ASIair Imaging Tutorial

[@joelewandowski8232]

So far this tutorial is the best , clearest and easiest to understand . Thanks for sharing.

[@larrymcniff1232]

The software has been updated, but your walk-thru is still very helpfull! Thanks

[@JeffHeinenCFI]

Thank you! I’m glad you found it useful.

[@awolf8013]

Excellent presentation! I've watched a few of these and yours is the clearest of the bunch. Much thanks!

[@dennismichels7194]

dennis best asiair vidio yet and i have watched them all. please turn up your volum as i don't want to miss a word thanks

[@junglejim7664]

Very good video. This is the clearest explanation and demonstration I've seen yet.

[@fmrc69]

Best ASIair pro tutorial I've seen so far. I'm just starting out with a Sky Adv tracker and using my telephoto lenses with my modded D5300 Nikon...but pretty much your entire setup is my eventual goal. Will get redcat and asiair pro next likely, then possibly better mount, and then add the dedicated astro cam. Well done.

[@mdunwurkin1]

Thank you Jeff for the excellent tutorial. I’ve read through the instructions twice and was having two problems: how to view my guide camera and how to connect to my iOptron ZEQ25 mount. You cleared up how to get to the guide camera in your video and you told how to connect to my mount with your answer to a question in the comments section. 🙂 Your video saved me a lot of time and frustration.

[@OutlandishJourneys]

Nice work, mate! Clear and concise breakdown of the Pro and one of the best overviews on KZbin! Best wishes from Scotland! :)

[@willissutherland8516]

Thank you so very much for taking the time to go step by step...Overview of every aspect of this unit..You have certainly made it much either for all of us or at least me..

[@MayfieldCreekObservatory]

Great presentation! I find this ASIAIR Pro just a great amount of fun! I enjoy all of it. The pointing accuracy is unreal and just so simple. I am not the most experienced imager, but it is making it an absolute pleasure. Thanks for the video.

[@Bubba-G-Shrimp]

You answered all of my questions in one video.. Great job !

[@northwestastronomer6886]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@jimb7931]

Great video. I'm new to astro-photography and used this a few times already. Much better and simpler than using a laptop for getting started.

[@doodle1043]

So helpful, this is exactly what I needed to get started as a newbie. Excellent video, much appreciated.

[@jennifer7685]

This was excellent! Slow and methodical. And beautiful results

[@MayfieldCreekObservatory]

I am fixing to sit down abs watch your video. I guided for my very first time last night with the ASIAP. I had a lot of fun and honestly just was amazed with plate solving and Goto. This is all my first time with a Goto mount, etc. My guide graph stayed in middle around 1” and sometimes .60 and I know it could be better but it’s my first time. I was just happy to see it all work. I have a Meade 70mm astrograph but I didn’t have my imaging cameras with me last night but was itching to at least test guiding. Thanks for making this video. I am sure it will help me.

[@upnorthoffcuts929]

Thanks for the great video and presentation. Going to save this for later when things get accumulated with the scope. I should've bought a Williams scope. Hope to see more content coming down the road. Thanks again.

[@patbrubeck3313]

Very helpful video - clear and addresses the areas I needed most. Thank you.

[@rgs559]

👏 Brilliant video! Many thanks for the clearest, most thorough walk-through of the ASIAIR Pro app user interface that I've seen so far. As a fellow PNW amateur astrophotographer (Bellingham), I enjoyed a reminder of how clear it can be around here in July (as opposed to most of our winter months). I've subscribed and look forward to more Northwest Astronomer videos. Clear skies! (eventually)

[@kimgavalya3474]

Thanks Jeff, man the video helped a ton. Will have to watch two or three times to soak it in. I can not wait until tommorow nite to try out newly learned information. Thanks again, Kim

[@northwestastronomer6886]

I'm glad it was helpful! Let me know if there are other videos you would be interested in.

[@kimgavalya3474]

Northwest Astronomer absolutely will. Right now just using my ioptron skyguider pro and orion skyview pro.

[@pvestudio105]

@@northwestastronomer6886Hi I do have a question. I have the same setup and equipment except for my camera is my Canon RA. But my problem is I can't get the meridian flip correct. I have it setup on the ASIAir Pro to do the flip but it still doesn't flip. I read someplace to turn off the DST which I did. It stop the guilding then the countdown until the flip and no flip every after 5 tries. Can you let me in on the secret to get everyone to work together! Sign pulling my hair out in Southern California!

[@iancraig2507]

This is an excellent explanation of the asiar

[@johnholmes125]

This is what KZbin needs more of people like you who take the time to explain the fine details. Great work found this through star gazers lounge would ask one question how to run this on a home WiFi?

[@TexAstrophotos]

Subscribed when I read the title. Thank you !

[@kpeter255]

That was amazing... Thanks for showing me fantastic your works. you have your mount work and go to sleep.... wow it's was my dream.

[@tedg3250]

Wow 👏 😮 👏 what an image. Good work one love from NYC..

[@adventureswithfrodo2721]

Great explanation of the potential of the AAP.

[@sirmeowcelot]

Outstanding video. Thanks for sharing.

[@geraldkimmich8018]

Very good.

[@MrGp3po]

Very good intro to the ASIAir Pro. Thanks. Do you plan to do more videos?

[@richmangaskin]

Brilliant video. Nice and clear. Thanks. Subscribed.

[@MikeLikesChannel]

Wow, 8:30p at night looks so bright. Down here at 26.5ºN in S Florida, we're always pretty even day/night regardless of season.

[@benc7805]

G’day Jeff Great tutorial! Have to say you got my subscription due to awesome content & great Sasquatch profile pic Cheers from Oz

[@rickyrobinson838]

Great Setup Sir

[@birreboi]

Good video and explanations. I should have this ASIAIR in the next few days, fingers crossed. Will be interesting to see how well it does the PA in the Southern Hemisphere where I live. The SCP is not an easy target, so I hope it all works well for me! I can align the scope pretty well in the right direction on the SCP, just hoping ZWO have down well with that PA and the goto for objects visible downunder. And a very nice pic of that nebula! I also have joined the ZWO range of goodies - besides the ASIAIR, got the same camera and filter wheel and filters as you, couple of days ago got the ZWO EAF. Last night was my first try with EAF and camera on the Lagoon Nebula, so first light for 2 new pieces of equipment. Didn't quite have my back focus correct, though close. Didn't get many shots, my battery ran outta juice - had forgotten to charge it up - duh! Best thing was the guiding with PHD2 - was between 0.25 - 0.30, wow. My DEC and RA lines were pretty much in the center and held nicely together! Let's see if I can replicate that next clear night with the Asiair. Hope the guiding last night wasn't a fluke lol'

[@ron67405]

Hello Birregurra, I am planning on buying the ASIAIR, I live in Brazil. Do the ASIAIR PA and plate solving work well in the southern hemisphere?

[@birreboi]

@@ron67405 Hello Ronaldo. Yes, the ASIAIR has worked well along with plate solving for me. Of course, the more accurate you balance is and a level mount all helps. Good luck!

[@Hot-Dog-Racing]

Oh hey, I’m just down the hill in issaquah. Thanks for this video!

[@alandebrut]

Hi, great video......about focusing, I assume you were already close to focus for this video from previous projects? If starting from scratch how would you go about focusing as I cant see a loop button in preview which is what you will need when using a B M otherwise its hit and miss? thanks for taking the time to create this video. :)

[@davidchilders2150]

Excellent presentation! You might add the very first screen that shows connecting all of your hardware!

[@northwestastronomer6886]

Heh, I planned to, but for some reason when I recorded it, that screen didn’t show up!

[@davidchilders2150]

@@northwestastronomer6886 You had already turned on ASIAIRPro and it was already connected, therefore not showing the screen.

[@davidchilders2150]

What software are you using to record your presentations?

[@northwestastronomer6886]

@@davidchilders2150 I use the native screen record capability on the iPad. You can add the record button to the control panel.

[@JohnMcGFrance]

Very clear and well presented. My ASIair Pro arrives next week. Looking forward to using it and hopefully getting some great images by following your excellent advice. Any tips on taking darks, flats and bias frames? I’m guessing you were using a 1600mm camera by the gain setting. I’ve heard various figures for the bias exposure length. I have the same camera. Many thanks and clear skies.

[@northwestastronomer6886]

As it happens, the next video I’m working on is about calibration frames. Look for it to drop in the next few days hopefully. I do not recommend bias frames with a CMOS camera. Their readout noise is non-linear at short exposure lengths. Better to take dark flats, which are simply darks taken at the same exposure time as your flats.

[@JohnMcGFrance]

Northwest Astronomer Thank you. I’d heard there was an issue with short exposures for the 1600 and that many were using 2 second exposures for flats and not taking bias but had not heard about the dark flats idea. I will give it a try and look forward to your video on calibration frames.👍

[@hallerman]

Great tutorial, thank you.

[@febsat]

Very interesting. I am curious about the dew heaters. At 4:17 I see the dew heater setting at 28%. Is there an internal sensor in the ASI that controls the on /off of the heaters, or do you need to plug a sensor module into a port on the unit? Can you also control the amount of heat produced by the heaters, or is that an automatic function that works from the humidity setting? What happens when the unit shuts down totally after the imaging session; would the dew heaters also shut off? If so would this not allow dew to settle on the main scope lens; since you are not around to put the lens cap back on.

[@northwestastronomer6886]

There is not a sensor. The ASIair uses PCM to control the power to the heater just like a DEW-NOT or other dew heater controller. You need to adjust the power level based on your observed dew accumulation. When the unit shuts down the dew heaters shut down as well. This would allow dew to accumulate, but since you are no longer imaging it’s not a problem.

[@PlanetaryDefenseFoundation]

Thank you for this information :)

[@jamesgoodall3818]

Thanks for the nice walkthrough! I wish I could select a filter too but it seems without a filter-wheel that option is not available. I use a filter slider. I also wish I could use a previous image say from the night before (left on the thumb drive of course) to re-aquire my plate-solving and framing adjustment.

[@olly7248]

Excellent stuff, thank you so much for doing this 👍🏻

[@janebattle3667]

Very nice video. Any ideas on why a target wouldn’t center? This happened to us last night. It showed up on the outer edge of the preview. Used a rasa 11inch with a skywatcher EQ 6-Rpro.

[@northwestastronomer6886]

That's a great question. So far every target has centered perfectly for me, night after night. Assuming you're polar aligning with the ASIair, I don't really know what could be the issue. Might be something to ask ZWO?

[@olly7248]

I’m building a similar rig, who manufactures the big red mounting plate that the ASIAIR Pro is sitting on❓Thanks

[@northwestastronomer6886]

It's a William Optics long dovetail. williamoptics.com/products/accessories/all-new-long-version-vixen-style-dovetail-plate

[@olly7248]

@@northwestastronomer6886 thanks... ordered 👍🏻😀

[@olly7248]

@@northwestastronomer6886 I’ve been looking for a better way to mount my ASIAIR Pro, rather than it sticking out or ‘hanging off the side’... together with the EAF this looks a much neater way 👍🏻

[@rickgriffin3962]

Nicely done. Thanks. Can you tell me which dovetail you are using in that set up? Most excellent results!!!

[@scidav87]

Amazing video, thank you so much

[@drdonwalker]

So the PA routine is done while the mount is on and therefore tracking? Great video - thanks. I picked up lots of the finer points of the software

[@northwestastronomer6886]

Don Walker yes, that’s correct. I’m glad you found the video useful!

[@paulsmaglik5063]

Thank you it was an awesome presentation

[@willissutherland1494]

Jeff...Thanks again...I am interested in the specifics on your telescope...And the Camera type...Thank you for this information...I am guessing your scope is an 80mm or a possibly a little larger...

[@sreeshab4093]

Wonderful video. I had a question on the part you explained in the beginning where you said you did not connect to hotspot of AsiAir Pro, but you connected to home network? I didn't quite get that. If you can please explain. I have a challenge where I need to use the mobile (on which the asi air app is installed), far away from ASI AIR PRO unit. I have broadband wifi all around my home. How can I do this?

[@ebrahemmh]

Excellent job! Can you use stellarium mobile together with asi air pro? And if you lost wifi connection with asi air does it still work?

[@StarhoundAstro]

Thanks for the great tutorial , you mentioned station mode , I do not have a router or modem as my internet connection is cellular ,if a wifi extender/router is added , would this extend the range out of the house? there seems to be lots of questions about this everywhere...thanks again for your time and effort!

[@northwestastronomer6886]

Many people connect the ASIair to a TP Link travel router. There is more information on how to coinfigure on the ZWO forums (bbs.astronomy-imaging-camera.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=10835).

[@sreeshab4093]

excellent presentation. I have a question - should Polaris be visible if we need to use the PA icon? Sometimes I can't see Polaris, will ASIPRO AIR help in that case? Please advise.

[@JeffHeinenCFI]

If Polaris is not visible, then you will not be able to use the PA feature in ASIair Pro. You would have to use drift alignment instead. astropixels.com/main/polaralignment.html

[@dlg521]

I'm completely new to this. Using the ASIair app and ASIpro, I can see a picture when I have my guide ASI120mm used as my main camera, but when I try to use it as a guide scope/camera, I don't get a picture. I select "none" for the main camera and enable the ASI120mm as the guide but I don't have an option to preview the image to try and focus it. I've checked everywhere and no one can answer this simple question. Much appreciated if you can shed some light on this for me. :)

[@michaeldavis2818]

Hello Jeff...thank you for putting the time in to make this video! Quick question, what is the range of the ASIAir Pro? I can't seem to find an answer online. I need to set my scope up about 110 feet away from my house to get out from under the trees. Will the ASIAir reach my WiFi network from that distance? Thanks again!

[@northwestastronomer6886]

WiFi range is probably the biggest complaint people have about the ASIair Pro. It is extremely limited, and people have had to get creative about extending the range. The most common solution is to use a TPLink Travel Router connected to the ASIair via ethernet. Some have even gone so far as to modify the ASIair pro by adding an external antenna (this is not a straightforward task! Try at your own risk!). As for myself, I plugged an Xfinity WiFi Pod range extender into an outlet on the wall nearest to where my telescope is set up in the backyard (about 20’ away). In your case, 110’ seems like it would be too far without some kind of range extension. I think the TPLink solution will probably be your best bet. I know a lot of folks have had good success with that option.

[@simonpepper5053]

Excellent walk through here. I have a question though used the pro a few times now and worked flawlessly however just completed the newest update firmware and app and now it seems to be broken. PA was fine, but then I would select a go to object and it used to go to then plate solve. This feature now attempts the go to but does not plate solve it? Also I noted the go to didn’t work at all! I trouble shooter this for a few hours by resetting manually to home position PA again all was still good as it moved mount repeated the process with no luck again. I decided to try just going to home position after PA (where it rotates 60 degrees) and it went 45 degrees past the home? I tried a few other go to objects and all the time failed to find the objects. I even tried the same object twice in a row and it just slewed randomly somewhere else! Curious if you or any of your followers have seen this with the recent update? Thanks

[@cuisleproperties6351]

Really helpful! Thank you.

[@MegaBrebis]

Thank you for the video. Why pay the price of the ASIair Pro when you can do the same with a laptop and freeware?

[@northwestastronomer6886]

The ASIair Pro was MUCH cheaper than a laptop, but more importantly for me, I don't have to leave my laptop out while the imaging run is happening, I don't have to power the laptop, etc. It's much more convenient than and laptop, and it just WORKS!

[@jeffreyvictor3678]

Well Done!! Thanks!

[@Wgiarc1]

Could you video cable routing especially the hand controller to the AISAir Pro. Thanx

[@chrisnowland5909]

As always, great videos. Wanted to ask for some help as I am struggling to get my guide scope in to focus...For the guide camera, do you insert it into the scope up to the black tube on the camera (for a reference point)? And from the scope mount ring, what is the distance to the red adjustment/lock collar on the guide scope? Thanks as always!

[@jamesphillips1ify]

Nice video, very clear and informative. Thanks you have my subscription. Just one question, after you have finished PA do you go to your target from 60 degree position or go to home position first. Thanks again.

[@northwestastronomer6886]

Yes, after PA go directly to the target. Do not go home, do not collect $200. 😂

[@jamesphillips1ify]

@@northwestastronomer6886 Will do🤣🤣🤣👍

[@DamianVines]

Great thank you! Is that a DeepSky Dad EAF mount? I have one too, Pavle is great! BTW, what was your filter set, imaging details on this one?

[@northwestastronomer6886]

Yes, it’s the DeepSky Dad mount. It works great. My filters are the LRGBHOS ones that come with the ZWO filter wheel.

[@teashea1]

very well done

[@newbee1016]

Northwest Astronomer, I noticed that you have what looks like a dew heater controller attached to your tripod leg, are you running it off the ASIair Pro? and if so, is there any issues with it? I am considering getting the ASIair Pro for my rig, so I am looking at all the tutorials I can first. Robert, Vict' Aust'

[@northwestastronomer6886]

I’m not currently using the ASIair to run my dew heaters. I need to cut off the RCA connectors and replace them with barrel connectors. I plan to do that at some point this winter.

[@newbee1016]

@@northwestastronomer6886 I have looked into the specifications of my dew heater controller and the ASIair Pro and it appears to be no issues amp wise. I will have cut off the cig lighter plug off my dew heater, and put a barrel fitting on it.

[@johnellsphoto]

I've enjoyed your clear and thorough tutorial three times now, over the last month or two. It's become instrumental in my progress. I do have one question: Some astrophotographers using the ASIair suggest to "GoTo Home Position" right after polar alignment, then select and go to your target. You went directly to your target right after your polar alignment, and did so with accuracy. Do you continue to find you can bypass the "GoTo Home Position" step in between PA and target acquisition? Thanks so much!

[@stevekaiser4959]

Hi very nice presentation. Question. Do you know how to control a dlsr camera via the SNAP connection? I have the snap cable but can’t seem to find the ASIAIR menu to control via SNAP connection. Thanks

[@NJ_Galactic]

Does the ASIAIR plus lock the camera ISO? It locks mine at 400

[@markymapo1242]

Can you provide an equipment list in this video (unless it is already stated in all the replies) thanks

[@paulnoviello7184]

hi Jeff could comment on the mount connection,Iam having trouble connecting my ioptron cem25p to the asi airpro thanks

[@northwestastronomer6886]

You have to connect via the hand control. The cable runs from the ASIair to the telephone jack on the hand control, and the hand control is plugged into the mount like normal.

[@MrGp3po]

Northwest Astronomer Do you use your hand control to align the scope first? My Sirius mount seems to want this procedure done before hand.

[@ddiver7908]

hello @ 10:47 when you go through the polar alignment does it use the guide scope or zwo camera? I have almost the same setup but ran a DSLR instead of a zwo astrocam. Thanks

[@brianandbeccahome7474]

Thank you

[@brandoncook9539]

Can you plates solve without any internet connection thanks

[@northwestastronomer6886]

Yes, plate solving works without an internet connection.

[@brandoncook9539]

@@northwestastronomer6886 thank you

[@adventureswithfrodo2721]

Is it brining up the best for tonight because your hooked throught the HC. Or are you using a planararium program? I dont think the AAP had that functionality.

[@northwestastronomer6886]

Adventures with Frodo the ASIair will show you what’s up sorted on it’s current altitude. Personally I use SkySafari pro to identify my targets.

[@RimantasLiubertas]

It can do it by itself. I do not have HC plugged in and functionality is still available.

[@TheHelicapt]

I don’t have a view of Polaris. What you recommend I do in this case.

[@donovanj35]

drift align

[@fmrc69]

Curious what the total weight of your rig is currently in this video? I'm assuming that's the iOptron CEM25P mount?

[@northwestastronomer6886]

Frank Charron yes, it’s the CEM25. I think the total weight is 11 pounds.

[@napper1496]

You said the little hamburger something lines what’s that?

[@indyalex42]

I’m giving up. Can’t get anything to work here with this ASI air pro!! Spent the last hour - first clear night in weeks - and couldn’t even preview a shot much less plate solve….even when it finds 150 stars. I’m beyond frustrated with as much time as I’ve spent reviewing all of these videos. Yours is great (if everything goes smoothly).

[@ashpowell9451]

Great video, thanks. I'm having huge issues with mine. I'm connected via USB to the EQ6-R Pro and I'm in the southern hemisphere. Essentially it will plate solve and polar align but the goto is completely wrong, really frustrating. Did you strike anything like that?

[@northwestastronomer6886]

Ash Powell my first thought is to verify that DST is turned off on the hand control. If it is turned on you will see completely wrong gotos.

[@ashpowell9451]

@@northwestastronomer6886 thanks, I did read that in the manual. My confusion is that I'm not using the HC. The EQ6R-PRO has USB on the body and I'm connecting it directly to the Air. ZWO are so vague about this configuration....

[@northwestastronomer6886]

I don’t think I have any advice since I’m in the opposite hemisphere and use a completely different mount. :(

[@malanstecker]

Can one stack lights, flats, darks and bias with Asiair for deep sky astrophotography? When I try, it only stacks the lights and not the flats and darks. Is there a KZbin on how to stack when using Asiair Plus?

[@indrajitkumavatmusic4384]

thank you :D so much

[@adamvorous4064]

How did you deal with individually focusing each narrowband filter to get sharp stars? I always have to refocus for each filter since they all are slightly different.

[@PandaweePMC]

What dewstrips did you use for your scope? I can’t find any compatible with the ports on the ASIAIR. Do you just plug them in? How do you control them?

[@darrenwarne9005]

I am also using a CEM25P What are your settings in the HC For DLS? Ever since the last update my flip is waiting about an hr to flip. Dont know if it is a problem with last update or DLS settings. As per Zwo I have mine set to off and have noticed that initial gotos are off by about 15'. Thanks

[@northwestastronomer6886]

If you want the ASIair to control the meridian flip, DST needs to be "OFF" on the HC. When you say your gotos are off by 15', is that doing a goto from the HC? If so, I recommend using the ASIair for all you goto'ing needs. Since it plate solves to center the object, it is WAY moe accurate than the HC. I never touch the HC anymore. I do everything using the ASIair.

[@darrenwarne9005]

@@northwestastronomer6886 gotos in the Air are off but it centers correctly I have DLS off in HC. I don't use th HC. I have noticed that when DLS is off in hand controller the time site acquired through GPS is standard time but when AIR connects to scope it changes to DLS. It used to work great but now its buggy. The mount stops I have it set to 10' past meridian. The flip will occur 1 hr past. Only ruined 21min of images last night when I set limit to 0 it ruins an hrs worth. Scope stops but air continues to image for an hour.

[@northwestastronomer6886]

@@darrenwarne9005 I'm not sure what's going on. I don't have anything set in my HC other than DST off. I never set up any stops in the HC. When I get a chance I'll double check the setting in my HC.

[@wizardz7938]

What if you can see polaris, then its useless?

[@wizardz7938]

Nothing in this tutorial does my asair pro work as yours.

[@wizardz7938]

It doesnt track shit. If i tell it go to mars it goes to it then mars floats away

[@northwestastronomer6886]

If you can’t see Polaris, then you won’t be able to use the ASIair polar alignment routine, You would have to do a drift alignment. All of the other functionality would work just fine though.

[@skatsikas]

Great demo. Damn. You just cost me some $. ;)

[@josemhernandez8733]

For me this is not a tutorial, is a walkaround. To be a tutorial needs to focused on what, why and how...this is a rendition of what you do. Good for that...

[@northwestastronomer6886]

Thanks for the feedback! I’m still pretty new to making videos, so hopefully they’ll get better as I learn.

[@PaulHummerman]

Not much help for beginners

[@eugene8241]

Хороший видос! Но чего-то не хватило.

[@edhiker8161]

Wish his voice is a lot louder. Can't give a thumbs up or down. :(

[@AstroRef68]

Speak up