Astroart Forum

Pardon me if this is too stupid but I would like to control my camera , a starlight model, PHd2 via ASCOM as I am using an AP mount. Can this be done via ascom and the AP serial cable to usb and hence to the computer. I know there is a new script to control phd2 via AA6 and I have been controlling my camera via AA6. Thanks cjacobson

Hello,
the new feature (it works without scripts too) can be found pressing the button "..." in Dithered guide in the Sequence page of the camera control 6.2 in AA6 SP3. That feature sends dithering commands to PHD, but if you don't use dithering in autoguide, then you don't need it: PHD can be still used for autoguiding while Astroart takes images with the main camera.
Fabio.

Ok , understood. but can the AA6 software be controlled via an ascom driver? Thanks for the quick response on my former question. cjacobson

I don't understand the question, usually it's Astroart that controls hardware via ASCOM drivers. If you mean controlling Astroart from an external program using some COM objects, then it's not possible, but you can do it with the Remote Control SDK.

So this enumerates my confusion about using ascom, AP ascom site and trying to control my starlight xpress camera, Phd2, and focuser via an ascom set up. I am esp confused when I think about using Sequence generator pro in this mix plus a planetarium program instead of my hand paddle. things were straight forward with out my consideration of using ascom drivers for everything. I apparently can not use starlight's native Fits in Pix insight. so I have been using AA6 to run my cameras. If you can lead me towards the light I would appreciate it. Ideally I would like to use SGP, AA6, and PHd 2 plus focuser software.
I am using a Mach1 .

Hello, to control the ASCOM focuser just open the Focus Window then click "Focuser". You may take images and guiding with Astroart alone, or AA + PHD (or two AA sessions), there is no difference, the guiding will be "in background". If your mount allows to track for at least 30-60 seconds then you may skip autoguiding and just sum images: this will improve the S/N.
I don't see a way to use both SGP and AA at the same time for imaging/autoguiding.

Thanks again. If I use the plate solve platform in AA6 will that drive the mount to the object again after a meridian flip? If so how is this done in AA6? cjacobson

You might want to review these videos.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYx7T1 ... HMKndDQucQ

AA6 can do everything you want with no need for other apps.

Duncan

Meridian flip is always "transparent" for a software: the software sends the GOTO command and mount does all the rest. The only difference is the possible 180° rotation of the images, so leave "180" as error/tolerance for the Rotation in plate solve.