Auto focus with Temperature Control for AA5

[Forum_2018]

Hi Everyone,
I use the AA Autofocus plug-in with my Feathertouch focuser and it works well. Definately give me better focus than I ever got manually. The only issue is that I need to re-focus frequently - usually every 20mins to 30 mins to compensate for temperature. Is there any plug-in that will allow for automatic temp compensation? The focuser is capable but the only program I am aware of is FocusMax but I do not believe it works with AA. Not the end of the world by any stretch but it would be nice to have!

Thanks.

Mike

[Forum_2018]

Mike, I use an AA script that focuses after every 3 images and each filter change, it works great!

[Forum_2018]

Hi Iver,
That would be perfect actually but for one thing. I have finally achieved some level of mastery with AA running it manually but I have not done anything with scripting which is something I was wanting to learn. It really is a very powerful aspect of this program. So two questions - would you be willing to share your script and would you be willing to show me how to get it running? We can keep this thread alive if folks (like me) who want to learn more about scripting are interested of we can work offline by e-mail and phone if necessary. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks.

Mike

[Forum_2018]

Mike I sent you a PM.

[Forum_2018]

Hello - I know this is an old thread. However, I use a script I wrote a while ago to control my imaging sessions and I would be interested in the mods (Iver?) I would need to do to focus after 3 frames, and filter changes. I would like to test with my current motorized focuser - thanks for any pointers!

[Forum_2018]

Jeff I sent you a PM!

Iver

[Forum_2018]

Thanks, Iver!

[Forum_2018]

Hi, here is the script I use now ! There are 4 values you can insert for the refocus interval, 15,20,25,30 min. If you have any questions just ask!
You'll need to change the path where the image and output is saved!
The output just saves a focus position log, remove if you don't want that!
The first line is just a reminder for me!
I use PHD for guiding so remove the stop guiding line if you don't or don't want it stopped! If you want guiding stopped with PHD I can send you an app to use this line!
I think telescope stop tracking only works with ASCOM mounts remove that line if you don't want tracking off at the end of the script!
I apply a focus mask from the macro so auto focus only chooses the star from the inner portion of the field so you can remove that line!


message ("Is Guider Active?")
Output.Save("C:\Users\Iver\Documents\Astroart\LOG\ Log.txt")
input"File Name?", name$
input"Exposure Time in sec.?",n
input"Number of images?", r
T= name$+" "+date$
d$ = "C:\Users\Iver\Documents\AstroArt\" + T + "\"
createdir(d$)
Sub Sequence(filter,object,images,exposure,binning)
Wheel.Goto(filter)
LastJD = 0
DoRefocus
For i = 1 to images
Camera.Binning(binning)
Camera.Start(exposure)
Camera.Wait
fileName = object + " " + date$ + " " + filter + " " + Format(i,"000")+ ".fit"
Image.Save(d$ + fileName)
DoRefocus
Next i
End Sub
Sequence("R", name$, 5, n, 2)
Sequence("G", name$, 5, n, 2)
Sequence("B", name$, 5, n, 2)
Sequence("L", name$, r, n, 1)
System.Execute("C:\Users\Iver\Documents\PHD-AA6\PHDstop.exe")
Pause(3)
Telescope.StopTracking
Output.Append("C:\Users\Iver\Documents\Astroart\LO G\Log.txt")
message("Sequence complete")
Sub DoRefocus
if JD() - LastJD < .01255 then return '15 min = .0104166 20 min = .01255 25 min = .018 30 min = .021
Camera.Binning(2)
Camera.Start(3)
Camera.Wait
Image.Macro(3)
pause(1)
if Camera.Autofocus = 1 then
LastJD = JD()
print Focuser.Position()
end if
Image.Close
end Sub