David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1449 (2026-09-07)

Notes (S1448)

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Notes (S1450)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (1),  Small Defects (2),  Continuous Improvement (1)
	- Figures (0)
	Images from 2026-09-07  >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2026-09-07)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
2. AstroMain. Check new AstroMain xx.xx  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, 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 3.83.10, AstroPlan 1.47.1, AstroShCap 1.3.23, AstroGuard 1.13.2
  AstroMag 1.5.12, AstroVOE 2.0.1, AstroSN 1.16.1, AstroProtect 1.7, AstroMove 1.18.3
  AstroAllSky 3.28.4, AstroWeather 1.30.4, AstroObsCam 1.14, AstroNorthCam 1.12.17, AstroLaunch 1.14.9

Highlights

• Targets. 11/25 planned targets were completed with 1 target partially completely. Other targets failed due to cloud / session suspension
•  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 20:40:40 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 20:41 & 04:51 20:40:42   AutoStart Waiting AutoStart waiting till earliest start time at 20:41 20:41:27   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to threat of rain 21:12:45 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:12) 21:12:51 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-09-07 S01449) 21:12:53   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 21:13:16   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 21:15:02   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:15:12 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:15:14   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to threat of rain 21:15:17 Session Pending Session pending (2026-09-07) 21:15:19 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-09-07) 21:15:39   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 21:15:42   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.47.1) 21:16:34   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1250) 21:17:14   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:17:38 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 21:18:24   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 39s) 21:18:29 Session Running Session running 21:18:32   Queue Started Observing Queue started (25 targets selected) 21:18:38     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 21, HIP 103850) 21:18:54       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 21:22:52       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:25:03       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 21:27:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 21:27:09       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:28:53       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 21:30:37       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 21:30:56     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 21, HIP 103850) 21:32:10     Target Started (1/25) Target started (1/25, NGC 4205 w/SN2026fvx) 21:36:47       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 21:52:49     Target Completed Target completed (1/25, NGC 4205 w/SN2026fvx) 21:54:30     Target Started (2/25) Target started (2/25, GCVS BL Lac) 21:59:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:01:20       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 22:05:11     Target Completed Target completed (2/25, GCVS BL Lac) 22:05:15     Target Started (3/25) Target started (3/25, NGC 7331 w/SN2026aaiv) 22:09:38       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:12:12       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 22:28:28     Target Completed Target completed (3/25, NGC 7331 w/SN2026aaiv) 22:28:32     Target Started (4/25) Target started (4/25, M31 w/M31N 2026-06a?) 22:32:54       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:35:11       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 22:48:20       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 22:51:27     Target Completed Target completed (4/25, M31 w/M31N 2026-06a?) 22:51:31     Target Started (5/25) Target started (5/25, LEDA 68428 w/SN2025acqv) 22:55:14       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:57:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 23:13:51     Target Completed Target completed (5/25, LEDA 68428 w/SN2025acqv) 23:13:55     Target Started (6/25) Target started (6/25, PCG 2259+1329) 23:18:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:20:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 23:37:06     Target Completed Target completed (6/25, PCG 2259+1329) 23:37:10     Target Started (7/25) Target started (7/25, UGC 279 w/SN2026zyf) 23:58:58     Target Completed Target completed (7/25, UGC 279 w/SN2026zyf) 23:59:02     Target Started (8/25) Target started (8/25, T CrB) 00:07:41     Target Completed Target completed (8/25, T CrB) 00:07:45     Target Started (9/25) Target started (9/25, GCVS RX And) 00:12:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:15:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 00:17:32     Target Completed Target completed (9/25, GCVS RX And) 00:17:36     Target Started (10/25) Target started (10/25, SHK 38) 00:21:24       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 00:37:46     Target Completed Target completed (10/25, SHK 38) 00:38:24     Target Started (11/25) Target started (11/25, NGC 470) 00:42:45       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 00:59:25     Target Completed Target completed (11/25, NGC 470) 01:00:44     Target Started (12/25) Target started (12/25, M31 w/AT2026vdo) 01:03:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:06:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 01:18:14   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:18:16   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 01:18:19     Target Aborted (12/25) Target aborted (12/25, M31 w/AT2026vdo) due to cloud 01:18:21   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:18:23 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:19:09   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 49s, Zigbee 43s) 01:19:14 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:41:40     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (13/25, M31 w/AT2026aabo) due to cloud 01:55:15     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/25, GCVS DY Per) due to cloud 02:10:41     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/25, GCVS U And) due to cloud 02:31:31     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/25, PCG 0250+0700) due to cloud 02:46:44     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/25, GSC 1224:29) due to cloud 02:56:25     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/25, GCVS GK Per) due to cloud 03:15:40     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (19/25, AT2026yvx) due to cloud 03:37:40     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (20/25, AT2026yvy) due to cloud 03:50:48     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/25, GCVS CI Cyg) due to cloud 04:10:03     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/25, AT2026lkf) due to cloud 04:26:35     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/25, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS)) due to cloud 04:36:53     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/25, GCVS ER UMa) due to cloud 04:58:01     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/25, GCVS RZ LMi) due to cloud 04:58:05   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 04:58:09 Session Closing Session closing 04:58:11   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 01:19, closing time 49s, zigbee 43s) 04:58:49   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 26s), Az: 90.0 deg 04:59:39   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 41s total) 05:00:03   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 05:00:59   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:02:23   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:02:26 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:02:53     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 05:03:36     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.4°) 05:03:41     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.4°) 05:03:43   Dome Parked Dome parked 05:06:41   Dome Charging Dome is parked and well charged (98%, 15.0v) 05:06:43 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 05:06:41 Yellow Alert Dome Charging Dome is parked and well charged (98%, 15.0v)

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Operational Issues (2026-09-07 S1449)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (1)
• Small Defects (2)
• Continuous Improvement (1)
• Figures (0)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• A Session Dome Log wasn't created at end of session (or indeed any session for a while) (05:06). An error recorded at the bottom of the session error log reports that 'CreateDomeLog' failed with the message "Unable to find any Pulsar Logs". Running the 'Create Dome Logs' process again showed that the reason was there "No Pulsar Logs found in the last 10 days". Investigating then revealed that the same error affected the last 3 sessions and also some earlier session. The problem occurs when the Pulsar Dome ASCOM Driver has been using the same log file for more than 10 days.  Investigating further showed that the last Pulsar dome log was one on 2026-08-24 (14-15 days ago). Fixed in shortern term,  by closing all Astro related programs and checking that all drivers had closed including the Pulsar Observatories driver, and then restarting AstroMain and connecting to the dome. This started a new log  "ASCOM.Pulsar_Observatories_Dome.0738.519400.txt".   CreateDomeLog() modified to look for Pulsar Dome Logs within the 30 days prior to the Session  Dome Logs were then retrospectively created on 2026-09-08 for S1449-S1447, S1442-S1440, S1438-S1437, with each one taking around 2 - 2.5 minutes to generate. A separate continuous improvement ticket is raised to modifiy AstroMain to look for the last Pulsar log file and warn if there isn't one in the last 10 days.
   Resolved 2026-09-07 (Session, Pulsar Dome, AstroMain ASCOM, User Awareness)

Small Defects

• AstroNorthCam 'DayObjects' Frame is showing Swallow with black wings & head, but no body. An unsual Object Frame showed a number of lapwings or swallows, each with a pair of black wings but no evident body (see Fig 1a).  This was most evident in a frame of a swallow from 2026-09-08.10:19:00 (see Fig 1b).  The ObjectPic frames show their expected white bodies (see Fig 1c).  This is a consequence of the Objects Frame deliberately using a 15s Min metaframe in which each pixel represents the minumum value seen during the 15s Window Interval.  This is normally very good for highlighing dark coloured typically (crows, rooks, starlings) or silouetted birds, but in sunshine the white parts of any birds (ike the bodies of lapwings, magpie or swallows) simply won't be represented in the Min metaframe as the sky back ground (typically blue) is darker than white body parts. This is the expected outcome for such a 15s Min derived  frame.  The ObjectPic shows the true picture of such bird detections and should always be referred to. Closed after review 2026-09-08.
   Closed after review 2026-09-08 (Session, AstroNorthCam, User Awareness)
   
• "Collection was modified; enumeration operation may not execute  exceptions are occasionally occuring in AstroNorthCa's Mutli-Channel Frame Viewer when loading a session stroNorthCam (2026-09-08). When a session is being loaded and catalogs are being built there are occasional 'System.InvalidOperationExceptions' with the message "Collection was modified; enumeration operation may not execute" (these occured whilst running AstroNorthCam 1.12.17 & 1.12.18). The exceptions originate in the GetFrameFromCatalog() routine and are associated with the UI trying to enumerate "for each fr in catalog.frames" whilst the BuildCatalogs thread is likely still running and is modifiying the catalog lists.  Fixed in AstroNorthCam 1.12.19 by take a snapshot copy, viz:
    Dim frames = catalog.Frames.ToList() ' snapshot copy ' added 2026-09-08
  For Each fr In frames
     If fr.Timestamp = t Then Return fr
  Next
   Fixed 2026-09-08 (AstroNorthCam 1.12.19)

Continuous Improvement

• Modify AstroMain to look for and warn if there are no Pulsar Log files in the last 10 days.  No Dome log was created at end of the S1449 session. An investigaton showed that there were no Pulsar dome logs in the last 10 days, and that the Pulsar Dome ASCOM Driver has been using the same ASCOM log file since 2026-06-19, a file that had now reached 1.22 GB in size,  which implies that no sessions have generated a log file since 2026-06-29 (ie the problem affects 13 sessions from S1437 (2026-06-30) to S1449 (2026-09-07).  Whilst now resolved on this occasion,  it is proposed to make AstroMain look for last ASCOM log file when starting a new Observatory Session and warn user if there are no Pulsar Logs in the last 10 days.
   To do 2026-09-09 (AstroMain, User Awareness)

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