Wow--Full automation of an astronomical imaging platform for less than $120! -- Part 2

My first image captured and stacked with the fully-automated system. Conditions were poor and I was imaging through haze and clouds!

The Goal: The goal of this project is to create a fully-automated imaging platform in which all components and processes can be fully controlled from a "remote" location. In my case, I want to sit in the comfort of my living room and control my driveway scope, but it could just as easily be a scope in a remote observatory building where a computer controls dome/roof functions in addition to the scope/imager. We will accomplish this goal by loading all the software necessary to control the scope and imager on a "remote" compute stick that "lives" with the scope, and loading software to control that remote compute stick from the "main" computer in our living room or other preferred location. We will be able to see the compute stick desktop on our main computer, and to launch programs and use it as if it was sitting right in front of us, instead of at the remote location.

In addition to the hardware described in Part 1, you'll need appropriate hardware and several packages of software to support your automation project.

Hardware:

• A computer controllable, ASCOM-compliant mount (most GOTO mounts meet this requirement. In my case, I have 3 mounts I use regularly that meet this requirement--and LX-200 and two iOptron mounts: the ZEQ 25 and the Smart EQ Pro
• A "main" computer (desktop, laptop, or netbook) that runs at least Windows 7. I use Windows 10. This is the computer you will use to talk to the scope controller computer
• A "compute stick" that also runs Windows (in this case Windows 10 Home edition). Please see Part 1 for the specifications of the stick I use. I would make sure that the stick supports this specification. 2 USB ports (at least one at 3.0) are optimal, although you could use a powered USB hub if the stick only has one
• A serial cable designed to talk to your mount. Most manufacturers make these cables, but it's also very easy to make one, and you can find wiring diagrams for your mount online. It took me 30 seconds to make one for the iOptron mount using a 4-wire phone cable and a serial port with a modular plug with "push on" wires.
• A USB to serial converter so that the serial cable can talk to your compute stick
•  Your imager and its USB imaging cable
• Other hardware you may wish to use--for example, a focuser.

Software:

The good news is that you can build your system with completely free software, if you wish! Here's what you need:

• Planetarium software that will enable you to "drive" your scope to objects in the sky. Stellarium is an example of a free package. I use Sky Tools 3 Pro, but there are a number of packages you can use, such as Cartes du Ciel (also free at the time of writing)
• ASCOM platform software. Some planetarium software can drive certain mounts "natively." That is, they have all the necessary drivers to talk to your telescope via the serial control cable. Many mounts do not, but they can talk to the planetarium software via an ASCOM (AStronomy Common Object Model) driver. ASCOM allows mounts, focusers, cameras, etc. to talk to each other. You will need to download the standard ASCOM platform from the ASCOM site (https://ascom-standards.org/) if your mount is not natively supported by the planetarium software
• ASCOM driver for your mount. You'll find this on you mount manufacturer's website. This software talks to the ASCOM platform, which enables the mount to connect with and communicate with the planetarium software (and other devices, such as autoguiders, if needed). Make sure you download the software specific to your mount model. many manufacturers maintain a number of ASCOM drivers, each tailored to a specific model they sell
• Driver software for the USB to serial converter. You can find the latest version on the manufacturer's website. Some USB to serial converters are better than other, so I would suggest doing a little research. Check your mount's manufacturer website as they may have specific recommendations
• Software that will enable you to control the compute stick from your remote, main computer. There are a number of free packages you can use for this purpose. This software runs on the compute stick and on the main computer. Windows Remote Control is a very good package, and it is bundled with Windows. However, it is not bundled with the Win10 Home edition that runs on my compute stick. There are workarounds, but I decided to use TeamViewer instead, which is free for personal use and has many useful features
• Your imager's driver and imaging software.  Windows-based.
• Software to control any additional hardware (such as a focuser, etc.)

To download the software, connect your stick to the HDMI port on a monitor and add a USB mouse and keyboard. If you're using the same network to download your software as you will be using to drive your scope, make sure that you set the automatic logon option. If it's not, be sure to log in to the scope control network you plan to use and set it so the stick logs in automatically on startup. Remember, you will be running the stick at the scope in "headless" mode. The stick needs to log in to windows, log on to the network, and start TeamViewer automatically, with no intervention from you.

In Part 3, I'll talk about installation and setup.