9 replies to this topic

[PIEJr]

Struggling with ASTAP for Months and Months now, I may have hit on the right fix for my situation.

I hunted down and removed everything I could find downloaded or referring to ASTAP, and also ASCOM.

Satisfied I had all the buggers blown out the fan in a green cloud, I did a final sweep for things related to, and then restarted my mount laptop to dust off anything remaining.

Even in my download folder. Nothing, zilch, naddah, cleaned.

 

Then when rebooted and ready, I did a fresh download of ASCOM 7.0.2 and installed it. Appeared to be normal.

Then a fresh download of ASTAP from Han at hnsky, Program (v2025.04.30). And installed it, set NINA to use ASTAP with ASPS as my back-up in case ASTAP were to go nuts again.

Then waited for the night to come (Finally a clear night!). 

Chose Markarian's Chain, centered on the Great Galactic Face (NGC4387) (I wanted a "Bullseye)

 

Finally, it was dark enough. And NINA with the "New and Improved" ASTAP finally worked like it did before 47 1/2 ill conceived "update's" came along.

 

Thank You Han for finally fixing ASTAP, Yet, again.

 

(I realize it has been but a single night. Here's to hoping it continues tonight. Cheers!)

 

Edit In:

Using the D50 catalog for Windows. An important tip for anybody fighting the same jakey corrupt updates inflicted on ASTAP.

You guys using fake operating systems should note Han has you covered for your own versions down the page. (Linux or Macaroni)

Keep your fingers out of the pie.

Edited by PIEJr, 09 May 2025 - 01:55 PM.

[PIEJr]

OK, so far ASTAP is working as ASTAP normally does, with one exception.

It is requiring special attention in NINA. I seem to have to go into NINA Options, Plate Solving, select ASTAP and set where ASTAP is located (Programs, ASTAP) in order to get it to function in NINA.

Seems anytime I select an object, Plate Solving cannot work without me taking this action. It did work the first night after installing ASTAP.

But now several nights later it requires this special attention. So odd.

 

Today I did the update to NINA to see if that helps.

[dx_ron]

 

You guys using fake operating systems should note Han has you covered for your own versions down the page. (Linux or Macaroni)

Keep your fingers out of the pie.

It seems weird to see recurring posts about plate-solving problems in Windows. The built-in solver in Ekos is rock solid. Solves in less time than it takes to download the image from the camera. I never need to give it a second thought.

 

I assume, obviously, that I have just jinxed myself...

[PIEJr]

It seems weird to see recurring posts about plate-solving problems in Windows. The built-in solver in Ekos is rock solid. Solves in less time than it takes to download the image from the camera. I never need to give it a second thought.

 

I assume, obviously, that I have just jinxed myself...

Naw, probably not Ron. 

But Ekos (E chaos? Electronic Chaos?) Doesn't work with Winderz and NINA from what I found. It's an Indi thang, Ubunto.

 

The biggest problem with Windows is its updates. They seem to relish in jamming up non-windows programs (especially third party astro) drivers.

Believe me, I've considered alternatives. During my research and development period, I looked into the programs for astro application and found almost all of them 11 years ago were based in the Windows platform.

Reason I was looking at that side of things was if Apple or another OS would have been better for me, I was willing to switch.

But Windows, by far, had more apps written compatible with it.

Also, many business applications, banking for example, are Windows based. If I jammed some Johnny-come-lately OS into my computer my wife, who is versed in Apple IOS, would not be able to borrow my computer to do her banking.

Talk about madder than a wet hen! Her iPads don't work for our banking. So we set her up on my Windows compooter.

 

I don't know how many fingers are in the ASTAP programing pie, but every since they began trying to make it Apple and other OS compatible downloading updates is a pretty intimidating undertaking. It jams up a working ASTAP often.

Then a day or two later another update to try and fix what the other update messed up. And it goes into a looping update to fix the updates released to fix the updates the updates jammed up.

 

But han.k released a version he repaired called 2025-04-30. He personally repaired it to get rid of the rising problems the previous updates had caused. When I discovered that, I stripped everything and anything related to my non-working ASTAP in NINA, then installed that version and the D50 Star database. So far, so good (with a couple of hiccup's I'm sorting out. NINA related.)

Last night was perfection, no belches. And it centered flawlessly on my selected obscure target in deep space. The Swelling Spiral Galaxy. Something I'd never done before, so I figured why not?

But how well centered ASTAP comes up with, usually dead centered, tells me how it is doing, and the speed ASTAP works at for me is phenominominal. When it is right. And it was right as rain last night. Beautiful set of images. Dead centered on both sides of the meridian flip.

 

But I'm quite update gun-shy anymore. I get too many buggy updates.

And for the above reasons I'm not apt to go trying any off brand OS anytime soon.

 

Now we are both Jinxed. 

[dx_ron]

Naw, probably not Ron. 

But Ekos (E chaos? Electronic Chaos?) Doesn't work with Winderz and NINA from what I found. It's an Indi thang, Ubunto.

 

Also, many business applications, banking for example, are Windows based.

Nope - doesn't work with Windows. That's OK, I have plenty of Windows computers. Certainly does not work with NINA, because it's what one might use instead of NINA. They're pretty much 100% equally capable (though apparently Ekos has the advantage when it comes to plate-solving ). Like NINA, it is a collaborative open-source work maintained by volunteers. Bugs do creep in with updates sometimes. At least with linux, The Man does not take over your computer in the middle of the night to update the O/S and reboot.

 

If I ever start banking from my scope-side mini-pc, please take away all of my toys, because I will have become senile.

[PIEJr]

Nope - doesn't work with Windows. That's OK, I have plenty of Windows computers. Certainly does not work with NINA, because it's what one might use instead of NINA. They're pretty much 100% equally capable (though apparently Ekos has the advantage when it comes to plate-solving ). Like NINA, it is a collaborative open-source work maintained by volunteers. Bugs do creep in with updates sometimes. At least with linux, The Man does not take over your computer in the middle of the night to update the O/S and reboot.

 

If I ever start banking from my scope-side mini-pc, please take away all of my toys, because I will have become senile.

Oh, I learned to keep my updates under control, and if the slip me a micky I remove the "update" and salvage my computer.

I good friend I worked with was a Linux fan from the start. That was way back when Windows was becoming Winderz and making their desktop look like ... Apple-esk. With characters, instead of the plain vanilla folders and such.

I held off from that for as long as I could.

 

Actually, my laptop, my first laptop in 2006, we got to have a PC for traveling. Not until later did I venture to use it as a mount computer, too.

My present laptop is also a dual purpose computer.

My life is a duality. Anything I buy has to serve at least two possible functions.

 

I could easily wipe my laptop and dedicate it to Linux and mount only use. If I could stomach the characters. 

To each his own. Our mileages vary.   

[TDPerry]

Actually, my laptop, my first laptop in 2006, we got to have a PC for traveling. Not until later did I venture to use it as a mount computer, too.

My present laptop is also a dual purpose computer.

My life is a duality. Anything I buy has to serve at least two possible functions.

 

I could easily wipe my laptop and dedicate it to Linux and mount only use. If I could stomach the characters. 

To each his own. Our mileages vary.   

Personally... I have a Mac Mini (2012 era) that I do most of my desktop stuff on.  I really prefer not to sit outside with my computer in the middle of winter or during mosquito season to do captures so that's why I use a mini PC attached to them.

And for the cost of around 15 Starbucks latte's you can grab a decent one that allows use of either Windows/N.I.N.A. or Linux/Kstars/Indi/Ekos.

 

I use this one for my little FMA180 Pro/EQ6R rig.

https://www.amazon.c...t/dp/B0CNVQVX8D

I did a review of mine here.

Another use did a review of the SZBox N100 here.  It is the same computer rebranded and can be found on AliExpress under that name frequently.

[dx_ron]

Oh, I learned to keep my updates under control, and if the slip me a micky I remove the "update" and salvage my computer.

I good friend I worked with was a Linux fan from the start. That was way back when Windows was becoming Winderz and making their desktop look like ... Apple-esk. With characters, instead of the plain vanilla folders and such.

I held off from that for as long as I could.

 

Actually, my laptop, my first laptop in 2006, we got to have a PC for traveling. Not until later did I venture to use it as a mount computer, too.

My present laptop is also a dual purpose computer.

My life is a duality. Anything I buy has to serve at least two possible functions.

 

I could easily wipe my laptop and dedicate it to Linux and mount only use. If I could stomach the characters. 

To each his own. Our mileages vary.   

I have zero interest in trying to convince you to switch to linux and Ekos. NINA is every bit as capable (well, excepting maybe plate-solving ), so why should you expend the mental energy to learn a new way of doing the same things?

 

And if using a laptop works for you - awesome. (you have the luxury of living in climate-controlled SoCal) But you have now made me curious what are the second functions for your Pegasus Astro gear...

[PIEJr]

Personally... I have a Mac Mini (2012 era) that I do most of my desktop stuff on.  I really prefer not to sit outside with my computer in the middle of winter or during mosquito season to do captures so that's why I use a mini PC attached to them.

And for the cost of around 15 Starbucks latte's you can grab a decent one that allows use of either Windows/N.I.N.A. or Linux/Kstars/Indi/Ekos.

 

I use this one for my little FMA180 Pro/EQ6R rig.

https://www.amazon.c...t/dp/B0CNVQVX8D

I did a review of mine here.

Another use did a review of the SZBox N100 here.  It is the same computer rebranded and can be found on AliExpress under that name frequently.

Hello Mr. Perry,

I'm right there with you about my creature comforts. I run my laptop with Tight Vnc from indoors. But with my fully functioning laptop w/display, I have full function on both ends of my walk about.

I really missed that when running (OK, trying desperately to run) my NUC attempt.

I need the ability to see what is coming in out at my mount. And sometimes I like to just sit out there to watch things run.

But I've really spoiled myself over this Winter/Spring by getting things running, then going to bed to wake up to a full folder of successful images.

So far ASTAP has been running fine for...3 nights now?

My wife learned on an Apple computer, so she is very Apple-esk. I learned on Windows machines. And, LOL, She has an iPhone, iPad. I'm all PC.

 

I have zero interest in trying to convince you to switch to linux and Ekos. NINA is every bit as capable (well, excepting maybe plate-solving ), so why should you expend the mental energy to learn a new way of doing the same things?

 

And if using a laptop works for you - awesome. (you have the luxury of living in climate-controlled SoCal) But you have now made me curious what are the second functions for your Pegasus Astro gear...

Probably best. This old dog is not apt to begin learning new tricks. I just want to lay around on the porch, or in my bed at night and let the equipment do the work.

NINA offers 6 different plate solvers it works with. I started out using Astrometry.net. Doesn't need any star libraries on board, but it works online. I was happy, but the Internet lag was pretty awful at times. Never did like standing in line.

 

Then I tried ASTAP and holy-Hanna!  I found out what I was missing speed wise. So I became an ASTAP convert. In spite of housing a lay about massive star catalog.

Dwight uses All Sky Plate Solver. I asked him about it and he likes it, so I tried it and it worked OK for me. And I used it as my back-up plan, still do. ASPS has gotten me through many nights. So I'm settled in with ASTAP as my Plate solver, And ASPS as my blind solver if ASTAP gets constipated.

As long as certain individuals keep their fingers out of it, then Han-K doesn't have to fix it.

Times do change, and so has my router and laptop, so maybe Astrometry.net would work faster now than it did way back when.

But I've outgrown the tinkering stage. It used to be necessary, but not anymore. Just work, get me to my chosen destination, let's cruse. 

I think I might have blocked the ASTAP update emails. So they can't see me as long as I keep my head buried.

 

Born and raised here in in So Cal. But lived plenty of years other places. Enough to want to be where I am.

I did try the mini-computer route when it was all the craze. But I about wore a path through the tile without a display at both ends. And my WiFi of then really sucked.

When my first laptop went belly-up, the Intel NUC's were all the rage. But it would drop out a lot. I figured it must have had something to do with living inside a Faraday cage.

So got a 2-in-one tablet. 10" screen and a keyboard. Woo-Hoo!

Finally, my router, which had been a good one in its day, let its smoke all out. So, new router. Wow, it worked much better. Finally my world outgrew the tablet so it got replaced with my present Laptop.

Between the new router, and the new computer, things got to working very well.

And so far so good.

 

Thank You Gentlemen! 

[rgsalinger]

I've been using NINA and ASTAP for 3 years across the 6 imaging systems (three runs last night alone) that I have access to. In all that time I have never ever had to set the ASTAP folder location more than once. Ignorance of how computers actually work is one of the big problems people have with the NINA bundle, for sure.

 

In 15 years of imaging, only one Windows update has ever been shown to cause problems with astronomy software. 

 

However, if you don't like windows then get one of the ZWO smart cameras and an AM5N mount. Bingo and imaging system that can be used up to 1 meter of focal length for around 5K USD and no windows necessary.