David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1442 (2026-07-30)

Notes (S1441)

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Notes (S1442)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (2),  Small Defects (8),  Continuous Improvement (8)
	- Figures (0)
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Session Aims & Highlights (2026-07-30)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.

 Equipment & Software

• 12" LX200 and ST-10XME
• 80mm APO and ZWO ASI 178MC
• TheSky6 6.0.0.65, CCDSoft5 5.0.201, DeviceHub 7.1.0.4707, MeadeGeneric 1.3.12.522, UPB 3, PulsarDome 6.4.0.0
• Peg-Unity 2.12, Peg-Focuser 2.12, Peg-Switch 2.12, TCF-LSI 3.3.5
• SharpCap 3.2.6482, PHD2 2.6.14, Siril 1.4.2, deCONZ 2.18.2, ASCOM 7.1.0.4707
   
• AstroMain 3.83.1, AstroPlan 1.47, AstroShCap 1.3.23, AstroGuard 1.13.2
  AstroMag 1.5.12, AstroVOE 2.0.1, AstroSN 1.16, AstroProtect 1.7, AstroMove 1.18.2
  AstroAllSky 3.28.1, AstroWeather 1.30.4, AstroObsCam 1.14, AstroNorthCam 1.10.4, AstroLaunch 1.14.9

Highlights

• Targets. 15/15 planned targets were completed
•  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 22:19:19 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 22:49 & 03:00 22:19:24   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 22:49 22:49:52 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (22:49) 22:49:58 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-07-30 S01442) 22:50:00   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 22:50:27   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 22:52:11   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:52:21 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:52:24 Session Pending Session pending (2026-07-30) 22:52:26 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-07-30) 22:52:46   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 22:52:49   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.47) 22:54:08   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1243) 22:54:51   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 22:55:16 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 22:56:01   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 22:56:06 Session Running Session running 22:56:09   Queue Started Observing Queue started (15 targets selected) 22:56:15     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 18, HIP 88232) 22:56:29       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 23:02:05       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:04:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 23:06:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 23:06:30       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 23:08:14       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 23:09:54       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 23:10:14     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 18, HIP 88232) 23:10:18     Target Started (1/15) Target started (1/15, T CrB) 23:18:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:20:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 23:24:47     Target Completed Target completed (1/15, T CrB) 23:24:51     Target Started (2/15) Target started (2/15, GCVS CY Lyr) 23:33:09     Target Completed Target completed (2/15, GCVS CY Lyr) 23:33:13     Target Started (3/15) Target started (3/15, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) 23:37:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:40:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 23:54:39     Target Completed Target completed (3/15, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) 23:54:43     Target Started (4/15) Target started (4/15, GCVS BL Lac) 00:02:31     Target Completed Target completed (4/15, GCVS BL Lac) 00:02:35     Target Started (5/15) Target started (5/15, AT2026iul (CV)) 00:06:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:08:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 00:15:12     Target Completed Target completed (5/15, AT2026iul (CV)) 00:15:16     Target Started (6/15) Target started (6/15, AT 2026stb (Nova)) 00:19:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:22:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 00:33:21     Target Completed Target completed (6/15, AT 2026stb (Nova)) 00:33:26     Target Started (7/15) Target started (7/15, UGC 11058 w/SN2026ewd) 00:37:02       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:39:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 00:55:22     Target Completed Target completed (7/15, UGC 11058 w/SN2026ewd) 00:55:26     Target Started (8/15) Target started (8/15, GCVS AM Her) 00:58:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:00:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 01:05:50     Target Completed Target completed (8/15, GCVS AM Her) 01:05:54     Target Started (9/15) Target started (9/15, AT2026rdg) 01:10:37       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:13:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 01:29:26     Target Completed Target completed (9/15, AT2026rdg) 01:29:30     Target Started (10/15) Target started (10/15, UGC 12040 w/SN2026kux) 01:33:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:35:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 01:51:56     Target Completed Target completed (10/15, UGC 12040 w/SN2026kux) 01:52:00     Target Started (11/15) Target started (11/15, M31 w/M31N 2026-04a?) 01:55:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:58:02       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 02:14:37     Target Completed Target completed (11/15, M31 w/M31N 2026-04a?) 02:14:41     Target Started (12/15) Target started (12/15, M31 w/M31N 2025-10a?) 02:34:27     Target Completed Target completed (12/15, M31 w/M31N 2025-10a?) 02:34:31     Target Started (13/15) Target started (13/15, GCVS DY Per) 02:37:55       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:40:07       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 02:44:29     Target Completed Target completed (13/15, GCVS DY Per) 02:44:33     Target Started (14/15) Target started (14/15, GSC 1224:29) 02:49:03       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 02:55:37     Target Completed Target completed (14/15, GSC 1224:29) 02:56:03     Target Started (15/15) Target started (15/15, WDS GRB 34) 02:59:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:01:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 03:04:12     Target Completed Target completed (15/15, WDS GRB 34) 03:04:14   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 03:04:17 Session Closing Session closing 03:05:07   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 43s) 03:05:37   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 18s), Az: 90.0 deg 03:06:26   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 42s total) 03:06:50   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 03:07:53   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 03:09:20   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 03:09:23 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 03:10:00     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°, Wide) 03:10:48     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 89.0°) 03:10:55     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 87.0 to 91.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 03:11:39     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 89.2°) 03:11:45     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: +0.8°) 03:11:47   Dome Parked Dome parked 03:14:48   Dome Charging Dome is parked and well charged (96%, 15.0v) 03:14:50 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 03:14:48 Yellow Alert Dome Charging Dome is parked and well charged (96%, 15.0v)

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Operational Issues (2026-07-30 S1442)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (2)
• Small Defects (8)
• Continuous Improvement (8)
• Figures (0)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• PageBuilder Bottom Links showing incorrect year values and incorrect UR for transients objects Bottom link for AT2026stb using AstroMain 3.83.1 was computed as "Images of AT 2026stb on Transients 202 Page"  with the url  "transients_202.htm#AT2026stb".  Year should be shown as 2026 not 202.   Investigating code showed that the issue is associated with the computation  'year = TnsId.Substring(0, 4)'.    This normally works but in the situation where TnsID = " 2026stb" (with leading space), instead of "2026stb",  the year is returned as " 202".  The problem originates from an incorrect loading of TNSid in the target database by AstroSN,  which is then propogated through target retrieval and display in AstroMain's objconsole.txtTargetTnsID.text and PageBuilder.txtTargetTnsID.text.  Fixed 2026-07-31, guards have been added to AstroMain 3.83.2 to trim the fields before use.
  Fixed 2026-07-31 (AstroMain 3.83.2,  AstroSN 1.16.1)
   
• AstroMain's new AnalyseAstrometryForSystem() routine is computing discrepencies between predicted astrometric star positions and measured star position that are larger than expected. When running new AnalyseAstrometryForSystem() routine on 61 Cyg it was found that total discrepencies of around 9" were produced. This is larger than expected. Analysis of code determined that the predicated RA position wasn't accounting for Cos(Dec). Issue wasn't noticed previously for Barnards Star as its proper motion in RA is relatively small compared to 61 Cyg which has a much larger motion in E-W direction. Fixed in AstroMain 3.83.2.  Astrometry.ComputeModelCoords() modified to change
   dRA_pm_deg  = p.PM_RA * dtYears * masToDeg
to
   dRA_pm_deg  = (p.PM_RA * dtYears * masToDeg) / Math.Cos(p.Dec0 * Math.PI / 180.0)
  Fixed 2026-07-31 (AstroMain 3.83.2)

Small Defects

• PageBuilder's Build Web Page' routine produced a page with a lot of empty 'Back To Top' sections at bottom of page.  When building page of session S1442, a lot of essentially empty sections where produced at bottom of page.  Running code in visual studio debugger showed that the problem was dueCcontents containing multiple rows with .ImageSetObject = Nothing.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.83.2 by adding a guard to ensure that 'ImageSetObject' is not nothing, before attempting to add each object section.
  Fixed 2026-07-31 (AstroMain 3.83.2)
   
• ObjConsole Form title is being regressed when moving from ImageSets tab to Analyis tab. Currently in AstroMain 3.83.1, the ObjConsole Form shows the title like "Analysis (2025-01-21 S01298) - UGC 6363 with SN 2024adix (Inactive), T+48.6d" after selecting 'UGC 6363 3x3 180s C'  on ImageSets tab,  but upon selecting the Analysis tab, the form title changes to show "Analysis  (2025-01-21 S01298)".  If the ImageSets tab is reselected, the form title continues to show this reduced title even though the 'UGC 6363' image set is still selected. Fixed in AstroMain 3.83.2, by making a small modification to ConsoleMode.Analysis  code section in objconsole.UpdateWindowTitleAction() routine.
  Fixed 2026-08-01 (AstroMain 3.83.2)
   
• AstroVMA's Component Form is incorrectly computing Decimal Dec when user has forgotten a Dec '+' sign and uses 'Apply Changes' button. Fixed in AstroVMA 1.1 by making ComponentForm.UnloadFields to pass the user inputted Dec string through new routine NormalizeDecDMS().
  Fixed 2026-08-03 (AstroVMA 1.1)
   
• AstroVMA's Model Form isn't being cleared when new System is chosen or selected.  Fixed in AstroVMA 1.1 by callingAstrometryModelForm.ClearAllFields() .
  Fixed 2026-08-03 (AstroVMA 1.1)
   
• AstroMain's Analyse Astrometry routines are being run on Spectral (S Filter) Images.  AstroMain's new 'AnalyseAstrometryForSystem()' routine is currently allowed to execute on a set of spectral images (Filter=S).  This shouldn't be allowed. Fixed in AstroMain 3.83.2.
  Fixed 2026-08-04 (AstroMain 3.83.2)
   
• Component Filter isn't working on AstroVMA's Astrometry Observations Form. With Cyg 61 filter selected 'Refresh List' returns records for StarA, StarB, CheckStar. It would be expected that checking the 'Component' Filter, selecting 'StarA' and reusing the 'Refresh List' button would returns just Cyg 61 / StarA records,  but instead it still returns records for all components. Turning off System Filter, selecting 'StarA' and reusing the 'Refresh List' button returns no records. The Component Filter does work correctly on 'Astrometry Measurements' form   Fixed in AstroMain 3.83.2.
  Fixed 2026-08-04 (AstroMain 3.83.2)
   
• MotionGraph produced for 61 Cyg is cutoff at bottom and does show the expected full Dec range.  The production of Astrometric MotionGraph for nearby stars is a newly added feature to AstroMain and whilst it has previously been used for creating Motion Graphs for Barnards Star, the creation of a motion graph for 61 Cyg is new. It is found that the bottom part of the graph is cutoff.  The grid is also poorly developed.  Changing the Major Increment to 'Auto' results in a more acceptable 10" grid. When Graph's DataRangeType is set to 'ALL' , AstroMain's GenerateAstrometryGraphs() routine produces a graph .png file with size 630 x 405px (graph cutoff at bottom). When DataRangeType is set to 'LONGTERM' (3 years) or 'RECENT (60 days), the routine produces a graph .png file with size 760 x 920px. When DataRangeType is set to LONGTERM (8 years) the routine produces graph .png that is sized 806 x 920px.  When DataRangeType is set to LONGTERM (20 years) the routine again produces a graph .png file with size 630 x 405px.  It should be noted that the size of pboxGraph is 630 x 405px, suggesting the code uses an 'edge' threshold of some kind, and sometimes producing suboptimal products. In the larger plots the height of the graph area is 800 px. which corresponds to a setting in code.  (Note that: 800 + 70 (marginTop) + 50 (marginBottom) = 920). Solution hacked in AstroMain 3.83.3 so that the 800px graph height is used when aspect ratio is < 1.1 instead of < 1.0 in order to produce a fully complete graph .png file that is 920 x 920px in size. A separate Continuous Improvement ticket has been raised to review the process of sizing the Astrometric graphs.
  Fixed 2026-08-05 (AstroMain 3.83.3)
   
• 'Plot Astrometry Graphs' routine is freezing AstroMain program for 61 Cyg.   Whilst 'Plot Astrometry Graphs' routine (GenerateAstrometryGraphs())  was working earlier, it is now causing the AstroMain program to freeze.  Rerunning AstroMain after changing the MotionGraoh's X & Y Major Increment to 'Auto' enables AstroMain's 'Plot Astrometry Graphs' to run without freezing the program.
  To investigate and fix 2026-08-05 (AstroMain 3.83.2+)

Continuous Improvement

• Prevent " (Nova)" from being propogated to PageBuilder's Target Title & Image Title fields.  Novae objects are computed to have a target display name like "AT 2026stb (Nova), however it isn't appropriate to include "(Nova)" with in the target name on PageBuilder form and web pages built from it. Fixed added to AstroMain 3.83.2 to remove the " (Nova)".before sending title to PageBuilder.
  Done 2026-07-31 (AstroMain 3.83.2)
   
• Modify AstroMain to make PageBuilder form title to show same Target Information that the ObjConsole Form title shows. Currently in AstroMain 3.83.1, the Page Builder title will only show  "Page Builder (2025-01-21 S01298) - UGC 6363",  whilst the ObjConsole Form shows the title "Analysis (2025-01-21 S01298) - UGC 6363 with SN 2024adix (Inactive), T+48.6d".  It is proposed to make the necessary modifications to make the PageBuilder Form Title to show the same Target Information that the ObjConsole Form title shows.
  Done 2026-08-01 (AstroMain 3.83.2)
   
• Modify 'Apply Changes' routine on AstroVMA's Component Form to convert Decimal RA degs and Decimal Dec degs to RA HMS and Dec DMS. Implemented in AstroVMA 1.1 via introduction of two new routines NormalizeRAHMS().and NormalizeDecDMS().
  Done 2026-08-03 (AstroVMA 1.1)
   
• Add a button to get Gaia DR3 properties for a given Component Object. For either an Astrometric System Component star (Star A, StarB etc) or a checkstar,  it would be useful to have a button on the Component Form that can ingest Ra0, Dec0, Ref Epoch, Proper Motion (Ra,Dec) for the current component based on its Gaia SourceID (where entered). Implemented in AstroVMA 1.1 via new button and a call to existing GaiaImport.FetchGaiaDR3().
  Done 2026-08-03 (AstroVMA 1.1)
   
• Perform astrometric reanalysis of 61 Cyg.  61 Cyg has previously been analysed using legacy astrometric routines in AstroMain, but recently new astrometric routines, database tables and new program AstroVMA have been introduced and executed on the single star system ' Barnards Star' . Ahead of a reanalysis of all monitored nearby stars it is proposed to make a reanalysis of binary star system 61 Cyg.  This will test the routine for a 2 star system and test the routines under different Proper Motion direction, allowing any issues to surface and be fixed.  
  Done 2026-08-04 (AstroMain, AstroVMA, Astrometry Database)
   
• Add 'year' labelling to Astrometric Motion Graphs.  The production of Astrometric MotionGraph for nearby stars is a feature recently added to AstroMain. Previously these graphs were made in Exce, where on particular feature was that the graph could be annotated (manually) to show the 1 Jan position for each year. It is proposed to emmulate this annotation feature in AstroMain's Astronometry Graphs. The new feature may require specification support from AstroVMA and Astrometry Database
  Done  2026-08-04 (AstroMain 3.82.3 , AstroVAM 1.1+)
   
• Supplement Astrometric Measurements to include Camera Filter.  Currently in AstroMain 3.83,2/AstroVMA 1..1 camera filter (typically C or R) is not recorded.  It is proposed to modify AstroMain,  Astrometry Database and AstroVMA to support the recording, storage and viewing of camera filter.
  To do 2026-08-04 (AstroMain 3.82.2+ , AstroVAM 1.1+)
   
• Carry out more detailed review of how Astrometric Graphs are sized (need to be sized) in AstroMain's GenerateAstrometryGraphs() routine.  Following an issue where MotionGraph for 61 Cyg was produced with the bottom part missing on sized 630x405px,  a solution was hacked in AstroMain 3.83.3 so that the 800px graph height is used when aspect ratio is < 1.1 instead of < 1.0 in order to produce a fully complete graph .png file that is 920 x 920px in size. It is proposed to carry out a more detailed review of requirements and solutions covering full spectrum of possible cases.
  To do 2026-08-06 (AstroMain 3.83.3+)
   

SELECT *
FROM gaiadr3.gaia_source
WHERE CONTAINS(
POINT('ICRS', ra, dec),
CIRCLE('ICRS', 316.709917, 38.765506, 0.0005)
)=1

https://gea.esac.esa.int/archive/

https://gaia.aip.de/

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