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John Downing
member
Reged: 08/27/09
Posts: 34
Loc: Anaheim, CA
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I have just finished my observatory, have the scope up and running, a decent polar alignment, and T-Point Model. I am a bit confused about parking, unparking, and initializing the mount from session to session with the above software.
When I unpark and initialize the mount it, and Sky think it is pointing at the NCP. But I understand if I Sync my system to a star I will lose the T-Point model and have to perform a short-run model. Comparing the instructions from Sky, T-Point, and AP is a bit confusing to me. Duh!
Can someone with the same equipment/software setup give me a tried and proven method to perform this task, night after night, so that I can retain the current model and get the system up and running with the least amount of work? I want to add many more points into the model but want to have this procedure down before I do so. Then I will be off and running and thinking about the next step-remote operation.
Thanks,
John
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La Ventana a las Estrellas
Roll off Roof Obs. Julian, CA
Meade 10" f6.3 SCT
Stellarvue SV105APO
Optec TCF-S
SBIG ST-7 w/CFW
Canon 40D
AP 900GTO
The Sky, CCD Soft, Nebulosity, T-Point, Pulse Guide.
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HunterofPhotons
sage
Reged: 04/26/08
Posts: 265
Loc: Rhode Island, USA
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There are a lot of archival posts on this at the Yahoo AP mount group.
dan
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LLEEGE
Running out of Oxygen
Reged: 03/03/05
Posts: 9050
Loc: Cloud-chester,NY
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If you are going to use The Sky exclusively, just remove the keypad all together. This way, the only thing "talking" to the mount is the software. You can set your park position in the sky. When you power up the mount, just connect the sky and unpark.
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"Okay! You draw the straws. I'm-a taking the parachute."
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John Downing
member
Reged: 08/27/09
Posts: 34
Loc: Anaheim, CA
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Thanks for the input. I am browsing the AP site and have't seen a clear answer there yet. So many different alternatives it would seem. I think I am going to have to explore Pulse Guide though.
Thanks LLEEGE for the suggestion. I am going to try that again during my next session. Just run the mount totally with Sky. But if my memory serves me right I tried that last time, disconnected the keypad, then started the mount, initialized w/Sky, and the mount position in Sky was showing it was pointed at the NCP. NOT where the mount was pointing (the park position).
I still wonder: What combinations of software are people successfully using with their AP-GTO and what routines are they using to get repeatable good pointing?
Mine is a 900GTO and I have it close to a good polar I think. EL is only 23" but AZ is at 17' per T-Point. So I need to refine that. Need to perfect my drift alignment. Would like to be able to take subframes of a decent length unguided if possible. Have an ST7 for guiding when imaging with it and with my DSLR but would rather focus on my imaging and processing more now than adding guiding to the mix. A higher priority for me is setting everything up so I can operate the system from the warm trailer 100' from the obs!
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La Ventana a las Estrellas
Roll off Roof Obs. Julian, CA
Meade 10" f6.3 SCT
Stellarvue SV105APO
Optec TCF-S
SBIG ST-7 w/CFW
Canon 40D
AP 900GTO
The Sky, CCD Soft, Nebulosity, T-Point, Pulse Guide.
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LLEEGE
Running out of Oxygen
Reged: 03/03/05
Posts: 9050
Loc: Cloud-chester,NY
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I use the sky6 with my 1200. However, I'm not permanently set up. I PA using the new quick drift method and a finder scope. It's very accurate, quick and easy. From there, you could use PEMPro to final tweak it and then T-Point models aren't needed. The goto's are that good.
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"Okay! You draw the straws. I'm-a taking the parachute."
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John Downing
member
Reged: 08/27/09
Posts: 34
Loc: Anaheim, CA
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LLEEGE: O.K. I tried to search this forum for the 'quick drift' polar alignment method in several different ways and did not find it. Could you refer me to this? It is certainly taking me a lot longer getting a good polar than you are!
My pointing, with just a 20 pt. model is excellent. However, I need less drift for longer unguided exposures. I see Rolland @AP recommending the drift method often but can't say I have mastered it. Perhaps my mind is more comfortable working on this digitally rather than analog? 8^) Gotta work on that. Seriously, I do seem to be able to work better with my monitor than my eyepiece. Dedicated observers would say: 'Tsk, tsk.'.
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La Ventana a las Estrellas
Roll off Roof Obs. Julian, CA
Meade 10" f6.3 SCT
Stellarvue SV105APO
Optec TCF-S
SBIG ST-7 w/CFW
Canon 40D
AP 900GTO
The Sky, CCD Soft, Nebulosity, T-Point, Pulse Guide.
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LLEEGE
Running out of Oxygen
Reged: 03/03/05
Posts: 9050
Loc: Cloud-chester,NY
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It's on Page 5.
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"Okay! You draw the straws. I'm-a taking the parachute."
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John Downing
member
Reged: 08/27/09
Posts: 34
Loc: Anaheim, CA
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Thanks! I have the older version of the keypad and had not looked at the new manual. Certainly missed that set of instructions.
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La Ventana a las Estrellas
Roll off Roof Obs. Julian, CA
Meade 10" f6.3 SCT
Stellarvue SV105APO
Optec TCF-S
SBIG ST-7 w/CFW
Canon 40D
AP 900GTO
The Sky, CCD Soft, Nebulosity, T-Point, Pulse Guide.
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