Contents
- Index
Flip-Flat Notes
The Flip-Flat is a telescope accessory that allows taking artificial light source flats at the conclusion of an imaging session. Session support is integrated into CCDAutoPilot.
When Use Flip-Flat is checked on the Settings page and the Flip-Flat control program, aacmd.exe, is properly located, the Flip-Flat will provide the illumination source for flats under CCDAutoPilot control. Be sure the Flip-Flat Controller windows application is not running. If dusk flats are selected, the Flip-Flap will be first be closed and then be turned to the specified brightness setting at the start of dusk flats. It is recommended that After Civil Dusk be checked on the options page to prevent light leakage from the setting sun from impacting the flat quality. The Flip-Flat will then be turned off once the dusk flats are completed. It will then open at the start of the Target run portion of a session session and close after the Target run completes. If Artificial Flats at park position is checked on the Options page, the Flip-Flat will be closed and turned on when the dark frames are completed after the Target run. It will be turned off when the flats are completed.
If you are using a Flat-Man XL, everything will work exactly as it does for the Flip-Flat, although the open and close commands issued by CCD Autopilot will be ignored. If you have both a Flip-Flat and a Flat-Man XL installed on your system, you must make sure that you select the com port appropriate for the device you would like CCD Autopilot to control during that session before you connect.
User entry fields are adjusted on the Flat Frames page.
The desired ADU target for all filtes is entered in the Flip-Flat box at the top for Target ADU. Then, individual Flip-Flat Brightness settings can be set for each series. The settings range from 0 to 255, with 255 being the brightest setting. This is useful to get the Flip-Flat brightness in a suitable range for different transparency filters. Set the number higher for less transparent filters and lower for more transparent ones. This should be consistent with the minimum and maximum Flat exposure times on the Preference page. In general, only an approximate brightness setting is needed for the Flip-Flat as CCDAutoPilot's internal automatic brightness control logic will fine-tune the exposure to the desired Target ADU level as it does with sky flats.