I was living on a golf course in a Bortle 8 and busy as hell and sold all my gear about 8 years ago. I now live in a Bortle 3 on a mountain top, and I'm working on rebuilding my rig, and stumbling across NINA has changed my outlook on the entire astrophoto process. This is an amazing piece of software, dude, and it has me very excited to get back into this hobby.
I know! I shelved the hobby myself for several years back when I was imaging with a webcam, mostly out of frustration. When I re-entered the hobby, I was SHOCKED at the progress that had been made in imaging, automation, and software like NINA. It's so much more accessible now. Don't get me wrong, you can complicate the heck out of it, ... but wow is it so much better now.
Each video in the series has been carefully thought out and constructed with examples to show the 'what if I ..." Thanks for taking the time and effort to provide the detailed guides. Clear Skies!
Yet another really informative and helpful video Chad. You have been my virtual companion as I get to grips with NINA. Thanks so much for your efforts.
This guy does not skip a beat, its like he invented the thing! I wish I can dance with it this well someday. Just not enough time in the day. I have dual imaging rigs with a TS115 and an AT130, will be looking for your dual image capture video soon! Thanks Patriot Astro!
I definitely didn’t invent it and the developers deserve all the credit. ;) It’s an amazing group who really care about the community. They almost never sleep I’m convinced. I’m just glad to do my part to make sense of the features so that people can start using them and we can get everyone to the next level.
I've been using SBIG cameras since 2000, starting with the ST237 and progressing to my current camera, the STF8300. Now, with modern CMOS cameras and the much cheaper prices, I'm moving on. I just noticed Nina as I was researching the QHY cameras. I ordered the 268-M with CFW-L and OAG. Backordered of course. I think my days of using the old Maxim 5 and Sky X are done. I now have a QHY 5-III Mono and a color camera for guiding and planetary work. The C9.25 XLT will see light in the winter since I recently retired. And Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars are well positioned. And I want to shoot the various stuff around Orion. Haven't shot them in years due to weather or work. Just retired. Will have lots of fun after the post-purchase cloud patterns dissipate! Keep looking up!
Excellent video, full of useful information. Thank you again for taking the time to make these as I know it takes a lot of time and effort. BTW, I hope that your daughter is doing better. Clear skies and thanks again.
Just found your Channel as I've just transitioned over to NINA for some of my imaging session! What a wonderful collection of videos/tutorials you have and thanks so much for the effort in sharing your knowledge! Best wishes from Scotland! :)
Great job again!...here's something you can figure out for me....What if you are trying to do a 2-frame Mosaic, HSO for example. I wanted to constantly be getting both frames over time over several days. I do not see a way to alternate the 2 imaging "sessions" without just stacking one after another, alternating the two different framing session. Set up to shoot 5 x H, 5 X S, 5 X O, then on to the second frame, and repeat this back and forth several time to last the night. You do spend the extra time have to re-solve each time, but at least you could end up with shots from the same night.
Just put both targets inside a sequential instruction container with a looping condition on it to go until Dawn. Each target nested inside that container can be defined how you like, with or without loops themselves. Then it will just loop through the outer loop all night.
@@MG-Dub You can put containers inside containers. Each container acts like a single instruction (with a bunch of stuff inside). So basically, the outer container says "Loop all the stuff in here until dawn". Then, the stuff in there happens to be 2 other target containers. So it just goes through target 1, then target 2, then back to 1, then 2, ...
Excellent video .. Thank you.. I was struggling finding my exact frame after meridian flip and this video has solved it in an easy way .. Keep going .. :)
Firstly,thank you for your effort in preparing these excellent tutorials, I refer to them daily I have a few hours on RCW 32 and would like to include some of the surrounding areas that would require additional panels, how do I create a mosaic using my current image as the initial image pane in NINA. Thank you and clear skies.
That very helpful as always Chad. I've been fighting with setting up a 2 panel mosaic but having issues with looping conditions. ie Panel 1 HSO and panel 2 HSO I can get it to take the frames I want with panel 1 but it don't go to panel 2 and than back to panel one. I would like to see a video that goes a bit more in-depth on Mosaic. I haven't found any yet on the University of TH-cam
The thing I'd really like them to add is that they prefill the rotation after a plate solve. Just to see what the current rotation looks like. Maybe I should join discord sometime to discuss this 🤔
Thanks for the very informative and helpful videos. I've recently run into an issue where my plate-solves are not repeatable. After reviewing this video, I thought it was because I forgot to hit the "Re-Center" button, as noted, but that button no longer exists in NINA. My default thought is that the Framing Assistant and Sequencer now automatically pick up any RA/DEC changes one makes in the Framing Assistant, to automatically get an updated center. But then that didn't work for me. I have not measured the error, but it was not obvious to me at the time of imaging; only when I started to integrate the subs. I reviewed the software log notes but could not find where NINA made the change to that button (to see if that might enlighten me). I'm (still) using saved targets/sequences for the subsequent session, so I'm not re-creating the framing in the Framing Assistant. Any idea what I'm not doing to get repeatable plate-solves? It used to work well, a year ago when NINA had the Re-Center button. Thanks!
Great video tutorial. Can I please ask what the best method is to reframe after a meridian flip bearing in mind the image will be inverted following the flip? Many thanks!
I have saved your TH-cam channel to my favorites. Your videos are great and very helpful and have aided me set up some things. I am loving NINA works great on my Sky-Watcher EQ6-P Pro mount with the various imaging cameras/optics I use on it, but there are issues with the Meade LX200GPS fork mount that I use on an equatorial wedge. I am on several forums aiding me in a resolution to the LX. Oh, I am also in the Deep South, adjacent to Jackson, MS in Bortle 7 skies. But I do have access to Bortle 4 skies 30-minutes out of town. Tried the framing sequence by moving the frame to a position I wanted. However, my version of NINA (Version 2.0 BetA044) did not have, under the “Targets”, the “Recenter image” tab. Could not figure out how to do the recenter except by manually doing it myself. I see that a new version is now out. Has the recenter option moved?
I was recently in Jackson as one of my daughters go to school there. Went up to the reservoir and it seemed like there might be some great skies out that way!
@@PatriotAstro It does get darker up the Natchez Trace but per the US Park Services rules no on is supposed to use those parking areas after dark. There are many historic sites off the trace, Indian Mounds, famous rest stops back in the Andrew Jackson and earlier days. Some just beside the Trace others kind of out of sight off the Trace. Lots of historical markers from Natchez to Nashville for sure. If you like driving 50-mph all day long.
Good stuff! With rotation of the camera, do you take new flats (for dust) each time you rotate? Dust on the sensor would be consistent. Dust on the lenses relative to sensor will change with each rotation, no?
Fantastic video as usual. When you adjust the rotation to match a previously shot frame it appears you are adjusting the rotation on the guide cam not main cam ? Thanks again
I honestly can’t remember how my gear was set up in this particular video, but you are adjusting the main camera. I think what you are likely seeing is that particular mount has 2 complete telescope set ups on it side-by-side and I am working with the smaller of the two telescopes. Sorry for the confusion there. You never adjust the guide camera framing, always adjust the main camera. If you do adjust the guide camera for any reason, there is a good chance you may need to go through calibration again and PHD2.
You are 100% right! I’m not sure if/when I ran into this requirement on my end and it became habit for me. I’m sure something happened at one point where my sequence of events that day led me to this, but it is not the case. Thanks (both of you) for pointing this out!! :)
Great video, as always! Thanks. You’re really creating a NINA bible with all these. Such a great resource. One question though… when I try to load an image from a file, the windows file windows opens, hangs for a min and then NINA crashes. Nothing in the log files. Happens with both the 1.10 version and the latest nightly build. Also seems to happen anywhere I try to access the file system from within NINA, but the framing tab is the most annoying. Any ideas?
I typically use HFR if using filter offsets. If not using offsets, I'll use HFR but it doesn't trigger as often since I am running AF on every filter change in that case.
A "I am close enough, use this rotation angle" button is missing in the platesolving popup window. That would prevent a user from chasing those 1.2° back and forth.
I was living on a golf course in a Bortle 8 and busy as hell and sold all my gear about 8 years ago. I now live in a Bortle 3 on a mountain top, and I'm working on rebuilding my rig, and stumbling across NINA has changed my outlook on the entire astrophoto process. This is an amazing piece of software, dude, and it has me very excited to get back into this hobby.
I know! I shelved the hobby myself for several years back when I was imaging with a webcam, mostly out of frustration. When I re-entered the hobby, I was SHOCKED at the progress that had been made in imaging, automation, and software like NINA. It's so much more accessible now. Don't get me wrong, you can complicate the heck out of it, ... but wow is it so much better now.
Each video in the series has been carefully thought out and constructed with examples to show the 'what if I ..." Thanks for taking the time and effort to provide the detailed guides. Clear Skies!
I just think about what I would have liked to have when I was learning... and there you go! :)
Yet another really informative and helpful video Chad. You have been my virtual companion as I get to grips with NINA. Thanks so much for your efforts.
This guy does not skip a beat, its like he invented the thing! I wish I can dance with it this well someday. Just not enough time in the day. I have dual imaging rigs with a TS115 and an AT130, will be looking for your dual image capture video soon! Thanks Patriot Astro!
I definitely didn’t invent it and the developers deserve all the credit. ;) It’s an amazing group who really care about the community. They almost never sleep I’m convinced. I’m just glad to do my part to make sense of the features so that people can start using them and we can get everyone to the next level.
You're NINA tutorials are top shelf. I've shared a few with some of my colleagues. LIKED Cheers!
Glad you find them useful! Hope to see you here for a long time! :)
I've been using SBIG cameras since 2000, starting with the ST237 and progressing to my current camera, the STF8300. Now, with modern CMOS cameras and the much cheaper prices, I'm moving on. I just noticed Nina as I was researching the QHY cameras. I ordered the 268-M with CFW-L and OAG. Backordered of course. I think my days of using the old Maxim 5 and Sky X are done. I now have a QHY 5-III Mono and a color camera for guiding and planetary work. The C9.25 XLT will see light in the winter since I recently retired. And Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars are well positioned. And I want to shoot the various stuff around Orion. Haven't shot them in years due to weather or work. Just retired. Will have lots of fun after the post-purchase cloud patterns dissipate! Keep looking up!
Great video! I installed a camera rotator, hopefully tonight is the night! Well explained! Thanks! Diana ❤️
Another exceptional NINA tutorial. Nice job!
Thanks again, Tom. :) Always a pleasure to help out.
Another great tutorial, Thanks. I only wish I had come across it last night prior to my imaging
...I know that feeling... :)
As ever, precise, concise info. Thanks Chad!
Mate, great work putting this together, appreciate it.
:) Thanks! It’s been a long time but I’m working towards getting more content going again.
Thanks for this and all the other NINA stuff, it has been extremely helpful.
You're very welcome! I hope to have more soon, as well as a brief update about my recent break. :)
I thought I already mastered the framing tab, buy nop! a couple of new things learned!! Thank you Chad.
Great!
Excellent video, full of useful information. Thank you again for taking the time to make these as I know it takes a lot of time and effort. BTW, I hope that your daughter is doing better. Clear skies and thanks again.
Great video! NINA is an amazing piece of software. Keep up the good work!!
Thanks! Let me know if you need any help. Glad to pitch in.
Just found your Channel as I've just transitioned over to NINA for some of my imaging session! What a wonderful collection of videos/tutorials you have and thanks so much for the effort in sharing your knowledge! Best wishes from Scotland! :)
Hello Scotland! Let me know if you end up with any questions, I’m always happy to help.
Great job again!...here's something you can figure out for me....What if you are trying to do a 2-frame Mosaic, HSO for example. I wanted to constantly be getting both frames over time over several days. I do not see a way to alternate the 2 imaging "sessions" without just stacking one after another, alternating the two different framing session. Set up to shoot 5 x H, 5 X S, 5 X O, then on to the second frame, and repeat this back and forth several time to last the night. You do spend the extra time have to re-solve each time, but at least you could end up with shots from the same night.
Just put both targets inside a sequential instruction container with a looping condition on it to go until Dawn. Each target nested inside that container can be defined how you like, with or without loops themselves. Then it will just loop through the outer loop all night.
@@PatriotAstro I wish I understood that 😂
@@PatriotAstro I wish I understood that
@@MG-Dub You can put containers inside containers. Each container acts like a single instruction (with a bunch of stuff inside). So basically, the outer container says "Loop all the stuff in here until dawn". Then, the stuff in there happens to be 2 other target containers. So it just goes through target 1, then target 2, then back to 1, then 2, ...
This is tremendously helpful. Thank you so much for putting these tutorial videos together!
You're very welcome!
Wonderful.... very informative and clear.
Glad you liked it!
Clear, concise and relevant. Thanks for shortening the learning curve!
That’s the plan. I’m happy it’s working out that way. :)
Another brilliant video. Thanks so much. 😃
Great video ! I did not know you could use previous evening photos to reproduce the framing - thanks!
It is a very helpful capability for sure!
Great Video. Very useful info, thank you
Thanks for watching!
So very helpful. Thank you very much.
No problem, thanks for watching!
Excellent video .. Thank you..
I was struggling finding my exact frame after meridian flip and this video has solved it in an easy way ..
Keep going .. :)
You are welcome!
Another great video.
Thanks! I’ll try to keep them coming.
Firstly,thank you for your effort in preparing these excellent tutorials, I refer to them daily
I have a few hours on RCW 32 and would like to include some of the surrounding areas that would require additional panels, how do I create a mosaic using my current image as the initial image pane in NINA.
Thank you and clear skies.
That very helpful as always Chad. I've been fighting with setting up a 2 panel mosaic but having issues with looping conditions. ie Panel 1 HSO and panel 2 HSO I can get it to take the frames I want with panel 1 but it don't go to panel 2 and than back to panel one. I would like to see a video that goes a bit more in-depth on Mosaic. I haven't found any yet on the University of TH-cam
The thing I'd really like them to add is that they prefill the rotation after a plate solve. Just to see what the current rotation looks like. Maybe I should join discord sometime to discuss this 🤔
Forgot to mention; Great series! Keep up the good work! I'd like to see some of your results sometimes 👍
Thanks! Will do!
Thanks for the very informative and helpful videos. I've recently run into an issue where my plate-solves are not repeatable. After reviewing this video, I thought it was because I forgot to hit the "Re-Center" button, as noted, but that button no longer exists in NINA. My default thought is that the Framing Assistant and Sequencer now automatically pick up any RA/DEC changes one makes in the Framing Assistant, to automatically get an updated center. But then that didn't work for me. I have not measured the error, but it was not obvious to me at the time of imaging; only when I started to integrate the subs. I reviewed the software log notes but could not find where NINA made the change to that button (to see if that might enlighten me). I'm (still) using saved targets/sequences for the subsequent session, so I'm not re-creating the framing in the Framing Assistant. Any idea what I'm not doing to get repeatable plate-solves? It used to work well, a year ago when NINA had the Re-Center button. Thanks!
Great video tutorial. Can I please ask what the best method is to reframe after a meridian flip bearing in mind the image will be inverted following the flip? Many thanks!
I have saved your TH-cam channel to my favorites. Your videos are great and very helpful and have aided me set up some things. I am loving NINA works great on my Sky-Watcher EQ6-P Pro mount with the various imaging cameras/optics I use on it, but there are issues with the Meade LX200GPS fork mount that I use on an equatorial wedge. I am on several forums aiding me in a resolution to the LX. Oh, I am also in the Deep South, adjacent to Jackson, MS in Bortle 7 skies. But I do have access to Bortle 4 skies 30-minutes out of town.
Tried the framing sequence by moving the frame to a position I wanted. However, my version of NINA (Version 2.0 BetA044) did not have, under the “Targets”, the “Recenter image” tab. Could not figure out how to do the recenter except by manually doing it myself. I see that a new version is now out. Has the recenter option moved?
I was recently in Jackson as one of my daughters go to school there. Went up to the reservoir and it seemed like there might be some great skies out that way!
@@PatriotAstro It does get darker up the Natchez Trace but per the US Park Services rules no on is supposed to use those parking areas after dark. There are many historic sites off the trace, Indian Mounds, famous rest stops back in the Andrew Jackson and earlier days. Some just beside the Trace others kind of out of sight off the Trace. Lots of historical markers from Natchez to Nashville for sure. If you like driving 50-mph all day long.
@@gadgetmanbowen3081 LOL. I like to get where I am going a bit faster than that. :)
Good stuff! With rotation of the camera, do you take new flats (for dust) each time you rotate? Dust on the sensor would be consistent. Dust on the lenses relative to sensor will change with each rotation, no?
Fantastic video as usual. When you adjust the rotation to match a previously shot frame it appears you are adjusting the rotation on the guide cam not main cam ? Thanks again
I honestly can’t remember how my gear was set up in this particular video, but you are adjusting the main camera. I think what you are likely seeing is that particular mount has 2 complete telescope set ups on it side-by-side and I am working with the smaller of the two telescopes. Sorry for the confusion there. You never adjust the guide camera framing, always adjust the main camera. If you do adjust the guide camera for any reason, there is a good chance you may need to go through calibration again and PHD2.
@@PatriotAstro thanks
Are you certain you need to recenter before sending to sequence? I have never done that and haven't had a problem so far.
Agreed, in my experience, recenter image is not required. The coordinates are derived from the box position, not the image center.
You are 100% right! I’m not sure if/when I ran into this requirement on my end and it became habit for me. I’m sure something happened at one point where my sequence of events that day led me to this, but it is not the case. Thanks (both of you) for pointing this out!! :)
Great video, as always! Thanks. You’re really creating a NINA bible with all these. Such a great resource.
One question though… when I try to load an image from a file, the windows file windows opens, hangs for a min and then NINA crashes. Nothing in the log files. Happens with both the 1.10 version and the latest nightly build. Also seems to happen anywhere I try to access the file system from within NINA, but the framing tab is the most annoying. Any ideas?
I had it happen to me a couple weeks ago in 1.11 but haven't seen the behavior since. Not sure. :(
@@PatriotAstro thanks.
Hi. I don't have the "recenter image" button on my NINA set up. Was it moved somewhere else?
Can you use camera parameters as ROI?
what did u use for autofocus? HFR? or what type?
I typically use HFR if using filter offsets. If not using offsets, I'll use HFR but it doesn't trigger as often since I am running AF on every filter change in that case.
I do not have slew and center; just Slew. Why?
Have you configured your plate solver and connected it to NINA?
@@PatriotAstro Yes, I use ASTAP for both NINA and SharpCap. You are right Slew and Center appeared after ASTAP configuration.
A "I am close enough, use this rotation angle" button is missing in the platesolving popup window. That would prevent a user from chasing those 1.2° back and forth.
HaHa, Yep! I’ve had those days…