Thursday, September 13, 2018

Operation test of auto guider


I bought late last year, Orion StarShoot AutoGuider
It started late in recent years.
I wrote about the first operation test at that time.

Just keep it mind, but this time Celestron StarSense Auto Align
(Since directional accuracy did not improve in my observation environment, we abandoned it and now it is Not using), polar axis is a test in unadjusted state.


To the 80 mm guide scope on the NexStar 8SE
lens barrelInstalled, Star Shoot Auto Guider















Using PHD 2 Guiding (omitting the work procedure on the way) and clicking the guide star
The star was surrounded by a green guide star box and it looked like the next image image.

(Quoting the screen of PHD Ver.1, before calibration
Of the image. The green crosshair is replaced with yellow)




















After a while, the guide star gradually moves in the direction of the arrow (downward in the screen) with the lapse of time
At the end of the screen I started moving, "I lost sight of the guide star" · · · (like)
An error message was displayed, and it became a state where it can not proceed with the subsequent work.


In the Japanese instruction manual, an article similar to the content when the polar axis adjustment is insufficient is written
There was, but I could not say it at all so I wondered if that hint could be obtained for two people I asked a question.


First, Mr. Oshima's (http://otobs.org/hiki/?Orion%BC%D2%A4%CE%A5%AA%A1%BC%A5%C8%A5%AC%A5%A4%A5%C0%A1%BC) comment ...

It occurs because there is no polar axis than the problem of tracking, so the polar axis is more accurately matchedI think that will be resolved.
However, depending on the position on the celestial sphere, the direction of the polar axis may not be so much influenced even if the polar axis is almost matched, and if the polar axis is roughly matched, it is enough to cover it with the auto guider It is enough that it is enough to be offset. That is, it is OK if it is the speed of correction speed by guider> misalignment due to polar axis misalignment (or deviation due to bad tracking accuracy), is not it?

Also, in Yoshida's (http://ryutao.main.jp/tips_howto31.html )comment ...

During the calibration operation, the guide star moves in red declination and in the direction of red wing.
If you lose sight of the guide star, you think that the selected star is too dark, so why not choose a bright star or lengthen the exposure time. Even if the focus is too weak, you may lose sight of the guide star.


So, the contents of both of you were helpful.
In any case, it is important to actually use the equipment and try various things
I recently mastered how to use the All-Star Polar Alignment function So, from now on it is a challenge on the auto guide.











Confirmation procedure of All-Star Polar Alignment (Part 2)


Also on September 3 from around 20 o'clock, all-star polar alignment procedure actually
I checked it.
I adjusted the tripod slightly westward before starting work.
This time, "Kaus · Australis (1.75 grade)" around "Saturn" and "Nunki (2.05 grade)"
I chose it as the base star.
The first EQ alignment failed, because "Asukera" in the immediate vicinity of "Nunki" was called "Nunki"
Because I thought that work was carried forward, it became an error inconsistent with HC's database.
Redo and complete EQ alignment. Next, the reference star 2 "Kauss and Australis"
Reinstall and synchronize.
Next, in the task of turning the adjustment knob of the wedge by adjusting the mount, the advanced knob
To the direction of higher declination, the direction knob also rotated to the azimuth of the east in the east, the polar axis deviates
It is that.
After completing polar axis alignment, when Mars was introduced automatically, almost eyepiece
I could grasp it within the field of view, but in order to automatically introduce it at the center of the eyepiece
I think there is still room for improvement in introduction accuracy.
After completing the polar axis alignment, it is necessary to re-align the polar axis again
If you select "Display A" from the menu on the urging display screen
It is possible to ascertain the polar error value of the altitude axis and the azimuth axis, but if it is all "0" value
It means that polar axis adjustment is good.





Confirmation procedure of All-Star Polar Alignment (Part 1)


At around 23 o'clock on September 2, although clouds appeared somewhat, all-star polar alignment
I actually checked the procedure.
At this time, the sky bright stars in the south seem to be extremely small.
First, in EQ auto alignment, change the reference star 1 to "Different (2.0 grade)", the reference star 2
We selected "formal hout (1.15 grade)" respectively and completed EQ alignment.
After alignment next time, I have not chosen another star, so the "reference form 2" formal haugh "
Reintroduce and synchronize.
Up to this point it has proceeded smoothly, but with the final adjustment of the mount, the wedge's
Tripling at the time of turning the adjustment knob, of which it disappeared from the field of view of the eyepiece.
Thinking back later, it seems that the adjustment knob was coarse.
After all, I finished without correct confirmation of polar axis adjustment.










Polar axis adjustment with All-Star Polar Alignment (ASPS) function


All-Star Polar Alignment (ASPA) on NexStar SE 8 (wedge equipped)
Using the All-Star Polar Alignment function, execute the polar axis adjustment procedure
I tried to summarize themselves.





















【Procedure】

① To display the alignment method in HC, press ENTER and "EQ Northern Hemisphere Alignment"
     Select and press ENTER.

② Enter the time, standard time (time zone), date and press ENTER.

③ Select "EQ auto alignment" and press ENTER to display the index mark of the gantry
   There is an instruction to match, and press ENTER in combination.

④ There is an instruction to check meridian, turn the lens barrel in that direction and
     press ENTER.

⑤ As you are urged to select the base star 1, you will face the star.

⑥ Enter the reference star into the viewfinder scope, press ENTER, and press the eyepiece
    Take the center and press ALIGN.

⑦ Next, because you are urged to select the second base star 2, select that star and,
     like the above ⑥ Execute, "EQ alignment completed" is displayed and this is OK.

From here all-Star Polar Alignment function.

⑧ Since it did not do anything after EQ alignment completion, it is introduced to the
    last reference star.
   (We will introduce stars that are not close to the horizon or heavenly North Pole in advance.)

⑨ Press ALIGN to select "Polar Axis Alignment", then "Alignment Mount"
    As you select it, the star you introduced automatically at the end (in the case of the
    present, the last base star 2) is displayed Put it in the viewfinder scope and press ENTER
    and catch it in the center of the eyepiece Press ALIGN to display "Synchronized", press ENTER.

⑩ Then the mount will move slightly, indicating "Start polar axis setup procedure"
     So press ENTER.

⑪ Since the instructions to urge the adjustment of the mount are given, use only the wedge
    adjustment knob (Do not use the HC arrow button) Place the star on the eyepiece center of
    the view field and press ENTER And complete.

Actually, I recently learned about this all-star polar alignment function.
Of course, it is not listed in the instruction manual when purchasing NexStar SE8.
My observation environment is southward so we can do general polar axis adjustment on the so-called North Star
Because it is not, it can be said that it is a very convenient function.
I would like to actually confirm the above execution procedure later.


I am grateful to Mr. Michael_Swanson and Erlangさん(Japanese) for their advice.