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Help getting to grips with "Plate Solving"


MikePaling

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Hi folks .... maybe somebody can give me some pointers about "Plate Solving".

 

Now that I am confident in using Autoslew and CdC for visual and imaging on my DDM60Pro I need to try to understand the mysteries of plate solving.

 

Thus far, for imaging,  I have been taking things step-by-step using Astro Photography Tool (APT) and BackyardEOS (BYE) for imaging using my Canon DSLR. I really ought to start using my Moravian CCD camera now that the nights are starting to draw in.

 

I already have MaximDL, PinPoint and Sequence installed on my laptop but I have been hesitant to get to grips with these as the various manuals that came with these seem pretty complex for a total novice like me :-(

 

Can anybody suggest where I might find useful videos or PDF guides which will get me started with these bits of s/w ... and in particular plate solving ???

 

I have had a good look on the internet and YouTube etc. without a great deal of success so far.

 

Regards

Mike

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Hi Mike,

 

Firstly, I'm pretty sure you need the full Pinpoint - not the MaximDL one.

 

Secondly, there is a document entitled 'Sequence 200' which takes you through the set-up. If you can't find it send me your email address and I'll send it to you. (It's too big for me to upload it here)

 

Mark

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Hi Mark ...

Thanks for this .... since I sent my message I have discovered the "Sequence 200" pdf file and I have been studying it trying to make sense.

 

I "think" that I am making some sense of it.  I already have the full version of PinPoint ... but I am not sure yet how it fits into the scheme of things.

 

Also ... today  I have been trying to get my QuickSync FT40 electronic focuser to link up to Autoslew and Maxim ... I have made some progress but keep hitting brick walls. There is an absolutely nothing in any Autoslew manual that I have about this aspect :-(( I have installed the ASCOM driver for this focuser correctly ... but Maxim just freezes when I ask it to connect to the focuser ... and Autoslew "hardware add-on procedure" is confusing.

 

At he minute I have hit a dead end .... I have also written to Dietmar (at ASA) if he can supply some extra guidance with all of this .... fingers crossed.

 

Mike

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When you install Pinpoint you must also install a star catalog - GSC is generally recommended. You can download it from dc3-dreams website. GSC sits on the PC hard disc, and the route to it must be entered into Sequence > Settings > Plate Solve > Set path. In my case the path is simply C:\GSC11.

 

Hope this helps

 

Mark

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Sequence has settings to control Pinpoint, but it might be an idea to get familiar with Pinpoint before you try.

These are my settings - you will need to alter the vertical and horizontal scale factors.

When you get Pinpoint to solve your images you will then know what to enter into Sequence.

 

 

pinpoint1.jpg

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When you install Pinpoint you must also install a star catalog - GSC is generally recommended. You can download it from dc3-dreams website. GSC sits on the PC hard disc, and the route to it must be entered into Sequence > Settings > Plate Solve > Set path. In my case the path is simply C:\GSC11.

 

Hope this helps

 

Mark

Thanks Mark for this ....

Now done it .... one more little step on the path to enlightenment! 

 

Mike

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Sequence has settings to control Pinpoint, but it might be an idea to get familiar with Pinpoint before you try.

These are my settings - you will need to alter the vertical and horizontal scale factors.

When you get Pinpoint to solve your images you will then know what to enter into Sequence.

 

 

pinpoint1.jpg

Thanks George ....

I will now get reading the Pinpoint manual to see where it takes me !

 

Mike

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Hello,

Answering an old post. I have several people in my telescope farm here (in northern Chile) who have ASA mounts. And they have had similar problems.

Try to download the trial version of prism (https://hyperion-astronomy.com/ ), everything is integrated, and things are normally a lot smoother.

First take an image, download to nova. astrometry.net, this will give you the focal length and orientation of the image, which you put in the settings if you didn't knew it before. Then the local astrometric engine works a lot better than with pinpoint. Just try it. With my DDM60, I start autoslew, make a home find, start prism, take an image, ask to recognize the field, I am always very close to the position, and I am ready for the night.

There is a lot of interest of having something integrated, instead of a suite of various software which were not designed to work together in the first place. Autoslew is ascom compatible, so is prism, and they work very well together, much better than with maxim, pinpoint, focusmax, and what not...

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