David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1393 (2026-02-13)

Notes (S1392)

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Notes (S1394)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (4),  Small Defects (5),  Continuous Improvement (5)
	- Figures (1)
	Images from 2026-02-13  >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2026-02-13)

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 overall stability and capability of AstroMain 3.80.14 following significant software changes made in during the last month, together with new StateMachine (based on restructure of existing SessionState code blocks) and a new ObsManager Main Loop made during the fortnight prior to that which was only partially tested during S1391 & S1392 sessions in Mid -Jan.

 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 3.80.14 beta / 3.80.14, ,  AstroPlan 1.46, AstroShCap 1.3.16, AstroGuard 1.13.1  (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroMag 1.5.12, AstroVOE 1.16,  AstroSN 1.16,  AstroProtect 1.10.6,  AstroMove 1.17.4
  AstroAllSky 3.27.1, AstroWeather 1.29.5,   AstroObsCam 1.13, AstroNorthCam 1.7.4, AstroLaunch 1.14.6 / 1.14.8

Highlights

• Targets. 37/39 planned targets were completed with 1 target partially completed. On target failed due to missed start associated with fixing and restarting AstroMain
• AstroMain. AstroMain 3.80.14 (beta) had a teething issue that prevented Autostart from beginning, which had to be fixed in code and quickly re-released to on the Observatory Computer and the session restarted.
• ObsManager.  ObsManager and its new state machine operated fine during the session that included a 'suspending -suspended - resuming - running again' pathway, and the 'closing - finishing - finished' pathway which had problems during S1391/  S1392 sessions.
• CCD Camera.  No issues
• AllSky Camera.  The camera failed to show more than 2-3 stars the whole night. Initially throught to be a sky quality issue, but is considered to have been a fine condensation issue, despite having wiped the AllSky Camera hemisphere clear of dew during the  daytime prior to the session.
•  Dome. No issues open/closing shutter. Dome was successfully parked at the end of the session. Whilst the shutter was recorded as not charging after 3 minutes of parking, it did begin charging ok post-session (based on Battery graphs)

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 18:33:40 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-02-13 S01393) 18:33:43   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 18:34:01 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode 18:34:32   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 18:36:19   Services Started Observatory Services started 18:37:17 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 18:37 & 05:51 18:37:19 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 18:37:22 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (18:37) 18:37:26 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-02-13 S01393) 18:37:35   Services Started Observatory Services started 18:37:43 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 18:37:45 Session Pending Session pending (2026-02-13) 18:37:47 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-02-13) 18:38:09   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -25°C) 18:38:12   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.46) 18:39:03   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1189) 18:39:43   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 18:40:08 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 18:40:54   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s) 18:41:14 Session Running Session running 18:41:16   Queue Started Observing Queue started (39 targets selected) 18:41:23     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 4, HIP 18637) 18:41:39       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 18:44:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 18:47:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 18:49:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 18:49:04       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 18:49:22     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 4, HIP 18637) 18:54:40     Target Started (1/39) Target started (1/39, M31 w/M31N 2025-10a?) 18:59:17       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 19:15:24     Target Completed Target completed (1/39, M31 w/M31N 2025-10a?) 19:15:26   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 19:17:50 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 19:17 & 05:51 19:17:52 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 19:17:54 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (19:17) 19:17:58 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-02-13 S01393) 19:18:07   Services Started Observatory Services started 19:18:11 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 19:18:14 Session Pending Session pending (2026-02-13) 19:18:16 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-02-13) 19:18:27   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -25°C) 19:18:40   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1189) 19:18:51   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 19:19:11 Session Running Session running 19:19:14   Queue Started Observing Queue started (38 targets selected) 19:19:20     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 5, HIP 23569) 19:23:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:25:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 19:25:05       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 19:27:12       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4, wide) 19:28:59       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 19:29:20     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 5, HIP 23569) 19:29:22     Target Missed (2/39) Target's time slot was missed (2/39, GSC 1224:29) 19:29:24     Target Started (3/39) Target started (3/39, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS)) 19:34:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 19:37:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 19:45:37     Target Completed Target completed (3/39, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS)) 19:45:42     Target Started (4/39) Target started (4/39, M31 w/AT2025agmm) 19:49:10       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 20:05:19     Target Completed Target completed (4/39, M31 w/AT2025agmm) 20:06:17     Target Started (5/39) Target started (5/39, AT2025adhw) 20:09:56       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 20:26:01     Target Completed Target completed (5/39, AT2025adhw) 20:28:37     Target Started (6/39) Target started (6/39, UGC 3028 w/SN2026gm) 20:31:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:32:12       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 20:48:19     Target Completed Target completed (6/39, UGC 3028 w/SN2026gm) 20:50:57     Target Started (7/39) Target started (7/39, GCVS GW Ori) 20:54:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 20:56:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 21:09:19     Target Completed Target completed (7/39, GCVS GW Ori) 21:10:58     Target Started (8/39) Target started (8/39, GCVS RZ LMi) 21:15:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:17:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 21:22:42     Target Completed Target completed (8/39, GCVS RZ LMi) 21:22:47     Target Started (9/39) Target started (9/39, NGC 2398 (CV)) 21:26:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:28:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 21:44:40     Target Completed Target completed (9/39, NGC 2398 (CV)) 21:44:45     Target Started (10/39) Target started (10/39, AT2026coj) 21:48:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:51:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 22:07:06     Target Completed Target completed (10/39, AT2026coj) 22:07:10     Target Started (11/39) Target started (11/39, UGC 4316 w/SN2025advo) 22:10:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:13:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 22:29:48     Target Completed Target completed (11/39, UGC 4316 w/SN2025advo) 22:29:53     Target Started (12/39) Target started (12/39, GCVS GK Per) 22:32:38   Telescope Slew Telescope slew has timed out after 2.5 minutes 22:36:05       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:38:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 22:41:15     Target Completed Target completed (12/39, GCVS GK Per) 22:41:20     Target Started (13/39) Target started (13/39, WDS GRB 34) 22:45:27       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:47:33       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 22:49:37     Target Completed Target completed (13/39, WDS GRB 34) 22:49:41     Target Started (14/39) Target started (14/39, UGC 525 w/SN2025ahxd) 23:10:06     Target Completed Target completed (14/39, UGC 525 w/SN2025ahxd) 23:10:10     Target Started (15/39) Target started (15/39, 240P/NEAT) 23:13:49       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 23:24:25     Target Completed Target completed (15/39, 240P/NEAT) 23:25:49     Target Started (16/39) Target started (16/39, AT2025ajwu) 23:30:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:33:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 23:49:31     Target Completed Target completed (16/39, AT2025ajwu) 23:49:35     Target Started (17/39) Target started (17/39, NGC 3660 w/SN2026cff) 23:53:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:55:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15) 00:12:05     Target Completed Target completed (17/39, NGC 3660 w/SN2026cff) 00:12:10     Target Started (18/39) Target started (18/39, UGC 5607 w/SN2026kc) 00:15:32       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 00:31:39     Target Completed Target completed (18/39, UGC 5607 w/SN2026kc) 00:32:49     Target Started (19/39) Target started (19/39, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS)) 00:37:16       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 00:45:34     Target Completed Target completed (19/39, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS)) 00:47:21     Target Started (20/39) Target started (20/39, AT2022vdr (CV)) 00:50:44       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 00:57:19     Target Completed Target completed (20/39, AT2022vdr (CV)) 00:59:42     Target Started (21/39) Target started (21/39, Minkowski 1-7) 01:02:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:05:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16) 01:12:12     Target Completed Target completed (21/39, Minkowski 1-7) 01:12:31     Target Started (22/39) Target started (22/39, M63) 01:16:25       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:18:37       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17) 01:34:51     Target Completed Target completed (22/39, M63) 01:34:55     Target Started (23/39) Target started (23/39, UGC 9246 w/SN2025rxq) 01:39:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:41:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18) 01:57:22     Target Completed Target completed (23/39, UGC 9246 w/SN2025rxq) 01:57:26     Target Started (24/39) Target started (24/39, UGC 5381 w/SN2025ahep) 02:01:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:04:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19) 02:20:17     Target Completed Target completed (24/39, UGC 5381 w/SN2025ahep) 02:20:21     Target Started (25/39) Target started (25/39, NGC 3106 w/SN2025aauj) 02:23:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:26:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20) 02:42:23     Target Completed Target completed (25/39, NGC 3106 w/SN2025aauj) 02:42:27     Target Started (26/39) Target started (26/39, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 02:46:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:48:54       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21) 03:03:54     Target Completed Target completed (26/39, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 03:03:58     Target Started (27/39) Target started (27/39, UGCA 258) 03:07:40       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 03:23:58     Target Completed Target completed (27/39, UGCA 258) 03:24:45     Target Started (28/39) Target started (28/39, UGCA 307) 03:30:35       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 03:46:42     Target Completed Target completed (28/39, UGCA 307) 03:47:05     Target Started (29/39) Target started (29/39, UGCA 332) 03:51:32       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 03:59:18   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 03:59:20   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 03:59:22     Target Aborted (29/39) Target aborted (29/39, UGCA 332) due to cloud 03:59:25   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:59:27 Session Suspending Session suspending 04:00:14   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 45s) 04:00:16 Session Suspended Session suspended 04:03:34 Session Resuming Session resuming 04:04:19   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 42s) 04:04:21 Session Running Session running 04:04:23   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 04:04:26     Target Started (29/39) Target started (29/39, UGCA 332) 04:12:25     Target Completed Target partially completed (29/39, UGCA 332) 04:12:30     Target Started (30/39) Target started (30/39, MCG +7-28-15 w/SN2025adje) 04:15:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:18:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22) 04:34:55     Target Completed Target completed (30/39, MCG +7-28-15 w/SN2025adje) 04:34:59     Target Started (31/39) Target started (31/39, 24P/Schaumasse) 04:38:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:41:04       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 23) 04:50:29     Target Completed Target completed (31/39, 24P/Schaumasse) 04:50:34     Target Started (32/39) Target started (32/39, GCVS CY Lyr) 04:54:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:54:48       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost 04:58:33     Target Completed Target completed (32/39, GCVS CY Lyr) 04:58:37     Target Started (33/39) Target started (33/39, T CrB) 05:02:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:04:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 25) 05:08:46     Target Completed Target completed (33/39, T CrB) 05:08:50     Target Started (34/39) Target started (34/39, 61 Cyg) 05:11:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:13:23       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 26) 05:15:19     Target Completed Target completed (34/39, 61 Cyg) 05:15:53     Target Started (35/39) Target started (35/39, GCVS HH And) 05:19:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:21:59       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 27) 05:23:51     Target Completed Target completed (35/39, GCVS HH And) 05:24:10     Target Started (36/39) Target started (36/39, GCVS BL Lac) 05:27:34       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:29:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 28) 05:34:06     Target Completed Target completed (36/39, GCVS BL Lac) 05:34:28     Target Started (37/39) Target started (37/39, UGC 10216 w/AT2022xhg) 05:38:23       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 05:40:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 29) 05:57:34     Target Completed Target completed (37/39, UGC 10216 w/AT2022xhg) 05:57:38     Target Started (38/39) Target started (38/39, HIP 87937) 05:59:42       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:01:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 30) 06:05:14     Target Completed Target completed (38/39, HIP 87937) 06:05:18     Target Started (39/39) Target started (39/39, Nova Ser 2025) 06:08:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 06:11:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 31) 06:17:21     Target Completed Target completed (39/39, Nova Ser 2025) 06:17:23   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 06:17:26 Session Closing Session closing 06:18:17   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 44s) 06:18:49   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 25s), Az: 90.0 deg 06:19:29   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 37s total) 06:19:53   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 06:20:49   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 06:22:14   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 06:22:17 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 06:23:49     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°, Wide) 06:24:53     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 91.5°) 06:24:59     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 89.6 to 93.6°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 06:25:49     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 91.4°) 06:25:55     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -1.4°) 06:25:57   Dome Parked Dome parked 06:28:57   Dome Charging Dome hasn't started re-charging after 3.0 minutes 06:28:59 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 18:34:01 Red Alarm Telescope Alert ASCOM Telescope not connnected 18:34:03 Red Alert Observatory Mode Obs.Manager has put Observatory back to manual mode (problem connecting telescope 22:32:38 Green Clear Telescope Slew Telescope slew has been successfully aborted following timeout 22:32:40 Yellow Alert Telescope Slew Telescope slew has timed out after 2.5 minutes 06:28:57 Yellow Alert Dome Charging Dome hasn't started re-charging after 3.0 minutes

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Operational Issues (2026-02-13 S1393)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (4)
• Small Defects (5)
• Continuous Improvement (5)
• Figures (0)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• AutoStart unable to begin due to 'missing sky/weather information' (18:00).  An initial attempt to begin the session at 18:00 failed to get going due to reported 'missing sky/weather information'. Whilst it was initially through to be due to changes made in the past 24 hours to allow rain sensor data to be disabled in order to bypass invalid 'Rain' values and allow session to proceed. In other situations the issue could be ranked major (as it would have prevented an Automated Session from taken place), but due to the test nature of the session, the issue was ranked as Minor. Examining code and examing points where  'FailureState.NoWeatherData' was used in CanOpen() routine showed that issue was due to earlier introduction of new Environment (Env) properties in the past fortnight and the use of vcNull instead of 0 in the code which prevent
    Public ReadOnly Property Synopsis As EnvSignal(Of Double)
    Get
      With SynopsisData
           Return New EnvSignal(Of Double)(vcNull, .LastScorecardTime, .Valid)  ' vcNull should be 0
      End With
   End Get
End Property
  which causes Env.Synopsis.IsValid to take the value False in following code section in the CanOpen() function, causing the function to return false with the reason being  'FailureState.NoWeatherData' .
      If Env.Synopsis.IsValid = False Or Env.Synopsis.MinutesSinceLastUpdate > 5 Then
      reason = FailureState.NoWeatherData ' WeatherRisk
   Return False
  Fixed in AstroMain 3.80.14 (update) and released to the Observatory Session
  Fixed in-session  2026-02-13 (AstroMain 3.80.14 update)
   
• A telescope alert "ASCOM Telescope not connnected" and session put back to manual mode (18:34). Whilst trying to start the session under AutoStart control a red 'Telescope Alert' was raised at 18:34 with the message  "ASCOM Telescope not connnected", and the session was automatically put into manual mode. Immediately prior to this a message dialog unexpectedly appeared asking to confirm the powering up of the Telescope, but the message wasn't initially seen and accepted.   Due to early issues with getting AutoStart to begin due to a small software flaw (see above issue), it is was initiallly conjectured that Observatory had been put directly into Fully-Automated mode, rather than AutoStart, but logs showed that this was not the case. The issue was resolved in-session and the remainder of the session began under AutoStart operated ok. Investigating code should the problem was caused by AutoStartSession()  calling  ServiceManager.StartObservatoryServices()  ie async,  instead of calling  ServiceManager.StartObservatoryServicesAndWait() ie. sync.  This caused the execution to proceed directly to the ASCOM Scope check without waiting for completion of  StartObservatoryServices () including starting the telescope. This was a teething issue associated with recent introduction of new ServiceManager on 2026-02-05.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.80.15.
  Fixed 2026-02-14 (Session, AstroMain 3.80.15)
   
• Unable to focus TS80 Secondary Scope at beginng of session and unable to guide on first target (18:49, 18:57).  Automated Foc2 focusing at 18:48 failed as no star could be located in the field of view, and guiding on Target 1/39 (M31 w/M31N 2025-10a?) at 18:57 failed as no guide star coud be found. Examining the guiding frames in PHD2 showed that they contained no clear stars (was the lens cap on ?)  However a trace of 2 or 3 stars could be seen but they were very out-of-focus. An attempt to move the focuser to a different position where focus might be better, failed as the focuser could go above 7000. This is the max step limit for the Focuser 1 (TCF) on the LX200,  but the max limit for the Focuser 2 on the TS80 should be a lot higher. Examining the Max Limit in Program settings showed that it was set to 7000. This might relate to and a change made to Focuser routines in the last week or two. Issue fixed in session by modifying the Foc2 Max Step Limit in Progam Settings from 7000 to 20000.
  Fixed in-session 2026-02-13 (Session, AstroMain)
   
• AllSky Camera images didn't how more than 2-3 stars the whole night, despite being a clear night. The AllSky Camera hemisphere was wipred clear of dew during the daytime prior to the session, and when AllSky Camera images didn't show any stars (start count of only 1-3) it was iitially throught to be due to a sky quality issue, but later the NorthCam camera began showing plenty of stars, telescope images showed plenty of stars and a later visual check showed clear sky with stars easily visible. Problem was put down to very fine condensation or frost (whilst the camera's hemisphere was cleared on dew drops, it had to be done on a cold morning and it is thought that condensatiion dropped out when shortly after closing the camera or around dusk when temperatures fell ?). Graphs show that the AllSky Camera heater was on during the night and today (2026-02-14) humidity has fallen to 70% and may have allowed any condensation to dissipate.   It was then thought that the AllSky Camera might moved and caused the AllSkyCamera Calibration to be out.  Recalibration showed that this was not the problem.  Debugging code eventually showed that the issue was due to the introduction of common AstroRoutine.vb and a change to ConvertRaDecToAzAlt() which now works on Longitude parameter being +ve East (rather than +ve West) as assumed by AstroAllSky.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.27.2.
  Fixed 2026-02-17 (AstroAllSky 3.27.2. Programmer Awareness)

Small Defects

• Session (monitor).dat file was very short and effectively stopped recording early in the session (18:37).  The session's 'Observatory (monitor).dat file was very short with 3 records at the normal 2 minute interval from 18:33 to 18:37, by then the records stopped until a single 4th record was added at 19:18:06.  Monitor file for the previous General session was operating fine, but didn't resume after the live session finished at 06:29. This suggest that the EnvMonitor monitor somehow became frozen.  18:37 was around the time that session was restarted under autostart after earlier problem where observatory was placed back into 'Manual' mode. EnvMonitor was reported to be already running at 18:37:35. No 'EnvMonitor related problems were logged.  It is unclear if ObsOverseer has monitoring of the EnvMonitor (may be it needs adding).  When Session was restarted at around 19:18, EnvMonitor was reported to have been 'Started' rather than 'Already Started' like other services, suggesting that it probably crashed at some point. And might have crashed again after writing just one more record to the (monitor).dat file. The EnvMonitor's flag was white when checked in the morning indicating that the monitor is no longer running.  Logs show that EnvMonitor stopped at 18:38:09 with message "Stop    EnvMonitor          Ok      | Service stopped". This shows that the monitor stopped gracefully using the monitor's FinaliseStop() routine which would have reset the monitor's visual flag to white. This shows that issue wasn't due to an unhandled exception/crash, but it is unclear what caused the monitor to stop. Examining ObsOverseer shows that it is monitoring EnvMonitor in its DoOversee_CheckEnvMonitor() routine. There were no log messages indicting the EnvMonitor was pending or frozen. Fixed.
  Fixed  2026-02-14 (Session, AstroMain / EnvMonitor)
   
• InitiatingStage 3 didn't proceed directly to InitiatingStage 4, resulting in 'out of place' logging (19:18) After entering InitiatingStage3 the FetchPlan operation was initiated.  Instead of then proceeding directly to InitiatingStage4 to await the receipt of and loading of plan, the state machine went to a 5s next cycle sleep. In the meantime that plan had been  fetched and 23 of 39 targets had already been imported before the StateMachine entered InitiatingStage4 where the remaining targets were imported.   Fixed in AstroMain 3.80.15. 'StageResult.Break' changed to StageResult.Proceed
  Fixed  2026-02-14 (AstroMain 3.80.15)
   
• Report lines were interlaced during Start Obser atory Services (18:34). A number of report lines were interlaced whi;st Start Observatory Servics at 18:34.  Issue was caused by NIght Services / Autostart encountered an issue conneting to ASCOM Telescope and then commanding an Abort Autostart / Return to Manual whilst allowing 'Start Observatory Services to proceed, resulting in interlaced report messages coming from the two operations and in once cause a clash of two report messages that affected the htm in the Report File with appearance of text string  "le="text-align: right; margin-right: 30px; "> ".   Issue resolved it self, but user intervenation was required to resolve undetlying issue.   Investigating code should the problem was caused by AutoStartSession()  calling  ServiceManager.StartObservatoryServices()  ie async,  instead of calling  ServiceManager.StartObservatoryServicesAndWait() ie. sync.  This caused the execution to proceed directly to the ASCOM Scope check without waiting for completion of  StartObservatoryServices () including starting the telescope. This was a teething issue associated with recent introduction of new ServiceManager on 2026-02-05.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.80.15.
  Fixed  2026-02-13 (AstroMain 3.80.15)
   
• Session Log file contained multiple "Conversion from string "null" to type 'Double' exceptions in PHD2.GetLockPosition. There were 23 instances during the session in PHD2.GetLockPosition() routine with the message "Conversion from string "null" to type 'Double' is not valid." Examination of code suggests the problem is caused by Result being returned fro SendRequest ('get lock position') or result not be divisible into two parts.  Fix attempt by putting guards in routine to test result, Array(0) or Array (1) for nothing
  
  of pe and then commanding an Abort Autostart / Return to Manual whilst allowing 'Start Observatory Services to proceed, resulting in interlaced report messages coming from the two operations and in once cause a clash of two report messages that affected the htm in the Report File with appearance of text string  "le="text-align: right; margin-right: 30px; "> ".   Issue resolved it self, but user intervenation was required to resolve undetlying issue.   Investigating code should the problem was caused by AutoStartSession()  calling  ServiceManager.StartObservatoryServices()  ie async,  instead of calling  ServiceManager.StartObservatoryServicesAndWait() ie. sync.  This caused the execution to proceed directly to the ASCOM Scope check without waiting for completion of  StartObservatoryServices () including starting the telescope. This was a teething issue associated with recent introduction of new ServiceManager on 2026-02-05.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.80.15.
  Fixed  2026-02-13 (AstroMain 3.80.15)
   
• 'Get Transient Info' button/routine on AstroMain's PageBuilder form is allowing html codes to sneak throughout to the Transient Info text field. A consequence of the TNS page scrapper used by GetPageText(TnsUrl) routine is that inline html codes can be returned and shown in the TNS Info TextBox.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.80.15 - the compiled information string now undergoes modification to replace  &gt ,  &lt and &#039; by standard charcters > , < and ' respectively
  Fixed  2026-02-16 (AstroMain 3.80.15)

Continuous Improvement

• Make a number of improvements to logging of progression of ObsManager's StateMachine. Instead of logging changes of StateMachine as 'Change Session.State'  (closing) and 'Start ClosingStage1' it is proposed to use 'Enter ClosingState, and 'Enter ClosingStage1'.  May need to check FinaliseSessionReport() routines.  Implemented in AstroMain 3.80.15.
  Done  2026-02-14 (AstroMain 3.80.15)
   
• Make a number of improvements to general logging of AstroMain. Instead of . ... Implemented in AstroMain 3.80.15.
  Done  2026-02-14 (AstroMain 3.80.15)
   
• Introduce a 'UI Task Manager' accessed by 'RunTask.xxxxxxx'  from UI button routines to run specified routines as a threaded operation. Currently in AstroMain 3.80.14 and early versions button routine would lauch specified 'run' routines on threaded operations using a dedicated thread (AThread).  Introduction of UI Task Manager (based on receent ActionManager), allow routines to be conveniently run on the UITaskManagers own thread,  allowing the existing run routines to be removed form ObsConsole's Form Class, and provides a wrapper to perform UnloadFields, PreJobTasks, PostJobTasks without the Run Task.xxxxxx & Run_xxxxxx routine to be concerned with this. For example the button routine for FocusScopeNearZenith() uses the following
     RunTask.ManualFocusScopeNearZenith()
  Implemented in AstroMain 3.80.15.
  Done  2026-02-15 (AstroMain 3.80.15)
   
• Introduce a 'new UiCheck' class containing functions that check that a certain Pre-Condition is met before a button routine calls a UI Task.  Currently in AstroMain 3.80.14 and early versions button routines would for launch specified 'run' routines contained a series of if block to check that ceratin preconditions are met before launching the actual task. Introduction of new UiCheck class with 'Check' functions all the 'if blocks with MsgBox'  to be replaced by a single line calls.  For example the button routine for FocusScopeNearZenith() uses the following
  If UiCheck.JobExecutorIsNotRunning() = False Then Exit Sub
  If UiCheck.ObservatoryModeIsManual() = False Then Exit Sub
  If UiCheck.NoOtherTasksAreRunning() = False Then Exit Sub
  If UiCheck.TelescopeIsConnected() = False Then Exit Sub
  If UiCheck.CameraIsConnected() = False Then Exit Sub
  If UiCheck.Focuser1IsConnected() = False Then Exit Sub
  Function names describe the condition that must be met in order for a task to the run. If condition is met the function returns True, but if not the function returns False.   Implemented in AstroMain 3.80.15.
  Done  2026-02-15 (AstroMain 3.80.15)
   
• Refactor AstroAllSky program to make maintainance easier. Following an issue with detection of Display Stars it proved difficult to understand the precise issue and track down the source of the bug.  The code is contained in series of procedural routines, and is both difficult to follow and navigate.  Parameters are typically defined without types, which creates certains issues.  To implement in stages beginning with AstroAllSky 3.28
  To do  2026-02-17+ (AstroMain 3.28+)

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