1. Remote Imaging A Users Perspective
January 7, 2010
Frank Barnes III

2. Overview: Background Locations & Equipment Remote Imaging Challenges
Software, Hardware, and Tools

3. Background:
December 1999, started imaging with a Celestron Nexstar 5 and a
Nikon CoolPix 800 using eyepiece projection.
March 2000, bought a Celestron C14 with a CI700 mount and added a
Astrometrics SkyWalker 2 GoTo system to the mount.
July 2000, started building my observatory in the back yard, and went
operational in November.
Added various scopes and cameras over the next few years, but the local
light pollution grew by leaps and bounds and I had to start looking for a
better dark site.

4. Background:
October 2004, I attended the first AIC (Advanced Imaging Conference),
and there I met Steve Mandel, the conference founder, and an amateur
astronomer working on researching dust clouds.
I started helping Steve gather the images for that project by running the
equipment located at New Mexico Skies, and two years later, I bought the
equipment from him and still do research with Professor Adolf Witt at the
University of Toledo.
Steve and I partnered in 2007 and put equipment in one of the
observatories at Sierra Remote Observatories about 45 miles outside of
Fresno, Ca in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

5. Background:
1 year later, Steve changed directions and I bought out his half of the
equipment at SRO.
I later added a second scope and mount to the SRO observatory and that
brought the total to 5 systems that are usually running every night that is
clear at each location.

6. Locations & Equipment:
Twinoaks Observatory - Rock Hill, SC.
My first observatory, located in my back yard.
Definition – Remote Local : Easily accessible by you during an imaging
session to handle any situation that may arise.

10. Locations & Equipment:
Mayhill, NM.
New Mexico Skies Pod 2.
Definition – Remote Manned : Easily accessible by on site personnel
during an imaging session to handle any situation that may
arise.

11. Mandeloscope

13. Witt Scope

15. Locations: Blue Sky Observatory (Near Shaver Lake, Ca.)
Sierra Remote Observatories - Obs 5.
Definition – Remote Unmanned: Accessible by remote personnel based
on the seriousness of the emergency. May take some time
for them to arrive on site.

20. BSO North
BSO South

22. Remote Imaging Challenges:
Power Failure
UPS - sized large enough to close your roof, clam, or slot
and run your communications , computer(s) , and
equipment for an orderly shutdown.
APC Smart 3000, APC Smart 2200
Generator
Kohler 12RES (12KW Natural Gas)

23. Remote Imaging Challenges:
Weather Failure
Must be able to detect changing conditions that would warrant a
need to end or pause your imaging session.
Clouds (Sky Temperature)
High winds
High Humidity
Loss of feed from weather detector
Boltwood II Cloud Sensor

27. Remote Imaging Challenges:
Equipment Failure
Must be able to recover from a software failure and/or a hardware
failure.
Remotely re-boot your computer system(s)
Power cycle mount, cameras, hubs, etc
Need notifications if/when these failures occur
Roof override system
Remote Eyes
Internet Webcam
Toshiba IK-WB01A_11A

31. Remote Imaging Challenges:
Bugs
They can get into anything and cause a great deal of damage.
Spiders can be most destructive

34. Software, Hardware, and Tools :
TheSky6 Pro
Scripting interface
Can control a large number of mounts
Can setup FOVI for a large number of camera/scope combos
Comes with multiple star catalogs and object databases
Supports Image linking for accurate telescope positioning
Supports multiple locations
Interfaces with TPoint for improved telescope pointing

35. Software, Hardware, and Tools :
CCDSoft / Maxim DL
Scripting interface
Can control a large number of cameras
Has the ability to take multiple images
Supports a number of Filter Wheels
Drives the guiding camera for long exposures
Supports Image linking with TheSky6 (CCDSoft) or with PinPoint
(Maxim DL)
Interfaces with TPoint for automated map building

36. Software, Hardware, and Tools :
Automated Focusing - FocusMax
Supports a wide range of motorized Focusers
Builds a profile of your imaging train and uses that to obtain
excellent focus (V Curve)
Has a scripting interface
Is compatible with CCDSoft and Maxim DL

37. Software, Hardware, and Tools :
Remote Automation
CCDAutoPilot4
CCD Commander
ACP
Write your own

38. Software, Hardware, and Tools :
Remote Control
UltraVNC
Radmin
Remote Desktop
PC Anywhere

39. Software, Hardware, and Tools :
Remote Power Control
Baytech
RPC3DE-15
Web Power Switch
Web Power Switch II

40. Software, Hardware, and Tools :
UPS
APC
APC Smart-UPS 3000VA USB & Serial 120V

41. Software, Hardware, and Tools :
Remote Control Relays
Web Relays
WebRelay & WebRelay Dual
Web Cam
Toshiba
IK-WB15A

42. Software, Hardware, and Tools :
Weather Monitoring
Boltwood Cloud Sensor
Boltwood II
Davis Weather Station
Vantage Pro2

43. Software, Hardware, and Tools :
CCD Navigator 2
AutoMapper II
Filezilla – FTP Server

44. Remote Setups and Protection Review:
Adequate Power and good backup Power
Remote Power control for all devices
Good/Fast network connection
Good reliable roof controller w/overrides
Weather monitor – i.e.: Boltwood II or equivalent

45. Questions ?