Planetary Imaging Setup and Prep

Finally finding some time to get back to imaging and have been focusing on getting my planetary routine set. I've ran into some frustrating challenges along the way and wanted to see how others have overcome these things and maybe learn something new.

First, I've moved away from the ASIAir platform for ALL imaging. My current ASIAir started having disconnection issues so frequently that it became unusable for anything. Also, the FPS for planetary imaging were abysmal. So, I went and purchased a MELE 3 mini-PC and loaded up NINA and Firecapture hoping to take my imaging to the next level.

Here is what I'm struggling with currently:

I'm having issues getting my AM5 polar aligned with NINA. I can use NINA 3PPA with my guide scope, but it's not the same as polar aligning with my main scope. If feel that if I were to get good PA with my main scope, it would be easier to slew to a planet and get it on the sensor faster. My challenge is that I'm not sure how to polar align with NINA at 2800MM, or if it's even possible. Even using my 9x50 RACI it's been frustrating to get a planet on sensor, even at very high resolution.
Without getting the polar alignment set well, I'm not able to slew to a bright star to collimate. I have been able to get a random star on sensor, but without proper polar alignment and guiding, it's impossible to keep the star centered to collimate. It's very difficult to keep a star on censor, collimate, and check results when your mount is not guiding properly.
In the past I have used the ASIAir's video output to help with collimation. Since moving to NINA/Firecapture I've yet to find something that works similarly. Logic tells me that if I were able to get centered on a star in NINA at a specific resolution (1080p for example), I should be able to turn off the main camera in NINA, immediately switch over to Firecapture and see the same star centered on sensor in Firecapture. Instead, I see nothing. What am I missing here?
Focus is also suffering due to poor collimation. In my head, I feel that have to have better (but maybe not perfect collimation) to get my focus better. And, to get better collimation I need better focus. Is my thinking correct or am I just running in circles?

I appreciate any and all comments.

Thanks!

Jeramie

Polar alignment: screw NINA. Use Sharpcap (Pro) and your finder scope assuming it has a large enough sensor. Otherwise drift alignment always (always!) works but it is a bit more time consuming. Getting the planet on the sensor (which one btw?). Align the finder to the main scope (assuming we're talking C11 at native fcoal length here) using a high power eyepiece or the camera. Once this done the rest is a doodle. You center the planet in the finder and then you'll have it on the sensor, or close enough you'll see the out of focus shape moving in the sensor's window. I used to do this @ 10 meters of FL and with much smaller sensors than today's. But the best way to do everything is to scrap the camera and use an EP for everyhting including collimation (not that I really need to collimate that frequently!) and centering. Leave the camera to the acquisition part only. You won't regret it.

Related discussions