Hi gary,
No translation issue, it is with a 36" dob. Enclosed a picture.
Yes, looking the star "flying" was amazing? ! and you see ISS enlarging little by little, see the solar panels as it comes closer then reducing size. All this was great.
For accurate time, I did the calibration of the internal clock of AN as indicated in manual using (NTP protocol), so I think it's OK
For ratios adjustment, I used the procedure described? in ServoCatQuick_V3.pdf : pointing an object east and let it shift for 1/2h and check how much it shifted and recalculate alt ratio, same for az ratio with an object at south. But I wasn't sure it was accurate as I couldn't have 2 digit display. Moreover the telescope is in an observatory, I have only week end to use it so I'm a little bit reluctant to do these test for 1 or 2 hour to have better precision. Maybe another option would be to use this method on circumpolar? object located at east and let the scope track between end of night, then during the full day till evening : I would have an accurate 16 to 18h precision. Same the day after for a circumpolar south object. Does it make sense to you ?
Regarding the ladder issue : in fact my 36" is e Fullum folded scope so it don't need tall ladder. I would say I don't use anything until maybe 40-50¡ã . At zenith 3 steps is enough so I have only a 3 step ladder. When I watched ISS it was not a problem in first low alt passage. More an issue at 2nd?passage nearby zenith but the ladder was manageable.
The main problem I have is certainly the pointing precision not enough on the 36". The pointing precision is not optimal and objects are classically not in the fov. 1 or 2¡ã away.?
Since few observation, I start to use more and more the wonderful TPAS of AN. But so far I limited to maximum 30 stars => the parameters are not accurate enough yet, and I hope I don't have a non persistent error.
This Is 1 of my goal in the next month or let's say automn goal to improve TPAS.
When I followed ISS, I had already calculate 2 parameters of TPAS so the pointing was better than usual but anyway, the ISS was just outside of fov. I could easily recentered it but it means the pointing was still not perfect.
I had to continuously push the az "CW" button in guide fast mode to keep ISS in the fov. The azimuth following was nearly perfect.
Do not hesitate to comment my message. I would really appreciate your feedback.
Anyway, I will keep inform the group of the progress ... specially if ratio optimisation + TPAS could improve tracking
regards
Rapha?l
