Plate solving inconsistency - STILL

[William Bristow]

Hi again.
Stangely enough, I do not see the same paths that you're describing. I am using the "FocusMax AcquireStar" selection in ACP but for instance, I have no way of selecting the "pointing filter" in any of the FocusMax tabs...
Really puzzling!

These are screenshots from my system of FocusMax Preferences for use when FocusMax AcquireStar is selected as the autofocus method in ACP.

I don't use FocusMax AcquireStar routinely because FocusMax does not use a horizon mask and my observatory is located next to some tall buildings and trees and unfortunately when FocusMax is configured to use its internal AcquireStar method then the telescope is often trying to point to focus stars behind the obstructions.

For that reason I only use ACP Autofocus which does respect the horizon mask.

In the screen shots I've highlighted in red the important settings for when FocusMax is using AcquireStar for the autofocus method and to keep ACP's selection of filter for pointing and focusing you have to select "Current Filter" where shown.

For AcquireStar to know where the focus stars are and to find it's way around you have to choose an appropriate star catalogue on the PinPoint tab.

All the other important settings for using FocusMax AcquireStar as the autofocus method are in the red boxes, such as allowing the the telescope to slew to the zenith and minimum altitude (horizon) etc.

Most of this is outside of ACP's remit and when using FocusMax AcquireStar as the autofocus method then all these FocusMax settings have to be tested and proved to work reliably before configuring ACP to use AcquireStar because ACP just hands over full control of where the telescope is pointing, which filters are used for focus and pointing and which star catalogue is used for plate-solving while an Autofocus is performed.

If you want ACP to be in full control of where the telescope is pointing, which star catalogue is used to find the focus star and the filter used for plate-solving then use ACP Autofocus.

If nothing I've posted is relevant then Bob will be back tomorrow and will be better able to help....

HTH

William.

Prefs AcquireStar.jpg

Prefs Autofocus.jpg

Prefs PinPoint.jpg

Prefs Telescope.jpg