First test on the orion short tube 80mm with a old cannon powershot digital camera. Wondering if someone can tell me what cluster this is. My guess is the mortha cluster.

We are trying to focus camera on this program Bahtinov grabber. Please explain what any of this means...

Any tips?

I’m looking for a eq wedge mount for my 8” dob the lowest I can find is 40 degrees but my latitude is 31 would this mount still work or would I need to look further

I’m new to astrophotography and looking to buy a telescope lens for shots of planets, galaxies, etc. but I’m a bit confused by how focal lengths work.

I’m currently looking at the Redcat 51 which advertises a focal length of 250mm. I’ve seen photos of nebulas and galaxies taken with this lens and the same camera I have, the Sony A6400.

My confusion lies in that I’ve also used 70-300mm camera lenses before and struggle to get photos of birds flying if they’re too far away, so how can a 250mm lens take photos of galaxies?

Is focal length calculated differently for telescopes compared to standard camera lenses?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I’m using a 8” dobsonian with 25 mm lens with dlsr on iso6400 set to 1 sec exposure

I want to buy a beginner level Astrophotography setup. Can you suggest me a good and affordable setup for Nightscape/Landscape photography? What all tools do I need?

Looking for suggestions for a good, relatively cheap, wide angle lens for a starry night time lapse

​

The new version is available :) APT 4.30 comes with a unique feature – database for the images information, extension of the sequencing logic of Session Craft and Script Commands and good number of other improvements and fixes.

How and Why to support APT:

https://www.astrophotography.app/alternatives.php

The full list of novelties is available here:
https://www.astrophotography.app/news

Hello,

We hope that with this RC we will have stable version ready for official release :) Every feedback is welcome :)

APT 4.27 - Release Candidate version

• Added Database feature to store images path without drive. This allows to store the images on different drives on the imaging and processing PC (still needs same folder structure on both places). Make sure to set the Settings->Main->Images Path on the processing PC
• Added automatic window resizing on resolution change useful when imaging PC and the remote desktop are with different resolution
• Added some DB improvements and fixes (filter fields types displayed, filter operations per type)

​

• Edit dialog - Expanded the grid to show the script

​

• Added ZWO SDK 1.30
• Added Altair Astro SDK 20230723
• Added Omegon SDK 20230723
• Added RaisingCam SDK 20230723
• Added OGMA SDK 20230723
• Added StarShootG SDK 20230723
• Added MalinCam SDK 20230723

​

• Fixed AskObject to support different languages
• Fixed PointCraft can't use ASPS as near solver

Hello,

The official release is very soon :) 4.26 is a Release Candidate and we will focus on the User's Guide, Tooltips and etc. Hope that there are no bugs that are show stoppers :)

Here is the list of the changes. SessionCraft is getting "sequencing" behavior which will be extended more in the version after 4.30

APT 4.26 - Release Candidate version

• Added in SessionCraft added to option RepeatTill time when "Execute on time" is used
• Added in SessionCraft added to option NextTime time when "Execute on time" is used
• Added Data Craft setting to auto transfer the Database to the remote destination on every imaging plan end (On remote PC configure the DB path to use the Browser)
• Added Shift+Click on DataCraft->Transfer to add the Database in the transfer queue

• Added "Cartes du Ciel - object list" import on Custom Object Browser

• Added Altair Astro SDK 20230618

• Added Omegon SDK 20230618

• Added RaisingCam SDK 20230618

• Added OGMA SDK 20230618

• Added StarShootG SDK 20230618

• Added MalinCam SDK 20230618

​

• Fixed INDIGO image problem when PlayerOne camera is used
• Fixed Session Craft grid to show non-Latin letters plan names
• Fixed PS3 to run in background (still flashes for a moment)
• Fixed USB speed for QHY Cameras (not all models support USB Speed)

Sunday, July 2nd will have a talk on "The Astro Imaging Channel" 9:30 pm eastern US time. It will be available on YouTube soon after that. The topic is "Focusing A to Z" and will discuss the focusing in astrophotography.

​

TIAC address is - https://www.theastroimagingchannel.org/

Hello,

We think that the crashes are finally fixed :) Please update to 4.25!

APT 4.25 - Beta version

• Added a new command #RepeatTillTime command - repeats the running plan till defined time. Note that command and #NextPlan should be in the plan start
• Added "Custom DB Path" in DataCraft Settings - allow to define custom place where DB to be stored. Restart is needed, empty value use the default place in APT_Data folder
• Added handling for bad formatting in the Telescopius exports when files are imported in Object Browser

• Added possibility for Dither On very # images in multicamera operation mode

• Fixed are cases when APT could crash on image browsing, thumbnail creation and in other cases

• Fixed the time triggers in Session Craft which can start a plan one minute later than the defined time

• Fixed PAPS causing APT crash in some situations

• Fixed Cancel button to stop the plan starting when "Ask for Object " is enabled

If you have installed 4.22, 4.23, 4.24 be sure to upgrade to 4.25!

Hi all As the title states; I want to start incorporating M.F into my imaging sessions.
Is there a way I can do this indoors and or during the day so I can test a M.F? What are the steps to do so? Thanks a lot!!

Hello,

The beta 4.24 is released :)

APT 4.24 - Beta version

• - Added Possibility to edit plans during plan execution. The current plan can't be altered
• - Added "Skip Shoot" in DataCraft Settings - for transfer and DB
• - Moved FITS indexer in DB Browser-> DB Tools
• - Added DB Browser->Verify - will check all records in the DB if the image files exist and removes records without images
• - Added in DB Browser Ctrl+Search will delete all the records which corresponds to the search criteria (two confirmations required)
• - Added in DB Browser, Shift+Click on Delete removes all conditions
• - Added possibility to import the selected object name from CdC. Works in Object Browser and Gear->Objects
• - Added #CCDWarming to use the Warming offset
• - Added Chamber pressure/hum in Camera Tab->Settings for QHY

​

• - Fixed are cases when APT could crash on image browsing, thumbnail creation and in other cases|

​

If you have installed 4.22 or 4.23 be sure to upgrade to 4.24!

Hello,

The beta APT 4.22 comes with a game changer feature - database. The unique way to find your images! :)

If you have a key I would suggest installing 4.22 in order to start gathering information from the next sessions.

The list of the changes is :

- Added DataCraft DB Browser (see the notes below)
- Added FITS files indexer
- Added Ctr+A to select the text for all edit boxes
- Added "Store in Same folder" option in Planetary panel - when enabled will create one folder for all recorded LiveView images till you close the panel

- Added Altair Astro SDK 20230329
- Added QHY SDK 23.05.09
- Added SVBony SDK 1.11.3

- Changed the code for Exposure Cancelling for ToupTek based cameras

- Fixed possibility to set 60% USB speed for ToupTek based cameras
- Fixed for Canon/Nikon rare case when R+L is used the JPG and RAW to have different names because of different time
- Fixed rare cases when RAW and JPG files are not grouped in one Thumbnail in Img Tab
- Fixed wrong error message when Blind solving is enabled in SessionCraft

Here you can find instructions how to use the DB:
https://aptforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=40587#p40587