Compound Telescope and Imaging Commands
Below are commands that include both telescope and CCD imaging operations.
Syntax: gotolightsave exptime objectname <delay>
This command searches the built-in object databases for "objectname", moves the telescope there, takes a normal CCD image, and saves the image. The telescope can be moved to a specific position by using the format "#RA,DEC". The exposure is "exptime" seconds long (up to 3600 seconds - fractional seconds are ok). The variable FILTERINDEX specifies the optical filter to be used. The image is saved in the directory specified by the IMAGEDIRECTORY variable with a filename of "objectname-XXXX.fit", where "XXXX" is an optional (controlled by the boolean state of the IMAGECOUNTERENABLED variable) auto-incrementing image counter (from the IMAGECOUNTER variable). The optional "delay" parameter causes a delay (in integer seconds) after the telescope has been moved. The variables CCDERROR and TELESCOPEERROR are set accordingly.
Syntax: solveandsync exptime rings <dosync> <SETAUTOFLIP>
This command takes a normal CCD image, astrometrically solves the image (see the solveplate command for details) using the current telescope position as the initial position. The variable FILTERINDEX specifies the optical filter to be used. The parameter 'exptime' specifies the exposure time in seconds. The image is saved as "pinpoint.fit" in the directory specified by the IMAGEDIRECTORY variable.
If successful, it synchronizes the telescope to the solved position if "dosync" is "true". The variables RA and DEC are set to the solved position and POSITIONERROR is set to the difference, in arc-minutes, between the initial and synced telescope position. If the optional "SETAUTOFLIP" text is present, the variables FLIPX and FLIPY are updated.
If an error occurs or the image could not be solved, PINPOINTERROR is true, POSITIONERROR set to -1, and PPERRORNUMBER and PPERRORMESSAGE set. PPERRORNUMBER is set to 7 if a CCD or telescope error occurred, otherwise see the solveplate command for details.
If an error occurs taking the image, CCDERROR is also set to true. If an error occurs when querying the telescope's position or doing the sync, TELESCOPEERROR is also set to true (and TELESCOPEERRORNUMBER and TELESCOPEERRORMESSAGE are set).
Syntax: autocentre minimum
Syntax: autocenter minimum
This command finds the brightest star in the just-exposed CCD image. If it is brighter than "minimum" counts, the telescope is moved to position the star in the center of the field. It is assumed that north is up in the image and the variables PIXELSIZEX and PIXELSIZEY are set correctly. The variable TELESCOPEERROR is set accordingly. Note: this command is not supported when variable CCDCAMERA is set to 2.
Syntax: autosync objectname exptime minimum <delay>
This command searches the built-in object databases for "objectname", moves the telescope there, takes a normal CCD image, and finds the brightest star in the image If it is brighter than "minimum" counts, the telescope is moved to position the star in the center of the field and the telescope is synchronized on the "objectname". The exposure is "exptime" seconds long (up to 3600 seconds - fractional seconds are ok). The variable FILTERINDEX specifies the optical filter to be used. The optional "delay" parameter causes a delay (in integer seconds) after the telescope has been moved. It is assumed that north is up in the image and the variables PIXELSIZEX and PIXELSIZEY are set correctly. The variables CCDERROR and TELESCOPEERROR are set accordingly.
Syntax: batch filename.obj exptime <delay>
This command takes normal CCD images of a batch of objects whose names are in the text file "filename.obj". The exposure is "exptime" seconds long (up to 3600 seconds - fractional seconds are ok). The variable FILTERINDEX specifies the optical filter to be used. The image is saved in the directory specified by the IMAGEDIRECTORY variable with a filename of "objectname-XXXX.fit", where "XXXX" is an optional (controlled by the IMAGECOUNTERENABLED variable) auto-incrementing image counter (from the IMAGECOUNTER variable). The optional "delay" parameter causes a delay (in integer seconds) after the telescope has been moved.