David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1351 (2025-08-25)

Notes (S1350)

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Notes (S1352)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (0),  Small Defects (4),  Continuous Improvement (1)
	- Figures (2)
	Images from 2025-08-25  >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-08-25)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions and the relatively short night.
2. T CrB & Nova Ser 2025.  Acquire images of T CrB and the recently discovered  Nova Ser 2025

 Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• TheSky6, CCDSoft5, DeviceHub 7.0.3 RC3.4694, MeadeGeneric 1.3.12.522 , UPB 1.5,  Pulsar Dome Firmware 1.51 & Driver 6.3.10
• Pegasus UPB & Motor Focus, TCF-S 6.0.6
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.13, Siril 1.0.6, deCONZ 1.18.2, ASCOM 7.0.3 RC3
• [ DomeLink 1.0 / 1.1 - not used ]
   
• AstroMain 3.77.8,  AstroPlan 1.43.12, AstroShCap 1.3.15, AstroGuard 1.11  (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroMag 1.5.8, AstroVOE 1.15.1,  AstroSN 1.14,  AstroProtect 1.10.6,  AstroMove 1.16.2
  AstroWeather 1.27.10, AstroAllSky 3.24.4,  AstroObsCam 1.11.4 (not 1.11.5), AstroNorthCam 1.6.1, AstroLaunch 1.13.6

Highlights

• Targets. 4/21 planned  targets were successfully completed with one target partially completed. Images from two targets were later rejected due to cloud.
• T CrB & Nova Ser 2025. Both targets failed due to cloud/session suspension.
• AstroNorthCam / Stars.  Star Count from NorthCam showed good data and a good correspondance with the star count from AllSky Camera.
• CCD Camera.  No issues with CCD Camera during session.
•  Dome. There was no issues opening/closing the shutter during the session. Dome closed and parked at end of session ok.

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 Top axis: Sky Brightness at Zenith (in ADU/s) Lefthand axis: Local Time (hh LT). Righthand axis: Sun Altitude (degs) Note:  The NorthCam Star Count line is unreliable and should be ignored (The AstroNorthCam 'Find' Star method is producing many false positives from clouds)

Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast

Session Event Log

Time     Event Detail 21:03:24 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:11 & 03:59 21:03:28   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 21:11 21:11:19   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to cloud 21:45:53 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:45) 21:46:05   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 21:46:20 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2025-08-25 S01351, ImageSaveNum: 1351001) 21:46:27   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 21:48:10   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:48:20 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:48:22   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to cloud 21:48:25 Session Pending Session pending (2025-08-25) 21:48:27 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-08-25) 21:48:46   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 21:48:52   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.43.14) 21:49:24   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1137) 21:50:04   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:50:28 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 21:51:13   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 21:51:53 Session Running Session running 21:51:56   Queue Started Observing Queue started (21 targets selected) 21:51:58     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 21:52:13       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 21:55:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:57:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 22:00:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 22:00:10       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:01:59       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 22:03:37       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 22:03:56     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 22:05:20     Target Started (1/21) Target started (1/21, AT2025sdf (CV)) 22:10:33       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 22:17:08     Target Completed Target completed (1/21, AT2025sdf (CV)) 22:17:20     Target Started (2/21) Target started (2/21, HIP 87937) 22:19:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:21:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 22:24:51     Target Completed Target completed (2/21, HIP 87937) 22:25:42     Target Started (3/21) Target started (3/21, Nova Ser 2025) 22:29:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:30:57       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 22:36:52     Target Completed Target completed (3/21, Nova Ser 2025) 22:38:02     Target Started (4/21) Target started (4/21, GCVS CY Lyr) 22:40:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:43:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 22:47:37     Target Completed Target completed (4/21, GCVS CY Lyr) 22:48:20     Target Started (5/21) Target started (5/21, T CrB) 22:53:21     Target Aborted (5/21) Target aborted (5/21, T CrB) due to User Intervention 22:53:35       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 22:53:37   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 22:53:39   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 22:53:41   Queue Paused Observing Queue pausing for Session Suspension 22:53:43 Session Suspending Session suspending 22:54:30   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 42s) 22:54:33 Session Suspended Session suspended 22:56:35 Session Resuming Session resuming 22:56:45   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 22:56:47   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 22:56:49     Target Aborted (6/21) Target aborted (6/21, UGC 10058 w/SN2025gvs) due to cloud 22:56:51   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 22:57:20   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 22:57:23 Session Running Session running 22:57:26   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 22:57:28   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 22:57:30   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 22:57:32       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 22:59:25 Session Suspending Session suspending 23:00:11   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 45s, Zigbee 42s) 23:00:14 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:18:32     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (6/21, UGC 10058 w/SN2025gvs) due to cloud 23:21:23 Session Resuming Session resuming 23:21:33   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 23:21:35   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 23:21:37     Target Aborted (7/21) Target aborted (7/21, SN 2025taz) due to cloud 23:21:39   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 23:22:07   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 23:22:10 Session Running Session running 23:22:13   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 23:22:15   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 23:22:17   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 23:22:19       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 23:24:13 Session Suspending Session suspending 23:24:58   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 45s, Zigbee 42s) 23:25:01 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:31:38 Session Resuming Session resuming 23:32:24   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 39s) 23:32:26 Session Running Session running 23:32:29   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 23:32:31     Target Started (7/21) Target started (7/21, SN 2025taz) 23:34:14       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 23:35:14       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 23:44:55       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 23:44:57   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 23:44:59   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 23:45:01     Target Aborted (7/21) Target aborted (7/21, SN 2025taz) due to cloud 23:45:03   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 23:45:05 Session Suspending Session suspending 23:45:50   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 42s) 23:45:54 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:51:07     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (8/21, 61 Cyg) due to cloud 00:10:29     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (9/21, SN 2024aeey) due to cloud 00:32:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (10/21, UGC 10809 w/AT2025vaw) due to cloud 00:45:08     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (11/21, GCVS BL Lac) due to cloud 01:25:20     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (12/21, NSV 14339) due to cloud 01:44:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (13/21, NGC 7331 w/SN2025rbs) due to cloud 01:56:01     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/21, GCVS HH And) due to cloud 02:15:26     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/21, UGCA 5) due to cloud 02:26:48     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/21, WDS GRB 34) due to cloud 02:39:06     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/21, GSC 1224:29) due to cloud 02:51:33     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/21, Gliese 65) due to cloud 03:11:18     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (19/21, UGC 1206 w/SN2025pao) due to cloud 03:33:38     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (20/21, UGC 1814 w/SN2025oas) due to rain 04:05:58     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/21, UGC 4973 w/SN2025ovr) due to cloud 04:06:02   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 04:06:07 Session Closing Session closing 04:06:11   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 23:45, closing time 50s, zigbee 42s) 04:07:23   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 60s), Az: 90.0 deg 04:08:05   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 36s total) 04:08:35   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 04:08:57   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 04:10:24   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 04:10:27 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 04:10:39     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 04:11:21     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.4°) 04:11:26     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.4°) 04:11:29   Dome Parked Dome parked 04:13:57   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (21mA) 04:13:59 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 04:13:57 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (21mA)

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Operational Issues (2025-08-25 S1351)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (0)
• Small Defects (4)
• Continuous Improvement (1)
• Figures (2)
  

Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• None

Small Defects

• Position of CY Lyr is incorrectly shown on realtime main frame pictures (22:44). Position of  CY Lyr (marked by blue circle) is incorrect on the three real-time main frame pictures (first of these frames is shown in Fig 1). Investigating shows that CY Lyr position is correctly shown on realtime Locate Frame picture (see Fig 2a),  and is correctly shown on main frame pictures from an earlier session (S1346, 2025-08-09) . The Guiding Summary Plot from S1351 session shows that there were significant issue holding guide position during focusing for CY Lyr between the Locate Frame and the Main Frames. The difficulties were actually witnessed over remote computer connection and the invalid guiding nudges can likely explain the mispositioning of the star in realtime pictures.  Analysis of log shows that the position of 9 brightest stars are recoderd in the Locate Frame (22:39:08).  But when in came to matching star in Main Frame image to those in Locate Frame (22:44:58) the log records "Not enough Matched stars (nStars 9, nMatches -99)", logged by CalculateImageShift() routine.  In such a situation the cyan circle should probably not be drawn.  A separate Continuous Improvement ticket has been raised to improve AstroMain routines.. 
  Closed after review 2025-08-26 (Session, PHD2 Guiding)
   
• AstroMain's 'Start FV (.FIT)' and 'Start FV (.FIT.fit)' operations are not always opeining all the requiring windows/dialogs in FV.  AstroMain was previously etxend to open image and image scale windows, but these windows are not always opened. Proposal is to increase the time to allow Button messagese to feed through to FV application before focus moves back to AstroMain. these windows to open.
  Fixed  2025-08-26 (AstroMain 3.77.9)
   
• Unable to access and set Simulated Powerbox Switches on Observatory Computer (2025-08-26).  Whilst attempting to test Target Display on realtime pictures the Connection To Telescope couldn't be made. This may relate to changes to Powerbox from v1 to v3 in recent weeks. Running in debugger showed that exception was occuring in RunObsMonitor() loop with message "GetSwitch set - '26' is an invalid value. The valid range is: 0 to 21"  Fixed by increasing number of Switches in Simulator to 26+ (including 'AutoDew 1'
  Fixed  2025-08-26 (AstroMain 3.77.9, Development Computer, Simulator.Switch)
   
• Unable to take Simulator Camera Images on Observatory Computer (2025-08-26).  Whilst attempting to test Target Display on realtime pictures it was found that images couldn't be taken as the CCDSoft Camera kept being restarted / with message "Closing USB Port first due to unresponsive CCDSoft".   This is most likely due to check being added to resolve Camera issues on the live system in the Observatory.   After restarting AstroMain the problem went away so it is presumed to be just a glitch. However a little later the problem occurred again. But again fixed by restarting AstroMain / CCDSoft.
  Closed but monitor 2025-08-26 (AstroMain, Development Computer)