Error Accessing Image File and Fails to Solve
Stacking program, astrometric (plate) solver, fits file viewer
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Hello All,
I have been using ASTAP for roughly two months with really no significant issues. I really enjoy the speed of the platform. Two nights ago all plate solving started to fail within N.I.N.A. I have verified the typical issues such as pixel size and focal length. I have verified that NINA is pointing to the correct executable and that I have the correct database installed (D80).
I was getting so many failures in NINA that I had to prove that ASTAP was working. I opened ASTAP and loaded a image file from the NINA offline cache repository (this repository works perfect in NINA) and to my surprise ASTAP could not solve the image where in the past it could. I tried multiple other offline cache photos and realized that ASTAP can no longer access them all. I get the error message "Error Accessing Image File".
The above led me to believe I have something corrupted. I have completed uninstalled ASTAP and the database, removed all still existing ASTAP folders and files, and lastly rebooted my machine. I then downloaded a fresh ASTAP install along with the star database.
After the reinstall I am experiencing the same issue where ASTAP will not solve known good images that were previously solvable.
I have also tried moving the image files to another folder and saving them directly to the desktop. I have tried opening programs with admin rights/permissions with the same failed outcome.
Last night I created an Astrometry.net account and used their API within NINA and I'm able to plate solve once again. I really want ASTAP to work again.
I have ready through many off the error issues in this forum along with youtube and anything else I could find. Nothing seems to work yet.
What are your thoughts?
Thank you for any comments, suggestions, or solutions.
Michael
Hi Michael,
1) Can you share the FITS image and the .ini file in Nina directory
\%localappdata%\NINA\PlateSolver\Failed
You could attach it to your reply in this forum.
2) Can you make a screenshot of the ASTAP settings in Nina?
3) Which ASTAP version are you currently running? Can you check the selected star database in tab alignment. (shortcut CTRL+A, tab alignment)
4) Can you amke a screenshot of this tab alignment (shortcut CTRL+A)
Cheers, Han
Han,
I appreciate the reply. I am attaching everything you requested in the form of a screenshot. I do want to state that the FITS image I am providing may actually not be solvable however, I'm unable to solve a stock image that was once solvable. I'm including an image from NINA's offline cache that I'm also unable to solve.
Thank you so much and I look forward to working with you on this.
Michael
Hi Michael,
Settings look all good. You have pretty small field about 0.49 x0.28 degrees. I think the problem is that the stars are not very sharp (HFD is 8") and due to that it just can not detect enough stars for a solution. A ZWO ASI662MC camera is not so sensitive. The exposure time 20 seconds should be okay but probably with this small field a longer exposure (40 seconds) will help. So
1) Focus before solving
2) If it fails exposure longer, 40, 50 seconds.
Tell me if you get it working.
Han
What also helps for small number of stars is option triples. See attached. Activate and press in ASTAP solve to save this setting . The image you provided is then just solvable.
Cheers, Han
Hello Han,
Again, I appreciate the communication here. I just tested this and I'm still getting plate solve failed, no solution found.
3:24:21 PM No solution found! :(
Han,
I appreciate the responses here. I'm still a bit concerned. I had no issues with this setup until two days ago. Your comments don't seem to be addressing the issue of not being able to solve a known good image and the error message I'm getting when trying to open an image.
If you believe these other issues I'm experiencing are non issues please state so.
My assumption was that their is an underlying reason as to why within NINA plate solving stopped working and simultaneously I could no longer solve a cached file or open one.
My understanding is that ASTAP should be able to open and solve these images.
The blind solve you trying wil not test FOV smaller then 0.4 degrees. So you should sepcify 0.28 degrees for the FOV.
The .jpg is somehow blocked. Never seen that before. Maybe something by Win11. Pu mouse pointer at jpg and with right mouse buttton call up th e popup window, then select properties.
Then the jpg is a .PNG file!!. Rename to .PNG Then it will load in ASTAP.
I'm now doing a blind solve but takes some time.
Okay it is a square 500 x 500 pixels image, so I do not know the FOV. The image resolution should be larger something like 1000x1000 pixels.
The image is 5 x5 degrees. It just solves but next time keep the image size 1000x1000 pixels minimum.
okay, thank you for all the assistance Han.
At this point, I will try a longer exposure while using the ASI662MC on the next clear night.
I also have an ASI585MC Pro I have not used yet. I could also test with this once I have it setup.