Hi neyle ,

I have no idea why it would not open on your computer. It is probably related to a problematic Windows update.

However, here is the link:

https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons.cgi#top

-Ray Gralak
Author of APCC (Astro-Physics Command Center): https://www.astro-physics.com/apcc-pro
Author of PEMPro V3: https://www.ccdware.com
Author of Astro-Physics V2 ASCOM Driver: https://www.siriusimaging.com/apdriver

Last night I was able to image for 6 hours or so, including some imaging of  Atlas C/2019 Y4.    I used the opportunity to try out the Horizons software, so I downloaded the ephemeris data for Atlas.   I did a careful polar alignment, and after imaging a few targets, horizons put Atlas in the very middle of my imaging window, and it worked perfectly.     It tracked Atlas and kept it in the middle of my screen and on longer exposures of a minute or more I could see the stars start to elongate.    For image processing, I'm not entirely sure if it's easier tracking on the comet or guiding on a star.   After marveling on how well the comet was being tracked and stayed in the middle of my imaging screen, I decided for imaging that I'd guide on a star and do the post processing in this way, especially since I had a mono-camera on the scope.  I don't actually know if it makes a difference or not, but know I have a bit of processing to do based on past experience.   I really should have put a color camera on for this.. as I know I'm going to have a lot of processing to do!

Also, not sure if this is just normal for an A-P mount to have this kind of repeatability and precision, or if this is attributed to the mach2 with encoders.   After my very first plate solve, subsequent solves seem to go very fast.    Very confidence inspiring, even with terrible seeing.


Terri

Well, as said nothing has changed. The pier and the mount has been in the same position for two years and the
polar align should be spot on according to Polemaster and PHD. I can check that again but I would be surprised if
something has changed.

Even if the mount *is* well polar aligned there can be pointing errors from other sources. Once you plate solve+sync that will change the relative position of the Park positions. I think you just didn't notice that in the previous two years of use. Once you did you notice you thought there was a problem when there really wasn't one.

-Ray Gralak
Author of APCC (Astro-Physics Command Center): https://www.astro-physics.com/apcc-pro
Author of PEMPro V3: https://www.ccdware.com
Author of Astro-Physics V2 ASCOM Driver: https://www.siriusimaging.com/apdriver

-----Original Message-----
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io] On Behalf Of Mikko Viljamaa
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2020 7:09 AM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach1 Unable to Find Home Position Suddenly

The pier/tripod is not perpendicular to the earth's center.
* The mount is not "perfectly" polar aligned
* The optical axis is not aligned with the mount's mechanical axis.

Well, as said nothing has changed. The pier and the mount has been in the same position for two years and the
polar align should be spot on according to Polemaster and PHD. I can check that again but I would be surprised if
something has changed.


- Mikko

Hi Mikko,

that's exactly what I used to do before this saga started.

The part that I think needlessly worried you is that after a plate solve + recal you expected the mount to return exactly to the marks where it started. If the plate solve + sync changes the RA/Dec coordinates then the mount's park position will be slightly off. That does not matter as you discovered when unparking from last parked position.

-Ray Gralak
Author of APCC (Astro-Physics Command Center): https://www.astro-physics.com/apcc-pro
Author of PEMPro V3: https://www.ccdware.com
Author of Astro-Physics V2 ASCOM Driver: https://www.siriusimaging.com/apdriver

-----Original Message-----
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io] On Behalf Of Mikko Viljamaa
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2020 7:00 AM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach1 Unable to Find Home Position Suddenly

Ron if I understand correctly what you say, that's exactly what I used to do before this saga started.


- Mikko

The pier/tripod is not perpendicular to the earth's center.
* The mount is not "perfectly" polar aligned
* The optical axis is not aligned with the mount's mechanical axis.

Well, as said nothing has changed. The pier and the mount has been in the same position for two years and the polar align should be spot on according to Polemaster and PHD. I can check that again but I would be surprised if something has changed.


- Mikko

Ron if I understand correctly what you say, that's exactly what I used to do before this saga started.


- Mikko

Hi Cytan,

I don't think it matters, but I would use the second way. You can have APCC turn off tracking after unparking from the Park tab if you don't want tracking enabled. The option is a checkbox called "Stop Tracking after unparking".

-Ray Gralak
Author of APCC (Astro-Physics Command Center): https://www.astro-physics.com/apcc-pro
Author of PEMPro V3: https://www.ccdware.com
Author of Astro-Physics V2 ASCOM Driver: https://www.siriusimaging.com/apdriver

Hi David,

Thanks for reporting that, I'll look into it.

-Ray Gralak
Author of APCC (Astro-Physics Command Center): https://www.astro-physics.com/apcc-pro
Author of PEMPro V3: https://www.ccdware.com
Author of Astro-Physics V2 ASCOM Driver: https://www.siriusimaging.com/apdriver

Hi Geoff

Try looking on the Astro-Physics web site. They have a lot of information in their Support section. There is a collection of documentation for their legacy products there. I don't know if the 900 mount is there, but that is likely the best place to start.

George at Astro-Physics is also a good source of information.


Best Regards

Michael Hambrick
ARLANXEO
TSR Global Manufacturing Support
PO Box 2000
Orange, TX 77631-2000
Phone: +1 (409) 882-2799
email: mike.hambrick@...

Hi Ray,
   After reading all the recent postings about APCC initialization, I'm wondering what is the recommended initialization sequence?
I do it two ways:

1. Start APCC
   1. Do not unpark
   2. Press OK on Popup warning
   3. After messing around with other stuff like setting up my stool and other starting other programs
   4. Unpark from Park 3
   5. Polar align etc.

or this way:

1. Start APCC
   1. Unpark from last park
   2. Park scope with Park 3
   3. After messing around with other stuff like setting up my stool and starting other programs
   4. Unpark from last park
   5. Polar align etc.

Do the above sequences give the same result at the end? I'm asking because with the 2nd way which I tried for the first time on Saturday night, I found that PoleMaster is a lot more accurate for whatever reason. But this could be sheer coincidence.

cytan

Ray,

APCC Pro v1.8.0.9
Telescope Driver v5.30.09
GTOCP3
AP1600 with Absolute Encoders

ACPP Initialisation Settings set to "Don't Unpark"

After "Unpark from Last Park"
APCC reports:
Bottom Status Line reports "Encoders = Enabled"
Sterup Tab reports Encoder Version "A02" and "Enabled"

AE Tab is missing

No further problems all night
Thanks,

DavidH

I have an AP900 Mount which has been in my observatory for quite a few years. Can someone point me to any necessary maintenance procedures I should be doing?

I was browsing through some of the AP support Files and came across this item https://astro-physics.info/tech_support/mounts/drift-alignment-ra-correction-method.pdf 
which is essentially a drift alignment method. There is this phrase in the document “Depending on focal length and pixel scale, you might get round stars in a typical 10 - 20 minute exposure as much as 45 degrees from the zenith.”
is this meant to apply to unguided exposures?

Gene,

I upgraded to APCC 1.8.0.8 Standard I wanted to take advantage of the new feature that allows setting the Safety
Park position to my User Defined Alt/Az. But the drop down menu is not available (greyed out). The Help file
indicates that this feature requires a firmware upgrade to P02-xx. I looked on the Astro-Physics website but
couldn't locate this. Can someone point me in the right direction? I have a CP4 on a GTO1200.

The new firmware has not been released yet.

-Ray Gralak
Author of APCC (Astro-Physics Command Center): https://www.astro-physics.com/apcc-pro
Author of PEMPro V3: https://www.ccdware.com
Author of Astro-Physics V2 ASCOM Driver: https://www.siriusimaging.com/apdriver

-----Original Message-----
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io] On Behalf Of Gene Mroz
Sent: Sunday, March 22, 2020 6:58 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: [ap-gto] APCC 1.8.0.8, Safety Park and Firmware P02-xx Question

I upgraded to APCC 1.8.0.8 Standard I wanted to take advantage of the new feature that allows setting the Safety
Park position to my User Defined Alt/Az. But the drop down menu is not available (greyed out). The Help file
indicates that this feature requires a firmware upgrade to P02-xx. I looked on the Astro-Physics website but
couldn't locate this. Can someone point me in the right direction? I have a CP4 on a GTO1200.

Thanks,

Gene

I upgraded to APCC 1.8.0.8 Standard   I wanted to take advantage of the new feature that allows setting the Safety Park position to my User Defined Alt/Az.  But the drop down menu is not available (greyed out).  The Help file indicates that this feature requires a firmware upgrade to P02-xx.  I looked on the Astro-Physics website but couldn't locate this.  Can someone point me in the right direction?  I have a CP4 on a GTO1200.

Thanks,

Gene

See  https://shop.astrogizmos.com/product.sc?productId=11&categoryId=2

Bryan

Joe, 

I had the 1000 Newton thrust column pairs in use for almost 8 years and they never became unsynchronized.  When I shipped them to their new owner in New Jersey, he tested them like I did with the new ones.  The two columns were sitting on the floor and when he raided them to their maximum extension, one column was about 1mm taller than the other.  After he ran the initialization routine, both columns were the same height.

As far as lifter runaway, the 1000 Newton columns take 25 seconds to full extend the 500mm (19.7").  The 2500 Newton columns take 50 seconds to full extend the same amount.  I doubt of your safety override mechanism would be needed, but if desired, it could be added to the system.

Yours truly,

Jack Huerkamp

Don,

The hand controller for the new higher thrust columns is identical to the one I received for the low thrust units.  But the controllers are different.  The original lifting columns have a different screw thread pitch and fully extended in about 1.2 the time of the new high thrust columns.  

Jack Huerkamp

--