This getting started process leads you through the steps to automation including creating an observing plan by hand. You should do this just this one time. For routine use, unless you are an advanced science observer, you really should use the observing submission forms on the ACP web interface! Advanced users who need more sophisticated plans can use the freeACP Planner to make multiple-target, looping, and/or timing-driven plans. And Planner can automatically upload plans then you can run them through the web interface.
You can jump start your knowledge of ACP and MaxIm by using the simulators. Run the software checks on this page, then go to Using the Simulators for detailed instructions.
Throughout the procedure, do not shut down ACP or MaxIm once they are running. You'll get errors if you shut down ACP or MaxIm.
Step 1: Software and Catalog Installation
You are about to integrate your telescope and CCD camera into a robotic observatory capable of acquiring images and updating its pointing as it does so, and offering these services via web pages. This is not a trivial system. I urge you to take it a step at a time, follow the suggestions, and work your way toward success in a careful and professional way. Trust me, if you try to take shortcuts, you'll end up frustrated and probably blaming the software or your computer for your problems.
Do not uninstall and reinstall if you encounter a problem! This is almost always a waste of time, and may obscure the real issue or worse, create new problems. Try to think out the problem, take a moment to actually read any error messages you see (they might be meaningful!), review the settings you made, and look for the obvious like an image that got clouded out or badly streaked.
Automated observing needs automatic focus. ACP uses either on the free FocusMax auto-focus software or the PlaneWave PWI auto-focus system for focusing. If you do not have FocusMax installed, go to the FocusMax web site and download the latest version, and at least check to see if you have the latest version. Do not use the FMAXUG FocusMax Yahoo! group except for discussion. If you are a PlaneWave owner, definitely use the PWI auto-focus which you can choose when setting up auto-focus in ACP.
Software Installation Checks
Before you run ACP for the first time, check to see that the other software needed for your robotic observatory is installed.
The ASCOM Platform 6 (or later) must be installed on your computer. The latest version of the ASCOM Platform is available for download at no charge from the ASCOM Initiative Web Site in the downloads section. Click this button
to see if it is installed. If you get an error message, download and install the latest ASCOM Platform.
MaxIm DL V5.25/V6.11 (or later) must be installed on your computer and run at least once to register its scripting interfaces. It is available from Diffraction Limited. In the following test, if MaxIm's main window covers up this document, use Alt-TAB to get back here. You may get a scripting safety message. If so answer Yes. Click this button
to see if it is installed. If you get an error message, you'll need to purchase and install a copy of MaxIm DL. If you just installed it, run it at least once..
If you plan to use ACP's auto-focus feature, and you have a focuser that can be used with PlaneWave's PWI focus system or FocusMax, you need FocusMax 3.7.0.36 or later, or the latest CCDWare FocusMax 4. You may get a scripting safety message. If so answer Yes. If you are using FocusMax, click this button
to see if it is installed. If it succeeds, MaxIm will be left running. Exit MaxIm Now. If you see an error message, note what it says(!) and...
If the message said that FocusMax isn't installed or is too old, get the latest FocusMax 4 installer from the FocusMax web site, and install it. Then come back here and run the test again!
Don't try to use ACP's auto-focus without successfully passing this test.
PinPoint Reference Catalog
The PinPoint Astrometric Engine (included with ACP) requires either the Guide Star Catalog 1.1 or the USNO A2.0 catalog for star references. GSC is 350MB in size; A2.0 is over 6,000MB (6GB) in size. If your imager has a field of view smaller than 15 arc minutes, you'll need the A2.0 for best reliability. If you're unsure, install the GSC and try it. For details, see the support knowledge base article Downloading and Using Reference Catalogs. Please note that there is a lot of advice floating around on the net as to which catalogs are the "best". Virtually all of this advice is based on the needs of precision sub-arcsecond science astrometry. The GSC and A2.0 are the two best catalogs for general plate solving used to point a telescope. Really!
Checking the Catalog
After installing the catalog of your choice, run the Catalog Checker program (included with ACP and accessible via the Start menu). Select your catalog type, click the button and then select the path to the root of your catalog. THe program will perform a short validation of the catalog files to see that they are all there and the right size.
