Discovery Astrophotography with ZWO ASTRO

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Product FAQs

Frequently asked questions about ZWO products.

FAQ

Guide Cameras

Yes, you can name the cameras to distinguish them in the camera setting.

Normally you only need to install the native drivers. But we also provide the ASCOM driver and DirectShow driver for your possible needs.

All can be downloaded on the Download page of the ZWO website: https://store.zwoastro.com/download/

They are compatible with most guiding software, such as PHD, PHD2, Maxim DL, guidemaster, etc.

Yes, all the necessary adapters are included in the camera box, such as the 1.25” extender.

Yes, but we don’t recommend that due to the gap in frame rates.

Make sure the guide camera is focused. You can point your telescope to the moon to get it roughly focused, and then choose a star to do fine focus. If there still is no star in your image, then please adjust your shooting settings, such as gain and exposure.

FAQ

Planetary Cameras

Yes, you can name the cameras to distinguish them in the camera setting.

Normally you only need to install the native drivers. But we also provide the ASCOM driver and DirectShow driver for your possible needs.

All can be downloaded on the Download page of the ZWO website: https://store.zwoastro.com/download/

They are compatible with most guiding software, such as PHD, PHD2, Maxim DL, guidemaster, etc.

Yes, all the necessary adapters are included in the camera box, such as the 1.25” extender.

Yes, but we don’t recommend that due to the gap in frame rates.

Make sure the guide camera is focused. You can point your telescope to the moon to get it roughly focused, and then choose a star to do fine focus. If there still is no star in your image, then please adjust your shooting settings, such as gain and exposure.

FAQ

DSO Cooled Cameras

Yes, you can name the cameras to distinguish them in the camera setting.

All can be downloaded on the Download page of the ZWO website: https://store.zwoastro.com/download/

The official software was developed by ZWO, and some commonly used software, such as Maxim DL, The SkyX, SGP, APT, NINA, Nebulosity, etc.

All cooled cameras need to be connected to the power supply to work, otherwise, the camera might fail to be recognized or exposed. Voltage range: 11V-15V. We recommend 12V 3A~5A.

Turn the camera 180 degrees. If the stain position remains the same, then it may exist on the camera sensor. Otherwise, it’s on the telescope mirror. For the former, the stain might be dust, which could be calibrated by flats or cleaned with the cleaning guide from ZWO.

Cameras with APS-C and larger sensor formats all have anti-dew heaters. It can be turned on/off in your imaging software.

ASI1600MC & ASI120MC-S: GRBG. Other ASI cameras: RGGB. Detailed information about the debayer pattern can be viewed on the ASIStudio, the official imaging software from ZWO.

FAQ

Mounts

Voltage range: 11V-15V. The input current of each port: ≤5A. Output current: ≤3A. Normally we recommend you use the ZWO 12V 5A power supply to power the mount.

The thread size of the AM5 counterweight bar is M12*17.5 and the length is 230mm. For any third-party counterweight bar, the length is required not to exceed 250mm.

The paper PE test report is included in the AM5 box. Scan the QR code you can also get an online copy, which is stored on the ZWO server permanently. Each mount has its own unique PE test port.

There is no polar scope on AM5 so you need to use ASIAIR or other imaging software like NINA to do polar alignment.

FAQ

ASIAIR

Search ASIAIR on the App Store or Google Play to download.

You can visit this website to get your SN code: https://asiair.en.zwo.biz/#/license. Please contact our support team if you can’t find your SN code there.

Download the latest version of the APP from the App Store or Google Play. Connect your phone to ASIAIR via a Wi-Fi network. Launch the APP to allow the firmware update procedure to start automatically.

The first generation of ASIAIR: 5V 3A. There is a 12V to 5V adaptor in the ASIAIR box for you to use.

Can be used to reset the Wi-Fi name and password.

ZWO USB 3.0 cameras, ZWO mini cameras, ZWO filter wheels, ZWO EAF, ZWO AM5, mounts from other brands, and some DSLR/MILC cameras, etc. Please refer to the ASIAIR’s product page to check the detailed support list.

No.

Connect the DSLR camera to the USB 2.0 port of ASIAIR. Note that the DSLR camera can only be used as the main camera. Set as below: Shooting Mode: M. Shutter: Bulb. Image format: RAW (Don’t choose RAW+ JPEG). Image quality: L (maximum size). For the cameras with functions such as power saving mode, WiFi, mirror lockup, long exposure noise reduction, and exposure bracketing, make sure to turn them off.

The required input voltage for ASIAIR Plus is 11V~15V. Normally we recommend you use a 12V 5A power supply. Voltage lower than 9V will lead to failure in the boot. The output current for each single port is 3A or less, and the total output current for 4 ports will not exceed 6A.

Recommended memory: 512G. Maximum memory supported: 1T. Format supported: NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT.

Most mounts can be connected to ASIAIR Plus via these 3 methods: 1) For mounts themselves equipped with USB 2.0 ports or EQMOD cables, directly connect them to ASIAIR Plus. 2) For mounts whose hand controller has the serial port or USB port, connect the hand controller to ASIAIR Plus. 3) For mounts equipped with WiFi modules, wirelessly connect them to ASIAIR Plus.

The USB Type-C port can only be used to export data files stored in its memory or SD card to your computer. A USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable is required.

FAQ

Accessories

EAF

No.

Right now the fast speed and slow modes are only available on the hand controller, not in the software. But you can control the EAF movement with fine tuning and rough tunning.

EAF is a driver-free device. Plug and play just like a mouse and keyboard. You don’t need to install any other software or driver if you use ASICap. But if you use third-party software, then you’ll need to install the ASCOM driver.

The max step limitation is 65535.

Yes, but you need to upgrade your ASCOM driver to the latest version or install the latest SkyX plug-in.

The 5kg weight includes all equipment at the end of EAF, such as the camera, filter, ADC, Barlow, etc.

It depends on your focuser. The whole steps for one round are 5760.

EAF will beep twice to alarm you when it bears too much resistance. And when it reaches the zero position & maximum position it will also beep.

Backlash exists in each kind of focuser, but it will not affect the accuracy of focusing since most autofocus software has backlash-eliminating function.

EFW

The latest SHO filter, duo-band filter, LRGB filter, and other filters do not need you to distinguish the face and the back.

Please refer to the product page of the filter wheel. This link might also be helpful to you: https://store.zwoastro.com/5-connection-methods-to-get-55mm-back-focus-length/

OAG

No.

Prism size of the original OAG and M68 OAG: 8*8mm. Prism size of OAG-L: 12*12mm.

The detailed connection instructions can be viewed on the OAG product page: https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/product/zwo-oag. And the connection instruction of OAG-L can be viewed here: https://store.zwoastro.com/5-connection-methods-to-get-55mm-back-focus-length/