Setup Tab
Contents
The setup tab has most of the basic settings:
Connect Scope: This will connect PEMPro to the scope.
IMPORTANT: To connect to your ASCOM mount or telescope you must first install the ASCOM Platform 6.3 (or later) and the telescope or mount
Also, you must an ASCOM driver in the Configure Scopes/Mounts dialog but didn't without an ASCOM driver defined. If a driver is not defined the Connect Scope button will be disabled.
If you have a Software Bisque Paramount then TheSky6 or TheSkyX must be installed. |
Configure Scopes/Mounts: Press this to manually configure your mount settings. In most cases you should use the Mount Wizard in the Wizards menu.
Connect Camera: This will connect to your CCD Camera. PEMPro can connect to the following cameras and camera control programs:
•ASCOM Cameras
•Sequence Generator Pro
•PHD2 (PEMPro Enhanced version - free download)
•MaximDL v4 or later (full/Pro version)
•TheSkyX Camera Add On
•CCDSoft V5
•AstroArt V3 or later
•Meade DSI camera line
•Webcams and video cameras with Windows WDM or DirectShow drivers.
NOTE: If you are having problems connecting to the camera make sure you can connect manually first (that is, without using PEMPro).
Use Autoguider Port : If you are using CCDSoft V5 or MaximDL Version 4 or later and your camera and mount have auto-guider ports you don’t absolutely need to use the ASCOM driver for the scope if you check this option. If you use this option with CCDSoft V5 you should calibrate your autoguider at 0 degrees declination before acquiring data and programming the PE of your mount. Please be sure that you are using the latest version of CCDSoft V5 by checking https://www.bisque.com/hotfixes
Southern Hemisphere: It is important to check this box if you are located in the Southern Hemisphere. Some mounts require different information when they are located in the Southern Hemisphere.
Worm Period: This is the scope/mount’s worm period in seconds. This usually will be set in the Configure Scopes/Mounts dialog but if you change it here it will be remembered and associated with the currently selected scope.
You can press the calculator icon to the right of the worm period to bring up the Worm Period Calculator. You only will need to use the Worm Period calculator if your mount does not have a built-in definition or you don't know the exact worm period of your mount. To use the calculator enter the number of teeth in your mount's worm gear. If you don't know the number of teeth ask the manufacturer or, if that is not possible, post to the CCDWare PEMPro forum to see if we can find out.
Minimum Star Brightness: The minimum allowed brightness of the star selected for tracking Periodic Error. If no star is found with its brightest pixel at least this bright then PEMPro will not continue. Typically 5000 is a good minimum.
Maximum Star Brightness: The maximum allowed brightness of the star selected for tracking Periodic Error. It is good to select a brightness at or below that of the saturation level of your CCD camera.
Work Folder: You can either type a directory path or press the button with “…” to the right of the text box to navigate to a directory to use, creating the directory if needed. The directory will be created if it does not exist.
IMPORTANT: A directory path is required for proper operation to save data during processing.
PEMPro can upload PEC data directly to some mounts. You should use the procedure below if your mount is one of these types:
Celestron CGE, CPC, and Nextstar Mounts
Meade LX-200GPS and LX-200R with Firmware 2.x or later
Software Bisque Paramount GT1100S and ME