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Polar Alignment problems in Stellarmate 1.61 and KStars 3.5.6 stable (EQMod Mount?)

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Hi all, 

tonight I experienced also this problem. It was my first session with KStars 3.5.6 (PPA) after upgrading from 3.5.5. I have KStars + INDI on a Ubuntu Mate 20.04 x86_64 box, and use a AZ-EQ6 (eqmod) mount.

In my case, I run the PA assistant using the guide camera/scope for faster refresh (my imaging camera is a slow CCD), but this seems to have no effect over this issue. The PA assistant captures and solves the first image, then does the first slew. After this slew the UI went somewhat crazy, "Capture&Solve" grayed out and reenabled in a loop. In the Mount tab in Ekos the coordinates were "jumping" although the mount wasn't slewing. Then I noticed that it was reporting Meridian flip, pending, running. First thing I did after cancelling the PA was purge the configuration of eqmod and set it to the defaults (it also was updated along with KStars and some other INDI modules; in the past I once ran into problems with configuration files of updated drivers). Not to avail. Then, I disabled "Flip if HA>" (which I always had set to 2 deg) and re-run PAA and everything went as normal (as I read now that the other posters did as well). 

Before KStars 3.5.6, this never happened to me. I will try to retrieve logs later to see if they help.

Best Regards,
Sergio
 
2 years 3 months ago #78351

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I just tested it with the simulators and it ran fine. My mount tab shows for the meridian flip status "Status inactive (no Target set)".

Do you slew to a certain position before starting PAA?
The following user(s) said Thank You: Sergio
2 years 3 months ago #78352

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Hi Wolfgang, thanks for your reply. I didn't set a target (but I launched manually a plate solve while still in parked position). Yesterday I didn't monitor the MF status in Mount tab until things got weird, but tonight I've tried again and in the beginning of the PAA process MF status was indeed "Status inactive (no target set)", but after the first slew, it went through the MF pending-running-done/failed loop like yesterday.

The relevant part of the log of yesterday:
[2021-12-04T22:54:14.873 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Image received."
[2021-12-04T22:54:18.356 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solver completed after 3.44 seconds."
[2021-12-04T22:54:18.359 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Effective telescope focal length is updated to 246,961 mm."
[2021-12-04T22:54:18.404 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "WCS information updated. Images captured from this point forward shall have valid WCS."
[2021-12-04T22:54:18.407 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solution coordinates: RA (08h 32m 12s) DEC ( 85° 57' 24\") Telescope Coordinates: RA (08h 26m 01s) DEC ( 90° 00' 00\")"
[2021-12-04T22:54:18.418 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - ZWO CCD ASI120MM-S : "[INFO] CCD FOV rotation updated to -178.426 degrees. "
[2021-12-04T22:54:24.252 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Starting Polar Alignment Assistant process v2.3 ..."
[2021-12-04T22:54:24.252 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Clearing mount Alignment Model..."
[2021-12-04T22:54:24.270 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Capturing image..."
[2021-12-04T22:54:24.304 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Mount is unparked. "
[2021-12-04T22:54:24.305 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Start Tracking (Sidereal). "
[2021-12-04T22:54:25.788 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Image received."
[2021-12-04T22:54:28.163 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solver completed after 2.33 seconds."
[2021-12-04T22:54:28.165 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Effective telescope focal length is updated to 246,949 mm."
[2021-12-04T22:54:28.199 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solution coordinates: RA (08h 32m 22s) DEC ( 85° 57' 24\") Telescope Coordinates: RA (08h 26m 07s) DEC ( 90° 00' 00\")"
[2021-12-04T22:54:28.209 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Please wait while WCS data is processed..."
[2021-12-04T22:54:28.235 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - ZWO CCD ASI120MM-S : "[INFO] CCD FOV rotation updated to -178.419 degrees. "
[2021-12-04T22:54:28.235 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "WCS data processing is complete."
[2021-12-04T22:54:28.242 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Please wait until mount completes rotating to RA (06h 26m 07s) DE ( 90° 00' 00\")"
[2021-12-04T22:54:28.258 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Starting West slew. "
[2021-12-04T22:54:29.244 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.guide] - "Mount is moving. Resetting calibration..."
[2021-12-04T22:54:29.246 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.guide] - "Calibration is cleared."
[2021-12-04T22:54:35.856 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Mount first rotation is complete."
[2021-12-04T22:54:35.865 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Settling..."
[2021-12-04T22:54:35.902 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] West Slew stopped "
[2021-12-04T22:54:37.174 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Restarting RA Tracking... "
[2021-12-04T22:54:37.331 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Capturing image..."
[2021-12-04T22:54:38.442 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.mount] - Meridian flip: slewing to RA= "06h 22m 05s" DEC= " 90° 00' 00\"" Hour Angle "23h 44m 17s"
[2021-12-04T22:54:38.442 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.mount] - "Meridian flip started."
[2021-12-04T22:54:38.450 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Target updated to JNow RA: "06h 22m 05s" DE: " 90° 00' 00\""
[2021-12-04T22:54:38.451 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.mount] - "Meridian flip slew started..."
[2021-12-04T22:54:38.457 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.guide] - "Mount is moving. Resetting calibration..."
[2021-12-04T22:54:38.459 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.guide] - "Calibration is cleared."
[2021-12-04T22:54:38.496 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Starting Goto RA=6.36805 DE=90 (current RA=6.36805 DE=90) "
[2021-12-04T22:54:38.540 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Aligned Eqmod Goto RA=6.36805 DE=90 (target RA=6.36805 DE=90) "
[2021-12-04T22:54:38.540 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Setting Eqmod Goto RA=6.36805 DE=90 (target RA=6.36805 DE=90) "
[2021-12-04T22:54:38.597 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Slewing mount: RA increment = 17, DE increment = 0 "
[2021-12-04T22:54:38.741 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Slewing to RA: 6:22:05 - DEC: 90:00:00 "
[2021-12-04T22:54:39.540 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Iterative Goto (1): RA diff = 0.75 arcsecs DE diff = 0.00 arcsecs "
[2021-12-04T22:54:39.668 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Telescope slew is complete. Tracking TRACK_SIDEREAL... "
[2021-12-04T22:54:39.683 CET WARN ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.mount] - Meridian flip failed, pier side not changed
[2021-12-04T22:54:39.683 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.mount] - "meridian flip failed, retrying in 4 minutes"
[2021-12-04T22:54:39.684 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.mount] - "Meridian flip completed."
[2021-12-04T22:54:39.689 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.capture] - "Telescope completed the meridian flip."
[2021-12-04T22:54:41.879 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.mount] - Meridian flip: slewing to RA= "06h 22m 06s" DEC= " 90° 00' 00\"" Hour Angle "23h 44m 17s"
[2021-12-04T22:54:41.880 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.mount] - "Meridian flip started."
[2021-12-04T22:54:41.888 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Target updated to JNow RA: "06h 22m 06s" DE: " 90° 00' 00\""
[2021-12-04T22:54:41.889 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.mount] - "Meridian flip slew started..."
[2021-12-04T22:54:41.895 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.guide] - "Mount is moving. Resetting calibration..."
[2021-12-04T22:54:41.896 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.guide] - "Calibration is cleared."
[2021-12-04T22:54:41.898 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Starting Goto RA=6.36826 DE=90 (current RA=6.36831 DE=90) "
[2021-12-04T22:54:41.898 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Aligned Eqmod Goto RA=6.36826 DE=90 (target RA=6.36826 DE=90) "
[2021-12-04T22:54:41.898 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Setting Eqmod Goto RA=6.36826 DE=90 (target RA=6.36826 DE=90) "
[2021-12-04T22:54:41.985 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Slewing mount: RA increment = 32, DE increment = 0 "
[2021-12-04T22:54:42.130 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Slewing to RA: 6:22:06 - DEC: 90:00:00 "
[2021-12-04T22:54:42.976 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Iterative Goto (1): RA diff = 0.83 arcsecs DE diff = 0.00 arcsecs "
[2021-12-04T22:54:43.103 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Telescope slew is complete. Tracking TRACK_SIDEREAL... "
[2021-12-04T22:54:43.112 CET WARN ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.mount] - Meridian flip failed, pier side not changed
[2021-12-04T22:54:43.112 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.mount] - "meridian flip failed, retrying in 4 minutes"
[2021-12-04T22:54:43.113 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.mount] - "Meridian flip completed."
[2021-12-04T22:54:43.118 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.capture] - "Telescope completed the meridian flip."
[2021-12-04T22:54:45.317 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.mount] - Meridian flip: slewing to RA= "06h 22m 07s" DEC= " 90° 00' 00\"" Hour Angle "23h 44m 18s"
[2021-12-04T22:54:45.317 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.mount] - "Meridian flip started."
[2021-12-04T22:54:45.325 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Target updated to JNow RA: "06h 22m 07s" DE: " 90° 00' 00\""
[2021-12-04T22:54:45.326 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.mount] - "Meridian flip slew started..."


After disabling "Flip if HA>": 
[2021-12-04T23:36:17.218 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Starting Polar Alignment Assistant process v2.3 ..."
[2021-12-04T23:36:17.218 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Clearing mount Alignment Model..."
[2021-12-04T23:36:17.238 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Capturing image..."
[2021-12-04T23:36:17.244 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Telescope already unparked. "
[2021-12-04T23:36:17.245 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Start Tracking (Sidereal). "
[2021-12-04T23:36:18.768 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Image received."
[2021-12-04T23:36:21.081 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solver completed after 2.27 seconds."
[2021-12-04T23:36:21.082 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Effective telescope focal length is updated to 246,96 mm."
[2021-12-04T23:36:21.106 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solution coordinates: RA (09h 13m 56s) DEC ( 85° 57' 26\") Telescope Coordinates: RA (09h 08m 07s) DEC ( 90° 00' 00\")"
[2021-12-04T23:36:21.121 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Please wait while WCS data is processed..."
[2021-12-04T23:36:21.132 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - ZWO CCD ASI120MM-S : "[INFO] CCD FOV rotation updated to -178.299 degrees. "
[2021-12-04T23:36:21.158 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "WCS data processing is complete."
[2021-12-04T23:36:21.169 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Please wait until mount completes rotating to RA (07h 08m 07s) DE ( 90° 00' 00\")"
[2021-12-04T23:36:21.177 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Starting West slew. "
[2021-12-04T23:36:22.068 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.guide] - "Mount is moving. Resetting calibration..."
[2021-12-04T23:36:22.069 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.guide] - "Calibration is cleared."
[2021-12-04T23:36:28.675 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Mount first rotation is complete."
[2021-12-04T23:36:28.686 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Settling..."
[2021-12-04T23:36:28.722 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] West Slew stopped "
[2021-12-04T23:36:29.999 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Restarting RA Tracking... "
[2021-12-04T23:36:30.270 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Capturing image..."
[2021-12-04T23:36:31.754 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Image received."
[2021-12-04T23:36:34.089 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solver completed after 2.29 seconds."
[2021-12-04T23:36:34.091 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Effective telescope focal length is updated to 246,949 mm."
[2021-12-04T23:36:34.114 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solution coordinates: RA (08h 51m 07s) DEC ( 85° 57' 47\") Telescope Coordinates: RA (07h 05m 58s) DEC ( 90° 00' 00\")"
[2021-12-04T23:36:34.124 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Please wait while WCS data is processed..."
[2021-12-04T23:36:34.146 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - ZWO CCD ASI120MM-S : "[INFO] CCD FOV rotation updated to -153.556 degrees. "
[2021-12-04T23:36:34.147 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "WCS data processing is complete."
[2021-12-04T23:36:34.151 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Please wait until mount completes rotating to RA (05h 05m 58s) DE ( 90° 00' 00\")"
[2021-12-04T23:36:34.218 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Starting West slew. "
[2021-12-04T23:36:34.576 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.guide] - "Mount is moving. Resetting calibration..."
[2021-12-04T23:36:34.577 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.guide] - "Calibration is cleared."
[2021-12-04T23:36:42.295 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Mount second rotation is complete."
[2021-12-04T23:36:42.305 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Settling..."
[2021-12-04T23:36:42.307 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] West Slew stopped "
[2021-12-04T23:36:43.584 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Restarting RA Tracking... "
[2021-12-04T23:36:43.794 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Capturing image..."
[2021-12-04T23:36:45.281 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Image received."
[2021-12-04T23:36:47.603 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solver completed after 2.28 seconds."
[2021-12-04T23:36:47.604 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Effective telescope focal length is updated to 247,047 mm."
[2021-12-04T23:36:47.626 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Solution coordinates: RA (08h 28m 56s) DEC ( 86° 09' 34\") Telescope Coordinates: RA (04h 54m 42s) DEC ( 90° 00' 00\")"
[2021-12-04T23:36:47.636 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Please wait while WCS data is processed..."
[2021-12-04T23:36:47.664 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "WCS data processing is complete."
[2021-12-04T23:36:47.665 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Polar Alignment Error: 04° 09' 05\". Azimuth: 04° 09' 05\" Altitude: -00° 00' 05\""
[2021-12-04T23:36:47.764 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - ZWO CCD ASI120MM-S : "[INFO] CCD FOV rotation updated to -126.448 degrees. "
[2021-12-04T23:37:48.180 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Starting Polar Alignment Assistant refreshing...
[2021-12-04T23:39:58.081 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Refresh is complete."
[2021-12-04T23:39:58.089 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Stopping Polar Alignment Assistant process...
[2021-12-04T23:39:58.102 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - "Parking the mount..."
[2021-12-04T23:39:58.240 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Parking mount: RA increment = -1645477, DE increment = 0 "
[2021-12-04T23:39:58.384 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Mount park in progress... "
[2021-12-04T23:39:58.957 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.guide] - "Mount is moving. Resetting calibration..."
[2021-12-04T23:39:58.959 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.guide] - "Calibration is cleared."
[2021-12-04T23:40:15.483 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - EQMod Mount : "[INFO] Mount is parked. "
[2021-12-04T23:40:15.484 CET INFO ][ org.kde.kstars.ekos.align] - Target updated to JNow RA: "21h 12m 07s" DE: " 90° 00' 00\""

As always, thanks for your involvement!
Best Regards,
Sergio
 
2 years 3 months ago #78373

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All,

Thank you for the input, Sergio.

For me it also happens without setting a target. I usually start with focusing and then right away PAA from park position which is pointing to the northern pole (well, ideally). So the simulators might not give the full picture here.

What I would like to understand is, if someone else observes the different PAA results when using 3.5.6 (with Meridian flip deactivated) compared to an earlier version. My backup is 3.5.3. I could repeat that there is a difference in the reported resulting error of about 3 minutes between the versions without physically moving the mount. Is this linked to the problem to have to suppress the flip? Or independent of that because the algorithm has been revised for 3. 5.5 or 3.5.6.

Thanks
Alex

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2 years 3 months ago #78384

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I tried to find out if the problem with the EQMod mount and polar alignment made it to the official list of bugs.

Is it right to assume that this is the list to check invent.kde.org/education/kstars/-/milest..._date_desc&state=all? What is the standard procedure to report issues?

Same for the noticeable different results of the polar alignment between different versions of Ekos. As it is reproducible it is either a bug or an improvement that is not documented.

Thanks
Alex

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2 years 2 months ago #79032

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