David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 1413 (2026-03-29)

 
Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
Bullet Operational Issues
- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (4),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (0)
- Figures (1)
   
Bullet Images from 2026-03-29  >>           
   
   

Session Aims & Highlights (2026-03-29)

Main aims

  1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
  2. ShCap Imaging/Processing.  Continue testing of AstroMain/AstroShCap routines and workflow including Siril scripts

 Equipment & Software

Highlights

Notes

Summary Plots & Logs

Observing Plan
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Observing Result
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Dome & Scope Slewing Performance
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Slew/Centering Performance
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Guiding Performance
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Sky Conditions (Locate Frames)
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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)
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Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast
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Session Event Log
Time     Event Detail
20:42:44 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 20:42 & 03:53
20:42:46   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to rain
20:44:12 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (20:44)
20:44:18 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-03-29 S01413)
20:44:20   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.)
20:44:39   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch
20:46:26   Services Started Observatory Services started
20:46:36 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
20:46:38   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to rain
20:46:40 Session Pending Session pending (2026-03-29)
20:46:42 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-03-29)
20:47:03   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
20:47:09   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.46.2)
20:48:05   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1211)
20:48:46   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6)
20:49:11 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome
20:50:11   Wait On Weather Waiting for acceptable conditions
20:50:14 Session Suspending Session suspending
20:50:16   Dome Closed Dome already closed
20:50:18 Session Suspended Session suspended
20:50:51   Queue Started Observing Queue started (26 targets selected)
21:17:59 Session Resuming Session resuming
21:18:44   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
21:18:46 Session Running Session running
21:18:48   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
21:18:50     Target Started (1/26) Target started (1/26, AT2026hix)
21:18:58       Dome Unparked Dome unparked
21:22:25       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
21:24:24       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide)
21:26:09       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
21:27:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:31:05       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
21:33:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
21:33:19     Target Failed (1/26) Target failed due to exceeded time slot (1/26, AT2026hix)
21:33:23     Target Started (2/26) Target started (2/26, GCVS YZ Cnc)
21:43:21     Target Completed Target partially completed (2/26, GCVS YZ Cnc)
21:43:26     Target Started (3/26) Target started (3/26, GCVS SY Cnc)
21:49:56     Target Completed Target completed (3/26, GCVS SY Cnc)
21:50:01     Target Started (4/26) Target started (4/26, GCVS RR Leo)
21:53:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:56:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
22:01:54     Target Completed Target completed (4/26, GCVS RR Leo)
22:01:58     Target Started (5/26) Target started (5/26, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann)
22:20:31     Target Completed Target completed (5/26, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann)
22:20:35     Target Started (6/26) Target started (6/26, M51). Using SharpCap
22:25:24       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
22:56:12       Dome Unparked Dome unparked
22:59:06       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
22:59:08     Target Completed Target completed (6/26, M51)
23:01:23     Target Started (7/26) Target started (7/26, AT2026cpv)
23:07:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:10:06       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
23:12:05   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:12:10   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:12:14   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:12:20   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:12:24   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:12:29   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:12:35   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:12:39   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:12:45   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:12:50   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:12:55   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:13:00   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:13:05   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:13:10   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:13:15   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:13:19   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:13:24   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:13:30   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:13:35   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:13:40   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:13:45   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:13:50   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:13:55   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:14:00   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:14:05   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:14:10   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:14:13 User Intervention User Intervention to abort job queue & switch back to Manual Mode
23:14:15   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:14:17 User Intervention User Intervention to abort job queue & switch back to Manual Mode
23:14:19     Target Completed Target partially completed (7/26, AT2026cpv)
23:14:21   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted
23:14:23 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode
23:14:25 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode
23:14:27 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode
23:14:29   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:14:31   UPB Connection Powerbox Connection appears to have failed
23:14:35   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped
23:16:45 Program Opened Program Opened (AstroMain 3.80.33)
23:16:47   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.)
23:17:02   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started
23:17:31   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started
23:17:33   Services Started Observatory Services started
23:18:07 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 23:18 & 03:53
23:18:09 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode
23:18:16 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (23:18)
23:18:22 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-03-29 S01413)
23:19:08   Services Started Observatory Services started
23:19:18 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
23:19:21 Session Pending Session pending (2026-03-29)
23:19:23 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-03-29)
23:19:47   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
23:19:54   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1211)
23:20:05   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6)
23:20:29 Session Running Session running
23:20:32   Queue Started Observing Queue started (20 targets selected)
23:20:42     Target Started (7/26) Target started (7/26, AT2026cpv)
23:35:03     Target Aborted (7/26) Target aborted (7/26, AT2026cpv) due to User Intervention
23:35:07     Target Started (8/27) Target started (8/27, Jupiter, ToO)
23:42:10     Target Aborted (8/27) Target aborted (8/27, Jupiter, ToO) due to User Intervention
23:42:14     Target Started (9/28) Target started (9/28, C/2025 L1 (ATLAS), ToO)
23:44:56   Critical Wind Alert Critical Wind Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome)
23:44:58   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (wind)
23:45:00       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (wind)
23:45:02     Target Aborted (9/28) Target aborted (9/28, C/2025 L1 (ATLAS), ToO) due to wind
23:45:04   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
23:45:06 Session Suspending Session suspending
23:45:52   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 44s)
23:45:54 Session Suspended Session suspended
23:47:57 Session Resuming Session resuming
23:48:42   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
23:48:45 Session Running Session running
23:48:47   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
23:48:50     Target Started (9/29) Target started (9/29, C/2025 L1 (ATLAS), ToO)
23:51:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:54:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
00:04:13     Target Completed Target completed (9/29, C/2025 L1 (ATLAS), ToO)
00:04:18     Target Started (10/29) Target started (10/29, M35, ToO). Using SharpCap
00:07:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:11:56       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed (failed QC check - Range)
00:16:41 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-03-29 S01413)
00:18:41       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
00:18:43     Target Aborted (10/29) Target aborted (10/29, M35, ToO) due to User Intervention
00:18:45     Target Missed (11/29) Target's time slot was missed (11/29, T CrB)
00:18:48     Target Started (12/29) Target started (12/29, KIC 8462852)
00:28:35     Target Completed Target completed (12/29, KIC 8462852)
00:28:39     Target Started (13/30) Target started (13/30, T CrB, ToO)
00:32:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
00:35:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
00:39:16     Target Completed Target completed (13/30, T CrB, ToO)
00:39:20     Target Started (14/30) Target started (14/30, AT2026cpv)
01:32:38     Target Completed Target partially completed (14/30, AT2026cpv)
01:32:43     Target Started (15/30) Target started (15/30, GCVS CY Lyr)
01:39:42     Target Completed Target completed (15/30, GCVS CY Lyr)
01:39:47     Target Started (16/30) Target started (16/30, AT2025acsf)
01:43:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:45:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
02:02:12     Target Completed Target completed (16/30, AT2025acsf)
02:02:16     Target Started (17/30) Target started (17/30, Berkeley 51). Using SharpCap
02:04:46       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:07:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11)
02:16:12       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
02:16:14     Target Completed Target completed (17/30, Berkeley 51)
02:16:16     Target Started (18/30) Target started (18/30, GCVS SS Cyg)
02:22:36       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:24:50       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12)
02:27:59     Target Completed Target completed (18/30, GCVS SS Cyg)
02:28:03     Target Started (19/30) Target started (19/30, AT2026gzl)
02:32:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:34:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13)
02:50:45     Target Completed Target completed (19/30, AT2026gzl)
02:50:49     Target Started (20/30) Target started (20/30, GCVS EV Lac)
02:54:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:57:09       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14)
03:00:46     Target Completed Target completed (20/30, GCVS EV Lac)
03:00:50     Target Started (21/30) Target started (21/30, GCVS BL Lac)
03:07:48     Target Completed Target completed (21/30, GCVS BL Lac)
03:07:52     Target Started (22/30) Target started (22/30, GCVS Z And)
03:11:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:13:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15)
03:17:30     Target Completed Target completed (22/30, GCVS Z And)
03:17:34     Target Started (23/30) Target started (23/30, GCVS HH And)
03:20:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:23:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16)
03:24:55     Target Completed Target completed (23/30, GCVS HH And)
03:25:54     Target Started (24/30) Target started (24/30, NGC 7292 w/SN2026fov)
03:30:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:32:39       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17)
03:48:53     Target Completed Target completed (24/30, NGC 7292 w/SN2026fov)
03:48:57     Target Started (25/30) Target started (25/30, UGC 622 w/AT2026epv)
03:52:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:54:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18)
04:11:21     Target Completed Target completed (25/30, UGC 622 w/AT2026epv)
04:11:25     Target Started (26/30) Target started (26/30, HIP 87937)
04:13:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:16:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 19)
04:19:08     Target Completed Target completed (26/30, HIP 87937)
04:19:12     Target Started (27/30) Target started (27/30, 10P/Tempel)
04:24:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:26:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 20)
04:36:07     Target Completed Target completed (27/30, 10P/Tempel)
04:36:11     Target Started (28/30) Target started (28/30, 61 Cyg)
04:38:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
04:40:43       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 21)
04:42:34     Target Completed Target completed (28/30, 61 Cyg)
04:42:38     Target Started (29/30) Target started (29/30, 2025 R3 (PANSTARRS))
04:47:02       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI)
04:56:44     Target Completed Target completed (29/30, 2025 R3 (PANSTARRS))
04:57:19     Target Started (30/30) Target started (30/30, WDS GRB 34)
05:00:41       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
05:02:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 22)
05:04:54     Target Completed Target completed (30/30, WDS GRB 34)
05:04:56   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
05:04:58 Session Closing Session closing
05:05:45   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 44s)
05:06:17   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 24s), Az: 90.0 deg
05:07:15   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 52s total)
05:07:39   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.'
05:08:30   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
05:09:52   Services Stopped Night Services stopped
05:09:55 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
05:10:42     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°, Wide)
05:11:43     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 91.0°)
05:11:49     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 89.0 to 93.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow)
05:12:34     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 91.0°)
05:12:41     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -1.0°)
05:12:43   Dome Parked Dome parked
05:14:51   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (18mA)
05:14:53 Session Finished Session Finished
 
Session Alerts & Alarms
Time     Type       Name Detail
00:20:09 Red Alert Dome Dome didn't appear to move during the last telescope slew
05:14:51 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (18mA)
 

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Operational Issues (2026-03-29 S1413)

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Critical Issues

Major Issues

Minor Issues

Small Defects

Continuous Improvement

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Fig 1

Image

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