David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1429 (2026-05-07)

Notes (S1428)

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Notes (S1430A)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (0),  Small Defects (1),  Continuous Improvement (0)
	- Figures (0)
	Images from 2026-05-07  >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2026-05-07)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
2. Observatory Computer. Check and confirm that the Observatory Computer is sufficiently fixed and working following replacement/upgrade of its SSD and potentially show-stopping issue with Windows/PHD2
3. AstroMain. Check new AstroMain 3.81.12 version for any issues or problems following introduction of a number of changes.

 Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• TheSky6 6.0.0.65, CCDSoft 5.00.201 (Reinstall), 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 1.4.1, deCONZ 1.18.2, ASCOM 7.1.0.4707
   
• AstroMain 3.81.12  AstroPlan 1.46.2, AstroShCap 1.3.23, AstroGuard 1.13.2  (any new items or versions in bold)
  AstroMag 1.5.12, AstroVOE 1.16,  AstroSN 1.16,  AstroProtect 1.10.6,  AstroMove 1.18.1
  AstroAllSky 3.27.10, AstroWeather 1.30.3   AstroObsCam 1.13.1, AstroNorthCam 1.8.2, AstroLaunch 1.14.9

Highlights

• Targets. 9/11 planned targets were completed. Final 2 targets failed due to cloud.
• Observatory Computer. Observatory computer and its software suite functioned without issue during the session, confirming that the computer is fixed and fully working following replacement/upgrade of its SSD and potentially show-stopping issue with Windows/PHD2.
• AstroMain. AstroMain 3.81.12 version operated without problem or issues. It is recommended to now progress AstroMain to version 3.82.
•  Dome. No issues open/closing shutter. Dome was successfully parked at the end of the session.

Notes

• .

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 00:00:37 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-05-07 S01429) 00:00:39   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 00:02:41 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 00:02 & 02:56 00:02:43 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 00:02:45 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (00:02) 00:02:48 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-05-07 S01429) 00:02:56   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 00:04:39   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:04:50 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 00:04:52 Session Pending Session pending (2026-05-07) 00:04:54 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-05-07) 00:05:18   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 00:05:24   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.46.2) 00:06:58   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1229) 00:07:41   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 00:08:05 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 00:08:51   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 46s, Zigbee 40s) 00:08:53 Session Running Session running 00:08:55   Queue Started Observing Queue started (11 targets selected) 00:09:00     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 14, HIP 69068) 00:09:10       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 00:13:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:15:31       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 00:17:32       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 00:17:41       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 00:19:21       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 00:20:53       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 00:21:09     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 14, HIP 69068) 00:21:52     Target Started (1/11) Target started (1/11, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 00:26:44       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 00:38:30     Target Completed Target completed (1/11, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann) 00:39:55     Target Started (2/11) Target started (2/11, UGC 5607 w/SN2026kc) 00:44:42       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 01:01:38     Target Completed Target completed (2/11, UGC 5607 w/SN2026kc) 01:02:14     Target Started (3/11) Target started (3/11, NGC 4914 w/SN2026fjc) 01:05:39       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:08:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 01:24:14     Target Completed Target completed (3/11, NGC 4914 w/SN2026fjc) 01:24:34     Target Started (4/11) Target started (4/11, IC 4556 w/SN2026fuz) 01:28:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:31:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 01:47:01     Target Completed Target completed (4/11, IC 4556 w/SN2026fuz) 01:47:05     Target Started (5/11) Target started (5/11, T CrB) 01:50:29       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 01:54:56     Target Completed Target completed (5/11, T CrB) 01:57:50     Target Started (6/11) Target started (6/11, UGC 11058 w/SN2026ewd) 02:02:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:04:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 02:20:52     Target Completed Target completed (6/11, UGC 11058 w/SN2026ewd) 02:20:56     Target Started (7/11) Target started (7/11, GCVS CY Lyr) 02:24:36       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:26:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 02:31:06     Target Completed Target completed (7/11, GCVS CY Lyr) 02:31:11     Target Started (8/11) Target started (8/11, AT2026hur) 02:35:24       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:37:41       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 02:53:58     Target Completed Target completed (8/11, AT2026hur) 02:54:02     Target Started (9/11) Target started (9/11, AT2026iul (CV)) 02:58:19       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:00:34       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 03:07:38     Target Completed Target completed (9/11, AT2026iul (CV)) 03:07:42     Target Started (10/11) Target started (10/11, GCVS BL Lac) 03:11:11       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:12:17   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 03:12:19   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 03:12:21       Focusing Aborted Foc1 Focusing Aborted 03:12:23     Target Aborted (10/11) Target aborted (10/11, GCVS BL Lac) due to cloud 03:12:25   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 03:12:27 Session Suspending Session suspending 03:13:12   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 03:13:15 Session Suspended Session suspended 03:14:22     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (10/11, GCVS BL Lac) due to too few stars 03:36:22     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (11/11, AT2026juw (CV)) due to cloud 03:36:26   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 03:36:30 Session Closing Session closing 03:36:32   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 03:13, closing time 50s, zigbee 43s) 03:36:51   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 10s), Az: 90.0 deg 03:37:37   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 40s total) 03:38:01   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 03:39:10   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 03:40:37   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 03:40:40 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 03:41:02     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 03:41:45     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.2°) 03:41:51     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.2°) 03:41:53   Dome Parked Dome parked 03:44:55   Dome Charging Dome is parked and well charged (97%, 15.0v) 03:44:57 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 03:44:55 Yellow Alert Dome Charging Dome is parked and well charged (97%, 15.0v)

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Operational Issues (2026-05-07 S1429)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (0)
• Small Defects (0)
• Continuous Improvement (1)
• Figures (0)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• None

Small Defects

• None

Continuous Improvement

• Add form/facility in AstroMain to create a Session Notes Page for the current/latest Session. Currently each time an Observing Session is conducted, there is significant manual effort involved in copying the last Session Notes page to a Session Page for the new Session and then editing Session Date/Session ID fields, image file names and hyperlinks to those appropriate for the new session.  It is proposed to build a new facility in AstroMain to make this is one-click process.  It is proposed to create a new form 'NotesBuilder' that is reached via a "Build Notes Page >>" button on the Reduction Workflow Tab, which is autopopulated with the current session or latest session details as appropriate, allowing user to review before clicking a "Generate Session Notes Page" page button that generates the new Session Notes page in the website.  This is none by replacing tokens in a template file called "notes-template.htm".  In order to bring in Software Versions used in the session, the ReportProgramVersions() routine is AstroMain/Observatory has been extended to a create a 'SoftwareVersions.htm file that the NoteBuilder picks up and injects into the new Session Notes.   After creating the new Session Notes the user may supplements content in the file in the usual way using the ExpressionWeb web editor.  To prevent any manually entered content from being overwitten, the NotesBuilder checks for presence of an existing Notes Page for the Session, and exits if one is found. Implemented in AstroMain 3.82.  The feature was used for the first time for S1340A Session (2026-05-09). There were some teething issues fixed in AstroMain 3.82.1.
  Done 2026-05-09 (AstroMain 3.82 / 3.82.1)

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