16 Plot

The Plot tab will chart the axes real time.

Use the plot to graphically check the axis positions in real time, for example to validate tracking rates.

Start – clears the plots and starts a new chart based on the settings.

Clear – removes the current plots from the screen.

Pause – stops the plots from moving forward in time. This allows you to use the mouse to move the chart around.

Fit – Attempts to readjust the plot to fit in the current chart’s Y axis. Using this in conjunction with the zoom options.

Zoom – Changes the mouse and arrow behaviors. Use the mouse wheel or arrow key buttons.

Settings – Click the three lines to show the Plot Settings

Zero Base Axes – uses zero as the axes starting point rather than the home positions which are typically set at 90/90 degrees.

Y Scale – Display plots in micro steps, arc seconds, or degrees

Zoom Quality – the father zoomed out the less detail is shown. When adjusted higher, more detailed is shown at zoomed out distances. Default is set to Low so you need to zoom in to improve the details. Low is best used for performance reasons.

Max Points – Set the maximum number of displayed points

Log to GSChartLog – Log plot data to file for later display and analysis

Remove RA Tracking – Adjust plot data to remove RA tracking (e.g. sidereal) to show raw mount movement

Validating tracking rates

Open the Plot Settings, select RA and set Y Scale to arc seconds. Start the mount tracking and then start the plot. The RA plot shows the seconds per degree, which should match the selected tracking rate. Let the plot run for a few minutes; the longer it runs, the more accurate it will be. A goto or slew will throw off the average rate, so use Clear to start the plot again afterwards.