Contents - Index

Equipment Setup

This section will include some notes, growing over time, to aid proper setup for unattended imaging.

Cameras
  • SBIG AO/Maxim: The current Maxim automation interface does not support predictive mount bumping.  As a result, drive calibration for mount bumping must be performed for every target.  This is done by using 4x the planned guide exposure of the first series for each target but using the specified plate solve filter.  This is done to maximize guide star detection during the drive calibration.  It is up to the user to make sure the guide star is sufficiently centered on the guider chip so that the guide star remains on the chip for all calibration movements.  With this proviso, drive calibration will be performed automatically at the start of every target series.  
  • SBIG AO/CCDSoft: A successful initialization with CCDSoft will allow predictive drive calibration and therefore no calibration at each target is needed.

    Telescope Mounts
  • Gemini: To allow proper meridian flip operation, check the Safety Slew box on the Tracking and Guiding page.  See Meridian Flip for details.
  • Paramount GT1100: For the original Paramount, check Safety Slew on the Tracking and Guiding page.  See Meridian Flip for details.

    Rotators

    In order to achieve successful operation with rotators, it is important that rotators move in the proper direction.  Some rotators have no way to change them and are coded as such.  Others are settable and settings must be made so that operation is in the correct direction.  References to direction are viewed from the camera end and should be as follows:
  • RCOS PIR: This is fixed by design.  CCW rotation should result increasing position counts or degrees.
  • Optec Pyxis: There are setup options.  The option should be chosen in which CCW rotation results in increasing position counts or degrees.  For the 2" Pyxis, this is normally the Reverse direction and for the 3" Pyxis, this is normally the default direction.  See the Pyxis control software help file under PYXISparms.txt for specifics.
  • Astrodon TAKometer: By design intent, CCW rotation should result in increasing position counts or degrees.  If the rotator position is negative, it should get less negative; if it is positive, it should get larger.  For example, CCW rotation should result in the position moving from -150 to-140 or 30 to 40.  Unlike other rotators, the TAKometer must be accurately calibrated to give good results.  Follow the instructions in the TAKometer documentation.  Once you have completed calibration, rotate the TAKometer to +180 and note the rotator's position, perhaps against a fixed reference.  Then rotate to -180.  The rotator should come to the same point  If it does not, re-calibrate as needed.  Ideally, you should get within ±1 degree.

    Focusers

    Domes