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

Bi-monthly release with minor bug fixes and improvements

Autofocus Star selection with a sub frame not centring the star

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Has anyone else had the experience of a star selected in a sub frame not being in the middle of the displayed frame, sometimes it is on the edge and may be lost completely or unable to focus? There have even been instances where it is outside the frame and needs to reselect the star.

Is there some setting that can be tweaked to fix this?

This is not due to the star moving as even when focussing its position barely moves.

Paul
3 years 5 months ago #61066

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Hey Paul, in a word, no - unless I am collimating - which makes me think that perhaps you're using an SCT and your focuser is moving the mirror and you're getting mirror shift/flop.

What type of scope is it?
3 years 5 months ago #61096

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Hi Paul,

I have the same problem. Autofocus is not focussing as sharp as possible. In my case, I suspect that I need collimation. I ordered a laser collimator to spend daytime doing that and spare night time. Definitely I will check the collimation with a star before starting.

If your star is on the edge, I usually make sure I'm tracking while focusing or plate solving. It is not perfect but will buy the time necessary to finish the focusing and plate solving.

Hope this helps...
3 years 5 months ago #61130

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I am using a Takahashi refractor, so no mirror flop issues.

This never used to be a problem, but I cannot pinpoint exactly when it started.

Paul
3 years 5 months ago #61177

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I should point out the star being selected is not on the edge, just when it gets selected and it ends up on the edge of the subframe.

Also, it eventually either focuses it (albeit slowly) or reselects it.

This only happens with autoselect; if I choose the star it is never an issue.

Paul
3 years 5 months ago #61178

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Fascinating! Well it's not mirror flop then!

Could you screen shot your settings and share - this is interesting!
Last edit: 3 years 5 months ago by Paul Muller.
3 years 5 months ago #61179

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Did you check that tracking is turned on? The central star will move to the edge if you are not tracking. Even if you have clouds, it will disappear and reappear approx in the same location. Which mount you are using?
3 years 5 months ago #61182

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I am reasonably confident this is not a Mount issue as it only happens with the autofocus.
The only time I turn off tracking is when the mount is parked.
It is a Losmandy G11 with Gemini 2.

Paul
3 years 5 months ago #61207

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I will get some screen shots but it may be a while although there may be gap in the weather Friday night.

Clear skies are a rarity at the moment so my main priority has been to get some images, so I immediately go and manually select a star.

Paul
3 years 5 months ago #61208

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when I have something like that (keep loosing the focus star especially outside the green box with subframes), I start guiding before focusing. It helps retain the star in the green box. Also, I use a 64-bit box size just in case.
3 years 5 months ago #61209

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Guiding must be turned off while focusing as I am using off-axis guiding.

The problem is not that the star moves away from the centre, it is never in the centre in the first place, it is selected and positioned on the edge of the subframe it does not move to the edge.

Paul
3 years 5 months ago #61214

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Try the full field option with 15% & 55% as annular values, and see if your problem is resolved.

3 years 5 months ago #61217
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