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I. Installation
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Installation is simple. In the zip file there are setup files. Unzip them in temporary folder and execute setup.exe.
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If you upgrade from demo or older version, please uninstall the previous version and remember that the file APT.XML contains all data for your plans, so you may want to backup this file and restore it after the installation.
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It is good to install the latest Canon EOS utility in order to get the correct drivers installed and MS Windows to be able to recognize your camera.
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II. Multi-Camera Support
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The setup creates 3 icons "APT", "APT Camera 1", "APT Camera 2". The first two can be used if you have one camera. The last is used when you want to use second camera. There is no limitation of cameras number. If you want more, create as much shortcuts to APT.EXE as you want and put the corresponding number as start parameter (take a look on "APT Camera 2" shortcut). For every camera APT will create folder "Camera X" in your installation place where the images will be stored, sorted by date.
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Tips & Tricks. Every time, turn ON your cameras in same sequence. The first turned on camera will be found from APT as Camera 1, second will be found as Camera 2 and so on.
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III. Connecting to Camera
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Before you try to connect APT to your camera please make sure that you had executed all steps described in the "Camera Preparation" list.
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Click on the "Connect" button located in "Camera" tab and take a look on the Log panel in the lower left area.
There will be message if the connection is successful or not.
If there is a problem, exit APT, turn off the camera and execute the steps from the "Camera Preparation" list.
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IV. Supported serial cables
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The list of the serial cable vendors that are confirmed to work with APT is:
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Astronomiser
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Pierro-Astro - it includes RS232 to USB converter.
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Hap Griffin Astro-Cables
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Also any other RS232 cable should work too.
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V. LiveView/Image Preview
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When your camera is successfully connected to the APT you can start sending commands to it.
In "LiveView/Image Preview" panel you can select exposure time and ISO.
They are valid for single shot using the "Shoot" button.
It is important that "Mirror Lockup" must be set to OFF in order to use "Shoot" button. If the "Image preview" is on you can see the picture. (See section IV)
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If your camera supports LiveView you can enable it with the "LV On" button.
The image from LiveView will be displayed in the preview area.
ISO and Exposure parameters affect the LiveView too, so you can use them to get the view you want.
By default APT will tune the LiveView parameters for maximum sensitivity.
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There is option to set 5x and 10x Zoom. Before you set the 5x zoom you can click on the portion which you want to zoom.
Currently, the 10x option zoom only the center of the previously zoomed image. Use "Zoom+" and "Zoom-" buttons to switch between zooming levels.
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The Target button is placed right after Zoom buttons. It is a tri-state button.
OFF->Cross Hair mode->Object Scale mode->OFF. These modes use the preview area and works without camera connection,
during LiveView or over a taken image. Cross Hair mode is designed to help in alignment tasks like:
Drift Alignment, GoTo Alignment, Precise mode checks for Meade mounts and everything else that you can think up.
Hold the Shift key and move mouse to change the place of the cross center. Hold the Control key and move the mouse horizontally to rotate the cross.
Shift or Control key plus double click with the left mouse button will restore the initial cross position.
"Object scale mode" will show oval-shaped outline of defined object in exact scale for your camera and telescope/lens. See more in CTools tab.
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In Live View mode, there is button "Record" which will store on your PC
what you see in preview area. In "Camera X" folder there is subfolder "LV", in
it will be created new older per every recording session. Recorded is sequence
of JPG files and the number of the stored images per second depends on the performance
of your machine.
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"View Last" will display the last image on you storage card."Image preview" has to be set to "On" or "On (1:1)"
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Tips & Tricks. If your camera has LiveView support,
while it is ON you can take a picture with the Shoot button, no matter what the "Mirror Lockup" status is.
This comes in handy when you try to frame a faint object.
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VI. Camera parameters Tab
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- AntiVibration pause
This is a parameter which is used within exposures plan.
It defines how many seconds to wait after the camera's mirror is flipped before to making the real exposure.
This is a valuable option when mirror flipping causes vibrations to your setup. We recommend to experiment and define how long it has to be.
Keep in mind that in some positions of your telescope the vibrations can be longer than in others.
If the camera supports LiveView you can set "Long exposure control" to "Virtual" (see next point).
With this set, APT will use LiveView to simulate "Mirror Lockup". It is a handy option when you don't have PC operated shutter cable or you don't have free COM or USB ports and want to use only one cable.
In the next two links you can compare the level of the noise that 25s LiveView generates. Both images are RAW files taken with Canon 1000D.
25s LiveView + 65s exposure, environment ~19˚C
25s Mirror Lock + 65s exposure, environment ~19˚C
If you want to set AntiVibaration pause to 0s, make sure to set "Mirror Lockup" to OFF.
If you want AntiVibaration greater than 0s and to use PC operated shutter cable, you must set "Mirror Lockup" to ON.
All cameras with Digic IV processor can make true "Mirror Lockup" only with USB cable.
The rest models need separate PC operated cable for true "Mirror Lockup".
For more information, take a look on "EOS models matrix" page in our site.
There are two options for PC operated shutter cable:
- -Shoestring Astronomy DSUSB/DSUSB2 long exposure shutter controller.
Once a DSUSB or DSUSB2 option is selected from the "Long exposure control" list, APT will try to make a connection to the controller.
More information about DSUSB/DSUSB2 can be found on Shoestring Astronomy
- -Any serial control cable (RS232) connected to COM port or to USB (with appropriate Serial to USB converter).
APT is tested with various serial cables. See a list of serial cable vendors.
- Long exposure control
In this list you will see "Virtual" option all COM ports that are visible, including the RS232 to USB converters, DSUSB and DSUSB2 options.
"Virtual" will command the camera only through the USB cable connected to your camera. NOTE: This feature works only for EOS models after 2006.
Choosing any COM port from the list will instruct APT to use a PC operated shutter cable connected to this port to make mirror lockup and to command the shutter.
APT is tested with various serial cables. See a list of serial cable vendors
DSUSB or DSUSB2 options will try to find Shoestring Astronomy DSUSB or DSUSB2 controller and will use it to make mirror lockup and to command the shutter.
More information about DSUSB/DSUSB2 can be found on Shoestring Astronomy
Tips & Tricks. If you connect the camera and shutter cable to same USB ports you will have same COM port number between the sessions.
- Image preview
On – will show the image in the preview area after every exposure. The image will be scaled to fit in the area.
Off – Will not show preview.
On (1:1) - will get un-scaled center part from the last image, that fits in the preview area.
On (1:1) Scroll - will show scrolling buttons to select the image area that you want to see in mode "On (1:1)".
Use the central rectangle to view the center of the image.
Tips & Tricks. If you double click on a scroll arrow, position will be moved to the corresponding border.
- Image Destination
You can choose where to save the taken images - "Camera", "PC" or "Camera and PC". This setting can be changed after the camera is connected.
All cameras with Digic IV processor support only "Camera" and "Camera and PC" modes. For more information, take a look on "EOS models matrix" page in our site.
In the registered version you can choose where on your PC or network you want to store the images (see section XI). The demo version is storing the images in the folder where APT is installed.
- White Balance
This drop down list can be used to select the desired White Balance setting.
- Object Name
You can define prefix that will be added the image file names stored on PC. For example if you enter "M11_" the image name stored will be: "M11_ IMG_5034.JPG".
In the registered version only this value is kept between the APT restarts.
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VII. Tools Tab
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- Histogram
In the registered version only you can use the Histogram panel. It shows the histogram of the Red, Green, Blue channels as well as the Light histogram. Use the button with "Graph" icon to show/hide the panel.
It is drag-able to place where you want.
- Focus Aid
Focus Aid allows focusing on a star image using the FWHM method (Full Width Half Maximum). Drag the panel to frame the star that you want to use.
The lowest value on same the star gives the best focus. It works both on images and in LiveView. Note that in LiveView mode there is a stacking algorithm that makes the measurement more accurate,
so after every focus change wait a second or two. When you focus on images define a plan with short exposures and set a pause long enough to change the focus and vibrations to calm down.
Focus score – Gives a rough focus estimation based on the bright pixels related to the Peak value. Lower value means better.
Peak - Shows the peak brightness value. Choose stars with higher values.
Saturation - Shows the star saturation. The best value is 1. Use shorter exposures if saturation is greater than 1.
Best FWHM – shows the lowest FWHM value so far. To reset it, move a bit the panel.
- Magnifier
Magnifier allows viewing part of the image or Live View with magnifications – x3, x5, x10 and x15
- DARV Drift Alignment (DARV)
See section XIV
- Manual DARV Drift Alignment (DARV)
See section XVII
- Framing Mask
You can use the Framing Masks panel only in the registered version. This is a multi-session imaging aid used to orient the camera by same angle and position in different nights.
Use the image browser to load an image that will be the source of the mask. Mark two or more stars on an image, by single clicks and save this mask. On the next session load the mask and match the new image to it by rotating the camera and/or moving the telescope.
Note that a mask has to be created on the same computer on which will be used.
- Record LiveView
Records a LiveView session as series of JPG files. It is available when LiveView is on
- APT Settings
See section XI
- Focus Mark
Places a focus mark for the current ambient temperature. This function is available in the registered version and requires TEMPer or TEMPerHUM sensor. See sections XI and XIII.
- Lens Control
APT can control lens when they are attached to DigicIII or latter camera. Lens' Auto focus must be set to ON and you have to be in LiveView mode.
Don't forget to set your lens in manual focus mode before plan execution!
APT has its own automatic lens focusing. To use it, Turn ON the Lens control, turn ON Focusing Aid panel, make a rough focusing using the lens drive buttons and frame a star in the Focusing Aid panel.
Then click on the "Start Auto Focus" button. The precision of the focusing depends on the precision of you lens drive. If you are not satisfied of the focus precision you can to run auto focusing for second time or try with manual control of the lens.
Auto focusing can work with LiveView Zoom options.
- Image Effects
APT can apply some image effects over the images in the Preview area and LiveView stream. There are four effects that you can apply. Note that the effects can affect the performance on slower PCs! The effects will be reset on the next APT run or if you manually turn them off.
- - Flip Hor – Flips image/LiveView horizontally. Helps to achieve correct image for easier object framing.
- - Flip Vert – Flips image/LiveView vertically. Helps to achieve correct image for easier object framing.
- - Sharp – Applies sharpening effect on the image/LiveView to help focusing.
- - Negative - Applies negative effect on the image/LiveView to help focusing. Note that this will affect your dark adaptation!
- - LV++ - This is method to intensify the LiveView image in real time to show fainter objects.
- - LV Stack – Stacks a set of LiveView images to show fainter objects. The stack is periodically reset to show the image position changes during the framing.
- - Gamma – allows changing the gamma correction from 1.0 to 3.0 in steps of 0.25. To increase the correction click again on the button. Double click on the button clears the correction. Can be applied on image or LiveView.
- - Brightness - allows changing the brightness from +0% to +200% in steps of 25%. To increase the correction click again on the button. Double click on the button clears the correction. Can be applied on image or LiveView.
- - Rotate – rotates the image clockwise on 90, 180 and 270 degrees. Double click on the button clears the rotation. Can be applied on image or LiveView.
- Image Browser
Allows previewing images stored on your hard disk. Note that demo version works with fixed folder – current imaging session. In the full version you can select any folder.
You can preview images and use them to build Framing Mask. When you shoot in RAW+L the browser will show only the JPG file because it is faster. If there is no JPG then RAW file will be displayed.
- Camera drop-down list
There are listed all supported EOS cameras. Once you select one, in Log panel you will see the following parameters: sensor size, crop factor, max resolution. On camera connection your model will be automatically selected from this list.
- Focal Len
Enter the focal length of your telescope or photographic lenses and in conjunction with the selected camera model it will be possible see the following parameters in Log panel: Field Of View, Resolving power and Magnification.
Please click on "Recalc" button to make again the calculations after camera or focal length change. This is a kind of FOV calculator for you camera/telescope.
In right of the “Focal Len” there is a button “…”. It opens a small dialog where you can define different Focal Length profiles. Then you can quickly select one of them.
Also when Focal Len control is focused you can use arrow up/down keys to scroll through the profiles you have defined.
- Obj Size X' x Y'
In this field you can define the dimensions of object which you want to see as outline in preview area.
The object will be with the same size as it will be captured on your images.
This feature will helps you to get idea what is the scale of the object you want to image or will helps to frame it better by placing it in the outline using LiveView or test images.
The entered sizes have to be in Arc minutes and in the format like "12.5x43.2" or 25.8x11.6" or "13". The first sample will draw an ellipse tilted by the diagonal lower left-upper right.
The second will draw ellipse tilted by the diagonal upper left-lower right. The third will draw circle in the middle of the preview area.
In order to see the object outline, you have to select a camera, enter focal length, object size and to click two times on Target button in preview area.
The first click will activate the Cross Hair mode, the second will activate Object Scale mode. If you change any parameter, click on the "Recalc" button to recalculate and re-draw the object.
If you have size like "12.5x43.2" double click with the left mouse button will swap the dimensions to "43.2x12.5". Then you can click on the "Recalc" button to recalculate and re-draw the object.
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VIII. Plan Editor
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Using the "Edit" button in Camera tab you can edit your plans, no matter if the camera is connected or not.
All data is stored in APT.XML file. You can move the file from one computer to another.
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There is possibility to define four types of plans - Light, Dark, Bias and Flat Frames.
Flat frames plan requires the camera to be in AV dial mode in order to determine the optimal exposure.
For easier separation of your images during processing is used automatic prefixes L_, D_, B_, F_ that stand for Light, Dark, Bias, Flat plans.
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So in a short summary, you add new plan, change the name, add some exposures and with OK button you will save the changes in your configuration.
Clone button will create a copy of the currently selected plan.
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Please note that there is no validation for the exposure parameters.
You have to enter values that are supported by your camera or it will behave strange. If you define exposure with duration 0s, only the pause will be used.
This feature allows defining a pause between the plan lines.
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After existing exposure is updated the "Update Current" button has to be used in order to keep the changes.
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The other feature is that order of the exposures can be changed using "Up" and "Down" buttons under the list.
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Edit button will load the currently selected plan in the Editor. The OK button in Plan Editor will select automatically the last plan you have edited.
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Tips & Tricks. We recommend longer pauses between exposures, because this will reduce the noise in your images.
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You can define a plan with lower quality settings.
This will give faster transfer of the images and is handy when you try to focus without LiveView, but with series of short exposures or you want to frame your object.
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The Plan editor provides advanced control over the imaging session. There is possibility to execute external scripts or programs after exposure end.
Enter the command that you want to be executed in the field "Script". If you check the box “Wait script to end” the execution of the command will be synchronous and APT will not continue with
the next exposure until the end of the external operation. Leaving it unchecked APT will execute the command asynchronously and will continue with the plan as soon as the command is started.
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There are several parameters that you can send to the script or command:
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%LastFile% - the path and file name of the last saved image
%CurrExp% - the number of the current exposure
%TotalCount% - the total count of exposures to make in a plan
%EDuration% - the expected remaining duration (00X’ or 00X”)
%ETime% - the expected time when the plan will end
%PCBat% - the PC battery percent
%CamBat% - the Camera battery percent
%CamSpace% - the free space on the camera card
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Example : test.vbs %LastFile% %CurrExp%
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This will try to execute the script test.vbs (located in the APT folder) and will pass the current exposure number as first parameter and the total count as second.
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You can combine the scripts with 0s exposures. This allows executing a script without taking an image.
For example to change the filter in filter wheel, to rotate to dome or to close the roof in the plan end.
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IX. Plan Execution
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When your camera is connected, the LiveView is OFF and a plan is selected the "Start" button will be enabled.
If it is needed you can stop a plan using "Stop" button. The action will be executed in the first possible moment.
Note that APT can't stop Mirror Lockup. This is behavior defined by Canon.
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Pressing Shift + Start will loop the plan execution until you stop it.
The Pause button will become visible when a plan is started. Click on it to pause the execution after APT finishes the current exposure.
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The Resume button will continue the execution of a paused Plan.
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The Stop button will immediately stop current plan. If the image destination is PC or Cam+PC the file will be marked with prefix "incomplete_"
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Tips & Tricks. You can turn off the camera display before plan execution. This will save some battery energy for more exposures.
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Don’t forget to turn off the wireless networking adapter if it is not needed!
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Try to find the lowest brightness level that is comfortable with you, it will save battery life in the field.
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You can use lower CPU performance settings during the imaging.
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X. Minimized mode and Camera monitor
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In Info panel, there is small monitor that shows the camera status during plan execution.
It will show short code of the current operation and the seconds since its start (the count can be no exact, the precision is +/– one second)
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NC – No camera connection.
C – Camera connected, but it is in idle mode, no plan in progress.
D 0000" – Delayed plan execution (in the registered version only. See section IX).
A 0000" - Ant -vibration pause and the count of the seconds passed.
E 0000" - Exposure and the count of the seconds passed.
P 0000" - after exposure Pause and the count of the seconds passed.
BUSY – camera and/or APT are busy in the moment.
PAUSE – the plan is paused.
DITHER – a dithering is in progress (see section XIII).
DARV – DARV in progress...
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When APT is minimized small floating window will become visible, you can drag and place where it is comfortable to you.
In this floating window the same messages will be shown as in the status monitor in the main APT screen.
This allows seeing what is APT status during you use your guiding or other tools.
Also you can see the number of the taken images and the total number in plan. If you want to restore APT window,
double click with the left mouse button on the floating window, or use right mouse button over the APT icon in task bar and select "Restore".
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The status window will be expanded automatically when preview option is ON and will display the center of the image in the main window.
With right mouse button click you can hide/show the small preview area.
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In minimized mode Ctrl+S is equal to click on Shoot button. Click on the small window before you use the short-cut.
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XI. Settings dialog
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In the registered version only you can manage some additional parameters of APT.
Here is what can be configured.
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Skin Color - there are three skins more available in addition to the Red one - Grey, Green and Blue.
You have to restart APT in order to see the change.
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Sound – ON value enable sound notification when the plan is finished. In APT folder there is file named "APT_plan_end.wav".
You can change the melody with simply replacing this file with any WAV file you like, just use the original file name.
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Images Path – With this setting you can define where you want to store the images in "PC" and "Camera and PC" image destination mode.
You can use any local or network folder that exists.
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Plans Start Delay – Defines how many seconds to wait after click on the Start button, before begins plan execution.
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Image Name Auto Prefix – Defines an automatic prefix to be added in the very beginning of the file name.
The options are Date_Time_, only Date_, only Time_. This option works in cooperation with "PC Image Prefix" defined in the main window.
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Image Name Auto Suffix – Defines an automatic Suffix to be added in the very end of the file name.
The options are _ISO_ExposureDuration, only _ISO, only _ExposureDuration, __Temperature only, _ISO_ExposureDuration__Temperature.
The last two suffixes require TEMPer or TEMPerHUM sensor (See section XII). "Auto Suffix option" works in cooperation with "PC Image Prefix" defined in the main window.
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Plans Start Delay – Defines how many seconds to wait after click on the Start button, before begins plan execution.
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Temperatures in C° or F° – Defines how to show the temperature values – in Celsius or Fahrenheit. Required is TEMPer or TEMPerHUM sensor (See section XII).
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Refocus on every X° - Defines when you want to be notified that there is need to refocus. When your telescope or lens is focused,
click on the "F" button in the main screen to place a "Focus Mark" on the temperature that focus was achieved. Let describe this feature with one example.
If 4° is selected, when APT detects change of 2°, the temperature reading will start flashing to show that soon there will be need to refocus (in minimized mode there will be flashing "F" letter).
When APT detects change of 4°, the temperature will be displayed with bright font and message will be printed in the log area than there is need to refocus (in minimized mode there will be non-flashing "F" letter).
0° disables this feature. Required is TEMPer or TEMPerHUM sensor (See section XII).
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EXIF Temperatures – Controls the extraction of the CMOS sensor temperature (check the site for the models that has such temperature sensor).
The options are "OFF", "Show Only" – will only display the temperature after every exposure in a plan, "Use in File Names" – will use EXIF temperature value if the Image Suffix is set to include temperature value.
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Temperature Calibration – Allows you to enter a value to be added or subtracted from TemPer or TemPerHUM readings.
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Humidity Calibration – Allows you to enter a value to be added or subtracted from TemPerHUM readings.
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Tooltips – Turns ON/OFF the tooltips help displaying.
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LiveView Automation - Turns ON/OFF the automation that tunes LiveView parameters for maximum sensitivity.
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LV Stack count – defines how many images to be used in LV Stack.
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Bigger UI Fonts – defines to use bigger fonts for most of APT interface. This can be hand on notebooks with big screen resolution and small display.
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Images Grouping – gives possibility to group your images by different ways.
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OFF – all images will be stored in one folder
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By Plan Type – will create sub-folders for every plan you are running. One per Light, Dark, Flat and Bias plans.
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By PC Prefix – will create sub-folder per every unique PC prefix you define in the Camera Tab. This gives possibility to group your images by Object name.
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By PC Prefix and Plan Type – combines the previous options. Will group the files first by object name then by plan type.
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Tips & Tricks. Don’t forget to click on the "Thermometer" button every time you focused to place the "Focus Mark" on the right temperature reading.
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Dew point within X° - Defines when you want to be notified for closing dew point. There is no need to heat your optics when the dew point is not even close.
Let describe this feature with one example. If 4° is selected, when APT detects the dew point is on 2° or less from the current temperature, the DewP reading will start flashing (in minimized mode there will be flashing "D" letter).
When APT detects that temperature dropped under the dew point, the DewP reading will displayed with bright font and message will be printed in the log area (in minimized mode there will be non-flashing "D" letter).
0° disables this feature. Required is TEMPerHUM sensor (See section XIII).
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Tips & Tricks. To get more accurate readings, place the TEMPerHUM sensor close the objective, but not on the heating strips.
You have to experiment when you have to start the heating. It depends on your heating solution, telescope size and etc.
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Default Focal Length – Allows storing the focal length that you use most and saves entering it on every APT start.
This parameter is used when Field Of View, Resolving power, Magnification and real object size are calculated.
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Advanced Flat/Bias plans – when it is selected you will be able to define the duration for exposures in Flat and Bias plans.
When it is unchecked, Flat plans will use the AV dial mode and will leave the camera to select the exposure; Bias plans will use the shortest supported by the camera exposure.
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Camera Low Space Limit – defines when to notify you about low space on the camera card. 0 disables this notification.
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Camera Low Battery Limit – defines when to notify you about low Camera battery. 0 disables this notification
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PC Low Battery Limit – defines when to notify you about low PC battery. 0 disables this notification
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All these setting are stored in your windows registry, so you can have separate settings on your home PC and field laptop.
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XII. Object Browser
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In the registered version only you can use the Object Browser using the Book button to review and use various information related to the objects in our data base which contains 545 objects.
That number includes Messier Catalog, Herschel 400 Catalog, and most of Caldwell and Hidden Treasures catalogs.
Selecting an object will display information like Name, Constellation, Magnitude, Size and interesting fact about it.
Double click with left mouse button on an object or selecting a row and click on OK button will automatically populate the "Obj Size X' x Y'" in the main window,
will automatically populate the object's coordinates in the Telescope control panel (if it is enabled) and will automatically populate the file name prefix with the catalog number of the select object.
If you had already selected a camera and focal length then the object borders will be drawn in the preview area in the correct scale.
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The sources used for the interesting facts are http://wikipedia.org and http://seds.org/messier.
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XIII. TEMPer and TEMPerHUM sensor
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TEMPer can be used to monitor the ambient temperature. TEMPerHUM is more advanced and can be used to monitor both the temperature and the humidity,
which allows calculating the current dew point. Both sensors give interesting features, especially in the registered version.
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The presence of the sensors is detected on APT start. If TEMPer is detected the current temperature will be displayed in the space between application name and the local time.
If TEMPerHUM is detected, on the same place will be displayed the current temperature, current humidity and the calculated dew point temperature.
The readings of the sensors are updated on the screen on every minute.
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The sensors can be found here:
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TEMPer - http://pcsensor.com/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=6
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TTEMPerHUM - http://pcsensor.com/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=29
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They are also available in eBay.
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XIV. Guiding programs integration
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APT can cooperate with two guiding programs:
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The supported functions are fast switching to the guiding program window,
auto-dithering between exposures and auto real-time monitoring of the distance to the guiding star when PHD is used
(in the main window, 'Info' section, PHD Status).
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Auto-dithering is a small change of the position of the telescope between the exposures.
It reduces the banding noise in your images and minimizes the data loss from hot and cold pixels.
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Auto-cancel allows stopping the exposure before a guiding problem becomes visible on your image allowing to use the gathered so far data.
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The fast switching can be made with a simple click on the 'Guide' button.
It will minimize APT's window and will bring to focus the window of the guiding program.
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NOTE: to use PHD integration functions it has to be configured in Server mode. Select from PHD's menus 'Tools'->'Enable Server'.
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To enable/disable and tune the other guiding functions,
please use "Shift+Click" on the "Guide" button. This will open the Guiding settings dialog box.
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In the settings dialog you can tune the following parameters:
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Guiding program – select the guiding program you are using.
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Auto-Dithering - enables/disables auto dithering.
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Auto-Dithering Command – defines what to be the dithering distance (implemented for PHD only).
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Dithering Stability Distance - defines the acceptable distance to consider that dithering is completing.
The distance is in pixels from 0.00 to 2.55. See the explanation below. (implemented for PHD only)
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Dithering Settle Time – defines how many seconds to wait after Dithering Stability distance is reached. It gives time guiding to settle down.
See the explanation below. (implemented for PHD only)
When MetaGuide is used this defines when to resume with next exposure.
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Auto-Cancel - enables/disables Auto Canceling.
Auto Canceling allows canceling exposure when the distance to the guiding star becomes greater than a defined value. (implemented for PHD only)
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Auto Cancel Distance - defines the maximum acceptable distance to the guiding star. After this point the exposure has to be canceled.
The values are in pixels form 0.00 to 2.55. (implemented for PHD only)
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PHD IP address – Defines the IP address of the computer that is used for guiding. This feature is useful if you use separate computer for guiding.
The default values is 127.0.0.1 which means that same computer is used for imaging and for guiding.
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The auto-dithering and auto-canceling are applied only to the exposures plans of LIGHT type. When it is enabled it works by the following algorithm:
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PHD version – After the exposure is finished, APT sends command to PHD to make a dithering,
and starts to monitor when the distance to the guiding start will become smaller than the defined Stability distance.
Once this happens it will wait a number of seconds defined for Settle time, which gives possibility of PHD to settle down.
After that time APT will resume with the next exposure. The timeout value defines how many seconds you want to give to PHD to reach the settle distance,
and after this moment APT will resume with the next exposure, no matter what is the distance to the guiding start. If the settle distance is reached the timeout value will be ignored.
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MetaGuide version – After the exposure is finished, APT sends command to MetaGuide to make a dithering and waits the number of seconds
defined by timeout value and after that will resume with the next exposure.
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XV. Telescope Control Tab
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APT can control any ASCOM compatible telescope. To control a telescope simultaneously from several programs use one of the "ASCOM hubs".
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The first time you connect to a telescope you will be asked to select the connection parameters by the standard ASCOM dialog.
Then APT will remember your selection and when you click again on the "Connect" button it will use the previous settings automatically.
If you want to change the connection parameters, use "Shift+Click" on the Connection button.
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The Telescope Tab gives possibility to review the current coordinates, to GoTo to new coordinates or to move the telescope in any direction.
You can use the Object Browser for speed access to the coordinates of 545 objects.
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Don't forget to turn off the guiding before you move the telescope.
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On this tab you can also control ASCOM compatible focusers. The first time you connect to a focuser you will be asked to select the connection parameters by the standard ASCOM dialog.
Then APT will remember your selection and when you click again on the "Connect" button it will use the previous settings automatically.
If you want to change the connection parameters, use "Shift+Click" on the Connection button.
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In right of the "Step size" there is a button "…". It opens a small dialog where you can define different step size profiles.
Then you can quickly select one of them. Also when Step size control is focused you can use arrow up/down keys to scroll through the profiles you have defined.
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XVI. Drift Alignment (DARV)
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This feature is available only in the full version.
DARV stands for "Drift Alignment by Robert Vice method". The original method was slightly improved by G. Novtekov and I. Stoynov to limit the number of the needed Az/Alt corrections.
It is automated and easy to use tool. Here is the short description how it works.
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Peek up a star on South close to Declination 0 and center it using LiveView and the Cross Hair mode (See section V – Target button).
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Run and wait DARV to make the calculation.
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Adjust the Azimuth to the calculated level.
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Peek up a star on Eastern or Western horizon close to Declination 0.
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DRun and wait DARV to make the calculation.
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Adjust the Altitude to the calculated level.
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Currently DARV works only with LiveView and once the calculation is made the optimal Az/Alt level is displayed as a red circle. You have to make a correction that places the star as close as possible to the center of this circle.
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DARV requires connection to a camera with LiveView and connection to the telescope mount. Follow the instructions in ToolTips help and the messages in the Log panel for information when and which axis to move.
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DAVR will handle the LiveView in order to save as much as possible camera battery power and will control the mount. Only two Point-Click-Adjust cycles are needed for properly leveled mount to achieve accurate polar alignment.
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The duration of the drift depends on the focal length of your telescope or lens. Longer it is shorter drift time has to be used.
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More information about Robert Vice method can be found here:
http://www.astrophotoinsight.com/public/ccd-drift-method
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In the Screenshots page there is image of DARV in action.
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XVII. Manual Drift Alignment (DARV)
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This feature is available only in the full version.
It is designed to use DARV with telescopes without connection to a computer. The process is separated on steps.
There is a button "Next Step" that has to be clicked to perform the action. Also there is a hint what follows.
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The procedure is:
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- Center a star
- Run Alt or Az routine
- Click on "Next Step" to gather data for the first position
- When is done "Next Step" becomes available
- Start moving on West and click on "Next Step"
- Keep moving while you see "Stop W"
- Click on "Next Step" to gather data for the second position
- When is done "Next Step" becomes available
- Start moving on East and click on "Next Step"
- Keep moving while you see "Stop E"
- Click on "Next Step" to gather data for the third position
- When is done "Next Step" becomes available
- Start moving on East and click on "Next Step"
- Keep moving while you see "Stop E"
- Click on "Next Step" to gather data for forth position
- APT draws the calculated position
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Manual DARV gives different direction instructions in Northern and Southern hemispheres. By default APT is configured for Northern one. Use the settings dialog if you want to change it.
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Please feel free to contact us using the options given in the Support page if any problem occurs.
Comments or suggestions are also greatly appreciated.
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