FocusMax/Maxim Acquire Star Problem

[Robert Capon]

Hi:

I apologize in advance for posting this here. I’m having a problem which is clearly FocusMax or MaximDL. However I’ve posted the problem on the FMax and Maxim forums and haven’t had any takers.

AcquireStar routine stopped working. When it begins it's routine, it takes an image to find a star. But the window is a tiny 16 x 16 pixel window that opens in MaximDL. For some reason, the find star routine isn't taking a full frame image, so cannot find a star. (The frame looks to be about the size of a guide window.). I'm sure I've got a setting wrong in FMax or Maxim that's causing the problem.

Please see log info below. As you can see, FocusMax is saying that it cannot find the star. Within Maxim, it says that it’s taking this tiny 16 x 16 image (which shows up on the screen and doesn’t have any stars in it.) So, for some reason, the initial findstar photo isn’t a full-frame image.

The problem occurs through ACP, but also occurs if I open FocusMax and click on “AcquireStar.” I had AcquireStar working last week, so something most have broke.

Thanks for any help. And again sorry to bother folks on this forum.

Rob

Maxim log

Started 10.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Completed 10.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Document event (64) - New file
Started 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Completed 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Started 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Completed 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Started 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Completed 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Started 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Completed 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Started 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Completed 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Started 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Completed 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Started 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Completed 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Started 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Completed 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Started 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Completed 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Started 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Completed 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Started 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Completed 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Started 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Completed 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Started 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Completed 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Started 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Completed 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Started 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Completed 1.000s 1x1 exposure, binned 1x1, ROI (-16, -16)
Document event (66) - File closed
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Help, Help Topics
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FMax log

23:03:03 ** Beginning Focus run **
23:03:03 System: AT10 w STL11000M
23:03:03 LS: -0.022158 RS: 0.022136 PID: 57.31 NFHFD: 10
23:03:03 Move direction: In
23:03:04 Filter = Luminance (slot 3)
23:03:04 Current position = 2509
23:03:04 Focus Start HFD: 20
23:03:04 Min/Max flux setting = 100/500K
23:03:04 Find star binning = 1x1
23:03:04 Inital exposure = 1
23:03:06 FocusMax Error 9: Subscript out of range
Module modComponents Sub GetCCDImage
23:03:06 Halting - error in module getTargetStar
23:03:06 Could not get CCDImage
23:03:06 Focus binning = 1x1
23:03:09 Error in modHFR Sub StarIntersectsFrameEdge
23:03:09 Error in Peak Subroutine
23:03:09 Error in Peak Subroutine
23:03:09 Error in Peak Subroutine
23:03:09 No star found
23:03:16 Error in Peak Subroutine
23:03:16 Error in Peak Subroutine
23:03:16 Error in Peak Subroutine
23:03:16 No star found
23:03:24 Error in Peak Subroutine
23:03:24 Error in Peak Subroutine
23:03:24 Error in Peak Subroutine
23:03:24 No star found
23:03:31 Error in Peak Subroutine
23:03:31 Error in Peak Subroutine
23:03:31 Error in Peak Subroutine
23:03:31 No star found
23:03:31 Can not measure HFD for this image
23:03:31 Moving to previous focus position of 2509
23:03:31 Focus not achieved with star 3 of 3 - trying next target star
23:03:31 Could not focus the telescope using 3 target stars!
23:03:31 Performing return slew of 23.3926 degrees
23:03:31 Slewing to: 05:36:39.7 Dec: 22:01:25.8
23:03:55 AcquireStar not completed

[Jim McMillan]

Rob, look under FM's "Features" tab, CCD Central Region. I'm guessing this is where you're getting the small box. You typically want it to be 75%+.

Can I ask why you're using AcquireStar? While it "may" be a bit more reliable, ACP's focus process is quite robust, faster, and nowhere near as complicated to get setup correctly. I'd suggest disabling AcquireStar and use ACP's process...and only add it back if you find you need to - which I'll bet you won't.

FWIW.

Jim

[Robert Capon]

Hi Jim: Thanks so much for writing. Two things. First, regarding the “CCD Central Region” parameter, it’s currently set to 75% but the enable box is not checked. So I would think it’s currently looking at 100% of the image. (Unless you think I should check that box.) Second, I did not know there is an option to AcquireStar. In the ACP Documentation (Contents|Observatory Control Software|Auto-Focus Support in ACP) it provides documentation only for using AcquireStar. It indicates that you need to get AcquireStar working, and then check the AcquireStar box in the ACP Prefs|AutoFocus tab. If there is another way to do autofocus in ACP, can you tell me where it’s documented? That would be great. In the meantime, any other ideas why FocusMax is directing Maxim to talk such a small image when it’s looking for a focus star? I got off the phone with Maxim and they indicate it’s a FocusMax problem, rather than a Maxim setting. Thanks again for any help. Best, Rob

[Jim McMillan]

Hmmm, if it's not CCD Central Region, then I don't know what the problem is.

I guess the docs don't really say anything much about ACP's focus process. Just uncheck AcquireStar in ACP Preferences, AutoFocus and it will now use ACP's process. It still uses Focusmax, but not the AcquireStar feature.

To run AutoFocus manually, just run ACP's FindBrightStar.vbs script first to center a bright star. Then, on the FocusMax panel, just press "Focus". I'm guessing the star will be centered and it will focus ok. If so, run ACP's AutoFocus.vbs script. Assuming that works as well, you should be good to go running an ACP Plan.

Jim

[Dick Berg]

Rob, ( Once bitten, twice shy!! }

The 75% box, when NOT checked, means 100% as you thought.

In MaxIm, the focusing subframe width and height are to be found on the Observatory control window, Focus tab, Exposure button, which opens up to the Exposure Options. Make sure that's not set to 16x16. This probably won't matter because the focusing size box is controlled by FocusMax, telling MaxIm what size to make the imaging window. This parameter is set on the FocusMax Setup tab, in the middle box ("Frame width", which is the same size in both dimensions). If this seems reasonable, then something else is going on. Perhaps your telescope is not pointing where you think it is?

[Robert Capon]

Hi Dick and Jim: Thanks again for your help. The only reason I mentioned the documentation is that I know that Bob Denny is lurking out there, and I wanted him to know that I’m reading the documentation before I post a problem. I don’t want to get a demerit.

Regarding Maxim, the focuser has always been disconnected from Maxim, so FocusMax is running the show. (And Doug with MaximDL indicates that FMax is running the show.) I don’t think it’s a pointing problem because I have a Paramount, and my telescope is always pointing where it’s supposed to. But also because of this ridiculous 16 x 16 box that is opening in Maxim and is referenced in the Maxim log. So for some reason, FMax is sending a findstar command that’s not taking a full-frame image. (I literally am watching what’s going on in Maxim, and it never takes a full frame image to find a star.) If I don’t receive any further suggestions from the FMax Yahoo group, I’ll a) uncheck the AcquireStar box, and see how ACP’s focus works. And b) if that doesn’t work, I may just uninstall and reinstall FMax, and start fresh. I’ll be sure to save my VCurves, and jot down any other parameters that I’ve played with.

Regarding ACP’s focuser, I see there is a script “AutoFocus”. Is there a configuration file or any way to adjust the autofocus parameters, or is this a point-and-shoot deal?

Thanks again for your help. I’m deeply appreciative. ACP is a very complex piece of software. (ACP, Planner, Scheduler, ACP Web Browser, ACP Scripts, Configuration Files, ACP Prefs, etc.) The ACP Forum has been extremely supportive, and it’s very helpful for beginners like me to be able to get assistance.

All best,

Rob

[Dick Berg]

Rob,

Please don't worry about demerits!! <g> Thank you for your thank yous, too. I hope that we can actually be helpful rather than sending you off on spurious tangents. You seem to be a quick study, and soon these little nuisance start-up issues will be at thing of the past.

[Robert Capon]

Dick:

Thanks for the kind words. I’m down to my last few gremlins, and the system is almost fully up and running.

That’s a very interesting question. “AcquireStar” was working with my monochrome ST8300 guide camera, which does not have a filter wheel. AcquireStar failed when I tried the STL11000 with filters for the first time. It didn’t occur to me that there might be a relationship.

Here’s how I set up filter’s in Maxim (Camera Control|Setup Filter). Please let me know if I skipped a step and failed to set something up.

Pos Filter Name Focus Offset
1 Red 0
2 Green 0
3 Blue 0
4 Luminance 0
5 Ha 0
6
7
8
9
10

Note that “Filter Name” and “Focus Offset” were left blank for 6-10. But the lines and the “Pos” number were left in.

In ACP Prefs, when I ran FilterOffsets I used “3” as the baseline, since the numbering system is different.

In ACP Planner, I did “Get from Planner” and the filters are listed (from the top) as Red, Green, Blue, Luminance and Ha. The other fields (6-10) are simply left blank.

Regarding scripts, they were submitted either with the “Flat” plan, or with ACP Planner. Here is an excerpt from my ACP Planner plan on the night that AcquireStar failed:

; === Target M 34 ===
;
#waituntil 1, 00:30:00 ; UTC (20:30:00 local)
#repeat 1
#count 1
#filter Luminance
#interval 300
#binning 1
M 34
;
; === Target M 45 ===
;
#waituntil 1, 00:38:53 ; UTC (20:38:53 local)
#repeat 1
#count 1,1,1,1
#filter Luminance,Red,Green,Blue
#interval 300,300,300,300
#binning 1,2,2,2
M 45

Please do let me know if I missed something in setup.

Thanks,

Rob

[Dick Berg]

That setup looks okay. #repeat 1 is probably not needed, that's all.

I'm kinda stumped for the moment.

[Robert Capon]

Dick- OK. We'll see how the ACP autofocuser does and go from there. I can also test AcquireStar with the filter wheel turned off. Those run logs will give us more information. I'm located in Charlottesville, VA, and the weather looks bad for the next week or so. So it may be a while before I have more information. Thx, R