Using OA capture on a mac with Neximage 10 from Celestron

[petercc]

Does anyone have any experience of using Celestron NEXImage 10 with a mac.  I have downloaded the OAcapture software and set it all up.  But no image appears in the preview window.  Camera is in perfect focus with Jupiter super bright, but the OAcapture image preview screen is completely black.  i can't find any troubleshooting guide for what to do next......

[RT65CB-SWL]

Hi @petercc and welcome to SGL. 

I know it seems obvious, but did you remove the end cap from your ‘scope. Don’t be ashamed, as we have all done it at some point, whether visual or imaging, at some point.

I have just looked at the oaCapture website… https://www.openastroproject.org/documentation/supported-cameras/ and it says:

Celestron

I believe the Skyris cameras should work. The 174M and 132C have been tested. The Neximage models should also work.

[petercc]

yes.  the telescope is open and focusing perfectly with a 12mm eyepiece.  i then whip the eyepiece out and pop in the neximage camera.      the oa capture software

 

i think the  image preview window of OAcapture goes from light grey to black once the pc is wired to the Neximage.    but it does not show any actual image.  same issue if i aim it at a mountain during daytime.     

[happy-kat]

You'll need to refocus when swapping the eyepiece for the neximage. It's easier to get a feel for infinity focus if you try it during the day on a very distant tree (not the sun)

[bosun21]

Silly question but have you set up the exposure and gain etc for the camera? I have never used the NEXImage camera but I take it works like every other astro camera.

[petercc]

thanks for the info, i will play more with the focus and see if i get anything.    i also have no idea how to set up the exposure,  gain etc,  i can see that those things are adjustable on the OAcapture user interface, but i have no idea what any of that jargon means and how to set about working with it,  so far i have not found any resources that explain it.

[happy-kat]

During the day could try gain 50 and exposure 30ms. The camera is way more sensitive then a general point and shoot camera.

 

 

[happy-kat]

Or is there is an auto option in ao capture use that

[petercc]

great that's really helpful.  ill try that.  didn't realise how technical this all is,  but I'm enjoying learning