Parallax's Astro-Physics GTO computer drive system
GTO COMPUTER SYSTEM FEATURES
- Handheld keypad controller with red backlit alphanumeric keypad and red 4 line by 20 character data display
- (4) Drive rates; King, Sidereal, Lunar, and Solar
- Guiding/Correcting rates: .25x, .5x, 1x, 12x, 64x
- Rapid slewing rates up to 1200x (5 degrees per second) - depending on equipment load
- Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) has greater temperature range than LCD displays
- Directional N-S-E-W keys provide immediate response when you wish to center an object or cruise the surface of the moon
- R.A. and Declination reversal for correct object orientation and movement in the eyepiece
- PEM-Permanent Error Memory correction. Make your correction just once. Remains in memory permanently.
- Declination backlash control
- Stores 3 observing site locations
- Specify safety zone so that tripod or pier does not interfere with telescope during slewing operation
- Quick and easy two-star polar alignment routine
- Adjust brightness of the reticle output for your illuminated guiding eyepiece
- Automatic meridian swapping in the go-to slewing mode
- Continues to track at the sidereal rate even while slewing so that your position is always accurate
- More than 17,000 objects in the extensive databases: Messier (110), NGC (7840), IC (5386), ADS double stars (215), Abell galaxy clusters (2715), calibration stars by common name (300), Greek star names by constellation (1053), common objects (100), planets (8), Moon and Sun
- Enter catalog or common star number, solar system object, RA/DEC coordinates or common name of object; press GO TO and your telescope will automatically slew to the object. Search and tour functions assist you in planning your observing session.
- Display will indicate if object is below the horizon and cancel the slewing request
- STOP button to cancel your slewing request when the telescope is already moving
- Display information about objects; object type and magnitude
- Timer will let you know when the exposure time of the astrophoto is complete
- Two 9 pin RS 232 serial ports (DB9 female connectors) on mount control panel so that user can use DigitalSky Voice and Software Bisque's TheSky software simultaneously if desired. The user must also have two COM ports available on their personal computer.
- Plug-in for SBIG ST-4, ST-6, St-7 and ST-8 Star Tracker/Imaging systems or any CCD with modular RJ-11 connector
- Locking plug connections for all cables
| SPECIFICATIONS OF GTO KEYPAD CONTROLLER |
|---|
| Controller dimensions | 7.15" x 4.1" x 1.0" |
| Weight | 8 ounces (227 grams) |
| Display Type | Red LED backlit alphanumeric |
| Display Screen | Vaccum Fluorescent Display (VFD) |
| Display Arrangement | 4 line, 20 character display |
| Hemisphere | North or South (user selected) |
| Power consumption | 0.4 amps at sidereal rate |
| Power requirements | 12 volts, DC |
| Power supplies | AC to 12VDC Converter (3 amp minimum) |
| Portable power packs | 12VDC |
DigitalSky Voice Telescope Control System Software
Imagine a voice activated, computer controlled German equatorial mount slewing from one end of the sky to the other with simple verbal commands like "M1" or "Find Neptune."
You can now establish two-way verbal communication with your mount, slewing from one object to another. Or, if you prefer, you may direct the movement of the telescope with a few mouse clicks at the computer.
VOICE ACTIVATED
- Remain at the eyepiece while you direct the telescope with verbal commands.
- Telescope moves to the object that you specify from the extensive object database including Messier, IC, NGC, ADS, and planets or to any RA/DEC coordinates that you specify. As easy as saying "M1" or "Find the Cocoon Nebula."
- Retain your dark adaptation-eliminates need to look at your laptop
- Protect your computer from cold weather - leave your computer in a warm location and control the telescope by microphone.
- Hands free operation of telescope.
COMPUTER VOICE OUTPUT
- Guides you through polar alignment and all functions of the program
- Provides extensive information about the object you are viewing
- Lets you know the amount of time remaining in your photographic exposure
- Notifies you when the object you have selected at the beginning of the session has reached the desired position in the sky
- Informs you of favorite objects that are visible within constellations that have risen.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
- Easy two-star polar alignment routine
- Extensive database
- Choose an object from a list of your favorites that are overhead.
- Most objects are already in the database, you can add your own
- Will notify you if object you selected is below the horizon
- Search for objects based on criteria you select: within the current constellation or across the sky, database type, object type (galaxy,globular cluster, open cluster, planetary nebula, cluster w/nebula), magnitude limit
- Tour - predefined sequences of objects that you can select for your viewing enjoyment. The telescope will automatically move from one object to another at your request
- Tour builder - prepare tours of your favorite objects before your viewing session
- Intuitive computer interface, extremely easy to use
- Night vision mode
- Can be used with Software Bisque's TheSky software. You can even use the DigitalSky Voice control when looking at the star map displays of TheSky on your computer screen.
- High coolness factor
MINIMUM COMPUTER SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
- Pentium 75 MHz IBM PC-compatible computer
- 16 MB RAM
- Windows 95 or NT
- Sound Blaster compatible sound card
- External microphone (if you plan to use voice control)
Go Home