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Re: question re a preplanned observing session...

Dean S
 

Hi Phil,

Have you considered an automation program like CCDCommander? It is very
easy to learn, will do multiple targets, focus with Focusmax, plate solve,
etc.

I had it doing that my first night and got all objects in the center of the
CCD. The program itself is not expensive by todays standards, and Matt
offers a free trial.

Dean

----- Original Message -----
From: "philipdombrowski" <phil.dombrowski@...>
To: <ap-gto@...>
Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 7:46 AM
Subject: [ap-gto] question re a preplanned observing session...


Dear Howard, Roland & any group member that knows the answer to my
question....
If I am doing a nightly sequence of variable star observations is
there a way to have a preplanned (pre-programmed) sequence of targets
so that I can simply go from one star to the next without having to
enter the RA & DEC of each target star? On any given night I may want
to do 15 variable stars and it would be most desirable to go from one
star to the next without the re entering of coordinates. Earlier
Vstar observers would likely tell me that a "good" observer would just
know how to get from one star to the next from my knowledge of the
night sky! However, I would like to take advantage of the AP1200's
full capabilities. Many of my target stars are in fields were I am
looking for a target that my only be 12th mag or fainter. A feature
that may already be on the AP1200 that I am unaware of would be rather
"cushy".
I very much appreciate your response.
Phil Dombrowski
Glastonbury, CT


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question re a preplanned observing session...

philipdombrowski <phil.dombrowski@...>
 

Dear Howard, Roland & any group member that knows the answer to my
question....
If I am doing a nightly sequence of variable star observations is
there a way to have a preplanned (pre-programmed) sequence of targets
so that I can simply go from one star to the next without having to
enter the RA & DEC of each target star? On any given night I may want
to do 15 variable stars and it would be most desirable to go from one
star to the next without the re entering of coordinates. Earlier
Vstar observers would likely tell me that a "good" observer would just
know how to get from one star to the next from my knowledge of the
night sky! However, I would like to take advantage of the AP1200's
full capabilities. Many of my target stars are in fields were I am
looking for a target that my only be 12th mag or fainter. A feature
that may already be on the AP1200 that I am unaware of would be rather
"cushy".
I very much appreciate your response.
Phil Dombrowski
Glastonbury, CT
Re: question re a preplanned observing session...

Roland Christen
 

Digital Sky Voice, which we used to provide with our mounts, also has a
planned observing feature.

Rolando


**************
Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion
blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.

(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)
Re: question re a preplanned observing session...

Roland Christen
 

In a message dated 9/17/2008 6:47:14 AM Central Daylight Time,
phil.dombrowski@... writes:


Dear Howard, Roland & any group member that knows the answer to my
question....
If I am doing a nightly sequence of variable star observations is
there a way to have a preplanned (pre-programmed) sequence of targets
so that I can simply go from one star to the next without having to
enter the RA & DEC of each target star? On any given night I may want
to do 15 variable stars and it would be most desirable to go from one
star to the next without the re entering of coordinates. Earlier
Vstar observers would likely tell me that a "good" observer would just
know how to get from one star to the next from my knowledge of the
night sky! However, I would like to take advantage of the AP1200's
full capabilities. Many of my target stars are in fields were I am
looking for a target that my only be 12th mag or fainter. A feature
that may already be on the AP1200 that I am unaware of would be rather
"cushy".
I very much appreciate your response.
Phil Dombrowski
Glastonbury, CT
There is no function like that in the AP servo or keypad. However, what you
are describing is a scripting program. I know Bob Denny sells one. You will
need a laptop to run a scripting program. Anyone out there have any other
software recommendations?

Rolando


**************
Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion
blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.

(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)
Re: Wish List

Ladislav Nemec <nemecl@...>
 

Basically, the 'custom RA/Dec' is the same as the 'PC object'. Not surprised
that the AP control is as good as the Gemini.

Actually, there are situations where Gemini wants to additional align/sync
to the WRONG object. Happened to me several time, one has to start from a
scratch - the mapping of the skies become completely wrong (logically).

LN

-----Original Message-----
From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf Of
chris1011@...
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 5:40 PM
To: ap-gto@...
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Wish List



In a message dated 9/16/2008 6:58:34 PM Central Daylight Time,
nemecl@earthlink. <mailto:nemecl%40earthlink.net> net writes:

BTW, the Gemni hand controller coexists happily with the planetarium
program, it even syncs (or additional aligns) with an object selected by
the
program calling it a 'PC object' - its coordinates have to be communicated
to Gemini for a slew, after all.
BTW, the AP keypad aslo coexists happily with the planetarium program. It
even syncs (or recals) with an object selected by the program, calling it a
custom 'RA/Dec' - its coordinates also have to be communicated to the AP
keypad
after all.

So, how does one do this? In the Objects Menu window, one presses RA/Dec=>
This automatically uploads the present RA/Dec number to the keypad. To set
the
internal keypad to this new position, simply exit (press Menu), press bottom

right hand button, then press Rcal. This sets the internal RA/Dec of the
keypad
to the same location as is on the computer screen. If the object is not in
the
center of the eyepiece or CCD image, you can center the object further using

the direction buttons. Once it is centered, press Rcal again to define this
new position as the original RA/Dec. You will see on the planetarium program

that as you center the object in the eyepiece via the buttons, the cursor
will
move away from the object center on the screen, and as soon as you press
Rcal,
the cursor will move back to the center of the object on your planetarium
screen. With this simple method you have essentially "Synced" the
planetarium
program, the mount internal position and where the scope is really pointing.

The point of this is simple: if you want the keypad to do a recal, then you
must set it up so that the last object in the keypad memory IS the one you
are
pointing to. If you point to something with a planetarium program, then the
only way the keypad knows this is for it to monitor the position of the
servo
via the RA/DEC=> also known as the digital setting circle readout.

Does this make sense?

Rolando

**************
Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion
blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.

(http://www.stylelis
<http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014>
t.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)
Re: Wish List

Ladislav Nemec <nemecl@...>
 

Thanks for your description. It saves some time for the 'poor relative'. I
have to think how this relates to similar commands of my Gemini. As they say
'let me think'.



Best,

LN

-----Original Message-----
From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf Of
chris1011@...
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 5:12 PM
To: ap-gto@...
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Wish List



In a message dated 9/16/2008 6:58:34 PM Central Daylight Time,
nemecl@earthlink. <mailto:nemecl%40earthlink.net> net writes:

I have to learn (AP manuals are available online) what the difference
between 'rcal' (recalibrate) and 'sync' for the AP mount is.
Rcal allows you to update the present position to the RA/Dec coordinates
that
you wish this position to be, regardless of whether the telescope is on the
proper side of the moutn or not. Sync is for initial setup where you place
the
scope on the opposite side of the mount where the object is (i.e. if the
object is in the west, you place the scope on the east side). Sync therefore

defines the proper relation ship of the scope and mount at initial setup.
These two
commands allow you subsequently to image past the meridian if you wish, with

scope under the mount, so that you can do continuous tracking without having
to
flip the scope around. You can send the scope under the mount in the east
with the object in the east, and then begin imaging the entire night without

flip, until next morning when the object reaches the western horizon.

Yes, it require just a tiny bit more intelligence on the part of the user
versus some other systems, but I truly believe that all of our customers
have
more than enough grey matter to master this simple thing. We could have made
the
system easier, but this would have eliminated some neat features.

Rolando

**************
Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion
blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.

(http://www.stylelis
<http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014>
t.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)
Re: Wish List

Dick Steinberg
 

Not only does this make sense, but it answers the original request for
a way to put the keypad back in control after using a planetarium
program slew.

THANKS, Roland!

Dick Steinberg


--- In ap-gto@..., chris1011@... wrote:

In a message dated 9/16/2008 6:58:34 PM Central Daylight Time,
nemecl@... writes:


BTW, the Gemni hand controller coexists happily with the planetarium
program, it even syncs (or additional aligns) with an object
selected by the
program calling it a 'PC object' - its coordinates have to be
communicated
to Gemini for a slew, after all.
BTW, the AP keypad aslo coexists happily with the planetarium
program. It
even syncs (or recals) with an object selected by the program,
calling it a
custom 'RA/Dec' - its coordinates also have to be communicated to
the AP keypad
after all.

So, how does one do this? In the Objects Menu window, one presses
RA/Dec=>
This automatically uploads the present RA/Dec number to the keypad.
To set the
internal keypad to this new position, simply exit (press Menu),
press bottom
right hand button, then press Rcal. This sets the internal RA/Dec of
the keypad
to the same location as is on the computer screen. If the object is
not in the
center of the eyepiece or CCD image, you can center the object
further using
the direction buttons. Once it is centered, press Rcal again to
define this
new position as the original RA/Dec. You will see on the planetarium
program
that as you center the object in the eyepiece via the buttons, the
cursor will
move away from the object center on the screen, and as soon as you
press Rcal,
the cursor will move back to the center of the object on your
planetarium
screen. With this simple method you have essentially "Synced" the
planetarium
program, the mount internal position and where the scope is really
pointing.

The point of this is simple: if you want the keypad to do a recal,
then you
must set it up so that the last object in the keypad memory IS the
one you are
pointing to. If you point to something with a planetarium program,
then the
only way the keypad knows this is for it to monitor the position of
the servo
via the RA/DEC=> also known as the digital setting circle readout.

Does this make sense?

Rolando


**************
Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion
blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.

(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Wish List

Ladislav Nemec <nemecl@...>
 

Interesting. I am using TheSky6 exclusively with my Gemini for remote
control and, as far as I can tell, it calculates meridian line correctly. No
idea about the horizon, I do not want to have anything to do with horizon. I
park through the ASCOM driver in the Gemini 'home' position also called CWD
position (counter-weight down). In that position the Sun can never shine
into the scope (due north at altitude 34 for my location). I think this is
the safest parking position but this may be a matter of opinion.



BTW, the Gemni hand controller coexists happily with the planetarium
program, it even syncs (or additional aligns) with an object selected by the
program calling it a 'PC object' - its coordinates have to be communicated
to Gemini for a slew, after all.



I have to learn (AP manuals are available online) what the difference
between 'rcal' (recalibrate) and 'sync' for the AP mount is. Gemini is
different - sync is sync (shifting the mapped coordinates without changing
the model), 'additional align' is modifying the model to improve future
pointing. Sorry for bringing the experiences of a 'poor relative' here.



Just for the record, the bug in TheSky6 may have existed some time ago but I
do not believe it does now. TheSky knows (it's a US law) when the switch
from ST to DT takes place and adjusts, I believe, the value of the
difference between local civil time and UTC.



LN



The current version of TheSky6 is 6.0.0.58

-----Original Message-----
From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf Of
chris1011@...
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 9:20 AM
To: ap-gto@...
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Wish List



In a message dated 9/16/2008 11:02:46 AM Central Daylight Time,
dean@... <mailto:dean%40cwdi.com>
writes:

I suspect my problem is in the time settings now that you said park is in
relation to the horizon. The Sky6 parks it about an hour off so that makes
sense. However the handbox parks it correctly.
The Sky6 parks it wrong because it does not account for daylight savings
when
it calculates the horizon and meridian lines. This is a bug in the program
which should be fixed in the latest version of the program.

Rolando

**************
Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion
blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.

(http://www.stylelis
<http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014>
t.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)
Re: Where is the PEC stored?

Howard Hedlund
 

PEC is stored in the GTOCPx control box. You can turn it on or off
from either the keypad or a PC, but it is stored and maintained in the
GTO control box.



Mag. 7 skies!



Howard Hedlund

Astro-Physics, Inc.

815-282-1513

________________________________

From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf
Of Christopher Vedeler L.Ac.
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 6:22 PM
To: ap-gto@...
Subject: [ap-gto] Where is the PEC stored?



I trained my PEC of my AP900 GTO2 last night and was wondering where it
is stored. Is it the hand controller or the GTO module? If my scope is
controlled by a laptop and the handcontroller is not attached would it
still be there to play back?

Thanks!

Christopher Vedeler
Where is the PEC stored?

Christopher Vedeler L.Ac. <vedeler@...>
 

I trained my PEC of my AP900 GTO2 last night and was wondering where it
is stored. Is it the hand controller or the GTO module? If my scope is
controlled by a laptop and the handcontroller is not attached would it
still be there to play back?

Thanks!

Christopher Vedeler
Re: Wish List

Joe Zeglinski
 

Thanks Rolando,

That clarifies it for me.

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: <chris1011@...>
To: <ap-gto@...>
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 3:54 PM
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Wish List


Therefore I do not
recommend mixing up the GoTo and calibration functions between external software
and the keypad. If you go somewhere with the keypad, you can recal with the
keypad. If you go somewhere with an external program, DO NOT recalibrate with
the keypad.

Rolando
Re: Wish List

Roland Christen
 

In a message dated 9/16/2008 8:09:30 PM Central Daylight Time,
RSastro00@... writes:


Not only does this make sense, but it answers the original request for
a way to put the keypad back in control after using a planetarium
program slew.

THANKS, Roland!
You're welcome. The keypad can constantly monitor the position of the mount
regardless of where the GoTo command has come from. This is the digital setting
circle function.

We probably should add a faster way to Rcal to this window without having to
exit, but right now the Rcal function resides in the Objects Menu, so one
needs to exit RA/Dec=>. I will explore this with Charles for possible upcoming
keypad upgrades.

Rolando


**************
Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion
blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.

(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)
Re: Wish List

Roland Christen
 

In a message dated 9/16/2008 6:58:34 PM Central Daylight Time,
nemecl@... writes:


BTW, the Gemni hand controller coexists happily with the planetarium
program, it even syncs (or additional aligns) with an object selected by the
program calling it a 'PC object' - its coordinates have to be communicated
to Gemini for a slew, after all.
BTW, the AP keypad aslo coexists happily with the planetarium program. It
even syncs (or recals) with an object selected by the program, calling it a
custom 'RA/Dec' - its coordinates also have to be communicated to the AP keypad
after all.

So, how does one do this? In the Objects Menu window, one presses RA/Dec=>
This automatically uploads the present RA/Dec number to the keypad. To set the
internal keypad to this new position, simply exit (press Menu), press bottom
right hand button, then press Rcal. This sets the internal RA/Dec of the keypad
to the same location as is on the computer screen. If the object is not in the
center of the eyepiece or CCD image, you can center the object further using
the direction buttons. Once it is centered, press Rcal again to define this
new position as the original RA/Dec. You will see on the planetarium program
that as you center the object in the eyepiece via the buttons, the cursor will
move away from the object center on the screen, and as soon as you press Rcal,
the cursor will move back to the center of the object on your planetarium
screen. With this simple method you have essentially "Synced" the planetarium
program, the mount internal position and where the scope is really pointing.

The point of this is simple: if you want the keypad to do a recal, then you
must set it up so that the last object in the keypad memory IS the one you are
pointing to. If you point to something with a planetarium program, then the
only way the keypad knows this is for it to monitor the position of the servo
via the RA/DEC=> also known as the digital setting circle readout.

Does this make sense?

Rolando


**************
Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion
blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.

(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)
Re: Wish List

Howard Hedlund
 

I was just about to reply and tell you I was stumped! I'm glad you
figured it out.



Mag. 7 skies!



Howard Hedlund

Astro-Physics, Inc.

815-282-1513

________________________________

From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf
Of Larry Phillips
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 3:24 PM
To: ap-gto@...
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Wish List



Howard,
Disregard my previous email. I inadvertently had TheSky telescope
option set to Telescope API rather than AP Goto. Sorry for the
bother.

Larry

--- In ap-gto@... <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> , "Larry
Phillips" <llp41astro@...>
wrote:

Howard,
I have the latest version of TheSky6 Pro and when I connect my
Mach1
to TheSky the only options I have under Telescope/Options are Focus
Control and Abort Slew. All I did was initialize the mount and did
a
Resume from Park before I checked on this. Do I need to do some
action like a goto before this appears as an option?

Larry

--- In ap-gto@... <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> ,
"Howard" <howard@> wrote:

I cannot speak to earlier versions, but I just tested TheSky6's
Park
functions on a test mount that I have set up here at Astro-
Physics.
The latest version of TheSky6 with the latest "Hot Fixes" parked
the
mount correctly in all three positions. After each park, I
re-connected and slewed to an object to be sure that the mount
would go
the right direction and not dive my priceless cardboard telescope
under
the mount. Then I chose a park position from the Telescope =>
Options
menu. It wasn't a rigorous test, but it appears that the fix
has
been
made. Another big advantage to having the latest version is
that
the
Bisque brothers have kindly added the RECAL option to the
telescope
tab
in the Object Information box for A-P scopes. If you haven't
upgraded
your old version of TheSky6, it is worth the minor effort
involved.



Mag. 7 skies!



Howard Hedlund

Astro-Physics, Inc.

815-282-1513

________________________________

From: ap-gto@... <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com>
[mailto:ap-gto@... <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> ] On
Behalf
Of chris1011@
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 11:20 AM
To: ap-gto@... <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Wish List



In a message dated 9/16/2008 11:02:46 AM Central Daylight Time,
dean@ <mailto:dean%40cwdi.com>
writes:

I suspect my problem is in the time settings now that you said
park is
in
relation to the horizon. The Sky6 parks it about an hour off so
that
makes
sense. However the handbox parks it correctly.
The Sky6 parks it wrong because it does not account for daylight
savings
when
it calculates the horizon and meridian lines. This is a bug in the
program
which should be fixed in the latest version of the program.

Rolando

**************
Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion
blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at
StyleList.com.

(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014
<http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014>
<http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014
<http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014> > )
Re: Wish List

Larry Phillips
 

Howard,
Disregard my previous email. I inadvertently had TheSky telescope
option set to Telescope API rather than AP Goto. Sorry for the
bother.

Larry

--- In ap-gto@..., "Larry Phillips" <llp41astro@...>
wrote:

Howard,
I have the latest version of TheSky6 Pro and when I connect my
Mach1
to TheSky the only options I have under Telescope/Options are Focus
Control and Abort Slew. All I did was initialize the mount and did
a
Resume from Park before I checked on this. Do I need to do some
action like a goto before this appears as an option?

Larry

--- In ap-gto@..., "Howard" <howard@> wrote:

I cannot speak to earlier versions, but I just tested TheSky6's
Park
functions on a test mount that I have set up here at Astro-
Physics.
The latest version of TheSky6 with the latest "Hot Fixes" parked
the
mount correctly in all three positions. After each park, I
re-connected and slewed to an object to be sure that the mount
would go
the right direction and not dive my priceless cardboard telescope
under
the mount. Then I chose a park position from the Telescope =>
Options
menu. It wasn't a rigorous test, but it appears that the fix
has
been
made. Another big advantage to having the latest version is
that
the
Bisque brothers have kindly added the RECAL option to the
telescope
tab
in the Object Information box for A-P scopes. If you haven't
upgraded
your old version of TheSky6, it is worth the minor effort
involved.



Mag. 7 skies!



Howard Hedlund

Astro-Physics, Inc.

815-282-1513

________________________________

From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On
Behalf
Of chris1011@
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 11:20 AM
To: ap-gto@...
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Wish List



In a message dated 9/16/2008 11:02:46 AM Central Daylight Time,
dean@ <mailto:dean%40cwdi.com>
writes:

I suspect my problem is in the time settings now that you said
park is
in
relation to the horizon. The Sky6 parks it about an hour off so
that
makes
sense. However the handbox parks it correctly.
The Sky6 parks it wrong because it does not account for daylight
savings
when
it calculates the horizon and meridian lines. This is a bug in the
program
which should be fixed in the latest version of the program.

Rolando

**************
Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion
blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at
StyleList.com.

(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014
<http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014> )

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Wish List

Roland Christen
 

In a message dated 9/16/2008 6:58:34 PM Central Daylight Time,
nemecl@... writes:


I have to learn (AP manuals are available online) what the difference
between 'rcal' (recalibrate) and 'sync' for the AP mount is.
Rcal allows you to update the present position to the RA/Dec coordinates that
you wish this position to be, regardless of whether the telescope is on the
proper side of the moutn or not. Sync is for initial setup where you place the
scope on the opposite side of the mount where the object is (i.e. if the
object is in the west, you place the scope on the east side). Sync therefore
defines the proper relation ship of the scope and mount at initial setup. These two
commands allow you subsequently to image past the meridian if you wish, with
scope under the mount, so that you can do continuous tracking without having to
flip the scope around. You can send the scope under the mount in the east
with the object in the east, and then begin imaging the entire night without
flip, until next morning when the object reaches the western horizon.

Yes, it require just a tiny bit more intelligence on the part of the user
versus some other systems, but I truly believe that all of our customers have
more than enough grey matter to master this simple thing. We could have made the
system easier, but this would have eliminated some neat features.

Rolando


**************
Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion
blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.

(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)
Re: Wish List

Larry Phillips
 

Howard,
I have the latest version of TheSky6 Pro and when I connect my Mach1
to TheSky the only options I have under Telescope/Options are Focus
Control and Abort Slew. All I did was initialize the mount and did a
Resume from Park before I checked on this. Do I need to do some
action like a goto before this appears as an option?

Larry

--- In ap-gto@..., "Howard" <howard@...> wrote:

I cannot speak to earlier versions, but I just tested TheSky6's Park
functions on a test mount that I have set up here at Astro-Physics.
The latest version of TheSky6 with the latest "Hot Fixes" parked the
mount correctly in all three positions. After each park, I
re-connected and slewed to an object to be sure that the mount
would go
the right direction and not dive my priceless cardboard telescope
under
the mount. Then I chose a park position from the Telescope =>
Options
menu. It wasn't a rigorous test, but it appears that the fix has
been
made. Another big advantage to having the latest version is that
the
Bisque brothers have kindly added the RECAL option to the telescope
tab
in the Object Information box for A-P scopes. If you haven't
upgraded
your old version of TheSky6, it is worth the minor effort involved.



Mag. 7 skies!



Howard Hedlund

Astro-Physics, Inc.

815-282-1513

________________________________

From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On
Behalf
Of chris1011@...
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 11:20 AM
To: ap-gto@...
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Wish List



In a message dated 9/16/2008 11:02:46 AM Central Daylight Time,
dean@... <mailto:dean%40cwdi.com>
writes:

I suspect my problem is in the time settings now that you said
park is
in
relation to the horizon. The Sky6 parks it about an hour off so
that
makes
sense. However the handbox parks it correctly.
The Sky6 parks it wrong because it does not account for daylight
savings
when
it calculates the horizon and meridian lines. This is a bug in the
program
which should be fixed in the latest version of the program.

Rolando

**************
Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion
blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.

(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014
<http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014> )
Re: Where is the PEC stored?

Roland Christen
 

In a message dated 9/16/2008 6:22:18 PM Central Daylight Time,
vedeler@... writes:


I trained my PEC of my AP900 GTO2 last night and was wondering where it
is stored. Is it the hand controller or the GTO module? If my scope is
controlled by a laptop and the handcontroller is not attached would it
still be there to play back?
PEC is stored in the servo. It is a mount servo function.

Rolando


**************
Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion
blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.

(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)
Re: Wish List

Howard Hedlund
 

I cannot speak to earlier versions, but I just tested TheSky6's Park
functions on a test mount that I have set up here at Astro-Physics.
The latest version of TheSky6 with the latest "Hot Fixes" parked the
mount correctly in all three positions. After each park, I
re-connected and slewed to an object to be sure that the mount would go
the right direction and not dive my priceless cardboard telescope under
the mount. Then I chose a park position from the Telescope => Options
menu. It wasn't a rigorous test, but it appears that the fix has been
made. Another big advantage to having the latest version is that the
Bisque brothers have kindly added the RECAL option to the telescope tab
in the Object Information box for A-P scopes. If you haven't upgraded
your old version of TheSky6, it is worth the minor effort involved.



Mag. 7 skies!



Howard Hedlund

Astro-Physics, Inc.

815-282-1513

________________________________

From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf
Of chris1011@...
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 11:20 AM
To: ap-gto@...
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Wish List



In a message dated 9/16/2008 11:02:46 AM Central Daylight Time,
dean@... <mailto:dean%40cwdi.com>
writes:

I suspect my problem is in the time settings now that you said park is
in
relation to the horizon. The Sky6 parks it about an hour off so that
makes
sense. However the handbox parks it correctly.
The Sky6 parks it wrong because it does not account for daylight savings
when
it calculates the horizon and meridian lines. This is a bug in the
program
which should be fixed in the latest version of the program.

Rolando

**************
Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion
blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.

(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014
<http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014> )
Re: Wish List

Joe Zeglinski
 

Hi Rolando,

I wasn't aware about the fine point of having to select a previous "specific named object" (star, galaxy, nebula, etc.), for the RECAL to work. So, just issuing a GOTO to a RA-DEC coordinate, with the keypad, does NOT allow it to be used for this? I figured that if I chose to hunt for keypad database "unlisted object", say a Caldwell Catalogue (ugh) object, punched in the RA & DEC, and hit GOTO, then I could RECAL on it after a bit of centering.

Without this exception, the command is limited to a broad list of specific objects, from specific catalogues.
I didn't realize this fine point. If so, perhaps the firmware could be augmented to create a temporary "pseudo object" name (AP-00), following any GOTO "RA-DEC" command. That should satisfy the servo, and might also extend to planetarium originated commands, thus providing a remedy to the inconsistency you described.

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: <chris1011@...>
To: <ap-gto@...>
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 11:06 AM
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Wish List


The hand controller is always there ready to use. You just cannot recal on
something with the hand controller that is not a "previous object". Recal means
recalibrate on previous object. If you have no previous object in the keypad,
then it has nothing to calibrate on. >
Rolando
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