Sky and Telescope - May 2015 - 67

are many of the other factors to consider when assembling your own automated observatory.
* Automation Software. CCDWare (ccdware.com)
oﬀers CCDAutoPilot5, a full-featured and capable program to automate observing runs. The software is compatible with a wide range of camera and focuser software
programs. The company also publishes a host of related
tools, including CCDNavigator to plan observing runs
and CCDInspector to optimize optical systems.
* Planetarium Programs. Many excellent planetarium
programs are available today that can help you plan
your observing sessions. While I primarily use Software Bisque's TheSkyX and TheSky HD (bisque.com) for
planning purposes, other options include Simulation
Curriculum's SkySafari 4 Pro (simulationcurriculum.com)
and Imaginova's Starry Night 7 Pro and Starry Night 7
Pro Plus (starrynight.com).
* Robotic Mounts. Automation necessitates a robotic
telescope mount with excellent pointing accuracy and
extremely low periodic error. Many manufacturers today
oﬀer excellent mounts and integrated telescope/mount
combinations that meet the needs of a robotic observatory. It's best to check the features available before
making your ﬁnal decision. I use a Paramount ME by
Software Bisque.
* Robotic Focusers. An automated observatory requires
every moving part to be able to be motorized, including
your telescope focusers. Many companies today oﬀer the
option to motorize your focuser, but make sure it can
be performed remotely you can focus without physically
being at the telescope. The ASCOM website includes a
list of ASCOM-compliant motorized focusers (ascomstandards.org/Support/Index.htm).
* Focusing Software. When using a robotic focuser,
you'll also need a program that can precisely and repeatedly focus your telescope over the internet, as well as work
within your observatory control software. ACP is tightly
integrated with the program FocusMax (sold by CCDWare)
and is compatible with a wide array of ASCOM-compliant
focusers. FocusMax also works seamlessly with CCDAutoPilot. Other remote-focusing programs include @Focus2
by Software Bisque and the focus tab within the popular
imaging program MaxIm DL.
* Camera Control. Your choice of observatory-automating software may dictate which camera-control program you need to use in your robotic observatory. ACP
requires MaxIm DL by Diﬀraction Limited (cyanogen.
com). This richly featured camera-control and imageprocessing program includes a comprehensive array
of tools for all types of astrophotography. CCDAutoPilot5 oﬀers compatibility with multiple camera-control
programs, including Maxim DL and Software Bisque's
CCDSoft, as well as the camera add-on for TheSkyX.
* Dome and Roof Control. Domes and roll-oﬀ-roof
observatories require diﬀerent controls. A roll-oﬀ roof

Left: Another
crucial element to
a robotic observatory is the ability
to monitor the
weather. The
author uses an
AAG CloudWatcher
and a Moonlight
Technologies
AllSky camera (top
post) to monitor
for rapidly changing conditions. The
spikes are used
to dissuade birds
from perching on
the equipment.

Above: DC-3 Dreams' ACP control software allows users to
monitor their observatory and send projects to image at any
time, even when the equipment is in use.

simply needs to open or shut without hitting your
telescope, but a dome requires keeping the slit of the
observatory aligned with the direction your telescope is
pointing. I control my Technical Innovations Pro-Dome
with ASCOM-compliant Digital Dome Works hardware
(homedome.com). Other options include MaxDome II by
Diﬀraction Limited. Foster Systems (fostersystems.com)
also produces automation hardware for domes or roll-oﬀroof observatories alike.
* Weather Monitors. Another essential component to a
robotic observatory is some form of weather monitoring,
so that the observatory will close up when weather conditions are unsafe for your equipment. Diﬀraction Limited
distributes the Boltwood Cloud Sensor, while both TechSk yandTelescope.com May 2015

http://www.ccdware.com http://www.bisque.com http://www.simulationcurriculum.com http://www.starrynight.com http://www.ascom-standards.org/Support/Index.htm http://www.ascom-standards.org/Support/Index.htm http://www.cyanogen.com http://www.homedome.com http://www.cyanogen.com http://www.fostersystems.com http://www.SkyandTelescope.com

Sky and Telescope - May 2015

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