David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1461 (2026-10-10)

Notes (S1460)

Notes Main

Home Page

Notes (S1462)

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

Session Aims & Highlights (2026-10-10)

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 3.84.6, 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. 8/13 planned targets were completed with 2 targets partially completed. Other targets failed due to cloud.
•  Dome. No issues open/closing shutter. Dome was successfully parked at the end of the session.

Notes

• .Using Observatory in Reduced AllSky/Weather Support Mode

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 00:58:58 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 00:58 & 05:39 00:59:00   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to cloud 00:59:35 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (00:59) 00:59:42 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-10-10 S01461) 00:59:45   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 01:00:10   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 01:01:58   Services Started Observatory Services started 01:02:09 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 01:02:11   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to cloud 01:02:13 Session Pending Session pending (2026-10-10) 01:02:15 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-10-10) 01:02:37   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 01:02:43   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.47.4) 01:03:40   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1262) 01:03:55   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 01:04:19 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 01:05:04   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 46s, Zigbee 40s) 01:05:06 Session Running Session running 01:05:08   Queue Started Observing Queue started (13 targets selected) 01:05:14     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 1, HIP 4911) 01:05:28       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 01:09:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:12:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 01:14:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 01:14:20       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 01:16:19       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 01:18:08       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 01:18:30     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 1, HIP 4911) 01:19:11     Target Started (1/13) Target started (1/13, GCVS BL Lac) 01:23:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:25:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 01:29:10     Target Completed Target completed (1/13, GCVS BL Lac) 01:29:29     Target Started (2/13) Target started (2/13, UGC 242 w/SN2026yum) 01:33:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:35:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 01:51:46     Target Completed Target completed (2/13, UGC 242 w/SN2026yum) 01:51:51     Target Started (3/13) Target started (3/13, AT2026aepi) 01:56:19       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 02:12:29     Target Completed Target completed (3/13, AT2026aepi) 02:14:09     Target Started (4/13) Target started (4/13, NGC 1052-DF4) 02:17:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:20:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 02:52:49     Target Completed Target completed (4/13, NGC 1052-DF4) 02:52:53     Target Started (5/13) Target started (5/13, NGC 1052-DF9) 02:59:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:01:26       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 03:33:30     Target Completed Target completed (5/13, NGC 1052-DF9) 03:33:34     Target Started (6/13) Target started (6/13, 220P/McNaught) 03:49:31     Target Completed Target completed (6/13, 220P/McNaught) 03:49:35     Target Started (7/13) Target started (7/13, NGC 2998 w/SN2026acpp) 03:53:31       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 03:54:39   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 03:54:41   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 03:54:44     Target Aborted (7/13) Target aborted (7/13, NGC 2998 w/SN2026acpp) due to cloud 03:54:46   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:54:48 Session Suspending Session suspending 03:55:29   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 45s, Zigbee 43s) 03:55:32 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:05:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (7/13, NGC 2998 w/SN2026acpp) due to cloud 04:18:57     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (8/13, GCVS RZ LMi) due to cloud 04:31:02     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (9/13, GCVS DY Per) due to cloud 04:40:43 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:41:28   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 04:41:31 Session Running Session running 04:41:33   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:41:35     Target Started (10/13) Target started (10/13, Nova Tau 2026) 04:49:07     Target Completed Target partially completed (10/13, Nova Tau 2026) 04:49:11     Target Started (11/13) Target started (11/13, GCVS RR Tau) 04:57:48     Target Completed Target completed (11/13, GCVS RR Tau) 04:57:53     Target Started (12/13) Target started (12/13, IC 2177). Using SharpCap 05:01:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:03:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 05:22:17   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 05:22:19   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 05:23:08       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 05:23:10     Target Aborted (12/13) Target aborted (12/13, IC 2177) due to cloud 05:23:12   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 05:23:14 Session Suspending Session suspending 05:24:02   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 05:24:05 Session Suspended Session suspended 05:32:33 Session Resuming Session resuming 05:33:18   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 05:33:21 Session Running Session running 05:33:23   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 05:33:25     Target Started (12/13) Target started (12/13, IC 2177). Using SharpCap 05:33:44       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-LSI) 05:43:24   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 05:43:26   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 05:44:01       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 05:44:03     Target Aborted (12/13) Target aborted (12/13, IC 2177) due to cloud 05:44:05   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 05:44:07 Session Suspending Session suspending 05:44:50   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 45s, Zigbee 43s) 05:44:52 Session Suspended Session suspended 05:57:36     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (12/13, IC 2177) due to cloud 06:03:41 Session Resuming Session resuming 06:04:26   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 06:04:28 Session Running Session running 06:04:30   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 06:04:33     Target Started (13/13) Target started (13/13, GCVS ER UMa) 06:13:00     Target Completed Target completed (13/13, GCVS ER UMa) 06:13:02   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:13:04 Session Closing Session closing 06:13:52   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 43s) 06:14:09   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 10s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:14:55   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 43s total) 06:15:19   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 06:15:58   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:16:54   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:16:57 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:17:29     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°, Wide) 06:18:28     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 91.5°) 06:18:35     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 89.6 to 93.6°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 06:19:20     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 91.4°) 06:19:26     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -1.4°) 06:19:28   Dome Parked Dome parked 06:20:37   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (19mA) 06:20:39 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 06:20:37 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (19mA)

Back to Top

Operational Issues (2026-10-10 S1461)

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

[ Prev | Next ]

Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• Multiple Chart/Data Boxes produced by AstroWeather's Weather/Environment Chart Service show 0 or 0.0 values.  The Observatory is currently operating in a Reduced Support Mode as the AllSky/Weather Computer failed on 2026-09-28 and won't be replaced/configured until end October. In the meantime AstroWeather, CloudSensor and NorthCam are operating on the Observatory Computer, but not the WeatherStation/CumulusMX or the AstroAllSky programs.  Multiple graph boxes produced by AstroWeather's Graph Service such as the current Outdoor Temperature, Outdoor Humidity,  Observatory Temperature & Observatory Humidity are showing values of 0.0 or 0%.  AstroWeather needs to be modified to show '-' when there is no data, and not 0. Most of the graph boxes already show '-' when the data value is vcNull (-99) so the issue is that data-values are allowed to have default (initial) values of 0.0 and are not set to vcNull when the Weather Station service isn't running or isn't recieving any data.  Fixed in AstroWeather 1.32.2. A new routine 'NullifyLastWeatherStationRecord()' is called from GetData() routine when the date of the last Ws record (WsData(nWsData).DateX) is more than 2 minutes.old or when there is an exception trying to get Ws data. This new routine sets each data value in WsData(nWsData) to vcNull.  Residual issues with 'Outside Humidity', 'Outside Dew Point', 'Rain in last 24 hours' were fixed in AstroWeather 1.32.3 on 2026-10-14.
   Fixed 2026-10-13 (AstroWeather 1.32.2)

Small Defects

• None

Continuous Improvement

• Consider moving production of Scorecard/Synopsis from AstroAllSky to AstroWeather.   During the recent outage of the AllSky/Weather Computer (due to its failure on 2026-09-28) its been realised that whilst AstroAllSky operation can't be realistically moved to the Observatory Computer the AstroWeather program clearly can, and when one considers that NorthCam, WeatherData , Weather Forecast Data, Cloud Sensor data comes into AstroWeather there is some sense in moving the generation of the Scorecard/Synopsis plot and data record from AstroAllSky to AstroWeather.  To achieve the same functionality a new TCP/IP link will be needed to send Light Count (adu/s), Model Count (adu/s) and Delta Count (adu/s) from AstroAllSky to AstroWeather.  Task will be difficult simply include 'AstroAllSky's Scorecard.vb module in AstroWeather code base results in 617 compile errors.  After some work, the number of Compile errors has been reduced to 232.  Many of these are references to IV record, which won't ever be used in AstroWeather.  Implemented in AstroWeather 1.33.1, and run during Session S1465 (2026-10-16). Scorecard handling still needs to be removed from AstroAllSky.
   Half Completed 2026-10-16 (AstroWeather 1.33.1, AstroAllSky)

[ Prev | Next ]

Back to Top Issue,  Back to Top