David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1452 (2026-09-11)

Notes (S1451)

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Notes (S1453)

	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 (4)
	- Figures (0)
	Images from 2026-09-11  >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2026-09-11)

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 3.83.12, AstroPlan 1.47.2, 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 3.28.6, AstroWeather 1.30.4, AstroObsCam 1.14, AstroNorthCam 1.12.25, AstroLaunch 1.14.9

Highlights

• Targets. 7/x planned targets were completed with 3 targets partially completely. Other targets failed due to cloud / session suspension and later rain
•  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 21:31:40 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:31 & 04:52 21:31:43 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:31) 21:31:49 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-09-11 S01452) 21:31:52   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 21:32:14   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 21:34:05   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:34:14 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:34:19 Session Pending Session pending (2026-09-11) 21:34:21 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-09-11) 21:34:42   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -15°C) 21:34:45   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.47.2) 21:35:24   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1253) 21:36:07   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 21:36:32 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 21:37:18   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 21:37:20 Session Running Session running 21:37:22   Queue Started Observing Queue started (25 targets selected) 21:37:29     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 20, HIP 99625) 21:37:44       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 21:42:17       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:44:28       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 21:46:40       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 21:46:48       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 21:48:43       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 21:50:30       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 21:50:52     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 20, HIP 99625) 21:51:13     Target Started (1/25) Target started (1/25, T CrB) 21:55:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 21:58:19       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 22:02:39     Target Completed Target completed (1/25, T CrB) 22:02:44     Target Started (2/25) Target started (2/25, NGC 6070 w/SN2026ejy) 22:07:52       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 22:24:03     Target Completed Target completed (2/25, NGC 6070 w/SN2026ejy) 22:24:29     Target Started (3/25) Target started (3/25, HIP 87937) 22:26:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:28:42       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 22:31:52     Target Completed Target completed (3/25, HIP 87937) 22:32:52     Target Started (4/25) Target started (4/25, AT 2026stb (Nova)) 22:37:08       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - unable to find a star (TCF-LSI) 22:48:24     Target Completed Target completed (4/25, AT 2026stb (Nova)) 22:50:12     Target Started (5/25) Target started (5/25, GCVS CY Lyr) 22:53:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:56:10       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 22:59:57     Target Completed Target completed (5/25, GCVS CY Lyr) 23:00:30     Target Started (6/25) Target started (6/25, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) 23:03:30       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 23:16:36   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 23:16:38   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 23:16:41     Target Aborted (6/25) Target aborted (6/25, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) due to cloud 23:16:43   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 23:16:45 Session Suspending Session suspending 23:17:32   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 23:17:34 Session Suspended Session suspended 23:19:33     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (6/25, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) due to cloud 23:30:21     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (7/25, GCVS BL Lac) due to cloud 23:43:39 Session Resuming Session resuming 23:44:24   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 23:44:27 Session Running Session running 23:44:29   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 23:44:31     Target Started (8/25) Target started (8/25, NGC 7331 w/SN2026aaiv) 23:57:45     Target Completed Target partially completed (8/25, NGC 7331 w/SN2026aaiv) 23:57:49     Target Started (9/25) Target started (9/25, SHK 82) 00:17:41     Target Completed Target completed (9/25, SHK 82) 00:17:46     Target Started (10/25) Target started (10/25, UGC 242 w/SN2026yum) 00:20:58       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:23:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 00:40:29     Target Completed Target completed (10/25, UGC 242 w/SN2026yum) 00:40:33     Target Started (11/25) Target started (11/25, SHK 31) 00:43:26       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 00:51:50   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 00:51:52   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 00:51:54     Target Aborted (11/25) Target aborted (11/25, SHK 31) due to cloud 00:51:56   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:51:58 Session Suspending Session suspending 00:52:45   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 00:52:47 Session Suspended Session suspended 00:54:50 Session Resuming Session resuming 00:55:35   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 00:55:38 Session Running Session running 00:55:40   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 00:55:43     Target Started (11/25) Target started (11/25, SHK 31) 00:56:00   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 00:56:02   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 00:56:17     Target Aborted (11/25) Target aborted (11/25, SHK 31) due to cloud 00:56:19   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 00:56:22 Session Suspending Session suspending 00:57:06   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 45s, Zigbee 43s) 00:57:09 Session Suspended Session suspended 01:20:01     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (12/25, UGC 279 w/SN2026zyf) due to cloud 01:42:01     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (13/25, M31 w/AT2026aabo) due to cloud 01:54:11     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (14/25, GCVS RX And) due to cloud 02:06:34     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/25, Gliese 65) due to cloud 02:19:31     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/25, GSC 1224:29) due to cloud 02:35:30     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/25, 220P/McNaught) due to cloud 02:55:30     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/25, AT2026yvy) due to cloud 03:17:30     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (19/25, AT2026yvx) due to cloud 03:35:10     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (20/25, Berkeley 19) due to rain 03:54:20     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/25, LEDA 1288925 w/AT2026yta) due to rain 04:10:52     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/25, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS)) due to rain 04:31:12     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/25, UGC 4424 w/AT2026aaee) due to rain 04:43:30     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/25, GCVS ER UMa) due to rain 05:04:38     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/25, GCVS RZ LMi) due to rain 05:04:42   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 05:04:48 Session Closing Session closing 05:04:50   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 00:57, closing time 45s, zigbee 43s) 05:05:30   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 31s), Az: 90.0 deg 05:06:14   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 38s total) 05:06:38   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 05:07:35   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:09:00   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:09:03 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:09:35     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 80.0 to 100.0°, Step 1.0°, Wide) 05:10:54     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 97.0°) 05:11:00     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 95.0 to 99.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 05:11:44     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 97.2°) 05:11:50     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -7.2°) 05:11:52   Dome Parked Dome parked 05:14:54   Dome Charging Dome is parked and well charged (96%, 15.0v) 05:14:56 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 05:14:54 Yellow Alert Dome Charging Dome is parked and well charged (96%, 15.0v) 06:12:15 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (43mA)

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Operational Issues (2026-09-11 S1452)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (0)
• Small Defects (1)
• Continuous Improvement (4)
• Figures (0)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• None

Small Defects

• Target's Bottom link is being overwritten in AstroMain's Page Builder when a Target is reselected.  If a Target's Bottom Link is modified and saved the edited values for Link Name and Link URL) are overwritten if the Image Set is subsequently edited in order to make some other change to the Page Section. This is annoying. Fixed in AstroMain 3.83.13. A callMode parameter has been added to ProposeBottomLink(), and when Mode = CallMode.Auto a guard now operates  to prevent existing Bottom Link details from being overwritten.  A button 'Propose Link'  (callMode.Manual) can still be used to force the bottom link to be reassigned.
    If Mode = CallMode.Auto AndAlso Trim(txtBottomLinkName.Text) <> "" AndAlso Trim(txtBottomLinkUrl.Text) <> "" Then Exit Sub
   Fixed 2026-09-12 (AstroMain 3.83.13)

Continuous Improvement

• Modify AstroMain / Page Builder behaviour when selecting a Variable Star or Nearby Star Image Set. When selecting an image set from AstroMain's in Analysis/ImageSets tab the standard behaviour is that the Page Builder form moves to the Target Tab. This is reasonable as the normal user operation is to go ahead with making a Stacked Image for the target, link it and proceed to make a .png/.jpg images of the target that will imported into Page Builder than will be built into a htm snippet on the Page Builder's Target & Image Tabs after which a Graph may or may or may not be made from the Graph Tab. But for Variable Star and Neaby Star Image Sets the user normal operation is to create VarStar Graphs or Astrometry Graphs from the Page Builder's Graph Tab. Currently in AstroMain 3.83.12 and earlier version the user is required to manually click on the Graphs tab.   It is proposed that the PageBuilder automatically moves to it's Graph tab when a Variable Star or Nearby Star Image Set is selected (Target Group 11 & 12 respectively) thereby saving a mouse click each time.
   Done 2026-09-12 (AstroMain 3.83.13)
   
• Extend information collected about an AstroNorthCam Object detection.  It is proposed to include additional information in ObjectBoxes metadata set to include Min Brightness, Max Brightness, Major Axis Length, Minor Axis Length, Elongation, Brightness Gradient and present them on the ObjectPic Form. This is part of preparation for a future ticket to introduce automated object detection to the program Min/Max Brightness are computed when a PixelPoint is added to a blob, Major Axis Length, Minor Axis Length, Elongation, Brightness Gradient are computed in a new routine 'AnalysePixelPoints()' . New fields are written to the small Metadata .dat file for each Object Box.  Implemented in AstroNorthCam 1.12.27.
   Done 2026-09-12 (AstroNorthCam 1.12.27)
   
• Replace existing series of text boxes in metadata panel of ObjectPic and replace by a listview. In order to manage the growing number of ObjectBox properties that need to be shown on the ObjectPic Form when show metadata panel is active it is proposed to replace the existing text boxes/labels by a listview component. Implemented in AstroNorthCam 1.12.27.
   Done 2026-09-12 (AstroNorthCam 1.12.27)
   
• Remove NN Star Rejection section from AstroNorthCam's FindObjectsInImage() routine.  AstroNorthCam's FindObjectsInImage() routine, works by detecting objects that has appeared or moved in the current image compared to the previous image taken 1-1.2s ago.  This operates on a Difference (Diff) array, and the process looks for significantly darker pixels (in Day Mode) or significantly brighter pixels (in Night Mode) and FloodFills blobs of connected candidate pixels. Currently in NightMode Filtering blobs are rejected by NN-Star Evaluation that checks if the object is star-like.   This is however likely to lead to rejection of satellites as as the appear star-like in single frames of short enough exposure. Since stars should already not show up in the Diff Array due to cancellation and the removing the NN -Star Evaluation/Rejection step should lead to better satellite detection. Concerns about stars suddenly appears on the left hand edge of the image or appearing from behind cloud are largely misplaced, as there is a 10 px margin on the sides of the frame and the stars are likely to appears gradually when clouds move away from them. Implemented in AstroNorthCam 1.12.27.
   Done 2026-09-12 (AstroNorthCam 1.12.27)

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