Polar Alignment Failure ion NINA

[Juno16]

On my PC, I think there was some progress. First it said star database limit reached. Then wide FOV, use database V17. Did that, and I think it solved (see image - does that seem solved?).

BUT, that's on my PC. On my laptop, which is what I will be using with my mount, I can't get past the error from that damn pop-up window, "No star Database Found."

Maddening, as all settings on my laptop and PC are the same, I have V17 and V18 and astap.exe in the Program Files directory. This error has popped up often in the past, tho not always. Now it is always, even when I reboot my laptop. How is this possible?

Btw, I am trying to get help on Discord too. And 1 other place also. Obviously not solved yet. Well, maybe on my PC. Do I have to lug that thing with me when shooting?

Thanks for the help.

Well, things seem better. If you see RA/DEC coordinates in the lower-left side near the image, it solved. Did it take long?
Did you use the Camera parameters? What got things working?

I don't know about the laptop. Maybe uninstall everything related to ASTAP and re-install? Just a desperate idea.

I hope that you get some help on Discord. Just be prepared for lots of questions.

[hatflyer]

@hatflyer

I just got my copy of N.I.N.A. ASTAP to plate solve my old dslr images (NEF files). I set the Camera Parameters in Framing to:

Capture.JPG

4000x6000 (px) should be your sensor size (and the D5300).
The D5300 sensor pixel size is 3.89 um. The D5500 should be the same?
I know that I was using a 714mm fl scope (I don't remember if I had a focal reducer then, so I used the 714 mm value).

I also changed the telescope focal length and focal ratio in N.I.N.A., Options, Equipment, Astometry.

I think that if you use the parameters above and entered the lens fl in Camera Parameters and the fl/fr in Astometry, you might have some success or are closer!

Let me know!

Is this a solve? It has UGC and NGC labels. Do they mean a solve, or just that NINA is categorizing small circles it sees? Oddly tho in ASTAP stand-alone, it does not solve. So, not sure.

[Juno16]

Do you have a sky app where you can look up the RA and DEC for a particular target? Then, you could see if they match the coordinates in Framing or come close.
On mine, I see the RA and DEC on the lower left of the image.

BTW, what is that image of?

[hatflyer]

Do you have a sky app where you can look up the RA and DEC for a particular target? Then, you could see if they match the coordinates in Framing or come close.
On mine, I see the RA and DEC on the lower left of the image.

BTW, what is that image of?

This was just a sky tripod shot from May, stars with no obstructions. I have limited sky. I looked up what I would have seen. That RA/DEC makes sense. It's hard tho to directly compare the sky view in Stellarium with my image. will look more closely tomorrow. But I won't know till i get some clear ski to try to solve in real time.

Sorry about the flash on the screen. Had to use phone for a pic on my laptop.

Anyway, it seems I needed to use V17 database for my wide angle lens, and ASTAP was set to auto in terms of which database to use. I had to set it to V17. I think that did it. Not going to do a happy dance till I know for sure.

[hatflyer]

Plate solve is not working in 3-star alignment, yet if I shoot an image via the sequencer, and I load that image in Frame, it works. Also in ASTAP a solution is found for that image. How can it not work then in 3 star alignment?

[Juno16]

Sounds like you are close.

In my experience, I have found N.I.N.A. To be very tolerant of exposure time and/or focus when using astap plate solving.

Maybe try slewing to a target and plate solving (in Imaging). Try adjusting the exposure settings, but first insure that you have a good focus.

I’m not at home, so I can’t reference N.I.N.A. On my pc.

Let me know how it goes.

[hatflyer]

Sounds like you are close.

In my experience, I have found N.I.N.A. To be very tolerant of exposure time and/or focus when using astap plate solving.

Maybe try slewing to a target and plate solving (in Imaging). Try adjusting the exposure settings, but first insure that you have a good focus.

I’m not at home, so I can’t reference N.I.N.A. On my pc.

Let me know how it goes.

Holy crap - it finally worked! I had to increase the search radius to 360.

[hatflyer]

So I 3 point polar aligned, but when I try to 2-star calibrate the AZ-GTi mount, it points the camera towards the north, not the southern sky where it should be.

Any ideas what's wrong? My camera is connected with the mount with an L bracket; not sure if relevant.

Thanks.

PS When I first PA'ed, I got a warning the mount did not move enough to be accurate, so it said to change the slew rate I think? Wasn't sure how. Anyway, i kept aligning and the messages stopped. I just did a quick bubble check and I think it's over 45 degrees in altitude angle, when it should be 40.