Target and Mosaic Planning using ASIAIR SkyAtlas

ASIAIR based workflow	Target and Mosaic Planning using ASIAIR SkyAtlas	updated: 2025-07-17
Purpose	Capturing mosaic images of a target that is too large to fit in a single frame.
Previous Step	ASIAR Preparation Steps
Next Step	Processing Mosaic Images
See also	Manually Setting the correct Camera Orientation
IMPORTANT	Make sure you have activated AutoFocus in the EAF settings before Autorun or each Target Start, or the plate solve for your first target may fail! Set the ZWO EAF close to the expected focus point, which depends on your optical configuration. To autofocus before going to your main target, first go to a favorite target (e.g., the home position; the scope won't move and will autofocus). Then, move on to the next target.

Procedure	Click on some of the images to view them in a higher resolution.
Open the Plan mode in the ASIAR App and tap on the icon to open the planning mode.
Check that Autofocus is enabled for each GoTo Open the EAF settings on the focuser. In the EAF settings, open Auto Focus. Enable the "Auto Focus Autorun/Each Target Star" option.
First add the default home position as new target and let's shoot 1 light frame with 60s exposure. This ensures the success to the plate solve after a GoTo with the correct focus.
Add a new target
Select or or search a target and click on to add it to a plan.
In Plan Mode open the SkyAtlas
In SkyAtlas click on Mosaic
Select Rotation, Panes X, Panes Y and Overlap (e.g. 20%) for a session plan
Close Sky Atlas and return to Plan Mode
Delete the first target frame (called SH2-131 in this example) and close SkyAtlas
Open the list of targets and add details for each plan (except for the initial Polaris target, which is already fully defined)
Rename the Plan to e.g. IC1396 (Elephant's Trunk)
And set other plan parameters: