What to Do When NINA Won't Focus

You've booted up your mount, computer and camera, started NINA and run your focus, aligned and/or plate solved. Everything is working smoothly and your telescope is ready to go to work. Then you slew to a nebula or galaxy and NINA refuses to focus, even with Hocus Focus. Don't despair! The fix is simple.
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#astronomy #astrophotography #focus #nebula #nina

[@IronMan-2024]

I haven’t encountered this issue yet. Can’t wait! 😛

[@gr0uch02a]

I seem to recall that FocusMax could be set to find a star within a user-configurable range of brightness, usually at zenith, then go back to the target and let the imaging software resume its work. I am getting back into the hobby after years away and still learning NINA, but I thought I recalled FM+CCDAP being able to do this.
In any case, great video and explanation.

[@SKYST0RY]

I haven't used FocusMax. But there are some other strategies you can implement to improve focus that I'll cover soon.

[@robvandenwijngaart988]

Hi, I think you gave me the answer I was looking for. I just bought a autofocuser and for two night all fine. Now last two nights it's imposible to focus. And I think the full moon is the problem. Wish the moon had a switch to turn it of. Thanks for the video.

[@SKYST0RY]

The moon makes it difficult to focus if you are point close to it because it drowns out the point sources (stars), but if you point away from it you shouldn't have a problem. If you were pointing away from the moon and still having difficulty, the issue is something else. Patriot Astro has an excellent video on initial setup of the AF. Also, are you using Hocus Focus (presuming you're using NINA). Hocus Focus helps a lot, though NINA is gettings its AF feature better and better.

[@robvandenwijngaart988]

@@SKYST0RY Yes, using Hocus Focus and wached the video op Petriot Astro... many times ;) I did some more thinking and investigating. First night with troubles I hade some very high clouds that lith op the sky by the moon and yasterday I was low on the horison in NNW

[@johnsmith-rd9rr]

Make sure simulator focuser ISNT set as your af

[@fotografiabymiguel]

Yet another great video, I am in the process of building a tandem rig, and N.I.N.A will be my imaging software on my mini PC, as ASIAIR does not support synchronous dithering. Great tip on the use of Hocus Focus.

[@SKYST0RY]

You'll love NINA. I haven't used ASIAir though I hear it works great. I find NINA to work very well and it is very versatile.

[@ScottDavies]

Excellent solution and well explained 😉 Got yourself a new subscriber 👍✅

[@Tony-Elliott]

Great explanation, thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@geert5811]

Maybe a stupid question, but what if you've set to do a focus based on a change of temperature during the sequence?
g.

[@SKYST0RY]

You know, it's not a feature I've ever used. I never looked to see if it's even a feature. However, unless you're in an area where temperature changes very rapidly, you should be fine just setting NINA to check focus every once in a while. I have NINA automatically check focus every 60 minutes.