Ad Astra Observatory

got new motorized focuser today. Finally got a purple focuser from
Moonlite! cool.
The software took a little monkeying around to get it installed, and I’m
still trying to figure out how to make the focuser just go to where I want
it. The software tries to help a little too much.

When I can get a connection, it’s cool to be able to remote desktop into
the observatory, and focus and take photos totally hands-off. I can see
where I’d like to be able to drive the telescope mount remotely, though.
Maybe I can figure something out with the ST-4, but barring that, I’m back
to GOTO, I think.

I got the DIY stepper controller working today; I can step in one direction

at one speed! (:
An AND gate on the timer would let me turn it off and on at will. the
up/down counter will provide some numeric feedback. Getting it to speak
ASCOM could be a bit of a task; that involves RS232, etc. I might write my
own ASCOM focuser software, though; I just want it to hop to particular
spots for me. I don’t think I’m asking too much. Back to MFC?

Kinda glad the moon was bright tonight. Needed time to calibrate the

focuser without the stress of a “photo” night.

Wish I could have gotten some focused shots of the moon, though. I’ll have
to go get Day 12/13 next month for my animation. 🙁