UPDATE! Moon, Iris Nebula and more N.I.N.A.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Very nice! And as a NINA contributor, I love that you're making progress - by the way I did leave a comment on your last NINA video, where I answered some questions you were asking yourself during the session. Two remaining points I'm seeing: 4:47 : inconsistent site coordinates between the mount and NINA may cause issues with Meridian flip (mount and NINA can have a different idea of when the Meridian was reached) , so you may want to sync from telescope to NINA (NINA just inherits the site coordinates from the mount), or vice-versa. 10:53 : your AF step size is still too small - I would go crazy and try with 75 or even 100 steps (I wrote the current AF iteration, and have used it a lot with an SCT at 1400mm - the spikes of the VC200L actually make the AF hesitate more when they start merging, but I'm glad it works). I have some NINA AF setup videos on my channel if you are interested. Looking forward to future videos!

[@VisibledarkAstro]

Hi Cuiv! Thanks for watching and for the tips! I'm still getting to know NINA. It's getting easier now as I become more familiar with it. I'll try syncing the scope to NINA - I didn't do that not knowing if I should so I was just clicking "no" to it. The auto focus I did actually try 100 and it worked as well. I had one time when set at 100 steps that the AF didn't work, was out of focus. I changed the steps to 50 and then it focused. I don't know for sure if changing the steps lower was the fix though. The AF works well over all I find. nice and sharp. Still trying for a better V-curve though! lol. Thanks for help! Appreciate it. Cheers!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

@@VisibledarkAstro my pleasure! It is incredibly fulfilling and fun to see an experienced APer go through the software from scratch! :-) clear skies!

[@ChucksAstrophotography]

Thanks for the video, Shawn. Your vids will be the first I visit if I can ever pry myself away from SGP.

[@VisibledarkAstro]

Hey Chuck - thanks for tuning in! You know I'm kind of addicted to NINA for some reason. I used SGP for years and its good but I have this keen interest in trying NINA evertime its clear now. I like it. It's still missing some features SGP has, but overall it's a good piece of software. It hasn't crashed either which is good. I've had SGP lockup/crash on occasion. Hope you're enjoying your new ES127CF! Looking forward to new images with it from you! :)

[@DragonsOfAra]

Hey Shawn. Regarding your autofocus settings. Your autofocus curve is a bit noisy for a couple of reasons but it's easy to improve. (1) At long focal length HFR measurements can be quite noisy as the seeing has more influence. One great advantage of NINA's AF routine is that you can take multiple exposures at each focuser position to average out the HFR measurement and obtain a more robust average HFR value at each position. It takes a bit longer but it really smooths out the curve. I take 3 exposures at each position when using long FLs like 2.8m and 4m. (2) I think they recommend the HFR vales at the tails of the curve should be around 3 times the minimum HFR. I think your min HFR was around 3 so increase your step size until the HFR at the tails of the curve are around say 7 to 9 (i.e., make the curve deeper). That will also provide a more robust curve. Cheers. Ross

[@VisibledarkAstro]

Hi Ross - thanks for the help! I will give this a try. Awesome! :) Cheers.

[@LepusNewMexicoAstronomy]

Nice work Shawn! That Iris is looking wonderful!

[@VisibledarkAstro]

Thanks! It's going to take a lot more data though to complete it. Not easy with the nights getting so short now. Thanks for tuning in! Cheers.

[@michaelbrorby7712]

Have you ever run two instances for two main imaging cameras plus guide scope? Dithering? I would love to see you do a video on that

[@VisibledarkAstro]

Not yet. I almost did but had some other issues unrelated to NINA that prevented me. If I get one of the new Raptor 61 scopes on loan/trial for testing, I'll be running two instances. That's the plan.

[@davidemancini7853]

Great video👍i have the powerbox advance on the way as well😎Shawn, i have notice that you are using CDC, but i was wonder what the main use of it if we are using plate solving to slew to targets, thx👍

[@VisibledarkAstro]

Hi! With plate solving you're right, CDC isn't needed. I just like having it open to see where the scope is pointed. An old habit! :)

[@davidemancini7853]

Visibledark Astro Cool👍

[@Astro-George]

Always love seeing the different software out there for acquisition. Say, What camera were you using for the iris nebula capture?

[@VisibledarkAstro]

Hi George - yes I like seeing the different software as well. Which is why I did this video, to show NINA in action again. It's often interesting to be able to watch someone else's setup and how it all works etc. The camera I'm using for the Iris, is the QHY168C cooled cmos camera. Once the Iris is complete I'll be switching to the QHY268C though. Have one incoming for testing. :)

[@michaelbrorby7712]

Thank you!

[@michaelbrorby7712]

Thanks for the informative videos... I’m learning NINA. And I’m really interested in the plate solving. I use a rainbow Astro 135 mount and a z61 william optics with a 183c or canon dslr.. And a small zwo guide scope. My question is can you plate solve without internet? I know that it works with an online data base, but does it use a catalog offline as well? Thanks

[@VisibledarkAstro]

Yes you can plate solve offline. ASTAP will do it once you set it up and you can also use a local installation of Astrometry as well. So you don't have to be connected to the internet.

[@michaelbrorby7712]

Also when plate solving can I just go straight from polar alignment or do I still need a multiple star alignment?

[@VisibledarkAstro]

You don't need to star align if plate solving. It will figure out where its pointing. Cheers!

[@SuperKevinFS]

Notices in the imaging TAB you have the ability to record as well as take a picture can you share with me how you done this thank u in advance

[@MegaBrebis]

How are you connected to your telescope? Wifi?

[@rashmibhatt7274]

Hi Do u want to sale your old pocket power box? Thxs Raj

[@VisibledarkAstro]

Hey Raj - the pocket powerbox I have currently is on loan from KWtelescope.com. I was testing it out. So I'm unable to sell it. Cheers.

[@PeterClarke55]

Looked like a profile of the delorian car

[@ryaneckstein9510]

Dubhe (doo-bay) ;)

[@VisibledarkAstro]

lol... I knew someone would correct me! Thanks :) ... now I know. Sometimes just don't know how these names are pronounced!