769 replies to this topic

[Larry Hansen]

     I also tried out manual pointing with the Stelina.  I tried NGC7339 and NGC7332 which were about 10 degrees from the moon.  The attached image is a 30 minute high res ten second exposures and cropped.  NGC7339 is on the left.

 

 

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[CptNautilus]

Another EAA Lesson Learned using the Stellina.  Using the Expert Mode the ONLY Mode of Operation is to Collect Fits images on a USB Memory Stick and stack them off-line.

 

It will not work for Live Viewing a stacking JPEG image, which is a disappointment.  10 sec subs and full gain is the EAA Mode for now.  Pat Utah

  I don't understand what you mean by that?

 

  Expert mode works exactly the same as when you start a session from the catalog. Once the capture begins, there is no difference. The image will appear on the viewing screen and the FITS will be saved to the USB drive if there is one.

 

  If you chose 20-second subs, the view will be updated more slowly, of course, in particular in high-resolution mode. With 20-seconds subs, the rejection rate is higher too, so you might not see a new image every 25 seconds but you might have to wait much longer.

 

  I've also found that sometimes Singularity doesn't show the last image it could. Going out of the viewing panel and then back in often forces it to refresh.

[Alien Observatory]

That was not my experience using the Expert Mode.  It would not function without a memory stick and it does exactly what the comments are on its function at the top of the Expert Page from Vaonis.  It is a moot point for me as the Manual Mode work's for what I need to do EAA.  Pat Utah

[CptNautilus]

That was not my experience using the Expert Mode.  It would not function without a memory stick and it does exactly what the comments are on its function at the top of the Expert Page from Vaonis.  It is a moot point for me as the Manual Mode work's for what I need to do EAA.  Pat Utah

  Well, I never use Stellina without a stick plugged in it, so I can't be sure.

 

  If that's really the case though, I suppose it's not intentional and should be signalled to Vaonis.

[Alien Observatory]

Set up a Moon Test Plan for tonight to see if it is workable as an Automated way to capture the Lunar Eclipse in a couple of Days.  Tonights plan is 4 captures of the Moon 15 minutes apart (image 1).  A sample of the Nov 18 start of the Eclipse Planning in 30 minutes increments (image 2).  May modify depending on Tonights Test Run.

 

The Automated Planner is found in Stellina's App (Singularity).  Pat Utah

Attached Thumbnails

• 
• 

[Larry Hansen]

Set up a Moon Test Plan for tonight to see if it is workable as an Automated way to capture the Lunar Eclipse in a couple of Days.  Tonights plan is 4 captures of the Moon 15 minutes apart (image 1).  A sample of the Nov 18 start of the Eclipse Planning in 30 minutes increments (image 2).  May modify depending on Tonights Test Run.

 

The Automated Planner is found in Stellina's App (Singularity).  Pat Utah

    Good idea.  Looking forward to your results.  I would try it myself but I can't find it on the Android version.  I believe it is an up and coming feature on Android.

[CptNautilus]

    Good idea.  Looking forward to your results.  I would try it myself but I can't find it on the Android version.  I believe it is an up and coming feature on Android.

  Yes, it's only available on iOS at the moment. Waiting for it too. Vaonis said it should be available before the end of the year as they want to put both versions of Singularity in sync before moving forward.

[nwcs]

Yes, it's only available on iOS at the moment. Waiting for it too. Vaonis said it should be available before the end of the year as they want to put both versions of Singularity in sync before moving forward.

I hope it comes with automatic refocusing. It won’t be very helpful without that ability which it currently lacks.

[bips3453]

Set up a Moon Test Plan for tonight to see if it is workable as an Automated way to capture the Lunar Eclipse in a couple of Days.  Tonights plan is 4 captures of the Moon 15 minutes apart (image 1).  A sample of the Nov 18 start of the Eclipse Planning in 30 minutes increments (image 2).  May modify depending on Tonights Test Run.

 

The Automated Planner is found in Stellina's App (Singularity).  Pat Utah

I hope it can auto adjust exposure time as the moon will gradually become darker during eclipse... 

Edited by bips3453, 16 November 2021 - 08:38 PM.

[Alien Observatory]

I hope it can auto adjust exposure time during the eclipse as the moon will gradually become darker during eclipse... 

Yes, a lot of unknown's...  Not sure were I could find an answer but to test it and see what happens...  Pat Utah

[Larry Hansen]

     Here is a  70 minute capture of NGC6995 with lp from last night's full moon.  Thought I would see what results could be had under a full moon with the Stelina.

 

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[CptNautilus]

Yes, a lot of unknown's...  Not sure were I could find an answer but to test it and see what happens...  Pat Utah

   I don't think it will adjust to the changing luminosity. I have taken images of the moon with clouds wafting in front of it and the image wasn't adjusted.

 

  Also, remember that Stellina takes black and white images of the moon. You won't see the reddish colour of the eclipse. That's a shame.

[Alien Observatory]

   I don't think it will adjust to the changing luminosity. I have taken images of the moon with clouds wafting in front of it and the image wasn't adjusted.

 

  Also, remember that Stellina takes black and white images of the moon. You won't see the reddish colour of the eclipse. That's a shame.

Possible another change to request as the Planet's JPEG images are in color.  Pat Utah

[Alien Observatory]

A few quick notes on last nights Moon Test Plan.  Pat Utah

 

1).  Started Stellina about 15 minutes before the first planned image.  The Temp difference was 9C so I expected Focus Warnings.

 

2).  Went to the Moon and enabled the Test Plan.

 

3).  7:45 the test plan started. Re-Acquired the Moon and began Imaging sequence 1 (image 1)

 

4).   After a minute or so an Image of the Moon showed in Sequence 1.

 

5).  Touched the image Icon and the Normal Image Screen was displayed with all the Normal Feature's (image 2)

 

6).  Tried the Screen Zoom Mode and worked as Normal (image 3).

 

7).  Image Sequence 2 started on time (image 4)

 

8). All Images per the plan were executed and the Test Plan Stopped and the Images were saved to the Stellina Gallery (image 5)

 

Attached Thumbnails

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

[CptNautilus]

Possible another change to request as the Planet's JPEG images are in color.  Pat Utah

  Of course, the sensor can take colours. They are actively making it B/W. Getting a colour image of the moon has been a request to Vaonis for as long as I own my Stellina. I don't think it's going to happen...

 

  Now that we have expert mode, maybe it could be possible to use it to get a coloured moon. You'd have to select a 1-second exposure and a low gain to ensure the image does not get over-exposed. If you have clear skies, make a test run before the eclipse.

 

  Overcast skies here, alas...

[Alien Observatory]

  Of course, the sensor can take colours. They are actively making it B/W. Getting a colour image of the moon has been a request to Vaonis for as long as I own my Stellina. I don't think it's going to happen...

 

  Now that we have expert mode, maybe it could be possible to use it to get a coloured moon. You'd have to select a 1-second exposure and a low gain to ensure the image does not get over-exposed. If you have clear skies, make a test run before the eclipse.

 

  Overcast skies here, alas...

I will give it a try...  Pat Utah

[Alien Observatory]

I will give it a try...  Pat Utah

And a Total Failure at 1 sec, 1 gain + 50mm Aperture Stop...Pat Utah

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[CptNautilus]

And a Total Failure at 1 sec, 1 gain + 50mm Aperture Stop...Pat Utah

  Not even in colours!

 

  Thanks for testing it for us.

 

  Indeed, when one take Stellina with the catalog, the images come much faster, about 2 per second. Too bad Vaonis did not allow the expert mode to take shorter exposure times.

[nwcs]

I suppose someone could 3d print a cover for the Stellina lens and equip it with a moon filter. That would be one way around the problem perhaps. The few moon pics I've tried have been OK but the detail isn't what I'd hope for. 

[CptNautilus]

  I've just realised that the minimum exposure in Expert Mode is 5 seconds, not 1. I think that will make it impossible to shoot the moon in that mode.

 

  Or stand beside Stellina with a piece of cardboard and use it as a manual shutter.

[Alien Observatory]

I tried several configurations for about 2 hours.  Manual Mode worked better than Expert Mode (1 Second and Gain 1).  I used a couple of Aperture Masks I had made for my TV101, which fit inside the Dew Shield I made for the Stellina.

 

 50 mm Aperture Mask functionally worked (Moon image was posted).  The  25 mm  and 10mm Aperture Masks gave a very soft image and would not re-focus or track well.  Solar Filter was too dark and would not acquire the target.

 

 In the end, an option to have Color / BW mode available to use on the ALL the Stellina mode's would be the best outcome, but that is dependent on Vaonis and a SW change.

 

 Pat Utah

Edited by Alien Observatory, 18 November 2021 - 05:04 PM.

[Larry Hansen]

    While we are on the subject of expert mode I have been trying to use expert mode to change the exposure time and gain for .jpg captures.  No luck.

 

     Here is what I tried:

     Flash drive is in Stelina.

     Expert mode is on.

     Also tried enabling saving files to usb flash drive.  I tried without too.

     Stelina is initialized.

 

     If I go to the companion page where you can close the arm, I click on .jpg and then expert mode.  All I can do there is set up settings for raw capture which I think is for taking darks.  I have found no other place to change camera exposure time and gain.  Is it possible to change camera settings for .jpg captures?  Or maybe I am missing something here.

[Alien Observatory]

My Experience to date is Expert Mode will only save FITS Files, Manual Mode will save JPEG / TIFF Files.  I am on IOS / OSX Platform's  (M1 iPad and M1 iMac), both Modes have Exposure and Gain controls, not Android, so it may be different for you.   Pat Utah

Edited by Alien Observatory, 18 November 2021 - 11:57 PM.

[Larry Hansen]

My Experience to date is Expert Mode will only save FITS Files, Manual Mode will save JPEG / TIFF Files.  I am on IOS / OSX Platform's  (M1 iPad and M1 iMac), both Modes have Exposure and Gain controls and I am not Android, so it may be different for you.   Pat Utah

    Thanks, that makes sense.  The only manual mode that I have is for poiting where you enter in RA and Dec.  No place to change exposure settings there.  Maybe the Android version does not have camera control yet for .jpg files.   Maybe someone with Android will chime in.

[CptNautilus]

    Thanks, that makes sense.  The only manual mode that I have is for poiting where you enter in RA and Dec.  No place to change exposure settings there.  Maybe the Android version does not have camera control yet for .jpg files.   Maybe someone with Android will chime in.

  I have the Android version and in my experience, Expert Mode works correctly. Also with JPEGs.

 

  Go to the catalog page. Look at the top. There are tabs, one of which is called "Manual". There, click on the "+". This opens a dialog page where you can set the exposure time, the gain and the coordinates of the target. Give a name to this target and save it. You can then start a capture on it whenever you want. From there, everything works as usual.

 

  WAIT: You must use Singularity, not Stellinapp. Stellinapp will no longer be updated.

Edited by CptNautilus, 19 November 2021 - 03:19 AM.