Since I aquired an Losmandy G11 mount without any goto provision I decided to create my own solution. I was a bit reluctant to use a Gemini, mainly because of the cost, but also due to the reliability since the servo motors are somewhat prone to failure. I also like to have complete control over the software/firmware so that no "show stopper" issues will ever be a problem for me. Looking around the 'net I saw other goto systems that seemed capable, but either they had needlessly complex hardware or were commercial systems that cost about twice what they should.
OnStep is a computerized goto system, usually for stepper motor equipped mounts though any step/dir interface motor driver (including servo) should work. It was designed, from the beginning, as a more or less general purpose system and provisions were made in the firmware to allow for use on a variety of mounts including Equatorial and Alt/Az (GEM, Fork, Dobsonian, etc.) It uses an LX200 like computer command set with a few extensions to suit hand controller-less operation.
There's a telescope hand controller App for Android (free in the Google Play Store,) an option to control through a website (Smart Web Server,) and a dedicated physical hand controller (Smart Hand Controller.) Or, on a PC there's ASCOM and INDI drivers for control. These options allow you to setup and control OnStep using a wide range of software including my Sky Planetarium, Cartes du Ciel, Stellarium, SkySafari, KStars, PHD2, etc. You can see most of the control possibilities in the diagram below:
Also, please visit my StellarJourney.comsite for updates, links toOnStep resources, my other astronomy software, or to see someImages taken with the assistance of my OnStep operated mounts.
If you find OnStep useful and would like to show your appreciation and support please consider making asmall monetary donation. This keeps me motivated and helps cover expenses associated with my projects.
Haha, I'm taking a break from tinkering on this thing. It's been non-stop for 3 months. Now that I can actually gather light with it I'm going to put the few things I still need to do to it on the
Haha, I'm taking a break from tinkering on this thing. It's been non-stop for 3 months. Now that I can actually gather light with it I'm going to put the few things I still need to do to it on the
Very nice image.
Is that a single exposure or a stack? Looks from the graininess that is the former.
Is the camera modified for Hydrogen Alpha?
Don't forget the Crescent Nebula while you are in that
Very nice image.
Is that a single exposure or a stack? Looks from the graininess that is the former.
Is the camera modified for Hydrogen Alpha?
Don't forget the Crescent Nebula while you are in that
Hmmm ...
That is not how it works. You need to get with the program ...
For us, the journey is more important than the destination.
We get to use our rigs for 2 or 3 days a month. The rest of the
Hmmm ...
That is not how it works. You need to get with the program ...
For us, the journey is more important than the destination.
We get to use our rigs for 2 or 3 days a month. The rest of the
OnStep group
1. I, Howard Dutton, established this group to share information about OnStep Telescope Controller and its use. These rules are here to keep things courteous and on-topic - and to keep
OnStep group
1. I, Howard Dutton, established this group to share information about OnStep Telescope Controller and its use. These rules are here to keep things courteous and on-topic - and to keep
I don't have a specific answer for your question, which is vague. Are you asking specifically
about when the mount is not leveled correctly?
But here is some info:
The first star alignment just brings
I don't have a specific answer for your question, which is vague. Are you asking specifically
about when the mount is not leveled correctly?
But here is some info:
The first star alignment just brings
Oh! I didn't know that Skysafari could do that too! That simplifies matters greatly, as I don't have to look up where the stars are :) in fact I just tried it and indeed the App proceeds from the 1st
Oh! I didn't know that Skysafari could do that too! That simplifies matters greatly, as I don't have to look up where the stars are :) in fact I just tried it and indeed the App proceeds from the 1st
I am just wondering, can we limit the number of alignment stars in SHC too? Mag 2.5 sounds about right but perhaps a #define in the code would be even better.
I am just wondering, can we limit the number of alignment stars in SHC too? Mag 2.5 sounds about right but perhaps a #define in the code would be even better.
Goodness, 5 whole days? Looks like you have your first disgruntled customer, George. If you were dealing with a business that had a reputation I could understand some frustration. You ordered from a
Goodness, 5 whole days? Looks like you have your first disgruntled customer, George. If you were dealing with a business that had a reputation I could understand some frustration. You ordered from a
Hello all,
We are glad to announce that the STM32 Kit can now be ordered from an additional
source.
The STM32 kit was designed by Khalid Baheyeldin and Dave Schwartz. We started
selling kits at near
Hello all,
We are glad to announce that the STM32 Kit can now be ordered from an additional
source.
The STM32 kit was designed by Khalid Baheyeldin and Dave Schwartz. We started
selling kits at near
Logic or power? Logic should not matter, since the STM32 pins are at 3.3V, but they can interface with 5V
modules with no issues (e.g. WeMos). The PCB is powered by 5V.
The Vref forumla is
Logic or power? Logic should not matter, since the STM32 pins are at 3.3V, but they can interface with 5V
modules with no issues (e.g. WeMos). The PCB is powered by 5V.
The Vref forumla is
Does not matter from a functionality point of view.
All the LV8729 I tried work well. This includes the orange MKS with 100 resistors, and two versions of
the FYSETC (one 100 and two 220).
The only
Does not matter from a functionality point of view.
All the LV8729 I tried work well. This includes the orange MKS with 100 resistors, and two versions of
the FYSETC (one 100 and two 220).
The only
After enough training with the PEC (probably 15 sessions) it finally started working well alongside guiding and improved my error by almost .2". Really fabulous results. I've got nothing else to do to
After enough training with the PEC (probably 15 sessions) it finally started working well alongside guiding and improved my error by almost .2". Really fabulous results. I've got nothing else to do to
Proximity to the meridian should not matter.
And since you are in the southern hemisphere, Antares should be high(er) up, i.e. it is not an altitude
restriction.
Proximity to the meridian should not matter.
And since you are in the southern hemisphere, Antares should be high(er) up, i.e. it is not an altitude
restriction.
While waiting for the rest of my components to come in for my MaxESP build I have begun to think about code. I like to use a cheap gamepad as a basic hand controller. For example:
While waiting for the rest of my components to come in for my MaxESP build I have begun to think about code. I like to use a cheap gamepad as a basic hand controller. For example:
