With close cooperation with AstroDevices, a new version of eFinder is available with all controls & displays fully integrated into the Nexus DSC Pro.
This combines the real-time responsiveness of encoders with the true sky accuracy of plate-solving.
Offset between main scope and Nexus eFinder is easily and accurately achieved with a built in semi-automatic routine. Just point the main scope accurately at a brights star (Polaris recomened for northern hemsiphere observers) and the Nexus eFinder reports the star name and saves the offset.
Performing 2 ‘star’ alignment on the Nexus DSC Pro is now easier and more accurate. Just point the scope at two areas of sky more than 60 degrees apart in azimuth, press OK at each, and its done. No alignment on stars needed!
Now use the Nexus DSC Pro as before, using its catalogues or SkySafari to find targets. But now when at the target area a local sync is easily performed, without needing to move off to a nearby bright star.
If sky conditions change significantly, the Nexus eFinder camera exposure settings may need adjusting. This is done with the Focus Assistant screen. The screen shows a thumbnail image of the brightest star, a PSF (intensity point spread function), number of potential stars found and the peak signal. from this screen exposure and gain can be adjusted and the eFinder immediately performs another image & solve.
Should focus need adjusting, then this screen facilitates fine tuning.
Nexus eFinder has been designed to be self assembled, requiring little or no soldering. A minimalist version excludes the USB port to a ServoCat or Sky Tracker. The module to add this will be available soon from AstroDevices, as will a fully assembled Nexus eFinder. Details for building and operating are below …
- Nexus eFinder Build Instructions
- Creating a microSD card for the Nexus eFinder Pi Zero
- Nexus eFinder User Manual
Minimalist DIY version.