Resolved SG-3 Short /AC4040 FOV

Discussion in 'Guiding and Adaptive Optics - StarChaser and AO' started by Mark Manner, Feb 28, 2022.

  1. Mark Manner

    Mark Manner Cyanogen Customer

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    Hi, I have an SG-3short and AC4040. I need to build an accurate FOV in TheSkyX for the system. I have a placeholder setup that is correct for the main AC4040 imaging chip, and has the correct SC-3 chip, but I do not know how far from the main chip the SG-3 chip is. In the past I've used trial and error when building an FOV for an off-axis guider, but I thought I'd ask here if anyone has one built already? I realize that where in the light path you have the pick-off mirror affects this, but a starting point that someone else uses won't hurt. If I don't get an answer, I'll post mine for what it is worth after I figure it out. Currently, my inputs for the SBIG ACt4040 and SC-3Short are:

    SC-3: size x-axis 6.2mm y-axis 5.0mm
    offset x-axis 0 y-axis 26.0mm
    Element 3 circle diameter: 47.25mm
    Element 4 circle diameter: 57.25mm

    Element 3 and 4, and the y-axis offset for the SC-3 are the ones that I do not know at this point. The numbers I am using create an FOV shown in the attached document.

    Thanks,
    Mark
     

    Attached Files:

    • FOV.jpg
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  2. Doug

    Doug Staff Member

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    Yes that can be a bit hard to figure out. I typically use the moon to find the approximate relative position of the two chips. It's a nice big target!

    Once you know the approximate positioning of the two chips, you can measure the spacing using the mount nudge controls. Just put a star on the edge of the guide chip, and then see how much of a nudge is needed to bring it to the edge of the main chip.
     
  3. Mark Manner

    Mark Manner Cyanogen Customer

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    Thanks Doug, I'll grab the moon when it is next around conveniently!
     
  4. Colin Haig

    Colin Haig Staff Member

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    Mark, another possibility is to set up MaxIm's capability to do Analyze... PinPoint Astrometry. You'll need a star catalog, such as UCAC4. Then you find an area of sky with enough stars to get a few on the guide chip and main chip. Take an image of both, platesolve both. It's not easy, but it's pretty accurate.
     
  5. Mark Manner

    Mark Manner Cyanogen Customer

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    Hi Colin, I have done that in the past, although I recall having some difficulty in getting a good plate solve on the guider chip. I'll give that a try tonight as the Moon seems to not be around right now. It is always in the way when we don't want it, and I guess never here when we do.
     
  6. Colin Haig

    Colin Haig Staff Member

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    Venus may be far enough from the Sun right now to be usable.
     
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  7. JoshuaHufford

    JoshuaHufford Cyanogen Customer

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    I point my scope at a large open cluster such as M35 or M11 to get a good plate solve on my guide chip, that usually works for me.
     
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  8. Mark Manner

    Mark Manner Cyanogen Customer

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    Hi, the crescent moon helped me find the right side, and then some trial and error with the moon and then stars resulted in a successful FOV creation in TheSkyX. In case it helps anyone else, attached is a montage of TheSkyX fov screens showing the inputs used for my setup. This may be of some help. Also include a pic of the camera so you can see how the SC-3 is oriented with respect to the AC4040 (necessary to get the side correct).
    Best,
    Mark fov.jpg ac4040.sc3.jpg
     
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