Fatal error : Solar/lunar framing Assistant

[admin]

Hi Steve,

the idea is that you should have time to get 5 or 6 clicks in before it goes over 100% - the first click past 100% stops the calibration as the image has moved far enough. I think it is just that the speed it is moving at 17x sidereal (or whatever it is ) is too fast really.

Either you need to somehow access slower movement rates via the ASCOM driver or I need to add a way to increase the calibration distance that counts as 100%.

cheers,

Robin

[stbkaiser]

Hi robin
You gave me an idea.
I’m going to try using the ASCOM menu to set a slower speed during the calibration process.
I know it does allow me 2 speeds slower than what sharpcap is able to set.
I should be able to try that in the next day or so.
I will be going down to central texas to image the annular eclipse .
Weather is supposed to be good so I’ll try experimenting.
Thanks for helping.
Take care
Steve

[admin]

Hi Steve,

good luck with both the eclipse and the testing for the ASCOM speed setting. I made some adjustments for this yesterday and have added a slider so you can control the calibration distance with adjustment from the default (15% of frame height) up to a maximum of 40% of frame height - hopefully this would help too.

cheers,

Robin

[stbkaiser]

Hi Robin
Trying out your SharpCapInstall-4.1.11126.0-64bit
for Framing assistant.
I seem to be able to get a calibration in RA if I set the distance to 50 and click fast enough.
But I haven't been able to get Dec to calibrate.
Question
do I need to leave the sun in the screen position where the RA calibrated.
I was moving the sun to the side of the screen after RA to give more time for click points.
Update ==================
I left the sun in the RA cal position and I was able to complete a Calibration!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah
I just have to be very quick and careful with my clicking, it seems.

I will practice to see If I can get more consistent with cals.
Thanks for your help on this.
Steve

[admin]

Hi Steve,

phew - glad we got there in the end. Unfortunately I can't make the alignment movement much longer than the current limit of the slider, since that would run the risk of the point you are tracking going off screen during the alignment. Obviously a slower speed is out too due to the mount ASCOM driver limitations

I wonder... two possibilities come to mind

1) Move the mount in 'steps' for high movement rates - 0.5 second move, 1.5s still, repeat - that would be like a 4x slower movement rate
2) use the 'feature tracking' code that is already in SharpCap for other stuff to automatically track features on the image as it moves.

Something to think about.

cheers,

Robin

[stbkaiser]

Thanks for your support on this.
I think the step, stop step would be the more robust approach.
The Feature tracking has been finnicky , very dependent on the solar feature (i suspect contrast) .
My experience has been unless its a real standout sunspot as a main feature , SC has trouble with accurate tracking.
Take care.
Steve

[stbkaiser]

Hi Robin
Per our previous conversations,
If you see a chance, could you implement the "enhanced" feature tracking movement rates for my RST135 mount.
"Move the mount in 'steps' for high movement rates - 0.5 second move, 1.5s still, repeat - that would be like a 4x slower movement rate"
Rainbow Astro has not responded to my request to add more "valid" speed settings.
Thanks
Steve

[admin]

Hi Steve - OK, thanks for the reminder. I found the post-it note with that idea on it yesterday when desk tidying (buried amongst a number of other ideas), so it isn't forgotten.

cheers,

Robin

[stbkaiser]

HI Robin
I have been working on my practices for imaging the upcoming Solar eclipse here in Texas.
I know from my experience last year with the Annular eclipse, I can't seem to get the Polar alignment accurate enough with my mounts to keep the sun in the FOV over extended time with my Lunt 60mm or my Astrotech 90mm scope.
I hate to ask,...
Could you work on the "enhanced" speed adjustment that might let my mount Calibrate with your software.
Thanks for help with this.
Take care
Steve

[admin]

Ah, yes, the pulsing... I will have a go at that this week.

cheers,

Robin