Telescope Control:Main

Telescope or astronomy devices control

There are nearly as many different astronomical set-ups as astronomers. Lots of devices are required in a set-up, and many of each type exist. Many are not supported by free software. A hardware compatibility list is being done here.

Acquisition software generally have to handle high-end cameras, DLSR and focusers. Autoguiding software generally have to handle low-end cameras and telescope motorisations, possibly focusers too. They make very different tasks and address a large range of devices.

Multiple functionality software

See Ekos and GoQat.

Telescope control: Autoguiding

See OpenPHD Guiding, GoQat, Ekos for KStars which is using lin_guider's code. Qastrocam-g2 also has a guiding capability. What else?

Telescope control: GoTo

GoTo functionality is generally managed by cartography software.

Image acquisition

The others has a list of software supporting each camera. Examples are GoQat for QSI cameras and Gphoto2 for DSLR.

INDI-compatible cameras can be used with Ekos.

cccd is a simple astronomical CCD controller. It supports TSNK-lab ICX285AL cameras, QHY5, QHY6, QHY9, QHY8L, DSI2PRO, DSLR.

Qastrocam-g2: webcam capture software for astronomy, using V4L2 acquisition. Website

Other devices

Filter wheels, focusers, domes and so on. The Hardware compatibility list lists the software supporting each devices. Multiple functionality software could handle them too.

Standardization initiatives

Some projects do not focus only on one particular device or even type of device, and provide abstraction layers or even try to standardize the way astronomical programs communicate with each other and with devices.

INDI is such a project for all kinds of devices.

Unicap is a way to access imagery devices.

For control of devices from various manufacturers RTS2 [1] developed an abstract device layer, enabling control of all possible combinations of mounts, CCDs, photometers, roof and cupola controllers.