I am using SharpCap 4.1 connected to an Atlux equatorial mount via ASCOM and E-ZEUS II, with StellaShot 3 as my star chart software. Regarding the initial alignment of the mount, I find it tedious to center target stars using a finderscope.
To simplify this process, I would like to use SharpCap's plate solving feature. When I point the telescope at a random area of the sky and select "Plate Solve" from the Tools menu, the solving process completes successfully. However, I am unsure how to transfer these coordinates to the mount and StellaShot 3. According to an AI suggestion, a "Sync" button should appear to synchronize the coordinates with StellaShot, but no such button appears in practice, and I cannot achieve synchronization. Could you please provide a specific method to resolve this?
Initial alignment
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Re: Initial alignment
Hi,
the normal procedure is as follows...
Use some software (maybe a planetarium program, or SharpCap, or the handset) to command your telescope to GOTO the target of interest - let's say M31 as an example.
Once the movement has finished - M31 is perhaps out of view or not properly centered - choose the 'Plate solve and Resync' option from the tools menu in SharpCap. That will plate solve a frame from the camera, correct the co-ordinates of the ASCOM mount to the right ones that have been worked out by the plate solving, then re-GOTO the target co-ordinates, which should place M31 in the middle of the field of view.
Note that the plate solve and resync operation is also available using the 'Locate' button in the GOTO mount control (bottom left of the directional arrows block - as shown here : https://docs.sharpcap.co.uk/4.1/#GOTO%20Mount%20Control). It's different from the 'Plate Solve Only' option that just works out the co-ordinates that you are looking at and displays them for you.
cheers,
Robin
the normal procedure is as follows...
Use some software (maybe a planetarium program, or SharpCap, or the handset) to command your telescope to GOTO the target of interest - let's say M31 as an example.
Once the movement has finished - M31 is perhaps out of view or not properly centered - choose the 'Plate solve and Resync' option from the tools menu in SharpCap. That will plate solve a frame from the camera, correct the co-ordinates of the ASCOM mount to the right ones that have been worked out by the plate solving, then re-GOTO the target co-ordinates, which should place M31 in the middle of the field of view.
Note that the plate solve and resync operation is also available using the 'Locate' button in the GOTO mount control (bottom left of the directional arrows block - as shown here : https://docs.sharpcap.co.uk/4.1/#GOTO%20Mount%20Control). It's different from the 'Plate Solve Only' option that just works out the co-ordinates that you are looking at and displays them for you.
cheers,
Robin
Re: Initial alignment
Perform Polar Alignment.
Point the telescope toward the general vicinity of the target (rough alignment).
Select the target (e.g., M31) in your planetarium software (in this case, StellaShot 3, connected via ASCOM).
Press the "Plate Solve and Resync" button in SharpCap.
M31 is centered perfectly in the field of view.
Repeat the same process for subsequent targets.
Is this the correct workflow? I believe this would eliminate the hassle of having to manually adjust the telescope using a finderscope.
Point the telescope toward the general vicinity of the target (rough alignment).
Select the target (e.g., M31) in your planetarium software (in this case, StellaShot 3, connected via ASCOM).
Press the "Plate Solve and Resync" button in SharpCap.
M31 is centered perfectly in the field of view.
Repeat the same process for subsequent targets.
Is this the correct workflow? I believe this would eliminate the hassle of having to manually adjust the telescope using a finderscope.
Re: Initial alignment
The instructions say to perform a GOTO command to a target (e.g., M31) using software such as a planetarium program, SharpCap, or a handset. However, at this initial stage, no reference point for the telescope's field of view has been set in the software (StellaShot).
If I press GOTO at this point, won't the telescope point in an completely different direction, making plate solving impossible? Do I need to manually synchronize the mount near a reference star—even if inaccurately—before proceeding?
If I press GOTO at this point, won't the telescope point in an completely different direction, making plate solving impossible? Do I need to manually synchronize the mount near a reference star—even if inaccurately—before proceeding?
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admin
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Re: Initial alignment
Hi,
yes, you are correct - you need to perform some sort of manual initial alignment. Usually this is done via your telescope mount handset, which might have various options like '1 star', '2 star', etc. If you are using plate solving to refine the positions then the simpler types of alignment like the 1 star are fine (and quickest).
With some makes of telescope mount, you may find that if you 'park' the mount to the home position at the end of each session, then you have no real need to do this alignment at the next session, as the handset/software of the mount may assume that the hardware powers on in the park position (usually pointing at the celestial pole with weights down and dovetail up).
cheers,
Robin
yes, you are correct - you need to perform some sort of manual initial alignment. Usually this is done via your telescope mount handset, which might have various options like '1 star', '2 star', etc. If you are using plate solving to refine the positions then the simpler types of alignment like the 1 star are fine (and quickest).
With some makes of telescope mount, you may find that if you 'park' the mount to the home position at the end of each session, then you have no real need to do this alignment at the next session, as the handset/software of the mount may assume that the hardware powers on in the park position (usually pointing at the celestial pole with weights down and dovetail up).
cheers,
Robin