script for automatic goto, platesolve, sync, centre, and FF autoguide

[Dunmunro]

I was wondering if anyone can share a sample script to goto targets on the target list, then do a platesolve assisted centring and then FF autoguide using AA7?

I am helping a friend automate his AP Mach 2 mount and an 11in RA astrograph.

thanks

Duncan

[fabdev]

Hi, for the target list I suggest the first two examples in the paragraph "Automatic research script" (Telescope and camera script, and Autocenter script).
For the autoguide I suggest the first section of this post:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=582
Eventually they will need to be joined in a single script, but I suggest to start using them separately for testing.
Fabio.

[Dunmunro]

Hi, for the target list I suggest the first two examples in the paragraph "Automatic research script" (Telescope and camera script, and Autocenter script).
For the autoguide I suggest the first section of this post:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=582
Eventually they will need to be joined in a single script, but I suggest to start using them separately for testing.
Fabio.

Thanks. We were able to write a simple script that allows an AP Mach2 mount/RASA 11/ASI 2600MC/ASI290MM imaging setup to goto a target, platesolve, sync, and centre each object , start FF autoguiding, begin the image sequence, end the sequence, stop autoguide and then goto the next object in the target list. I'll try and post the script here in a day or so.

My friends RASA 11 uses a carbon fibre tube (modified from aluminum) and doesn't require refocusing so the script allows a complete automation of an entire night's imaging run.

[Dunmunro]

Targetlist1.txt:

"N7000" 20 58 49.3 +44 19 40
"M31" 00 42 44.9 +41 16 10


Script:

n = Telescope.List.Count
for i = 1 to n
ra = Telescope.List.Ra(i)
de = Telescope.List.Dec(i)
name = Telescope.List.Name(i)
Telescope.Goto(ra,de)
Telescope.Wait
Pause(1)
Camera.Start(3)
Camera.Wait
Image.FindCoordinates(ra,de,5)
print "Centering telescope..."
Telescope.SyncTo(Image.RA, Image.DEC)
Telescope.GoTo(ra,de)
Telescope.Wait
Guider.FullFrameAutoguide
Pause(5)
dir = "C:\AA7\AA7Testing\"
Sequ(2,15,name,"91",dir)
Guider.StopAutoguide()
next i

Sub Sequ(images,exposure,object,filter,dir)
ClosePreviousImage = false
for i = 1 to images
Camera.Start(exposure)
Camera.Wait
fileName = object + filter + Format(i,"000")+ ".fit"
Image.Save(dir + fileName)
If ClosePreviousImage Then Image.ClosePrevious
ClosePreviousImage = true
print dir + fileName
next i
End Sub

[Dunmunro]

Here's a modified version of the above script, but with (Edit: and FF Autofocus) Full Frame autoguiding AND DITHERING added in:

n = Telescope.List.Count
for i = 1 to n
ra = Telescope.List.Ra(i)
de = Telescope.List.Dec(i)
name = Telescope.List.Name(i)
Telescope.Goto(ra,de)
Telescope.Wait
Pause(1)
Camera.Start(10)
Camera.Wait
Image.FindCoordinates(ra,de,5)
print "Centering telescope..."
Telescope.SyncTo(Image.RA, Image.DEC)
Telescope.GoTo(ra,de)
Telescope.Wait
Guider.Calibrate
Guider.CalibrationOK
Guider.FullFrameAutoguide
Pause(10)
dir = "C:\FTP\"
Sequ(10,900,name,"91",dir)
Guider.StopAutoguide()
next i

Sub Sequ(images,exposure,object,filter,dir)
ClosePreviousImage = false
for i = 1 to images
Camera.FullframeAutofocus(5)
Guider.MoveReference
Pause(3)
Camera.Start(exposure)
Camera.Wait
fileName = object + filter + Format(i,"000")+ ".fit"
Image.Save(dir + fileName)
If ClosePreviousImage Then Image.ClosePrevious
ClosePreviousImage = true
print dir + fileName
next i
End Sub


I still need to refine the script a bit more, to get the camera to wait for the autoguider to centre the guide star before commencing the image.

[Dunmunro]

I was able to use the above script to goto and image about a dozen different objects last night! I waited until a nearly full moon to test going full robotic from now on.

Also I was able to use the AA9 Star Atlas Mosaic feature, which is extremely useful:

I used my 10inF5 system.
I ensured that my camera frame size and orientation was correct in the AA9 options->observer settings
I centred M31 in the Star Atlas and right clicked on M31 which brought up a menu window, I clicked mosaic which created the default 3x3 mosaic overlay on M31. Using the mosaic interface I increased this to a 3x4 panel to completely cover M31. I then copied the panel location data from the mosaic interface drop down menu and pasted it into the telescope goto panel. I then ran the above script and the mount, camera, autoguider and autofocuser went to work in creating a complete mosaic of M31! I didn't finished the mosaic due to the moon and M31 getting down low but the test was a success.

The resulting images were not great due to the moon, but they were perfectly centred, guided and focused!

[Dunmunro]

I added dithering to the above script. You can select the dithering type and parameters from the Sequence Tab and Guider.MoveReference will use these when no parameters are specified in the script. Remember to click on the Dithering check box

I added:
Guider.MoveReference
Pause(3)

Pause(3) gives the mount time to settle after the dither command.