Remote control of a telescope

:S I was wondering if anybody out there could assist me in setting up my Celestron CGE mount to operate via remote control.

As the weather gets colder here in Pennsylvania I dream of being able to stay inside where it's warm and direct the scope to deep sky objects and planets for CCD imaging.

Presently I'm using "Anyplace control" to link my computers and "Starry Night Pro Plus 6" to position the scope and be able to see where it's pointing from my remote operating position. (By the fireplace inside) Yes, at 68 YOA I've become a coward where the cold is concerned.

I use a "Starlight M-7" mono camera controlled via "Nebulosity" with guiding provided buy  "Celestron Nex Guider". Unfortunately this requires going outside to lock onto a guide star before I'm ready to go. I've been thinking about using a "Meade DSI II" as a guider through my "Celestron 16 X 70" finder scope coupled up with the "PHD Guiding" program. I'm thinking I can connect the Meade as a guider and a remote visual look through finder scope.

My problem has been that I pretty much have to align on my object to photograph while actually at the scope even though I may be well aligned where the scope and "Stary Night" program are concerned. I have not to date been able to successfully slew from one object to another for purposes of imaging.

Does anybody have any suggestions on what I should be using so that I can have accurate remote control for tracking, imaging, and scope positioning to different parts of the sky.

I am not committed to staying with any of the software I'm using if there are better ideas out there.

Many thanks for any assistance that may be offered.

Best wishes,

Gene Middleton
New Cumberland, PA

Hi Gene,

I use MaximDL and CCDSoft for imaging. Both make it pretty easy to move the telescope around based on images from the camera. If you are close to the object, you can literally point and click to where you want the telescope to move. MaximDL is the better choice of the two, but they each have there strengths. I'm not familiar with the CGE mount, but I'm sure it would work fine.

The Sky 6 pro is still the gold standard in my opinion, even though it has been deprecated. The CCD software works in conjunction with it.

Good polar alignment is key to doing this stuff, so really take your time and get as close to perfect as you can stomach. The better the polar alignment, the easier it is to do remote stuff. Using a finder for guiding will frustrate you to no end.

For what you are describing, I've always used Microsoft Remote Desktop, which is reliable. Unfortunately,i think Windows XP is still the standard for imaging. Others would have to chime in if they have succeeded with other platforms.

Also, for automated operations, you should look at the CCDWare software, particularly CCDAutopilot (just google it). I've used it and it is amazing. You can literally have an entire session run all night unattended, including taking darks and flats. It's amazing stuff.

Just a few quick thoughts.

Good luck!

Russ