Thanks Peter. I like the idea of testing the meridian flip using the sky atlas in order to confirm that the tripod legs or cabling doesn’t interfere before starting your imaging session. Great advice! Dr B from Manitoba, Canada 🇨🇦
Very helpful, Peter! Nothing to do but watch videos about it at this stage since I'm still waiting for my AM5. 🙄 I'll put in a plug here for your Deep Space Course (and the others you have) -- they are fantastic, and incredible values. They've helped me tremendously throughout my astro journey so far. Look forward to more videos on UA-cam! Thanks again.
Thank you, Peter! I’m about to get my first computerized equatorial mount, and have been worried about this. Coincidently my first target is going to be the NA nebula, so this video will be crucial. Thanks again!
Super clear explanation, as always - thanks Peter. I also have an AM5 and Asiair and was imaging Horsehead last night using Live rather than Autorun. It seemed to try a MF but failed (I wasn't watching it, but no harm done) so I completed it manually and got another couple of hours in. Having seen this video I'll continue imaging tonight with Autorun and hopefully control the flip better. I just hope I can get the camera angle right so that I can stack last night's subs with tonight's.
Enjoyed this video. One question. What happens when the meridian flip occurs during the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse? I plan on being in Texas and according to Stellarium the flip occurs about 20 minutes before totality. Auto run cannot recalibrate because it’s the sun…no stars. According to your video on ASIAir Solar you gave up trying, preview, focus, and autorun and just do Video. Has that workflow changed? Got a pier and a Meade Solar max II 60 so hope I can start on east side of mount at noon and track to 3 pm with out a flip. 3 hours at 15° @ hour 45° scope turn. Thanks.
Yes, that is indeed inconsistent. What he means to say is that you might get into trouble when the declination axis is horizontal (counterweight out tot he side, same position as when balancing your telescope and counterweight) and the telescope is close to vertical.
During goto tonight for object close to Meridian ( west side) of pier I received warning meridian flip failed. Sequence would not start. Not sure how to get go to to go to the east side of the pier.
Definitely need to check the power cables. For an unknown reason, I had a power loss during last night's flip. I couldn't find the cuplrit but ultimately had to restart everything. As in, go back to PA and start again. That was a lot of wasted time especially when the power loss occured a second time. Still don't know which cable that was!!!!
I have the AM5 and I've configured meridian flip using my ASIAir+ following the procedure you've identified. However, if I connect the AM5 handcontroller and connect to my AM5 using the ASI Mount app I note that there is an option for Meridian Flip in that app. Should this be turned on or should it be turned off?
If you're using the Air+ you don't need to use the ASI Mount app or hand controller at all, it's redundant. Just stick to the Air and you can do everything you need in there. The ASI Mount app and hand controller are more for visual observing
Is there a way to turn off meridian flip with an iOptron GEM45 mount, Celestron 9.25-inch SCT and Asiair Plus? In the past I never did a meridian flip as this is not required with Astro-Physics mounts guiding through the meridian in one direction. I never hit the tripod because I planned ahead. It is very annoying to have a meridian flip when doing planetary work with short exposures where I want to guide through the meridian. My GOTO with my current system does not work because of the environment (trees) that does not allow me to polar align.
Peter, you make great videos - Very Helpful
Peter; the AM5 hand held controller is a great way to safely and slowly slew the mount to check clerance.
Thanks Peter. I like the idea of testing the meridian flip using the sky atlas in order to confirm that the tripod legs or cabling doesn’t interfere before starting your imaging session. Great advice! Dr B from Manitoba, Canada 🇨🇦
Hi Peter, please take a look at the updated AM5 user manual. ZWO recommends NOT to put AA+ on the side of AM5 due to cable snags and antenna bending.
You mean "vertical", right?
Very helpful, Peter! Nothing to do but watch videos about it at this stage since I'm still waiting for my AM5. 🙄 I'll put in a plug here for your Deep Space Course (and the others you have) -- they are fantastic, and incredible values. They've helped me tremendously throughout my astro journey so far. Look forward to more videos on UA-cam! Thanks again.
Perfect timing as I've been having these issues with sadr and have been going crazy trying to figure it out. Thanks and clear skies
As someone with a star tracker waiting for my am5 to arrive, this is perfect timing. Thanks!!!
Very clear! I had no idea what this was, just heard the terms. I don't have a rig yet.
One of your best. Short and very sweet.
Thank you, Peter! I’m about to get my first computerized equatorial mount, and have been worried about this. Coincidently my first target is going to be the NA nebula, so this video will be crucial. Thanks again!
I was wondering what constant beeping noise was once the meredian was reached on the AM5, very helpful as always, thank you!
Super clear explanation, as always - thanks Peter. I also have an AM5 and Asiair and was imaging Horsehead last night using Live rather than Autorun. It seemed to try a MF but failed (I wasn't watching it, but no harm done) so I completed it manually and got another couple of hours in. Having seen this video I'll continue imaging tonight with Autorun and hopefully control the flip better. I just hope I can get the camera angle right so that I can stack last night's subs with tonight's.
Enjoyed this video. One question. What happens when the meridian flip occurs during the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse? I plan on being in Texas and according to Stellarium the flip occurs about 20 minutes before totality. Auto run cannot recalibrate because it’s the sun…no stars. According to your video on ASIAir Solar you gave up trying, preview, focus, and autorun and just do Video. Has that workflow changed? Got a pier and a Meade Solar max II 60 so hope I can start on east side of mount at noon and track to 3 pm with out a flip. 3 hours at 15° @ hour 45° scope turn. Thanks.
Very clear but a bit confused over 'horizontal' and 'vertical' position.
Yes, that is indeed inconsistent. What he means to say is that you might get into trouble when the declination axis is horizontal (counterweight out tot he side, same position as when balancing your telescope and counterweight) and the telescope is close to vertical.
During goto tonight for object close to Meridian ( west side) of pier I received warning meridian flip failed. Sequence would not start. Not sure how to get go to to go to the east side of the pier.
Thanks Peter. Your awesome.
Nicely explained, thank you
Question about editing,do you think Lightroom can as good a job as PS if not why
Very very clear and helpful video!!!
Thank you, very helpful information!
How do you show the meridian in Stellarium ? Do you need the pro version ?
Nope, just hit the semicolon button and it'll display the meridian
Definitely need to check the power cables. For an unknown reason, I had a power loss during last night's flip. I couldn't find the cuplrit but ultimately had to restart everything. As in, go back to PA and start again. That was a lot of wasted time especially when the power loss occured a second time. Still don't know which cable that was!!!!
I have the AM5 and I've configured meridian flip using my ASIAir+ following the procedure you've identified. However, if I connect the AM5 handcontroller and connect to my AM5 using the ASI Mount app I note that there is an option for Meridian Flip in that app. Should this be turned on or should it be turned off?
If you're using the Air+ you don't need to use the ASI Mount app or hand controller at all, it's redundant. Just stick to the Air and you can do everything you need in there. The ASI Mount app and hand controller are more for visual observing
Good review. What ever happened to all that great gear you got. Thought there was a Rasa 8 in there as well
Great tip
👍👍👍
I purchased CGEM instead of Harmonic mount. Very bad decision
Is there a way to turn off meridian flip with an iOptron GEM45 mount, Celestron 9.25-inch SCT and Asiair Plus? In the past I never did a meridian flip as this is not required with Astro-Physics mounts guiding through the meridian in one direction. I never hit the tripod because I planned ahead. It is very annoying to have a meridian flip when doing planetary work with short exposures where I want to guide through the meridian. My GOTO with my current system does not work because of the environment (trees) that does not allow me to polar align.
Just another reason to like fork mounts.