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 Notes - Session 1380 (2025-11-28)

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Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
Bullet Operational Issues
- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (0),  Small Defects (0),  Continuous Improvement (5)
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Bullet Images from 2025-11-28  >>           
   
   

Session Aims & Highlights (2025-11-28)

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 fixes added to AstroMain 3.78.9 for fixing issue with failed telescope slews and Dome Reconnection after a Dome Restart.

 Equipment & Software

Highlights

NotesNotes

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan
Image
  
Observing Result
Image
   
Image
 
Dome & Scope Slewing Performance
Image
  
Slew/Centering Performance
Image
  
Guiding Performance
Image
  
Sky Conditions (Locate Frames)
Image 
  
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)
Image   
  
Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast
Image
Image
 
Session Event Log
Time     Event Detail
22:02:43 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 22:02 & 06:20
22:02:46 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (22:02)
22:02:58   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.)
22:03:13 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2025-11-28 S01380, ImageSaveNum: 1380001)
22:03:20   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch
22:05:07   Services Started Observatory Services started
22:05:17 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
22:05:21 Session Pending Session pending (2025-11-28)
22:05:23 Session Initiating Session initiating (2025-11-28)
22:05:41   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
22:05:44   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.44)
22:06:10   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (Plan ID: 1167)
22:06:51   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6)
22:07:16 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome
22:08:01   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 46s, Zigbee 40s)
22:08:46 Session Running Session running
22:08:49   Queue Started Observing Queue started (25 targets selected)
22:08:53     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 2, HIP 9508)
22:09:09       Dome Unparked Dome unparked
22:12:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:14:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide)
22:16:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
22:17:15       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
22:19:03       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
22:20:51       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
22:21:12     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 2, HIP 9508)
22:22:12     Target Started (1/25) Target started (1/25, M31 w/Nova M31 2025-10a?)
22:25:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:28:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
22:44:10     Target Completed Target completed (1/25, M31 w/Nova M31 2025-10a?)
22:44:14     Target Started (2/25) Target started (2/25, M31 w/Nova M31 2025-11c?)
22:47:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:50:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
23:06:42     Target Completed Target completed (2/25, M31 w/Nova M31 2025-11c?)
23:06:46     Target Started (3/25) Target started (3/25, GCVS DY Per)
23:09:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:12:16       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
23:16:38     Target Completed Target completed (3/25, GCVS DY Per)
23:17:37     Target Started (4/25) Target started (4/25, AT2025acse (CV))
23:21:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:24:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
23:40:36     Target Completed Target completed (4/25, AT2025acse (CV))
23:40:40     Target Started (5/25) Target started (5/25, GCVS BL Lac)
23:43:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:46:15       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
23:50:05     Target Completed Target completed (5/25, GCVS BL Lac)
23:50:09     Target Started (6/25) Target started (6/25, C/2025 R2 (SWAN))
23:54:08       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:56:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8)
00:06:12     Target Completed Target completed (6/25, C/2025 R2 (SWAN))
00:06:17     Target Started (7/25) Target started (7/25, NGC 1300 w/SN2022acko)
00:11:06       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
00:21:47       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
00:23:57       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
00:25:27       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
00:27:31     Target Completed Target completed (7/25, NGC 1300 w/SN2022acko)
00:27:33   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
00:27:35 Session Suspending Session suspending
00:28:22   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s)
00:28:25 Session Suspended Session suspended
00:40:03 Session Resuming Session resuming
00:40:48   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
00:40:51 Session Running Session running
00:40:53   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
00:40:54     Target Started (8/25) Target started (8/25, UGCA 91)
00:47:39       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
00:48:39       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
00:49:14       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
00:51:50   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
00:51:52   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud)
00:51:54     Target Aborted (8/25) Target aborted (8/25, UGCA 91) due to cloud
00:51:56   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
00:51:58 Session Suspending Session suspending
00:52:45   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s)
00:52:47 Session Suspended Session suspended
01:09:29     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (9/25, IC 438) due to cloud
01:31:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (10/25, AT2022udd) due to cloud
01:54:09     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (11/25, UGCA 120) due to cloud
02:16:29     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (12/25, AT2022xao) due to cloud
02:38:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (13/25, AT2025acvr (CV)) due to cloud
03:00:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/25, LEDA 213320 w/SN2025tji) due to cloud
03:09:33 Session Resuming Session resuming
03:10:18   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
03:10:20 Session Running Session running
03:10:22   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
03:10:25     Target Started (15/25) Target started (15/25, AT2023ctk)
03:13:13       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
03:13:39     Target Failed (15/25) Target failed due to cloud (15/25, AT2023ctk)
03:13:41   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
03:13:43 Session Suspending Session suspending
03:14:28   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 45s, Zigbee 43s)
03:14:31 Session Suspended Session suspended
03:16:34 Session Resuming Session resuming
03:17:18   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
03:17:21 Session Running Session running
03:17:23   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
03:17:26     Target Started (15/25) Target started (15/25, AT2023ctk)
03:17:43       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
03:19:04       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
03:19:14       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
03:20:10     Target Failed (15/25) Target failed due to cloud (15/25, AT2023ctk)
03:20:12   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
03:20:14 Session Suspending Session suspending
03:21:04   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s)
03:21:07 Session Suspended Session suspended
03:22:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/25, AT2023ctk) due to cloud
03:23:29 Session Resuming Session resuming
03:24:14   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
03:24:16 Session Running Session running
03:24:18   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
03:24:20     Target Started (16/25) Target started (16/25, GCVS YZ Cnc)
03:27:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:30:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
03:36:40       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
03:36:44     Target Completed Target completed (16/25, GCVS YZ Cnc)
03:36:46   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
03:36:48 Session Suspending Session suspending
03:37:35   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s)
03:37:38 Session Suspended Session suspended
03:53:07 Session Resuming Session resuming
03:53:52   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
03:53:54 Session Running Session running
03:53:56   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
03:53:59     Target Started (17/25) Target started (17/25, UGC 4316 w/SN2025advo)
03:54:52       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
03:55:22       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
04:00:43       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
04:01:02       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
04:03:54     Target Completed Target partially completed (17/25, UGC 4316 w/SN2025advo)
04:03:59     Target Started (18/25) Target started (18/25, AT2025acrt)
04:05:13       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
04:05:43       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
04:06:53       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
04:07:33       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
04:24:39     Target Completed Target completed (18/25, AT2025acrt)
04:24:44     Target Started (19/25) Target started (19/25, UGCA 153)
04:29:54       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-LSI)
04:46:10     Target Completed Target completed (19/25, UGCA 153)
04:46:14     Target Started (20/25) Target started (20/25, NGC 2642 w/SN2023aaby)
04:50:08       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:52:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
05:08:32     Target Completed Target completed (20/25, NGC 2642 w/SN2023aaby)
05:08:37     Target Started (21/25) Target started (21/25, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann)
05:13:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
05:15:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11)
05:31:23     Target Completed Target completed (21/25, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann)
05:31:27     Target Started (22/25) Target started (22/25, NGC 5448 w/AT2025aesq)
05:52:06     Target Completed Target completed (22/25, NGC 5448 w/AT2025aesq)
05:52:10     Target Started (23/25) Target started (23/25, T CrB)
05:55:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
05:58:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12)
06:02:23     Target Completed Target completed (23/25, T CrB)
06:02:27     Target Started (24/25) Target started (24/25, NGC 4710 w/AT2025acfi)
06:06:18       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
06:22:43     Target Completed Target completed (24/25, NGC 4710 w/AT2025acfi)
06:23:23     Target Started (25/25) Target started (25/25, 24P/Schaumasse)
06:27:20       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
06:29:55       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13)
06:39:53     Target Completed Target completed (25/25, 24P/Schaumasse)
06:39:55   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
06:39:58 Session Closing Session closing
06:40:53   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s)
06:41:53   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 52s), Az: 90.0 deg
06:42:35   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 36s total)
06:42:59   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.'
06:43:21   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
06:44:45   Services Stopped Night Services stopped
06:44:48 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
06:45:35     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow)
06:46:23     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.4°)
06:46:29     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.4°)
06:46:31   Dome Parked Dome parked
06:46:38   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (18mA)
06:46:40 Session Finished Session Finished
 
Session Alerts & Alarms
Time     Type       Name Detail
06:46:38 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (18mA)
 

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Operational Issues (2025-11-28 S1380)

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Fig 1.  GetCometRADEC() routine in AstroMain 3.79

Used for acquiring RA,Dec and other data for 3I/Atlas (alias 'C/2025 N1 (ATLAS)' ) by calling the routine with BodyID = "90004920"

 
' Public Sub GetCometRADEC
' ========================
  Public Sub GetCometRADEC(BodyID As String, utc As DateTime, ' added 2025-12-30 (CI S1380)
  ByRef raHours As Double, ByRef decDegs As Double,
  ByRef raRate As Double, ByRef decRate As Double,
  ByRef sunDistAu As Double, ByRef earthDistAu As Double)

  Dim SB As New StringBuilder()
  Dim url As String = ""

  Dim lines As Object
  Dim h, mi, s As Double
  Dim dd, dm, ds As Double
  Dim decSign As Object
  Dim inv As CultureInfo = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture
  Dim startIdx As Object
  Dim endIdx As Object
  Dim parts As Object
  Dim dataLine As String = Nothing

  ' Prepare Time Span
  ' -----------------
  Dim jdUtc As Double = DateTimeToJulian(utc)
  Dim jdStr As String = String.Format(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, "{0:F6}", jdUtc)
  Dim jdStop As String = String.Format(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, "{0:F6}", jdUtc + 1.0 / 1440.0)

  ' Prepare Request
  ' ---------------
  SB.Clear()
  SB.Append("https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/api/horizons.api")
  SB.Append("?format=text")
  SB.Append("&COMMAND=" & BodyID)
  SB.Append("&MAKE_EPHEM=YES&EPHEM_TYPE=OBSERVER")
  SB.Append("&CENTER='500@399'") ' GEOSCENTRIC@Earth
  SB.Append("&START_TIME='JD " & jdStr & "'")
  SB.Append("&STOP_TIME='JD " & jdStop & "'")
  SB.Append("&STEP_SIZE='1 m'")
  SB.Append("&QUANTITIES='1 3 19 20'") ' Ra, Dec, Rate_Ra, Rate_Dec, SunDist, EarthDist
  SB.Append("&REF_SYSTEM=J2000")

  ' Create URL
  ' ----------
  url = (SB.ToString)

  ' Make Request and Download responses
  ' ----------------------------------
  Dim client As New WebClient()
  Dim response As String = client.DownloadString(url)

  ' Split response into Lines
  ' --------------------------
  lines = response.Split({vbCr, vbLf}, StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries)

  ' Locate $$SOE/$$EOE
  ' ------------------
  startIdx = Array.FindIndex(Of String)(lines, Function(l As String) l.Contains("$$SOE"))
  endIdx = Array.FindIndex(Of String)(lines, Function(l As String) l.Contains("$$EOE"))

  If startIdx = -1 OrElse endIdx = -1 OrElse endIdx <= startIdx Then
    Throw New Exception("Horizons response missing $$SOE/$$EOE block")
  End If

  ' Get first non-empty data line between $$SOE and $$EOE
  ' -------------------------------------------------
  dataLine = Nothing
  For i As Integer = startIdx + 1 To endIdx - 1
    Dim ln = lines(i).Trim()
    If ln.Length > 0 Then
      dataLine = ln
      Exit For
    End If
  Next

  If dataLine Is Nothing Then Throw New Exception("No ephemeris data line found")

  ' Remove "m" column (if present)
  ' -----------------
  dataLine = dataLine.Replace(" m ", " ")

  ' ReportComment("Trace: " + dataLine)

  ' Parse the dataline
  ' ------------------
  parts = dataLine.Split({" "}, StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries)

  ' Get raHours
  ' -----------
  h = Double.Parse(parts(2), inv)
  mi = Double.Parse(parts(3), inv)
  s = Double.Parse(parts(4), inv)

  raHours = h + mi / 60.0 + s / 3600.0

  ' Get decDegs
  ' -----------
  decSign = If(parts(5).StartsWith("-"), -1.0, 1.0)
  dd = Double.Parse(parts(5).Replace("+", "").Replace("-", ""), inv)
  dm = Double.Parse(parts(6), inv)
  ds = Double.Parse(parts(7), inv)
  decDegs = decSign * (dd + dm / 60.0 + ds / 3600.0)

  ' Get raRate of Motion
  ' --------------------
  raRate = Double.Parse(parts(8), inv)

  ' Get decRate of Motion
  ' --------------------
  decRate = Double.Parse(parts(9), inv)

  ' Get Sun/Earth Distances
  ' -----------------------
  sunDistAu = Double.Parse(parts(10), inv)
  earthDistAu = Double.Parse(parts(12), inv)

End Sub


Produces results like:

Target: 3I/ATLAS
UTC: 2025-11-30 20:35:23
RA : 12 02 17.130 (J2000)
Dec: +00 24 57.80 (J2000)
Sun distance : 1.80 AU
Earth distance: 1.91 AU (286.2 million km)

 

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Last Updated : 2025-12-21
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