Not solving
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2018 9:01 am
Hi, hoping someone might be able to help. I have tried unsuccessfully on two nights but can't get Sharpcap to solve at all. I should point out I only installed the app last week and got the Pro license on Sunday. My setup for alignment is:
50mm Orion mini guidescope (162mm focal length) mounted in finder shoe of a pier mounted 10" TS Optics Newtonian
Location: 175deg 28min East 41 deg 05 Min South (that's lower North Island, New Zealand)
Manual polar alignment: Altitude set with digital protractor, Azimuth by compass allowing for 22+ degrees of mag declination (crazy but true) - I made a wooden jig to fit to the pier to extend the compass so it wouldn't be affected by the huge chunk of steel. Hopefully I am close.
I have tried multiple settings of gain, star width etc but never get a solve. I have tried waiting 10 minutes or more while Sharpcap does it's thing but still no luck. I enter my co-ordinates in settings and allow for refraction. Depending on the gain settings etc Sharpcap detects anywhere from 3 to 20+ stars. I have attached a snapshot (excuse the focus I think I jogged the guidescope ring) in case that helps. I'm pretty sure I'm doing something wrong,but I think I've followed all the instructions plus the troubleshooting post and now I'm out of ideas. I'm going to be clouded out for the next 4 or 5 nights so I'm hoping to get some insights in the meantime.
Help and advice gratefully received.
50mm Orion mini guidescope (162mm focal length) mounted in finder shoe of a pier mounted 10" TS Optics Newtonian
Location: 175deg 28min East 41 deg 05 Min South (that's lower North Island, New Zealand)
Manual polar alignment: Altitude set with digital protractor, Azimuth by compass allowing for 22+ degrees of mag declination (crazy but true) - I made a wooden jig to fit to the pier to extend the compass so it wouldn't be affected by the huge chunk of steel. Hopefully I am close.
I have tried multiple settings of gain, star width etc but never get a solve. I have tried waiting 10 minutes or more while Sharpcap does it's thing but still no luck. I enter my co-ordinates in settings and allow for refraction. Depending on the gain settings etc Sharpcap detects anywhere from 3 to 20+ stars. I have attached a snapshot (excuse the focus I think I jogged the guidescope ring) in case that helps. I'm pretty sure I'm doing something wrong,but I think I've followed all the instructions plus the troubleshooting post and now I'm out of ideas. I'm going to be clouded out for the next 4 or 5 nights so I'm hoping to get some insights in the meantime.
Help and advice gratefully received.