22     Target Completed Target completed (6/17, T CrB) 01:33:26     Target Started (7/17) Target started (7/17, GCVS U Her) 01:37:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:39:26       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed (failed QC check - RmsE) 01:46:17     Target Completed Target completed (7/17, GCVS U Her) 01:46:21     Target Started (8/17) Target started (8/17, GCVS CY Lyr) 01:50:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:53:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 01:56:53     Target Completed Target completed (8/17, GCVS CY Lyr) 01:56:58     Target Started (9/17) Target started (9/17, AT2026iul (CV)) 02:01:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:04:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 02:10:06     Target Completed Target completed (9/17, AT2026iul (CV)) 02:10:10     Target Started (10/17) Target started (10/17, GCVS BL Lac) 02:13:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:15:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 02:19:45     Target Completed Target completed (10/17, GCVS BL Lac) 02:19:49     Target Started (11/17) Target started (11/17, GCVS SS Her) 02:23:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:26:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 02:29:16     Target Completed Target completed (11/17, GCVS SS Her) 02:29:21     Target Started (12/17) Target started (12/17, AT2026hur) 02:33:04       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:35:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 02:51:26     Target Completed Target completed (12/17, AT2026hur) 02:51:30     Target Started (13/17) Target started (13/17, 10P/Tempel) 02:57:39       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-LSI) 03:01:23   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 03:01:25   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 03:01:32     Target Aborted (13/17) Target aborted (13/17, 10P/Tempel) due to cloud 03:01:34   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:01:36 Session Suspending Session suspending 03:02:24   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 03:02:25 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:04:13     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (13/17, 10P/Tempel) due to cloud 03:26:33     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/17, AT2026jyw) due to cloud 03:40:33     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/17, AT2026juw (CV)) due to cloud 03:48:48     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/17, 61 Cyg) due to cloud 04:07:02     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/17, GCVS HH And) due to cloud 04:07:06   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 04:07:09 Session Closing Session closing 04:07:11   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 03:02, closing time 50s, zigbee 44s) 04:07:47   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 26s), Az: 90.0 deg 04:08:28   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 37s total) 04:08:52   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 04:09:31   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 04:10:56   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 04:10:59 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 04:11:37     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 04:12:23     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.7°) 04:12:29     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.7°) 04:12:31   Dome Parked Dome parked 04:15:30   Dome Charging Dome is parked and well charged (96%, 14.9v) 04:15:32 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 04:15:30 Yellow Alert Dome Charging Dome is parked and well charged (96%, 14.9v)

Back to Top

Operational Issues (2026-04-22 S1425)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (1)
• Small Defects (3)
• Continuous Improvement (6)
• Figures (0)
  

[ Prev | Next ]

Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• VMA Photometric measurements haven't been getting stored from sessions S1402-S1425.  Whilst developing a routine to produce average results in 'phot_result' table from measurements in the 'phot_measurement' table it was discovered that VMA results from sessions S1402-S1425 haven't been getting stored in the database.  The most recent records in the database are from session S1401. Investigating revealed that there were errors with sql used for inserting a photometric measurement in the 'InsertPhotMeasurement()' routine. Software error fixed in AstroMain 3.81.12.  VMA has been rerun for session S1425,  but needs to be rerun on session S1402-S1424.
  Fixed 2026-04-23 (AstroMain 3.81.11)

Small Defects

• Fix slight issue plotting light curve on PageBuilder's new Graph Routine.  A new graphing routine which was recently added to AstroMain's page builder (AstroMain 3.81.10) has a slight issue where by limiting mag points are being used as controlling points instead of constraining points. Graph for a particular transient/supernova that shows a fading trend down to 18.5, has a light curve line that makes a sharp upturn in order to fit the last point which is a non-detection limiting mag of 17.3. Point should not be fitted to but used as a contrainst to make the light curve line pass below the limiting mag.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.81.11
  Fixed 2026-04-23 (AstroMain 3.81.11)
   
• Picture box and text fields on PageBuilder's new Graph tab aren't being cleared when new session is selected.  A new graphing routine was recently added to AstroMain's page builder (AstroMain 3.81.10).  Whilst the picture box and text fields on the new tab are being cleared when a different object is selected in Analysis/ImageSet's tab, they are not being cleared when a new session is chosen.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.81.11
  Fixed 2026-04-23 (AstroMain 3.81.11)
   
• Host Galaxy is not being saved to the Photometry Results table from AstroMain/PageBuilder's MagRecord Dialog Form.  When a MagRecord is needing to be inserted into the Photometry (VMA) database from PageBuilder a MagRecord Dialog form opens with the host galaxy for a transient/supernova shown where appropriate.  However when 'Save' button is clicked, the host galaxy is not saved to the Host column in the phot_result table from the BuildMagRecord() routine.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.81.11.
  Fixed 2026-04-24 (AstroMain 3.81.11)

Continuous Improvement

• Add Common Name Objects to list of gallery pages selectable from Page Builder's Target Tab.  Implemented in AstroMain 3.81.11
  Done 2026-04-23 (AstroMain 3.81.11)
   
• Modify AstroMain's vma3 analysis to calculate and store corrected magnitudes.   AstroMain 3.80.23 was previously extended on 2026-03-07 to load VMA3 Photometric Measurements to PhotometryDB database (such as for GCVS BL Lac) however the functionality to correct 'Var Star' and 'Check Star' Instrumental Magnitudes to Magnitudes (previously performed as part of the 'BL Lac' Excel Worksheet) was not incorporated. It is proposed to now include this functionality, which allows photometric results to be compiled and saved to the phot_result table. Implemented in AstroMain 3.81.12.  A custom routine to retrospectively calculate and store corrected magnitudes for historic data in the database isn't necessary as the vma3 data is only stored from session S1401.
  Done 2026-04-23 (AstroMain 3.81.11)
   
• Add GroupSet Column to Photometric Results table.   Add GroupSet column to 'phot_result' table.  This will be a vchar (string) column to allow for a collated groupset   Implemented 2026-04-24 in AstroMain 3.81.11,  using the following call
    AddPhotTableColumn("phot_result", "GroupSet", "varchar(12)", "")
  where AddPhotTableColumn () is a new routine based on AstroPlan's AddTableColumn() routine, modified to use the 'PhotometryDB' database.  GroupSet (string) added to TPhotResult structure.
  Done 2026-04-24 (AstroMain 3.81.11
   
• Add TargetID to Photometric Measurement table.   Add TargetID column to 'phot_result' table.  This will be a integer column to allow for a collated groupset   Implemented 2026-04-24 in AstroMain 3.81.11,  using the following call
    AddPhotTableColumn("phot_measurement", "TargetID", "varchar(12)", vcNull)
  where AddPhotTableColumn () is a new routine based on AstroPlan's AddTableColumn() routine, modified to use the 'PhotometryDB' database.  GroupSet (string) added to TPhotResult structure.
  Done 2026-04-24 (AstroMain 3.81.11)
   
• Redo VMA Analysis for Varianbles in Sessions S1240-1312 in order to record magnitude measurements in PhotometryDB database. This is needed in order to generate new graphs of 'T CrB' including all data. (S1240 to 1260 done)
  Done 2026-04-26 (AstroVMA, AstroMain)
   
• Show or Hide '2x2' and '3x3' buttons on AstroMain's VMA Tab according to whether related photometry sub-folder exists or not .  Whilst redoing VMA Analysis for a series of past sessions it was determined that a useful improvement would be to indicate whether 'Fits_Sxxxx_2x2' and 'Fits_Sxxxx_3x3' sub-folders exist in the Photometry Data folder 'C:\Data\CCD Imaging\Analysis\_Photometry'.  The most direct wy of doing this is to show or hide the buttons used to select Mixed Band Folder.  Implemented in AstroMain 3.81.11 using the following code:
       Dim base As String = "C:\Data\CCD Imaging\Analysis\_Photometry\"
     btnVmaFolderBin2x2.Visible = Directory.Exists(base & "Fits_S" & CStr(Session.SessionID) & "_2x2")
     btnVmaFolderBin3x3.Visible = Directory.Exists(base & "Fits_S" & CStr(Session.SessionID) & "_3x3")
  Done 2026-04-25 (AstroMain 3.81.11)

[ Prev | Next ]

Back to Top Issue,  Back to Top