Awesome Amy. Thanks heaps. I've got my telescope reticle back now. Also, I loved the video with Shawn and the gang. What a great help you've all been to everyone. The hobby owes all of you a lot. Thanks again and clear skies.
Oh my word!! I have been days trying to get that to work in Stellarium. I thought that I must have been doing something stupid and I was. I could get my EQ6-R Pro to work in other programs but not this one until I saw your vid and noticed the right scrollbar in the scope setup !! I just hadn't spotted it. Thank you so much. Clear skies!!!
Thank you for this helpful video. I'm finally getting into computer controlling my mount and autoguiding and this video is very helpful and greatly appreciated!
Thank you, Amy, I'm catching up with your backlog of inspirational videos which are, bit by bit, helping me set up my gear for goto control. I see you have the same mount as I do (apart from yours not having seized bearings as I said the other day!) so I am even more confident that I will get a result in the next week or two! Perhaps once I'm up and running I'll update this and try to summarise some of the little glitches I've encountered installing the applications! Once again, thanks from (first real rain in 2 months) UK south coast!
This is soo exciting and interesing while I am just starting out with Stellarium software. ✌Also to fill in on those rainy days I am putting together a 1420 MHz radio telescope. So let the fun begin. 😎 Thank you.
Great video - yes would love a setup workflow video. I have a new refractor, HEQ5PRO and polemaster - would love to learn how to set up properly. Look forward to future videos.
Thanks for the tips about Stellarium. Looks like you're getting the same weather as I am here in Savannah. Not to fret, clearing is on the way ... but so is the moon.
Hi Amy, thanks for looking after everybody with your great videos. If you are using APT will you go a step further and show how to connect Stellarium to it please?
HI Amy, great video as usual. The rain has returned here in the UK following a brief period of snow. To be honest I have never liked Stellarium for astro imaging due to its limited catologes & being so memory hungry (this was a few years ago / things may have changed?). Have you tried HnSky? HnSky is similar layout to the traditional planetarium software, works nicely with Ascom, frames your image following plate solve & gives you a fov of your connected equipment. Marc
I stellarium and I have a love / hate relationship. Early on it was not my go to. Over the last year or so there have been some helpful improvements. I do wish for a larger catalog. I believe I have all downloaded, but it does slow things down. I will google the HnSky, it is new to me. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Amy. I currently use an Orion Atlas Mount, Meade 10" SCT at F10. In addition, I have a ZWO ASI 120MM Mini camera. I have used Stellarium to slew my telescope. I would like to somehow use Stellarium and N.I.N.A to find objects to look at through the main telescope using Plate solving. As much as I would like to buy a camera for deep space astrophotography, it's just too expensive. Anyway, I would love to be able to slew to find objects using plate solving just to observe. Help!
This is cool- Something I've been wanting to set up for a while. Have you done this with with APT or NINA? I've got to get Ascomhub set up... Clear skies are coming, Amy! Hang in there!
hi, what if my telescope doesn´t appear on the list of available telescopes, bc im in an observatory working with a telescope from the 80s and trying to upgrade the software
I use sequence generator pro to take all of my images. These two programs work independently. Stellarium is just for my planning my possible targets that night.
Hi Amy, nice video. I see you have still the POTH hub in your mount list which suggest that you use an older ASCOM version. The new version uses the Device Hub, did you ever got a shot at that? I connected Phd, APT and Stellarium through the HUB this way but havent been able to test it yet.
Hi Amy, thanks for this been looking for clear advice how to use Stellarium, (finally got mount talking to laptop,). Can’t wait to test with some stars etc. conditions for viewing have been terrible (Barcelona, Spain)for weeks and weeks. But at least has given me time to work on configurations and looks like like weather improving for end
I have to be doing something wrong I have a EQ6R Pro and I can't get mine to work on Stellarium? I'll keep on working with it I think that be a cool thing to have Thanks
Well, after some challenging events. Stellarium will now slew my NEQ-6 PRO to a target. Unfortunately when I start tracking using Stellarium it only track for about a minute and then stops. Any ideals? I enjoy the video's. Thanks...
Hi Amy, thanks - one question do I need to polar align, and 3 star alignment prior to using Stellarium goto? Presumably you always have to start in the home position ?
First step is always polar align. You can use Stellarium to accomplish your 3 star alignment (along with camera, telrad) Once 3 star aligned Stellarium will drive your mount to the desired location pretty accurately. Yes the home position is best, weights down, scope up.
Hello Amy from the warm and sunny Rock of Gibraltar. I knew Stellarium had something but hadn't seen it as well explained as your video. Great , thanks. Didnt work for me though with a HEQ5. Did I read somewhere that it does not work with USB3? I am using a cable that goes from the HEQ5 socket to USB. DOes the COM port need to be set somewhere? Thanks anyone!
Hi Amy! I'm planning on buying a new telescope and am considering a carbon fiber-based 100mm like yours, or a carbon fiber-based 127mm. I've been an amateur astronomer for over 50 years but am new to astrophotography and computerized mounts (I'm considering the EQ6-R). Do you think the 127 would pose any problems as far as astrophotography goes? I've used SCTs all my life and this will be my first high quality triplet refractor. Also, do these kinds of telescopes allow visual use as well or are they only meant for photography? Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. :-)
Exciting times! The EQ6-R will handle the 102 and the 127. The 127 is better if you are going after smaller targets like galaxies. If you want Nebulas like Orion just plan on imaging it as a mosaic. I use a 0.8x reducer with my 102mm to capture Orion and the Running man in one image. Check out this site to get an idea of FOV for the scope and camera you are thinking about before you purchase. astronomy.tools/calculators/field_of_view/ I am very happy with my Explore Scientific Carbon Fiber. If your budget allows reach for the version with the FCD100 glass. It will save you from star bloat. Yes you can use these scopes for visual observing also. Reach out any time. Clear skies!
Thank you for this video! I got my (Orion Atlas) mount to talk to my laptop, and this really helped me use Stellarium to drive it. I downloaded SharpCap, and will use that to align my scope, would that be the best way to do it? I've done visual, on and off again, for years, but am stepping into astrophotography.
How are you connecting your mount to stellarium? What I mean is how are you connecting the hand controller to you Laptop or are you doing that differently?
I do not use the supplied hand controller. I use a special cable that has an RJ45 to USB connections. I have a sky watcher EQ6-R first generation mount. This link will show you the cable I need. Each mount is different. amzn.to/2Zmgec2 The goal was a cable that connects to your mount where the hand controller would plug in to and a usb that would plug into your PC. Try this video also ua-cam.com/video/sizZWoI-hEo/v-deo.html
Thank you for this video! I have ASCOM, EQMOD, and Stellarium working. But acting strange. When I connect the Orion Sirius scope - Stellarium shows it is pointing below the horizon. And yet if I select a star and initiate a slew to it - the mount does appear to move to the correct position - but Stellarium continues to show the scope pointing in the exact same spot below the horizon. It never moves - no matter how many stars I slew too. I know the cable to the mount is correct because I used it before with an installation of ASCOM/EQMOD/Stellarium on a different laptop. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
@@AmyAstro Thank you Amy. I do have the long/lat identical for both systems. And Stellarium is in agreement with my other planetarium programs. So I can't tell if its timing is off. I believe it is synchronized with the time in Windows. I installed this on an older dell 10 inch laptop with Windows 7 thinking it would be more convenient to transport with the telescope. But Stellarium works very slowly in that laptop. So I'm wondering if the laptop may simply not have the power for this application. I am planning on buying a more current laptop. Thank you so very much for what you do! Love your videos - and you are awesome person!!!
@@AmyAstro I think I figured out the problem. 1) Within EQMOD - and within the "Track Rate Siderial" options - make sure to select "Star Tracking" by pressing the STAR button. 2) Within EQMOD - and within the "Alignment /Sync" options - make sure to select from the "User Interface" drop-down "Append on Sync". 3) Make sure the scope is facing Polaris and in PARK and then shut down EQMOD 4) Start Stellarium, connect to scope, and attempt a slew to object. The PARK notification pop-up will tell you - you must UNPARK the scope. 5) Go to EQMOD and UNPARK the scope. Now Stellarium should be able to slew to an object - and allow you to use EQMOD controls to center the object in eyepiece - then select "SYNC" in the Stellarium telescope control. You should be able to watch the telescope ICON move and adjust its position. Within EQMOD - within the Alignment options - you should now see a value within the "Point Count" field. This represents an OFFSET value - and EQMOD is creating its own map of where objects are actually located. This SYNC process can be performed on any number of stars and EQMOD will continue to add these OFFSET values for each object you Sync to. With these SYCN values - EQMOD will now have a much more accurate map of where objects are in the sky.
Got it all going a couple weeks ago but no my telescope recticle was moving. The mount did though. Didn't have camera attached. Guess that was the problem?
@@AmyAstro it was a complete rookie mistake. I got it going. No camera attached at the time which was why the telescope reticle was not moving on the computer screen even though the mount was moving. It's all good now. Sorry for the late reply didn't know you responded.
At first I preferred Du Ciel, a couple years ago I swapped over and have not looked back. I do still wish Stellarium had more info. I uploaded all of the star charts, but still feel good targets are missing.
I have had this issue before. Ultimately I had to uninstall Stellarium completely and download a fresh copy and start over. I have no clue what caused the problem. Wish I could help more.
As always, I learn so much from your videos---Thank you for your great instructions. But, now if only I can have one clear night when I do not have to wake up early the next day! :(
I know im asking the wrong place but does anyone know a way to log back into an instagram account? I was stupid forgot the account password. I appreciate any tips you can give me!
Thank you for this video! It helped me get my mount and Stellarium working together! Clear skies!
Wonderful! So happy this worked for you. Clear Skies!
Awesome Amy. Thanks heaps. I've got my telescope reticle back now. Also, I loved the video with Shawn and the gang. What a great help you've all been to everyone. The hobby owes all of you a lot. Thanks again and clear skies.
Thank you! You are so kind!!
Oh my word!! I have been days trying to get that to work in Stellarium. I thought that I must have been doing something stupid and I was. I could get my EQ6-R Pro to work in other programs but not this one until I saw your vid and noticed the right scrollbar in the scope setup !! I just hadn't spotted it. Thank you so much. Clear skies!!!
I am so happy you figured it out! clear skies
Thank you Amy!!! There are so many videos and so many ways to run the OTA, that it's confusing. You video gave me clear shies. Thanks again.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for this helpful video. I'm finally getting into computer controlling my mount and autoguiding and this video is very helpful and greatly appreciated!
I am so happy it helped you.
Thank you, Amy, I'm catching up with your backlog of inspirational videos which are, bit by bit, helping me set up my gear for goto control. I see you have the same mount as I do (apart from yours not having seized bearings as I said the other day!) so I am even more confident that I will get a result in the next week or two! Perhaps once I'm up and running I'll update this and try to summarise some of the little glitches I've encountered installing the applications! Once again, thanks from (first real rain in 2 months) UK south coast!
This is soo exciting and interesing while I am just starting out with Stellarium software. ✌Also to fill in on those rainy days I am putting together a 1420 MHz radio telescope. So let the fun begin. 😎 Thank you.
Thanks - exactly what I needed to get Stellarium to control the mount
Wonderful!
So, it’s not just me that does that trick of pointing the scope at the ground. Good tips for connecting telescope and Stellarium. Thanks!
Yup, I always act surprised when I do that
Great video - yes would love a setup workflow video. I have a new refractor, HEQ5PRO and polemaster - would love to learn how to set up properly. Look forward to future videos.
Thank you Claire, New gear is always exciting.
Thanks for the tips about Stellarium.
Looks like you're getting the same weather as I am here in Savannah. Not to fret, clearing is on the way ... but so is the moon.
lol I would expect nothing less from the moon. The weather channel is teasing for Saturday. Fingers are crossed.
HI Amy, thanks for the video. I was wondering if that is you singing in the video? Thanks.
I am impressed, Amy ! Thanks
I wonder if those options are available in an iPad version?
Those two gingers look pretty happy together.
They are a happy mess. They do everything together. Best friends.
Thanks Emy, finally a well done and useful tutorial
Thank you for the huge compliment!
Thanks so much I plan on doing this in the future and this video is very straight forward. Also cute kitties at the end!
Best of luck! thank you, they are my heart!
Another great video. I have learned a lot from all your video. Looking forward to your next one.
Thank you!!! Clear skies!
Hi Amy, thanks for looking after everybody with your great videos. If you are using APT will you go a step further and show how to connect Stellarium to it please?
Thank you so much. So many APT requests. Maybe I need to see what the software looks like. Lol
HI Amy, great video as usual. The rain has returned here in the UK following a brief period of snow. To be honest I have never liked Stellarium for astro imaging due to its limited catologes & being so memory hungry (this was a few years ago / things may have changed?). Have you tried HnSky? HnSky is similar layout to the traditional planetarium software, works nicely with Ascom, frames your image following plate solve & gives you a fov of your connected equipment. Marc
I stellarium and I have a love / hate relationship. Early on it was not my go to. Over the last year or so there have been some helpful improvements. I do wish for a larger catalog. I believe I have all downloaded, but it does slow things down. I will google the HnSky, it is new to me. Thanks for sharing!
Great video. Very helpful info. Much appreciated.
Hi Amy. I currently use an Orion Atlas Mount, Meade 10" SCT at F10. In addition, I have a ZWO ASI 120MM Mini camera. I have used Stellarium to slew my telescope. I would like to somehow use Stellarium and N.I.N.A to find objects to look at through the main telescope using Plate solving. As much as I would like to buy a camera for deep space astrophotography, it's just too expensive. Anyway, I would love to be able to slew to find objects using plate solving just to observe. Help!
This is cool- Something I've been wanting to set up for a while. Have you done this with with APT or NINA? I've got to get Ascomhub set up... Clear skies are coming, Amy! Hang in there!
I'm a hanging in for sure. :)
You can have Stellarium talk to APT 👍
@@OlliesSpace Awesome, Thank you for letting us know.
@@AmyAstro no worries guys
hi, what if my telescope doesn´t appear on the list of available telescopes, bc im in an observatory working with a telescope from the 80s and trying to upgrade the software
Hi Amy when you say at 7:28 that your telescope will take a photo ,how is that ,is it with another program ,or is it through stellarium too ,thank you
I use sequence generator pro to take all of my images. These two programs work independently. Stellarium is just for my planning my possible targets that night.
Great video and info...thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
Hi Amy, nice video. I see you have still the POTH hub in your mount list which suggest that you use an older ASCOM version. The new version uses the Device Hub, did you ever got a shot at that? I connected Phd, APT and Stellarium through the HUB this way but havent been able to test it yet.
I wonder if ASCOM just leaves the older versions installed. I update frequently. I will have to check it out.
Hi Amy, thanks for this been looking for clear advice how to use Stellarium, (finally got mount talking to laptop,). Can’t wait to test with some stars etc. conditions for viewing have been terrible (Barcelona, Spain)for weeks and weeks. But at least has given me time to work on configurations and looks like like weather improving for end
End of this week. 🙏
You are so welcome! Hope it clears up soon for you!
that's help a lot ... thank you
I have to be doing something wrong I have a EQ6R Pro and I can't get mine to work on Stellarium? I'll keep on working with it I think that be a cool thing to have Thanks
Oh no, hope you get it working soon.
Well, after some challenging events. Stellarium will now slew my NEQ-6 PRO to a target. Unfortunately when I start tracking using Stellarium it only track for about a minute and then stops. Any ideals? I enjoy the video's. Thanks...
OK! I just realize that after I slew to object. I have to sync to continue tracking object 😊. Now on to the next challenge.
So glad you figured it out. This hobby is full of challenges.
Did you get some snow down there Amy ?? Instead of the rain for Valentines ??
No snow. :( just the wet stuff. Still pouring a day later also.
Hi Amy, thanks - one question do I need to polar align, and 3 star alignment prior to using Stellarium goto? Presumably you always have to start in the home position ?
First step is always polar align. You can use Stellarium to accomplish your 3 star alignment (along with camera, telrad) Once 3 star aligned Stellarium will drive your mount to the desired location pretty accurately. Yes the home position is best, weights down, scope up.
Hi Amy, Can you do autoguiding with stellarium?
No, I use PHD2 for guiding.
Hello Amy from the warm and sunny Rock of Gibraltar. I knew Stellarium had something but hadn't seen it as well explained as your video. Great , thanks. Didnt work for me though with a HEQ5. Did I read somewhere that it does not work with USB3? I am using a cable that goes from the HEQ5 socket to USB. DOes the COM port need to be set somewhere? Thanks anyone!
EQMOD does not find any of the com ports, the PC says its on Com 4 but still does not connect. Any help appreciated.
check for the FTDI Chip driver. You will need that to get the cable recognized.
Thanks a lot, got the drivers will try out tomorrow.
@@kevindesoisa4523 Best of luck
Thank you so much.
So if I get the scope heading some weird way that will be a problem, is there a way in Stellarium to stop it in a hurry?
Keep the EQMod window close and cancel there. I will have to look closer at Stellarium for a emergency stop. As you saw I sent it the wrong way.
Hi Amy! I'm planning on buying a new telescope and am considering a carbon fiber-based 100mm like yours, or a carbon fiber-based 127mm. I've been an amateur astronomer for over 50 years but am new to astrophotography and computerized mounts (I'm considering the EQ6-R). Do you think the 127 would pose any problems as far as astrophotography goes? I've used SCTs all my life and this will be my first high quality triplet refractor. Also, do these kinds of telescopes allow visual use as well or are they only meant for photography? Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. :-)
Exciting times! The EQ6-R will handle the 102 and the 127. The 127 is better if you are going after smaller targets like galaxies. If you want Nebulas like Orion just plan on imaging it as a mosaic. I use a 0.8x reducer with my 102mm to capture Orion and the Running man in one image. Check out this site to get an idea of FOV for the scope and camera you are thinking about before you purchase. astronomy.tools/calculators/field_of_view/ I am very happy with my Explore Scientific Carbon Fiber. If your budget allows reach for the version with the FCD100 glass. It will save you from star bloat. Yes you can use these scopes for visual observing also. Reach out any time. Clear skies!
Thank you for this video! I got my (Orion Atlas) mount to talk to my laptop, and this really helped me use Stellarium to drive it.
I downloaded SharpCap, and will use that to align my scope, would that be the best way to do it? I've done visual, on and off again, for years, but am stepping into astrophotography.
SharpCap is a great way to align it. I have a video showing you that also. Congrats on getting the mount to talk. :)
How are you connecting your mount to stellarium? What I mean is how are you connecting the hand controller to you Laptop or are you doing that differently?
I do not use the supplied hand controller. I use a special cable that has an RJ45 to USB connections. I have a sky watcher EQ6-R first generation mount. This link will show you the cable I need. Each mount is different. amzn.to/2Zmgec2 The goal was a cable that connects to your mount where the hand controller would plug in to and a usb that would plug into your PC. Try this video also ua-cam.com/video/sizZWoI-hEo/v-deo.html
@@AmyAstro Thanks Amy, I have the same Sirius mount, so the cable connects your Laptop to your mount directly. Thats the piece I was missing.
Thank you
Hey very useful information. Do u have any idea if I can control my star adventure with Syellarium.
I don't think so, but don't quote me on that. I had an SA 4 years ago and it was not able. Newer versions I have not worked with.
@@AmyAstro thanks 👍
Thank you for this video! I have ASCOM, EQMOD, and Stellarium working. But acting strange. When I connect the Orion Sirius scope - Stellarium shows it is pointing below the horizon. And yet if I select a star and initiate a slew to it - the mount does appear to move to the correct position - but Stellarium continues to show the scope pointing in the exact same spot below the horizon. It never moves - no matter how many stars I slew too.
I know the cable to the mount is correct because I used it before with an installation of ASCOM/EQMOD/Stellarium on a different laptop.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Verify your GPS is correct along with the time in Stellarium. I found when they were off I would get strange results.
@@AmyAstro Thank you Amy. I do have the long/lat identical for both systems. And Stellarium is in agreement with my other planetarium programs. So I can't tell if its timing is off. I believe it is synchronized with the time in Windows.
I installed this on an older dell 10 inch laptop with Windows 7 thinking it would be more convenient to transport with the telescope. But Stellarium works very slowly in that laptop. So I'm wondering if the laptop may simply not have the power for this application.
I am planning on buying a more current laptop.
Thank you so very much for what you do!
Love your videos - and you are awesome person!!!
@@dw6528 Thank you. Also check your UTC time. It could be reading daylight savings vs regular. A lot happens in an hour. Best of luck.
@@AmyAstro I think I figured out the problem.
1) Within EQMOD - and within the "Track Rate Siderial" options - make sure to select "Star Tracking" by pressing the STAR button.
2) Within EQMOD - and within the "Alignment /Sync" options - make sure to select from the "User Interface" drop-down "Append on Sync".
3) Make sure the scope is facing Polaris and in PARK and then shut down EQMOD
4) Start Stellarium, connect to scope, and attempt a slew to object. The PARK notification pop-up will tell you - you must UNPARK the scope.
5) Go to EQMOD and UNPARK the scope.
Now Stellarium should be able to slew to an object - and allow you to use EQMOD controls to center the object in eyepiece - then select "SYNC" in the Stellarium telescope control.
You should be able to watch the telescope ICON move and adjust its position.
Within EQMOD - within the Alignment options - you should now see a value within the "Point Count" field. This represents an OFFSET value - and EQMOD is creating its own map of where objects are actually located.
This SYNC process can be performed on any number of stars and EQMOD will continue to add these OFFSET values for each object you Sync to.
With these SYCN values - EQMOD will now have a much more accurate map of where objects are in the sky.
Got it all going a couple weeks ago but no my telescope recticle was moving. The mount did though. Didn't have camera attached. Guess that was the problem?
I'm not sure I follow the question. No camera is required to get Stellarium and your mount to talk.
@@AmyAstro it was a complete rookie mistake. I got it going. No camera attached at the time which was why the telescope reticle was not moving on the computer screen even though the mount was moving. It's all good now. Sorry for the late reply didn't know you responded.
Love them orange kittens!
They are an adorable mess.
cant config telescope it just stays grey help
thanks for this
You're welcome
Do you prefer this to Crusty Du Ciel?
At first I preferred Du Ciel, a couple years ago I swapped over and have not looked back. I do still wish Stellarium had more info. I uploaded all of the star charts, but still feel good targets are missing.
once I hit chose ascom tab, stellarium crashes, any thoughts about that ?
I have had this issue before. Ultimately I had to uninstall Stellarium completely and download a fresh copy and start over. I have no clue what caused the problem. Wish I could help more.
@@AmyAstro Thanks, I have found the way around this issue, installed CDC instead hahahah no issues at all
@@geopolska Genius!
Could you do a video showing your work flow between 3 star alignment to PHD2
Honestly I do not use 3 star alignment. I platesolve and do not worry about it. Are you asking how to do a 3 star alignment? I can teach that.
@@AmyAstro do you use stallerium to plate solve
@@SuperKevinFS I use sequence generator pro as my capture software and it does the plate solving.
@@AmyAstro have u got a tutorial on that Amy
Not specifically on how to plate solve. I can put one of those together if you would like.
As always, I learn so much from your videos---Thank you for your great instructions. But, now if only I can have one clear night when I do not have to wake up early the next day! :(
Thank you so much. I also wish for one of those nights
I know im asking the wrong place but does anyone know a way to log back into an instagram account?
I was stupid forgot the account password. I appreciate any tips you can give me!
@Duke Gatlin Instablaster ;)
Great stuff
Thank you!
Not really relevant but you havea very soothing voice :)
Thank you :)
So, how are the cats?
Not wishing me as much as I miss them. Getting spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa.
Midwest nothing but clouds and -10 temps for almost two weeks. yuck
Booo clouds. I hope some clear skies head your way soon. Clouds are moving fast today, I hope they move out of the area.