Hi All, I'm attempting to use Sharpcap's feature tracking with my mount for guiding. Though it appears to track ok, calibrating keeps failing (see below). Any ideas on solar guiding options, or how to configure this to make it calibrate? Thanks!
Sharpcap Feature Tracking or other Solar guiding
Greg McCall:
Another option but it’s not cheap
https://astrohutech.store/product/hinode-solar-guider/
i've seen this one out there on the web, but I don't think its in stock anywhere. (so same issue) That said, it appears to guide on location of the solar sphere, instead of surface detail, which is nice.
If anyone has recommendation on the optical train required to use PHD2 for solar guiding, please let me know. From what I understand, will need some level of ERF on the guider (I suspect I'll use a 40-50mm guider that is F5ish)
Nick Grundy:Greg McCall:
Another option but it’s not cheap
https://astrohutech.store/product/hinode-solar-guider/
i've seen this one out there on the web, but I don't think its in stock anywhere. (so same issue) That said, it appears to guide on location of the solar sphere, instead of surface detail, which is nice.
I zoom in with a 2.5X with my Lunt 80mm and because it has its own sensor, it’s fine. It locks onto sun but you can offset your imaging.
It also uses the ST4 port for guiding as it’s a stand alone device.
I recently saw an email saying in stock at supplier but email them as website probably not updated.
Greg McCall:
I recently saw an email saying in stock at supplier but email them as website probably not updated.
thanks, i'll give it a shot
"Failed due to inconsistent angles from axis 1"
I think you are tracking Sidereal instead of Solar rate.
The mount speed shows a lovely non intuitive rate of 0.997269565972
If 1x = 24:00:00 then this 0.997 = 23:56:04, which is Sidereal rate.
24 hours x 0.997269565972 = 23.934469583328 hours
0.934469583328 x 60 = 56.06817499968 minutes
0.06817499968 x 60 = 4.09 seconds
I use LuSol software and my Skywatcher 50mm guide scope for tracking now and then, with ASI120MM Mini.
LuSol needs needs DirectShow camera drivers. The app is no longer supported/developed but is archived somewhere on the internet.
It all depends what "1x" means here though - but this would be my first guess.
I think if you try Solar rate you'll have more luck.
Best, Ed.
I think you are tracking Sidereal instead of Solar rate.
The mount speed shows a lovely non intuitive rate of 0.997269565972
If 1x = 24:00:00 then this 0.997 = 23:56:04, which is Sidereal rate.
24 hours x 0.997269565972 = 23.934469583328 hours
0.934469583328 x 60 = 56.06817499968 minutes
0.06817499968 x 60 = 4.09 seconds
I use LuSol software and my Skywatcher 50mm guide scope for tracking now and then, with ASI120MM Mini.
LuSol needs needs DirectShow camera drivers. The app is no longer supported/developed but is archived somewhere on the internet.
It all depends what "1x" means here though - but this would be my first guess.
I think if you try Solar rate you'll have more luck.
Best, Ed.
Helpful
I didn't have any luck with the SharpCap Solar Guiding feature either, so I ended up purchasing the Hinode Solar Guider for guiding on the Sun for animations. It works extremely well but as others have said, it is quite expensive. I use the included Hinode software during use, so the remote is not needed. It also has a solar finder feature that is used to locate the Sun.
Excluding animations, use can use the Track Solar feature in SharpCap and ASCOM (Track Rate) for taking solar images that works quite well.
Excluding animations, use can use the Track Solar feature in SharpCap and ASCOM (Track Rate) for taking solar images that works quite well.
Helpful Concise
I only recently started to use the Sharpcap tracking tool. I’ve got it to work just fine with full disc images using the centre of mass option. It might take 2-3 goes to calibrate it and a small gust of wind during calibration messes it up. And it does throw up odd errors. But it usually works after a few goes.
I’ve not been able to use it with just features when using a 4x Powermate despite having some clear spots to hand. I’m not about to go and buy an expensive separate solar guider and if I can’t get it to work will let Robin know. Some Sharpcap forum posts showing the errors would help him refine it.
I’ve not been able to use it with just features when using a 4x Powermate despite having some clear spots to hand. I’m not about to go and buy an expensive separate solar guider and if I can’t get it to work will let Robin know. Some Sharpcap forum posts showing the errors would help him refine it.
Helpful
I, too, receive similar errors when I use the tracker on the Sun. It's almost as though it looks for too many points to track and if the Sun starts to twist in the FOV it collapses.
I did mention it to Robin, asking if we could nominate a sunspot or something to track, and he suggested there's another tracking feature* he uses elsewhere that he could/will/has add(ed) that could help.
I've not picked up the very latest version so he may or may not have updated with this new feature.
I did mention it to Robin, asking if we could nominate a sunspot or something to track, and he suggested there's another tracking feature* he uses elsewhere that he could/will/has add(ed) that could help.
I've not picked up the very latest version so he may or may not have updated with this new feature.