Backyard eos free
#Backyard eos free software#
This allows the user to test software and other functions without needing a physical mount to be set up.
#Backyard eos free simulator#
This simulator session behaves like a mount currently connected to the computer and all other software can connect to this simulated mount. The remaining sections of EQMod can be used for Periodic Error Correction (PEC) and configuration settings.Ī particularly useful feature of EQMod is that when starting it, one can either connect to a mount that's currently connected to the computer and switched on, or start an ASCOM simulator session. Mount Limits can also be enabled and disabled (to allow the mount to point beyond the Meridian or horizon). Under Park / Unpark, the user can control how and where the mount actually parks when the button is clicked.ĪSCOM PulseGuiding Settings and AutoGuider Port (ST4) Guide Rate are used to define how the autoguiding port on the mount responds to correction commands, in terms of the tracking speed used to apply these correction commands. Under Alignment / Sync, the user can see how many stars have been used for Goto alignment. This allows for an easy- and quick-to-perform, accurate polar alignment. Within this section, the user can also perform a polar alignment, whereby EQMod slews the telescope to precisely the Right Ascension co-ordinates needed to centre Polaris in the mount's polarscope's Polaris reticule. Multiple locations can be saved for future use without having to remember or re-enter GPS co-ordinates. Site Information is where the user defines his/her location on the Earth, via GPS co-ordinates. Below all this is a button to park the mount to the home position, which is the default starting position when the mount is set up and switched on. Sidereal for deep space, Lunar for the Moon, Solar for the Sun or Custom for other objects such as comets). Under Track Rate, the automatic tracking of the mount can be either disabled or enabled at a specific rate (e.g. Slew Controls allows the user to manually slew the telescope in any direction, with rates of movement definable here as well. Under Mount Position, the current coordinates of the mount are displayed. It is however well sectioned and little needs to be paid attention to. 6.2 Mount Control: EQModĪt first, the EQMod graphical user interface is a bit intimidating. The ASCOM platform must be installed before any other devices can be installed and before software can communicate with these devices. The ASCOM platform for Windows is completely free and can be downloaded from this external link to the official ASCOM website.
#Backyard eos free drivers#
Manufacturers of devices that connect to computers will supply ASCOM drivers of their own, based on the same principles. All software these days are based on ASCOM and require these drivers to be installed in order to communicate with the respective devices. From this need, AStronomy Common Object Model (ASCOM) was born.ĪSCOM are a set of drivers through which all devices are able to communicate together and software can take control of them. This interface would allow software to interact universally with these devices regardless of manufacturer. With different manufacturers producing different products of all kinds that connect to computers - mounts, cameras, etc - there was a need to unify everything under one common interface.