Getting all kinds of errors when plate solving in NINA. Sometimes it says no data base found at the location, please install, then other times it can find astap.exe and data files where they are.
It never is able to plate solve the 1st of 3 stars for polar alignment. I made sure focus, f stop, focal length, and pixel size are all set properly.
In Framing in NINA, I try to load an image, it says, very large field of view use W08 data-base. What and where is that? I'm using 35mm lens on my DSLR.
Btw, when I start polar alignment and take photos indoors (day time here), the image screen is almost pure black. However, when I take a manual exposure, the image does show the scene. Is the image in polar alignment only of what NINA/astap considers a star, when in manual image taking, it shows everything?
Last edit: Keith 2022-08-13
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Here is a jpg shot using a 17mm lens. This was not taken on my mount set-up. I don't have any saved images from that session. Not sure what format is normally saved. I do have RAW images if better.
Anyway, I first get the error"no star database found." Then I click ok and then get a bunch more errors. Again, the database is there and sometimes is found, sometimes not.
Btw, someone sent me an image and plate solve worked.
Yes but I like to check them on number of detectable stars, hot pixels, star roundness, your focal length, pixel size, distortions. Astrometry.net is a better in solving problematic images but slower.
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This NEF image solves easy. But the stars are not round. Tracking was not there or missing. You better have enough some settle time after slewing. This is a setting in Nina. 5 or maybe 10 seconds are required. Images with round stars solve more reliable.
Field of view is 38x25.4 degrees. You definetly need to install the W08 star database. See ASTAP wepbpage, After installing set ASTAP the W08 in tab alignment (CTRL+A). Load and solve an image in ASTAP to save this W08 setting or in ASTAP pulldown menu select File, Settings, Save settings.
If the focal length is 35 mm then the pixel size is about 3.86. Did you enter in Nina 3.8?
You have to install the W08, but you don't have to select the W08 in ASTAP if it is on auto. Just check if the star database setting is on Auto which is the case for later versions
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Try to fix tracking. Polar alignment will not work without tracking. You need a stable RA, DEC position.
Yes I solve in ASTAP directly. I used the version on my laptop which is 2022-0.8-03. Should look identical.
Pixel 3.92 is fine. Only the 35 mm can vary a small amount.
*>>In NINA, in Framing, it asks if reference coordinates should be taken. Does ASTAP need >latitude/longitude
**
No not requered
and a rough estimate of RA?
Yes estimate of RA, DEC but with your field of view and W08, select 180 degrees search range then no RA, DEC are required. The solution will be found with 5 seconds
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Odd that your ASTAP app is totally different from mine (see photos above). I can't set database, FOV, etc. How can it be so different?
I just tried to run an image in framing in NINA and I got an error, wide FOV, use V17 database. So I added that. Now it seems to solve. I think. The resulting image display with stars has many labelled UGC with numbers. Not sure if that means solved, or just that NINA is categorizing small circles.
Oddly, I can solve it in NINA, but I still can't solve it in ASTAP stand-alone.
The interface is the same. In ASTAP you have to click on the summation button, shortcut CTRL+A to see the other menus.
If your still using the 35 mm lens, then the W08 is better then the V17. That should be selected automatically.
To solve in ASTAP: The .NEF files don't contain the field of view. You have to select in tab alignment "Field of View(height)" 25 degrees for your 35 mm camera.
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BUT, on my laptop, which is what I will be using with my mount, I can't get past the error from that pop-up window, "No star Database Found."
Normally both the program and databases are installed at c:\programs files\astap
Installation will default always this path. So the only explantion is if you selected an other path during installation. Put the files together or uninstall ASTAP and reinstall again
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if you change from 35 to 85 mm the FOV will change from 25.4 to 10.5 degrees. The 85 mm should be entered in Nina. The database selection should be automatic but if you expose long maybe you should force it to V17 instead of the W08 in ASTAP. Try it which database solves most reliable.
For solving the 85 mm will work better then the 35 mm
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Getting all kinds of errors when plate solving in NINA. Sometimes it says no data base found at the location, please install, then other times it can find astap.exe and data files where they are.
It never is able to plate solve the 1st of 3 stars for polar alignment. I made sure focus, f stop, focal length, and pixel size are all set properly.
In Framing in NINA, I try to load an image, it says, very large field of view use W08 data-base. What and where is that? I'm using 35mm lens on my DSLR.
Btw, when I start polar alignment and take photos indoors (day time here), the image screen is almost pure black. However, when I take a manual exposure, the image does show the scene. Is the image in polar alignment only of what NINA/astap considers a star, when in manual image taking, it shows everything?
Last edit: Keith 2022-08-13
Hello Keith,
Can you attach an image or send me a link to an image for analysing?
Cheers, Han
Here is a jpg shot using a 17mm lens. This was not taken on my mount set-up. I don't have any saved images from that session. Not sure what format is normally saved. I do have RAW images if better.
Anyway, I first get the error"no star database found." Then I click ok and then get a bunch more errors. Again, the database is there and sometimes is found, sometimes not.
Btw, someone sent me an image and plate solve worked.
Thanks.
Last edit: Keith 2022-08-13
lots of stars after processing. I assume that doesn't matter, that astap will still find all the stars? This is in RAW format.
Last edit: Keith 2022-08-13
Last edit: Keith 2022-08-13
Keith,
Since your using the 35 mm lens, do you have an astro image using the 35 mm lens? Preferable raw. The jpeg spoil a lot of stars.
FYI, I did upload a few images to Astronomy.net, and they were solved.
Yes but I like to check them on number of detectable stars, hot pixels, star roundness, your focal length, pixel size, distortions. Astrometry.net is a better in solving problematic images but slower.
This NEF image solves easy. But the stars are not round. Tracking was not there or missing. You better have enough some settle time after slewing. This is a setting in Nina. 5 or maybe 10 seconds are required. Images with round stars solve more reliable.
Field of view is 38x25.4 degrees. You definetly need to install the W08 star database. See ASTAP wepbpage, After installing set ASTAP the W08 in tab alignment (CTRL+A). Load and solve an image in ASTAP to save this W08 setting or in ASTAP pulldown menu select File, Settings, Save settings.
If the focal length is 35 mm then the pixel size is about 3.86. Did you enter in Nina 3.8?
Hot pixels is not a problem.
Han
This image was not tracked, since I can't get things to work. Exposure was 8 secs on a 35mm to try to avoid trails.
I used pixel size at 3.92. That's the D5500 data. That doesn't change with different focal lengths, does it?
Did u solve it in the ASTAP stand-alone? My app on my PC does not look like yours. I used the ASTAP installer (v2022.08.07), and H18 and W08.
In NINA, in Framing, it asks if reference coordinates shold be taken. Does ASTAP need latitude/longitude and a rough estimate of RA?
Last edit: Keith 2022-08-14
When I switch from a 35mm lens to an 85mm lens, what parameters in astap should I change besides the FOV?
You have to install the W08, but you don't have to select the W08 in ASTAP if it is on auto. Just check if the star database setting is on Auto which is the case for later versions
Try to fix tracking. Polar alignment will not work without tracking. You need a stable RA, DEC position.
Yes I solve in ASTAP directly. I used the version on my laptop which is 2022-0.8-03. Should look identical.
Pixel 3.92 is fine. Only the 35 mm can vary a small amount.
Odd that your ASTAP app is totally different from mine (see photos above). I can't set database, FOV, etc. How can it be so different?
I just tried to run an image in framing in NINA and I got an error, wide FOV, use V17 database. So I added that. Now it seems to solve. I think. The resulting image display with stars has many labelled UGC with numbers. Not sure if that means solved, or just that NINA is categorizing small circles.
Oddly, I can solve it in NINA, but I still can't solve it in ASTAP stand-alone.
Last edit: Keith 2022-08-15
The interface is the same. In ASTAP you have to click on the summation button, shortcut CTRL+A to see the other menus.
If your still using the 35 mm lens, then the W08 is better then the V17. That should be selected automatically.
To solve in ASTAP: The .NEF files don't contain the field of view. You have to select in tab alignment "Field of View(height)" 25 degrees for your 35 mm camera.
Your image in ASTAP is black since it it on maxim range. You should set the options near histogram. Something like stretch 20 and Low.
Normally both the program and databases are installed at c:\programs files\astap
Installation will default always this path. So the only explantion is if you selected an other path during installation. Put the files together or uninstall ASTAP and reinstall again
if you change from 35 to 85 mm the FOV will change from 25.4 to 10.5 degrees. The 85 mm should be entered in Nina. The database selection should be automatic but if you expose long maybe you should force it to V17 instead of the W08 in ASTAP. Try it which database solves most reliable.
For solving the 85 mm will work better then the 35 mm