David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1462 (2026-10-11)

Notes (S1461)

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Notes (S1463)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (2),  Small Defects (2),  Continuous Improvement (5)
	- Figures (0)
	Images from 2026-10-11  >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2026-10-11)

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 3.84.7 / 3.84.8, 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
  
  
• AstroAllSky, AstroObsCam  & CumulusMX/Weather Station not used (due to failed AllSky/Weather Computer)

Highlights

• Targets. 15/26 planned targets were completed with 3 targets 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

not available

Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast

not available

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 21:40:31 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:40 & 05:41 21:40:33 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:40) 21:40:39 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-10-11 S01462) 21:40:42   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 21:41:08   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 21:42:56   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:43:06 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:43:08 Session Pending Session pending (2026-10-11) 21:43:10 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-10-11) 21:43:35   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 21:43:40   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.47.4) 21:44:37   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1263) 21:44:52   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:45:17 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 21:46:02   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 21:46:04 Session Running Session running 21:46:06   Queue Started Observing Queue started (26 targets selected) 21:46:13     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 22, HIP 108888) 21:46:28       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 21:52:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:55:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 21:57:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 21:57:39       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:59:42       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 22:01:39       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 22:02:02     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 22, HIP 108888) 22:02:07     Target Started (1/26) Target started (1/26, GCVS CY Lyr) 22:06:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:08:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 22:12:41     Target Completed Target completed (1/26, GCVS CY Lyr) 22:12:45     Target Started (2/26) Target started (2/26, GCVS AM Her) 22:16:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:19:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 22:24:21     Target Completed Target completed (2/26, GCVS AM Her) 22:24:25     Target Started (3/26) Target started (3/26, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) 22:28:36       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 22:34:58     Target Completed Target completed (3/26, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) 22:35:02     Target Started (4/26) Target started (4/26, GCVS CI Cyg) 22:38:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:40:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 22:44:10     Target Completed Target completed (4/26, GCVS CI Cyg) 22:44:51     Target Started (5/26) Target started (5/26, CGCG 248-049 w/SN2026aeaq) 22:48:45       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 23:05:12     Target Completed Target completed (5/26, CGCG 248-049 w/SN2026aeaq) 23:07:10     Target Started (6/26) Target started (6/26, SHK 262) 23:12:25       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 23:28:37     Target Completed Target completed (6/26, SHK 262) 23:29:30     Target Started (7/26) Target started (7/26, AT2026aepi) 23:35:18       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 23:44:18   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 23:44:20   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 23:44:23     Target Aborted (7/26) Target aborted (7/26, AT2026aepi) due to cloud 23:44:25   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 23:44:28 Session Suspending Session suspending 23:45:18   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 23:45:20 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:48:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (7/26, AT2026aepi) due to cloud 23:50:49 Session Resuming Session resuming 23:51:34   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 23:51:36 Session Running Session running 23:51:38   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 23:51:41     Target Started (8/26) Target started (8/26, GCVS DY Per) 23:57:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:00:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 00:04:29     Target Completed Target completed (8/26, GCVS DY Per) 00:04:33     Target Started (9/26) Target started (9/26, UGCA 9) 00:07:35   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 00:07:37   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 00:07:39     Target Aborted (9/26) Target aborted (9/26, UGCA 9) due to cloud 00:07:41   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:07:43 Session Suspending Session suspending 00:08:30   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 00:08:33 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:22:11     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (9/26, UGCA 9) due to cloud 00:35:12 Session Resuming Session resuming 00:35:58   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 00:36:00 Session Running Session running 00:36:02   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 00:36:04     Target Started (10/26) Target started (10/26, SHK 309) 00:50:41     Target Completed Target partially completed (10/26, SHK 309) 00:50:45     Target Started (11/26) Target started (11/26, GCVS U And) 00:54:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:56:55       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 01:06:40     Target Completed Target completed (11/26, GCVS U And) 01:06:42   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 01:07:31   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 01:08:29 Program Opened Program Opened (AstroMain 3.84.8) 01:08:39   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 01:09:21   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 01:09:23   Services Started Observatory Services started 01:09:46 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 01:09 & 05:41 01:09:48 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 01:09:50 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (01:09) 01:09:53 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-10-11 S01462) 01:10:47   Services Started Observatory Services started 01:10:58 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 01:11:02 Session Pending Session pending (2026-10-11) 01:11:04 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-10-11) 01:11:17   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 01:11:26   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1263) 01:11:36   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 01:12:00 Session Running Session running 01:12:03   Queue Started Observing Queue started (15 targets selected) 01:12:13     Target Started (12/26) Target started (12/26, SHK 41) 01:18:41       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 01:19:51   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:19:53   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 01:19:55     Target Aborted (12/26) Target aborted (12/26, SHK 41) due to cloud 01:19:58   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:20:00 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:20:46   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 01:20:49 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:23:17     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (12/26, SHK 41) due to cloud 01:45:37     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (13/26, SHK 43) due to cloud 01:55:52     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/26, 61 Cyg) due to cloud 02:05:12     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/26, GCVS BL Lac) due to cloud 02:08:23 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-10-11 S01462) 02:25:32     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/26, M31 w/M31N 2026-06c?) due to cloud 02:37:43     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/26, GCVS RX And) due to cloud 02:57:12     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/26, SHK 39) due to cloud 03:05:06 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:05:51   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 03:05:54 Session Running Session running 03:05:56   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:05:58     Target Started (19/26) Target started (19/26, SHK 270) 03:25:13     Target Completed Target partially completed (19/26, SHK 270) 03:25:17     Target Started (20/26) Target started (20/26, LEDA 3092696 w/SN2025nzh) 03:28:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:31:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 03:48:02     Target Completed Target completed (20/26, LEDA 3092696 w/SN2025nzh) 03:48:06     Target Started (21/26) Target started (21/26, 220P/McNaught) 04:04:59     Target Completed Target completed (21/26, 220P/McNaught) 04:05:04     Target Started (22/26) Target started (22/26, Nova Tau 2026) 04:08:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:11:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 04:18:22     Target Completed Target completed (22/26, Nova Tau 2026) 04:18:26     Target Started (23/26) Target started (23/26, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS)) 04:30:58     Target Completed Target completed (23/26, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS)) 04:31:03     Target Started (24/26) Target started (24/26, GCVS RZ LMi) 04:34:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:36:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 04:42:04     Target Completed Target completed (24/26, GCVS RZ LMi) 04:42:08     Target Started (25/26) Target started (25/26, IC 2177). Using SharpCap 04:45:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:47:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 05:31:55   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 05:31:57   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 05:32:37       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 05:32:40     Target Aborted (25/26) Target aborted (25/26, IC 2177) due to cloud 05:32:42   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 05:32:44 Session Suspending Session suspending 05:33:30   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 05:33:33 Session Suspended Session suspended 05:35:45 Session Resuming Session resuming 05:36:30   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 05:36:33 Session Running Session running 05:36:35   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 05:36:37     Target Started (25/26) Target started (25/26, IC 2177). Using SharpCap 05:37:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:39:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 05:47:09       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 05:47:12     Target Completed Target completed (25/26, IC 2177) 05:47:14     Target Started (26/26) Target started (26/26, NGC 2998 w/SN2026acpp) 05:52:19       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 06:09:04     Target Completed Target completed (26/26, NGC 2998 w/SN2026acpp) 06:09:06   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:09:08 Session Closing Session closing 06:09:58   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 43s) 06:10:16   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 10s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:11:03   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 43s total) 06:11:27   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 06:12:24   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:13:21   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:13:24 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:14:21     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 06:15:03     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.2°) 06:15:09     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.2°) 06:15:11   Dome Parked Dome parked 06:16:44   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (20mA) 06:16:46 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 06:16:44 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (20mA)

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Operational Issues (2026-10-11 S1462)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• New Guide Quality Chart is not displaying any data points .  AstroMain 3.84.8 contains a new chart 'GuideQualityChart' which was being tested live for the first time last night (2026-10-11) during the second half of the S1462 session.  Whilst the graph was setup, started and extended ok, and saved as .png file to session folder, it was devoid of the expected data points, even though prior testing had plotted test data ok, and was also missing Y Axis labels and X Axis labels for the first 4 hours The new chart was also saved to session folder with the original working name and not the intended final design name. The wrong chart content was also being copied to the 'Live Folder' as 'Session.GuideQualityChart.png' (the file was found to contain the content of the BestFocus Chart instead of that of the new chart). Bugs fixed in AstroMain 3.84.9..
   Fixed  2026-10-12 (AstroMain 3.84.9)
   
• Light and Clarity flags on AstroMain's ObsViewer/ObsPics aren't showing correct colour flags. Light, Clarity and potential Rain flags on ObsViewer / ObsPic pictures are showing green flags in situation where flags should be showing yellow or red. e.g. Clarity 14 is showing with green flag. This may be an issue associated with recently 'Reduced Support Mode in which the CloudSensor is running on the Observatory Computer instead of its normal location on the AllSky/Weather Computer (temporarily out of action) and the absence of the incoming Scorecard records from AstroAllSky. Investigating confirms the hypothesis, the Clarity flag's color brush is based on value of  Env.CriticalCloud , which comes from SynopsisData .Critical Cloud.   Potential fixes:
   - Change ObservatoryPicture.Draw to use hard-coded Clarity thresholds in the 'Draw Clarity' section,  o
 - Change ObservatoryPicture.Draw to call a new GetClarityFlagColour() function, with hard-coded Clarity thresholds
 - Change Env.CriticalCloudProp to return value based on either Synopsis.CriticalCloud or a hard-coded value based on VM.UsingAllSkyComputer setting.
  Fixed in AstroMain 3.84.9 by modifiying Env.CriticalCloudProp, Env.CriticalLightProp, Env.CriticalRainProp to use the same thresholds as AllSky.DrawScorecard.
   To investigate 2026-10-12 (AstroMain 3.84.9)

Small Defects

• CcdCamera GetProperty calls continue to time-out at common points in Job Execution Sequence. Error Logs from the S1459 Session show that there were three CcdCamera GetProperty time-out events.  None of these progressed to becoming  a CcdCamera freeze, but they share a common origin sand they were documented a fix in AstroMain 3.84.7 didn't work. It was finally realised that the fixes flag raising in ImageAndLink_PHD2() weren't actually being hit and the bOpeningGuideReferenceFrame  flag also needs to be raised and then lowered in the LinkCam2GuideFrame() routine. Modfications made to AstroMain 3.84.9 with extra tracing. Logs from the following S1463 session show that the calls to the GetProperty events that time-out appear to all be made after the Cam2 Reference finishes opening. The time-out events appears to associated with a 5-6s interval between the end of Cam2 Reference Frame opening and the reporting of the frame's SmartCountStars result. A new Flag bInsertingWCS has been added in AstroMain 3.84.10 that is raised whilst performing Image.InsertWcs() and LinkCam2Image() action and used by the CcdCamera.WriteGetPropertyTimeOut () routine.
   Fixed, but continue to monitor 2026-10-14 (AstroMain 3.84.10, CCDSoft)
   
• Formatting of certain report text in RichTextBox on AstroMain's Console form is anomalous (01:05). The text in console's richtextbox is poorly arranged and is anomalous (see Fig 1). The report file for the same time is entirely normal (see Fig 1b). The issue (occurred with AstroMain 3.84.7) went away when the program was restarted (AstroMain 3.84.8).  Issue closed as unexplained.
   Closed as unexplained  2026-10-12 (Session, AstroMain)
  

Continuous Improvement

• Improve format of the Y Axix title drawn on AstroMain charts .  Time based charts generated by AstroMain 3.84.8 and earlier versions (such as 'CCD Temperature' & 'Best Focus' charts and the new 'Guide Quality' chart) have the Y Axis title drawn as vertical formatted text that faces outwards (ie away from the graph). For better visual appearance the vertical text should be drawn so that it faces inwards (i.e. towards the graph). Implemented in AstroMain 3.84.9 using new general routine 'DrawYAxisTitle()' that performs a temporary g.RotateTransform(-90). Some fine tuning of the x origin for rotation may be required for optimal position of the X Axis Title.
   Done 2026-10-12 (AstroMain 3.84.9)
   
• Upload and display new Guide Quality Chart on Observatory's Current Session Page.   A new chart 'GuideQualityChart' has been added to AstroMain 3.84.8 / 3.84.9.  It is proposed to modify AstroPlan to upload the new Session.GuideQualityChart.png file to the Observatory Website and modify the 'session_current.htm' page to display it. Implemented in AstroPlan 1.47.5.  
   Done 2026-10-12 (AstroPlan 1.47.5)
   
• Extend AstroMain's 'Build Jpg Pictures Page' routine to display new 'Guide Quality Chart' on the session's local pictures page. A new chart 'GuideQualityChart' has been added to AstroMain 3.84.8 / 3.84.9.  It is proposed to extend AstroMain's 'BuildJpgPicturePageNew()' routine to display the new chart within the 'Autoguiding' Section of the session's  'Session_Pictures.htm'  page.  Implemented in AstroMain 3.84.9  
   Done 2026-10-12 (AstroMain 3.84.9)
   
• Extend AstroMain's 'Build Notes Page' routine to include the new 'Guide Quality Chart' . A new chart 'GuideQualityChart' has been added to AstroMain 3.84.8 / 3.84.9.  It is proposed to modify 'notes-template.htm'  template used by AstroMain's 'Build Notes Page' routine, GenerateSessionNotesPage(), to display the new chart within the Session Notes Page.  Implemented 2026-10-14   
   Done 2026-10-14 (AstroMain 3.84.10, Notes-Template)
   
• Modify AstroMove's 'Copy Aurora Files from Observatory' routine so that it can optionally download files from Laptop 9.  AstroMove  1.18.7 and early version are designed to download 'Aurora' or other sky event files from the AllSky/Weather Computer (Laptop7).  But due to recent failure of the AllSky/Weather Computer, AstroNorthCam is being run from the Observatory Computer (Laptop9) until the AllSky/Weather Computer is replaced and configured. In the meantime AstroMove's Download Aurora Files from Observatory routine needs to have the option of downloading files from the Laptop9.  It is proposed to add a 'Use Laptop9 files' checkbox to the 'Aurora Files' tab and use it for specified file locations for copying to the Development/Analysis Computer.  Implemented in AstroMove 1.19  
   Done 2026-10-12 (AstroMove 1.19)

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