Bug 434171

Summary: Polar Alignment Module DOUBLES PA error
Product: [Applications] kstars Reporter: MountainAirCA
Component: generalAssignee: Jasem Mutlaq <mutlaqja>
Status: RESOLVED FIXED    
Severity: major    
Priority: NOR    
Version: 3.5.2   
Target Milestone: ---   
Platform: Homebrew (macOS)   
OS: macOS   
Latest Commit: Version Fixed In:
Sentry Crash Report:
Attachments: Log
Troubleshooting Log

Description MountainAirCA 2021-03-09 03:29:49 UTC
Created attachment 136506 [details]
Log

SUMMARY

With KStars driving my Celestron CGX mount with a RASA astrograph, working through the Polar Alignment wizard results in my polar alignment error DOUBLING.  For 9 months I have been using SharpCap because KStars/Ekos just doesn't work for PA.  Last summer, when using my EdgeHD, it did work.  I'm not sure if this changed in some software version or if there is something unique to the RASA that isn't working with KStars.


STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Start the PA wizard and note the PA error.
2. Use the Alt/Az knobs to move the target star to the crosshairs, following the triangle lines as instructed.
3. Finish the PA routine, and restart it.  Note that after the scope slews from the home point, the PA will be double what it was the first time.

OBSERVED RESULT

Re-running the PA routine a second time, to check the correction made the first time, shows twice the amount of PA error.

EXPECTED RESULT

KStars is telling me to move the star in the wrong direction.  A previous version of KStars included a Flip Vector option, but that did not work consistently, either, and I couldn't determine what the pattern was.  PA works in SharpCap every time, so there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with my technique and my equipment appears to be OK (with that routine, at least).

Logs and screen shots attached.


SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Windows: 
macOS: 
Linux/KDE Plasma: 
(available in About System)
KDE Plasma Version: 
KDE Frameworks Version: 
Qt Version: 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Comment 1 MountainAirCA 2021-03-30 02:49:10 UTC
Created attachment 137171 [details]
Troubleshooting Log

Troubleshooting log for the issue with RASA telescopes and the PAA tool.
Comment 2 MountainAirCA 2021-03-30 02:49:22 UTC
9:40pm   Aligned with SharpCap
 
9:51pm   Starting KStars PA, first check of SharpCap’s alignment
2021-03-26T21:51:08 Capturing image...
2021-03-26T21:51:45 Polar Alignment Error:  00° 01' 46". Azimuth:  00° 01' 18"  Altitude: -00° 01' 12"
 
Returned to home position
Turned ALT knob 1/4 clockwise (down)
 
9:52                        Starting PAA (with ALT 1/4 clockwise)
2021-03-26T21:52:43 Capturing image...
2021-03-26T21:53:22 Polar Alignment Error:  00° 09' 38". Azimuth:  00° 01' 15"  Altitude: -00° 09' 33"             
Fixing (turning 1/4 counter-clockwise)
Result:    ALT knob moved star along GREEN LINE, not YELLOW LINE, error increased 9’33” to 13’55”
 
Returned to home position
Turned AZ knob 1/4 turn right
 
9:59                        Starting PAA (with AZ 1/4 right)
2021-03-26T21:59:43 Polar Alignment Error:  00° 10' 43". Azimuth:  00° 10' 40"  Altitude: -00° 00' 57"
 
Fixing (turning 1/4 left)
Result:    AZ knob moved along YELLOW line, not GREEN line; error increased
 
Log attached.
Comment 3 Jasem Mutlaq 2022-10-10 06:13:16 UTC
Please check against KStars 3.6.1 and report back.
Comment 4 MountainAirCA 2022-10-10 06:42:15 UTC
I believe this was a duplicate ticket, or we somehow didn't close it when Hy and I worked on this about a year and a half ago.  He fixed the algorithm when doing PA with a RASA.