David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1453 (2026-09-12)

Notes (S1452)

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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 (2),  Continuous Improvement (3)
	- Figures (0)
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Session Aims & Highlights (2026-09-12)

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 1.16.2, AstroProtect 1.7, AstroMove 1.18.4
  AstroAllSky 3.28.6, AstroWeather 1.30.4, AstroObsCam 1.14, AstroNorthCam 1.12.27, AstroLaunch 1.14.9

Highlights

• Targets. 14/25 planned targets were completed. 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 21:57:17 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 21:57 & 04:55 21:57:20 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (21:57) 21:57:27 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-09-12 S01453) 21:57:29   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 21:57:51   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 21:59:36   Services Started Observatory Services started 21:59:47 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 21:59:51 Session Pending Session pending (2026-09-12) 21:59:53 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-09-12) 22:00:15   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 22:00:18   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.47.2) 22:00:52   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1254) 22:01:35   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 22:01:59 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 22:02:44   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 22:02:45 Session Running Session running 22:02:48   Queue Started Observing Queue started (25 targets selected) 22:02:54     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 20, HIP 99625) 22:03:11       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 22:06:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:08:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 22:10:57       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 22:11:05       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 22:12:59       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 22:14:48       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 22:15:10     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 20, HIP 99625) 22:16:46     Target Started (1/25) Target started (1/25, T CrB) 22:20:56       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:23:13       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 22:27:24     Target Completed Target completed (1/25, T CrB) 22:27:42     Target Started (2/25) Target started (2/25, GCVS AM Her) 22:33:31       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:35:55       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 22:40:51     Target Completed Target completed (2/25, GCVS AM Her) 22:40:55     Target Started (3/25) Target started (3/25, 61 Cyg) 22:44:09       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:46:25       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 22:48:24     Target Completed Target completed (3/25, 61 Cyg) 22:48:29     Target Started (4/25) Target started (4/25, GCVS BL Lac) 22:51:48       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 22:53:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 22:57:46     Target Completed Target completed (4/25, GCVS BL Lac) 22:57:50     Target Started (5/25) Target started (5/25, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) 23:01:27       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 23:16:10     Target Completed Target completed (5/25, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) 23:17:35     Target Started (6/25) Target started (6/25, AT2026kqj (CV)) 23:20:53       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:22:58       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 23:39:04     Target Completed Target completed (6/25, AT2026kqj (CV)) 23:39:35     Target Started (7/25) Target started (7/25, NGC 7331 w/SN2026aaiv) 23:43:15       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 23:45:49       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 00:02:09     Target Completed Target completed (7/25, NGC 7331 w/SN2026aaiv) 00:02:13     Target Started (8/25) Target started (8/25, UGC 12862 w/AT2026kjy) 00:05:32       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:07:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 00:24:21     Target Completed Target completed (8/25, UGC 12862 w/AT2026kjy) 00:24:25     Target Started (9/25) Target started (9/25, WDS GRB 34) 00:27:21       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:29:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 00:31:33     Target Completed Target completed (9/25, WDS GRB 34) 00:32:22     Target Started (10/25) Target started (10/25, M31 w/AT2026aabo) 00:35:28       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:38:00       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 00:54:17     Target Completed Target completed (10/25, M31 w/AT2026aabo) 00:54:21     Target Started (11/25) Target started (11/25, GSC 1224:29) 00:57:41       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 01:04:09     Target Completed Target completed (11/25, GSC 1224:29) 01:06:50     Target Started (12/25) Target started (12/25, 220P/McNaught) 01:11:01       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 01:21:52     Target Completed Target completed (12/25, 220P/McNaught) 01:23:34     Target Started (13/25) Target started (13/25, GCVS RX And) 01:27:13       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:29:18       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 01:31:47     Target Completed Target completed (13/25, GCVS RX And) 01:32:54     Target Started (14/25) Target started (14/25, UGC 117 w/SN2026cbh) 01:35:59       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:38:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 01:54:14     Target Completed Target completed (14/25, UGC 117 w/SN2026cbh) 01:54:54     Target Started (15/25) Target started (15/25, UGC 279 w/SN2026zyf) 01:57:15   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 01:57:17   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 01:57:19     Target Aborted (15/25) Target aborted (15/25, UGC 279 w/SN2026zyf) due to cloud 01:57:21   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 01:57:23 Session Suspending Session suspending 01:58:11   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 01:58:12 Session Suspended Session suspended 02:14:10     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (15/25, UGC 279 w/SN2026zyf) due to cloud 02:25:22     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (16/25, GCVS HH And) due to cloud 02:44:47     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/25, SHK 266) due to cloud 02:59:59     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (18/25, Gliese 65) due to cloud 03:20:04     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (19/25, SHK 270) due to cloud 03:42:04     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (20/25, AT2026yvx) due to cloud 04:04:04     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (21/25, AT2026yvy) due to cloud 04:20:36     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (22/25, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS)) due to cloud 04:40:56     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (23/25, UGC 4424 w/AT2026aaee) due to cloud 04:53:14     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (24/25, GCVS ER UMa) due to cloud 05:14:22     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (25/25, GCVS RZ LMi) due to cloud 05:14:26   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 05:14:29 Session Closing Session closing 05:14:31   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 01:58, closing time 50s, zigbee 43s) 05:15:26   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 46s), Az: 90.0 deg 05:16:10   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 39s total) 05:16:34   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 05:17:36   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:19:01   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:19:04 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:19:36     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 05:20:24     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.4°) 05:20:30     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.4°) 05:20:32   Dome Parked Dome parked 05:23:34   Dome Charging Dome is parked and well charged (96%, 15.0v) 05:23:36 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 05:23:34 Yellow Alert Dome Charging Dome is parked and well charged (96%, 15.0v) 06:20:39 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (42mA)

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Operational Issues (2026-09-12 S1453)

• Critical Issues (0)
• Major Issues (0)
• Minor Issues (0)
• Small Defects (2)
• Continuous Improvement (3)
• Figures (0)
  

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• None

Small Defects

• AstroNorthCam's AnalysePixelPoints() routine reason doesn't seem to be computing Brightness Gradient correctly.  The Brightness Gradient computed by AstroNorthCam's AnalysePixelPoints() routine reason doesn't seem to give a Brightness Gradient that is consistent with that suggested by the appearance of the objects in light frame . Brightness gradient should be the trend in brightness along the major axis of the object. Examination of the AnalysePixelsPoints() showed that it computing the gradient based on existing pixelPoint order which is generally never appropriate to the task in hand.  The AnalysePixelPoints() routine needs to be modified so that it sorts the PixelPoints list based on a computed AxisCoord value representing distance along the XAxis. Fixed in AstroNorthCam 1.13. In addition the BrightnessGradient computation has been changed to use Linear Regression, which is a significant improvement on existing algorithum.
   Done 2026-09-14 (AstroNorthCam 1.13)
   
• AstroNorthCam's MultiChannel Frame Viewer initially shows wrong keogram and/ or cursor position when using the 'Refresh' button. The 'Refresh' UX can be improved by adding a code section to LoadSession() routine to immediately show the keogram appropriate to the restore time and the appropriate keogram cursor position rather than initially showing an inappropriate keogram picture and/or a default cursor position, before showing correct picture/cursor position after re-cataloging the session several seconds later. Fixed in AstroNorthCam 1.13.
   Done 2026-09-14 (AstroNorthCam 1.13)

Continuous Improvement

• Add list of Source Object Numbers (SourceObjNos) to AstroNorthCam ObjectBox to record which ObjectBoxes which have incorporated into a grouped or temporally merged ObjectBox. Implemented in AstroNorthCam 1.12.28.
   Done 2026-09-13 (AstroNorthCam 1.12.28)
   
• Add additional Night ObjectBoxes in order to record ObjectPics using 15s Min Base Bitmap for used Boxes that are not temporally merged.  Implemented in AstroNorthCam 1.12.28.
   Done 2026-09-13 (AstroNorthCam 1.12.28)
   
• Add a new RawFrameIngestor object to AstroNorthCam, this provide the MainRun routine with the a new bmpRaw bitmap representing the last 1s of acquired raw frame data.   Currently (at 2026-09-13 and before) the ISpy program which access the Observatory's Tapo C325WB camera is specified to run at 3 fps and output a jpg file every 0.8s which AstroNorth's MainRun routine, accesses using the GrabWatcher.NewFileIsReady() function to return the filepath of each new file arriving in the ISpy's output  'Grab' Folder.  At night  time the 15s Max frames is an accumulation of frames from 15 discrete time point or snapshots, and doesn't fully capture the 15s interval This means that a satellite will appear to be strobed set of points along the satellite's path rather than a continuous line which is more consistent with its actual visual behaviour. It is proposed to modify image acquistion routine by changing iSpy to run at 5 fps and output a jpg output file every 0.15s, and then introduce a new RawFrameIngester object with a workerLoop that creates an Output Bitmap every 1s, that is either that of the latest raw frame in each 1s period (Day Mode) or is the average of 4-5 raw frames captured during the last 1s period . Implemented in AstroNorthCam 1.13.0.
   Done 2026-09-14 (AstroNorthCam 1.13)

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