Hi Steve,

I would like to use Navigator to build me an imaging plan using target information gotten from a plate solve of another image. Basically, a friend sent me an image he had captured and I'd like to try to do the same target, centered as he had. Perhaps there's a way to do this but I don't see how.

I think having the ability to open an image, plate solve it (via Pinpoint) and then let Navigator do its thing to help me build a plan would be rather nifty. I've seen a few different programs written that call Pinpoint to get the image center and use it and so I get the impression this is not a difficult thing to do.

What do you think?

Thanks,
Jonathan

Jonathan,

This could be added and it would be a nice feature, I'll consider it.

The problem for me is that besides adding PinPoint, I'd have to add Image Link (Sky6/CCDSoft) and I think I'd have to interface to camera control software (ie. MaxImDL and CCDSoft). So this opens a new can of worms which I'm not sure I want to do.

Probably you know this already but you can import from FITS in CCDAP.

A manual workaround would be to layout a plan in CCDNavigator without worrying about the position, do the plate solving in PinPoint, open the updated FITS file in your camera control program, read the FITS header and jot down the RA/DC/PA. Then edit the CCDNavigator session plan XML file and do a global change of the RA/DC/PA to the ones found in the FITS.

Not beautiful but it will work. I'll look into a means for importing the RA/DC/PA from the solved FITS file to CCDNavigator. This wouldn't require all the interfaces mentioned earlier.

Hi Steve,

I certainly understand and appreciate all those issues. I could easily rationalize just supporting Pinpoint (initially) as many of John's CCDAP customers have probably made that leap already. Anyone who has ever tried Pinpoint and compared it to TheSky6's plate solving, will be sold rather quickly. I was! :-)

Your workaround gets most of it done as you suggest but there's another feature of Navigator I really like and was another motivation for me to ask you. That's the FOV button that identifies other objects in the FOV. So, see, CCDNavigator has truely unique value that I want to further exploit!

I'd be happy to help you in any way that I can should you get snowed in this winter and need something to work on! :-)

Thanks,
Jonathan