David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1377 (2025-11-24)

Notes (S1376)

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Notes (S1378)

	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 2025-11-24  >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-11-24)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
2. C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) - Acquire images of comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS), attempt to image the recently annouched split in comet, and new objects C/2025 K1-B & C/2025 K1-C
3. 3I/ATLAS - Acquire images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS (alias C/2025 N1 (ATLAS)
4. AstroMain - Check fixes added to AstroMain 3.78.6 for fixing issue with failed telescope slews and Dome Reconnection after a Dome Restart.

 Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• TheSky6 6.0.0.65, CCDSoft 5.00.201, DeviceHub 7.1.0.4707, MeadeGeneric 1.3.12.522, UPB 3,  Pulsar Dome Firmware 1.51 & Driver 6.3.10
• Pegasus-UI 2.10, Peg-Focuser 2.10, Peg-Switch 2.10, TCF-LSI 3.3.5
• SharpCap 3.2, PHD2  2.6.13, Siril 1.0.6, deCONZ 1.18.2, ASCOM 7.1.0.4707
• [ DomeLink 1.0 / 1.1 - not used ]
   
• AstroMain 3.78.8,  AstroPlan 1.44, AstroShCap 1.3.16, AstroGuard 1.12 (1.12.1 ?)  (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroMag 1.5.12, AstroVOE 1.15.1,  AstroSN 1.14,  AstroProtect 1.10.6,  AstroMove 1.16.3
  AstroWeather 1.29.1, AstroAllSky 3.26.1,  AstroObsCam 1.12.1 / 1.12.2, AstroNorthCam 1.7, AstroLaunch 1.14.3

Highlights

• Targets. 7/40 planned targets were completed, with a further 5 targets partially completed.  Other planned targets failed due cloud (forecasted) & session suspension. 1 ToO target (Interstellar Comet 3I/ATALAS) was submitted and largely failed due to cloud, however one image was manually acquired
• C/2025 K1 (ATLAS). Images of comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) were acquired
• 3I/ATLAS. Managed to acquire a single frame of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. Cloud conditions prevented acquire more frames
• CCD Camera.   There were no isues with the CCD Camera
•  Dome. No issues open/closing shutter. Dome was successfully parked at the end of the session

NotesNotes

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 18:56:34 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 18:56 & 06:14 18:56:38 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (18:56) 18:56:51   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 18:57:05 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2025-11-24 S01377, ImageSaveNum: 1377001) 18:57:12   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 18:59:00   Services Started Observatory Services started 18:59:10 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 18:59:14 Session Pending Session pending (2025-11-24) 18:59:16 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-11-24) 18:59:34   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C) 18:59:37   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.44) 19:00:13   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1164) 19:00:54   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 19:01:18 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 19:02:04   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 19:02:39 Session Running Session running 19:02:42   Queue Started Observing Queue started (40 targets selected) 19:02:45     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 23, HIP 113729) 19:02:57       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 19:05:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:08:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 19:10:55       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 19:10:58       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 19:12:57       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 19:14:39       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 19:14:59     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 23, HIP 113729) 19:16:05     Target Started (1/40) Target started (1/40, AT2023hxd (CV)) 19:20:36       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 19:27:09     Target Completed Target completed (1/40, AT2023hxd (CV)) 19:28:25     Target Started (2/40) Target started (2/40, GCVS BL Lac) 19:31:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:34:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 19:37:53     Target Completed Target completed (2/40, GCVS BL Lac) 19:38:43     Target Started (3/40) Target started (3/40, UGCA 3) 19:43:27       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 19:46:48       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 19:51:44       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 19:52:49   Critical RainThreat Alert Critical Rain Threat Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 19:52:51   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (threat of rain) 19:52:53     Target Aborted (3/40) Target aborted (3/40, UGCA 3) due to threat of rain 19:52:55   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 19:52:57 Session Suspending Session suspending 19:53:44   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 19:53:46 Session Suspended Session suspended 19:57:59     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (3/40, UGCA 3) due to threat of rain 20:00:30 Session Resuming Session resuming 20:01:15   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 20:01:17 Session Running Session running 20:01:19   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 20:01:21     Target Started (4/40) Target started (4/40, C/2025 R2 (SWAN)) 20:02:51     Target Aborted (4/40) Target aborted (4/40, C/2025 R2 (SWAN)) due to Priority 1 ToO Target 20:02:56     Target Started (5/42) Target started (5/42, NGC 680, ToO) 20:06:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:09:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 20:25:27       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 20:26:10     Target Completed Target completed (5/42, NGC 680, ToO) 20:26:12   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 20:26:15 Session Suspending Session suspending 20:27:03   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 20:27:05 Session Suspended Session suspended 20:35:33     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (6/42, NGC 680, ToO) due to cloud 20:35:38     Target Missed (7/42) Target's time slot was missed (7/42, GCVS CY Lyr) 20:41:30     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (8/42, C/2025 T1 (ATLAS)) due to rain 20:55:29     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (9/42, AT2023acib) due to too few stars 20:58:31 Session Resuming Session resuming 20:59:16   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 20:59:18 Session Running Session running 20:59:20   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 20:59:22     Target Started (10/42) Target started (10/42, AT2025absq) 21:00:36       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 21:01:41       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 21:02:04       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:04:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 21:20:58       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 21:21:18       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions 21:21:23     Target Completed Target completed (10/42, AT2025absq) 21:21:28     Target Started (11/42) Target started (11/42, GCVS SS Cyg) 21:23:18       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 21:24:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:27:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 21:27:43   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 21:27:45   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 21:27:51     Target Aborted (11/42) Target aborted (11/42, GCVS SS Cyg) due to cloud 21:27:53   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 21:27:56 Session Suspending Session suspending 21:28:44   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 21:28:46 Session Suspended Session suspended 21:29:37     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (11/42, GCVS SS Cyg) due to cloud 21:38:35     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (12/42, GCVS TV Cas) due to too few stars 21:38:54 Session Resuming Session resuming 21:39:40   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 21:39:42 Session Running Session running 21:39:44   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 21:39:45     Target Started (13/42) Target started (13/42, AT2022obq (CV)) 21:43:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:45:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 21:51:48     Target Completed Target completed (13/42, AT2022obq (CV)) 21:51:52     Target Started (14/42) Target started (14/42, NGC 1300 w/SN2022acko) 21:55:52       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 22:02:41       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 22:05:32   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 22:05:34   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 22:05:40     Target Aborted (14/42) Target aborted (14/42, NGC 1300 w/SN2022acko) due to cloud 22:05:42   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 22:05:44 Session Suspending Session suspending 22:06:32   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 43s) 22:06:34 Session Suspended Session suspended 22:10:19     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/42, NGC 1300 w/SN2022acko) due to cloud 22:38:51     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/42, Jones 1) due to cloud 22:52:05     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/42, GCVS Z And) due to cloud 23:11:40     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/42, M31 w/Nova M31 2025-11c?) due to cloud 23:29:36     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/42, GCVS U And) due to cloud 23:50:26     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (19/42, UGCA 75) due to rain 00:08:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (20/42, NGC 1407) due to cloud 00:30:06     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/42, UGCA 87) due to threat of rain 00:52:06     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/42, NGC 600 w/AT2025abzu) due to too few stars 01:05:41     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/42, GCVS DY Per) due to cloud 01:25:11     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/42, AT2025adxl) due to cloud 01:38:34     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/42, GCVS FO Ori) due to cloud 01:50:09     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (26/42, AT2022vdr (CV)) due to cloud 02:03:39     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (27/42, GCVS YZ Cnc) due to cloud 02:23:09     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (28/42, AT2025aefi (CV)) due to cloud 02:45:09     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (29/42, UGC 3458 w/SN2025yao) due to cloud 03:07:09     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (30/42, AT2023ctk) due to too few stars 03:07:51 Session Resuming Session resuming 03:08:36   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 03:08:39 Session Running Session running 03:08:41   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 03:08:44     Target Started (31/42) Target started (31/42, NGC 2170) 03:13:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:15:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 03:26:51     Target Completed Target completed (31/42, NGC 2170) 03:27:33     Target Started (32/42) Target started (32/42, GCVS SY Cnc) 03:31:02       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 03:34:16     Target Completed Target completed (32/42, GCVS SY Cnc) 03:37:11     Target Started (33/42) Target started (33/42, AT2025acvr (CV)) 03:37:49       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 03:40:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:42:20       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 03:43:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 03:49:36   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 03:49:38   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 03:49:40     Target Aborted (33/42) Target aborted (33/42, AT2025acvr (CV)) due to cloud 03:49:42   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:49:44 Session Suspending Session suspending 03:50:31   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 03:50:33 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:56:27     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (33/42, AT2025acvr (CV)) due to cloud 04:18:27     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (34/42, UGC 4316 w/AT2025advo) due to threat of rain 04:32:29     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (35/42, GCVS DX Cnc) due to rain 04:46:02     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (36/42, GCVS CN Leo) due to cloud 04:46:36 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:47:21   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 04:47:23 Session Running Session running 04:47:25   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:47:28     Target Started (37/42) Target started (37/42, C/2025 K1 (ATLAS)) 04:51:10       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:54:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 05:08:38     Target Completed Target completed (37/42, C/2025 K1 (ATLAS)) 05:08:42     Target Started (38/42) Target started (38/42, GCVS RZ LMi) 05:11:53       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 05:14:24   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 05:14:26   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 05:14:31     Target Aborted (38/42) Target aborted (38/42, GCVS RZ LMi) due to cloud 05:14:33   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 05:14:36 Session Suspending Session suspending 05:15:24   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 05:15:26 Session Suspended Session suspended 05:36:34     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (39/42, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) due to too few stars 05:42:26 Session Resuming Session resuming 05:43:11   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 05:43:13 Session Running Session running 05:43:15   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 05:43:18     Target Started (40/42) Target started (40/42, NGC 4710 w/AT2025acfi) 05:44:16       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 05:46:01     Target Aborted (40/42) Target aborted (40/42, NGC 4710 w/AT2025acfi) due to Priority 1 ToO Target 05:46:03   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 05:46:05 Session Suspending Session suspending 05:46:52   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 05:46:54 Session Suspended Session suspended 05:57:04     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (40/43, NGC 4710 w/AT2025acfi) due to cloud 05:58:58 Session Resuming Session resuming 05:59:43   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 05:59:45 Session Running Session running 05:59:47   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 05:59:50     Target Started (41/43) Target started (41/43, 3I/ATLAS, ToO) 06:02:03       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars) 06:04:05     Target Failed (41/43) Target failed due to cloud (41/43, 3I/ATLAS, ToO) 06:04:07   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 06:04:09 Session Suspending Session suspending 06:04:58   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s) 06:05:01 Session Suspended Session suspended 06:07:24 Session Resuming Session resuming 06:07:54   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 06:07:56   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 06:07:58     Target Aborted (42/43) Target aborted (42/43, T CrB) due to cloud 06:08:00   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 06:08:09   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 06:08:11 Session Running Session running 06:08:13   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 06:08:15   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 06:08:17   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 06:08:19       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (reducing clarity) 06:10:14 Session Suspending Session suspending 06:10:59   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 45s, Zigbee 44s) 06:11:02 Session Suspended Session suspended 06:40:20     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (43/43, UGC 10809 w/SN2025vaw) due to cloud 06:40:24   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:40:27 Session Closing Session closing 06:40:32   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 06:10, closing time 45s, zigbee 44s) 06:41:11   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 31s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:41:48   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 34s total) 06:42:12   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 06:42:34   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:43:59   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:44:01 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:44:29     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 06:45:14     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.6°) 06:45:21     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.6°) 06:45:23   Dome Parked Dome parked 06:47:17   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (26mA) 06:47:19 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 06:10:14 Red Alert Unexpected Dome Closure Dome is unexpectedly closing (Poor Conditions) 06:47:17 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (26mA)

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Operational Issues (2025-11-24 S1377)

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

Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• None

Small Defects

• A red 'Unexpected Dome Closure' alert was raised (06:10). A red 'unexpected dome closure' alert was raised b ObsOverseer at 06:10:14 with the message "Dome is unexpectedly closing (Poor Conditions)".   Closure may have been ordered by AstroGuard upon seeing Critical Conditions' or by the Dome Relay.  AstroMain was being managed by user at the time trying to push dome & observing operations to the maximumn whilst trying to aquire images of 3I/Atlas. Closed after review 2025-11-25. The case proves that backup safety systems are working.
  Closed after review 2025-11-25 (Session, AstroMain, AstroGaurd, Dome Relay, User Awareness)
   
• After stopping and then restarting Observatory Services a warning is red CCDMonitor alert is raised (2025-11-25 13:34). After stopping all Observatory Service and then restarting services again a red CCDMonitor alert is raised with the message like "CcdMonitor appears to be frozen (last cycle at 13:29:38) in section 'Monitor Camera - part2' ". A report warning is also given at the same time with the message "CcdMonitor is frozen (13:34) in section 'Monitor Camera - part2'" .  Restarting AstroMain and CCDSoft resolveed the issue, but a better solution would be where either the CcdMonitor doesn't freeze or can be automatically restarted without having to close AstroMain is needed.  The same issue was noted in the sessions S1383 (2025-12-08, see notes) and S1392 (2026-01-17).  Problem was eventually fixed in AstroMain 3.80.5.
  Fixed 2026-01-18 (AstroMain 3.80.5)