Getting Started
Step 3: Manual Check of Scope and Camera

Don't start ACP yet! Here we verify that your observatory is in a condition for robotic operation. You can't automate an observatory that doesn't work manually. Please don't skip any steps!

1. Make sure the scope is on and aligned. Set the scope for the geodetic location and time of your observatory!
2. If you have a filter wheel, make certain that you have set up the table of filter names in MaxIm DL's Filter Wheel Setup window. Here are some hints regarding filters:
   • If you have parfocal filters, you can avoid some pain. If you don't have parfocal filters, you can still use ACP automation, but you should create a FilterInfo.txt file containing focus offsets and other information. In this case, be sure to read the Using Filters section before attempting to image through any filter but Clear! Otherwise, you can tell ACP to auto-focus on any filter change, but this is inefficient.
   • If you have RGB filters for astrophotography, give them obvious names in MaxIm like Red, Green, and Blue.
   • In MaxIm, do not allow empty filter name slots between your real filters. If you absolutely must have an unused slot between live filters, name that slot "Do Not Use" or something.
   • In MaxIm, clear out all slots at the end of the list that don't correspond to real filters. Remove the Filter n entries. The unused slots at the end must be blank.
   • You should have a "clear" filter. Call it Clear or Luminance or whatever in MaxIm. You should not use an empty filter slot for unfiltered imaging. If you must image through an empty slot for unfiltered images, call the slot Empty in MaxIm, and read the Using Filters section before attempting to image through any filter but Empty.
3. Make sure the camera is on and operating via the MaxIm DL CCD control panel.
4. Slew the scope to a known object and take a 10 second image with MaxIm DL. Examine it in the MaxIm DL window:
   Object is in field
   Stars are not trailed
   Focus is sharp
   If these conditions are not met, discontinue robotic setup and correct the problem(s).
5. Take a 30 second image with MaxIm DL. Examine it in the MaxIm DL window:
   Stars are not trailed
   Focus is sharp
   If these conditions are not met, discontinue robotic setup and correct the problem(s).
6. If you have a guider, start the guider and take a 10 minute image with MaxIm DL. Examine it in the MaxIm DL window:
   Stars are round, guiding is solid
   Focus is sharp
   If these conditions are not met, discontinue robotic setup and correct the problem(s). Getting guiding to work reliably can be a bit of a challenge with some imager/mount combinations. Now us the time to get it right!
7. If you have a filter wheel, take exposures through each of your filters without refocusing!
   Focus is sharp through all filters
   If this condition is not met, you do not have parfocal filters. If you do not have an ASCOM-controllable absolute-positioning focuser, you have two choices: (1) Get an absolute focuser, or (2) get parfocal filters. If you do have an ASCOM-controllable absolute focuser, at this point you should go to the Using Filters section and create your FilterInfo.txt file. ACP comes with a standard script FocusOffsets.vbs that will measure your filter focus offsets using FocusMax (if you have it installed, recommended). Otherwise, you'll have to tell ACP to refocus on filter changes.

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