I am setting up a target list with multiple targets. CCDAP estimates a start and finish time for each target on the target list. In the few trial runs I have performed, the actual time to complete a target run is longer than the time on the target list. Do I have to specify a start time for each target on the list? If I underestimate the time required to finish one target before the start time on the next target comes up, will CCDAP finish the number of light frames I have entered for the first target before it goes on to the next target on the list?

Hi Kirk,

In CCDAP3, you have to pay close attention to alot of things that affect running times, such as how long and how many times a focus run wil occur throughout the session, download times of all you images, meridian flip time, etc. CCDAP3 has a parameter that lets you add a certain amount of time to each image to "estimate" the additional total time all of this would add divided by the number of images you are going to take. I would usually set my "other delays" number to around 110 to get close to the actual time. This is a trial and error thing.

In CCDAP4, John has given us a great feature that gets actual times for all those things I mentioned and keeps track of them for you, so when you setup a session, all the "extra" time is already figured in. Upgrading to CCDAP4 is worth it just to get that feature :-)))) HTH ....

Yes Frank, that helps. I will read the run page more closely and adjust times. So if I underestimate target one time, CCDAP3 will not have time to finish target one and will go on to target two, correct?

Hi Kirk,

IIRC, the targets run one after the other, so after target one finishes, target two will start and it runs this way until the dawn abort takes over. How much gets done depends on the amount of images you set up for each target and the time factored in for all the other things that take place.

Thanks, that clarifies it for me. The version 4 upgrade will make a good Christmas present.