Scope limitation to 5000mm FL

Astro1

Had a great night out with the Asi air plus last night although the clouds cut it short, BUT , I use a Celestron C11 FL 2800 and wanted to add a 2x Powermate as I am imaging smaller objects but the Air wont accept any FL beyond 5000mm. It was a right pain plate solving without the x2 ( and then syncing ) , then moving to a bright star , swapping out and re focussing before returning to the object . Is there anyway of getting the air plus to work with longer FL's

johnpd

Plate solving on the ASIAIR is limited to a 0.2x0.2 degree minimum FOV. You did not say what camera you were using. If you have a large resolution camera such as the ASI2400 (6072x4042), then you could get it to work. That combination with the 2x Barlow gets you a 0.37x0.25 FOV. If you have a smaller resolution camera, then you would be out of luck. Other plate solving software have similar limitations. They need enough stars to determine where you are pointed, otherwise it will fail. Check this site to determine what you have for a FOV: (https://astronomy.tools/calculators/field_of_view/)

JohnD

Astro1

Hi John , I use a ZWO 294MCpro which in combination with the C11 and 2x Power mate gives me a FOV of 0.2"x0.13".
a resolution per pixel of 0.17 " and the daws limit sits at 0.41. In effect I am just outside of the plate solving parameters and I guess will just have to make the best of the syncing I do at the native 2800 FL Although, looking at the figures,although I believed I did , I actually don't gain any resolution benefit form using the power mate as without it I am sitting almost at the Daws limit anyway ?