My steps are quite usual, just PA and then "slew" (manually of course) to my target.

I've tried all the available solver combinations but none of them work. I have all the required index files (and even more).

Right now I can see that even the individual ASTAP installation can't solve the image (on my RPI4 and my Mac)

Try unchecking use scale and or use position and make sure that the alignment logging is turned on in ekos. Also when you say the index files are installed, please go into the ekos index file downloader and make sure it can find them .

When you say you “manually “ slew I hope you mean using the hand paddle and not just pushing the scope (unless there are absolute encoders)

Also this manual slewing happens after you turned on ekos and not before?

If I can recall correctly I switch on the RPI after I slew (yes not pushing) to the target, I am already polar aligned so I proceed with the PHD2 and then start my Ekos sequence.

Tried with unchecked both, no luck


Please ignore the "Current CCD FOV", it is just the simulator. I've already tried also with the actual real FOV, with no luck.




<code>[2020-12-19T00:59:17.651 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Starting Internal StellarSolver Sextractor with the 4-SmallScaleSolving profile . . ."
[2020-12-19T00:59:18.217 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Stars Found before Filtering: 484"
[2020-12-19T00:59:18.220 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Removing the stars with a/b ratios greater than 1.5"
[2020-12-19T00:59:18.222 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Keeping just the 50 brightest stars"
[2020-12-19T00:59:18.225 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Stars Found after Filtering: 50"
[2020-12-19T00:59:18.227 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-19T00:59:18.230 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Configuring StellarSolver"
[2020-12-19T00:59:18.374 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Scale range: 13.7533 to 20.63 arcsec/pixel"
[2020-12-19T00:59:18.376 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Downsampling is multiplying the pixel scale by: 3"
[2020-12-19T00:59:18.379 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-19T00:59:18.381 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Starting Internal StellarSolver Astrometry.net based Engine with the 4-SmallScaleSolving profile. . ."
[2020-12-19T00:59:36.410 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solver was aborted, timed out, or failed, so no solution was found"
[2020-12-19T00:59:36.420 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solver Failed"
[2020-12-19T01:13:45.888 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.fits] - Loading file "/home/astroberry/Desktop/M45_Light_180_secs_2020-12-18T19-57-40_015.fits"
[2020-12-19T01:13:49.814 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "ASTAP does not support Parallel solves. Disabling that option"
[2020-12-19T01:13:49.819 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Automatically downsampling the image by 3"
[2020-12-19T01:13:50.062 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Evaluating Installed RAM for inParallel Option. Total Size of Index files: 0.0772959 GB, Installed RAM: 3.68839 GB, Free RAM: 0.653156 GB"
[2020-12-19T01:13:50.065 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "There should be enough RAM to load the indexes in parallel."
[2020-12-19T01:13:50.086 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-19T01:13:50.089 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Starting Internal StellarSolver Sextractor with the 4-SmallScaleSolving profile . . ."
[2020-12-19T01:13:52.852 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Stars Found before Filtering: 493"
[2020-12-19T01:13:52.855 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Removing the stars with a/b ratios greater than 1.5"
[2020-12-19T01:13:52.857 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Keeping just the 50 brightest stars"
[2020-12-19T01:13:52.860 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Stars Found after Filtering: 50"
[2020-12-19T01:13:56.984 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-19T01:13:56.991 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Configuring external ASTAP solver"
[2020-12-19T01:13:56.994 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-19T01:13:56.998 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Starting external ASTAP Solver with the 4-SmallScaleSolving profile..."
[2020-12-19T01:13:57.002 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Command: /opt/astap/astap -o /tmp/externalSextractorSolver_1.ini -speed auto -f /tmp/externalSextractorSolver_1.fits -wcs -z 3 -fov 6.36728 -ra 0.0202806 -spd 179.887 -r 15"
[2020-12-19T01:14:05.341 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solver Failed"
[2020-12-19T01:16:31.202 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.fits] - Loading file "/home/astroberry/Desktop/M45_Light_180_secs_2020-12-18T19-57-40_015.fits"
[2020-12-19T01:16:34.218 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Automatically downsampling the image by 3"
[2020-12-19T01:16:34.416 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Evaluating Installed RAM for inParallel Option. Total Size of Index files: 0.0772959 GB, Installed RAM: 3.68839 GB, Free RAM: 0.245159 GB"
[2020-12-19T01:16:34.419 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "There should be enough RAM to load the indexes in parallel."
[2020-12-19T01:16:34.422 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-19T01:16:34.424 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Starting Internal StellarSolver Sextractor with the 4-SmallScaleSolving profile . . ."
[2020-12-19T01:16:37.123 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Stars Found before Filtering: 493"
[2020-12-19T01:16:37.126 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Removing the stars with a/b ratios greater than 1.5"
[2020-12-19T01:16:37.135 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Keeping just the 50 brightest stars"
[2020-12-19T01:16:37.138 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Stars Found after Filtering: 50"
[2020-12-19T01:16:37.153 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-19T01:16:37.155 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Configuring Online Solver"
[2020-12-19T01:16:37.159 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Authenticating. . ."
[2020-12-19T01:16:37.993 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:16:37.995 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"message\":\"authenticated user: \",\"session\":\"2x8h6pzgid4ctwfyi21ogdvyt6dlpr4h\",\"status\":\"success\"}"
[2020-12-19T01:16:37.998 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Authentication to astrometry.net is successful. Session: 2x8h6pzgid4ctwfyi21ogdvyt6dlpr4h"
[2020-12-19T01:16:38.008 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Uploading file..."
[2020-12-19T01:16:38.364 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:16:38.368 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"hash\":\"31d2d9d3f2234208f9b40afb8500932e6dd5223b\",\"status\":\"success\",\"subid\":4097400}"
[2020-12-19T01:16:38.371 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Upload complete. Waiting for astrometry.net solver to complete..."
[2020-12-19T01:16:38.375 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Waiting for Processing to complete..."
[2020-12-19T01:16:40.754 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:16:40.757 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[],\"processing_finished\":\"None\",\"processing_started\":\"None\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[]}"
[2020-12-19T01:16:42.703 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:16:42.706 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:16:42.710 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Waiting for the Job to Start..."
[2020-12-19T01:16:44.710 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:16:44.714 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:16:46.781 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:16:46.784 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:16:48.708 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:16:48.710 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:16:50.712 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:16:50.716 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:16:52.704 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:16:52.708 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:16:54.705 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:16:54.710 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:16:56.702 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:16:56.704 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:16:58.702 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:16:58.704 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:00.707 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:17:00.713 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:02.704 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:17:02.707 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:04.714 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:17:04.717 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:06.724 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:17:06.729 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:08.717 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:17:08.719 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:10.713 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:17:10.716 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:12.712 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:17:12.717 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:14.844 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:17:14.847 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:16.715 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:17:16.720 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:18.705 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:17:18.709 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:20.711 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:17:20.715 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:22.713 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:17:22.718 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:24.709 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:17:24.713 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:26.806 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:17:26.811 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:28.707 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:17:28.711 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:30.701 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:17:30.704 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:32.737 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:17:32.739 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[null],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:34.768 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:17:34.773 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"images\":[9762538],\"job_calibrations\":[],\"jobs\":[4803412],\"processing_finished\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.193402\",\"processing_started\":\"2020-12-18 23:16:42.025904\",\"user\":2633,\"user_images\":[4237516]}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:34.778 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Starting Job Monitoring..."
[2020-12-19T01:17:36.567 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-19T01:17:36.570 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Starting Online Solver with the 4-SmallScaleSolving profile . . ."
[2020-12-19T01:17:36.697 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:17:36.700 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"status\":\"solving\"}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:38.695 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Reply Received"
[2020-12-19T01:17:38.698 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "{\"status\":\"failure\"}"
[2020-12-19T01:17:38.700 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solver Failed"
[2020-12-19T01:17:38.703 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Online Solver aborted."
[2020-12-19T01:17:38.705 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solver Failed"
[2020-12-19T01:22:11.747 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.fits] - Loading file "/home/astroberry/Desktop/M45_Light_180_secs_2020-12-18T19-57-40_015.fits"
[2020-12-19T01:22:14.088 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Automatically downsampling the image by 3"
[2020-12-19T01:22:14.290 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Evaluating Installed RAM for inParallel Option. Total Size of Index files: 0.0772959 GB, Installed RAM: 3.68839 GB, Free RAM: 0.308956 GB"
[2020-12-19T01:22:14.294 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "There should be enough RAM to load the indexes in parallel."
[2020-12-19T01:22:14.322 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-19T01:22:14.327 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Starting Internal StellarSolver Sextractor with the 4-SmallScaleSolving profile . . ."
[2020-12-19T01:22:14.901 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Stars Found before Filtering: 484"
[2020-12-19T01:22:14.906 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Removing the stars with a/b ratios greater than 1.5"
[2020-12-19T01:22:14.908 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Keeping just the 50 brightest stars"
[2020-12-19T01:22:14.911 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Stars Found after Filtering: 50"
[2020-12-19T01:22:14.913 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-19T01:22:14.916 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Configuring StellarSolver"
[2020-12-19T01:22:14.971 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Scale range: 13.7533 to 20.63 arcsec/pixel"
[2020-12-19T01:22:14.974 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Downsampling is multiplying the pixel scale by: 3"
[2020-12-19T01:22:14.977 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-19T01:22:14.980 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Starting Internal StellarSolver Astrometry.net based Engine with the 4-SmallScaleSolving profile. . ."
[2020-12-19T01:22:33.339 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solver was aborted, timed out, or failed, so no solution was found"
[2020-12-19T01:22:33.349 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solver Failed"
</code>

Ok, looks like your index files are probably good, this is on the same machine you are trying to solve? That won't help ASTAP of course, but I assume astap already has its files.

In the second screenshot, you show that the "use position" and "use scale" are unchecked, which is good if solves are not happening certainly, though you won't want them unchecked later on once we figure out what is going wrong.

But then I note that there is a lot going on in the log you pasted below and I'm not sure I'm following it clearly. It looks to me like you tried the different solvers in quick succession is that correct? But in looking at it, it looks like the scale and position were still being sent?? I thought you had disabled the "use scale" and "use position" settings? Were they or were they not disabled? if you had disabled the settings before trying to solve, we should see the internal solver or local astrometry starting a bunch of parallel solvers, but that is not what I see here. I also noticed in the ASTAP command that the RA and DEC were sent. So based on these two pieces of evidence, I don't think "use position" was turned off when these solves were attempted. Maybe you turned off this setting later?

But then I noticed something else odd, it said you were loading this M45 image with the incorrect headers in it, in the middle of solving? Are you trying to do load and slew or are you trying to solve a simulator image? Sorry I am a bit confused.

Another note, if you are trying the Simulators and solving, please slew away from the pole before trying to solve. Solving tends to work better away from the pole with the simulators.

Ok let me one moment to step back and ask, so we could avoid further confusion : I have those M45 subs with the wrong fits header.
I know that I can solve them successfully on the Astrometry website, already done that.
I am right now into my RPI, with Ekos, indoors due to rain. Is it possible just to load them to Ekos and plate solve them? If yes, how?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sorry, I tried to respond to this last night, but for some weird reason I couldn't get on the website.

I was about to say yes no problem, just use "load and slew", turn off "use position" and be sure to not use ASTAP because it doesn't do as well as the others with blind solving. BUT, then I just tried it and I think I found a bug in KStars. It just went ahead and used the information in the FITS header again even though I unchecked use position. I had thought we had set up "load and slew" to work the same way as the "Capture and Solve" feature. Unchecking the "use position" button worked perfectly in "capture and solve" I just tested that too to make sure, but apparently it ignored it when using "load and slew". I am sorry if I led you astray on that one, that is a bug I think. I will ask if somebody changed that behavior for some reason or if I did it wrong in the first place. I think there should be a way to tell it to ignore the FITS Header information, even if it is not the same setting. I will ask. We should be able to resolve this quickly.

But anyways, that doesn't really affect the issues you were reporting before. The main issue you had in the field was that your telescope, the driver, and KStars thought your telescope was pointing at Polaris when you were actually pointing at M45. So when you tried to solve with the "use position" option checked, it caused all solvers to fail. I think the reason for this is probably that you set up your telescope, sent it to M45 and then you turned on KStars/INDI with the options selected that sent the computer information to the telescope which told the telescope it was pointing at Polaris again. My recommendation is to turn on KStars/INDI while setting up your gear and THEN to slew to M45 so that they both know they are pointing at that..

I think you had also reported some issues with the simulators solving. So, while it is raining, what I would recommend, is that you try playing around with the solver and the settings using the simulator inside the house with different options and scales inside the house until you perfect everything. Then when you go back outside you will be ready for it. Please let me know if you have any issues with that and we can resolve it all before you go out.

Thankfully I was doing exactly the same, so at least I was looking to the correct direction. In addition to that, I can see that there is no way just to load an image to plate solve and then do nothing. I do know that the option "Nothing" works on "Capture and solve" (at least it was working, I used it all the time, cause I use the SGP, so no GOTO function).


I've edited the header and removed those infos. Only then I think that is working. I say I think, cause I do not see a solution either in the panel, or at the KStars map, but I can see the solved successfully into the log file.



<code>[2020-12-20T22:08:59.783 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.fits] - Loading file "/Users/euripides/Desktop/Test_M45.fit"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.387 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Automatically downsampling the image by 3"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.428 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Evaluating Installed RAM for inParallel Option. Total Size of Index files: 0.00855088 GB, Installed RAM: 8 GB, Free RAM: 8 GB"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.439 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Note: Free RAM for now is reported as Installed RAM on MacOS until I figure out how to get available RAM"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.450 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "There should be enough RAM to load the indexes in parallel."
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.462 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.473 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Starting Internal StellarSolver Sextractor with the 4-SmallScaleSolving profile . . ."
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.635 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Stars Found before Filtering: 484"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.647 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Removing the stars with a/b ratios greater than 1.5"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.658 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Keeping just the 50 brightest stars"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.669 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Stars Found after Filtering: 50"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.682 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Starting 4 threads to solve on multiple depths"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.693 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Child Solver # 1, Depth Low 1, Depth High 13"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.705 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Child Solver # 2, Depth Low 13, Depth High 25"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.717 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Child Solver # 3, Depth Low 25, Depth High 37"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.730 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Child Solver # 4, Depth Low 37, Depth High 49"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.742 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Child Solver # 5, Depth Low 49, Depth High 61"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.793 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Scale range: 13.7533 to 20.63 arcsec/pixel"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.812 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Downsampling is multiplying the pixel scale by: 3"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.828 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.844 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Starting Internal StellarSolver Astrometry.net based Engine with the 4-SmallScaleSolving profile. . ."
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.860 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Scale range: 13.7533 to 20.63 arcsec/pixel"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.876 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Downsampling is multiplying the pixel scale by: 3"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.892 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.912 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Starting Internal StellarSolver Astrometry.net based Engine with the 4-SmallScaleSolving profile. . ."
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.929 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Scale range: 13.7533 to 20.63 arcsec/pixel"
[2020-12-20T22:09:00.965 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Downsampling is multiplying the pixel scale by: 3"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.012 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.030 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Starting Internal StellarSolver Astrometry.net based Engine with the 4-SmallScaleSolving profile. . ."
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.084 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Scale range: 13.7533 to 20.63 arcsec/pixel"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.124 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Downsampling is multiplying the pixel scale by: 3"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.157 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.172 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Starting Internal StellarSolver Astrometry.net based Engine with the 4-SmallScaleSolving profile. . ."
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.214 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Scale range: 13.7533 to 20.63 arcsec/pixel"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.256 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Downsampling is multiplying the pixel scale by: 3"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.279 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.294 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Starting Internal StellarSolver Astrometry.net based Engine with the 4-SmallScaleSolving profile. . ."
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.325 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.360 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solve Log Odds: 150.866"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.404 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Number of Matches: 23"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.420 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solved with index: 4114"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.435 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Field center: (RA,Dec) = (56.4617, 24.3421) deg."
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.450 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Field center: (RA H:M:S, Dec D:M:S) = (03:45:50.800, +24:20:31.676)."
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.466 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Field size: 9.85547 x 6.57798 degrees"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.482 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Pixel Scale: 5.92804\""
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.497 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Field rotation angle: up is 90.6848 degrees E of N"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.512 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Field parity: neg\n"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.566 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Successfully solved with child solver: 1"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.592 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Shutting down other child solvers"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.642 EET WARN ][ default] - Empty filename passed to function
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.643 EET WARN ][ default] - QFile::remove: Empty or null file name
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.643 EET WARN ][ default] - QFile::remove: Empty or null file name
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.644 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solver completed after 0.89 seconds."
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.659 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solver RA (56.46167) DEC (24.34213) Orientation (90.68482) Pixel Scale (5.92804)"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.675 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "WCS information updated. Images captured from this point forward shall have valid WCS."
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.692 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solution coordinates: RA (03h 47m 06s) DEC ( 24° 24' 25\") Telescope Coordinates: RA (00h 33m 00s) DEC ( 90° 00' 00\")"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.714 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Slewing to target coordinates: RA (03h 47m 06s) DEC ( 24° 24' 25\")."
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.731 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.749 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solve Log Odds: 133.358"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.765 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Number of Matches: 27"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.781 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solved with index: 4213"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.796 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Field center: (RA,Dec) = (56.4617, 24.3421) deg."
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.811 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Field center: (RA H:M:S, Dec D:M:S) = (03:45:50.798, +24:20:31.498)."
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.826 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Field size: 9.85794 x 6.57825 degrees"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.841 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Pixel Scale: 5.92891\""
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.856 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Field rotation angle: up is 90.69 degrees E of N"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.871 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Field parity: neg\n"
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.888 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - CCD Simulator : "[INFO] CCD FOV rotation updated to 90.6848 degrees. "
[2020-12-20T22:09:01.890 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - Telescope Simulator : "[WARNING] Please unpark the mount before issuing any motion/sync commands. "
[2020-12-20T22:09:02.701 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-20T22:09:02.713 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solve Log Odds: 255.171"
[2020-12-20T22:09:02.723 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Number of Matches: 39"
[2020-12-20T22:09:02.733 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solved with index: 4113"
[2020-12-20T22:09:02.746 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Field center: (RA,Dec) = (56.4616, 24.3423) deg."
[2020-12-20T22:09:02.756 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Field center: (RA H:M:S, Dec D:M:S) = (03:45:50.783, +24:20:32.242)."
[2020-12-20T22:09:02.766 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Field size: 9.85525 x 6.57797 degrees"
[2020-12-20T22:09:02.777 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Pixel Scale: 5.92797\""
[2020-12-20T22:09:02.787 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Field rotation angle: up is 90.6895 degrees E of N"
[2020-12-20T22:09:02.797 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Field parity: neg\n"
[2020-12-20T22:09:03.991 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"
[2020-12-20T22:09:04.002 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solve Log Odds: 241.383"
[2020-12-20T22:09:04.012 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Number of Matches: 39"
[2020-12-20T22:09:04.023 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solved with index: 4113"
[2020-12-20T22:09:04.033 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Field center: (RA,Dec) = (56.4616, 24.3423) deg."
[2020-12-20T22:09:04.044 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Field center: (RA H:M:S, Dec D:M:S) = (03:45:50.783, +24:20:32.242)."
[2020-12-20T22:09:04.055 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Field size: 9.85525 x 6.57797 degrees"
[2020-12-20T22:09:04.065 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Pixel Scale: 5.92797\""
[2020-12-20T22:09:04.076 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Field rotation angle: up is 90.6895 degrees E of N"
[2020-12-20T22:09:04.087 EET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Field parity: neg\n"
</code>

So if I leave both options unchecked, I will be able to plate solve, no matter where my camera is pointing?

I usually power up my RPI after PA and framing my target, cause I find it easier to frame through the camera's LCD(instead using my iPad). But now, probably you will think "ok so why you do not just power up RPI and start Ekos? This is not an issue to your workflow". Unfortunately there are many times that my camera is unable to use, if I press a button or touch the LCD display of my camera, while it is connected to Ekos & without even capturing. I have to shutdown the system and restart. This is something I am still trying to find out...

Oh Right, good idea! Deleting the incorrect information from the FITS header is a good idea! That definitely would let it solve!

You are correct, currently, if you want to load an image and solve it, you would use load and slew. And slewing is a part of load and slew. I actually would like to add a feature in the next version where you could just open a picture in KStars and plate solve it without even starting Ekos, just to see where the image is in the sky and get information about it. But we were already changing quite a lot in this version and we had to make sure all of that worked, so that got pushed off into the next version.