Telescope Startup

Prepare the Computer

  • Bypass driver-signature enforcement:
    1. Open Settings and go to System → Recovery.
    2. Next to Advanced startup, click Restart now.
    3. After the computer restarts, select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings.
    4. Click Restart.
    5. When the list of options appears, press 7 to select Disable driver signature enforcement.

Turn On the Equipment

  • Connect the two USB cables to the computer.
  • Turn on the power strip.
  • Turn on the mount.
  • Turn on the focuser.
  • Turn on the filter wheel.

Start and Connect the Software

  • Launch the SciTech mount controller and unpark the telescope.
  • Launch TCF-S Focus Commander and connect the focuser.
  • Launch PHD2 Guiding and connect the camera and mount.
  • Launch TheSkyX and connect it to the mount.
  • Launch N.I.N.A.
  • Load the correct N.I.N.A. profile through Options.
  • In N.I.N.A., connect:
    • Camera
    • Filter wheel
    • Focuser
    • Mount
    • Guider
  • Start the camera cooler.

Align and Focus the Telescope

  • In TheSkyX, slew to a bright target.

Caution: If the telescope is too far out of synchronization, use the paddle and Telrad to navigate to the target.

  • Move the focuser to its center position, approximately 3500.
  • Use the secondary-mirror screw to focus the telescope rather than the focuser.
  • Take an image in N.I.N.A.
  • Adjust the secondary mirror until the image is focused and centered.
  • Launch SkyView from the SciTech controller.
  • Synchronize the mount.

Telescope Operations

  • Use TheSkyX to navigate to the target.
  • Use N.I.N.A.’s Framing tool to plate solve and slew and center the target in the middle of the frame.
  • Switch to the required filter.
  • Run AutoFocus.
  • Take a trial exposure.
  • Check the image for saturated pixels.
  • Confirm that the Airy disks of the stars are round and free of aberrations.
  • Set up guiding in PHD2.
  • Take a trial guided exposure in N.I.N.A.
  • Configure the sequencer to acquire the images.
  • Take dark, flat, and bias frames as needed.

Telescope Shutdown

  • Disconnect all equipment in N.I.N.A., then close the application.
  • Disconnect all equipment in PHD2, then close the application.
  • Disconnect the telescope in TheSkyX, then close the application.
  • Disconnect the focuser in TCF-S Focus Commander, then close the application.
  • Park the telescope in SciTech, then close the application.
  • Turn off the filter wheel.
  • Turn off the focuser.
  • Turn off the mount.
  • Turn off the power strip.