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ScopeDriver ©2001–2009 Stephen E. Hutson, All Rights Reserved |
New In Version 3.1
New Telescope Type: “Basic Meade Compatibility”
There are lots of Meade-compatible telescope mounts out there that. But they don’t all support the full Meade command set. For these instruments, ScopeDriver 3.1 introduces the “Basic Meade Compatibility” telescope type.
Most of ScopeDriver’s functionality — including Observing Lists and Automated Observing Runs — remains in Basic Meade Compatibility mode. Only a tiny fraction of ScopeDriver’s feature set is disabled in this mode, and you can see exactly how it works in Test Mode.
Serial Camera Shutter Control
Astronomers are using ScopeDriver’s serial shutter control, alongside our automated observing runs, to fully automate sky patrols, surveys, and more. (Read more about ScopeDriver’s Automated Observing Runs.)
ScopeDriver 3.1 adds support for serial camera controls, to manually or automatically perform one or multiple exposures. Camera control is supported by ScopeDriver’s automated observing runs, which can automate sky surveys and observing patrols
Manual exposures and sequences are no problem, either. Perform exposures from one millisecond to many hours in duration. Perform a single exposure, or hundreds for stacking purposes, all with a single command, as shown below:
You may specify camera exposures for a series of sky objects in any Observing List. Define them one at a time, or specify the exposures for all selected objects at the same time.
Exposures only occur if the telescope successfully points to the desired sky object. If an error occurs, such as the object being below the horizon, ScopeDriver simply cancels the exposure(s) — and all other pending actions — and moves on to the next visible sky object.
Automated Observing Run Enhancements
ScopeDriver’s Automated Observing Runs have become extremely popular. We’ve also received a lot of input about them. The result is that ScopeDriver 3.1’s Observing Runs are more powerful, easier to use, and more screen-friendly than ever before.
We’ve started by adding an Observing Run... button to every Observing List Window, so you can quickly switch between editing Automated Observing Runs for any number of open Observing Lists. The Observing Run Log is an optional report of the Automated Observing Run’s activity; we have also added all types of Actions, not just exposures and pauses, to this Log.
Since many users run their Automated Observing Runs in the background, ScopeDriver no longer shows the system-wide slew progress window when performing an observing run. And the observing run’s Status Window is now much smaller, and offers more control of the observing run, as shown below:
Other Improvements:
- Gemini Telescopes:
- “Side of Mount” is now reported (E or W) in the Right Ascension displays.
- Level 4 and above: Slewing to an object now also performs a mounting meridian flip if necessary.
- Level 4 and above: Added Perform Meridian Flip command to the Telescope menu.
- Level 4 and above: Main Window now displays azimuth.
- Level 4 and above: Parking instrument now allows user to select parking at Home or Startup position.
- Level 4 and above: Performing a slew now prompts for a mounting meridian flip if the object is on the same side of the meridian as the telescope.
- Consolidated Time and Date Window and Site Information Window. Saved User-Defined Sites now also save data about a Site’s GMT Offset. This data is backward-compatible with earlier versions of ScopeDriver.
- Redesigned Connect Window, Control Window, and Remote Connect Window.
- Observing List Window: Removed Undo and Redo buttons, replacing them with an Observing Run... button.
- Autostar: Sync. to Current Coords. is now enabled for all Autostars.
- Edit Fixed Celestial Object Window now displays the epoch “2000.00” when adding a new object, unless the object is being added based on the telescope’s current coordinates (i.e., Objects -> Define Fixed Object), in which case the epoch of date is still displayed.
- Large Observing Lists now load more quickly.
- Internet Update: Now more reliably checks whether an active Internet connection exists.
- Extensively updated User Guide and other documentation.
Try It Out!
Download ScopeDriver and see for yourself why this is such an exciting update!
Upgraders: This is a free upgrade for those who purchased ScopeDriver in November of 2004 or later. If you purchased ScopeDriver prior to November of 2004, you will be able to upgrade to version 3.0 at a special, discounted upgrade price. Just open ScopeDriver, and the program will guide you through the simple upgrade process.
— Stephen E. Hutson, ScopeDriver’s author