The Unofficial Temma PC TheSky Driver for Takahashi Temma PC Goto Telescope Mounts

Copyright (c) 2001 Richard Lawler

Written by Richard Lawler (richardl * at * well* dot * com)

Release Notes & Instructions: Nov. 5, 2001


Driver Version 0.2.0.1

Note: This is a preliminary release. This driver was developed using a Temma PC Jr EM-10 and a ThinkPad laptop running Windows 2000.

At this point I have had positive reports from people using this driver with the following equipment.

Takahashi Mounts:

Windows Operating Systems:

If you try this driver please drop me a note to richardl * at * well* dot * com, and let me know if it works or not with your equipment. Please indicate what type of mount and computer you are running.

Likewise report bugs or problems to richardl * at * well* dot * com.

Please include information on the model of Temma PC mount you are using (include the version number if possible), computer type, operating system and TheSky version. (The Temma PC version number is displayed in the Telescope API settings dialog after you have connected and disconnected from the mount once.)

I will try to fix problems where possible.

There is no charge for this software. It is free for anyone to use. But please do not redistribute this driver. If anyone wants a copy of this driver they should obtain the current version directly from me at

http://www.well.com/user/richardl/astro/temma

Thank you.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: This software is provided as is. Use it at your own risk.

No warranties are expressed or implied.

CAUTION: Safe operation of computer-driven telescopes is solely the responsibility of the telescope operator! Richard Lawler provides the Unofficial Temma PC driver as a matter of convenience only. Richard Lawler is not responsible for any accidents or damage that may occur while TheSky is linked to a Temma PC mount. Always use extreme caution while operating expensive telescope equipment.

The Unofficial Temma PC TheSky driver software was independently developed to allow the TheSky to communicate with the Takahashi Temma PC telescope mounts. The Unofficial Temma PC TheSky driver was not developed by or for Takahashi Corp., Texas Nautical Repair or Software Bisque. Neither Takahashi, Texas Nautical Repair nor Software Bisque is responsible to support this driver.


What is the Unofficial Temma PC TheSky Driver?

The Unofficial Temma PC TheSky Driver is a software plugin that allows TheSky planetarium software from Software Bisque to communicate with and to control the Temma PC and Temma PC Jr computer controlled telescope mounts from Takahashi. The Temma PC and Temma PC Jr connect to a PC via standard RS-232C serial Comm port. Once connected TheSky can be synchronized with the pointing position of the Temma PC mount. Then TheSky can direct the telescope to point to any object in its database of currently visible objects. TheSky also reads the current location of the telescope so you can still use the Temma PC's manual control paddle without losing synchronization.

If you release the clutches on most of the Temma PC mounts (models EM-10, EM-200 and NJP) TheSky will lose synchronization with the current pointing location of the scope. You will need to re-sync TheSky with the current telescope position.


Requirements:

Requires TheSky Version 5.00.001 or later for Windows. (Updates to TheSky Version 5 are available from the Software Bisque web site http://www.bisque.com.)

This driver is not compatible with TheSky Pocket Edition for Windows CE or TheSky for Mac.

The Unofficial Temma PC TheSky Driver uses TheSky's Telescope API to communicate with the Temma PC mount. TheSky can only use one Telescope API driver at a time. This driver is always called TeleAPI.dll and should be located in the \Program Files\Common Files\System folder on your computer. TheSky comes with a dummy Telescope API driver that must be replaced by the Unofficial Temma PC driver.


Installation Instructions:


Operation Instructions:

* Initialize mount to Western-Zenith option

In this mode you start out by positioning the mount with the scope on the west side of the mount and pointed straight up (just as in Telescope Tracer 2000). After you have connected to the scope move the scope to point to a known star east of the meridian then sync TheSky to the same star.

* Initialize mount to Eastern-Zenith option

In this mode you start out by positioning the mount with the scope on the east side of the mount and pointed straight up. After you have connected to the scope move the scope to point to a known star west of the meridian then sync TheSky to the same star.

This mode is useful since many people like to image with the scope weight loaded on the east side of their mount. It's also handy with some Takahashi mounts which have to be positioned with the scope to the east in order to align the mount through the polar scope. So polar alignment and initial scope positioning can be done with one setup.

* Initialize mount to none (do not change sync) option

In this mode the telescope position will not be changed from the last synchronization since the Temma PC mount was turned on. For example from a previous use of TheSky or another Temma PC-compatible program like Telescope Tracer 2000 or Kagayaki III. This allows you to connect, disconnect and re-connect without having to re-sync.

* Ask on connect option

You will be asked which initialization option you want from the above three choices when you connect to the Temma PC mount. (This is the default.)

If you chose the Initialize mount to Western-Zenith option:

If you chose the Initialize mount to Eastern-Zenith option:

If you chose the Initialize mount to none (do not change sync) option:


Sync Operation:

You can update the sync of TheSky with the actual telescope position at any time by centering the target in the eyepiece, select the target in TheSky, then click the Sync button in the Telescope pane of the Object Information dialog for the target. TheSky will update the white cross-hair/circle to indicate the newly synchronized position of the scope.

Note: You currently can not sync to a star on the other side of the mount from its current orientation. You must first either perform a goto slew to a star on the other side of the sky or reinitialize the Unofficial Temma PC driver by terminating the link to the mount and reconnecting using the Eastern-Zenith or Western-Zenith initialization options as appropriate.

Goto Operation:

Choose a target in TheSky's virtual sky. The target must be above the horizon. In the Object Information dialog click the Slew icon near the bottom right. The scope will now slew to the target. TheSky will display a Slewing in progress indicator. This indicator will go away when the slew is complete. (If for some reason the Slewing progress indicator does not go away once the slew is clearly completed just click the Cancel button. There is no harm.)

If you want to cancel a slew you have started just click the Cancel button on the Slewing in progress indicator. Your telescope will be positioned where the slew happens to stop. You can easily return to your original location with the Slew Prior button in the Telescope pane of the Object Information dialog.


Operation Notes:

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