main@ap-gto.groups.io | Unusual APCC and Mach 2 behavior after the meridian

Home Guidelines Messages Hashtags Subgroups

Date Date 1 - 16 of 16

Unusual APCC and Mach 2 behavior after the meridian

#APCC #Mach2GTO

Marcelo Figueroa #83761 First, I'm doing 4 minute unguided imaging with an Esprit 100 on my Mach 2 (with modeling turned on). And I don't know if it's a factor to take into account, but it's summer here and the nights are hot, around 19C. Thing is, just after the meridian flip I'm getting oval stars. The strange thing is that it's exactly the first 3 frames, in the first one the stars are very oval and then they get progressively better, by the fourth one they are round again (and before the meridian they are also normal). It's not a big problem, but I'm curious what could be causing this. The images are a crop of the central area. Thanks
More All Messages By This Member
Ray Gralak #83763 Hi Marcelo, There are many reasons that could happen, but probably the model is not accounting for random shifting of the scope/camera after the pier flip. This is probably something that you will have to track down. -Ray toggle quoted message Show quoted text -----Original Message----- From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io] On Behalf Of Marcelo Figueroa via groups.io Sent: Sunday, December 26, 2021 10:59 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: [ap-gto] Unusual APCC and Mach 2 behavior after the meridian #APCC #Mach2GTO First, I'm doing 4 minute unguided imaging with an Esprit 100 on my Mach 2 (with modeling turned on). And I don't know if it's a factor to take into account, but it's summer here and the nights are hot, around 19C. Thing is, just after the meridian flip I'm getting oval stars. The strange thing is that it's exactly the first 3 frames, in the first one the stars are very oval and then they get progressively better, by the fourth one they are round again (and before the meridian they are also normal). It's not a big problem, but I'm curious what could be causing this. The images are a crop of the central area. Thanks
More All Messages By This Member
Jeffc #83777 Is the elongation in DEC, RA, or a combination f both? toggle quoted message Show quoted text On Dec 26, 2021, at 10:59 AM, Marcelo Figueroa via groups.io <marfig1970@...> wrote: First, I'm doing 4 minute unguided imaging with an Esprit 100 on my Mach 2 (with modeling turned on). And I don't know if it's a factor to take into account, but it's summer here and the nights are hot, around 19C. Thing is, just after the meridian flip I'm getting oval stars. The strange thing is that it's exactly the first 3 frames, in the first one the stars are very oval and then they get progressively better, by the fourth one they are round again (and before the meridian they are also normal). It's not a big problem, but I'm curious what could be causing this. The images are a crop of the central area. Thanks
More All Messages By This Member
Roland Christen #83784 Can you repeat the meridian flip with modeling turned off? Also, in which axis is this happening? Also, can you run a 5 second image after meridian flip to see if the stars are round with modeling on. Doing these tests will allow us to determine if it's the modeling parameters or if it's caused by parameters inside the CP5. Roland Christen toggle quoted message Show quoted text -----Original Message----- From: Marcelo Figueroa via groups.io <marfig1970@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Sun, Dec 26, 2021 12:58 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Unusual APCC and Mach 2 behavior after the meridian #APCC #Mach2GTO First, I'm doing 4 minute unguided imaging with an Esprit 100 on my Mach 2 (with modeling turned on). And I don't know if it's a factor to take into account, but it's summer here and the nights are hot, around 19C. Thing is, just after the meridian flip I'm getting oval stars. The strange thing is that it's exactly the first 3 frames, in the first one the stars are very oval and then they get progressively better, by the fourth one they are round again (and before the meridian they are also normal). It's not a big problem, but I'm curious what could be causing this. The images are a crop of the central area. Thanks -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
More All Messages By This Member
Marcelo Figueroa #83796 On Mon, Dec 27, 2021 at 11:17 AM, Roland Christen wrote: Can you repeat the meridian flip with modeling turned off? Also, in which axis is this happening? Also, can you run a 5 second image after meridian flip to see if the stars are round with modeling on. Doing these tests will allow us to determine if it's the modeling parameters or if it's caused by parameters inside the CP5. I'm going to try tonight, if the clouds cooperate. Mind you, how can I determine on which axis it's happening. I never needed to find out before.
More All Messages By This Member
Roland Christen #83797 Take an image, turn tracking off for a moment while the image is exposing. The resultant trail will be in the RA direction. Rolando toggle quoted message Show quoted text -----Original Message----- From: Marcelo Figueroa via groups.io <marfig1970@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Mon, Dec 27, 2021 12:41 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Unusual APCC and Mach 2 behavior after the meridian #Mach2GTO On Mon, Dec 27, 2021 at 11:17 AM, Roland Christen wrote: Can you repeat the meridian flip with modeling turned off? Also, in which axis is this happening? Also, can you run a 5 second image after meridian flip to see if the stars are round with modeling on. Doing these tests will allow us to determine if it's the modeling parameters or if it's caused by parameters inside the CP5. I'm going to try tonight, if the clouds cooperate. Mind you, how can I determine on which axis it's happening. I never needed to find out before. -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
More All Messages By This Member
Marcelo Figueroa #83830 Last night I was able to do some tests, but the clouds interrupted the process. As preliminary results this happens on the Ra axis. Also when testing with modeling off the stars are slightly less oval after the meridian (of course, with modeling off the elongation is the same after several frames, before and after the meridian). Tonight should be clear and I should be able to test again.
More All Messages By This Member
Roland Christen #83835 I need to know what happens if you take a short 1 sec and a 5 second exposure. Rolando toggle quoted message Show quoted text -----Original Message----- From: Marcelo Figueroa via groups.io <marfig1970@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Tue, Dec 28, 2021 2:15 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Unusual APCC and Mach 2 behavior after the meridian #Mach2GTO Last night I was able to do some tests, but the clouds interrupted the process. As preliminary results this happens on the Ra axis. Also when testing with modeling off the stars are slightly less oval after the meridian (of course, with modeling off the elongation is the same after several frames, before and after the meridian). Tonight should be clear and I should be able to test again. -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
More All Messages By This Member
Marcelo Figueroa #83836 On Tue, Dec 28, 2021 at 05:28 PM, Roland Christen wrote: I need to know what happens if you take a short 1 sec and a 5 second exposure. Rolando Yep, I was doing that test when the clouds attacked. I'll try again in a little while.
More All Messages By This Member
Marcelo Figueroa #83839 I was finally able to complete the tests. First, the effect is actually present on the Dec axis. Then in the 5 and 1 second frames with the modeling activated, the stars are beautiful and round, without any problems. Examples below: Oval stars in the first frames after the meridian, 4 minutes exposure, modeling on (then from the fourth, they are round again): 4 minutes, modeling off (elongation appears to be the same): 5 seconds, modeling activated: 1 second, modeling on: Test RA axis:
More All Messages By This Member
Roland Christen #83840 Excellent! Ok, that rules out the mount as causing this. So we are back to an error in the model. So perhaps your model is sending the Dec in the opposite direction for a period of time after the meridian swap. I'll let Ray comment. Rolando toggle quoted message Show quoted text -----Original Message----- From: Marcelo Figueroa via groups.io <marfig1970@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Wed, Dec 29, 2021 1:07 am Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Unusual APCC and Mach 2 behavior after the meridian #Mach2GTO I was finally able to complete the tests. First, the effect is actually present on the Dec axis. Then in the 5 and 1 second frames with the modeling activated, the stars are beautiful and round, without any problems. Examples below: Oval stars in the first frames after the meridian, 4 minutes exposure, modeling on (then from the fourth, they are round again): 4 minutes, modeling off (elongation appears to be the same): 5 seconds, modeling activated: 1 second, modeling on: Test RA axis: -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
More All Messages By This Member
Ray Gralak #83841 Hi Marcelo, A few questions: 1. How old is the model? 2. How many points does it use? 3. Did the issue always happen, or did it start a while after the model was created? 4. Is the scope mounted on a permanent pier? Also, if you are not using APCC 1.9, you should update. (You do not need a subscription to update to the latest build. If your license is older, you may not get the new major features, but you will still get bug fixes and minor feature improvements.) -Ray toggle quoted message Show quoted text -----Original Message----- From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io] On Behalf Of Marcelo Figueroa via groups.io Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2021 11:08 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Unusual APCC and Mach 2 behavior after the meridian #Mach2GTO I was finally able to complete the tests. First, the effect is actually present on the Dec axis. Then in the 5 and 1 second frames with the modeling activated, the stars are beautiful and round, without any problems. Examples below: Oval stars in the first frames after the meridian, 4 minutes exposure, modeling on (then from the fourth, they are round again): 4 minutes, modeling off (elongation appears to be the same): 5 seconds, modeling activated: 1 second, modeling on: Test RA axis:
More All Messages By This Member
Marcelo Figueroa #83862 On Wed, Dec 29, 2021 at 11:22 AM, Ray Gralak wrote: A few questions: 1. How old is the model? 2. How many points does it use? 3. Did the issue always happen, or did it start a while after the model was created? 4. Is the scope mounted on a permanent pier? Also, if you are not using APCC 1.9, you should update. (You do not need a subscription to update to the latest build. If your license is older, you may not get the new major features, but you will still get bug fixes and minor feature improvements.) The modeling is from a few months ago, specifically October 25, 2021. The modeling is 205 points. I only noticed the effect a week or two ago and the only significant change has been the ambient temperature. It's summer here and it's around 19°C at night. The mount is semi-permanently located in my backyard on a portable pier, the black one that AP sells. And it hasn't moved in over a year. (I will update APCC. I'm actually waiting for the latest version to come out of beta to test it, I'm interested in the new options on the meridian limits).
More All Messages By This Member
Ray Gralak #83872 Hi Marcelo, I only noticed the effect a week or two ago and the only significant change has been the ambient temperature. It's summer here and it's around 19°C at night. Large changes in temperature not only affect refraction but the rigidity of the equipment, which will "bend" slightly more with increased temperature. This can change some of the pointing term values. The mount is semi-permanently located in my backyard on a portable pier, the black one that AP sells. And it hasn't moved in over a year. In a portable pier setup, polar alignment can shift as moisture in the ground changes. I suggest you check/tighten the scope's rings, mounting plate, camera connections, etc. Also, eliminate any drooping cables, then create a new 200+ point model to see if that solves the problem. (I will update APCC. I'm actually waiting for the latest version to come out of beta to test it, I'm interested in the new options on the meridian limits). Here is a link to the latest version of APCC with updated help. This is a release build, the only caveat being Dale Ghent may not have released an updated NINA build yet to support the latest REST API changes in APPM: https://www.apastrosoftware.com/apcc_download/APCC_Pro_Setup_1.9.3.1a.exe -Ray -----Original Message----- From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io] On Behalf Of Marcelo Figueroa via groups.io Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2021 5:31 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Unusual APCC and Mach 2 behavior after the meridian #Mach2GTO On Wed, Dec 29, 2021 at 11:22 AM, Ray Gralak wrote: A few questions: 1. How old is the model? 2. How many points does it use? 3. Did the issue always happen, or did it start a while after the model was created? 4. Is the scope mounted on a permanent pier? Also, if you are not using APCC 1.9, you should update. (You do not need a subscription to update to the latest build. If your license is older, you may not get the new major features, but you will still get bug fixes and minor feature improvements.) The modeling is from a few months ago, specifically October 25, 2021. The modeling is 205 points. I only noticed the effect a week or two ago and the only significant change has been the ambient temperature. It's summer here and it's around 19°C at night. The mount is semi-permanently located in my backyard on a portable pier, the black one that AP sells. And it hasn't moved in over a year. (I will update APCC. I'm actually waiting for the latest version to come out of beta to test it, I'm interested in the new options on the meridian limits).
More All Messages By This Member
Marcelo Figueroa #83883 On Thu, Dec 30, 2021 at 08:16 AM, Ray Gralak wrote: Here is a link to the latest version of APCC with updated help. This is a release build, the only caveat being Dale Ghent may not have released an updated NINA build yet to support the latest REST API changes in APPM: https://www.apastrosoftware.com/apcc_download/APCC_Pro_Setup_1.9.3.1a.exe Can I install this version directly or do I need to upgrade to 19.0.11 first (I am currently using 1.8.8.17)? And I will try the other suggestions, thanks.
More All Messages By This Member
Ray Gralak #83886 It never hurts to uninstall APCC first from Windows control panel. You will not lose your settings or registration. -Ray toggle quoted message Show quoted text -----Original Message----- From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io] On Behalf Of Marcelo Figueroa via groups.io Sent: Thursday, December 30, 2021 11:32 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Unusual APCC and Mach 2 behavior after the meridian #Mach2GTO On Thu, Dec 30, 2021 at 08:16 AM, Ray Gralak wrote: Here is a link to the latest version of APCC with updated help. This is a release build, the only caveat being Dale Ghent may not have released an updated NINA build yet to support the latest REST API changes in APPM: https://www.apastrosoftware.com/apcc_download/APCC_Pro_Setup_1.9.3.1a.exe Can I install this version directly or do I need to upgrade to 19.0.11 first (I am currently using 1.8.8.17)? And I will try the other suggestions, thanks.
More All Messages By This Member