David's Astronomy Pages Notes - Session 1455 (2026-09-26)

Notes (S1454)

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Notes (S1456)

	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 (2)
	- Figures (0)
	Images from 2026-09-26  >>

Session Aims & Highlights (2026-09-26)

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 ?
  AstroAllSky 3.28.6, AstroWeather 1.30.4, AstroObsCam 1.14, AstroNorthCam 1.13.1, AstroLaunch 1.14.9

Highlights

• Targets. 16/x planned targets were completed with 1 target partially completely. Other targets failed due to cloud.
•  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 00:35:20 Session Monitoring AutoStart monitoring for Live Session opportunity between 00:35 & 05:27 00:35:24 Session AutoStarting Session autostarting (00:35) 00:35:31 Session Created Session Created (Live, 2026-09-26 S01455) 00:35:33   CCDSoft Restarting CCDSoft being restarted (to set AutoSave No.) 00:35:55   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Switch 00:37:39   Services Started Observatory Services started 00:37:48 Observatory (Auto) Observatory placed in Fully-Automated Mode 00:37:50 Session Pending Session pending (2026-09-26) 00:37:52 Session Initiating Session initiating (2026-09-26) 00:38:13   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera connected (Set point -10°C) 00:38:17   Plan Requested Observing Plan requested from AstroPlan (1.47.2) 00:39:16   Plan Loaded Observing Plan loaded to queue (PlanID: 1256) 00:39:59   Telescope Connected Telescope connected (TheSky6) 00:40:23 Session Equilibration Session ready to Open Dome 00:41:08   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 00:41:13 Session Running Session running 00:41:16   Queue Started Observing Queue started (19 targets selected) 00:41:23     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 0, HIP 106) 00:41:38       Dome Unparked Dome unparked 00:45:16       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 00:47:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide) 00:49:24       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1) 00:49:33       Focusing Started-Foc2 Foc2 Focusing Started (Secondary Scope, using ShCap) 00:51:31       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2, wide) 00:53:15       Focusing Completed Foc2 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 2) 00:53:34     Target Completed (NrZen) Target completed (Focus Field 0, HIP 106) 00:54:45     Target Started (1/19) Target started (1/19, UGC 11058 w/SN2026ewd) 00:59:03       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:01:08       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 3) 01:17:09     Target Completed Target completed (1/19, UGC 11058 w/SN2026ewd) 01:17:13     Target Started (2/19) Target started (2/19, GCVS CY Lyr) 01:20:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:22:38       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 4) 01:26:27     Target Completed Target completed (2/19, GCVS CY Lyr) 01:27:23     Target Started (3/19) Target started (3/19, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) 01:31:47       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is lost (TCF-LSI) 01:46:41     Target Completed Target completed (3/19, Nova Aql 2026 (Nova)) 01:48:00     Target Started (4/19) Target started (4/19, GCVS CI Cyg) 01:51:33       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 01:53:45       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 5) 01:56:55     Target Completed Target completed (4/19, GCVS CI Cyg) 01:58:23     Target Started (5/19) Target started (5/19, AT2026iul (CV)) 02:01:40       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:03:56       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 6) 02:09:54     Target Completed Target completed (5/19, AT2026iul (CV)) 02:10:43     Target Started (6/19) Target started (6/19, GSC 1224:29) 02:14:39       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 02:21:13     Target Completed Target completed (6/19, GSC 1224:29) 02:23:11     Target Started (7/19) Target started (7/19, GCVS BL Lac) 02:26:57       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:29:14       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 7) 02:33:02     Target Completed Target completed (7/19, GCVS BL Lac) 02:33:29     Target Started (8/19) Target started (8/19, M31 w/M31N 2026-06a?) 02:36:50       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 02:38:53       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 8) 02:54:52     Target Completed Target completed (8/19, M31 w/M31N 2026-06a?) 02:55:29     Target Started (9/19) Target started (9/19, GCVS HH And) 02:58:30       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:00:46       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 9) 03:03:09     Target Completed Target completed (9/19, GCVS HH And) 03:03:46     Target Started (10/19) Target started (10/19, 220P/McNaught) 03:07:29       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:09:35       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 10) 03:20:17     Target Completed Target completed (10/19, 220P/McNaught) 03:20:30     Target Started (11/19) Target started (11/19, AT2026yvx) 03:25:01       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 03:27:48       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 11) 03:43:47     Target Completed Target completed (11/19, AT2026yvx) 03:43:51     Target Started (12/19) Target started (12/19, AT2026yvy) 03:47:46       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 04:03:48     Target Completed Target completed (12/19, AT2026yvy) 04:04:30     Target Started (13/19) Target started (13/19, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS)) 04:07:51       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:10:22       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 12) 04:18:52     Target Completed Target completed (13/19, C/2022 N2 (PANSTARRS)) 04:18:56     Target Started (14/19) Target started (14/19, GCVS RX And) 04:22:45       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:24:51       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 13) 04:27:24     Target Completed Target completed (14/19, GCVS RX And) 04:28:22     Target Started (15/19) Target started (15/19, GCVS DY Per) 04:32:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:34:21       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 14) 04:38:38     Target Completed Target completed (15/19, GCVS DY Per) 04:39:27     Target Started (16/19) Target started (16/19, AT2022vdr (CV)) 04:43:20       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-LSI) 04:49:29     Target Completed Target completed (16/19, AT2022vdr (CV)) 04:51:47     Target Started (17/19) Target started (17/19, GCVS RZ LMi) 04:55:12       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S) 04:55:45   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 04:55:47   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 04:55:49       Focusing Aborted Foc1 Focusing Aborted 04:55:51     Target Aborted (17/19) Target aborted (17/19, GCVS RZ LMi) due to cloud 04:55:53   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 04:55:55 Session Suspending Session suspending 04:56:40   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 50s, Zigbee 43s) 04:56:45 Session Suspended Session suspended 05:01:51     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (17/19, GCVS RZ LMi) due to too few stars 05:09:26 Session Resuming Session resuming 05:10:12   Dome Opened Dome opened (Opening time 45s, Zigbee 40s) 05:10:17 Session Running Session running 05:10:19   Queue Resumed Observing Queue resumed 05:10:21     Target Started (18/19) Target started (18/19, NGC 3310 w/SN2026sqf) 05:21:28   Critical Cloud Alert Critical Cloud Alert (Obs.Manager will close the Dome) 05:21:30   HardSuspend Called Hard Suspend called due to Critical Conditions (cloud) 05:21:32     Target Aborted (18/19) Target aborted (18/19, NGC 3310 w/SN2026sqf) due to cloud 05:21:34   Queue Paused Queue paused for Session Suspension 05:21:36 Session Suspending Session suspending 05:22:18   Dome Closed Dome closed (Closing time 45s, Zigbee 43s) 05:22:24 Session Suspended Session suspended 05:45:07     Target Cancelled Target cancelled (19/19, GCVS GK Per) due to too few stars 05:45:11   Queue Completed Job Queue completed 05:45:16 Session Closing Session closing 05:45:18   Dome Closed Dome already closed (closed at 05:22, closing time 45s, zigbee 43s) 05:45:47   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 18s), Az: 90.0 deg 05:46:36   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 42s total) 05:47:00   Telescope State Handbox reads 'Scope parked Turn scope off.' 05:47:57   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch. 05:49:24   Services Stopped Night Services stopped 05:49:27 Session Finishing Session Finishing started (Create Fits Summary, Transfer Files) 05:49:54     Dome (Find Park) Find Park started (Search Az 88.0 to 92.0°, Step 0.2°, Narrow) 05:50:40     Dome Find Park found (Best Park Az 90.5°) 05:50:45     Dome Dome has been synced at park position (Az 90.0°, Adjustment: -0.5°) 05:50:47   Dome Parked Dome parked 05:53:48   Dome Charging Dome is parked and well charged (96%, 15.0v) 05:53:50 Session Finished Session Finished

Session Alerts & Alarms

Time     Type       Name Detail 05:53:48 Yellow Alert Dome Charging Dome is parked and well charged (96%, 15.0v) 06:51:02 Green Clear Dome Charging Dome is parked and re-charging Ok (13mA)

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Operational Issues (2026-09-26 S1455)

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

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Critical Issues

• None

Major Issues

• None

Minor Issues

• None

Small Defects

• Unable to create photometric chart for 'M31N 2026-06a?'.  Three photometric measurement/results have been produced for M31N 2026-06a? in sessions S1448 to S1455, whose target (M31 w/M31N 2026-06a?) resides in Targets Database with discovery date of 2026-06-26.059.  The 'Plot Graph' button on AstroMain's Page Builder/Graph form should produced a graph of M31N 2026-06a? magnitude vs Day's since Discovery Date but doesn't produce a graph. To be fixed in AstroMain 3.83.14. Attempting to create the graph is Visual Studio debugger revealed that a "Conversion from string """" to type 'Double' is not valid." exception, coming from line
       transient.DiscoveryMag = CDbl(txtDiscoveryMag.Text)IIssue is due to discovery magnitude not being readily as 'M31N 2026-06a?' is not present in TNS. Instead it is available available in CBAT, however there is a discrepency as to whether M31N 2026-06a? is a) PNV J00424164+4115162 (discovered  2026 06 02.029, mag 17.4 R,  or b) PNV J00423204+4110283 (discovered 2026 06 26.059, mag 16.6 R). Discrepency is explained.   The object imaged in these sessions is actually M31N 2026-06c? (PNV J00423204+4110283) and not M31N 2026-06a?.  (created 2026-06-28 23:06
   Fixed 2026-09-27 (AstroMain 3.83.14)
   
• A Target 'M31N 2026-06a?' was incorrectly entered into Target Database, acquired and presented in the Observatory's VMA database and Website as M31N 2026-06a? instead of M31N 2026-06c?. Due to a likely error in the source datafile from Rochester SN Site which was imported by AstroSN program on 2026-06-28 a target called M31N 2026-06a? was entered in the Targets Database in  by AstroSN program at  2026-06-28 23:06. It's PNV alias, discovery date and coordinates are consistent with a different candidate EGN callled M31N 2026-06c? (PNV J00423204+4110283). It is necessary resolve the issue, and re-assign the target speification and all collected data to target M31N 2026-06c?.  Series of changes made:
   - Targets Database (TNSId  M31N 2026-06a? >>> TNSId M31N 2026-06c?)
 - Photometric Database (using AstroVMA's FixBadResults9_Fix_M31N_2026_6a() routine )
 - Store Folder (M31_M31N 2026-06a  >>>  M31_M31N 2026-06c)
 - Image Files (M31_M31N_2026-06a >>> M31_M31N_2026-06c)
 - Page Builder XML files (Session.xml, 2026-06a >> 2026-06c, Target_M31_M31N_2026-06a.xml >>> Target_M31_M31N_2026-06c.xml)
 - Image Annotation (M31N 2026-06a?  >>>  M31_M31N 2026-06c?)
  Fixes completed 2026-09-27
   Fixed 2026-09-27 (AstroPlan, Targets Database, AstroVMA, PhotDatabase, Sessions, WebSite)

Continuous Improvement

• Include a target name combobox on AstroVMA's PhotResult / PhotMeasurements form. The target name box on the PhotResult and PhotMeasurements forms is currently a simple text box. It is proposed to modify the box to being a combo box, which is populated when the respective form is displayed to save the user typing the name of target. Implemented in AstroVMA 1.1.7.
   Done 2026-09-27 (AstroVMA 1.1.7)
   
• Modify AstroVMA's PhotResult/PhotMeasurement forms to allow record deletion or editing. Currentlty in AstroVMA 1.1.6 a record an only be deleted by making a customised hard code deletion. To avoid the need for this it is proposed to modify/extend form behaviour to support the deletion of a record.To implement in AstroVMA 1.1.7.
   To do 2026-09-27+ (AstroVMA 1.1.7+)

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