Autoguider All Over The Place! (Sample images attached)

[Rickvanman]

After a 2 month wait, we finally got some clear slies last night so I had a chance to finally try out the Orion Starshoot autoguider.

Sadly, I spent a long and very frustrating night just trying to get the darn thing to guide properly, but wihout success.  I was getting great tracking results from my HEQ5pro mount on its own, round stars on any exposures up to about 30 seconds, but as soon as I engaged the tracking scope, it was driving it all over the place  (see attached pics).

I'm using the 50mm guidescope that comes in the "Orion Magnificent Mini" kit, and I made sure to enter the correct focal length (which I believe is 162mm) into the PHD2 software (not 50mm as I've read others have accidentally done ). 

There was zero wind last night, so I can't really blame that. Everything seemed to be done-up tight, although I have just started using the HEQ5pro extension tube to avoid tripod leg collisions, which together with the Explore Scientific AR152 refractor scope, does make for a very tall setup, but I think I can discount that because it still tracks really well without the autoguider engaged.

A lot of the PHD2 tools and controls are a bit of an alien language to me, but I spent most of the night trying various settings and running some of the built in tools and following the reccomendataion, but to no avail, not even a slight improvement.

Does anyone have any ideas how to get this autoguider to work?  Would really apprciate any pointers - ideally without abbreviations, as they'll just make my brain hurt even more that it already does

Much thanks in advance.

 

 

 

 

[MARS1960]

I can't help with PHD i'm afraid, but that looks like it could be a dithering pattern.

[alacant]

19 minutes ago, Rickvanman said:

Would really apprciate any pointers

Hi. I'd guess the calibration is wrong but can't say because I don't know how the camera is connected. I can see two cables going to the guide camera but can't see their other ends. Without the guide log it's gonna be hard to diagnose. More detail and the log would help us to help. Cheers.

[Craney]

Oh dear....  attack of the Space Staples.... Hope you get it sorted....     I'm liking the observing chair..

[Rickvanman]

1 hour ago, alacant said:

Hi. I'd guess the calibration is wrong but can't say because I don't know how the camera is connected. I can see two cables going to the guide camera but can't see their other ends. Without the guide log it's gonna be hard to diagnose. More detail and the log would help us to help. Cheers.

It's a USB lead going to the PC (printer USB cable type) and then a phone-type lead running from the camera to the mount.  I'll have a look and see if any guide logs were made automatically.

[alacant]

1 minute ago, Rickvanman said:

if any guide logs were made

If you're using Windows, they're in Documents\PHD2 

HTH.

[newbie alert]

Interested in this too as my guiding graph was pretty flat but it wasn't partially good on the stars

[Rickvanman]

7 minutes ago, alacant said:

If you're using Windows, they're in Documents\PHD2 

HTH.

Ah, yes, found them - thanks.    There are a whole bunch of logs and I'm not sure exactly which log relates to the example photo as the file timestamps are not matching up with the photos taken, but the behaviour patterns of the autoguider were pretty consistent throughout the session.

Below I've pasted one of the shorter logs. Appreciate any insights

Thanks again

 

 

19:03:33.665 00.003 4836 PHD2 version 2.6.3 begins execution with:
19:03:33.665 00.000 4836    wxWidgets 3.0.2
19:03:33.665 00.000 4836    cfitsio 3.37
19:03:33.665 00.000 4836 CoInitializeEx returns 1
19:03:33.665 00.000 4836 Using Locale Dir C:\Program Files (x86)\PHDGuiding2\locale exists=1
19:03:33.665 00.000 4836 GetInt("/wxLanguage", 0) returns 0
19:03:33.762 00.097 4836 Removed 8 files of pattern: PHD2_DebugLog*.txt
19:03:33.763 00.001 4836 GetString("/frame/LogDir", "") returns ""
19:03:33.763 00.000 4836 GetInt("/currentProfile", 0) returns 1
19:03:33.765 00.002 4836 reset dither spiral
19:03:33.766 00.001 4836 StartWorkerThread(0x00000000) begins
19:03:33.766 00.000 4836 WorkerThread constructor called
19:03:33.766 00.000 4836 StartWorkerThread(0x0016E750) ends
19:03:33.766 00.000 4836 StartWorkerThread(0x00000000) begins
19:03:33.766 00.000 4836 WorkerThread constructor called
19:03:33.766 00.000 3600 WorkerThread::Entry() begins
19:03:33.766 00.000 4836 StartWorkerThread(0x0016EBD8) ends
19:03:33.766 00.000 3600 worker thread CoInitializeEx returns 0
19:03:33.766 00.000 5284 WorkerThread::Entry() begins
19:03:33.766 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/ServerMode", 1) returns 1
19:03:33.767 00.001 5284 worker thread CoInitializeEx returns 0
19:03:33.767 00.000 4836 GetInt("/LoggedImageFormat", 0) returns 0
19:03:33.802 00.035 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/NoiseReductionMethod", 0) returns 0
19:03:33.802 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/DitherScaleFactor", 1.000000) returns 1.000000
19:03:33.802 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/DitherRaOnly", 0) returns 0
19:03:33.802 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/DitherMode", 0) returns 0
19:03:33.802 00.000 4836 set dither mode 0
19:03:33.803 00.001 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/frame/timeLapse", 0) returns 0
19:03:33.803 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/StarMinHFD", 0.000000) returns 0.000000
19:03:33.803 00.000 4836 Setting StarMinHFD = 0.00
19:03:33.803 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/AutoLoadCalibration", -1) returns -1
19:03:33.803 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/frame/focalLength", 0) returns 162
19:03:33.804 00.001 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/auto_exp/exposure_min", 1000) returns 1000
19:03:33.804 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/auto_exp/exposure_max", 5000) returns 5000
19:03:33.804 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/auto_exp/target_snr", 6.000000) returns 40.900000
19:03:33.804 00.000 4836 AutoExp: config min = 1000 max = 5000 snr = 40.90
19:03:33.804 00.000 4836 AutoExp: reset exp to 5000
19:03:33.804 00.000 4836 GetString("/profile/1/ExposureDuration", "1.0 s") returns "3.5 s"
19:03:33.804 00.000 4836 OnExposureDurationSelected: duration = 3500
19:03:33.805 00.001 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/Gamma", 100) returns 65
19:03:33.805 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/ImageLogger/LogFramesOverThreshRel", 0) returns 0
19:03:33.805 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/ImageLogger/LogFramesOverThreshPx", 0) returns 0
19:03:33.805 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/ImageLogger/LogFramesDropped", 0) returns 0
19:03:33.805 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/ImageLogger/ErrorThreshRel", 4.000000) returns 4.000000
19:03:33.805 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/ImageLogger/ErrorThreshPx", 4.000000) returns 4.000000
19:03:33.805 00.000 4836 ImgLogger: Settings Log Rel=0,0.00 Log Px=0,0.00 LogFrameDrop=0
19:03:33.807 00.002 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/overlay/slit/center.x", 376) returns 376
19:03:33.807 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/overlay/slit/center.y", 290) returns 290
19:03:33.807 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/overlay/slit/width", 8) returns 8
19:03:33.808 00.001 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/overlay/slit/height", 100) returns 100
19:03:33.808 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/overlay/slit/angle", 0) returns 0
19:03:33.809 00.001 4836 Changing from state 0 to 0
19:03:33.809 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/guider/FastRecenter", 1) returns 1
19:03:33.809 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/guider/ScaleImage", 1) returns 1
19:03:33.809 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/guider/onestar/MassChangeThreshold", 0.500000) returns 0.500000
19:03:33.809 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/guider/onestar/MassChangeThresholdEnabled", 1) returns 1
19:03:33.810 00.001 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/guider/onestar/SearchRegion", 15) returns 15
19:03:33.810 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/StickyLockPosition", 0) returns 0
19:03:33.810 00.000 4836 GetString("/geometry", "") returns "0;800;600;2601;137"
19:03:33.825 00.015 4836 GetInt("/graph/ScopeOrCameraUnits", 0) returns 0
19:03:33.825 00.000 4836 GetString("/graph/RAColor", "") returns "#6464FF"
19:03:33.825 00.000 4836 GetString("/graph/DecColor", "") returns "#FF0000"
19:03:33.825 00.000 4836 GetInt("/graph/minLength", 50) returns 50
19:03:33.826 00.001 4836 GetInt("/graph/maxLength", 400) returns 400
19:03:33.826 00.000 4836 GetInt("/graph/minHeight", 1) returns 1
19:03:33.826 00.000 4836 GetInt("/graph/maxHeight", 16) returns 16
19:03:33.826 00.000 4836 GetInt("/graph/length", 100) returns 100
19:03:33.826 00.000 4836 GetInt("/graph/height", 4) returns 4
19:03:33.826 00.000 4836 GetInt("graph/HeightUnits", 1) returns 1
19:03:33.827 00.001 4836 GetBoolean("/graph/showCorrections", 1) returns 1
19:03:33.827 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/graph/showStarMass", 0) returns 0
19:03:33.827 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/graph/showStarSNR", 0) returns 0
19:03:33.845 00.018 4836 GetInt("/graph_stepguider/length", 1) returns 1
19:03:33.846 00.001 4836 GetInt("/target/length", 100) returns 100
19:03:33.846 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/target/zoom", 1.000000) returns 1.000000
19:03:33.850 00.004 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/target/refCircleEnabled", 0) returns 0
19:03:33.850 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/target/refCircleRadius", 2.000000) returns 2.000000
19:03:34.118 00.268 4836 GetString("/profile/1/name", "") returns "rick2"
19:03:34.119 00.001 4836 GetString("/profile/2/name", "") returns "ricks starshoot"
19:03:34.122 00.003 4836 GetString("/profile/1/name", "") returns "rick2"
19:03:34.125 00.003 4836 Error thrown from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\cam_ascomlate.cpp:389->ASCOM Camera: could not instantiate ASCOM profile class
19:03:34.144 00.019 4836 Error thrown from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\scope_ascom.cpp:97->ASCOM Scope: could not instantiate ASCOM profile class ASCOM.Utilities.Profile. Is ASCOM installed?
19:03:34.152 00.008 4836 Error thrown from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\scope_ascom.cpp:97->ASCOM Scope: could not instantiate ASCOM profile class ASCOM.Utilities.Profile. Is ASCOM installed?
19:03:34.163 00.011 4836 Error thrown from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\rotator_ascom.cpp:79->ASCOM Rotator: could not instantiate ASCOM profile class ASCOM.Utilities.Profile. Is ASCOM installed?
19:03:34.168 00.005 4836 GetString("/profile/1/camera/LastMenuchoice", "None") returns "StarShoot Autoguider"
19:03:34.168 00.000 4836 CameraFactory(StarShoot Autoguider)
19:03:34.169 00.001 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/camera/UseSubframes", 0) returns 0
19:03:34.169 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/camera/ReadDelay", 150) returns 150
19:03:34.169 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/camera/gain", 95) returns 95
19:03:34.169 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/camera/TimeoutMs", 15000) returns 15000
19:03:34.169 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/camera/pixelsize", 0.000000) returns 5.200000
19:03:34.169 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/camera/binning", 1) returns 1
19:03:34.169 00.000 4836 Created new camera of type StarShoot Autoguider = 065A9C08
19:03:34.169 00.000 4836 GetString("/profile/1/scope/LastMenuChoice", "None") returns "On-camera"
19:03:34.170 00.001 4836 ScopeFactory(On-camera)
19:03:34.170 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/scope/CalibrationDuration", 750) returns 1850
19:03:34.170 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/scope/MaxRaDuration", 2500) returns 8000
19:03:34.170 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/scope/MaxDecDuration", 2500) returns 2500
19:03:34.170 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/scope/DecGuideMode", 1) returns 1
19:03:34.170 00.000 4836 DecGuideMode set to Auto (1)
19:03:34.171 00.001 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/scope/XGuideAlgorithm", 1) returns 1
19:03:34.171 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/scope/GuideAlgorithm/X/Hysteresis/minMove", 0.200000) returns 0.170000
19:03:34.171 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/scope/GuideAlgorithm/X/Hysteresis/hysteresis", 0.100000) returns 0.100000
19:03:34.171 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/scope/GuideAlgorithm/X/Hysteresis/aggression", 0.700000) returns 0.700000
19:03:34.172 00.001 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/scope/YGuideAlgorithm", 4) returns 4
19:03:34.172 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/scope/GuideAlgorithm/Y/ResistSwitch/minMove", 0.200000) returns 0.170000
19:03:34.172 00.000 4836 GuideAlgorithmResistSwitch::SetMinMove() returns 0, m_minMove=0.17
19:03:34.172 00.000 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/scope/GuideAlgorithm/Y/ResistSwitch/aggression", 1.000000) returns 1.000000
19:03:34.172 00.000 4836 GuideAlgorithmResistSwitch::SetAggression() returns 0, m_aggression=1.00
19:03:34.172 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/scope/GuideAlgorithm/Y/ResistSwitch/fastSwitch", 1) returns 1
19:03:34.172 00.000 4836 GuideAlgorithmResistSwitch::SetFastSwitchEnabled(1)
19:03:34.173 00.001 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/scope/CalFlipRequiresDecFlip", 0) returns 0
19:03:34.173 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/scope/AssumeOrthogonal", 0) returns 0
19:03:34.173 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/scope/UseDecComp", 1) returns 1
19:03:34.173 00.000 4836 GetInt("/profile/1/scope/DecBacklashPulse", 0) returns 50
19:03:34.173 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/scope/BacklashCompEnabled", 0) returns 1
19:03:34.174 00.001 4836 BLC: Backlash compensation is enabled with correction = 50 ms
19:03:34.174 00.000 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/scope/StopGuidingWhenSlewing", 0) returns 0
19:03:34.174 00.000 4836 Scope: slew check disabled
19:03:34.174 00.000 4836 Created new scope of type On-camera = 06584730
19:03:34.174 00.000 4836 GetString("/profile/1/scope/LastAuxMenuChoice", "None") returns "None"
19:03:34.174 00.000 4836 ScopeFactory(None)
19:03:34.174 00.000 4836 Created new aux scope of type None = 00000000
19:03:34.174 00.000 4836 Throw from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\gear_dialog.cpp:1142->OnAuxChoiceScope: m_pAuxScope == NULL
19:03:34.175 00.001 4836 GetString("/profile/1/stepguider/LastMenuChoice", "None") returns "None"
19:03:34.175 00.000 4836 StepGuiderFactory(None)
19:03:34.175 00.000 4836 Created new stepguider of type None = 00000000
19:03:34.175 00.000 4836 Throw from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\gear_dialog.cpp:1341->OnChoiceStepGuider: m_pStepGuider == NULL
19:03:34.175 00.000 4836 GetString("/profile/1/rotator/LastMenuChoice", "None") returns "None"
19:03:34.175 00.000 4836 RotatorFactory(None)
19:03:34.175 00.000 4836 Created new Rotator of type None = 00000000
19:03:34.175 00.000 4836 Throw from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\gear_dialog.cpp:1456->OnChoiceRotator: m_pRotator == NULL
19:03:34.179 00.004 4836 GetString("/profile/1/name", "") returns "rick2"
19:03:34.190 00.011 4836 starting server
19:03:34.192 00.002 4836 event server started, listening on port 4400
19:03:34.192 00.000 4836 Server started, listening on port 4300
19:03:34.192 00.000 4836 Status Line: Server started
19:03:34.194 00.002 4836 GetString("/perspective", "") returns "layout2|name=MainToolBar;caption=Main tool bar;state=2106108;dir=3;layer=10;row=0;pos=0;prop=100000;bestw=506;besth=42;minw=-1;minh=-1;maxw=-1;maxh=-1;floatx=-1;floaty=-1;floatw=-1;floath=-1|name=Guider;caption=Guider;state=256;dir=5;layer=0;row=0;pos=0;prop=100000;bestw=640;besth=512;minw=640;minh=512;maxw=-1;maxh=-1;floatx=-1;floaty=-1;floatw=-1;floath=-1|name=GraphLog;caption=History;state=2099198;dir=4;layer=0;row=0;pos=0;prop=100000;bestw=534;besth=233;minw=-1;minh=-1;maxw=-1;maxh=-1;floatx=-1;floaty=-1;floatw=-1;floath=-1|name=Stats;caption=Guide Stats;state=2099198;dir=3;layer=0;row=0;pos=0;prop=100000;bestw=244;besth=403;minw=-1;minh=240;maxw=-1;maxh=-1;floatx=-1;floaty=-1;floatw=-1;floath=-1|name=AOPosition;caption=AO Position;state=2099198;dir=4;layer=0;row=0;pos=0;prop=100000;bestw=293;besth=207;minw=-1;minh=-1;maxw=-1;maxh=-1;floatx=-1;floaty=-1;floatw=-1;floath=-1|name=Profile;caption=Star Profile;state=2099198;dir=4;layer=0;row=0;pos=0;prop=100000;bestw=20;besth=20;minw=-1;minh=-1;maxw=-1;maxh=-1;floatx=-1;floaty=-1;floatw=-1;floath=-1|name=Target;caption=Target;state=2099198;dir=4;layer=0;row=0;pos=0;prop=100000;bestw=321;besth=207;minw=-1;minh=-1;maxw=-1;maxh=-1;floatx=-1;floaty=-1;floatw=-1;floath=-1|dock_size(5,0,0)=642|dock_size(3,10,0)=44|"
19:03:34.221 00.027 4836 Resizing image to 592,474
19:03:37.939 03.718 4836 Resizing image to 1161,930
19:03:53.779 15.840 4836 Resizing image to 591,474
19:03:56.441 02.662 4836 Resizing image to 1159,930
19:04:29.304 32.863 4836 Status Line: Connecting to Camera ...
19:04:29.306 00.002 4836 GetString("/profile/1/cam_hash/7ea96fc1/whichCamera", "") returns ""
19:04:29.306 00.000 4836 Connecting to camera id = []
19:04:29.306 00.000 4836 Checking SSAG driver version
19:04:29.307 00.001 4836 Found SSAG device USB\VID_1856&PID_0011&REV_0000
19:04:29.307 00.000 4836 SSAG driver version is 3.0.0.0
19:04:29.308 00.001 4836 Loading SSAG dll SSAGIFv4.dll
19:04:29.346 00.038 4836 Unloading SSAG DLL
19:04:29.356 00.010 4836 Throw from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\gear_dialog.cpp:972->DoConnectCamera: connect failed
19:04:29.356 00.000 4836 Status Line: Camera Connect Failed
19:04:29.372 00.016 4836 Connected AO:None
19:04:29.373 00.001 4836 Status Line: Connecting to Mount ...
19:04:29.375 00.002 4836 Error thrown from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\scope_onboard_st4.cpp:78->Attempt to Connect Onboard ST4 mount when host is not connected
19:04:29.379 00.004 4836 Throw from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\gear_dialog.cpp:1180->OnButtonConnectScope: connect failed
19:04:29.380 00.001 4836 Status Line: Mount Connect Failed
19:04:29.384 00.004 4836 Connected AuxScope:None
19:04:29.387 00.003 4836 Connected Rotator:None
19:05:00.184 30.797 4836 Status Line: Connecting to Camera ...
19:05:00.186 00.002 4836 GetString("/profile/1/cam_hash/7ea96fc1/whichCamera", "") returns ""
19:05:00.186 00.000 4836 Connecting to camera id = []
19:05:00.186 00.000 4836 Checking SSAG driver version
19:05:00.187 00.001 4836 No SSAG device was found
19:05:00.187 00.000 4836 Loading SSAG dll SSAGIFv2.dll
19:05:00.188 00.001 4836 Unloading SSAG DLL
19:05:00.188 00.000 4836 Throw from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\gear_dialog.cpp:972->DoConnectCamera: connect failed
19:05:00.188 00.000 4836 Status Line: Camera Connect Failed
19:05:00.194 00.006 4836 Connected AO:None
19:05:00.196 00.002 4836 Status Line: Connecting to Mount ...
19:05:00.197 00.001 4836 Error thrown from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\scope_onboard_st4.cpp:78->Attempt to Connect Onboard ST4 mount when host is not connected
19:05:00.197 00.000 4836 Throw from C:\cygwin\home\agalasso\projects\phd2_b\gear_dialog.cpp:1180->OnButtonConnectScope: connect failed
19:05:00.197 00.000 4836 Status Line: Mount Connect Failed
19:05:00.201 00.004 4836 Connected AuxScope:None
19:05:00.204 00.003 4836 Connected Rotator:None
19:05:17.418 17.214 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/target/refCircleEnabled", 0) returns 0
19:05:17.419 00.001 4836 GetDouble("/profile/1/target/refCircleRadius", 2.000000) returns 2.000000
19:05:17.545 00.126 4836 Resizing image to 1159,930
19:05:17.554 00.009 4836 GetBoolean("/profile/1/ShowDecModeWarning", 1) returns 1
19:05:47.009 29.455 4836 MyFrame::OnClose proceeding
19:05:47.009 00.000 4836 StopCapturing CaptureActive=0 continueCapturing=0 exposurePending=0
19:05:47.009 00.000 4836 StopWorkerThread(0x0016E750) begins
19:05:47.009 00.000 3600 Worker thread wakes up
19:05:47.009 00.000 3600 worker thread servicing REQUEST_TERMINATE
19:05:47.009 00.000 3600 worker thread done servicing request
19:05:47.009 00.000 3600 WorkerThread::Entry() ends
19:05:47.009 00.000 4836 StopWorkerThread() threadExitCode=0
19:05:47.009 00.000 4836 StopWorkerThread(0x0016E750) ends
19:05:47.009 00.000 4836 WorkerThread destructor called
19:05:47.009 00.000 4836 StopWorkerThread(0x0016EBD8) begins
19:05:47.009 00.000 5284 Worker thread wakes up
19:05:47.009 00.000 5284 worker thread servicing REQUEST_TERMINATE
19:05:47.009 00.000 5284 worker thread done servicing request
19:05:47.009 00.000 5284 WorkerThread::Entry() ends
19:05:47.010 00.001 4836 StopWorkerThread() threadExitCode=0
19:05:47.010 00.000 4836 StopWorkerThread(0x0016EBD8) ends
19:05:47.010 00.000 4836 WorkerThread destructor called
19:05:47.010 00.000 4836 Shutdown: forced=0
19:05:47.010 00.000 4836 Shutdown complete
19:05:47.010 00.000 4836 stopping server
19:05:47.010 00.000 4836 event server stopped
19:05:47.010 00.000 4836 Status Line: Server stopped

 

 

 

[Rickvanman]

4 minutes ago, newbie alert said:

Interested in this too as my guiding graph was pretty flat but it wasn't partially good on the stars

 

Wow! what I would give for a chart to look even close to that flatness - mine was flailing about wildly, reaching far off the chart yesterday  

[alacant]

14 minutes ago, Rickvanman said:

one of the shorter log

No, that's the debug log. It tells us you have the SSAG working, one more piece of the puzzle, but a guide log would be better...

[Rickvanman]

8 minutes ago, alacant said:

No, that's the debug log. It tells us you have the SSAG working, one more piece of the puzzle, but a guide log would be better...

Aha! Starting to get the hang of this now - just found a 'guide' log. The document is huge, so I just pasted one of the start/end sessions below. Let me know if you need more.

 

PHD2 version 2.6.3, Log version 2.5. Log enabled at 2017-08-27 21:53:54

Guiding Begins at 2017-08-27 22:53:20
Dither = both axes, Dither scale = 1.000, Image noise reduction = none, Guide-frame time lapse = 2, Server enabled
Pixel scale = 21.45 arc-sec/px, Binning = 1, Focal length = 50 mm
Search region = 15 px, Star mass tolerance = 50.0%
Equipment Profile = ricks starshoot
Camera = StarShoot Autoguider, gain = 95, full size = 1280 x 1024, have dark, dark dur = 1000, no defect map, pixel size = 5.2 um
Exposure = 1000 ms
Mount = On Camera,  connected, guiding enabled, xAngle = 61.1, xRate = 0.501, yAngle = 152.0, yRate = 0.522, parity = ?/?, AuxMount=
X guide algorithm = Hysteresis, Hysteresis = 0.100, Aggression = 0.700, Minimum move = 0.160
Y guide algorithm = Resist Switch, Minimum move = 0.160 Aggression = 100% FastSwitch = enabled
Backlash comp = disabled, pulse = 0 ms
Calibration step = phdlab_placeholder, Max RA duration = 2500, Max DEC duration = 2500, DEC guide mode = Auto
RA Guide Speed = Unknown, Dec Guide Speed = Unknown, Cal Dec = 0.0, Last Cal Issue = None, Timestamp = 05/07/2017 22:19:08
Dec = 0.0 deg, Hour angle = 0.28 hr, Pier side = West, Rotator pos = N/A
Lock position = 812.236, 944.161, Star position = 812.236, 944.161, HFD = 3.62 px
Frame,Time,mount,dx,dy,RARawDistance,DECRawDistance,RAGuideDistance,DECGuideDistance,RADuration,RADirection,DECDuration,DECDirection,XStep,YStep,StarMass,SNR,ErrorCode
1,1.040,"Mount",-0.071,0.087,0.042,0.105,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,181937,74.08,0
2,2.069,"Mount",-0.152,-0.006,-0.079,0.129,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,178022,76.34,0
3,3.105,"Mount",0.022,0.170,0.159,0.065,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,168161,67.22,0
4,4.166,"Mount",-0.042,0.141,0.104,0.106,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,172260,69.73,0
5,5.370,"Mount",-0.078,0.069,0.023,0.102,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,183342,70.28,0
6,6.398,"Mount",-0.125,0.158,0.078,0.187,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,181676,75.59,0
7,7.457,"Mount",0.025,0.013,0.023,-0.015,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,183860,75.61,0
8,8.493,"Mount",0.006,-0.025,-0.019,-0.017,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,163291,65.25,0
9,9.520,"Mount",-0.135,0.136,0.054,0.185,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,171807,70.48,0
10,10.778,"Mount",-0.036,0.206,0.163,0.133,0.102,0.000,204,W,0,,,,180606,73.61,0
11,12.065,"Mount",0.153,0.190,0.240,-0.039,0.158,0.000,316,W,0,,,,163635,68.99,0
12,13.039,"Mount",0.107,0.050,0.096,-0.068,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,166906,68.30,0
13,14.076,"Mount",0.400,-0.163,0.051,-0.429,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,165524,66.21,0
14,15.135,"Mount",0.257,-0.140,0.002,-0.293,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,178180,75.64,0
15,16.385,"Mount",0.217,-0.007,0.099,-0.192,0.000,0.000,0,,0,,,,164066,64.21,0
16,17.755,"Mount",0.189,-0.015,0.078,-0.172,0.000,-0.172,0,,330,N,,,170231,69.85,0
17,19.172,"Mount",0.268,0.019,0.146,-0.223,0.000,-0.223,0,,428,N,,,173485,70.37,0
18,20.811,"Mount",0.307,-0.151,0.016,-0.342,0.000,-0.342,0,,655,N,,,190346,78.11,0
19,22.586,"Mount",0.395,-0.117,0.088,-0.401,0.000,-0.401,0,,769,N,,,175156,68.83,0
20,24.380,"Mount",0.321,-0.293,-0.102,-0.424,0.000,-0.424,0,,813,N,,,190571,77.27,0
21,26.098,"Mount",0.309,-0.223,-0.046,-0.379,0.000,-0.379,0,,727,N,,,190019,73.64,0
22,27.807,"Mount",0.329,-0.192,-0.009,-0.381,0.000,-0.381,0,,730,N,,,175424,73.19,0
23,29.119,"Mount",0.192,0.005,0.097,-0.164,0.000,-0.164,0,,314,N,,,201761,79.24,0
24,30.719,"Mount",0.289,-0.118,0.037,-0.309,0.000,-0.309,0,,592,N,,,188952,78.18,0
25,32.101,"Mount",0.102,-0.234,-0.155,-0.205,0.000,-0.205,0,,393,N,,,193397,78.49,0
26,34.035,"Mount",0.020,-0.448,-0.383,-0.240,-0.241,-0.240,481,E,460,N,,,189130,74.25,0
27,36.073,"Mount",-0.428,-0.670,-0.794,0.038,-0.517,0.000,1031,E,0,,,,185922,72.95,0
28,39.472,"Mount",-0.984,-0.615,-1.014,0.548,-0.675,0.548,1347,E,1050,S,,,186024,79.18,0
29,44.352,"Mount",-2.653,0.314,-1.008,2.458,-0.682,2.458,1362,E,2500,S,,,185271,77.51,0
30,49.356,"Mount",-3.610,0.659,-1.170,3.460,-0.737,3.460,1471,E,2500,S,,,195924,79.40,0
31,53.374,"Mount",-4.336,2.078,-0.278,4.795,-0.227,4.795,453,E,2500,S,,,169542,67.62,0
32,59.415,"Mount",-3.557,4.456,2.179,5.302,1.357,5.302,2500,W,2500,S,,,186087,73.78,0
33,65.411,"Mount",0.065,6.140,5.405,2.996,3.500,2.996,2500,W,2500,S,,,150641,65.60,0
34,70.022,"Mount",3.638,7.488,8.313,0.567,5.482,0.567,2500,W,1087,S,,,178064,71.08,0
35,75.999,"Mount",6.056,7.160,9.196,-1.695,6.177,-1.695,2500,W,2500,N,,,156656,69.93,0
36,82.002,"Mount",8.432,6.490,9.759,-4.089,6.581,-4.089,2500,W,2500,N,,,168936,70.44,0
37,88.003,"Mount",10.748,5.272,9.813,-6.704,6.643,-6.704,2500,W,2500,N,,,192636,73.03,0
38,94.007,"Mount",11.899,2.727,8.142,-8.968,5.595,-8.968,2500,W,2500,N,,,208000,86.62,0
39,100.003,"Mount",12.784,-0.608,5.652,-11.394,3.952,-11.394,2500,W,2500,N,,,182025,74.30,0
40,106.022,"Mount",13.733,-4.221,2.948,-14.013,2.134,-14.013,2500,W,2500,N,,,188635,72.95,0
41,109.522,"Mount",14.028,-7.697,0.049,-15.998,0.000,-15.998,0,,2500,N,,,206475,81.18,0
INFO: Guiding parameter change, RA Max Duration = 8000
42,115.528,"Mount",12.534,-10.914,-3.490,-16.302,-2.199,-16.302,2500,E,2500,N,,,192901,75.07,0
43,127.009,"Mount",8.856,-12.419,-6.586,-13.858,-4.149,-13.858,8000,E,2500,N,,,207262,83.72,0
44,138.507,"Mount",5.624,-13.737,-9.302,-11.710,-6.151,-11.710,8000,E,2500,N,,,155603,65.72,0
INFO: Guiding parameter change, Dec Max Duration = 8000
45,155.487,"Mount",1.778,-15.468,-12.678,-9.234,-8.418,-9.234,8000,E,8000,N,,,163985,74.30,0
46,172.518,"Mount",-1.928,-17.115,-15.912,-6.837,-10.024,-6.837,8000,E,8000,N,,,177530,81.32,0
47,189.525,"Mount",-5.372,-18.640,-18.913,-4.607,-12.617,-4.607,8000,E,8000,N,,,196722,84.72,0
48,203.739,"Mount",-8.613,-20.415,-22.034,-2.678,-14.765,-2.678,8000,E,5134,N,,,193990,82.85,0
Guiding Ends at 2017-08-27 22:56:43

 

[Rickvanman]

8 minutes ago, Rickvanman said:

Pixel scale = 21.45 arc-sec/px, Binning = 1, Focal length = 50 mm
 

PS - Please Note that I actually changed the Focal Length to 162mm (from the default 50mm) in all subsequent guiding sessions (using the Orion 50mm guide scope) but it had no noticable effect on the guiding behaviours.

[alacant]

3 hours ago, Rickvanman said:

The document is huge

OK, send a link to it; we need to see the whole of the session...

[alacant]

3 hours ago, Rickvanman said:

I actually changed the Focal Length to 162mm

That's the log we need to see. Cheers.

[Rickvanman]

16 minutes ago, alacant said:

OK, send a link to it; we need to see the whole of the session...

Okay, i've uploaded the whole thing to the link below. Looks like the 162mm focal length starts on the 4th session.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/no7kpeazhuospne/PHD2_GuideLog_2017-08-27_215354.txt

Appreciate any insights. Thanks again.

 

 

[RayD]

20 minutes ago, Rickvanman said:

Okay, i've uploaded the whole thing to the link below. Looks like the 162mm focal length starts on the 4th session.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/no7kpeazhuospne/PHD2_GuideLog_2017-08-27_215354.txt

Appreciate any insights. Thanks again.

 

 

Looks like you've been getting loads of corrections but they are too small to do anything.  Are you doing a calibration?  

I's suggest running the PHD guiding assistant and accepting the settings it suggests.  That will give you a good starting point.

You say you have set the FL to 162mm, but this log shows 50mm?

I'd start with making sure the camera (pixels) and guide scope (FL) setting are definitely right, hit calculate for the calibration step size, do a calibration run, then run the guiding assistant.  Below are my settings with an Altair 60mm guide scope and SX Lodestar X2 camera.

 

[alacant]

42 minutes ago, Rickvanman said:

Looks like the 162mm focal length starts on the 4th session.

Yep, but you didn't recalibrate. Go to your target, choose a star and hit shift > guide. HTH.

[Rickvanman]

14 minutes ago, RayD said:

Are you doing a calibration?

I do recall running the guiding assistant during the evening, it ran for ages making small adjustments - wasn't really sure what it was doing (or rather what I was doing!) but I did enter the reccommendations it suggested at the end.  

I'll spend some time now searching to see I can find the correct  camera and guide scope settings for my starshoot. It looks like another clear night so I've already set up the scope again for another session tonight - will be sure to hit shift this time when starting to guide. 

Thanks again for the help - I'll try to report back tomorrow to let you know how I got on

 

 

[RayD]

8 minutes ago, Rickvanman said:

I do recall running the guiding assistant during the evening, it ran for ages making small adjustments - wasn't really sure what it was doing (or rather what I was doing!) but I did enter the reccommendations it suggested at the end.  

I'll spend some time now searching to see I can find the correct  camera and guide scope settings for my starshoot. It looks like another clear night so I've already set up the scope again for another session tonight - will be sure to hit shift this time when starting to guide. 

Thanks again for the help - I'll try to report back tomorrow to let you know how I got on

 

 

Great stuff.  As Alacant says it doesn't look like you've recalibrated after changing the FL, which is essential.  Once you've done that the guiding assistant should run through pretty quickly.

Good luck.

[Rickvanman]

Well the good news, is that tonight the guidescope seems to be working well.  Ive had perfectly round stars all evening with 3 and 4 minute long exposures, so I'm a happy bunny!

I think the fix was calibrating it after I had altered the focal length to the correct 162mm. I didn't even need to run the guiding assistant. Have spent all night photographing the Wizzard Nebula which is right in the NE direction where I usually get star trails even on shorter exposures, but the guidescope has handled it admirably.   

I'm just sat here in the shed now, waiting for my darks to finish. Then just the bias and flats left to do. Clouds expected shortly - hope they don't last another 2 months like the last lot   

Once again, thanks for the help! Much appreciated

 

[Tomatobro]

Just to let you know that you are not alone. I am new to astro photography and spent a night recently trying to get PHD to guide properly. I use a HEQ5 pro mount also.

My problem was that it would start off ok but would gradually drift in both RA and DEC. I could see the guide star come out of the cross hairs over time. I am told that there is a good beginners guide somewhere in one of the threads but have yet to find it.

I checked my polar scope alignment tonight (before the clouds rolled in) and found it to be out by about the diameter of the small reference circle so I have put that right. Have to wait for a clear night to see if it has made a difference.

What I do know is that my guide scope/camera/mount can track properly because it was set up and checked by an experienced astronomer so my problem must be something in the initial mechanical setup (my mount gets taken down and put away after each session).

 

[alacant]

11 hours ago, Rickvanman said:

the Wizzard Nebula

Glad you've got it working. Do post your results. I've been struggling with this one over several sessions...

[Tomatobro]

I now have a much better understanding of my guiding issues.... I did not know that PHD created tracking logs so I have downloaded the software to look at the files created in my last tracking session. This will help me a lot. Just need some clear weather to have another go.

I pulled the cover off the EQ5 to check the drive belts (the scope engaged the tripod recently forgot to enable the travel limits) but they looked ok.