David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1467 (2026-10-18)

Notes (S1466)

Notes Main

Home Page

Notes (S1468)

	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 (5)
	- Figures (0)
	Images from 2026-10-18  >>
	Current/Latest Session >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2026-10-18)

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 3.84.13, 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 1.19.2
  
• AstroWeather 1.33.6, AstroLaunch 1.14.10 / 1.14.11
   
• AstroAllSky, AstroObsCam  & CumulusMX/Weather Station not used (due to failed AllSky/Weather Computer)

Highlights

• Targets. 35/38 planned targets were completed with 1 target partially completed. Other targets failed due to cloud. Images from a number of targets will likely be rejected due to poor guiding and/or 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 18:05:02 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:11 & 05:56 18:05:03   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 19:11 19:11:03 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:11) 19:11:09 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-10-18 S01467) 19:11:12   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 19:11:38   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 19:13:25   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:13:35 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 19:13:38 Session Pending Session pending (2026-10-18) 19:13:40 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-10-18) 19:14:07   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 19:14:15   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.47.5) 19:15:19   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1268) 19:15:37   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 19:16:02 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 19:16:47   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 19:16:50 Session Running Session running 19:16:52   Queue Started Observing Queue started (38 targets selected) 19:16:58     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 20, HIP 99625) 19:17:13       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 19:20:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:23:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 19:26:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 19:26:23       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 19:28:35       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 19:30:36       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 19:31:00     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 20, HIP 99625) 19:31:04     Target Started (1/38) Target started (1/38, NGC 6070 w/SN2026ejy) 19:38:25       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 19:54:41     Target Completed Target completed (1/38, NGC 6070 w/SN2026ejy) 19:54:46     Target Started (2/38) Target started (2/38, GCVS U Her) 19:58:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:01:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 20:08:43     Target Completed Target completed (2/38, GCVS U Her) 20:08:47     Target Started (3/38) Target started (3/38, GCVS AM Her) 20:13:08       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:15:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 20:20:53     Target Completed Target completed (3/38, GCVS AM Her) 20:20:57     Target Started (4/38) Target started (4/38, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) 20:25:02       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 20:27:49   Observatory Door Observatory Door has opened 20:27:54   Observatory Door Observatory Door has closed (open time 5s) 20:28:57   Observatory Door Observatory Door has opened 20:29:07   Observatory Door Observatory Door has closed (open time 10s) 20:31:14     Target Completed Target completed (4/38, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) 20:31:18     Target Started (5/38) Target started (5/38, T CrB) 20:35:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:37:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 20:41:44     Target Completed Target completed (5/38, T CrB) 20:42:03     Target Started (6/38) Target started (6/38, AT2026abxn) 20:45:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:48:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 21:04:21     Target Completed Target completed (6/38, AT2026abxn) 21:04:25     Target Started (7/38) Target started (7/38, GCVS V Sge) 21:08:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:11:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 21:15:21     Target Completed Target completed (7/38, GCVS V Sge) 21:15:25     Target Started (8/38) Target started (8/38, GCVS BL Lac) 21:19:07       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:21:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 21:25:35     Target Completed Target completed (8/38, GCVS BL Lac) 21:25:40     Target Started (9/38) Target started (9/38, GCVS HH And) 21:29:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:31:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 21:33:58     Target Completed Target completed (9/38, GCVS HH And) 21:34:02     Target Started (10/38) Target started (10/38, UGC 12862 w/AT2026kjy) 21:37:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:40:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 21:56:30     Target Completed Target completed (10/38, UGC 12862 w/AT2026kjy) 21:56:34     Target Started (11/38) Target started (11/38, M31 w/AT2026wvv) 21:59:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:03:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 22:19:25     Target Completed Target completed (11/38, M31 w/AT2026wvv) 22:19:29     Target Started (12/38) Target started (12/38, GCVS RX And) 22:22:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:25:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 22:28:05     Target Completed Target completed (12/38, GCVS RX And) 22:28:09     Target Started (13/38) Target started (13/38, GCVS U And) 22:31:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:34:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 22:43:16     Target Completed Target completed (13/38, GCVS U And) 22:43:20     Target Started (14/38) Target started (14/38, MCG +7-4-9 w/SN2026bss) 22:46:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:49:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 23:05:44     Target Completed Target completed (14/38, MCG +7-4-9 w/SN2026bss) 23:05:49     Target Started (15/38) Target started (15/38, GCVS DY Per) 23:09:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:12:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 23:17:58     Target Completed Target completed (15/38, GCVS DY Per) 23:18:02     Target Started (16/38) Target started (16/38, AT2026lkf) 23:22:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:25:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 23:41:22     Target Completed Target completed (16/38, AT2026lkf) 23:41:27     Target Started (17/38) Target started (17/38, GCVS SS Cyg) 23:45:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:47:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 23:51:17     Target Completed Target completed (17/38, GCVS SS Cyg) 23:51:22     Target Started (18/38) Target started (18/38, PCG 2324+0051) 23:55:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:58:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 00:14:38     Target Completed Target completed (18/38, PCG 2324+0051) 00:14:43     Target Started (19/38) Target started (19/38, UGCA 9) 00:36:22     Target Completed Target completed (19/38, UGCA 9) 00:36:26     Target Started (20/38) Target started (20/38, AT2026afec (CV)) 00:58:42     Target Completed Target completed (20/38, AT2026afec (CV)) 00:58:47     Target Started (21/38) Target started (21/38, SHK 43) 01:02:56       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 01:19:20     Target Completed Target completed (21/38, SHK 43) 01:19:25     Target Started (22/38) Target started (22/38, (2) Pallas) 01:31:55     Target Completed Target completed (22/38, (2) Pallas) 01:31:59     Target Started (23/38) Target started (23/38, SHK 41) 01:52:33     Target Completed Target completed (23/38, SHK 41) 01:52:37     Target Started (24/38) Target started (24/38, UGC 622 w/AT2026mjx) 01:56:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:58:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 02:14:51     Target Completed Target completed (24/38, UGC 622 w/AT2026mjx) 02:14:55     Target Started (25/38) Target started (25/38, 11P/Tempel-Swift-LINEAR) 02:18:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:21:52       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 02:25:57   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 02:25:59   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 02:26:03     Target Aborted (25/38) Target aborted (25/38, 11P/Tempel-Swift-LINEAR) due to cloud 02:26:05   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 02:26:08 Session Suspending Session suspending 02:26:57   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 02:26:59 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:44:56     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (26/38, CGCG 415-003 w/SN2026stl) due to cloud 03:03:40     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (27/38, 220P/McNaught) due to cloud 03:07:56 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:08:41   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 03:08:43 Session Running Session running 03:08:46   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:08:48     Target Started (28/38) Target started (28/38, 88P/Howell) 03:23:48     Target Completed Target completed (28/38, 88P/Howell) 03:23:52     Target Started (29/38) Target started (29/38, GSC 1224:29) 03:25:07   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 03:25:09   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 03:25:12     Target Aborted (29/38) Target aborted (29/38, GSC 1224:29) due to cloud 03:25:14   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:25:16 Session Suspending Session suspending 03:25:58   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 45s, Zigbee 43s) 03:26:00 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:33:37     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (29/38, GSC 1224:29) due to too few stars 03:35:19 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:36:04   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 03:36:05 Session Running Session running 03:36:07   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:36:09     Target Started (30/38) Target started (30/38, NGC 1300) 03:41:19       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 04:03:45     Target Completed Target completed (30/38, NGC 1300) 04:03:49     Target Started (31/38) Target started (31/38, UGC 3014) 04:07:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:10:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 04:26:46     Target Completed Target completed (31/38, UGC 3014) 04:26:50     Target Started (32/38) Target started (32/38, Berkeley 19). Using SharpCap 04:28:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:31:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 04:40:39       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 04:40:41     Target Completed Target completed (32/38, Berkeley 19) 04:40:43     Target Started (33/38) Target started (33/38, GCVS U Gem) 04:46:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:49:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23) 04:52:19     Target Completed Target completed (33/38, GCVS U Gem) 04:52:24     Target Started (34/38) Target started (34/38, PCG 0915+2130) 04:56:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:58:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 24) 05:15:04     Target Completed Target completed (34/38, PCG 0915+2130) 05:15:09     Target Started (35/38) Target started (35/38, CGCG 151-063 w/SN2026aeif) 05:34:48     Target Completed Target completed (35/38, CGCG 151-063 w/SN2026aeif) 05:34:52     Target Started (36/38) Target started (36/38, GCVS ER UMa) 05:38:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:41:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 25) 05:45:45     Target Completed Target completed (36/38, GCVS ER UMa) 05:45:49     Target Started (37/38) Target started (37/38, GCVS RZ LMi) 05:49:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:51:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 26) 05:57:22     Target Completed Target completed (37/38, GCVS RZ LMi) 05:57:26     Target Started (38/38) Target started (38/38, NGC 3441 w/AT2026aexm) 06:02:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:04:59       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 27) 06:21:21     Target Completed Target completed (38/38, NGC 3441 w/AT2026aexm) 06:21:23   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:21:26 Session Closing Session closing 06:22:15   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 06:22:39   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 16s), Az: 90.1 deg 06:23:27   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 42s total) 06:23:51   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 06:24:48   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:25:41   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:25:44 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:27:42     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 06:28:26     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.2°) 06:28:33     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.3°) 06:28:35   Dome Parked Dome parked 06:28:44   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (25mA) 06:28:47 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 06:28:44 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (25mA)

Back to Top

Operational Issues (2026-10-18 S1467)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (1)
• Small Defects (0)
• Continuous Improvement (5)
• Figures (0)
  

[ Prev | Next ]

Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• There was an issue with strichen spikes during guiding on first few targets in session.  Guiding Charts for the first few targets in session show semi-regular strichen like spikes around 1 every 2-3 minutes. All five 180s exposure for target 1/38 () had one of these events and are not usable as a consequence (see Fig 1 and Fig 2).  THe occurance of spike is made worse, as AstroMain's guiding supervisor automatically suspends guiding corrections for an interval of time (get value from code). This was originally added to avoid trying to follow a lost star due to cloud.  But in these new cases,  the shift is happening when guide star SNR is constant up until the spike, and continued guide monitoring shows that the guide star doesn't come back to its former position by itself and errors can actually get worse.  The shif is mostly in RA, but typically there is also some shift in Dec. When guide corrections are resumed, there can sometime be overcompensation in RA, but this would still occur if guiding was permitted as soon as spike occurs and guide star is refound. It is proposed to mitigate the spike by correction as soon as guide star become found again. Implemented in AstroMain 3.84.14+
   To do 2026-10-19 (AstroMain 3.84.14)

Small Defects

• Precip. Next 15min and Next Forecast Rain are not displayng in AstroGuard (2026-10-21). After fixing AsroGuard to show Scorecard fields it is notiiced that whilst field are display for Light, Clarity and Rain the Precip Next 15min and Next Forecast Fields are blanked. This is due to the Scorcard no longer containing Next 15 Min and Next Rain Forecasts.   Fixed in AstroGuard 1.14
   Fixed 2026-10-21 (AstroGuard 1.14)

Continuous Improvement

• Add button to AstroLaunch to allow speedy swapping between Observatory and AllSky Launch Tabs.  Whilst the Observatory is operating in reduced Support Mode and is using AstroWeather, AstroNorthCam the only way of  launching these two programs using the AstroLaunch is to open settings and click on AllSky Program Mode radio button, which brings up the AllSky Launch tab.   To go back again, the Setting tab has to be accessed again and the Observatory Program Mode selected from the radio button options.  It is proposed to add a 'Mode' button to quickly toggle between the two launch tabs - this is achieved in the button handler by calling either SetProgramMode(pmAllSky) or SetProgramMode(pmObservatory) as appropriate.  Implemented in AstroLaunch 1.14.11.
   Done 2026-10-19 (AstroLaunch 1.14.11)
   
• Add Az/Alt to AstroMain's Target Information Chart. It would be useful to add a 'Az/Alt line' to the Target Information Chart that is generated at run time. Implemented in AstroMain 3.84.15.
   Done  2026-10-22 (AstroMain 3.84.15)
   
• Add Scorecard Data Panel to AstroWeather's Data(2) Tab. It would be useful to add a 'Scorecard' data panel to AstroWeather in order to QC and Compare Scorecard vin AstroWeather with Scorecard values displayed in AstroMain/AstroGuard. There is no room to put a panel on the Data tab and it will therfore need to be pu on the secondary Data tab. Implemented in AstroWeather 1.33.17.
   Done  2026-10-22 (AstroWeather 1.33.17)
   
• It would be useful to add buttons on AstroPlan's Session Page and Plan Page to quickly jump between from one to the other closing and opening forms as appropriate.  It is awkward to close Plan forms and select/open Session Forms for the same date and vice versa, it would be useful to be able to automate this taks via a buttons. It would be useful to remove the 'Open Chart Folder' as it is not necessary to open for user to have to close it without benefit in the new workflow, a button to open the folder already exists for user if access is needed.  Implemented in AstroPlan 1.47.6
   To do 2026-10-19 (AstroPlan 1.47.6)
   
• Order electrical components for building the replacement magnetometer.  New resistors, capacitors are need for the project to remediate the observatory's 3-axis magnetometer. Items required 3 x 10uF, 25V Tantalum Capacitor,  3 x 100nF, 25V Ceramic Capacitor, piping/connectors for new downhole body.
   To do 2026-10-19 (Online Shopping)

[ Prev | Next ]

Back to Top Issue,  Back to Top

[ Prev | Next ]

Back to Top Issue,  Back to Top