CCD Commander

[Euan]

Hi folks,

I've taken the plunge into full automation using CCDC. Here is a list of the different software and hardware parts:

Automation: CCD Commander

Mount Control: CCDC --> EQMOD

Planetarium: TheSky 6

Camera Control: Maxim DL --> QHY8 (Imaging), QHY5 (Guiding)

Focusing: FocusMax --> Lazyfocus --> SkyWatcher AutoFocuser

Collimation: CCD Inspector

Polar Alignment: EQAlign

Power Switching: HomeSeer x10 control, scripted via CCDC

Obs Control: LesveDome --> USB interface module

I'm slowly working my way through the whole automation process and getting to grips with all the different software. The hardest thing is overcoming all the different issues, it's bad enough having problems with one piece of software, I'm using 8 in total

So far I've cracked the auto alignment procedure and it's pretty painless:

1. Mount powers up (x10 via HomeSeer)

2. Mount slews to first alignment position (CCDC and EQMOD)

3. Plate solve and Sync Mount (CCDC, MaximDL and QHY8)

4. Repeat 2 and 3 at different positions

5. ...onto guiding and imaging

Who else is using it and how are you getting on? Theres a lot of potential in this software which I'm gradually getting my head around, I'm looking forward to sleeping while imaging

Thanks

Euan

[Euan]

Here are the details of how CCDC does the alignment, along with the log file showing the actions, although I've just noticed that the second result is showing the wrong pixel scale and focal length but the alignment still put objects in the centre of the CCD!!

20:54:50 Action starting.

20:54:50 Connecting to the Camera...

20:54:51 Connecting to the Mount...

20:54:52 WARNING! No Focuser selected!

20:54:52 Starting move to action.

20:54:52 Precessing cooridnates.

20:54:52 J2000 Coordinates: RA: 20h 41m 26.0s Dec: +4516'49"

20:54:53 JNow Coordinates: RA: 20h 41m 45.9s Dec: +4518'56"

20:54:53 Slewing to Deneb...

20:54:54 Done slewing!

20:54:54 Setting imager bin mode to 1x1.

20:54:54 Taking 30 second image for Plate Solve...

20:55:38 Saving image...

20:55:39 Executing plate solve function.

20:55:39 Performing Plate Solve with MaxIm/PinPointLE...

20:58:56 Plate solve results:

20:58:56 Pixel Scale = -1.60 asp.

20:58:56 Focal Length = 1005.80 mm.

20:58:56 North Angle = 81.45 degrees.

20:58:56 J2000 Coordinates = RA: 20h 36m 41.4s Dec: +4459'16"

20:58:56 North Angle verification is disabled.

20:58:56 Pointing error vector = 1484.9 arcsec, 135.4 degrees.

20:58:56 Syncing to RA: 20h 37m 01.2s Dec: +4501'19"

20:58:56 Reslewing to original target coordinates...

20:59:05 Starting move to action.

20:59:05 Precessing cooridnates.

20:59:05 J2000 Coordinates: RA: 23h 03m 46.1s Dec: +2804'59"

20:59:05 JNow Coordinates: RA: 23h 04m 14.2s Dec: +2808'07"

20:59:05 Slewing to Scheat...

20:59:20 Done slewing!

20:59:20 Setting imager bin mode to 1x1.

20:59:20 Taking 30 second image for Plate Solve...

21:00:05 Saving image...

21:00:05 Executing plate solve function.

21:00:05 Performing Plate Solve with MaxIm/PinPointLE...

21:00:20 Plate solve results:

21:00:20 Pixel Scale = -0.44 asp.

21:00:20 Focal Length = 2703573.11 mm.

21:00:20 North Angle = -11.40 degrees.

21:00:20 J2000 Coordinates = RA: 23h 04m 14.0s Dec: +2831'07"

21:00:20 North Angle verification is disabled.

21:00:20 Pointing error vector = 4419.8 arcsec, 290.8 degrees.

21:00:20 Syncing to RA: 23h 04m 42.2s Dec: +2834'16"

21:00:20 Reslewing to original target coordinates...

21:00:24 Starting move to action.

21:00:24 Precessing cooridnates.

21:00:24 J2000 Coordinates: RA: 21h 15m 49.0s Dec: +0514'52"

21:00:24 JNow Coordinates: RA: 21h 16m 18.1s Dec: +0517'19"

21:00:24 Slewing to Kitalpha...

21:00:37 Done slewing!

21:00:37 Setting imager bin mode to 1x1.

21:00:37 Taking 30 second image for Plate Solve...

21:01:21 Saving image...

21:01:22 Executing plate solve function.

21:01:22 Performing Plate Solve with MaxIm/PinPointLE...

21:01:30 Plate solve results:

21:01:30 Pixel Scale = -1.60 asp.

21:01:30 Focal Length = 1006.10 mm.

21:01:30 North Angle = 81.92 degrees.

21:01:30 J2000 Coordinates = RA: 21h 14m 59.2s Dec: +0452'05"

21:01:30 North Angle verification is disabled.

21:01:30 Pointing error vector = 1369.8 arcsec, 182.8 degrees.

21:01:30 Syncing to RA: 21h 15m 28.3s Dec: +0454'31"

21:01:30 Reslewing to original target coordinates...

21:01:35 Action complete.

[blinky]

Interesting.... So CCD Commander will sync the mount? Then I can just use EQMod/Starry night...

Sounds like I might have to give this a try!

[Euan]

A few notes for anyone wanting to try this....

1) Make sure your focus is spot on

2) Make sure the pixel scale is exact for your CCD / Scope combo

3) Practice with different areas and aim for an exposure time that will give between 10 and 50 stars, limit the max number of stars to 50 or else it will take far too long to search

4) Change exposure for narrowband: from going to LP filter to Ha, I go from 30 secs to 60 secs

I will add more as I get my head around the possible pitfalls but it seams to be going well, I'm glad I don't have to mess around with the handset anymore, I can do it all from the warmth of the house!

[michaelmorris]

This looks like a great piece of software. Is there a freeware (or cheaper) alternative to CCD Commander?

[blinky]

Not that i'm aware of - it is very good but essentially its just a collection of scripts and it's not cheap!

It is good though!

[George]

Home [AudelaA Free, Open Source Astroimaging Software]

[Gina]

That looks useful - thank you for posting the link