Can I use Platesolve 2 with Sharpcap pro

[JT KowhaiObservatory]

I have been using Sharpcap for some time to control my QHY cameras And filters but have used a standalone version of Platesolve 2 manually to improve accuracy following a GOTO on a Celestron with yoke mount/wedge.

Can I continue to use Platesolve 2 to sync automatically through Shartcap control. I am now using a Pegasus Nyx 101 mount for better accuracy . Are there better plate solver options for auto syncing?

John

[Jean-Francois]

Hello John,

You can use ASTAP, Platesolve 2, Platesolve 3 and AstroTortilla/Ansvr/ASPS with SharpCap.
You need to install one of these standalone software before you can use it.

But today, SharpCap has SharpSolve ... an internal Plate Solve tool.
You can have 3 different index files. One is installed with SharpCap, the other two index files need to be downloaded.

I recommend the SharpSolve tool ... it is very, very quick.
The full sky blind search is sometimes shorter than a local search with other software.
Fast no need to adjust some settings. I used some plate solving software that need the knowledge of focal length at +/- 2 %.
SharpSolve has no problem if you have a factor 2x or more wrong focal length.

With SharpCap .. depending of the image field of view ... you can select a different index file.

Regards,
Jean-Francois

[admin]

Hi,

yes, Jean-Francois is correct - the easiest option is to use SharpSolve, and if you have a recent version of SharpCap and have never made any adjustment in the plate solving settings then SharpSolve will be set up as the default plate solver. All you need to do is hit the 'GPS' button in the mount control area for SharpCap to plate solve, sync the mount to the solved co-ordinates and then re-goto to center the target.

See the documentation :

https://docs.sharpcap.co.uk/4.1/#!2!Pla ... d%20Resync - for how to use the tool in SharpCap

https://docs.sharpcap.co.uk/4.1/#Plate% ... 20Settings - for how to configure other plate solving tools in SharpCap (note - the documentation here is out-of-date and doesn't include the SharpSolve solving tool).

cheers,

Robin

[JT KowhaiObservatory]

Thanks very much Jean-Francois and Robin for a quick response.

John