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Two issues I've run into:

1.? In Astro Photo Tool, I have the session craft tool do the Automatic Meridian Flip. APT starts the process, but when it comes to the step of moving the scope it gets an error and stops. Mount never moves. I've try using APT to force a manual flip and I get the same error. One note: My limits are currently set about 20 minutes past the meridian. I've used APT to do flips before with my other mount, and it has worked in the past. Here's part of the APT Log File:

2020/10/16 19:25:29 (UT 2020/10/17 02:25:29)? DBG?? Make a pause

2020/10/16 19:25:33 (UT 2020/10/17 02:25:33)? Op??? PointCraft: Image solved in 1s.

2020/10/16 19:25:33 (UT 2020/10/17 02:25:33)? Op??? PointCraft: Detected FOV size (arc-minutes) - 85.12 x 64.35; focal length - 714.52mm

2020/10/16 19:25:33 (UT 2020/10/17 02:25:33)? DBG?? PointCraft: Found Ra 20.7622509003, Dec 30.7234134674

2020/10/16 19:25:33 (UT 2020/10/17 02:25:33)? Op??? Target locked before flip. RA=20:45:44.10, Dec=30:43:24.29.

2020/10/16 19:25:33 (UT 2020/10/17 02:25:33)? Op??? Stopping PHD2 Guiding.

2020/10/16 19:25:35 (UT 2020/10/17 02:25:35)? Op??? Tracking disabled.

2020/10/16 19:25:35 (UT 2020/10/17 02:25:35)? DBG?? PHD2 Guiding Stopped.

2020/10/16 19:25:46 (UT 2020/10/17 02:25:46)? Op??? Changing the telescope side of pier from West to East

2020/10/16 19:25:46 (UT 2020/10/17 02:25:46)? Op??? Flip move finished.

2020/10/16 19:25:46 (UT 2020/10/17 02:25:46)? OpErr Flip move finished for 11s, it is faster than the defined safety limit of 30s.

2020/10/16 19:25:46 (UT 2020/10/17 02:25:46)? OpErr Can't complete an Automated Meridian Flip! Stopping all actions...

2. I set up in the Gemini computer interface to "Slew to CWD before Parking". At the end of the imaging session, I set up a script in APT to park the scope. Everytime I have tried this the park gets scoped at 90 degrees off from CWD. When I find the scope like this in the morning, I do a manual command to park at CWD, and it goes straight to it. So it's not like it doesn't know where CWD is.

3. This is a gear question. If i got one of? the Losmandy Pier extensions (4 inch...12 inch), would it allow me to image even further past the Meridian? Would I need to ever flip?? (hint to Brian: this, along with setting limits, might make a good youtube video!)

Any help, most appreciated.
--
Rick Paul
Tucson, AZ

Hi Rick!
The other guys will help you with 1 and 2.

Question 3:
I can attest to using an EX12 extension, and the RAEXT on my GM811GHD.
When dreaming about my 811 (born February 2020) I decided I wanted heavy duty, and I wanted a portable pier configuration. So an EX12 came home with my GM811GHD.

Later, I realized the added value (to me) of adding the RAEXT to make my assemblies easier to move in and out all the time. The Image through the meridian without a meridian flip was also very intriguing to me.
That has become my new most favorite way to do my imaging. No Meridian flip!

--
SonnyE


(I suggest viewed in full screen)

Sonny, how long past meridian can you go with the 12 inch? All night?
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Rick Paul
Tucson, AZ

Hi Sonny,
I am also curious what you have your limits set to ?

I have the RAEXT and 12" Ext, ( but I removed my original 4" riser ? from the FHD tripod...)
(With my imaging train on a ED102 with a Celestron OAG and ZWO cameras I can only get my limits to 96 degrees before I get worried)

Thanks,
Astronut Tim

How far is really entirely depending on what is on the clamp.
I'm using an Orion ED80T CF, but I have a large manual filter wheel mounted in my imaging stream (8 filter positions, 1.25"). So the filter wheel is the biggest jeopardy. And it seems in most cases, the thing that gets in the way.
Originally, I was running the default limits. But I discovered I could "Set limits here" and move the settings on the fly, without stopping the imaging the mount was doing. Now that is a really cool feature!

For my first attempt (which was a raving success!) I began Eastward of the South Meridian. I don't keep track of that, I just have my simple filing system I developed and use. My guess would be about half way, if that makes any sense.
I got so enthralled with what I was seeing as the mount tracked across the Southern sky at my location, I was wondering how far I could get. I finally quit because I was about to lose my object in my neighbors tree at 03:30 hours.
But man! I was wide awake and excited with my first experiment.

As the warning chime would begin for the limit, I would move it more with the hand controller. (See: ) Losmandy on YouTube,?

But like so many variables in this sport, what is on the mount, and what is being tracked will have great effect on what can be achieved.
I found myself wondering how far I could go. I was recording stacks at 250 images, then wondered as I past the 5,000 seconds, could I get further? When I was approaching the 10,000 second image point I kept checking the limit clearance of the telescope.
Finally, I squeaked out 13,000 seconds and crashing was eminent, and I was running out of Southwestern sky anyway. So I stopped. That is .

But watch out. You might get addicted to doing these long runs. I keep wanting to push the envelope. I was out at 18,000 seconds on the Andromeda Galaxy the other night.
I think it's fantastic to thumb our noses at the meridian flips.
And I know of no others that can do this. Only from the genius of Scott Losmandy.
--
SonnyE


(I suggest viewed in full screen)

Hey everybody. Have not received any responses on my first two questions.?
--
Rick Paul
Tucson, AZ

Hi Rick

my best guess is there's an issue either with APT or the script you are writing.

You will need to dig up your ascom log for that session to know exactly what happened, but chances are it was outside of the safety limits set in the Gemini

Regarding park, not sure how your script is written, if it's specifying just park, or a specific position like 'home', coordinates, etc.?


I (and many others) do both of the things you are asking about in a different software package and it works just fine for me.?

APT is commanding the flip 1 min after the meridian. The Gemini’s limits are set 20 minutes after the meridian. I think the solution is a 12 pier extension and just shoot thru.?
--
Rick Paul
Tucson, AZ

--

I’ve tested the parking several times. I know if I don’t have the CWD set up in the Gemini then APT commands a straight park command the scope parks right then and there.?

funny thing is Gemini correctly knows where CWD is. After it does this 90 degree off thing, I can command a manual park at CWD and it goes to the correct location.?

I think I will go back to my previous method of commanding a goto near Polaris and then command a straight park.?
--
Rick Paul
Tucson, AZ

Hi Rick,
I tried APT, but I had troubles running it, so I eventually drifted away. Even NINA has been a hard sell to me.
I need bone simple.
And Meridian Flips were always a PITA. However, I did execute a good one the other night using the Gemini Telescope controller.
?> Find Telescope / Mount drivers in the orange left menu....
Scroll down to??Gemini Telescope .NET (1.0.75, April 2020)?
That gives you a virtual control pad for your computer screen. Under the Func button, you can select "sync at currant coordinates", then "Perform Meridian Flip". And the mount will do a meridian flip and come back to your object you were working with.
Incidentally, that hand controller on your computer screen is handy as a pocket on a shirt. I check the "Keep this window on top" box (under func) and set the controller off to my lower right for any adjusting or centering I want to do.
But the Gemini Telescope controller handles my parking. I just open the Park button, and get a menu of options. Since I'm simple, I just choose Park at Start Up Position (Which to me is CWD, aimed at the North Celestial Pole. After my Polar Alignment. After closing Sharpcap, I turn on my Gemini and it remembers that as it's starting position. Then run my Model.)
There are a lot of Parking options with our Losmandy Mounts. It doesn't have to be CWD. You could park it on the side, horizontal, for say a roll-off-roof (ROR) observatory building, or a position for easiest telescope removal.
I just use CWD because I'm dismantling my "chunks" after every night. And I just use the hand controller, or the virtual hand controller.
Incidentally, I often come inside and run my mount from my mancave with Tight VNC (??). And when I'm ready to quit, I tell the mount to park, and everything is ready for me to play mule packing it in.

Probably not the auto sequence you want, but it works for me and my hands-on ways.

Incidentally, The 12" extension is for a portable pier configuration. The RAEXT is the rascal that allows imaging through a meridian.
Currently I have no desirable objects in my Southern skies for the "No Meridian Flip" long imaging. But in June I did.
I picked up in the S/E and imaged it until a near crash with the EX12 column. Right through the Southern Meridian, no flip. 13,000 seconds total.
I had no idea how long I could go. I just targeted the object, centered it, set PHD2 on the area, and watched the show.
As the telescope approached the Limit, I'd reset the limit further and further, 3 times. To give the mount as much room as I could for the longest possible session.
It was all an experiment to me. Trying out the No Meridian Flip afforded by the RAEXT.
Another time, I got onto a different object, , towards my North for another long go. That time I got 18,000 seconds (5 hours) non-stop.
I'm enjoying these long run imaging sessions. It's as close as I've gotten to a "Set-it and Forget-it" image. But my goal is to gather very weak details of the object.
Now, where I'm falling flat on my face is my very limited post-processing abilities. If you click on the links above my friends at UHH help me a lot by working with the data. Albireo brought out a huge amount of detail, as did my other buddy Europa.
But I'm bumbling along. I have a lot of fun anyway.

I have discovered something of a glitch in my Northward imaging. PHD2 hits a block along the way. I think it may have to do with the overhead wires, but haven't nailed it down just yet. Last night I had a good run started on The Embryo Nebula, but got clouded out with misting fog. Just loverly! Closed shop at 11 PM (23:00 Hrs). Now we have a bunch of damp and rain possible for the next several days.
Time to play indoors, Check for dust mites, Do some Fall cleaning. ;^)

--
SonnyE


(I suggest viewed in full screen)