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 Full Frame autoguiding 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)
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!