David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 1414 (2026-03-31)

 
Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
Bullet Operational Issues
- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (1),  Small Defects (2),  Continuous Improvement (0)
- Figures (0)
   
Bullet Images from 2026-03-31  >>           
   
   

Session Aims & Highlights (2026-03-31)

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 3.81. Check that refactoring of T.StartTime/ T.EndTimeSlot to use DateKind.UTC internally hasn't introduced any bugs or anomalous behaviour in AstroMain 3.81.

 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
20:24:29 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 20:25 & 04:47
20:24:31   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 20:25
20:25:11   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars
20:47:23 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (20:47)
20:47:30 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-03-31 S01414)
20:47:32   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.)
20:47:52   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch
20:49:44   Services Started Observatory Services started
20:49:54 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
20:49:56   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars
20:49:59 Session Pending Session pending (2026-03-31)
20:50:01 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-03-31)
20:50:25   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C)
20:50:31   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.46.2)
20:51:10   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1212)
20:51:52   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6)
20:52:17 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome
20:53:02   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s)
20:53:04   Equilibration Started Dome Equilibration started
20:53:06   Equilibration Ended Dome Equilibration ended (0.0 mins total)
20:53:08 Session Running Session running
20:53:10   Queue Started Observing Queue started (23 targets selected)
20:53:13     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 8, HIP 39357)
20:53:27       Dome Unparked Dome unparked
20:57:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:00:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide)
21:02:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
21:02:12       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap)
21:04:15       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide)
21:06:04       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2)
21:06:26     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 8, HIP 39357)
21:06:30     Target Started (4/26) Target started (4/26, AT2026eva)
21:10:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:13:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3)
21:29:04     Target Completed Target completed (4/26, AT2026eva)
21:29:08     Target Started (5/26) Target started (5/26, AT2026hix)
21:33:00       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:35:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4)
21:51:42     Target Completed Target completed (5/26, AT2026hix)
21:51:44     Target Missed (6/26) Target's time slot was missed (6/26, GCVS RR Leo)
21:51:46     Target Started (7/26) Target started (7/26, UGC 4316 w/SN2025advo)
21:56:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
21:58:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5)
22:14:51     Target Completed Target completed (7/26, UGC 4316 w/SN2025advo)
22:14:55     Target Started (8/26) Target started (8/26, AT2026gze (CV))
22:18:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:21:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6)
22:27:03     Target Completed Target completed (8/26, AT2026gze (CV))
22:27:07     Target Started (9/26) Target started (9/26, GCVS CN Leo)
22:32:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:34:44       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7)
22:42:27     Target Completed Target completed (9/26, GCVS CN Leo)
22:42:32     Target Started (10/26) Target started (10/26, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann)
22:47:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
22:47:46       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed - star lost
22:59:59     Target Completed Target completed (10/26, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann)
23:00:03     Target Started (11/26) Target started (11/26, NGC 4914 w/SN2026fjc)
23:04:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:07:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9)
23:23:53     Target Completed Target completed (11/26, NGC 4914 w/SN2026fjc)
23:23:57     Target Started (12/26) Target started (12/26, M35). Using SharpCap
23:26:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
23:28:47       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10)
23:57:55       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
23:57:58     Target Completed Target completed (12/26, M35)
23:58:00     Target Started (13/26) Target started (13/26, C/2025 L1 (ATLAS))
00:00:10 User Intervention User Intervention to abort job queue & switch back to Manual Mode
00:00:12     Target Failed (13/26) Target failed due to aborted (13/26, C/2025 L1 (ATLAS))
00:00:14   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted
00:00:16 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode
00:00:36   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped
00:01:59 Program Opened Program Opened (AstroMain 3.81.1)
00:02:03   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started
00:02:44   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started
00:02:46   Services Started Observatory Services started
00:03:24 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 00:03 & 04:47
00:03:26 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode
00:03:39 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (00:03)
00:03:46 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-03-31 S01414)
00:04:32   Services Started Observatory Services started
00:04:42 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
00:04:45 Session Pending Session pending (2026-03-31)
00:04:47 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-03-31)
00:05:00   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
00:05:02   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.46.2)
00:05:43   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1213)
00:05:53   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6)
00:06:19 Session Running Session running
00:06:22   Queue Started Observing Queue started (17 targets selected)
00:06:33     Target Started (1/17) Target started (1/17, AT2026coj (CV))
00:06:38     Target Failed (1/17) Target failed due to missed start time (1/17, AT2026coj (CV))
00:26:06     Target Started (2/17) Target started (2/17, GCVS YZ Cnc)
00:26:12     Target Failed (2/17) Target failed due to missed start time (2/17, GCVS YZ Cnc)
00:39:06     Target Started (3/17) Target started (3/17, GCVS RZ LMi)
00:39:11     Target Failed (3/17) Target failed due to missed start time (3/17, GCVS RZ LMi)
00:41:58 User Intervention User Intervention to abort job queue & switch back to Manual Mode
00:42:00 Observatory (Manual) Observatory placed in Manual Mode
00:42:02   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted
00:42:20   Services Stopped Observatory Services stopped
00:43:21 Program Opened Program Opened (AstroMain 3.81.2)
00:43:25   Obs.Overseer Started Obs.Overseer started
00:44:01   Obs.Manager Started Obs.Manager started
00:44:03   Services Started Observatory Services started
00:44:32 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 00:44 & 04:47
00:44:34 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode
00:44:47 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (00:44)
00:44:53 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-03-31 S01414)
00:45:38   Services Started Observatory Services started
00:45:48 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode
00:45:52 Session Pending Session pending (2026-03-31)
00:45:54 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-03-31)
00:46:07   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -20°C)
00:46:18   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1213)
00:46:31   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6)
00:46:55 Session Running Session running
00:46:58   Queue Started Observing Queue started (14 targets selected)
00:50:44     Target Started (4/17) Target started (4/17, GCVS ER UMa)
00:55:00       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
00:58:52     Target Completed Target completed (4/17, GCVS ER UMa)
01:01:03     Target Started (5/17) Target started (5/17, NGC 4205 w/SN2026fvx)
01:01:48 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-03-31 S01414)
01:04:44       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:06:55       Focusing Failed Foc1 focusing failed (failed QC check - RmsE)
01:23:33     Target Completed Target completed (5/17, NGC 4205 w/SN2026fvx)
01:23:38     Target Started (6/17) Target started (6/17, C/2025 L1 (ATLAS))
01:29:03       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI)
01:38:35     Target Completed Target completed (6/17, C/2025 L1 (ATLAS))
01:39:00     Target Started (7/17) Target started (7/17, UGC 9533 w/AT2026hvo)
01:42:26       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:43:15 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-03-31 S01414)
01:44:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14)
02:00:48     Target Completed Target completed (7/17, UGC 9533 w/AT2026hvo)
02:01:00     Target Started (8/17) Target started (8/17, IC 4556 w/SN2026fuz)
02:03:37   Telescope Slew Telescope slew has timed out after 2.5 minutes
02:07:06       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:09:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 15)
02:25:32     Target Completed Target completed (8/17, IC 4556 w/SN2026fuz)
02:25:36     Target Started (9/17) Target started (9/17, GCVS AM Her)
02:29:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:32:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 16)
02:36:54     Target Completed Target completed (9/17, GCVS AM Her)
02:36:59     Target Started (10/17) Target started (10/17, GCVS BL Lac)
02:41:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
02:43:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 17)
02:48:21     Target Completed Target completed (10/17, GCVS BL Lac)
02:48:26     Target Started (11/17) Target started (11/17, 24P/Schaumasse)
02:48:55       Dome Unparked Dome unparked
02:49:42       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
02:53:47       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
03:02:10     Target Completed Target completed (11/17, 24P/Schaumasse)
03:02:14     Target Started (12/17) Target started (12/17, T CrB)
03:05:35       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
03:07:18       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
03:07:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 18)
03:12:04     Target Completed Target completed (12/17, T CrB)
03:12:06   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
03:12:09 Session Suspending Session suspending
03:13:04   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 55s, Zigbee 44s)
03:13:06 Session Suspended Session suspended
03:30:49     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (13/17, AT2026hur) due to cloud
03:53:09     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/17, UGC 11058 w/SN2026ewd) due to cloud
04:09:17     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/17, 10P/Tempel) due to too few stars
04:17:35 Session Resuming Session resuming
04:18:20   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
04:18:22 Session Running Session running
04:18:24   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
04:18:27     Target Started (16/17) Target started (16/17, C/2026 B2 (Sun-Gao))
04:21:15       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
04:22:25       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
04:23:55       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
04:24:55       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
04:25:25       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
04:33:46       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
04:34:26       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
04:36:26       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
04:36:57       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
04:37:26       SoftSuspend Cancelled Soft Suspend is cancelled due to improved conditions
04:38:06       SoftSuspend Called Soft Suspend called due to Deteriorating Conditions (too few stars)
04:47:29     Target Completed Target completed (16/17, C/2026 B2 (Sun-Gao))
04:47:31   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension
04:47:33 Session Suspending Session suspending
04:48:22   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 44s)
04:48:25 Session Suspended Session suspended
05:06:44 Session Resuming Session resuming
05:07:29   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 41s)
05:07:32 Session Running Session running
05:07:34   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed
05:07:36     Target Started (17/17) Target started (17/17, M31 w/M31N 2025-10a?)
05:19:25     Target Completed Target partially completed (17/17, M31 w/M31N 2025-10a?)
05:19:27   Queue Completed Job Queue completed
05:19:30 Session Closing Session closing
05:20:20   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 44s)
05:20:51   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 23s), Az: 90.0 deg
05:21:48   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 50s total)
05:22:12   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.'
05:22:51   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
05:24:18   Services Stopped Night Services stopped
05:24:20 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files)
05:25:13     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°, Wide)
05:26:09     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 91.0°)
05:26:15     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 89.0 to 93.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow)
05:26:57     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.8°)
05:27:03     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.8°)
05:27:05   Dome Parked Dome parked
05:30:06   Dome Charging Dome hasn't started re-charging after 3.0 minutes
05:30:08 Session Finished Session Finished
 
Session Alerts & Alarms
Time     Type       Name Detail
02:03:37 Yellow Alert Telescope Slew Telescope slew has timed out after 2.5 minutes
05:30:06 Yellow Alert Dome Charging Dome hasn't started re-charging after 3.0 minutes
 

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Operational Issues (2026-03-31 S1414)

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