PROGRAM SETUP FEATURES

One-Click Initialization

Enter Imaging System Parameters Select Control Programs Initialize and Characterize Reusable System Profiles for Multiple Configurations Heuristics used for Accurate Session Planning Times

Application Independence

Camera Control via CCDSoft, MaximDL and Camera Control via TheSkyX Camera Add On (Professional Edition) Telescope Control via TheSky6 Pro, TheSKyX Pro, TheSky 64-bit or ASCOM Focus Control via CCDSoft @Focus2, @Focus3, FocusMax or PlaneWave AutoFocus Rotator Support for ASCOM, RCOS PIR, Astrodon TAKometer or via TheSkyX. Dome Control Support for ASCOM,including Pier-Tech's AOCS, AutomaDome and Digital Dome Works Artificial light source support for flat fields. Integrated support for the Flip-Flat/FlatMan.

Plate Solving Support

Support for TheSkyX, TheSky6/CCDSoftV5 WCS Astrometry and PinPoint User Definable Catalogs and Expansion User Definable Sub Frames, Filter, Exposure Time and Bin Mode

Boltwood Cloud Sensor Support

User selectable options for cloudy conditions. Auto-resume on clear condition. Now with network Support. Full multi-threaded operation to reduce CPU overhead.

Telescope Pointing Corrector Support

Software Bisque T-Point Diffraction Limited MaxPoint

Comprehensive Support System

Context Sensitive Help Files Tooltip Suggestions for Controls Automatic Web Update for New Features Online Help in Web and Pdf format Support Forum

One-Click Tools

Filter Focus Offset Measurement

Select Reference Filter Set Number of Measurements Offsets automatically entered

RGB Ratio Calculator

One-Click G2V Ratio Measurement Select Filters Automatic G2V star selection with TheSkyX or TheSky6 Manual G2V star selection with ASCOM or TheSkyX or TheSky6 Extinction-corrected flux and ratio measurement

Sub-Exposure Calculator

One-click camera gain measurement One-Click camera read noise measurement One-click sky glow measurement Calculate sub-exposure duration Determine camera operating temperature, number of dark frames

Guider Calculator

Enter Maximum Error Enter Maximum Allowable Movement Calculates Minimum and Maximum Move One-Click Entry for Maxim Camera Relays and MicroGuide One-Click Entry for CCDSoft Camera Relays and DirectGuide

System Tests

Telescope Park Test Rotator Movement TEst Dome Movement Test Dome Shutter Open and Close Test Guider Alarm Test Telescope Tracking On and Off Tests Email Test

TARGET SELECTION FEATURES

Flexible Target Input

Enter Target Name, RA, DEC, and PA Manually Retrieve Target RA DEC and PA from FITS Files

Integration with TheSkyX and TheSky6

Add Targets from TheSkyX/TheSky6 Database Retrieve Target RA, DEC, and PA from TheSkyX/TheSky6 FOVI

Target Management

Slew to Any Target in the Target List Edit Target Information User Selectable Target Start Times Precision Slew with optional user-specified tolerance Session Start Time Can be Based Either on a Specific Start time or a Time Relative to Sunset

Target Information

View Rise, Set and Transit Information for Any Target User Definable Altitude Display for Object Start and Stop Times Moon Rise and Set Times Sun Set and Rise Times

MULTIPLE TARGET FEATURES

Multiple Target Import & Export

Import Targets from CCDNavigator Import Targets from CSV Text Files Import Starry Night Observation Plans Export Target Lists to CSV text files

Target List Management

Sort Targets by Name, RA and DEC Move Targets Up and Down in Target Lists Specify Optional Start Time for Each Target De-Activate Targets for Imaging Runs Options are provided to either turn off tracking or park the telescope during idle periods between targets.

Reusable Target Lists

Save and Load Target Lists Share Target Lists with Other Imagers Target Lists Contain Name, RA, DEC, PA, Start Times and Light Exposures for Each Target in the List as well as calibration frames.

MOSAIC FEATURES

Integration with TheSkyX/TheSky6

Setup Mosaics in TheSkyX/TheSky6 Using the Mosaic Feature Mosaics can be of Unlimited Size User Definable Overlap User Definable PA

Mosaic Wizard

Import Mosaics from TheSkyX/TheSky6 as Targets User Definable Light Frames Across all Panels Select to Image All Panels or Portions of Mosaics Save and Load Mosaics

FOCUSING FEATURES

Focus Methods

SkyStar Off-target Focusing Technology Focus on Brightest Star in Field of View Focus on a Star Located at X, Y in FOV Support for FocusMax AcquireStar Support for @Focus2 Support for Maxim Focusing

Focus Options

Support for Temperature Compensation User Definable Minimum Altitude for Focusing Periodic Focus at User Definable Timing Periodic Focus upon user definable temperature change Focus Through Fixed Filter for Parafocal Filters User Definable Focus Offsets for Each Filter FocusMax Exposure Times for Each Filter Support for Up to 10 Filters Focus at Session Start Focus Immediately

SkyStar Focusing

Off -Target Focusing for Best Results Stops AutoGuider Finds Suitable Focus Star Outside FOV Provides On-Axis Focusing for Best Performance Slews Back to Target and Corrects Slew Re-acquires Guide Star and Restarts Guiding Allows Plate solving with a Filter other than the Filter You use for Focusing.

TRACKING AND GUIDING FEATURES

Guiding Methods

Self Guided Camera Off Axis Guider External Guide Scope Unguided Imaging

Predictive Auto Guiding

After System Initialization There is No Need for Guider Recalibration Night After Night Predicts Best Guiding Options at Any Location in the Sky Works with Rotators at Any Angle Supports Manual Rotation of Camera without re-initialization. Automatic Guide Star Selection in the guider's FOV Automtic Guide Star Exposure

Automatic Guide Star Retrieval

Guarantees Guide Star Stays on Guide Chip User Definable Guide Cycles Before AGSR Activates Re-centers Object when Guide Star Not Detected Optional Audible Alarm

Fully Automated Meridian Flips

Supports Systems With and Without Rotators Flips German Equatorial Mount When Object Transits Optional Rotates Camera 180 Degrees Optional Telescope Sync After Meridian Flip Automatic Guide Star Selection After Meridian Flip Optional Focus After Meridian Flip User Definable Flip Delay Optional Abort Target at Meridian (with programmable delay to track past meridian)

Dithering

User Definable Dithering Amount Between Exposures Suggests dithering, based on system parameters Enhanced or Random Dithering Intelligent Exposure Restart Allowing Dither to complete and Auto-Guiding to Reach User Definable Threshold.

Guided Imaging Options

Enhanced or Random Dithering User Definable Guide Exposures for Each Filter User Definable AO Guide Box Size User Definable Guide Window Size Optional Guider running through filter changes for photometry

Unguided Imaging Options

Enhanced or Random Dithering via Telescope Moves Suggests dithering based on system parameters Realign Object at a User Definable Time Periods

LIGHT FRAME EXPOSURE FEATURES

User Defined Light Series

Templates for easy data input Up to Eight Light Series per Target Repeat Light Series for Each Target User Definable Guide Exposure Delay Optionally Focus Before Each Light Series User Definable Number of Exposures, Filter, Bin Mode and Exposure Time for Each Light Series Accurately Predict Light Frames Session Time Compare to Target Ephemerides

Exposure Management

Light Exposures Placed in User Defined Sub-directories Default File Names Generated Automatically Including Target Name, PA, Side of Meridian, Filter, Bin Mode and Exposure Length.

Multiple Target Exposure Management

Drop Down Box to Select Target To Assign Exposures All Targets can have any Combination of Exposures Update Any Targets Light Exposures Apply a User Definable Light Exposures to All Targets with One Click Saved Targets Lists Contains all Light Exposures Information for all Targets Save, Load and Share Target Lists

Mosaic Exposures

Define a Light Series for All Panels of Mosaic with One Click Choose to Image Only One Filter or Multi Filters for All Panels Image Separate Color Channels on Different Nights for Best Color Balance Save, Load and Share Mosaic Target Lists

DARK AND BIAS FRAME FEATURES

User Defined Dark and Bias Frames

Templates for easy data input Up to Eight Dark and Bias Series per Evening Repeat Dark and Bias Series User Definable Number of Exposures, Filter, Bin Mode and Exposure Time for Each Dark Series User Definable Number of Exposures, Filter, and Bin Mode for Each Bias Series Accurately Predict Dark and Bias Run Times

Dark and Bias Options

User Definable Filter for Cameras with Shutters Programmable Flush Series to Eliminate Residual Charge in CCD Camera Take Dark and Bias Frames Before or After Light Frames Take Dark and Bias Frames Before AND After Light Frames Take Dark and Bias Frames Immediately

FLAT FRAME FEATURES

User Defined Flat Frames

Templates for easy data input Up to Eight Flat Series per Imaging Session User Definable Number of Exposures, Filter, Bin Mode, Target ADU, Description and Position Angle for Each Flat Series Take Dusk or Dawn Flats or Both Take Flats at Dawn Time with Artificial Light Sources Take Flats immediately

Flat Frame Options

Telescope Tracking can be Enabled or Disabled While Taking Flats For Tracked Flat Frames, Optional Dithering can be Activated to Eliminate Stars in Master Flats Minimum and Maximum Exposure Limits Automatically Selects Best Spot in Sky for Flats Optional User Definable  Alt, Az for Telescope Pointing User Definable Sun Altitudes for Dusk and Dawn Flats Automatic Light / Dark Frame Abort to Ensure Flat Frames are Taken.

Rotator Support

Enter Position Angles for Each Flat Series Enter Absolute Rotator Position for Each Flat Series

Automatic ADU Calculations

Define ADU Level for Flat Frames Bias is Automatically Calculated and Added to Target ADU Optional User Definable Bias Pedestal Optimized ADU Calculation Algorithm to Maximize Exposure Time and Amount of Flats

PROGRAM OPTIONS

Start Up Options

Open Dome on Start Up Turn Imager and Guider Cooler On at User Definable Time and Temperature Run an External Program or Script

Options After Light Exposures

Park Telescope Turn Off Telescope Tracking Close Dome Run an External Program or Script

Shut Down Options

Abort Light and Dark Frames at Twilight Re-Park Telescope After Flat Frames Turn Telescope Tracking Off After Flat Frames Close Dome after Flat Frames Warm Up Imager and Guider Cooler Run an External Program or Script

Image Management

Specify Starting Image Number for Session Select a Root Folder for All Exposures Templates for file names Customize folder for data and calibration frames. Optional Auto Generation of Sub Folders Based on Date, Target Name Organization of Logs, System and Target Profiles and Failed Plate Solves for Analysis.

RUNNING SESSIONS

Setup Review

User Friendly Warnings for Questionable Settings Review Complete Hardware and Software Setup Review All Session Options on One Screen

Session Review

Review All Session Options on One Screen Review Light Frames, Dark and Bias Frames, Flat Frames Review Path and File Names Estimated Times Provided for Sessions

Status Dialog

Provides Session Time Estimates including Start and End Times, Next Focus, Meridian Flip Timing, and Sunrise Indicates Current Target Information including Current Altitude and Transit Times Shows Focus Information including HFD in Arc-Seconds, Focuser Position and Temperature at Last Focus Indicates Current Light Series, Exposure, Filter, Bin Mode and Exposure Time with Progress Bar

Comprehensive Logging

Indicates all Session Actions with Time Stamp Saves Log File After Each Action Saves Log Files in User Definable Directory Calculates Extinction Corrected Color Combine Ratio for Targets in Run

Session Options

Pause and Resume Sessions Between Exposures Abort Sessions in Progress Email/Text Message Notification of Key Events

Control File

Control CCDAutoPilot via External Programs Start, Pause, Resume, Abort Select Notification Options Send Specific Messages via CCDAutoPilot Notification System Close integration with m1OASYS Observatory Automaation System