====== Capture Tool ======


This tool is to take a series of exposures.

{{:en:documentation:tool_capture.png?250}}

Set the **Exposure time**, the **Gain** and **Offset** if supported and activated in the [[preferences#camera|options]], and the **Binning** to use. Also the camera lens **F-Stop** when using a supported INDI DSLR.

If you activate the "stacking option" in the [[preferences#camera|preferences]] you also see a **Stacking count** value. This is the number of exposure it accumulate to save in a single file. 

Enter an **Object name**. The object name will be used for the file name and stored in the FITS header at keyword  OBJECT.

Set the **Count** number of consecutive exposures to be taken. If the filename use a sequence number the **Overwrite** option is visible, when checked it restart the sequence at 1, overwriting any file with the same name.

Select the **Type of frame**: Light for sky exposure. Bias, Dark, Flat for the calibration. This selection will be used for the folder name and stored in the FITS header at keyword IMAGETYP. If your camera has a shutter, it will be closed for Bias and Dark.\\
When BIAS is selected the exposure time selection is disabled and exposure time is set to zero.

If **Dithering** is required, put a checkmark and enter the image interval. Dithering requires the autoguider to be connected, [[preferences#autoguider|configured]] and guiding from the [[Autoguider]] tool before you start capturing.

if **Autofocus** is required, put a checkmark to the option you want. It is possible to refocus after a given number of image, after a temperature change, or after a HFD change.\\ 
Autofocus must have been configured in [[preferences#auto-focus|auto-focus]] and [[focuser#v_curve_learning|V curve learning]] should have been run and result saved. For autofocus the telescope will automatically slew to a database star of configured magnitude. The slew to and return will only work accurately if you have configured the [[preferences#astrometry|plate solver]] and [[preferences#slew|slewing]] options.

The **Script** to use with this capture. When selected this show the additional options for when to execute it.
  ***before each exposure** will be executed just before to start the exposure, parameter is 0,exptime,stackcount. 
  ***after an image is saved** will be executed after each image, parameter is 1. 
  ***at end of the series** will be executed after all the images are taken, parameter is 2 for normal end or 3 for abnormal.
An [[https://github.com/pchev/ccdciel/blob/master/scripts/examples/test_capture.script|example script]] that show how to read the parameters is available.

Click the **Start** button to begin the exposure series. The same button can be used to interrupt the series when it is running.\\
The remaining time is displayed next to the button.