David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1451 (2026-09-09)

Notes (S1450)

Notes Main

Home Page

Notes (S1452)

	Session Aims & Highlights
	- Observing Result  - Night Summary Plot  - Session Event Log
	Operational Issues
	- Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (4),  Small Defects (4),  Continuous Improvement (2)
	- Figures (0)
	Images from 2026-09-09  >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2026-09-09)

Main aims

1. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by sky conditions.
2. Telescope Pointing. Update telescope pointing by sync the telescope or known position following by a short Short Mapping Run
3. 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 3.83.11, 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 1.12.21, AstroLaunch 1.14.9

Highlights

• Targets. 10/23 planned targets were completed with2 targets partially completely. Other targets failed due to cloud / session suspension or were missed due to telescope operations (Sync+Local Mapping).
• Telescope Pointing.  Telescope pointing was successfully updated, through there was issue that preveneted performing automated map run, and the mapping had to be done in point by point  10/23
•  Dome. No issues open/closing shutter. Dome was successfully parked at the end of the session.

Notes

• Video 2026-09-09 night  showing satellite tracks & flashes, planes and the odd meteor
  (video made using 15s Max metaframes and runs at 5 fps equivalent to 1.25 minutes of real time per second)

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 20:47:48 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 20:47 & 04:48 20:47:53   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 20:48:18 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (20:48) 20:48:24 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-09-09 S01451) 20:48:27   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 20:48:49   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 20:50:36   Services Started Observatory Services started 20:50:45 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 20:50:47   AutoStart Delayed Session delayed due to too few stars 20:50:49 Session Pending Session pending (2026-09-09) 20:50:51 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-09-09) 20:51:12   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 20:51:15   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.47.1) 20:51:54   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1252) 20:52:37   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 20:53:02 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 20:53:47   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 20:53:50 Session Running Session running 20:53:52   Queue Started Observing Queue started (23 targets selected) 20:53:57     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 20:54:07       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 20:59:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:02:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 21:04:29       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 21:04:37       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:06:26       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 21:08:13       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 21:08:35     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 19, HIP 93376) 21:08:39     Target Started (1/23) Target started (1/23, T CrB) 21:14:04       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:16:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 21:21:37     Target Completed Target completed (1/23, T CrB) 21:21:41     Target Started (2/23) Target started (2/23, GCVS AM Her) 21:25:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:27:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 21:32:50     Target Completed Target completed (2/23, GCVS AM Her) 21:32:52   Queue Aborted Job Queue aborted 21:36:53   Automapping Started Automapping started (12 points planned) 21:39:29   Automapping Aborted Automapping aborted (0 points mapped out of 12 points) 21:42:53   Automapping Started Automapping started (12 points planned) 21:48:16   Automapping Aborted Automapping aborted (0 points mapped out of 12 points) 22:04:19   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 33s total) 22:04:43   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 22:05:40   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 22:06:01   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 22:07:36   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:08:26 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 22:08 & 04:48 22:08:28 Observatory (AutoStart) Observatory placed in Auto-Start Mode 22:08:29 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (22:08) 22:08:35 Session Resumed Session Resumed (Live, 2026-09-09 S01451) 22:08:47   Services Started Observatory Services started 22:08:57 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 22:08:59 Session Pending Session pending (2026-09-09) 22:09:01 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-09-09) 22:09:14   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 22:09:17   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1252) 22:09:28   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 22:09:53 Session Running Session running 22:09:56   Queue Started Observing Queue started (19 targets selected) 22:10:06     Target Started (5/23) Target started (5/23, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) 22:26:19     Target Completed Target partially completed (5/23, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) 22:26:23     Target Started (6/23) Target started (6/23, M31 w/AT2026aabo) 22:48:10     Target Completed Target completed (6/23, M31 w/AT2026aabo) 22:48:14     Target Started (7/23) Target started (7/23, PCG 0045+1940) 23:09:31     Target Completed Target completed (7/23, PCG 0045+1940) 23:09:35     Target Started (8/23) Target started (8/23, GCVS CI Cyg) 23:17:13     Target Completed Target completed (8/23, GCVS CI Cyg) 23:17:17     Target Started (9/23) Target started (9/23, NGC 7293). Using SharpCap 23:19:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:22:36       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 00:15:29       Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 00:15:32     Target Completed Target completed (9/23, NGC 7293) 00:15:34     Target Started (10/23) Target started (10/23, M31 w/AT2026vdo) 00:21:26       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:23:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 00:40:27     Target Completed Target completed (10/23, M31 w/AT2026vdo) 00:40:31     Target Started (11/23) Target started (11/23, GCVS RX And) 00:43:49       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:45:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 00:48:25     Target Completed Target completed (11/23, GCVS RX And) 00:48:29     Target Started (12/23) Target started (12/23, GCVS BL Lac) 00:52:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:54:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 00:58:05     Target Completed Target completed (12/23, GCVS BL Lac) 00:58:09     Target Started (13/23) Target started (13/23, NGC 7331 w/SN2026aaiv) 01:01:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:04:17       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 01:20:31     Target Completed Target completed (13/23, NGC 7331 w/SN2026aaiv) 01:20:35     Target Started (14/23) Target started (14/23, SHK 82) 01:24:30       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 01:40:08   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:40:10   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 01:40:12     Target Aborted (14/23) Target aborted (14/23, SHK 82) due to cloud 01:40:14   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:40:16 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:41:04   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 01:41:06 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:00:57     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/23, SHK 83) due to cloud 02:23:17     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/23, UGC 279 w/SN2026zyf) due to cloud 02:45:37     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/23, SHK 309) due to cloud 03:00:50     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/23, Gliese 65) due to cloud 03:13:47     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (19/23, GSC 1224:29) due to cloud 03:33:02     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (20/23, AT2026yvy) due to cloud 03:49:34     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/23, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS)) due to cloud 04:09:34     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/23, AT2026yvx) due to cloud 04:58:46     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/23, M78) due to cloud 04:58:50   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 04:58:52 Session Closing Session closing 04:58:54   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 01:41, closing time 50s, zigbee 43s) 04:59:54   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 51s), Az: 90.0 deg 05:00:29   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 31s total) 05:00:52   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 05:01:49   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:03:14   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:03:16 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:03:44     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 05:04:32     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.4°) 05:04:38     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.4°) 05:04:40   Dome Parked Dome parked 05:07:42   Dome Charging Dome is parked and well charged (98%, 15.0v) 05:07:44 Session Finished Session Finished 06:13:31   Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (42mA)

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 05:07:42 Yellow Alert Dome Charging Dome is parked and well charged (98%, 15.0v) 06:13:00 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (42mA)

Back to Top

Operational Issues (2026-09-09 S1451)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (4)
• Small Defects (4)
• Continuous Improvement (2)
• Figures (0)
  

[ Prev | Next ]

Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• An exception occurred in AstroPlan just as the session was being initiated from AstroMain. For two sessions in a row a JIT exception / dialog has popped up near the beginning of the session. Exception details for latest pop-up were as follows:
    System.Runtime.InteropServices.ExternalException (0x800401D0): Requested Clipboard operation did not succeed.
  at System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard.ThrowIfFailed(Int32 hr)
  at System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard.SetDataObject(Object data, Boolean copy, Int32 retryTimes, Int32 retryDelay)
  at System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard.SetText(String text, TextDataFormat format)
  at AstroPlan.HorizonsDirect._Closure$__6-0._Lambda$__0() in
     C:\Users\david\Documents\Visual Studio 2022\Projects\AstroPlan\AstroPlan\Comets.vb:line 120
  The code line associated with the exception (comets.vb:line 120,  GetCometRaDec() routine) is
     MainForm.BeginInvoke(Sub() Clipboard.SetText(url))
  It is believed that that the copy the URL to the clipboard was to provide sight of the complex URL generated by the routine and if necessary test the URL directly in a browser window to help diagnose issues during development. The copy to clipboard isn't critical but an unhandled execption could stop the routine from fulfilling its intended operation. Fixed in AstroPlan 1.47.2, a Try..Catch..EndTry block has been built around the code line to protect the rest of the routine.
   Fixed 2026-09-09 (AstroPlan 1.47.2)
   
• Mapping Points using AstroMain's Map Local (0.5deg) is failing with "Access is denied" exception. Whilst trying to resolve issue with Telescope Pointing, the telescope was synced on a known linked position and a short mapping job conducted from AstroMain. Whilst each point linked ok, the mapping of each point failed with the error: "Access is denied. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80070005, E_ACCESSDENIED)" .  Mapping had to be performed semi-manually, by slewing to selected points taking a 3s image, linking it via AstroMain and then manually clicking the Map Point on TheSky6's  Object Information/Image Link Information dialog. Under TheSky6's Server Settings/ Remote Client Capabilities, it is noted that the "Allow map (using Orchestrate or RASCOM)" option is unchecked. This is the likely reason for the automated mapping to be unable to map points.  This option probably got reset when TheSKy was reinstalled in May 2025 (see notes)  . The option's checkbox has now be checked, ready for the next occasion that a mapping job is required.
   Fixed 2026-09-09 (Session, TheSky6, AstroMain)
   
• Frost has developed in the CCD Camera affecting corners initially and then later persisting in a patch on the top edge of FOV. The SBIG Camera's dessicator need to be regenerated. Desicator regenerated and reinstalled in the SBIG camera today (2026-09-10).
   Fixed  2026-09-10 (Session, SBIG Camera)
   
• The process to catalog/ingest ObjectPics metadata files in AstroNorthCam is particularly slow, adding 20-50s to the 'Load Session' process. ObjectPic Metadata .dat files have been recently implemented in AstroNorthCam 1.12.17-1.12.21 but the process of cataloging ObjectPics with the import of metadata is taking an unacceptably long time.  Fixed in AstroNorthCam 1.12.22.  Copilot helped with optimisation of the BuildObjectPicsList() and ImportObjectMetadata() code for importing metadata from file. Features of the revised code are:
    - eliminated 1100+ File.Exists calls (the code now builds a hashset)
  - File.ReadAllLines is replaced by File.ReadAllText
  - repeated directory lookups are removed
  - import has been parallelised    ( Parallel.ForEach(allInfos, Sub(info)   .... )
  - all shared-list writes have been removed
  - repeated path resolution has been removed
  Fixed 2026-09-10 (AstroNorthCam 1.12.22)

Small Defects

• AstroNorthCam's ObjectsPicViewer form is showing the wrong Object No when accessed from ObjectsViewer form. A new feature was recently added to AstroNorthCam to allow an Object Box that is shown in Objects Frame to be clicked on to bring up the Object in the ObjectPicViewer window (correct object found by comparing mouse click coordinates with the padded box coordinates in each Object's metadata).  The ObjectPicViewer form is opening with the correct Object image and correct metadata displayed, but the form reports Object 1 / Object 1/11 instead of the correct values (Object 11 / Object 11/11) in the particular Frame example from  01:21:30. The issue is that the ObjectViewer form isn't updating it's CurrentIndex. Fixed in AstroNorthCam 1.12.23.
   Fixed 2026-09-10 (AstroNorthCam 1.12.23)
   
• Green 'All-Clear' alert not stored in Session Alerts table in response to a Yellow Dome Charging Alert at end of S1451 session (06:13). AstroMain 3.83.11 was recently modified to raise a Green All-Clear alert in response to a Yellow 'Dome Charging' Alert at the end of a session. This was an improvement that was proposed and implemented 2026-09-09.  At the end of the S1451 session there was a Yellow 'Dome Charging' Alert  raised at 05:07:42  with message "Dome is parked and well charged (98%, 15.0v)". Whilst not a significant issue in itself, the ObsOverseer should have raised a follow-up Green 'AllClear' once Dome Charging commenced, however the All-Clear was not saved to the Session Alerts table. Testing examination of code showed that it is calling StoreSessionEvent() when it should be calling a StoreSessionAlert routine.  Fixed in AstroMain 3.83.12, using the command:
   StoreSessionAlert2(DateTime.UtcNow, True, "Dome Charging", 2, FlagState.Green, S, 0, DomeChargingAlertSessionID) 
   Fixed 2026-09-10 (AstroMain 3.83.12)
   
• Only 13/18 Latest Object frames are reaching the Website (2026-09-11).  AstroNorthCam, AstroAllSky and Website were recently modified to extend the cnumber of Latest Object frame created and upload to web site from 12 to 18 on 2026-09-10. However only 13 of the intended 18 LatestObject pictures are reaching the website. Checking reveals that all 18 pictures are being produced by AstroNorthCam, but the last 5 (NorthCam.LatestObject14.jpg to NorthCam.LatestObject18.jpg) are not being uploaded.   Checking the AstroAllSky program suggest that there is no issue with NorthCamListener() routine, and the fact that  NorthCam.LatestObject13.jpg is uploaded ok suggests the new code is operating as per design.  It is believed that the issue is a limitation on the array size used by FtpUploader and to test this hypothesis nFiles (the maximum number of files monitored for upload ) has been increased from 165 to 180 in  AstroAllSky 3.28.6. A flaw was found in NorthCamListener() which was released in AstroAllSky 3.28.7.
   Fixed 2026-09-11 (AstroAllSky 3.28.7)
   
• The AstroAllSky log is showing "Index outside the bounds of the array" in ReportActiveProcesses() routine (2026-09-11 06:25, 06:27). Whilst looking at the AstroAllSky log for 2026-09-11 it was noticed that there are series of multiple lines reporting an exception in ReportActiveProcesses() routine with the message ""Index was outside the bounds of the array".  The errors occur in blocks of around 20 exceptions at a time over the course of 1-2s, and occured at 06:25:24,  06:27:25. Examination of code shows that the hardcoded array sizes of 200 are being exceeded.   Fixed in AstroAllSky 3.28.7, the routine was rewritten to use dynamic arrays.
   Fixed 2026-09-11 (AstroAllSky 3.28.7)

Continuous Improvement

• Increase the number of Latest Object frame created and upload to web site from 12 to 18.  Currently in AstroNorthCam 1.12.23 twelve LatestObjects file are created (NorthCam.LatestObject01.jpg to NorthCamObject12.jpg) which are updated and shown on the northcam.htm web page. It is proposed to increase the number of files to eighteen NorthCam.LatestObject01.jpg to NorthCamObject18.jpg).   Implemented in AstroNorthCam 1.12.24 , AstroAllSky 3.28.5 .
   Done 2026-09-10 (AstroNorthCam 1.12.24, AstroAllSky 3.28.5, Website)
   
• Add a facility in AstroNorthCam to create a video using Clean15s frames.  Clean15s frames are 15s Min metaframes (DetectionMode.Day) or 15s Max Metaframes (DetectionMode.Night), that have been introduced in AstroNorthCam 1.12.x. This frame are particularly good for highlighting satellites, meteor or planes at night time. It is proposed to add a 'Create Video' option to use Clean15s frames instead of normal Main frames.  Implemented in AstroNorthCam 1.12.26 using a 'Use Clean15s frames' checkbox (cboxUseClean15sFrames) and a new 'FrameSet' variable in BuildCustomVideo() which is set to either "Main" or "Objects\Clean15s".
    [ See video product 2026-09-09 night showing multiple satellite tracks & flashes, planes and the odd meteor
    (video made using 15s Max metaframes and runs at 5 fps equivalent to 1.25 minutes of real time per second ]
   To do 2026-09-10 (AstroNorthCam 1.12.26)

[ Prev | Next ]

Back to Top Issue,  Back to Top