6 replies to this topic

[SumanV]

Hi,

 

Apologies if the question has already been answered but can you please help me with the settings to use in NINA for a DSLR with a camera lens mounted on a Star Adventurer. My main intention is to do a three point polar alignment.

 

Regards

Suman

[maverick777]

Hi,

 

Apologies if the question has already been answered but can you please help me with the settings to use in NINA for a DSLR with a camera lens mounted on a Star Adventurer. My main intention is to do a three point polar alignment.

 

Regards

Suman

Do you have a guide scope and guide camera also attached?

[Sierramike]

My setup is an un-guided SWA, Nikon DSLR and lens.  I’ve outlined my setup options for Three Point Polar Alignment.  The ‘how to make it work is well outlined in the online help.

 

In NINA . . .
Options/General/Astrometry:  Set your shooting location. 

 

Options/General/Profiles:  Create a separate profile for each combination of camera, focal length and focal ratio you intend to image with.  I recommend trying to get things working with a single profile before you go into all combinations of your setup. 

 

For each of your profiles go to Options and Equipment and complete the Camera and Telescope fields.  Make sure the pixel size and focal length fields correct - this is critical.  Most of my failures to plate solve occurred when my settings didn’t match what I ended up shooting with. 

 

Options/Plate Solving:  You must point NINA to your plate solving software.  I recommend downloading Astap, a fast open-source program that does not require an internet connection to operate.  I use it for both TPPA and fine tune targeting my subject using NINA’s plate solving function.  My solver setup uses 2 second exposures, search radius=30.

 

Install TPPA – see Plugins/Available, scroll to Three Point Polar Alignment and click on Install. 

 

Activate TPPA on the Imaging tab.  Set Manual Mode to ON, Start from current position=ON.  I rotate RA 10 degrees by hand, the slew buttons are far to slow.

 

Other settings are self-explanatory or unique to your equipment. 

[SumanV]

Do you have a guide scope and guide camera also attached?

I do not have a guide scope or a guide camera.

[SumanV]

My setup is an un-guided SWA, Nikon DSLR and lens.  I’ve outlined my setup options for Three Point Polar Alignment.  The ‘how to make it work is well outlined in the online help.

 

In NINA . . .
Options/General/Astrometry:  Set your shooting location. 

 

Options/General/Profiles:  Create a separate profile for each combination of camera, focal length and focal ratio you intend to image with.  I recommend trying to get things working with a single profile before you go into all combinations of your setup. 

 

For each of your profiles go to Options and Equipment and complete the Camera and Telescope fields.  Make sure the pixel size and focal length fields correct - this is critical.  Most of my failures to plate solve occurred when my settings didn’t match what I ended up shooting with. 

 

Options/Plate Solving:  You must point NINA to your plate solving software.  I recommend downloading Astap, a fast open-source program that does not require an internet connection to operate.  I use it for both TPPA and fine tune targeting my subject using NINA’s plate solving function.  My solver setup uses 2 second exposures, search radius=30.

 

Install TPPA – see Plugins/Available, scroll to Three Point Polar Alignment and click on Install. 

 

Activate TPPA on the Imaging tab.  Set Manual Mode to ON, Start from current position=ON.  I rotate RA 10 degrees by hand, the slew buttons are far to slow.

 

Other settings are self-explanatory or unique to your equipment. 

Hi, thanks for the details. Does the RA rotation by 10 degrees need to be exactly 10 degrees?

 

How do you set up for 2s exposures? Do you set it in the camera or in NINA?

 

The search radius is for astap, isn't it? How do I specify the value?

Edited by SumanV, 01 May 2024 - 06:30 AM.

[Sierramike]

>> Does the RA rotation by 10 degrees need to be exactly 10 degrees?

 

I don't think so.  10 degrees comes from NINA's default value - go to TPPA and Set Manual Mode to OFF.  You'll see NINA's default rotation value.  I'm don't know what effect a larger or smaller rotation value has on the solution.

 

>> How do you set up for 2s exposures? Do you set it in the camera or in NINA?

 

Exposure length is set up in the TPPA screen.  The field name is 'Time.'  I can't recall whether I set this or if it's a default.  If I set it, I would have set it at a minimum value that gave me a successful plate solve in order to save time.

 

>>  The search radius is for astap, isn't it? How do I specify the value? 

 

The search radius reduces the search space for any plate solve you end up using.  The value is specified in the TPPA screen. 

 

Good luck. 

[SumanV]

>> Does the RA rotation by 10 degrees need to be exactly 10 degrees?

 

I don't think so.  10 degrees comes from NINA's default value - go to TPPA and Set Manual Mode to OFF.  You'll see NINA's default rotation value.  I'm don't know what effect a larger or smaller rotation value has on the solution.

 

>> How do you set up for 2s exposures? Do you set it in the camera or in NINA?

 

Exposure length is set up in the TPPA screen.  The field name is 'Time.'  I can't recall whether I set this or if it's a default.  If I set it, I would have set it at a minimum value that gave me a successful plate solve in order to save time.

 

>>  The search radius is for astap, isn't it? How do I specify the value? 

 

The search radius reduces the search space for any plate solve you end up using.  The value is specified in the TPPA screen. 

 

Good luck. 

Thank you very much!