Looking Deep into NGC1499 using NINA

[umasscrew39]

This is actually a topic on image acquisition, but I was not sure where else to place it. So, I hope that is ok to place it here.

I took this close-up image of NGC1499 (California Nebula) with a C11" EdgeHD @ f/10 with a Chroma Ha filter (5nm) and ZWO ASI6200MM Pro (0.28"/px) during average seeing conditions in my Bortle 7 sky. It is not meant to be an image of artistic beauty but rather to demonstrate how well NINA works and, in particular, its autofocus function. By simply using HFR as a way to monitor and adjust focus, there was no need to use any other parameter (e.g., temperature change) to keep the stars in focus all night. In this case, the temperature was dropping and the humidity rising but NINA ran like a champ for 8 hrs. I have only been using NINA a few months, but it is an amazing piece of software.

[chris_g]

This is actually a topic on image acquisition, but I was not sure where else to place it. So, I hope that is ok to place it here.

I took this close-up image of NGC1499 (California Nebula) with a C11" EdgeHD @ f/10 with a Chroma Ha filter (5nm) and ZWO ASI6200MM Pro (0.28"/px) during average seeing conditions in my Bortle 7 sky. It is not meant to be an image of artistic beauty but rather to demonstrate how well NINA works and, in particular, its autofocus function. By simply using HFR as a way to monitor and adjust focus, there was no need to use any other parameter (e.g., temperature change) to keep the stars in focus all night. In this case, the temperature was dropping and the humidity rising but NINA ran like a champ for 8 hrs. I have only been using NINA a few months, but it is amazing piece of software.

Maybe a new forum under Astrophotography called Image Acquisition Software. What do you think @JayTee?

APT also has a new focus monitoring capability as well. It also has a new focusing routine they're calling Inv Power that just released with 8.9.0 that is supposed to be faster and more accurate than HFR. I use NINA for its TPPA routine, but I had problems with its sequencer that I couldn't solve, I'm sure it was me. APT will be adding a polar alignment routine in the near future. I also like APT for its interface over NINA and its ability to run multiple cameras.

[Gordon]

I've been using NINA for a couple of years now. It does a lot of things quite well.

I used the 3 point polar alignment a couple of weeks ago and it's super fast and accurate!

I also find the focus program works well.

Have you tried the "Flats wizard"?

[umasscrew39]

Hi Gordon

I do use the Flat Wizard and it works great. I am using v1.10 and not the beta 2 version. I still use SharpCap when I need to do polar alignment. I am in a permanent observatory so I only need to do polar alignment a few times a year. I was playing with the advanced sequencer but I frankly don’t get the big deal about it. The basic sequencer works fine for me.

[Juno16]

I started using N.I.N.A. About 6 months ago and really enjoy using it.
Autofocus is why I changed to N.I.N.A. And I’ve enjoyed its outstanding performance.
The framing works great. I also use the simple sequencer, but I’ve tried out the advanced sequencer and it has some amazing triggers that I might need one day.
Three Point Polar Alignment works really well whether on the NCP or anywhere else in the sky.
The new Hocus Focus plugin nicely speeds up the autofocus process.
Yeah, I really like it!

[messier 111]

nice work , thx .

[Star Dad]

I dunno. I'm not impressed with the autofocuser. I've watched it struggle going forward and backward many,many times trying to obtain "perfect" focus. To the point that it sometimes takes it 30 minutes to get a satisfactory focus. My last couple of imaging sessions I've just done a manual focus and had good results... and it only takes 2 or 3 minutes. In any case if I have to change filters (I don't have a filter wheel (yet)) I have to manually get it close to focus anyway.

I'm also disappointed with NINA's ability (or lack thereof) to (re)acquire a (new) guiding star if PHD loses it's current one. Sometimes errant clouds will obscure the guiding star and NINA just keeps on taking images while star streaks go whizzing by.

Your mileage may vary....

[Juno16]

I dunno. I'm not impressed with the autofocuser. I've watched it struggle going forward and backward many,many times trying to obtain "perfect" focus. To the point that it sometimes takes it 30 minutes to get a satisfactory focus. My last couple of imaging sessions I've just done a manual focus and had good results... and it only takes 2 or 3 minutes. In any case if I have to change filters (I don't have a filter wheel (yet)) I have to manually get it close to focus anyway.

I'm also disappointed with NINA's ability (or lack thereof) to (re)acquire a (new) guiding star if PHD loses it's current one. Sometimes errant clouds will obscure the guiding star and NINA just keeps on taking images while star streaks go whizzing by.

Your mileage may vary....

Wow Star Dad. The autofocus experience that you describe is completely unusable. I don’t blame you for doing a manual focus!
My experience is quite different. My N.I.N.A. autofocus routine takes about two minutes to complete and it’s results are extremely repeatable.
Maybe backlash? Are you using backlash compensation?

[Star Dad]

I wonder if it's because my scope is a newt. I check it's alignment every time I set up, but the stress of the camera on the focuser may be the cause? I dunno, once I set the focus manually, (provided I don't change filters) I don't have to adjust it for the rest of my imaging session (which includes different targets). You think it might be backlash? I'll have to look into it. Thanks for the tip.

Still, watching NINA turn the focuser in and out - the dots on the focusing graph seem to just be a saw tooth. It's been a while since I used the autofocus routine, so maybe I should give it another try in the cool weather. Maybe it was a humidity/turbulence problem? If I ever get clear skies, I'll give it a go...

[Juno16]

Hi Star Dad,

A flat line or saw tooth plot could be a sign of backlash.
Of course, all gear drive systems have some degree on backlash. It can be measured and the values entered, or you can try backlash compensation in N.I.N.A.
Of course, the step size is important to get pretty close. I just
left the default at 10 hand have had good success.
Not sure what electronic focuser you have, but you could always set a very aggressive backlash compensation value. I use 150 steps out and it works well for me.
I don’t think that it harms anything to set a high value, except the focuser moves more and might take an extra second or so.

Best of luck and keep us posted!