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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie again
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 22469
Loc: NE Ohio
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OK - I got up early to get some shots of Jupiter and it was too cold out there! I have a PC by the scope and a couple inside where it's safe and warm, all linked by a wireless network. I can share files but now I'm ready for a system that will let me sit in here and run the computer out there. What are folks using? (WinXP home)
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John C
Urban Observatory
Tele Vue Pronto
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 152ED F/9 "APO"
152mm F/10 achromat
Tak CN-212 8" F/12 classical Cass/ F/4 Newt
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
LXD750, EM-200, CI-700
ST-10XME
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Mike Sandy
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/29/03
Posts: 1096
Loc: SF Bay Area, CA
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Hi John,
I've switched to ACP3 from DC3 Dreams....together with MaxIm, PinPoint, and FocusMax you have a very capable system - able to support remote operation, and its upgradable to work very remotely over the internet. This set-up (when the hardware and software are configured) will point your goto mount, verify that it is pointing at the correct part of the sky (to very tight tolerances), focus your image, start your guider, position the correct filter, shoot images (LRGB) & darks, then move to the next position and start all over again. The system will then shut everything down when it is done (which is good, cause I by then I'm in bed).  Check it out at this site: http://acp3.dc3.com/
It has changed the way I use my equipment, and that is something you have to consider. I can still do everything I did before, but I don't have to anymore. When I build a good plan, the software does the execution of the image right - focusing at the right times, saving the files, all the things I would forget sometimes. The pointing is great - it is close enough that I can go back to an object on different nights and the object is on the same part of the chip.....very cool. I have really come to like the process, and will not go back to sitting outside by the scope to image (unless I want to spend the night under the stars).
--------------------
Mike Sandy
http://www.DarkSights.com
Takahashi FRC-300, FS-78
Apogee U16M
Starfish Guider
Televue TV-102
Lunt LS60THaDS50/B1200
Baader Herschel Wedge
Paramount ME
Giro III on a Astro-Physics Tripod
AP SPL - 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm
Ethos - 6mm, 8mm, 13mm, 17mm
Naglers - 16mm (x2)
Panoptic - 24mmm (x2)
AP/Baader Mark V
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39730
Loc: Phx, AZ
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Mike;
Looks very impressive, but I assume it's a Windows only product?
It seems like the very way to go if you want to do work too.
Thanks for sharing.
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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Mike Sandy
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/29/03
Posts: 1096
Loc: SF Bay Area, CA
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I'm afraid it is a Win/Tel only application. It is such a limited market that I doubt there is much reason for Bob Denny to port it over - but you may want to ask him. This is exactly the reason (software availability) I gave up my beloved Macs and came over to the "dark side" a few years ago. 
I've just begun to unlock the potential of the software....it is a very nice if you want to automate your imaging.
--------------------
Mike Sandy
http://www.DarkSights.com
Takahashi FRC-300, FS-78
Apogee U16M
Starfish Guider
Televue TV-102
Lunt LS60THaDS50/B1200
Baader Herschel Wedge
Paramount ME
Giro III on a Astro-Physics Tripod
AP SPL - 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm
Ethos - 6mm, 8mm, 13mm, 17mm
Naglers - 16mm (x2)
Panoptic - 24mmm (x2)
AP/Baader Mark V
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39730
Loc: Phx, AZ
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There is a ton of software on the astronomy side for UNIX. My buddy runs about 14 telescopes under RedHat, and before that OS-9. But he sends the raw data out, has nothing to do with processing it.
However; I can see why the dark side was so seducing. To get that much interaction with the software would be nice. When I have the cash flow to do so I would strongly lean towards a Unix based solution - which would now include the Mac's now that they have FreeBSD as the core.
I can see you spending a ton of time pushing the potential of that setup! What kind of mount do you use?
(I question my choice of the Mac for a laptop because of the software constraints - Registack is one good reason - time will tell if I expand my Apple purchases or stick with Linux. We use Windows at work where I have to support it: With all the grief we've had the last five months I decided that was the end for me - at home. A man has his limits and mine had been passed! Everyone's milage will vary though.)
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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Mike Sandy
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/29/03
Posts: 1096
Loc: SF Bay Area, CA
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You hit it right on the head! I'm a bit software challenged (more than a slight understatement) so I need you smart guys to do the work for me - Windows has more folks doing that because of the deployed base (as opposed to some outstanding technical merit).
I use an AP 900 GOTO....but you could use any good goto that has an ASCOM driver. Pointing accuracy is less important, because you run a closed loop pointing system.
--------------------
Mike Sandy
http://www.DarkSights.com
Takahashi FRC-300, FS-78
Apogee U16M
Starfish Guider
Televue TV-102
Lunt LS60THaDS50/B1200
Baader Herschel Wedge
Paramount ME
Giro III on a Astro-Physics Tripod
AP SPL - 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm
Ethos - 6mm, 8mm, 13mm, 17mm
Naglers - 16mm (x2)
Panoptic - 24mmm (x2)
AP/Baader Mark V
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie again
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 22469
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
Hi John,
I've switched to ACP3 from DC3 Dreams....together with MaxIm, PinPoint, and FocusMax you have a very capable system - able to support remote operation, and its upgradable to work very remotely over the internet.
Thanks. Mike.
I was really thinking more of a way to run the software I have remotely. I do use maxim DL sometimes but not with the webcam. That system sounds pretty cool, though - and I'll look into it.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
Tele Vue Pronto
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 152ED F/9 "APO"
152mm F/10 achromat
Tak CN-212 8" F/12 classical Cass/ F/4 Newt
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
LXD750, EM-200, CI-700
ST-10XME
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Charles
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/12/03
Posts: 4111
Loc: Enterprise, AL
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John, I use Sky Level IV, T-Point and MaxIm DL/CCD, and CDSoft ALL Windows and never have a problem with it. The only people that have problems with Windows are the ones that try to put it on E-machines or junk computers. Build yourself a quality computer and Windows won't even hic-up on you! Also, yes you can build a really nice computer for less than a fruit machine!
Charles
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39730
Loc: Phx, AZ
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Quote:
Also, yes you can build a really nice computer for less than a fruit machine!
But it won't be a fruit machine, alas. Too bad, so sad.
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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NuroSlam
sage
Reged: 10/02/03
Posts: 241
Loc: Carrollton, TX
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Just a quick note as i'm heading to work in just moments but I just picked up the latest issue of LINUX JOURNAL with an in depth review of TALON
Description:
Talon is a a fully automated open-source solution for automated telescope and observatory control. Talon controls all aspects of robotic astronomical observations, including telescope control, dome control, image processing, scheduled operations, and envi
While the artical says it can be downloaded from http://sourceforge.net/projects/observatory/ , it doesnt appear that any code is ready yet, but all the screen shoots and review sound like a wonderful addition.
Slam
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Ralph
Telestar 60mm, 395 EQ Mount, WeeCam
You fear me now don't you?
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie again
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 22469
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
John, I use Sky Level IV, T-Point and MaxIm DL/CCD, and CDSoft ALL Windows and never have a problem with it. The only people that have problems with Windows are the ones that try to put it on E-machines or junk computers.
Hi, Charles.
I'm running P4 2.2GHz machines in the observatory and inside and all my astro software runs well. I just want to run it remotely so I can stay warm!
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John C
Urban Observatory
Tele Vue Pronto
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 152ED F/9 "APO"
152mm F/10 achromat
Tak CN-212 8" F/12 classical Cass/ F/4 Newt
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
LXD750, EM-200, CI-700
ST-10XME
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Charles
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/12/03
Posts: 4111
Loc: Enterprise, AL
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Well all you need to do is go wireless or do what I do and that is my notebook which hook up directly to my scope is hooked up to my home network/Lan. I only go outside to do the initial setup and setup the imaging. Once done I come in and let the computer do all the work and it downloads the images straignt to my desktop inside. I plan to go wireless just as soon as I can figure out how to hook up a USB hub outside and control everything from inside on my desktop. Mike Sandy does everything wireless. I need to see how he does his configuration.
Charles
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Mike Sandy
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/29/03
Posts: 1096
Loc: SF Bay Area, CA
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Hi Charles - my friend!
How are you doing? Just for the record, I saw that crack about "the best scope" in the thread in the equipment forum - you're bad! 
For the wireless control, the trick is to get everything converted to communicating over ethernet as close to the scope as possible....then a wireless router is all you need. So you have serial connections and USB that you have to convert to ethernet. Digi has the AnywhereUSB box that does the USB camera connection, and they also have a serial to ethernet box. My set-up can be seen here:
http://www.darksights.com/Network%20Interface.htm
The AnywhereUSB will NOT work with webcams (at least the time I looked), but I'm looking at a wireless webcam (802.11) that I saw at Frys last week. That might just solve the webcam interface problem.
Everything we just been talking about is just making the required connections between your computer and scope - not about actually making it work as a system to image remotely. Once you can control the scope remotely, you have to be able (and willing) to drive it without seeing what is happening. That is a bigger thing than you might think. Slewing your scope and knowing that a cable won't hang up, that the scope or camera won't hit the mount/pier, and that it will point where you want it to was hard for me.
Anyway.....have a nice day - Holiday Season - New Year! All the best at finding the Mewlon!
--------------------
Mike Sandy
http://www.DarkSights.com
Takahashi FRC-300, FS-78
Apogee U16M
Starfish Guider
Televue TV-102
Lunt LS60THaDS50/B1200
Baader Herschel Wedge
Paramount ME
Giro III on a Astro-Physics Tripod
AP SPL - 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm
Ethos - 6mm, 8mm, 13mm, 17mm
Naglers - 16mm (x2)
Panoptic - 24mmm (x2)
AP/Baader Mark V
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PVolkmann
newbie
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 2
Loc: El Paso, Texas
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Hi, John,
Since I saw you last, I'm in the process of relocating to El Paso, Texas. Hope to put that 10" LX200-GPS that I bought from you in November to good use. I've had it out once thanks to Ohio clouds.
I stumbled across this software that might work for you. The web page is http://www.interactiveastronomy.com . The software was written for Meade LX200-GPS scopes and uses either LAN or serial connection. Inexpensive, too. $25 or download a demo.
I'll let you know how the southwest skies are.  Have a great holiday.
--------------------
10" LX200-GPS UHTC
8" Orion Skyquest Dob
Meade DSI
Burgess Optical Binoviewers
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zccopwrx
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/29/03
Posts: 511
Loc: Albany, NY
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radmin.com thats all you need for a REALLY good full color remote desktop prog!
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Orion ED80
Orion ST80
Celestron C8-N CG5-GT
ToUCam Pro 840K SC1
Canon EOS Rebel
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