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  1. #1

    Default Failed to Solve Plate Issues.

    Denny,

    I have not had this issue before, typically when I do the auto focus process, it just finds the right focus and moves on. Recently it gives me a plate error and then eventually (although it takes much longer) uses all sky solution on line then it moves on to the color series I'm working.

    I included the log below.

    Any clues as to what is happening? BTW I'm also having some issues getting Scheduling to work but first I want to resolve this issue.

    Mark (Observatory Tech for Prospect High School - supporting David Chisholm)

    Logging to C:\Users\Public\Documents\ACP Web Data\Doc Root\logs\mhanson280\20170521\20170522@093258.log
    Initializing AcquireSupport V8.1.1
    Telescope is ACP->LX200GPS/R, driver V2
    Dome is MaxDome
    MaxIm DL is version 5.24
    Imager is SBIG Universal
    Selecting filter Red from previous ACP run at 20170521@061616 UTC
    Guider is SBIG Universal (no rotator)
    Guider plate scale unknown, guided dither with guider pixels
    Max unguided exposure 30 sec.
    (assuring that FocusMax is running now...)
    Calculated unbinned plate scales (arcsec/pix): H = 0.61 V = 0.61
    Calculated field of view (arcmin): H = 16.3 V = 12.2
    Plate solving With GSC 1.1 (ok for wider fields)
    All-sky plate solving will be attempted when needed
    All-sky service at nova.astrometry.net will be used
    This is AcquireImages V8.1.0
    Compiling plan...
    (using ACP Plan Compiler V8.1.0)
    ...plan OK!
    This plan has 1 live target(s), 1 images
    There are 4.0 min. of actual imaging time
    Image file set-numbers start with 1
    Starting run for plan last-plan-from-web.txt...
    ==== Starting target M 13 ====
    ;
    ; Single target color series plan by Mark Hanson, created Mon, 22 May 2017 09:32:58 UTC
    ;
    (turning tracking on for live image(s))
    Start slew to M 13...
    (wait for slew to complete)
    (slew complete)
    (request plan-start pointing update)
    Ready for M 13 (# 1 of 1 in set 1)
    Selecting Luminance filter (3) for imaging
    Do requested auto-focus...
    Switching from Red to Luminance filter for auto-focus
    Starting FocusMax AcquireStar autofocus...
    FocusMax auto-focus successful!
    HFD = 4.48
    Focus position = 3146
    Autofocus finished.
    (no slew, scope already within max error of target)
    (doing post-focus pointing update...)
    Updating pointing...
    Switching from Luminance to Clear filter for pointing exposure
    (taking 30 sec. exposure, Clear filter, binning = 4)
    (starting exposure)
    (exposure complete)
    (exposure complete and image downloaded)
    Image finished
    Plate-solve pointing image.
    206 image stars found
    138 catalog stars found
    ** Failed to solve plate, possibly due to input plate scale being too far off.
    Start slew to offset...
    (wait for slew to complete)
    (slew complete)
    (taking 30 sec. exposure, Clear filter, binning = 4)
    (starting exposure)
    (exposure complete)
    (exposure complete and image downloaded)
    Image finished
    Plate-solve pointing image.
    70 image stars found
    67 catalog stars found
    ** Failed to solve plate, possibly due to input plate scale being too far off.
    Attempting all-sky plate solution (time-consuming)...
    All-sky solution successful!
    Scope: 16:44:22 37° 00' 20"
    Actual: 16:44:08 37° 01' 30"
    Pointing error is 3.1 arcmin.
    [sync] pointing model updated
    Re-slew to target.
    Start slew to M 13...
    (wait for slew to complete)
    (slew complete)
    Target is now centered.
    (long exp(s) or requested, no orbital tracking, trying to autoguide)
    Switching from Clear to Luminance filter for imaging
    (take guider image at initial interval 5 sec)
    (guide star SNR=43.5 X=469 Y=327)
    (first exposure estimate 1 sec)
    (guide star SNR=10.8 X=469 Y=328)
    (final exposure for guiding 1 sec)
    (guide star SNR=11.5 X=469 Y=328)
    (autoguiding at 1.00 sec.)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Mesa, AZ
    Posts
    33,149

    Default

    Hi Mark... Would you like us to change the contact info for our software to you?

    Calculated unbinned plate scales (arcsec/pix): H = 0.61 V = 0.61
    Calculated field of view (arcmin): H = 16.3 V = 12.2
    Plate solving With GSC 1.1 (ok for wider fields)

    12 x 16 arc min is a "small" field of view. I am a bit surprised to see as many catalog stars as it's reporting:

    Plate-solve pointing image.
    206 image stars found
    138 catalog stars found

    Plate-solve pointing image.
    70 image stars found
    67 catalog stars found

    Check the focal length setting in ACP Preferences, Telescope tab. Are you really running at 0.61 "/pixel?

    Also I suggest you switch to the USNO A2.0 catalog. See Downloading and Using PinPoint Reference Catalogs.

    Finally, it is preferable to post log files by attaching them. <- link to attaching instructions
    -- Bob

  3. #3

    Default

    Bob,

    Thanks for the reply, sorry its been a crazy couple of months at work so I wasn't able to get back to you on the items you identified. As far as changing the name, we should likely leave it with David as he is the Astronomy teacher and he's the one who issues things like the maintenance contract with DC3-Dreams and I think he has the license info in his name as well. I'm just the volunteer Observatory Tech .

    Here is what I checked/adjusted:

    *Check the focal length setting in ACP Preferences, Telescope tab. Are you really running at 0.61 "/pixel?'
    You're right the settings currently didn't reflect the focal length including the focal reducer. Instead of 2500mm, it should be 1625mm - or 1"/pixel. I changed this setting. Tonight I'll try to see if this works better. NOt sure how this got changed?

    *Also I suggest you switch to the USNO A2.0 catalog. See Downloading and Using PinPoint Reference Catalogs. OK, I did this - WOW the processes was quite time consuming (particularly since I did this using remote desktop).

    Let me check these setting changes tonight and see how it goes. AS mentioned I'm also having some issues with the scheduler actually initiating scheduled series - but I'm able to do this on a one off series input basis today.

    MORE TO COME> THANKS. Mark

  4. #4

    Default

    Bob,

    Thanks for reply - sorry its been a bit crazy at work so I'm slow in responding. AS far as the name change in the account. I think since David is the Astronomy Teacher and he's the one submitting the maintenance contract, its probably best left in his name. I'm just the observatory tech - he's the boss .

    You're right the settings were wrong in the telescope tab - it didn't reflect the focal reducer so the focal length still showed 2500mm vs. 1625mm (not sure how this got changed). I will also make the change to the USNO A2.0 catalog.

    I updated to the 2.0 catalog - WOW the process was quite time consuming.

    Will try this tonight and see how it goes.

    Mark

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Mesa, AZ
    Posts
    33,149

    Default

    OK, let us know! I see you posted twice. I can delete the second/shorter one for you (or you can delete it yourself with the Edit button at the bottom). I'm assuming you got frustrated after thinking that you list the first post. I get some weird error messages from Chrome once in a while on posting. Just go back and look, you'll see your post succeeded.
    -- Bob

 

 

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