MaximDL Imaging Automation...

[johnnyt123]

Hello once again....

I had a good night lats night imaging Lagoon and Orion Nebulae but i pretty much had no sleep....
:astron::computer:

So i would like to ask if anyone knows how to automate MaximDL to acquire images, perform V-curve autofocus, plate solve, meridian flip when necessary, etc.....
Or if they know of a good guide they could direct me to...
I sleep deprived brain would be eternally greatful.

Regards...

John

[Merlin66]

Check out CCDCommander - it does all that and more.

[Paul Haese]

You can use MaximDL with any command programme ie such as CCD commander, CCDautopilot, Sequence generator Pro or ACP. MaximDL will not do it all by itself.

To automate (how I am doing it, there are other ways), you need pinpoint (full copy), Focusmax, MaximDL, mount software (Sky6/X), a command programme listed above and Team viewer (only if you want to automate and check on things from a remote location like inside the house).

Get pointing right first, then focusmax, then command programme and then remote access. Takes a little while to get that rolling smoothly. Don't try to bug hunt it all at once. You will probably get quite lost.

[Merlin66]

I'm trying to do the same with scripts under AstroArt V5. The only issue so far is the plate solving from a guide image and ,"nudging" the target star into the entrance slit of the spectroscope during guiding.....

[ericwbenson]

Hi,
If you have v6 of Maxim you can now image thru the meridian automatically. See here: http://cyanogen.com/help/maximdl/Telescope_Tab.htm
Maxim will also shut the scope/camera/dome down on weather/target too low/twilight etc triggers see:
http://cyanogen.com/help/maximdl/Setup_Tab.htm
This is useful for hands-off single object acquisition while sleeping!

If you want to periodically autofocus, acquire multiple objects without intervention, restart after a weather event, automatically do flats etc, you need more software (ACP, CCDcommander, CCDautopilot etc)
HTH,
EB

[DavidTrap]

CCDCommander doesn't need a full version of Pinpoint.

Great program.

DT

[Octane]

It does if you wish to use AcquireStar. :)

It's worth it, though.

H

[johnnyt123]

ccd commander is what i was looking for....

thanks a million...

John

[White Rabbit]

http://www.felopaul.com/software.htm

This one is free and looks pretty good I dabbled with it a while back but for some reason I couldnt get it to work so I bought CCD Auto pilot.

cheers.

[johnnyt123]

That looks really sophisticated.
I will give it a go.

thanks.

John

[johnnyt123]

can Stellarium be used instead of TheSkyX in automation?

[Octane]

Not with CCD Commander.

H

[Merlin66]

Hmmm not really...
As Octane says the CCDCommander works only with MaximDL, but can "talk" to some ASCOM based software....for telescope control(?)
I'm struggling to find something similar to work with AstroArt/EQMod/ CdC/ PHD2.....