Eclipse Sequence Generator

[linuxkidd]

Hi Robin,

To try and wait for the frame cache to clear, I calculate and add a delay between steps equivalent to 5 frames at the current exposure.

I also added a new feature.. Partial Eclipse Count.

• The duration of the partial phase of the eclipse is different (for most people) comparing pre and post totality partial phases.
• By setting the Partial Eclipse Count, the sequence generator will now calculate the total duration of each partial phases, divide that by the count, and set the interval for each partial phase based on that value.
• This should allow those who wish to create an eclipse mosaic with equal phase state from pre and post totality to achieve that look easier.

Example: Setting 'Partial Eclipse Count' to 20 would capture the steps from the 'Partial Phase Capture Plan' every 5% of partial eclipse. NOTE that the first collection after C1 occurs at the 2 minute mark so that there's a bit of a 'bite' taken out

To be precise, the collections would be:

1. Partial Phase Collection Plan
   • 1 minute prior to C1
   • 2 minutes past C1
   • Every X seconds between ( C1 + 2 min ) and ( C2 - Bailys Bead's Interval seconds ), such that the 'Partial Eclipse Count' frames are evenly spaced.
2. Baily's Beads Collection Plan
   • Every 1 second between ( C2 - Baily's Beads Interval seconds ) and C2
3. Totality Collection Plan
   • Up to every 1 second between C2 and C3
4. Baily's Beads Collection Plan
   • Every 1 second between C3 and ( C3 + Baily's Beads Interval seconds )
5. Partial Phase Collection Plan
   • Every X seconds between ( C3 + Bailys Bead's Interval seconds ) and ( C4 - 2min ), such that the 'Partial Eclipse Count' frames are evenly spaced.
   • 2 minutes prior to C4
   • 1 minute after C4

I've updated the Notes section at the top of the generator to link to the pre-release which includes the PAD DURATION instruction. I'll continue to update that to reflect the minimum version once it's in a release version.

Please keep the inquiries and recommendations coming!

Thanks,
LK

[linuxkidd]

Hi again, @Robin...

It looks like 'LOOP UNTIL AFTER LOCALTIME' isn't an available instruction?

Screenshot from 2024-02-29 13-06-39.png (68.94 KiB) Viewed 665 times

I couldn't find an equivalent in the help / sequence editor either.. is this one you plan to add, or am I missing something?

Thanks,
LK

[SteveInNZ]

I used TargetName to get around the short time file collisions.
Set the TargetName to T1, Set Exposure to 1ms, Capture 3 frames
Set the TargetName to T2, Set Exposure to 5ms, Capture 3 frames
Set the TargetName to T3, Set Exposure to 10ms, Capture 3 frames

Steve.

[admin]

Hi,

looks like there is currently only 'LOOP UNTIL LOCALTIME' which will choose the same time on the next day if the target time is already past.

I will have to add that for the next update.

cheers,

Robin

[admin]

Hi,

just to note it will be 'LOOP UNTIL LATER THAN LOCALTIME' for consistency with other steps.

cheers,

Robin

[stbkaiser]

Steve
are you manually inserting
Set the TargetName to T1, Set Exposure to 1ms, Capture 3 frames
Set the TargetName to T2, Set Exposure to 5ms, Capture 3 frames
Set the TargetName to T3, Set Exposure to 10ms, Capture 3 frames
in the sequence LK's program is generating?

LK
Is this something you can incorporate in your program.?

This is such a great development effort that benefits us all.
Thanks

[linuxkidd]

I used TargetName to get around the short time file collisions.
Set the TargetName to T1, Set Exposure to 1ms, Capture 3 frames
Set the TargetName to T2, Set Exposure to 5ms, Capture 3 frames
Set the TargetName to T3, Set Exposure to 10ms, Capture 3 frames

Steve.

Unfortunately, this wouldn't get around the loop time < 1 sec issue.

Example:
3 @ 1ms, 3 @ 5ms, 3 @ 10ms, is still far < 1 second
Thus, if looping as fast as possible, the next set of 3 @ 1ms would likely have a file name collision with the prior 3 @ 1ms collection.

For now, I've placed all collection plans inside a 'PAD DURATION 1' wrapper, so it can't loop quicker than 1 second per collection plan iteration. I don't think this is a perfect solution.. It would be great to have the millisecond value added to the {TIME} filename template variable (or adding a new {TIMEMS} or similar?).. then this would be completely eliminated.

Maybe that's something @Robin wouldn't mind adding? ( I already feel like I've asked so much .. lol )

Thanks,
LK

[SteveInNZ]

I wasn't using this in LK's program and I should have included "etc" in my example. There are longer exposures in the following lines.
I just offered it as a possible solution that worked for me.

Steve

[stbkaiser]

HI LK
Maybe a silly question.
If I am out somewhere with no internet connection , can I setup and run this program?
How?
Thanks again for your work on this.
Steve

[linuxkidd]

If I am out somewhere with no internet connection , can I setup and run this program?

Indeed you can!

1. Open the page in your web browser.
2. Right click the web page, and click 'Save Page As' or 'Save As', etc.. ( wording may be different based on the browser )
3. Save the file some place you can find it, with a name that makes sense to you.

In the future, wherever you are, double click that saved file.
It'll open in your default browser and work just like using it via the normal link.

NOTE: It'll only have the functionality up to the point that the application was when you last saved it. So, be sure to update it before you go offline to be sure you have the latest version.

LK