All I get is a black screen in firecapture

mostlyemptyspace

I just got my ZWO ASI120MC today. I loaded up firecapture and made sure it at least could detect light by shining a flashlight down into my scope. I aligned my scope and centered it on Mars using my EP and finderscope. I then replaced the EP and diagonal with my ZWO and Barlow, loaded up FC, and all I'm seeing is a black screen. I'm slewing all over the place trying to find something, but I get nothing. I shined the flashlight again just to be sure and it was detecting light.

What's going on here? How can I make sure this thing is in focus and centered on the target if I can't see anything at all?

james_screech

You probably have focus so far off that any object is too faint to see. Try focusing on a bright object (planet) with an eyepiece directly (no diagonal) and increase the exposure and you should find a very out of focus circle. You should then be able to focus in on the object and then adjust exposure.

James

mostlyemptyspace

james_screech wrote:
You probably have focus so far off that any object is too faint to see. Try focusing on a bright object (planet) with an eyepiece directly (no diagonal) and increase the exposure and you should find a very out of focus circle. You should then be able to focus in on the object and then adjust exposure.

James

What focal length eyepiece would be the closest to that of the camera? So if I put an EP in without a diagonal to get it close to focused, which should I use? The focal length of my scope is 2032mm and aperture is 203.2mm.

Also, if I plan to use a Barlow, do I need to focus the EP with the Barlow installed? Should I center and focus the camera first without the Barlow, then add the Barlow and refocus?

james_screech

I would start with a low magnification (< 100x) centre in that an then move up to higher (200x or so). You are probably best using the barlow with the eyepiece as well.

The focus will still be off from the eyepiece but it should be near enough as a starting point. You might want to not full seat the eyepiece in the barlow so it's focal mount is nearer that of the camera.

James

Sam@ZWO

its always a little hard for beginner to find the target use the camera

James is right about how to find the target

start from Moon is a good practice too