16. Devices
Telescope
Cameras
Focusers
Filter wheels
Auxiliary
Adaptive optics
Weather stations
Covers & light sources
Domes
Controllers
Spectrographs
16.1. Mounts
- Following mounts are supported in StellarMate:
Celestron
SkyWatcher
Astrophysics
Omegon
Vixen
IOptron
Meade
Orion
Mount Name |
Driver Executable |
|---|---|
10 Micron |
indi_lx200_10micron |
AHP GT Mount |
indi_ahpgt_telescope |
AOK Skywalker |
indi_lx200aok |
LX200 FS2 |
indi_lx200fs2 |
Astrotrac 360 |
indi_astrotrac_telescope |
Avalon StarGo |
indi_lx200stargo |
Paramount |
indi_paramount_telescope |
BRESSER Messier EXOS-2 EQ GoTo |
indi_bresserexos2 |
Celestron GPS |
indi_celestron_gps |
CRUX TitanTCS |
indi_crux_mount |
Digital Setting Circle |
indi_dsc_telescope |
Explore Scientific PMC-Eight |
indi_pmc8_telescope |
HEQ-5 MCU Update |
indi_lx200basic |
iOptron HC8406 |
indi_ioptronHC8406 |
LX200 Basic |
indi_lx200basic |
Pegasus NYX-101 |
indi_lx200_pegasus_nyx101 |
OpenAstroTech |
indi_lx200_OpenAstroTech |
Losmandy |
indi_lx200gemini |
LittleFoot Vpower |
indi_lx200basic |
Planewave |
indi_planewave_telescope |
Pulsar2 |
indi_lx200pulsar2 |
Rainbow |
indi_rainbow_telescope |
SkyAdventurer GTi |
indi_skyadventurergti_telescope |
SkyCommander |
indi_skycommander_telescope |
SkySafari |
indi_skysafari |
SkySensor2000PC |
lx200ss2000pc |
Star Adventurer 2i WiFi |
indi_staradventurer2i_telescope |
STAR2000 |
indi_star2000 |
SynScan Legacy |
indi_synscanlegacy_telescope |
Takahashi Temma |
indi_temma_telescope |
TeenAstro Mount |
indi_lx200_TeenAstro |
Telescope Scripting Gateway |
indi_script_telescope |
ZWO AM5 |
indi_lx200am5 |
16.1.1. Celestron
Before connecting to your mount 1. Ensure the mount firmware is the latest as provided by your manufacturer. 2. Ensure mount has proper and suffcient power to operate. This is often a primary source of issues connecting to mounts. 3. Read the mount manual and learn about the mount startup or Home Position. This is the mechanical position the mount must be in before you turn on the power to the mount. This basically falls under three categories:
Equatorial Mount: Telescope should be looking at the Celestial Pole (Polaris for the Northern Hemisphere) with counter-weights down. Alt-Az Mount: Telescope should parallel to the ground looking exactly North (for Northern Hemisphere) or South (for Southern hemisphere). Alt-Az Mount on Wedge: Telescope should be looking at Celestial Equator due South (for Northern Hemisphere) or Celestial Equator Due North (for Southern hemisphere).
Decide on how you will connect to the mount. Is it using a cable to the handset? or cable directly to the mount? WiFi? Bluetooth?
- If connecting over WiFi, then ensure the device where you are running the INDI driver (e.g. Raspberry PI4) is on the same network as your mount so they can communicate with each other. Such mounts can be configured to run in two modes:
Mount Wireless Hotspot Mode: The mount hotspot acts as the router and you can connect your devices to the mount’s own network (e.g. your Raspberry PI and iPad). Mount Wireless Station Mode: The mount joins an existing WiFi network (e.g. your home WiFi network or StellarMate hotspot). The IP address assigned to the mount is determined by your router. It is best to know the IP address assigned to the mount so that you can enter it in the IP address field in the driver Connection tab. However, this is not strictly necessary since the driver can automatically scan the local network for mounts, albeit this operation may take a few minutes to complete whereas if the IP address is known beforehand then the connection is immediate.
Selecting the correct driver Selecting the appropiate driver for your mount usually depends on two factors: 1. Mount model. 2. Naming Convention: Driver labels can indicate which communication method they use
HC: Hand Controller or Hand Set (e.g. Celestron Advanced VX HC) Wired: AUX/PC Port (e.g. Celestron Advanced VX Wired) WiFi: WiFi connection (e.g. Celestron Advanced VX WiFi)
Connection method (AUX Port, PC Port, Handset, WiFI, ..etc).
Mount |
Driver |
Connection Method |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
Advanced AVX |
Celestron GPS |
Serial-to-USB |
Older Nexstar HCs come with RJ9 plug. You need Serial-to-USB adapter cable from HC to PC/Device. Modern Nexstar HCs come with USB Type-B port that you can connect directly via a USB cable to your device (no serial to USB adapter is required). When connecting via Nexstar Handset (HC), there is a single driver (Celestron GPS). The rest of the drivers (e.g. Celestron CPC..etc) are aliases to the base Celestron GPS driver. You must power and align your mount using the handset using any supported alignment method (e.g. SkyAlign). Without aligning your mount first, the driver will not connect to the handset. |
Advanced AVX WiFi |
Celestron WiFi |
WiFi |
WiFi drivers automatically try to connect to the mount over WiFi (Default IP address 1.2.3.4 using TCP port 2000). If your mount is using a different IP address, set it in the Connection tab of the INDI driver. Handset is not required and no alignment is necessary before establishing connection to the mount. If using a Wedge, make sure to only select “Evolution WiFi Wedge” driver. |
CGEM / CGEM II WiFi |
Celestron WiFi |
WiFi |
Same as above |
CGX / CGX-L WiFi |
Celestron WiFi |
WiFi |
Same as above |
Evolution WiFi |
Celestron WiFi |
WiFi |
Same as above |
Advanced AVX |
Celestron AUX |
Wired |
Wired AUX or PC Port (located on top of the base of the scope). Under driver Connection tab: Set Connection Mode to Serial. Set Port Type to AUX/PC. Handset is not required and no alignment is necessary before establishing connection to the mount. |
CGEM / CGEM II |
Celestron AUX |
Wired |
Same as above |
CGX / CGX-L |
Celestron AUX |
Wired |
Same as above |
CPC |
Celestron AUX |
Wired |
Same as above |
Advanced VX |
Celestron AUX |
Wired |
Same as above |
CGEM II Wired |
Celestron AUX |
Wired |
Same as above |
CGX Wired |
Celestron AUX |
Wired |
Same as above |
16.1.2. SkyWatcher
All SkyWatcher & Orion Mounts, including EQMod driver.
Before connecting to your mount Ensure the mount firmware is the latest as provided by your manufacturer. Ensure mount has proper and suffcient power to operate. This is often a primary source of issues connecting to mounts. Read the mount manual and learn about the mount startup or Home Position. This is the mechanical position the mount must be in before you turn on the power to the mount. This basically falls under two categories: Equatorial Mount: Telescope should be looking at the Celestial Pole (Polaris for the Northern Hemisphere) with counter-weights down. Alt-Az Mount: Telescope should parallel to the ground looking exactly North (for Northern Hemisphere) or South (for Southern hemisphere). Decide on how you will connect to the mount. Is it using a cable to the handset? or cable directly to the mount? WiFi? Bluetooth? If connecting over WiFi, then ensure the device where you are running the INDI driver (e.g. Raspberry PI4) is on the same network as your mount so they can communicate with each other. Such mounts can be configured to run in two modes: Mount Wireless Hotspot Mode: The mount hotspot acts as the router and you can connect your devices to the mount’s own network (e.g. your Raspberry PI and iPad). Mount Wireless Station Mode: The mount joins an existing WiFi network (e.g. your home WiFi network or StellarMate hotspot). The IP address assigned to the mount is determined by your router. It is best to know the IP address assigned to the mount so that you can enter it in the IP address field in the driver Connection tab. However, this is not strictly necessary since the driver can automatically scan the local network for mounts, albeit this operation may take a few minutes to complete whereas if the IP address is known beforehand then the connection is immediate. Selecting the correct driver Selecting the appropiate driver for your mount usually depends on two factors:
Mount model. Connection method (Cable, WiFI, Bluetooth..etc).
Mount |
Driver |
Connection Method |
Comments |
HEQ5 |
EQMod Mount |
EQDirect Cable |
This cable is a DIRECT cable from mount to your device. No handset is connected nor required in this setup. Astroshop.eu EQDirect Cables. OPT Corp EQDirect Cables. |
EQ6 |
EQMod Mount |
EQDirect Cable |
Same as above |
EQ6R Pro |
EQMod Mount |
EQDirect Cable |
Same as above |
AZ-EQ5 |
EQMod Mount |
EQDirect Cable |
Same as above |
AZ-EQ6 Pro |
EQMod Mount |
EQDirect Cable |
Same as above |
EQ8 |
EQMod Mount |
EQDirect Cable |
Same as above |
EQ8 Pro |
EQMod Mount |
EQDirect Cable |
Same as above |
EQ3 Pro |
EQMod Mount |
EQDirect Cable |
Same as above |
EQM-35 Pro |
EQMod Mount |
EQDirect Cable |
Same as above |
Orion Sirrius |
EQMod Mount |
EQDirect Cable |
Same as above |
Orion Atlas |
EQMod Mount |
EQDirect Cable |
Same as above |
HEQ5 |
EQMod Mount |
Bluetooth |
Use a Bluetooth adapter from Mount to your device. You must pair and trust the Bluetooth dongle first from your PC/Device. The dongle should create a serial port (e.g. /dev/rfcomm0) that you need to select when connecting to the mount. Quite a few EQMod Bluetooth dongles have been obsoleted. Therefore, it is generally NOT recommended to connect to your Mount using bluetooth. |
EQ6 |
EQMod Mount |
Bluetooth |
Same as above |
EQ6R Pro |
EQMod Mount |
Bluetooth |
Same as above |
AZ-EQ5 |
EQMod Mount |
Bluetooth |
Same as above |
AZ-EQ6 Pro |
EQMod Mount |
Bluetooth |
Same as above |
EQ8 |
EQMod Mount |
Bluetooth |
Same as above |
EQ8 Pro |
EQMod Mount |
Bluetooth |
Same as above |
EQ3 Pro |
EQMod Mount |
Bluetooth |
Same as above |
EQM-35 Pro |
EQMod Mount |
Bluetooth |
Same as above |
Orion Sirrius |
EQMod Mount |
Bluetooth |
Same as above |
Orion Atlas |
EQMod Mount |
Bluetooth |
Same as above |
HEQ5 |
EQMod Mount |
Synscan Wifi Adapter |
Select Network in EQMod Connection tab. Ensure IP address is correct before establishing connection to the mount. Do not use EQMod Mount driver to connect to any Alt-Az mount via the dongle, EQMod Mount driver can only operate Equatorial Mounts. |
EQ6 |
EQMod Mount |
Synscan Wifi Adapter |
Same as above |
EQ6R Pro |
EQMod Mount |
Synscan Wifi Adapter |
Same as above |
AZ-EQ5 |
EQMod Mount |
Synscan Wifi Adapter |
Same as above |
AZ-EQ6 Pro |
EQMod Mount |
Synscan Wifi Adapter |
Same as above |
EQ8 |
EQMod Mount |
Synscan Wifi Adapter |
Same as above |
EQ8 Pro |
EQMod Mount |
Synscan Wifi Adapter |
Same as above |
EQ3 Pro |
EQMod Mount |
Synscan Wifi Adapter |
Same as above |
EQM-35 Pro |
EQMod Mount |
Synscan Wifi Adapter |
Same as above |
Orion Sirrius |
EQMod Mount |
Synscan Wifi Adapter |
Same as above |
Orion Atlas |
EQMod Mount |
Synscan Wifi Adapter |
Same as above |
AZ-GTi WiFi (With Equatorial Wedge) |
AZ-GTi Equatorial WiFi |
WiFi |
AZ-GTi mount must be running firmware v3.37+ (Right ARM, AZ/EQ Dual Mode). |
AZ-GTi |
AZ-GTi Wired |
WiFi |
WIRED cable from AZ-GTi RJ12 port to USB. For Equatorial mode, AZ-GTi mount must be running firmware v3.37+ (Right ARM, AZ/EQ Dual Mode). |
AZ-GTi (Alt-Az) |
SkyWatcher Alt-Az WiFi |
WiFi (Native) |
WiFi Native is the WiFi that comes with the mount built-in without any external adapters. |
All SkyWatcher Dobsonian GOTOs |
SkyWatcher Alt-Az WiFi |
WiFi (Native) |
Same as above |
All Orion Dobsonian GOTOs |
SkyWatcher Alt-Az WiFi |
WiFi (Native) |
Same as above |
Any SkyWatcher/Orion with Synscan Handset (HC) |
Synscan |
Serial-to-USB |
Older Synscan HCs come with RJ11 plug. You need Serial-to-USB adapter cable from HC to PC/Device. Modern Synscan HCs come with USB Type-B port that you can connect directly via a USB cable to your device (no serial to USB adapter is required). Synscan driver offers a limited subset of features compared to other drivers. If possible connect using EQDirect cable or WiFi. |
SkyWatcher Virtuoso |
SkyWatcher Virtuoso |
WiFi |
|
SkyWatcher Star Adventurer 2i Pro |
SkyWatcher Star Adventurer |
WiFi |
|
SkyWatcher Star Adventurer 2i WiFi |
SkyWatcher Star Adventurer |
WiFi |
Same as above |
SkyWatcher Star Adventurer 2i Pro |
SkyWatcher Star Adventurer |
USB |
Direct USB cable from Mount to PC/Device. |
SkyWatcher Star Adventurer 2i WiFi |
SkyWatcher Star Adventurer |
USB |
Same as above |
SkyWatcher Star Adventurer |
SkyWatcher Star Adventurer |
NA |
This driver is the INDI Telescope Simulator. It can be used just as a placeholder if you have the older non-GOTO Star Adventurer mount. |
16.1.3. Astrophysics
INDI Library supports Astrophyics range of mounts. Due to the evolution of AP mounts over the years, the protocol used to communicate with the mount naturally evolved. INDI provides three drivers you can select from to best suit your mount.
How is meridian flip handled? The meridian flip feature is handled by the AstroPhysics GTO controller. The INDI driver does not handle that logic for these mounts. For this to work properly you would need to be sure to do the following:
- The controller has to be initialized with the proper location and time (daylight savings set appropriately, UTC offset, etc.)
If you have a good polar alignment then a one star sync is needed or if you have a rough polar alignment then a 2 star sync will do. This initialization is done with the hand control or the INDI driver when using your client (e.g. KStars) so be sure you have all the proper settings in the client. Once this is done properly then your mount will do a meridian flip after it receives a goto command and the object has crossed the meridian. For example if you were imaging an object and during the exposure it crossed the meridian and you have the setting in you client (e.g. the Ekos image tab) set to flip meridian if HA>0 then before the next exposure starts a new goto command is issued to the same object by the client and the mount will know to flip as the controller handles the logic.
Mount |
Driver |
Devices |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
16.1.4. Omegon
Omegon mounts are a collection of Alt-Az and Equatorial mounts for visual observation and astrophotography.
Mount |
Driver |
Devices |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
EQ500X |
indi_eq500x_telescope |
16.1.5. Vixen
Mount |
Driver |
Devices |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
Starbook |
indi_starbook_telescope |
16.1.6. IOptron
Which driver is right for my mount?
Due to the many versions of Hand Controller (HC) and RS232 Command Set versions for all the iOptron mounts released, it can be confusing to select which driver
is appropiate for your mount.
Why are the mount GOTOs offset by one hour?
Make sure to turn OFF Daylight Saving (DST) setting in the mount hand set (HC). It must be off at all times.
Why dithering causes big jumps in RA and DE?
Make sure to turn OFF Periodic Error Correction (PEC) in the handset.
Why is the mount not performing meridian flip as expected?
You have to let the mount track some time AFTER CROSSING MERIDIAN, otherwise MF is not going to happen. In iOptron driver, the Meridian Behaviour setting Flip or Stop does not matter here, since Meridian Flip will be triggered by the client (e.g. Ekos); but the Limit you set does matter. Basic rule is:
0 < Client Limit < Mount Limit
Example: set Client (e.g. Ekos) to trigger MF 3° after crossing the meridian, and set mount limit to 6° after crossing meridian. You must set the 6° in the iOptron INDI driver.
Ekos limit should be greater than 0, because Ekos and mount must exactly agree on which side on the meridian we are: allowing to track some degree after crossing it, relaxes the precision needed and accounts for small difference in models and approximations between Ekos and mount firmware.
Mount limit should be greater then Ekos limit, because some time is usually needed to complete the running capture when filp time occurs (should be: MOUNT LIMIT - EKOS LIMIT > LONGEST EXPOSURE PLANNED). And MOUNT LIMIT should be small enough to avoid the mount smashing your equipment on a tripod leg.
Mount |
Driver |
Connection Method |
Comments |
iOptronV3 |
indi_ioptronv3_telescope |
Serial-to-USB |
Direct connection from mount to device |
GotoNova 8400 Kit |
lx200gotonova |
Serial-to-USB |
The driver supports the following Gotonova 8400 based controllers |
CEM60 |
indi_ieq_telescope |
Serial-to-USB |
Firmware 140807 and later |
CEM60-EC |
indi_ieq_telescope |
Serial-to-USB |
Firmware 140807 and later |
iEQ45 Pro |
indi_ieq_telescope |
Serial-to-USB |
Firmware 140807 and later |
iEQ45 Pro AA |
indi_ieq_telescope |
Serial-to-USB |
Firmware 140807 and later |
ZEQ25 |
indi_lx200zeq25 |
Serial-to-USB |
Direct connection from mount to device |
SmartEQ |
indi_lx200zeq25 |
Serial-to-USB |
Same as above |
iEQ30 |
indi_lx200zeq25 |
Serial-to-USB |
Same as above |
iEQ45 EQ/AA |
indi_lx200zeq25 |
Serial-to-USB |
Same as above |
16.1.7. Meade
INDI supports all Meade mounts via a number of drivers tailored to each model family (Classic, GPS..etc). The only mount that is NOT support is Meade LS since it uses a serial chip that fails to work with Linux & MacOS. There is no support from Meade on Meade LS.
Mount |
Driver |
Devices |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
LX200 Autostar |
indi_lx200gps |
ETX LX50 LX90 LX200 |
|
LX200 16 |
indi_lx200_16 |
||
LX200 Classic |
indi_lx200classic |
||
LX200 GPS |
indi_lx200gps |
16.1.8. Orion
Mount |
Driver |
Connection Method |
Devices |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
SynScan |
indi_synscan_telescope |
Serial-to-USB |
|
16.2. Cameras
CCDs, Autoguiders & Webcams
Cameras |
Driver |
Devices |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
Altair |
indi_altair_ccd |
||
Apogee CCD |
indi_apogee_ccd |
||
Atik |
indi_atik_ccd |
||
Nightscape 8300 CCD |
indi_nighscape_ccd |
||
GPhoto CCD |
indi_gphoto_ccd |
||
FLI CCD FLI CFW FLI PDF |
indi_fli_ccd |
indi_fli_wheel indi_fli_focus |
|
INova |
indi_nova_ccd |
||
V4L2 CCD |
indi_v4l2_ccd |
||
Lacerta MGen Autoguider |
indi_mgenautoguider |
||
Meade DSI Pro (I/II) |
indi_dsi_ccd |
||
MI CCD |
indi_mi_ccd |
||
Pentax DSLR (Native) |
indi_pentax |
||
PlayerOne CCD |
indi_palyerone_ccd |
||
QHY CCD |
indi_qhy_ccd |
||
QSI CCD |
indi_qsi_ccd |
||
RPI Camera |
indi_rpicam |
||
SBIG CCD |
indi_sbig_ccd |
||
SVBony |
indi_svbony_ccd |
||
Toupcam |
indi_toupcam_ccd |
||
V4L2 CCD (Duplicate) |
indi_v4l2_ccd |
||
INDI Webcam |
indi_webcam_ccd |
||
ASI CCD |
indi_asi_ccd |
16.3. Focusers
Devices |
Driver |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
Focusers |
Focusers |
|
ActiveFocuser |
indi_activefocuser_focus |
|
Armadillo/Platypus |
indi_armadillo_focus/ |
|
Astroberry Focuser |
indi_rpifocus |
|
AstroLink 4 |
indi_astrolink4 |
|
Astromechanics |
indi_astromechfoc |
|
Baader SteelDrive |
indi_steeldrive_Focus |
|
Bee Focuser |
indi_beefocus |
|
Celestron SCT |
indi_celestron_sct_focus |
|
DeepSkyDad FP1 |
indi_deepskydad_fp1 |
|
DeepSkyDad FR1 |
indi_deepskydad_fr1 |
|
DeepSkyDad AF1 |
indi_deepskydad_af1_focus |
|
DeepSkyDad AF2 |
indi_deepskydad_af2_focus |
|
DeepSkyDad AF3 |
indi_deepskydad_af3_focus |
|
FLI CCD FLI CFW FLI PDF |
indi_fli_ccd indi_fli_wheel indi_fli_focus |
indi_fli_wheel, Focuser Driver: indi_fli_focus |
FocusLynx |
indi_lynx_focus |
|
Integra |
indi_integra_focus |
|
JMI MOTOFOCUS |
indi_lx200classicautostar |
|
SmartFocus |
indi_smartfocus_focus |
|
Lacerta MFOC |
indi_lacerta_mfoc_focus |
|
Meade 1206 Primary Mirror Focuser |
indi_lx200classic |
|
LX200 Autostar |
indi_lx200autostar |
|
MoonLite |
indi_moonlite_focus |
|
myFocuserPro2 |
indi_myfocuserpro2_focus |
|
Nightcrawler |
indi_nightcrawler_focus |
|
Gemini Focusing Rotator |
indi_gemini_focuser |
|
Optec TCF-S |
indi_tcfs_focus/indi_tcfs3_focus |
|
Pegasus DMFC |
indi_dmfc_focus |
|
Pegasus Falcon |
indi_falcon_rotator |
|
RainbowRSF |
indi_rainbowrsf_focus |
|
RBFocus |
indi_rbfocus_focus |
|
nFocus |
indi_nfocus |
|
Rigelsys nFrame |
indi_nframe_rotator |
|
Rigelsys nStep |
indi_nstep_focus |
|
RoboFocus |
indi_robo_focus |
|
Seletek Rotator |
indi_seletek_rotator |
|
Sesto Senso |
indi_sestosenso_focus |
|
FCUSB |
indi_fcusb_focuser |
|
USBFocusV3 |
indi_usbfocusv3_focus |
|
ASI EAF |
indi_asi_focuser |
16.4. Filter Wheels
Filter wheels |
Driver |
Devices |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
FLI CCD FLI CFW FLI PDF |
indi_fli_ccd |
indi_fli_wheel indi_fli_focus |
|
Optec IFW |
indi_optec_wheel |
||
QHY CCD |
indi_qhy_ccd |
||
QSI CCD |
indi_qsi_ccd |
||
Quantum Wheel |
indi_quantum_wheel |
||
Baader SBIG CCD |
indi_sbig_ccd |
||
Starlight Xpress Filter Wheel |
indi_sx_wheel |
||
TruTech |
indi_trutech_wheel |
||
XAGYL Wheel |
indi_xagyl_wheel |
||
ASI EFW |
indi_asi_wheel |
16.5. Auxiliary
Auxiliary devices, spectrometers, sensors, encoders, switches, motor..etc
CCDs, Autoguiders & Webcams
Auxialiaries |
Driver |
Devices |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
AstroLink 4 |
indi_astrolink4 |
||
Astromechanics LPM |
indi_astromech_lpm |
||
DeepSkyDad FP1 |
indi_deepskydad_fp1 |
||
GPSD |
indi_gpsd |
||
GPS NMEA |
indi_gpsnmea |
||
GPUSB |
indi_gpusb |
||
Java Raspberry Pi GPIO |
i4jRaspberryPiGPIODriver |
||
MyDCP4ESP32 |
indi_mydcp4esp32 |
||
Pegasus UPB |
indi_pegasus_upb |
||
Seletek |
I4JSeletekDriver |
||
SQM |
indi_sqm_weather |
||
USB_Dewpoint |
indi_usbdewpoint |
||
Watchdog |
indi_watchdog |
16.6. Adaptive Optics
Optics |
Driver executable |
Devices |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
Starlight Xpress AO |
indi_sx_ao |
16.7. Weather Stations
Weather stations, cloud & rain detectors…
Stations |
Driver |
Devices |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
AAG Cloud Watcher |
indi_aagcloudwatcher |
||
Vantage |
indi_vantage_weather |
||
MBox |
indi_mbox_weather |
||
Sky Quality Meter-LU |
I4JSQMDriver |
||
WeatherMeta |
indi_meta_weather |
||
Weather Safety Proxy |
indi_weather_safety_proxy |
||
Weather Watcher |
indi_weatherwatcher |
||
WeewxJSON |
indi_weewx_json |
16.8. Covers & Light Sources
Dust Covers & Flat Light Sources
Sources |
Driver |
Devices |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
Wanderer Cover V3 |
indi_wanderer_cover |
||
FlipFlat |
indi_flipflat |
||
SnapScap |
indi_snapcap |
||
ALTO |
indi_alto |
||
GIOTTO |
indi_giotto |
16.9. Domes
INDI Dome support includes all observatory enclosures of different designs such as roll-off roofs, regular domes, and clamshell-style domes.
To implement your own roll-off roof driver, here are the basic requirements: Hardware 1. AC/DC Motor: The motor must be electronically controllable either via a relay or a controller board (Arduino..etc). The only controls needed are start/stop and direction control (CW and CCW). In INDI, a fully opened roof is considered Unparked, while a fully closed roof is considered Parked. Anything between these two (partially open) is considered an Unknown state. 2. Limit switches: Fully closed and fully opened limit switches are required in order to sense when the roof is fully opened and closed. These limit switches serves two purposes:
Cut off power to motor once limit is reached.
Sense when roof is parked or unparked.
Therefore, Motor + 2 limit switches is all you need to have a working roll-off roof hardware system to be used with INDI.
Software The roll-off roof requires an INDI driver so that it can be controlled from any INDI-compatible client. You can either use the Dome Scripting Gateway driver or customize the sample INDI roll-off driver to fit your needs. The Dome Scripting Gateway driver relies on executing Python scripts to command actions for Open and Close. It is recommended to use this driver if you have limited programming expereince but can manage to write simple Python script to control your motor.
Customizing the INDI Roll-off driver is optimal if you know some rudementary C++. Here are some real-world examples of roll-off drivers to get you started:
Aldi Roof Driver: The roof is powered by a 550W electric hoist purchased from Aldi. The arduino controls 4 relays connected to the hoist’s hand controller which override the manual switch. The indi driver comminicates with the arduino using the frimata protocol. Ikarus Observatory Driver: Using Digital Loggers Din Relay, Limit switches, Raspberry PI Arduino Roll Off Driver: It is a INDI rolloff roof driver and includes two examples of Arduino programs communicating over USB. The driver is packaged as a third party driver but haa not been included with the standard distribution. The Arduino code needs to be modified to match the motor control selected, the INDI driver should work once installed. Odroid INDI Roof: This indi driver is used to control an observatory box. It is just a very compact box with an automated lid, opened by two linear actuators, 2 micro-switches act as position sensors (open/close). The all lot is powered by an Odroid-C1 and a standard 8 relays board.
Dome Slaving** Dome slaving refers to the dome slit synchronization with the telescope position as the mount traverse across the sky. The dome slit follows the telescope whether is is slewing from one object to another, or while tracking. When tracking, the dome would move when the difference between its current and target postion exceeds the Autosync Threshold parameter, which default to 0.5 degree. Therefore, the dome calculates its target position every second, but only commands motion when the difference exceeds the autosync threshold.
You can slave the dome to the mount by setting the required slaving parameters:
Radius is for the radius of the dome in meters.
Shutter width is the clearance of the shutter of the dome in meters
N displacement is for North displacement. If telescope is not in its ideal central position this parameter allows to configure how much it is displaced from the center. Displacement to north are positive, and to south are negative.
E displacement is for East displacement. Similar as the above, displacement to east are positive, and to west are negative.
Up displacement is for displacement in the vertical axis. Up is positive, down is negative.
OTA offset is for the distance of the optical axis to the crossing point of RA and DEC. In fork mount this is generally 0, but for German like mounts is the distance from mount axis cross to the center line of the telescope. West is positive, east is negative.
After settings the parameters above, go to Options tab and click Save in Configurations so that the parameters are used in future sessions. You can also set the Autosync threshold which is the minimum distance autosync will move the dome. Any motion below this threshold will not be triggered. This is to prevent continuous dome moving during telescope tracking.
Dome is not correctly slaving 1. Make sure that the dome azimuth movement and position are correct and repeatable. If the azimuth is incorrect or not repeatable you will never get a good sync. Good means to withing a couple of degrees. 2. Align the mount. For a celestron GEM that’s polar aligned a quick align should be good enough but once again you can’t get a good sync without a good alignment. Within a degree should do. 3. Set the dome radius to a sensible value, Do not change it again. 4. Set the mount to hour angle 6h, declination 90. This is the Align position, looking at the pole with the counterweight shaft down. In this position the OTA offset will have no effect on the dome azimuth, not will the NS position of the mount. 5. Adjust the mount EW offset until the scope is looking through the centre of the dome slit. 6. Move the mount so the counterweight shaft is horizontal and the OTA is looking at the Southern horizon. In this position the main things that affect where the dome needs to be are the EW mount offset and the OTA offset.
We have already set the EW offse so set the OTA offset. Try this with the mount on both side of the meridian and iterate as required to get the scope able to see out in both cases. set the scope so it is looking at the East or west horizon, this should be with the dec counterweight shaft pointing down. Adjust the Ns offset so the OTA can see out. Do this both looking East and West.
Debugging Calculations Ferran Casarramona, the developer of the Dome Slaving routine, wrote a spreadsheet to debug the calculations. You can make a copy and play with it to see how parameters affects the outcome.
You can enter the values in blue cells, and output are in the orange cells. You enter your telescope parameters, and your latitude. Also enter target declination and target hour angle (angular distance to the meridian, in hours).
Domes |
Driver |
Devices |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
DDW Dome |
indi_ddw_dome |
||
Baader Dome |
indi_baader_dome |
||
DragonFly Dome |
indi_dragonfly_dome |
||
NexDome Beaver |
indi_nexdome_beaver |
||
MaxDomeII |
indi_maxdomeii |
||
NexDome |
indi_nexdome |
||
Rigel Dome |
indi_rigel_dome |
||
ScopeDome |
indi_scopedome_dome |
||
Talon6 |
indi_talon6 |
16.10. Controllers
Joysticks & Game pads
Controllers |
Driver |
Devices |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
Joystick |
indi_joystick |
16.11. Spectrographs
Spectrographs, radio and optical
Spectrograph |
Driver |
Devices |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
RTL-SDR |
indi_rtlsdr |