Plate Solving Setup in APT Astro Photography Tool

How to install and configure Plate Solving Software with APT. Installing all plate solving software and configuring which software works with different length exposures.

[@sunnyrana4248]

2 years on this video is still helping poor souls like me. Much appreciated. I will do my best to follow these directions. watched like 3 other videos which fell short in explaining things clearly

[@AndyofAstro]

Thanks APT has changed a lot since I published this. I think most bits are vaguely similar. Thanks for watching.

[@RaulRodriguezasteroides]

Great video master. Very well explain. Few persons explain these Problems in APT. thanks You very much. Good Job. ..and I am latino!!

[@HerbsmanRevs]

Really helpful video, thanks!

[@alanjs1]

Excellent video. Was really struggling getting Point Craft set up. Followed your step through guide and it worked! I'm returning to astrophotography after a long break and and this video really helped. Thank you.

[@goatsuukerhill]

Thanks, you are right it is complicated. I could not have successfully got these platesolving programs working with out your help. You were a big help. Warren

[@r.fortner4661]

Thanks so much for this. I stumbled around months ago and got it running in APT, but not reliably. I just got a new mount-side PC and in the process of loading my APT and platesolving utilities. Will be using your video as a guide!! Many thanks!

[@Ali-ms8zv]

Great video, thanks. Now I understand why plate solving does not always happen for me

[@boaty1968]

Hi Andy I use Astap for both blind and near solving with 3-5 sec exposures for solving one thing Astap doesn’t like is eggy stars so good PA and short exposure seem to work well

[@robertarmstrong9406]

Thank Andrew well do.

[@gregoryscharf9384]

I take it that you have to go back into the plate solving programs and manually change the focal length, etc. if you change cameras or focal length (use a reducer, etc.). Like in the All Sky Plate Solver Settings - you would have to change the focal length manually. I know in APT you can save different setups.

[@AndyofAstro]

Yes, each focal length has to be added. Many thanks for watching!

[@antoniocortez1892]

So I have a Zhumell 12" dobsonian, which is completely manual, but use a tracking platform to accomplish astrophotography using sharpcap pro. I need platesolving to tell or show me where my scope is pointing to. Will this program show me for example, through stellarium where I'm pointing to so I can keep pushing manually my scope to reach the location of interest and provide additional information on how to accomplish this?

[@AndyofAstro]

I believe the APT has a manual mode where you can platesolve the image taken and then adjust until it is framed. Unfortunately I've not yet tried this feature. However I'd be really interested in any testing you do to try this. It is also possible to use ASTAP in a stand alone mode to platesolve to identify your position.

[@dr.anthonyrecascino403]

What is you dont have an image....to test the plate solving? Overall its a great vid. Thanks.

[@janelubenskyi1177]

Please…would you tell me if I have only a DSLR but not a telescope then in the tool settings for the camera besides specifying my camera canon 70D do I add the focal length of my lens …but what diameter do I put in the “Diameter” section just below that if I am using a focal length lens of say 200mm?

[@AndyofAstro]

Yes, add the focal length into the software as well. For the aperture/diameter, you can work it out using the F stop number. If it is F4 for example, divide the focal length by 4 and that is your aperture/diameter. Best of luck, I hope it works ok.