Hi,

I would like to use CCD Autopilot to automate my observing sessions. I primarily do time series UBVRI CCD photometry, and would like to know if I can setup exposures for a target to run through filters before repeating, rather than x number of exposures in one filter, then x in the next filter, etc.

For instance, I would like to take exposures like this: VBRVBRVBR instead of VVVBBBRRR.

How can this be done?

Thanks,
Brian Potter
Plymouth, MI

Sure. Just set up three series of 1 exposure each for the B V and R filters. Then select multiple sets, using the number of sets control in the upper right corner of the Light Frames page.

Thanks John, that makes sense.

One other question: Many times for VSO photometry, the optimal exposure time is not known ahead of time. Is it possible to indicate a ADU target for light exposures, similar to what is done for flat frames? For instance, I might want exposures at 50,000 ADU for all light frames, which is in the linear range of my camera and provides maximum exposure for each variable star to be imaged.

Thanks!

Hi Brian,

With software, almost anything is possible The real issue is demand. Yours is the first request for such a feature. I'll put it on the suggestion list for future consideration.

Hi John,

I have an ST7 NABG camera and use it for variable star work. As such I have different needs from your typical astrophotography user.

What I need is for your program to calculate the necessary exposure time for light frames just as it does for flats or guide images; that is, I would need to specify a target ADU range and then let the program determine what exposure is needed to best image the target field. This is necessary to get the most photons without saturating. Otherwise, I have to be at the telescope to manually determine the optimal exposure for each field and even different altitudes for the same field due to extinction effects.

Honestly, I think that this would open your application up to a whole new group of potential users in the VSO community. Just a thought...

Thanks,
Brian

quote:

Originally posted by John Smith:
Hi Brian,

With software, almost anything is possible The real issue is demand. Yours is the first request for such a feature. I'll put it on the suggestion list for future consideration.