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Solver is not working

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Solver is not working was created by Paul

I am running the latest 64bit build on Bullseye Raspberry Pi.
When I do an initial solve to Synch it goes into a blind solve and eventually solves but when I do a Slew to Target it never solves.
This was working up until a few weeks ago but started failing after I did a build and I have been trying multiple builds since with no success.
It solves almost immediately when I go back to a much older 32 bit backup I have.

The log file has a few errors as shown below, but are any of these messages important?

[2022-12-03T19:41:58.007 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos] - "Losmandy Gemini" is connected and ready.
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.298 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "kcfg_SolveSextractorType" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.298 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "kcfg_SolverType" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.298 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "kcfg_SolveOptionsProfile" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.299 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "defaultPathSelector" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.299 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "kcfg_AstrometryImageScaleUnits" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.299 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "optionsProfileGroup" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.299 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "optionsProfile" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.299 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "convFilter" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.299 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "apertureShape" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.299 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "multiAlgo" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.299 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "indexLocations" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.300 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "kcfg_AstrometryRotatorThreshold" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.300 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "kcfg_AstrometryImageScaleLow" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.300 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "kcfg_AstrometryImageScaleHigh" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.300 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "kcfg_AstrometryRadius" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.301 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "pAHRotation" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.301 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "kcfg_AstrometryTimeout" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.301 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "fwhm" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.301 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "downsample" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.302 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "kcfg_AstrometrySolverWCS" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.302 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "kcfg_AstrometrySolverOverlay" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.302 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "kcfg_PAHAutoPark" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.302 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "kcfg_AstrometryUseRotator" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.302 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "kcfg_AstrometryUseJPEG" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.302 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "kcfg_AstrometryUseImageScale" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.302 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "kcfg_AstrometryAutoUpdateImageScale" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.302 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "kcfg_AstrometryUsePosition" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.303 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "kcfg_AstrometryAutoUpdatePosition" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.303 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "kcfg_AstrometryDifferentialSlewing" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.303 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "cleanCheckBox" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.303 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "resort" not found!
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.303 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Option "autoDownsample" not found!

In addition I have only downloaded the Tycho2/Gaia catalog and not the 2Mass catalog because they both cover the same areas. I believe it was working with doing but I am now doubting it. Is this okay?

Paul
Last edit: 1 year 2 months ago by Paul. Reason: SOLVED
1 year 3 months ago #88763

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Replied by Paul on topic Solver is not working

Some addition information / questions.

What does the following warning mean?

[2022-12-03T19:41:58.472 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.guide] - "Connecting to PHD2 Host: localhost, on port 4,400. . ."
[2022-12-03T19:41:58.869 AEDT WARN ][ default] - qrc:/qml/mount/mountbox.qml:502:17: QML MouseArea: Detected anchors on an item that is managed by a layout. This is undefined behavior; use Layout.alignment instead.

The following messages are related to the Synch that worked but why is it using a Blind Solve?

[2022-12-03T21:53:57.612 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Capturing image..."
[2022-12-03T21:54:04.932 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - QSI CCD : "[INFO] Exposure done, downloading image... "
[2022-12-03T21:54:11.224 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - QSI CCD : "[INFO] Download complete. "
[2022-12-03T21:54:11.612 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Image received. Mode: "Align" Size: 4170240
[2022-12-03T21:54:11.748 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Image received."
[2022-12-03T21:54:33.755 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Capturing image..."
[2022-12-03T21:54:40.574 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - QSI CCD : "[INFO] Exposure done, downloading image... "
[2022-12-03T21:54:46.866 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - QSI CCD : "[INFO] Download complete. "
[2022-12-03T21:54:47.271 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Image received. Mode: "Align" Size: 4170240
[2022-12-03T21:54:47.406 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Image received."
[2022-12-03T21:54:47.412 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solving with blind image scale..."
[2022-12-03T21:54:52.490 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solver completed after 4.50 seconds."
[2022-12-03T21:54:52.494 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solver RA (31.81939) DEC (0.13194) Orientation (89.75895) Pixel Scale (3.17598) Parity (neg)"
[2022-12-03T21:54:52.496 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Effective telescope focal length is updated to 701.409 mm."
[2022-12-03T21:54:52.681 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "WCS information updated. Images captured from this point forward shall have valid WCS."
[2022-12-03T21:54:52.695 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solution coordinates: RA (02h 08m 27s) DEC ( 00° 14' 27\") Telescope Coordinates: RA (02h 16m 30s) DEC (-01° 57' 23\") Target Coordinates: RA (02h 13m 57s) DEC (-02° 17' 22\")"
[2022-12-03T21:54:52.767 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - ISD:Telescope: Syncing...
[2022-12-03T21:54:52.773 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - ISD:Telescope sending coords RA: "02h 08m 27s" ( 2.14097 ) DE: " 00° 14' 27\"" ( 0.240757 )
[2022-12-03T21:54:52.780 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Syncing to RA (02h 08m 27s) DEC ( 00° 14' 27\")"
[2022-12-03T21:54:52.789 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - QSI CCD : "[INFO] CCD FOV rotation updated to 89.759 degrees. "
[2022-12-03T21:54:52.842 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Losmandy Gemini : "[INFO] Synchronization successful. "
[2022-12-03T21:54:52.843 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Mount is synced to solution coordinates."
[2022-12-03T21:55:51.319 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - ISD:Telescope: TRACK

The following messages relate to the slew to the target and the failure to solve.

[2022-12-03T21:55:51.328 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Target coordinates updated to JNow RA: "04h 57m 54s" DE: "-66° 25' 59\""
[2022-12-03T21:55:51.333 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - ISD:Telescope sending coords RA: "04h 57m 54s" ( 4.96495 ) DE: "-66° 25' 59\"" ( -66.4331 )
[2022-12-03T21:55:51.377 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Losmandy Gemini : "[INFO] Slewing to RA: 4:57:54 - DEC: -66:25:59 "
[2022-12-03T21:56:14.786 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Losmandy Gemini : "[INFO] Slew is complete. Tracking... "
[2022-12-03T21:57:30.688 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Capturing image..."
[2022-12-03T21:57:37.488 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - QSI CCD : "[INFO] Exposure done, downloading image... "
[2022-12-03T21:57:43.772 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - QSI CCD : "[INFO] Download complete. "
[2022-12-03T21:57:44.165 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Image received. Mode: "Align" Size: 4170240
[2022-12-03T21:57:44.315 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Image received."
[2022-12-03T21:57:53.355 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Capturing image..."
[2022-12-03T21:58:00.156 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - QSI CCD : "[INFO] Exposure done, downloading image... "
[2022-12-03T21:58:06.451 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - QSI CCD : "[INFO] Download complete. "
[2022-12-03T21:58:06.840 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Image received. Mode: "Align" Size: 4170240
[2022-12-03T21:58:06.990 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Image received."
[2022-12-03T21:58:06.995 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solving with blind image position..."
[2022-12-03T21:59:42.517 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solver Failed."
[2022-12-03T22:44:56.469 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Capturing image..."
[2022-12-03T22:45:03.301 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - QSI CCD : "[INFO] Exposure done, downloading image... "
[2022-12-03T22:45:09.626 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - QSI CCD : "[INFO] Download complete. "
[2022-12-03T22:45:10.047 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Image received. Mode: "Align" Size: 4170240
[2022-12-03T22:45:10.255 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Image received."
[2022-12-03T22:45:21.999 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solver Failed."
[2022-12-03T22:45:54.517 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Capturing image..."
[2022-12-03T22:46:01.276 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - QSI CCD : "[INFO] Exposure done, downloading image... "
[2022-12-03T22:46:07.585 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - QSI CCD : "[INFO] Download complete. "
[2022-12-03T22:46:07.964 AEDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Image received. Mode: "Align" Size: 4170240
[2022-12-03T22:46:08.122 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Image received."
[2022-12-03T23:00:24.932 AEDT INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solver aborted after 856.68 seconds."
1 year 3 months ago #88792

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Replied by Paul on topic Solver is not working

As previously mentioned the Synch option solves but it only does so with 'solving with blind image position'. What would trigger this? I don't believe I have changed any setting, other than updating the software, so believe it must be a software problem but would be happy to be proven wrong.

Also it never solves with the 'Slew to Target' option.

The Target Coordinates: RA (23h 56m 00s) DEC ( 180° 00' 00") is definately suspicious - how do we get this DEC?

2022-12-06T21:30:14 Solving with blind image position...
2022-12-06T21:30:14 Image received.
2022-12-06T21:30:00 Capturing image...
2022-12-06T21:26:30 Image received.
2022-12-06T21:26:17 Capturing image...
2022-12-06T21:25:17 Syncing to RA (06h 37m 59s) DEC (-86° 58' 27")
2022-12-06T21:25:17 Solution coordinates: RA (06h 37m 59s) DEC (-86° 58' 27") Telescope Coordinates: RA (19h 05m 38s) DEC (-90° 00' 00") Target Coordinates: RA (23h 56m 00s) DEC ( 180° 00' 00")
2022-12-06T21:25:17 WCS information updated. Images captured from this point forward shall have valid WCS.
2022-12-06T21:25:17 Effective telescope focal length is updated to 701.419 mm.
2022-12-06T21:25:17 Solver RA (101.45705) DEC (-86.95535) Orientation (93.10477) Pixel Scale (3.17593) Parity (neg)
2022-12-06T21:25:17 Solver completed after 5.14 seconds.
2022-12-06T21:25:12 Solving with blind image scale...
2022-12-06T21:25:12 Image received.
2022-12-06T21:24:58 Capturing image...
2022-12-06T21:22:31 Image received.
2022-12-06T21:22:17 Capturing image...
2022-12-06T21:15:54 World Coordinate System (WCS) is enabled.
Last edit: 1 year 3 months ago by Paul.
1 year 3 months ago #88854

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Well, my two questions would be why you (try to) solve without scale and position, and why do you do an initial sync close to polaris?
Especially the latter can be very dangerous if your setup has any inherent cone error: This will likely throw off the RA sync of the mount by a huge amount. So if the reason to deactivate position hints was that it didn't solve, that might have been the reason, and I'd rather start w/o an Polaris-sync and use the position hinting.
The following user(s) said Thank You: R Dan Nafe
1 year 3 months ago #88857

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Replied by Paul on topic Solver is not working

Peter,

I will need to check why scale would be an issue, nothing has been changed by me.

As far as Polaris goes, I am actually pointed near the equator, but the software seems to be ignoring this. To get pointed at Polaris I would need to point well below the horizon and that would be another issue for someone in the Southern Hemisphere :)

My steps were to slew to near the eastern side of the meridian near the equator.
Do a Synch, which worked but with the blind solver message, which is not normal.
Then Slew to Target, which fails.

Paul
Last edit: 1 year 3 months ago by Paul. Reason: Added more information
1 year 3 months ago #88864

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I will need to check why scale would be an issue, nothing has been changed by me.
It should make solving easier and faster. Esp. on slow machines like a Pi a clear advantage. Not really sure if that can make the difference between a succeeded and a failed solve, but it definitely should not hurt.

As far as Polaris goes, I am actually pointed near the equator, but the software seems to be ignoring this.
I was looking at the solve from your last post:
2022-12-06T21:25:17 Syncing to RA (06h 37m 59s) DEC (-86° 58' 27")
2022-12-06T21:25:17 Solution coordinates: RA (06h 37m 59s) DEC (-86° 58' 27") Telescope Coordinates: RA (19h 05m 38s) DEC (-90° 00' 00") Target Coordinates: RA (23h 56m 00s) DEC ( 180° 00' 00")

(and had missed the minus sign indicating you're on the southern hemisphere). But that suggests you do a first solve in 'park' position, pointing at the (southern) celestial pole. The consequences are the same: A cone error can/will result in a huge RA error for the actual mount position.

The 180 degrees target DEC indeed are highly suspicious. Have you tried resetting the mount model? Is your hemisphere and park position properly set?
Have you confirmed (Align->Options) that 'Use Position' is 'on'?
(But that is more general questions - seems I'm not really able to help any further here :( )
1 year 3 months ago #88868

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Replied by Paul on topic Solver is not working

Peter,

I think I may have confused you, I meant to say I have not changed the settings scale, and I believe it is enabled.

I still need to get access to the mount and check the settings again.

Paul
1 year 3 months ago #88870

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Replied by Paul on topic Solver is not working

Peter,
Last edit: 1 year 3 months ago by Paul. Reason: to get information to display
1 year 3 months ago #88883
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Interesting. Or puzzling.
My only suspicion could be that indeed the pointing model (either of EKOS, or of the mount, if it has one) are somehow messed up. Like what I said about syncing close to the poles, if the coordinates that the mount slews to are badly off, the hinting ("Position") of course will not work if you are more than 30 degrees off. So that might explain why it falls back to blind solving.

The mount tab of EKOS has some button to discard mount models. I don't know if that also affects settings of the Gemini. Have you tried that? Else check the manual of the mount if there is a way (via HC?) to discard any stored models, and see if that helps.

Other than that, my pool of ideas is depleted... :(
1 year 3 months ago #88886

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Replied by Paul on topic Solver is not working

Peter,

Okay, the real problem seems to be that it is not solving and then goes into a blind solve. The first blind solve seems to solve but if you then do another immediately after it never solves. I cannot find any parameters that would be an issue and I am assuming the software is broken.

The mount is pointing fine and the Gemini model is built each time as I do a cold start.

Paul
Last edit: 1 year 3 months ago by Paul.
1 year 3 months ago #88888

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Replied by Paul on topic Solver is not working

I am trying to test the alignment issues with the simulator but it always captures a dark image.
Is it possible to do a capture and solve with simulators?
I tried a load and slew and it solves one of my images almost immediately but does not slew to the solved position.
Is it supposed to do this?
Also, it shows the solution in the message box at the bottom of the screen but does not update it in the Solution Results box.
Is it supposed to do this?

2022-12-10T16:17:30 Slewing to target coordinates: RA (18h 09m 39s) DEC (-43° 43' 14").
2022-12-10T16:17:30 Solution coordinates: RA (18h 09m 39s) DEC (-43° 43' 14") Telescope Coordinates: RA (02h 13m 44s) DEC ( 00° 00' 00") Target Coordinates: RA (18h 09m 40s) DEC (-43° 43' 10")
2022-12-10T16:17:30 Solver RA (272.00987) DEC (-43.72309) Orientation (90.68484) Pixel Scale (1.58909) Parity (neg)
2022-12-10T16:17:30 Solver completed after 1.93 seconds.

After retesting this a few hours later I have realised it was slewing to the target after solving but the map was staying still so it was not centred on the object.
After slewing it captures another image which then fails to solve, which is expected because the it is an empty image which was my initial problem trying to duplicate the solving with simulators.

Paul
Last edit: 1 year 3 months ago by Paul. Reason: added to message.
1 year 3 months ago #88923

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Replied by Paul on topic Solver is not working

There are now two index file columns for plate solving. 2Mass Catalogue and Tycho2/Gaia Catalogue.

I have only downloaded the Tycho2/Gaia Catalogue.

Do I need to download both, could this be causing the plate solving to do a blind solve?

What is the purpose of having two.

Paul
1 year 2 months ago #89310

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