Equipment Analyser guide
The Analyser helps you understand the field of view, image scale and resolution provided by your equipment, and check how an astronomical object fits within the frame.
1 · Choose a path
“Analyse my equipment” calculates the optical setup and then displays the framing. “I already know my FOV” goes directly to framing after you enter the field width and height.
You can return to the first choice at any time.
2 · Component setup or smart telescope
For a component setup, enter the telescope and camera details. Smart telescopes use built-in profiles based on official specifications.
The initial values provide a complete example. Use “Reset data” in each section to start with your own equipment.
3 · Optical tube and camera
Enter the aperture and focal length, or the aperture and focal ratio. The optical factor represents a corrector, reducer or Barlow: for example, 0.8× shortens the focal length and 2× doubles it.
Choose a listed camera or enter the pixel size and sensor resolution manually. No brand or personal information is required.
4 · How results are calculated
Effective focal length is the telescope focal length multiplied by the optical factor. Effective focal ratio divides that value by the aperture. Pixel size, sensor resolution and focal length determine image scale and field of view.
The theoretical Dawes resolution depends on aperture. It is an indicative geometric limit; atmosphere, focus, tracking and processing also affect the real image.
5 · Sampling and sky quality
Seeing is optional and compares atmospheric turbulence with image scale. Leave it blank if you do not know the value.
SQM and Bortle are different optional references. An SQM measurement does not convert exactly to a Bortle class.
6 · Guiding
For component setups, add a guide scope and camera. The Analyser compares guiding scale with the main-camera scale and gives an indicative explanation of the margin for detecting small shifts.
Actual guiding quality must be checked during a session using RMS error and star shape.
7 · What fits in your frame?
Once the Analyser has calculated your FOV—or after you enter its width and height directly—you can place an object from our list inside it. The selector includes both photographed objects and pending targets.
The rectangle represents the FOV, while the object outline shows its approximate angular size at the same scale. This lets you compare relative sizes, see how much space remains around the object, and determine whether it fits comfortably, tightly, or extends outside the field.
Pending targets do not yet have a side photograph, but their scale outline can still be used to check framing. Side photographs of completed targets are for identification only and are not shown to scale relative to the FOV. The −15° and +15° controls rotate the sensor in steps so you can check different orientations.
When the framing is right, “Plan this object with this FOV” opens Planning and directly transfers the object, FOV width and height, and sensor orientation.
8 · Download results
“Download TXT” saves the numerical summary as a text file. “Download PDF” creates a two-page report in the Downloads folder.
The PDF includes the results, interpretation, and selected framing representation. Everything is calculated in the browser and no personal data is stored.