20 replies to this topic

[Sternicus]

Okay new post with details added. Is anyone able to help me out with PHD2 and my AM5, I am getting the following error: “RA calibration failed, not enough movmemebt detected in star”

 

Asi220mm
WO FLT91 mainscope (430mm focal length with .8x reducer)
WO Uniguide 50mm (200mm focal length)
Guide rate 0.5x in ASI Mount
0.5s exposures
Camera gain 85
Calibration step 2000ms
RA Aggressiveness 45% and 1000ms max duration
Dec 50% aggressiveness and 1500ms max
I can see tons of stars, and it’s in focus
Correct camera is being used and I am using the “ZWO USBST4 ASCOM” option in the connect equipment tab

[Dynan]

Can you post a guide/calibration log?

 

Are you calibrating at Celestial Equator and Meridian?

 

Try using Pulse instead of ST4...it's an old tech.

[Sternicus]

Where is pulse in PHD2 can you please show me a screenshot?

Also, I cannot get any logs guiding does not start it just fails at that RA calibration step.

Another user suggested upping tracking speed to .7x for the AM5N

[Sternicus]

All I did was slew to a couple targets and tried to get guiding going. This is a new setup for me. I tried at HorseHead and m45 but no dice on guiding at all

[Dynan]

Pulse guiding is done when you connect your guide scope to the computer through a USB connection. The ST4 is a different animal.

 

Connect with USB (2.0 is fine). Go to the Celestial Eq / Meridian and try calibrating again.

 

Go here and RTM.

 

EDIT: You'll also be prompted for the tracking speed, which on my iOptron mounts is usually 0.50 Sidereal. Adjust there if needed, but I've never used anything else on all my mounts.

Edited by Dynan, 18 February 2025 - 08:35 AM.

[Sternicus]

It is connected via usb. Can you please let me know which option to choose for the connection in PHD2?

[Celerondon]

We can see from your signature line that you own an ASIAIR and the equivalent list in your original post gives us an idea of the equipment that you are using.  However, this problem seems fundamental enough to require more details about your setup.  You mentioned PHD settings but you list an ASIAIR and no PC among your equipment. 

 

• Are you using that ASIAIR to control the cameras and mount of your setup?
• Do you have the ST-4 connections on your equipment connected?
• Which cables are you using to connect your equipment to your controller, ASIAIR or otherwise?
• Which ports and adapters did you use for your connections? (In particular, what is connected to your mount?)
• If you used your ASIAIR, did you specify those focal lengths that you listed for your main and guide scopes or did you use “0” in the focal length fields of your equipment setup dialog to force the ASIAIR to calculate its own focal lengths?
• Is plate solving working for your main telescope and camera combination?
• Does the polar alignment routine run successfully for your main telescope and camera combination?
• Where was the mount and equipment package aimed when guiding calibration failed?  (Was it aimed away from the celestial pole?)     

Don

[Sternicus]

Forget the ASIAIR

[Sternicus]

This is in PHD2 via NINA

[Dynan]

Again, RTM (Read the Manual, which I rarely do, causing my early headaches). 

 

Page 7 is explicit on how to connect and create an equipment Profile. It's difficult to make mistakes, especially if you use the New Profile Wizard.

 

Reset to Default by stopping the 'looping', and then clicking the 'Brain' icon and Choosing "Reset Configuration". Then PHD2 will restart offering the Setup Wizard.

 

 

 

 

Also, after a good calibration, use the Guiding Assistant when you've slewed to your target. Run it according to instructions.

 

It's all in the manual. This is independent of your capture program. I use SPG, but should work in NINA. (I don't use NINA, so someone may point out any differences in NINA.)

 

CS!

Edited by Dynan, 18 February 2025 - 09:02 AM.

[Sternicus]

Again, RTM (Read the Manual, which I rarely do, causing my early headaches). 

 

Page 7 is explicit on how to connect and create an equipment Profile. It's difficult to make mistakes, especially if you use the New Profile Wizard.

 

Reset to Default by stopping the 'looping', and then clicking the 'Brain' icon and Choosing "Reset Configuration". Then PHD2 will restart offering the Setup Wizard.

 

Brain.jpg

 

 

PHD2 Reset.jpg

 

Also, after a good calibration, use the Guiding Assistant when you've slewed to your target. Run it according to instructions.

 

It's all in the manual.

 

CS!

Perfect. I’ll try that, thank you

[Dynan]

Manuals...the bane of Mankind. But Womankind usually reads them.

[Dynan]

Be sure you calibrate at the Celestial Equator and Meridian...or just barely west of meridian so you don't get a Meridian Flip while you're calibrating.

[klangwolke]

Up the tracking speed, it looks like you are using an ASIAIR, that option is in the mount menu.

[Sternicus]

Up the tracking speed, it looks like you are using an ASIAIR, that option is in the mount menu.

I am not using ASIAIR, that does not have equipment connection options

[Sternicus]

I will upping tracking speed

[Dynan]

Use the tracking speed offered by the Wizard first. I've never had a tracking speed problem when doing so. Mine gets set at 0.50 celestial and never been a problem.

[Sternicus]

Okay cool. I’ll reset and work within certain parameters outlined above

[Kevin_A]

Am5 mount is a 0.5X guide rate, use 1250ms calibration step size, not 2000ms, and do not use ST4… hook the camera usb and mount usb directly into your computer and find the zwo guide camera driver. 

Edited by Kevin_A, 18 February 2025 - 02:02 PM.

[Celerondon]

Am5 mount is a 0.5X guide rate, use 1500ms calibration step size, not 2000ms, and do not use ST4… hook the camera usb directly into your computer and find the zwo guide camera driver. 

Are these ports connected, OP?

 

Don

[Kevin_A]

Are these ports connected, OP?

 

Don

Some people plug the st4 from the camera into the st4 port of the mount but I never use ST4 now unless I am using a simple Star Adventurer mount with their own App. Ascom handles calibration options better. I use asiair now on my main rigs, but if not then I just pluged both camera and mount usb cables directly into my laptop if I remember correctly and let ascom do its thing. The usb port will have to be assigned to the mount if phd2 does not see it. Then just open phd2 and set up the camera and mount. Using Ascom is better that way as you do not have to recalibrate guiding for every target after you calibrate near the meridian in the south just once. 
Correct me if I am wrong, as I could be totally out to lunch as it has been so long since I have used phd2! Haha

Edited by Kevin_A, 18 February 2025 - 04:49 PM.