David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1464 (2026-10-15)

Notes (S1463)

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Notes (S1465)

	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)
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Session Aims & Highlights (2026-10-15)

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 / 3.84.10 , 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 1.91.1
  
• AstroWeather 1.33, AstroLaunch 1.14.10
   
• AstroAllSky, AstroObsCam  & CumulusMX/Weather Station not used (due to failed AllSky/Weather Computer)

Highlights

• Targets. 32/37 planned targets were completed with 1 target partially completed. 3 remaining targets failed 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 18:23:05 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:18 & 05:50 18:23:05   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 19:18 19:18:30   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 19:21:21 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:21) 19:21:27 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-10-15 S01464) 19:21:30   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 19:21:53   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 19:23:43   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:23:52 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 19:23:54   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 19:23:56 Session Pending Session pending (2026-10-15) 19:23:58 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-10-15) 19:24:24   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 19:24:29   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.47.5) 19:25:35   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1265) 19:25:50   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 19:26:15 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 19:27:00   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 0s) 19:27:03 Session Running Session running 19:27:05   Queue Started Observing Queue started (37 targets selected) 19:27:12     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 20, HIP 99625) 19:27:23       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 19:31:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:34:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 19:36:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 19:36:46       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 19:38:49       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 19:40:40       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 19:41:03     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 20, HIP 99625) 19:41:07     Target Started (1/37) Target started (1/37, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) 19:46:32       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 19:53:24     Target Completed Target completed (1/37, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) 19:53:28     Target Started (2/37) Target started (2/37, GCVS CY Lyr) 19:58:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:01:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 20:04:55     Target Completed Target completed (2/37, GCVS CY Lyr) 20:04:59     Target Started (3/37) Target started (3/37, GCVS SS Cyg) 20:08:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:11:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 20:14:30     Target Completed Target completed (3/37, GCVS SS Cyg) 20:14:34     Target Started (4/37) Target started (4/37, CGCG 248-049 w/SN2026aeaq) 20:19:07       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 20:35:52     Target Completed Target completed (4/37, CGCG 248-049 w/SN2026aeaq) 20:36:18     Target Started (5/37) Target started (5/37, T CrB) 20:39:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:42:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 20:47:00     Target Completed Target completed (5/37, T CrB) 20:47:14     Target Started (6/37) Target started (6/37, GCVS AM Her) 20:50:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:53:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 20:58:25     Target Completed Target completed (6/37, GCVS AM Her) 20:58:55     Target Started (7/37) Target started (7/37, AT2026cqc (CV)) 21:02:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:05:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 21:11:07     Target Completed Target completed (7/37, AT2026cqc (CV)) 21:11:11     Target Started (8/37) Target started (8/37, GCVS BL Lac) 21:14:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:17:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 21:21:07     Target Completed Target completed (8/37, GCVS BL Lac) 21:21:11     Target Started (9/37) Target started (9/37, AT2026imv) 21:25:27       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 21:41:46     Target Completed Target completed (9/37, AT2026imv) 21:41:48   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 21:42:06   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped 21:44:23 Program Opened Program Opened (AstroMain 3.84.10) 21:44:33   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started 21:45:16   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started 21:45:18   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:45:34 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:45 & 05:50 21:45:36 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 21:45:47 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:45) 21:45:53 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-10-15 S01464) 21:46:47   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:46:58 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:47:02 Session Pending Session pending (2026-10-15) 21:47:04 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-10-15) 21:47:17   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 21:47:28   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1265) 21:47:41   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:48:01 Session Running Session running 21:48:04   Queue Started Observing Queue started (28 targets selected) 21:48:14     Target Started (10/37) Target started (10/37, PCG 2312+1017) 22:10:07     Target Completed Target completed (10/37, PCG 2312+1017) 22:10:12     Target Started (11/37) Target started (11/37, PCG 2350+1437) 22:29:59     Target Completed Target completed (11/37, PCG 2350+1437) 22:30:04     Target Started (12/37) Target started (12/37, GCVS RX And) 22:33:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:35:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 22:38:17     Target Completed Target completed (12/37, GCVS RX And) 22:38:22     Target Started (13/37) Target started (13/37, GCVS Z And) 22:41:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:44:15 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-10-15 S01464) 22:44:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 22:48:04     Target Completed Target completed (13/37, GCVS Z And) 22:48:09     Target Started (14/37) Target started (14/37, PCG 2334+0037) 22:51:59       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 23:08:15     Target Completed Target completed (14/37, PCG 2334+0037) 23:10:02     Target Started (15/37) Target started (15/37, PCG 0017-0206) 23:14:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:17:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 23:18:34   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 23:18:36   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 23:18:40     Target Aborted (15/37) Target aborted (15/37, PCG 0017-0206) due to cloud 23:18:42   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 23:18:45 Session Suspending Session suspending 23:19:35   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 23:19:38 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:29:18     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/37, PCG 0017-0206) due to cloud 23:51:18     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/37, AT2026yov) due to cloud 00:13:38     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/37, UGC 717) due to cloud 00:16:20 Session Resuming Session resuming 00:17:05   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 00:17:09 Session Running Session running 00:17:11   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 00:17:13     Target Started (18/37) Target started (18/37, SHK 39) 00:20:49       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-LSI) 00:37:42     Target Completed Target completed (18/37, SHK 39) 00:39:03     Target Started (19/37) Target started (19/37, AT2026afec (CV)) 00:43:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:46:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 00:50:38       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 00:56:49       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 00:58:19       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 00:59:09       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 01:02:47     Target Completed Target completed (19/37, AT2026afec (CV)) 01:02:51     Target Started (20/37) Target started (20/37, SHK 43) 01:05:15       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 01:06:18     Target Failed (20/37) Target failed due to cloud (20/37, SHK 43) 01:06:20   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:06:22 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:07:10   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 01:07:13 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:20:38     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (20/37, SHK 43) due to cloud 01:26:02 Session Resuming Session resuming 01:26:47   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 01:26:51 Session Running Session running 01:26:54   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 01:26:56     Target Started (21/37) Target started (21/37, SHK 44) 01:49:27     Target Completed Target completed (21/37, SHK 44) 01:49:31     Target Started (22/37) Target started (22/37, UGCA 21) 02:05:56       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:06:41       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 02:07:26       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 02:11:06     Target Completed Target completed (22/37, UGCA 21) 02:11:08   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:11:12 Session Suspending Session suspending 02:12:01   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 02:12:04 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:15:06 Session Resuming Session resuming 02:15:52   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 02:15:55 Session Running Session running 02:15:57   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 02:15:59     Target Started (23/37) Target started (23/37, CGCG 415-003 w/SN2026stl) 02:35:12     Target Completed Target partially completed (23/37, CGCG 415-003 w/SN2026stl) 02:35:16     Target Started (24/37) Target started (24/37, PCG 0250+0700) 02:56:21     Target Completed Target completed (24/37, PCG 0250+0700) 02:56:26     Target Started (25/37) Target started (25/37, 220P/McNaught) 03:13:12     Target Completed Target completed (25/37, 220P/McNaught) 03:13:16     Target Started (26/37) Target started (26/37, AT2022vdr (CV)) 03:23:31     Target Completed Target completed (26/37, AT2022vdr (CV)) 03:23:35     Target Started (27/37) Target started (27/37, GCVS NV Ori) 03:27:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:30:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 03:33:34     Target Completed Target completed (27/37, GCVS NV Ori) 03:33:38     Target Started (28/37) Target started (28/37, LEDA 1288925 w/AT2026yta) 03:37:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:40:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 03:56:34     Target Completed Target completed (28/37, LEDA 1288925 w/AT2026yta) 03:56:38     Target Started (29/37) Target started (29/37, GCVS YZ Cnc) 04:00:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:02:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 04:11:15     Target Completed Target completed (29/37, GCVS YZ Cnc) 04:11:19     Target Started (30/37) Target started (30/37, NGC 2998 w/SN2026acpp) 04:32:07     Target Completed Target completed (30/37, NGC 2998 w/SN2026acpp) 04:32:11     Target Started (31/37) Target started (31/37, GCVS RZ LMi) 04:35:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:38:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 04:43:49     Target Completed Target completed (31/37, GCVS RZ LMi) 04:43:53     Target Started (32/37) Target started (32/37, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS)) 04:44:06       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 04:46:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:49:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 04:58:01     Target Completed Target completed (32/37, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS)) 04:58:05     Target Started (33/37) Target started (33/37, UGC 4424 w/SN2026aaee) 05:01:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:04:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 05:20:14     Target Completed Target completed (33/37, UGC 4424 w/SN2026aaee) 05:20:19     Target Started (34/37) Target started (34/37, GCVS SY Cnc) 05:23:53       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 05:27:12     Target Completed Target completed (34/37, GCVS SY Cnc) 05:27:27     Target Started (35/37) Target started (35/37, GCVS ER UMa) 05:27:53       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 05:31:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:35:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 05:39:08     Target Completed Target completed (35/37, GCVS ER UMa) 05:39:12     Target Started (36/37) Target started (36/37, CGCG 008-040 w/SN2026jsg) 05:43:22       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:45:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 06:02:21     Target Completed Target completed (36/37, CGCG 008-040 w/SN2026jsg) 06:02:25     Target Started (37/37) Target started (37/37, NGC 3441 w/AT2026aexm) 06:06:43       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:09:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23) 06:25:57     Target Completed Target completed (37/37, NGC 3441 w/AT2026aexm) 06:25:59   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:26:02 Session Closing Session closing 06:26:50   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 44s) 06:27:19   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 20s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:28:07   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 42s total) 06:28:31   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 06:29:28   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:30:27   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:30:30 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:32:17     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°, Wide) 06:33:21     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 91.0°) 06:33:28     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 89.0 to 93.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 06:34:27     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 91.0°) 06:34:33     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -1.0°) 06:34:35   Dome Parked Dome parked 06:36:00   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (22mA) 06:36:02 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 06:36:00 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (22mA)

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Operational Issues (2026-10-15 S1464)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• The new GuideQualityChart didn't show guide point from first 9 guide runs in session. The first 9 guide runs didn't have points drawn on the new GuideQualityChart, the chart didn't have any time labels drawn on the X Axis the first 4 hours and extended to 09:00 the following morning.  Taking opportunity of a program restart at 21:45 the chart file was deleted that allowed it to be created afresh when the session restarted. Whilst not capturing the earlier points new points where plotted ok for guide runs 10 to 34.  This likely points to one or more Chart variables not being reset when the session was created and the new chart opened, as the program instance was the same as used in the previous S1463 session (ie program wasn't restarted between sessions). Bug located: StartTime not being reset to vcNullDate when a new OpenChart() call is made. Bug fixed in AstroMain 3.84.11: code line 'StartTime = vcNullDate' added to SetupChart() routine. Also extended the WriteSessionDataFile() and ReadSessionDataFile() routines to write/read 'GuideQualityChart.StartTime' and  'GuideQualityChart.grHours'.
   Done 2026-10-16 (AstroMain 3.84.11)

Small Defects

• None

Continuous Improvement

• Add a 'Copy Name' button the AstroMain PageBuilder's Graph tab to copy Graph File Name to clipboard. It would make the task of copying the current Graph's  FileName alot easier if it can be done by a new button routine. Currently process of selecting the text in the  txtGraphFileName text box and clicking right button copy or Cntl-C is cumbersone especially when the name is longer than the width of the text box. Implemented in AstroMain 3.84.11.
   Done 2026-10-16 (AstroMain 3.84.11)

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