Astronomy Equipment Compatibility / methodology notes

Methodology & limitations

Understand what is calculated, what is entered, and what remains unknown.

Calculation rules

Enter the exact focal length, reducer factor, sensor dimensions, and published sensor working distance for your equipment.

List the optical train in physical order, including every spacer and the camera sensor flange distance. Match thread pitch and gender, not just nominal diameter.

Compare summed mechanical distance with the target, apply any documented filter correction once, and report field of view and angular sampling separately.

Limits that matter

Spacing and nominal thread agreement do not guarantee physical clearance, engagement depth, sensor illumination, or optical quality. Verify each manufacturer reference.

Examples, imports, and source evidence

Example records are illustrative and are not a current public database. CSV and JSON imports are processed locally. A source URL supplied by a user does not mean that the publisher or this tool has independently audited that record. Missing specifications remain unknown. Inspect source dates and revisions before acting.

Reproducible results

Export a JSON plan to preserve the inputs and method version. Table exports contain the complete result, not just the currently displayed page. The printable report includes all result rows. A saved plan stays on this browser until you delete it or clear browser storage. Calendar exports create a snapshot of dates, not continuously updated alerts.

Corrections and commercial independence

Report calculation issues through the linked public source repository using an anonymized reproducible example. Do not include private addresses, serial numbers, personnel records, financial statements, or license-restricted data in a public issue. Advertising cannot change calculations, compatibility warnings, organic order, or source interpretation.

Reference sources

ZWO product manuals and documentation
Use Optical Train