Wow--Full automation of an astronomical imaging platform for less than $120! -- Part 4

Putting it all together

With all the software installed, it's time to put things together.

Take the compute stick out to the scope:

Step 1: Wire up the hardware. Connect the telescope mount to the compute stick with the RS232 cable and the Serial to USB converter (I used the USB 2 port for this connection). Then connect the imager to the compute stick (I used the USB 3 port for this connection)

Step 2: Power up the mount and the compute stick

On the main computer:

Step 1:  Start up TeamViewer. You'll see the name of the remote computer (enter it, if you don't) and press the Connect button. After several seconds, the login box will appear. Type in the password you set up for the stick's TeamViewer installation. After connection is established, the remote desktop will load. You can now control the stick from your main computer.

Step 2: Start the ASCOM driver for your mount. The following window appears:

Press OK, and the driver will connect to your mount:

Step 3: Start your planetarium software

(In my case, Sky Tools 3--you can find instructions online for these tasks for your chosen software). 

In ST3, select the Live View tab. 

Move to the Telescope  button and select "configure" from the drop down menu. Select the driver you installed for your mount from the list that appears.

Click on the Telescope button again and select Connect from the drop down menu. ST3 will connect to the scope.

Congratulations!  You can now control your scope from your main computer! 

Step 3: Start you imager software

(In my case, Mallincam Sky). Connect to the imager, and you're in complete control.

At this point, I would go out and align my mount using the polar scope. For many of you, your scope may already be aligned, so you can (of course) skip this step. Because I align every session, I also do a single-star synch to complete the process. I also focus manually. For both of these steps, I take the main computer out to the scope (still mirroring the stick desktop) and perform these tasks. 

Step 4: Start remote imaging!  Go back to the comfort of your house and select an object in ST3. click Slew To, and scope will move to it and the object will appear in the imager. You can use the manual keys on your mount driver to center it, and you can then Synch it using the synch button on the ST3 interface.

The full system: