far laboratories - Astronomy Technology Today
far laboratories - Astronomy Technology Today far laboratories - Astronomy Technology Today
SIMPLE REMOTE OBSERVATORY OPERATION ice ($15). To remotely control a standard DC focus motor you’ll want their FCUSB interface ($70). A USB connection and an available focus motor cable ($6-$8) plus their driver software (free) will do the trick. If you have autofocus software available, their ASCOM driver (free) will connect to that. I’m not affiliated with Shoestring Astronomy (I paid normal retail for all of these items), and I didn’t intend for this to read like an SA ad – but I use their stuff a lot and recommend it whenever I can. This project would have been more difficult and/or more expensive without these products. The other required devices are more generally available. Powered USB2 hubs are everywhere for $20. SBIG’s motorized filter wheel is $595 without filters from any dealer. The DSLR and SBIG cameras are also widely offered. The DSI Pro has been discontinued but the DSI Pro II is still available and it’s even better. Windows-compatible PC desktops are all over the place. Both VNC and www.logmein.com are free (though if you need to transfer files you’ll need the pay version of logmein). DC focus motors are generally available for $50-$200 and the Robofocus is about $500. Images Plus is around $200, TheSky is $150-$300, and CCDSoft is $350, but can be downloaded at no charge if you own an SBIG camera. You can spend whatever you feel like on the camera(s), mount and optical tube(s) and except for autofocusing, there’s free software available for every function mentioned here. The project may sound complicated, but it wasn’t. It all went in gradually, one piece at a time, as I found the need to remotely control each function. My observatory control scheme is not slick or powerful, and it’s definitely not suitable for true remote operation, but it pleases me to no end! Introducing the New Multicart! Transforms in seconds into 8 different configurations Tough, corrosion-resistant textured powder coat finish Non-skid frame bed helps prevent cargo from shifting Cable quick release allows folding down for compact storage and transport Spring-loaded wing bolts that won't vibrate out Stair climber rails make going up and down stairs and curbs easy Strong yet light G-Force castors with smooth, quiet thermoplastic tread Shock-absorbing pneumatic wheels with polymer hub and roller bearings We also custom build the best, strongest, most well constructed scope transport cases available! www.scopeguard.com Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY 65
- Page 2 and 3: My observatory control scheme is no
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SIMPLE REMOTE OBSERVATORY OPERATION<br />
ice ($15). To remotely control a standard<br />
DC focus motor you’ll want their FCUSB<br />
interface ($70). A USB connection and an<br />
available focus motor cable ($6-$8) plus<br />
their driver software (free) will do the trick.<br />
If you have autofocus software available,<br />
their ASCOM driver (free) will connect to<br />
that. I’m not affiliated with Shoestring<br />
<strong>Astronomy</strong> (I paid normal retail for all of<br />
these items), and I didn’t intend for this to<br />
read like an SA ad – but I use their stuff a lot<br />
and recommend it whenever I can. This project<br />
would have been more difficult and/or<br />
more expensive without these products.<br />
The other required devices are more<br />
generally available. Powered USB2 hubs are<br />
everywhere for $20. SBIG’s motorized filter<br />
wheel is $595 without filters from any dealer.<br />
The DSLR and SBIG cameras are also<br />
widely offered. The DSI Pro has been discontinued<br />
but the DSI Pro II is still available<br />
and it’s even better. Windows-compatible<br />
PC desktops are all over the place. Both<br />
VNC and www.logmein.com are free<br />
(though if you need to transfer files you’ll<br />
need the pay version of logmein). DC focus<br />
motors are generally available for $50-$200<br />
and the Robofocus is about $500. Images<br />
Plus is around $200, TheSky is $150-$300,<br />
and CCDSoft is $350, but can be downloaded<br />
at no charge if you own an SBIG<br />
camera. You can spend whatever you feel<br />
like on the camera(s), mount and optical<br />
tube(s) and except for autofocusing, there’s<br />
free software available for every function<br />
mentioned here.<br />
The project may sound complicated,<br />
but it wasn’t. It all went in gradually, one<br />
piece at a time, as I found the need to<br />
remotely control each function. My<br />
observatory control scheme is not slick or<br />
powerful, and it’s definitely not suitable for<br />
true remote operation, but it pleases me to<br />
no end!<br />
Introducing the<br />
New Multicart!<br />
Transforms in seconds into<br />
8 different configurations<br />
Tough, corrosion-resistant<br />
textured powder coat finish<br />
Non-skid frame bed helps<br />
prevent cargo from shifting<br />
Cable quick release allows<br />
folding down for compact<br />
storage and transport<br />
Spring-loaded wing bolts<br />
that won't vibrate out<br />
Stair climber rails make<br />
going up and down stairs<br />
and curbs easy<br />
Strong yet light G-Force<br />
castors with smooth, quiet<br />
thermoplastic tread<br />
Shock-absorbing pneumatic<br />
wheels with polymer hub<br />
and roller bearings<br />
We also custom build the best,<br />
strongest, most well<br />
constructed scope transport<br />
cases available!<br />
www.scopeguard.com<br />
<strong>Astronomy</strong> TECHNOLOGY TODAY 65
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