New user question

gcfboulder

Hi all,

New user here. Tried my ASI 120MM last night. FIRST LIGHT WAS NO LIGHT.

I'm using a C9.25 on a CGEM-DX mount. I had Saturn centered in a reticle eyepiece. Then I connected the camera to the computer, launched FireCapture which confirm the ASI 120MM was connected. I don't have filters yet, so I confirmed that the camera was set to MONO mode and picked "L" as my filter. I picked Saturn profile and Auto Align, and tried preview, then capture etc. I got absolutely nothing. Just a dark, blank screen in the FireCapture window. I tried refocusing by slowly turning the focuser oned directions, then eventrually back the other direction, to no avail. So I removed the camera, put back in the eyepiece and confirmed that Saturn was still centered. Then I briefly shined my red flashlight toward the camera, and the screen lit up, so I know it's not dead. Then repeated all of the above procedure using Altair. Same result.

I'M BAFFLED!! ANY SUGGESTIONS?

Thanks in Advance for your help!

topboxman

Did you try refocusing after swapping eyepiece with camera? It can make a HUGE difference. Don't expect the focus to be the same with eyepiece and camera.

Peter

landbo

Try and set the gain to 100% and raise exposure simultaneously. So you should see noise and light. Then, focus and lowering the gain and exposure time to an appropriate value.

Otherwise, try another more simple program such as SharpCap or the included small, which I unfortunately has forgot the name of.

Bedst regards, Leif.

gcfboulder

topboxman wrote:
Did you try refocusing after swapping eyepiece with camera? It can make a HUGE difference. Don't expect the focus to be the same with eyepiece and camera.

Peter

Hi,

Yes....I forgot to mention that in my original post....but I definitely tried refocusing by slowly turning the focus all the way in one counterclockwise, then slowly clockwise all the way....and still did not get an image.

gcfboulder

Landbo wrote:
Try and set the gain to 100% and raise exposure simultaneously. So you should see noise and light. Then, focus and lowering the gain and exposure time to an appropriate value.

Otherwise, try another more simple program such as SharpCap or the included small, which I unfortunately has forgot the name of.

Bedst regards, Leif.

I will try that! Thanks,

Glenn