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INDI Library v2.0.6 is Released (02 Feb 2024)

Bi-monthly release with minor bug fixes and improvements

cem60 meridian flip

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cem60 meridian flip was created by Michael

learning the ropes of automated capture.....

CEM60, PHD2, Moonlight

(1) EKOS initiates the flip when arriving at the threshold, but does not wait for the exposure to end
(2) EKOS does not trigger a platesolve after the flip
(3) PHD2 does not know a flip happened, and DEC control goes off the rails, regardless off the "reverse the DEC output" setting...

I don't seem to be able to find the right combo of settings, even tried to use internal guiding....

If you have any idea, or have solved a similar issue, please share!

Michael
4 years 11 months ago #38063

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Replied by Jasem Mutlaq on topic cem60 meridian flip

I just started my observatory to test this (but with internal guiding). I uploaded a video so you can see all the settings..etc. It all worked fine.

www.dropbox.com/s/3oy381uf46x7xey/scheduler.mp4?dl=0
4 years 11 months ago #38268

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Replied by Michael on topic cem60 meridian flip

thank you Jasem!
Funny, but watching your video is just as nerve-racking (in a good way) as working my own equipment. that sure was a success, but I saw you (like me) kept "autofocus every nn minutes" unclicked...

anyway: really enjoy the program, and certainly the interactions with you, and other boarders. I just feel a little like a parasite, and wonder what I could do to help the project...

Thanks again

Michael
4 years 11 months ago #38274

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Replied by Jasem Mutlaq on topic cem60 meridian flip

I have yet to test it with PHD2 however. So this could still be the factor of the issue here.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Michael
4 years 11 months ago #38284

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Replied by Michael on topic cem60 meridian flip

Worked perfectly last night, and I was running under PHD2. Have not found the right settings for the internal guider yet....

I believe my mistake was to let the mount (CEM60) initiate the flip at the meridian, so I put the point where the mount flips 10 degrees past the meridian, this obviously gave EKOS priority . Post flip alignment also worked great, and EKOS finished the series wonderfully.

Next step will be to get autofocus to work post flip....

Thanks Jasem!
4 years 11 months ago #38291

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Replied by Michael on topic cem60 meridian flip

Tried again, but failed the last 2 nights.

Was watching "live", and believe the problem was created when the solver started before the mount was even reaching the pole. Alignment module tried to solve to another Nebula, I assume to the one the mount was flying over when solver started prematurely. Another platesolve was successful, and the mount slowed from my intended target M66 , "flipping back" to somewhere near the pole. Subsequently I stepped in and slewed the mount back to M66, and initiated another platesolve: Once this was successful and complete, EKOS started the new calibration of PHD2, and once that was complete it also commenced with the acquisition.

Below is the solver comments during that flip:

2019-04-25T22:28:56 Target is within acceptable range. Astrometric solver is successful.
2019-04-25T22:28:56 Target is within  00° 00' 20" degrees of solution coordinates.
2019-04-25T22:28:56 Solution coordinates: RA (11h 21m 14s) DEC ( 12° 53' 20") Telescope Coordinates: RA (11h 21m 15s) DEC ( 12° 53' 15")
2019-04-25T22:28:56 Solver completed in 6 seconds.
2019-04-25T22:28:50 Starting solver...
2019-04-25T22:28:50 Solver iteration #1
2019-04-25T22:28:50 Image received.
2019-04-25T22:28:39 Capturing image...
2019-04-25T22:27:33 Solver aborted after 42 seconds
2019-04-25T22:26:51 Starting solver...
2019-04-25T22:26:51 Solver iteration #5
2019-04-25T22:26:51 Image received.
2019-04-25T22:26:39 Capturing image...
2019-04-25T22:26:39 Solver timed out.
2019-04-25T22:23:39 Starting solver...
2019-04-25T22:23:39 Solver iteration #4
2019-04-25T22:23:39 Image received.
2019-04-25T22:23:27 Capturing image...
2019-04-25T22:23:27 Solver timed out.
2019-04-25T22:20:27 Starting solver...
2019-04-25T22:20:27 Solver iteration #3
2019-04-25T22:20:27 Image received.
2019-04-25T22:20:16 Capturing image...
2019-04-25T22:20:14 Slew complete. Target accuracy is not met, running solver again...
2019-04-25T22:20:14 Slewing to target coordinates: RA (14h 43m 38s) DEC ( 63° 25' 11").
2019-04-25T22:20:14 Syncing to RA (11h 19m 25s) DEC ( 12° 29' 59")
2019-04-25T22:20:14 Target is within  72° 06' 20" degrees of solution coordinates.
2019-04-25T22:20:14 Solution coordinates: RA (11h 19m 25s) DEC ( 12° 29' 59") Telescope Coordinates: RA (11h 21m 14s) DEC ( 12° 53' 15")
2019-04-25T22:20:14 Solver completed in 6 seconds.
2019-04-25T22:20:08 Starting solver...
2019-04-25T22:20:08 Solver iteration #2
2019-04-25T22:20:08 Image received.
2019-04-25T22:19:56 Capturing image...
2019-04-25T22:19:56 Solver timed out.
2019-04-25T22:16:56 Starting solver...
2019-04-25T22:16:56 Solver iteration #1
2019-04-25T22:16:56 Image received.
2019-04-25T22:16:45 Capturing image...
Last edit: 4 years 11 months ago by Michael.
4 years 11 months ago #38422

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Replied by Jasem Mutlaq on topic cem60 meridian flip

Try increasing the SETTLE value, to 3000 or 4000
The following user(s) said Thank You: Michael
4 years 11 months ago #38439

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Replied by Michael on topic cem60 meridian flip

Thanks, will try and let you know.

On a side note, re: autofocus module post flip: I left "subframe" unclicked this time, and it completed "successfully": the system shot about 10 frames, 9 returned a HFR of 3.0, one 2.75, so that's where I ended up. I am not sure that this was ideal focus though, any words on wisdom on that issue?

Thanks
Michael
4 years 11 months ago #38449

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Replied by Jasem Mutlaq on topic cem60 meridian flip

is that what you usually get at best focus for that star?
4 years 11 months ago #38464

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Replied by Michael on topic cem60 meridian flip

This autofocus procedure ran with auto select star, full frame, and subframe all deselected. but based on the time that it took -several minutes for 10 iterations- I think (insert standard newbie disclaimer here) that this was a full field evaluation. at my FOV (35'x25') M66 does not have an abundance of stars around, which IMHO makes this target a good object to test "no - subframe - autofocus" after meridian flip.

I found the uniformity of returned HFR values interesting, the "v-curve" was a straight line, and without deeper understanding of the algorithm I am a little suspicious of the result.

Thanks Jasem!
Last edit: 4 years 11 months ago by Michael.
4 years 11 months ago #38475

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