CCDSoft/SBIG/Sky 6/Argo Navis integration - How do I do it??

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I've been doing a bit of light reading of the CCDSoft manual about Astrometry and Photometry and I have a couple of questions I need answers to.

In the manual it talks about having the RA and Dec coordinates automatically placed in the Fits header when an image is taken, but it doesn't say how this happens. I'm assuming that The Sky 6 does it somehow but how does the camera know where the scope is pointing or how does The Sky communicate with the camera? This is especially confusing if the scope does not have goto and isn't being controlled by The Sky 6.

Which bring me to my second question.

If there is some form of integration between the Sky 6/CCDSoft/Camera/Gemini (for example) how can I achieve the same outcome using Argo Navis. Is it possible at all? I know (though I haven't done it) that the AN can be linked to various planetarium programs but will this be able to communicate with the camera to write the RA and Dec coordinates.

I probably haven't made myself very clear but hopefully someone will get the gist of what I'm asking.

[JohnG (John)]

Hi Paul

I will let you know this arvo some time , will be loading TheSky Level 5 into my computer then, I want it to talk to CCDSoft as well .

Know what you mean about the CCDSoft Manual puts me to sleep .

Cheers

JohnG

[netwolf]

Paul,

Maybe this link might help. I too am looking at connecting NGC-Max to my PC.
http://www.grecner.cz/astro/starryni...avigator_e.htm

and this seems to be what you need to do. AN can be set in various com's modes, you then set the ASCOMM platform accordingly.
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/A...k/message/7046

Regards
Fahim

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Thanks Fahim. I'll have a look at the LX200 option between the Sky and AN. I may then be able to run it through my Starmate which is an LX200 emulator.

[JohnG (John)]

Paul

This works with my setup. Gemini/The Sky V.5, Level 4, CCDSoft.

In The Sky, click on the Telescope Setup, use The Sky's own drivers, my case, Gemini by Losmandy, your case, possibly LX200. Establish a link with your mount, your screen should go red at this stage indicating you have Comms.

In CCDSoft, File then Preferences, click your version of The Sky, OK. The screen should be in Night Mode as controlled by The Sky.

Click on the Camera Setup, connect your camera, make sure your autoguider cable is plugged in.

Test that the mount is communicating with the Autoguider, when you click Autoguide, the Declination indicator will change to your current Dec.

Make sure you have filled in whtever details you require on the FIT's Header, take an image and , your RA and DEC will be in the header.

Just done a few tests with that setup, RA and DEC are in the Header each time.

Cheers

John G

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Fantastic John, thanks.

I've just read the AN Manual ( I know I'm a glutton for punishment) and setup one of the serial ports to load the Meade LX200 protocols at startup. I then went into the Sky and set the telescope details to LX200 emulation. Restarted AN, selected Link>establish in The Sky and Bingo!! Looks like it's going to work. The AN puts a cross hair on The Sky screen as soon as the link is established.

Thanks for the CCDSoft setup, I hadn't gotten that far yet. I actually posted over on the SBIG yahoo site so I would imagine I will get similar info from them.

Here though I get it much quicker.

One thing I did do though was untick that dam night screen option. I've used it before (on the Mapleton Observatory mount and computer) and it causes me nothing but grief. I think I'll stick to the red gel screen I attach using Velcro, at least it doesn't confuse my OS display options.

[JohnG (John)]

No worries .

I seem to remember reading somewhere that you had to use The Sky's native drivers, not ASCOM.

Done a few more tests and everything seems to be working smoothly .

Cheers

John G

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Good luck with it John. Will we get to see first light with this combination by tomorrow?

[JohnG (John)]

May get to try it tonight, going to do another Drift Align first then rebuild the Pointing Model.

Was watching the Autoguider last night, I am getting a lot of over correction in the Y axis, that is unusual, you would normally get it in the X or RA axis. Anyway done a re-balance and will do another DA and when I get a Model built up, maybe have a go then.

Ahhh, the fun of imaging.

Cheers

John G

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I found I was getting some over correcting the other night. Fixed it by dropping the aggressiveness from 10 down to 6.

[JohnG (John)]

Ummm, I am on 8 with a 3 second exposure . It was also a balance issue as well, fixed now, those damm SBig's weigh heaps.

Cheers

John G

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

those damm SBig's weigh heaps.

Too right they do. I need to make up a counterweight to go under the front of my 8" SCT. atm I have my ED80 stuck wayyy forward on the top to try to balance it out.