David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1463 (2026-10-13)

Notes (S1462)

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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 (0),  Small Defects (2),  Continuous Improvement (2)
	- Figures (0)
	Images from 2026-10-13  >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2026-10-13)

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 3.84.9, AstroPlan 1.47.5, AstroShCap 1.3.23, AstroGuard 1.13.2
  AstroMag 1.5.12, AstroVOE 2.0.1, AstroSN 1.16.2, AstroProtect 1.7, AstroMove 1.19
  AstroWeather 1.31.2, AstroLaunch 1.14.10
   
  
• AstroAllSky, AstroObsCam  & CumulusMX/Weather Station not used (due to failed AllSky/Weather Computer)

Highlights

• Targets. 31/35 planned targets were completed with 1 targets partially completed. Remaining 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 18:28:13 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:23 & 05:46 18:28:15   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 19:23 19:23:36   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to cloud 19:33:37 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:33) 19:33:43 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-10-13 S01463) 19:33:47   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 19:34:14   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 19:36:07   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:36:18 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 19:36:20   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to cloud 19:36:22 Session Pending Session pending (2026-10-13) 19:36:24 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-10-13) 19:36:56   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 19:37:00   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.47.5) 19:38:11   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1264) 19:38:26   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 19:38:50 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 19:39:36   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 0s) 19:39:37 Session Running Session running 19:39:38   Queue Started Observing Queue started (35 targets selected) 19:39:48     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 20, HIP 99625) 19:40:00       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 19:44:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:46:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 19:49:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 19:49:49       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 19:51:59       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 19:54:02       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 19:54:28     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 20, HIP 99625) 19:54:32     Target Started (1/35) Target started (1/35, HIP 87937) 19:57:05       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:59:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 20:03:40     Target Completed Target completed (1/35, HIP 87937) 20:03:44     Target Started (2/35) Target started (2/35, T CrB) 20:09:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:12:00       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed (failed QC check - RmsE) 20:16:21     Target Completed Target completed (2/35, T CrB) 20:16:26     Target Started (3/35) Target started (3/35, CGCG 248-049 w/SN2026aeaq) 20:37:05     Target Completed Target completed (3/35, CGCG 248-049 w/SN2026aeaq) 20:37:09     Target Started (4/35) Target started (4/35, GCVS S Cyg) 20:41:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:44:30       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 20:55:11     Target Completed Target completed (4/35, GCVS S Cyg) 20:55:15     Target Started (5/35) Target started (5/35, NGC 7331 w/SN2026aaiv) 21:15:50     Target Completed Target completed (5/35, NGC 7331 w/SN2026aaiv) 21:15:55     Target Started (6/35) Target started (6/35, SHK 83) 21:20:18       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:23:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 21:39:12     Target Completed Target completed (6/35, SHK 83) 21:39:16     Target Started (7/35) Target started (7/35, SHK 27) 21:43:42       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 21:59:48     Target Completed Target completed (7/35, SHK 27) 21:59:53     Target Started (8/35) Target started (8/35, PCG 2221-0105) 22:04:24       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 22:20:39     Target Completed Target completed (8/35, PCG 2221-0105) 22:20:55     Target Started (9/35) Target started (9/35, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) 22:25:24       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 22:31:37     Target Completed Target completed (9/35, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) 22:33:15     Target Started (10/35) Target started (10/35, AT2026kqj (CV)) 22:36:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:39:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 22:55:18     Target Completed Target completed (10/35, AT2026kqj (CV)) 22:55:22     Target Started (11/35) Target started (11/35, 61 Cyg) 22:57:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:59:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 23:02:04     Target Completed Target completed (11/35, 61 Cyg) 23:02:32     Target Started (12/35) Target started (12/35, GCVS BL Lac) 23:06:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:09:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 23:13:02     Target Completed Target completed (12/35, GCVS BL Lac) 23:13:06     Target Started (13/35) Target started (13/35, GCVS EV Lac) 23:16:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:19:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 23:21:56     Target Completed Target completed (13/35, GCVS EV Lac) 23:22:00     Target Started (14/35) Target started (14/35, WDS GRB 34) 23:25:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:27:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 23:30:04     Target Completed Target completed (14/35, WDS GRB 34) 23:30:20     Target Started (15/35) Target started (15/35, M31 w/M31N 2026-06c?) 23:33:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:36:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 23:52:30     Target Completed Target completed (15/35, M31 w/M31N 2026-06c?) 23:52:34     Target Started (16/35) Target started (16/35, GCVS RX And) 23:56:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:58:30       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 00:01:10     Target Completed Target completed (16/35, GCVS RX And) 00:02:00     Target Started (17/35) Target started (17/35, UGCA 15) 00:06:55       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 00:29:58     Target Completed Target completed (17/35, UGCA 15) 00:30:32     Target Started (18/35) Target started (18/35, SHK 265) 00:35:11       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 00:51:49     Target Completed Target completed (18/35, SHK 265) 00:52:52     Target Started (19/35) Target started (19/35, SHK 35) 00:56:41       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 01:13:26     Target Completed Target completed (19/35, SHK 35) 01:15:12     Target Started (20/35) Target started (20/35, Gliese 65) 01:21:04       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:23:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 01:31:31     Target Completed Target completed (20/35, Gliese 65) 01:31:35     Target Started (21/35) Target started (21/35, PCG 0209+1039) 01:35:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:37:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 01:53:46     Target Completed Target completed (21/35, PCG 0209+1039) 01:53:51     Target Started (22/35) Target started (22/35, 11P/Tempel-Swift-LINEAR) 01:57:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:59:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 02:09:21     Target Completed Target completed (22/35, 11P/Tempel-Swift-LINEAR) 02:09:25     Target Started (23/35) Target started (23/35, GCVS GK Per) 02:15:27     Target Completed Target completed (23/35, GCVS GK Per) 02:15:31     Target Started (24/35) Target started (24/35, NGC 931 w/AT2026fpd) 02:19:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:21:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 02:38:28     Target Completed Target completed (24/35, NGC 931 w/AT2026fpd) 02:38:32     Target Started (25/35) Target started (25/35, 220P/McNaught) 02:44:13       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 02:55:14     Target Completed Target completed (25/35, 220P/McNaught) 02:55:18     Target Started (26/35) Target started (26/35, SHK 278) 02:59:28       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 03:16:13     Target Completed Target completed (26/35, SHK 278) 03:16:17     Target Started (27/35) Target started (27/35, 88P/Howell) 03:20:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:23:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 03:34:25     Target Completed Target completed (27/35, 88P/Howell) 03:34:29     Target Started (28/35) Target started (28/35, PCG 0303+0847) 03:38:34       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 03:55:00     Target Completed Target completed (28/35, PCG 0303+0847) 03:55:04     Target Started (29/35) Target started (29/35, GCVS GW Ori) 03:58:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:01:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 04:14:09     Target Completed Target completed (29/35, GCVS GW Ori) 04:14:48     Target Started (30/35) Target started (30/35, M78) 04:20:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:23:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 04:56:50     Target Completed Target completed (30/35, M78) 04:56:54     Target Started (31/35) Target started (31/35, Berkeley 76). Using SharpCap 05:02:47       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:05:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 05:14:15       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 05:14:18     Target Completed Target completed (31/35, Berkeley 76) 05:14:20     Target Started (32/35) Target started (32/35, UGC 4424 w/SN2026aaee) 05:25:03   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 05:25:05   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 05:25:09     Target Aborted (32/35) Target aborted (32/35, UGC 4424 w/SN2026aaee) due to cloud 05:25:11   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 05:25:14 Session Suspending Session suspending 05:25:58   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 45s, Zigbee 0s) 05:26:00 Session Suspended Session suspended 05:28:06     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (32/35, UGC 4424 w/SN2026aaee) due to cloud 05:40:24     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (33/35, GCVS ER UMa) due to cloud 05:51:32     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (34/35, GCVS RZ LMi) due to cloud 06:22:22     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (35/35, CGCG 008-040 w/SN2026jsg) due to cloud 06:22:26   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:22:29 Session Closing Session closing 06:22:31   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 05:25, closing time 45s, zigbee 0s) 06:23:03   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 22s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:23:47   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 37s total) 06:24:10   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 06:25:14   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:26:06   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:26:09 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:28:21     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 06:29:06     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 89.9°) 06:29:12     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: +0.1°) 06:29:14   Dome Parked Dome parked 06:31:34   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (8mA) 06:31:36 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 06:31:34 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (8mA)

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Operational Issues (2026-10-13 S1463)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (0)
• Small Defects (2)
• Continuous Improvement (3)
• Figures (0)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• None

Small Defects

• CcdCamera GetProperty calls continue to time-out at common points in Job Execution Sequence. Error Logs from recent session (S1459-S1462) show that CcdCamera GetProperty time-out events are nearly all associated with a specific part of the Job Execution Sequence around the time the Cam2 Guide Reference Frame (10s exp) is imported.  Initially it appear to be related to the opening of the Reference Frame and a bOpeningGuideReferenceFrame  flag was introduced in AstroMain 3.84.7 that was raised whilst the Fits Image gets opened in CCDSoft allowing the Get Property time-out events to be flagged as orange  warnings '(warn)' rather than red errors '(error)'. However tracing added in AstroMain 3.84.9 now shows that the calls to 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. The log data and seems to conclusively show that the issue is not associated with open the Reference Frame's Fits File, and after examination of the code the next likely culprit is the call to Image.InsertWCS(, as this is known to occupy CCDSoft's focus and responsiveness.  A new Flag bInsertingWCS has been added in AstroMain 3.84.10 that is raised whilst performing this action and used by the CcdCamera.WriteGetPropertyTimeOut () routine. This was worked during second part of S1464 session when AstroMain 3.84.10 was used. The older references to Flag.bOpeningGuideRefFrame can be removed as they are redundant.
   Fixed 2026-10-14 (AstroMain 3.84.10, CCDSoft)
   
• Residual issues with AstroWeather Graph Boxes for 'Outside Humidity', 'Outside Dew Point', 'Rain in last 24 hours' .  AstroWeather 1.32.2 was fixed so that when there are some residual issues: Outside Humidity (ChartID=73) is shows  "-1"   Outside Dew Point (ChartID=54) shows "0.0" and Rain in last 24 hours (ChartID=80) shows "0.0 mm". Issues fixed in AstroWeather 1.32.3 on 2026-10-14.
   Fixed 2026-10-14 (AstroWeather 1.32.3)

Continuous Improvement

• Move responsibility for downloading of Space Weather files from AstroAllSky to AstroWeather.   Currently in AstroAllSky 3.28.7 and earlier versions the program would download varuous Space Weather files hourly and at end of the night. During the recent outage of the AllSky/Weather Computer (due to its failure on 2026-09-28) this data isn't being collected.  This data is particularly important for example the recent kp7 geomagnetic event on night of 2026-10-10 / 2026-10-11.  Whist AstroAllSky operation can't be realistically moved to the Observatory Computer the AstroWeather program runs on the Observatory Computer when it is operating in Reduced Support Mode as it is at present and will continue to do so until the AllSky/Weather Computer is replaced/configured at end Oct.  It is approporiate to consider moving the 'download SpaceWeather files' from AstroAllSky to AstroWeather on a permanent basis. In AstroAllSky the RunCaptureInternetImages() routine is run in the following:
   - RunCaptureInternetImages(1) -  run at start of night session
   - RunCaptureInternetImages(2) - run on reaching middle of night
   - RunCaptureInternetImages(3) - run at end of night
   - RunCaptureInternetImages(4)  - captured hourly in day time
   - RunCaptureInternetImages(4)  - captured hourly in night time
  Implemented in AstroWeather 1.33.
   Done 2026-10-14 (AstroWeather 1.33, AstroAllSky 1.29)
   
• Move responsibility for copying of morning Weather Graphs from AstroAllSky to AstroWeather.   Currently in AstroAllSky 3.28.7 and earlier versions the program would copy Weather Graph files to the Session's Weather Folder at the end of each night. During the recent outage of the AllSky/Weather Computer (due to its failure on 2026-09-28) this data isn't being collected, and isn't available for downloading to an Observing Session's data folder.  Whist AstroAllSky operation can't be realistically moved to the Observatory Computer the AstroWeather program runs on the Observatory Computer when it is operating in Reduced Support Mode as it is at present and will continue to do so until the AllSky/Weather Computer is replaced/configured at end Oct.  It is approporiate to consider moving the responsibility of copying Morning Weather Graphs ( 'CopyMorningWeatherImages() ') from AstroAllSky to AstroWeather on a permanent basis. Implemented in AstroWeather 1.33.
   Done 2026-10-14 (AstroWeather 1.33, AstroAllSky 1.29)
   
• Modify AstroMove to specify and use Laptop9 as the 'AllSky/Weather Computer' source.  Currently in AstroMove 1.19.and earlier versions the AllSky/Weather Computer is tightly defined as being Laptop7, except for 'Aurora Files' tab / Copy Files from Observatory' where Laptop9 source option was added to AstroMove 1.19. It is proposed that the AllSky Computer source/destination can be defined as being either Laptop7 and Laptop9 using the 'Using Laptop 9' checkbox (cboxUsingAllSkyLaptop9).  Implemented in AstroMove 1.19.1.
   Done 2026-10-14 (AstroMove 1.19.1)

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