Orion 52084 instruction manual Computer to Mount Connection

can be very tiresome and tedious, however, especially if taking many long exposures throughout the night.

The StarShoot Pro can be used as an “autoguider” to take the place of the observer so that no manual guiding corrections are needed during long expo- sure imaging. Keep in mind, however, that when the StarShoot Pro is used in this way, you will need another telescope and camera on the mount to actually take images with; the StarShoot Pro takes the place of the observer viewing through the guide scope, but cannot autoguide and image at the same time.

So, in order to use the StarShoot Pro as an autoguider, the following equip- ment will be required:

•Astronomical telescope mount capable of accepting autoguider drive commands.

•Cable to connect computer (serial port) to mount’s autoguider jack

(mount specific).

•Main telescope for imaging.

•Camera for imaging.

•Guide scope for guiding.

•Any required rings or brackets for guide scope attachment to the mount along with the main telescope.

Computer to Mount Connection

In order for autoguiding with the StarShoot Pro to work, you need a way to send commands from the computer to the telescope mount. This is generally done with a cable connecting the computer’s serial (COM) port to the mount’s autoguider jack; this cable is generally mount specific, so contact the dealer you purchased your mount from for the proper cable for your mount.

If your telescope mount is supported by the ASCOM platform, it is a simple task to setup the autoguider to send commands (through the computer) to the telescope mount. To do this:

1.Insert the included CD-ROM into your computer.

2.When the Launcher appears (Figure 4), click on the Install ASCOM button and follow the automatic ASCOM platform installer instructions. Restart your computer as indicated when done.

3.Connect the StarShoot Pro to your computer and open the Maxim DL Essentials software.

4.In the Camera Control Window, click on the Guide tab (Figure 22).

5.Click on the Settings button.

6.In the window that pops-up (Figure 23), select ASCOM for the Autoguider Output Control Via. Click the Setup button under the Autoguider Output heading.

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