David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1460 (2026-10-09)

Notes (S1459)

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Notes (S1461)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (2),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (2)
	- Figures (0)
	Images from 2026-10-09  >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2026-10-09)

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 new AstroMain xx.xx  version for any issues or problems following introduction of a number of changes.

 Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• TheSky6 6.0.0.65, CCDSoft5 5.0.201, DeviceHub 7.1.0.4707, MeadeGeneric 1.3.12.522, UPB 3, PulsarDome 6.4.0.0
• Peg-Unity 2.12, Peg-Focuser 2.12, Peg-Switch 2.12, TCF-LSI 3.3.5
• SharpCap 3.2.6482, PHD2 2.6.14, Siril 1.4.2, deCONZ 2.18.2, ASCOM 7.1.0.4707
   
• AstroMain 3.84.4, AstroPlan 1.47.4, AstroShCap 1.3.23, AstroGuard 1.13.2
  AstroMag 1.5.12, AstroVOE 2.0.1, AstroSN 1.16.2, AstroProtect 1.7, AstroMove 1.18.7
  AstroWeather 1.31.1, AstroLaunch 1.14.10
  
  Note:  Not using AstroAllSky or AstroObsCam  (due to failed AllSky/Weather Computer)

Highlights

• Targets. 11/30 planned targets were completed with x2 targets partially completed. Other targets failed due to cloud or were cancelled when session was ended at around 01:30 due to forecast rain / cloud till dawn. In the event it didn't actually but it was cloudy. Images from some targets may be rejected due to cloud.
•  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

not available

Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast

not available

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 20:24:26 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 20:24 & 05:37 20:24:28 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (20:24) 20:24:34 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-10-09 S01460) 20:24:37   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 20:25:04   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 20:26:50   Services Started Observatory Services started 20:27:00 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 20:27:03 Session Pending Session pending (2026-10-09) 20:27:05 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-10-09) 20:27:33   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 20:27:36   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.47.4) 20:28:39   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1261) 20:28:57   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 20:29:22 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 20:30:08   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 20:30:10 Session Running Session running 20:30:13   Queue Started Observing Queue started (30 targets selected) 20:30:20     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 20, HIP 99625) 20:30:32       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 20:34:05       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:36:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 20:39:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 20:39:25       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 20:41:23       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 20:43:19       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 20:43:43     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 20, HIP 99625) 20:44:04     Target Started (1/30) Target started (1/30, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) 20:47:49       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 20:54:03     Target Completed Target completed (1/30, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) 20:56:24     Target Started (2/30) Target started (2/30, GCVS CI Cyg) 21:01:05   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 21:01:07   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 21:01:09     Target Aborted (2/30) Target aborted (2/30, GCVS CI Cyg) due to cloud 21:01:11   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 21:01:13 Session Suspending Session suspending 21:02:01   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 21:02:04 Session Suspended Session suspended 21:06:28     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (2/30, GCVS CI Cyg) due to cloud 21:16:51     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (3/30, GCVS SS Cyg) due to cloud 21:23:08 Session Resuming Session resuming 21:23:53   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 21:23:56 Session Running Session running 21:23:58   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 21:24:01     Target Started (4/30) Target started (4/30, CGCG 248-049 w/SN2026aeaq) 21:43:12     Target Completed Target partially completed (4/30, CGCG 248-049 w/SN2026aeaq) 21:43:16     Target Started (5/30) Target started (5/30, T CrB) 21:53:45     Target Completed Target completed (5/30, T CrB) 21:53:49     Target Started (6/30) Target started (6/30, GCVS V Sge) 22:04:34     Target Completed Target completed (6/30, GCVS V Sge) 22:04:38     Target Started (7/30) Target started (7/30, LEDA 1104425 w/SN2025nou) 22:13:40 User Intervention User Intervention to abort job queue & switch back to Manual Mode 22:13:46     Target Failed (7/30) Target failed due to aborted (7/30, LEDA 1104425 w/SN2025nou) 22:13:48   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 22:13:50 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode 22:14:18   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 22:16:14 Program Opened Program Opened (AstroMain 3.84.6) 22:16:23   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 22:17:31   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 22:17:33   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:27:59   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 22:28:46 Program Opened Program Opened (AstroMain 3.84.6) 22:28:56   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 22:29:42   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 22:29:44   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:30:35 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 22:30 & 05:37 22:30:37 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 22:30:57 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (22:30) 22:31:03 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-10-09 S01460) 22:31:58   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:32:07 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:32:12 Session Pending Session pending (2026-10-09) 22:32:14 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-10-09) 22:32:27   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 22:32:37   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1261) 22:32:51   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 22:33:15 Session Running Session running 22:33:18   Queue Started Observing Queue started (22 targets selected) 22:33:29     Target Started (9/30) Target started (9/30, GCVS BL Lac) 22:43:04     Target Completed Target completed (9/30, GCVS BL Lac) 22:43:09     Target Started (10/30) Target started (10/30, SHK 31) 22:47:33       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 23:03:44     Target Completed Target completed (10/30, SHK 31) 23:03:48     Target Started (11/30) Target started (11/30, 11P/Tempel-Swift-LINEAR) 23:08:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:10:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 23:16:06 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-10-09 S01460) 23:19:23     Target Completed Target completed (11/30, 11P/Tempel-Swift-LINEAR) 23:19:27     Target Started (12/30) Target started (12/30, Nova Sge 2026) 23:24:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:26:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 23:28:40 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-10-09 S01460) 23:34:07     Target Completed Target completed (12/30, Nova Sge 2026) 23:34:11     Target Started (13/30) Target started (13/30, PCG 0011+0544) 23:54:05     Target Completed Target completed (13/30, PCG 0011+0544) 23:54:09     Target Started (14/30) Target started (14/30, AT2026aepi) 00:19:05     Target Completed Target completed (14/30, AT2026aepi) 00:19:09     Target Started (15/30) Target started (15/30, UGCA 12) 00:39:50     Target Completed Target completed (15/30, UGCA 12) 00:39:54     Target Started (16/30) Target started (16/30, (2) Pallas) 00:44:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:46:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 00:50:20     Target Completed Target completed (16/30, (2) Pallas) 00:50:24     Target Started (17/30) Target started (17/30, SHK 32) 01:10:56     Target Completed Target completed (17/30, SHK 32) 01:11:00     Target Started (18/30) Target started (18/30, GCVS RX And) 01:14:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:15:40       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 01:15:46       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 01:16:01       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 01:16:36       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 01:16:51       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 01:16:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 01:17:40   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:17:42   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 01:17:45     Target Aborted (18/30) Target aborted (18/30, GCVS RX And) due to cloud 01:17:47   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:17:49 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:18:36   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 01:18:38 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:20:02 User Intervention User Intervention to abort job queue & switch back to Manual Mode 01:20:05   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 01:20:07 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode 01:20:09 Session Closing Session closing 01:22:11 Session Closing Session closing 01:22:13   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 01:18, closing time 50s, zigbee 43s) 01:23:12   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 48s), Az: 90.0 deg 01:23:57   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 40s total) 01:24:21   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 01:25:18   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 01:26:13   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 01:26:16 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 01:27:14     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 01:27:58     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.4°) 01:28:04     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.4°) 01:28:06   Dome Parked Dome parked 01:30:12   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (15mA) 01:30:14 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 01:30:12 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (15mA)

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Operational Issues (2026-10-09 S1460)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• AstroNorthCam isn't generating any mp4 videos.  AstroNorthCam was put onto the Observatory Computer yesterday (2026-10-09) and will be used to collect images and videos from the NorthCam (Tapo C325WB) camera whilst the AllSky/Weather Computer is out of action. Whilst image collection is working the program is not generating any video file. Investigating, the log file shows 'Exception submitting Video Creation Job with message "The system cannot find the file specified"  'C:/More Programs/ffmpeg-8.0.1\bin\ffmpeg.exe".  This is because the ffmpeg program has never been loaded to the Observatory Computer, and certainly not at the location that AstroNorthCam expects.  Fixed by copying the 'ffmpeg-8.0.1' program folder from the 'More Programs' folder located on the copy of the hard drive saved from the old AllSky/Weather Computer. .
   Fixed 2026-10-10 (Observatory Computer, AstroNorthCam, FFmpeg)
   
• Three attempts were needed before requested Close/Finish Session routine would execute (01:18 - 01:22).  Due to forecast cloud and potential rain it was decided to end the S1460 Session at around 01:18.   The procedure didn't proceed as smoothly as hoped.  This could be due to the steps taken by the user and poor user awareness , but they might be an operational limitation in commencing the routibe when session is in a suspended state. Either way the case is worthwhile documenting and investigating  The time line is as follows:
    01:17:46  Session entered Suspending State
  01:18:36  Dome Closed
  01:18:38  Session entered Suspended State - followed by progression through SuspendedStage0 to SuspendeStage11
  01:18:51  Session Suspended on Target 19/30 (SHK 35)
  01:18:57  User request 1 to Close/Finish the Session - nothing happened during next 45s
  01:19:42  User request 2 to Close/Finish the Session - nothing happened during next 20s
  01:20:02  User request to Abort Job
  01:20:03  Job Queue has been aborted
  01:20:06  Session entered Closing State         - but session didn't progress through Closing stages
  01:20:11  Tp.ShowScope (Scope Waiting) message  - first of such 24 messages over 2 minute period
  01:22:06  Tp.ShowScope (Scope Waiting) message  - session didn't enter ClosingStage0 etc
  01:22:11  User request 3 to Close/Finish the Session - this was finally acted upon
  01:22:12  Session entered Closing Stage0 (Close Dome) - followed by progression through ClosingStage1 to ClosingStage19
  01:26:16  Session entered Finishing State
  01:30:12  Session entered Finished State   
  Questions:
   - What had to User Request 1 & 2 ?
  -  Abort Job seemed to be a critical step
  -  Why caused Session to enter Closing Stage  at 01:20:06, but then not progress.
  -  If Abort Job was critical why was user allowed to attempt Close/Finish Session without challenge.
  It is proposed to examine the code and try to follow the execution pathway.
  1) When the 'Close/Finish Session' button (btnCloseDownSession) is clicked its handler checks that
   ObsManager is running, warns user about using it when session is in manual, and checks that
   SessionState isn't one of the following (Initiating, Pending, Closing, Finishing, Finished. 
   The user that has to accept two confirmation dialogs after which 'bCloseAndFinish' is set = True
   and "User request to close/finish the session" log message is written.
2) In each 5s cycle of the ObsManager the 'DoAutomationPipeline() is called which calls
   DoAuto6_CompletedFrameJobs()' where if the following condition is true,
   CompletedFrameJobs is set = False and if bCloseAndFinish = True the EnterClosing() routine is entered

   If (gObservatoryMode = omFullyAutomated And (SessionState = SessionState.Running Or
     SessionState = SessionState.Suspended Or SessionState = SessionState.Resuming) And
     CompletedFrameJobs = True And RunningFrameJobs = False) Or
     (gObservatoryMode = omManual And RunningFrameJobs = False And Session.SessionType <> SessionType.General
       And bCloseAndFinish = True) Then
  Several modifications made to AstroMain 3.84.6
  - A bug in the above condition statement has been fixed
  - Tracing log message added on entry to & leaving EnterClosing(),  enter to handleClosing() and entry to & leave handleClosingStage0()
  - 'btnCloseDownSession' renamed as 'btnCloseAndFinishSession
  - Guard added to 'btnCloseAndFinishSession _Click' to prevent routine from running when in FullyAutomated mode and RunningFrameJobs = True
  Fine-tuned tracing in AstroMain 3.84.7 (2026-10-11).
   Issue understood and fixed 2026-10-10 (Session, AstroMain 3.84.6, User Awareness)

Small Defects

• CloudSensorListener and ForecastListeners produced "Unable  to read data from transport connection" (20:26, 20:58, 22:58).  Both the CloudSensorListener and ForecastListener produced "Unable to read data from the transport connection: An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host " exceptions in 'System Net.Sockets NetworkStream.Read' at 20:16:16, 20:58:22 and 22:58:05. These correspond directly to restarts of the AstroWeather program at 20:25, 20:58 and 22:57  in order to load new versions of the AstroWeather program.  This would indicate that sockets connection isn't being closed gracefully, but closing abruptly. From logs it should be able to find out which was the case.  Software was been changed during the course of the S1460 session as part of software development in order to get an alternative way of getting 'NorthCam Star Count' through to the AstroMain program whilst the AllSky/Weather Computer is out of service.  AstroMain 3.84.6 modified to soe only 2 lines in error log file for this exception instead of 5.
   Closed, partial fix made 2026-10-10 (Session, AstroMain 3.84.6, AstroWeather)

Continuous Improvement

• Rationalise AstroWeather logging. Currently in AstroWeather 1.32 and earlier version, log messages were written to one of 4 log files:
     Logfile1(Weather & Cloud).txt, Logfile2(Forecast).txt, Logfile3 (Charts).txt and Logfile4(Other).txt
  which are held in AstroWeather's program folder.  The log files are restarted each time that AstroWeather is restarted.   Whilst some of these might be ok for diagnostic, the program needs to have a master datestamped logfile, that is retains message even when program is restarted, and is held in the ./AllSky Imaging/Logs folder. .
   To do 2026-10-10+ (Session, AstroMain, AstroWeather)
   
• Consider upgrading Pegasus Unity software to V3. Currently Pegasus Unity V2.12 is used on the Observatory Computer and the AllSky/Weather Computer. Version 3 was released in Dec 2025, but hasn't be installed.  Apparently it doesn't remove V2 software, which begs the questions was backend Unity taks is loaded up when a Pegaus Device is connected directly without first going through Pegasus Unity frontend, does it depend on which version of Unity Frontend was last accessed ? Options are to install V3 on the  AllSky/Weather Computer when the the new computer arrives and is set up. And then decide whether to move the Observatory Computer to use V3.
   To do 2026-10-10+ (Observatory Computer, ASCOM, Pegasus Unity V3)

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