Telescope control

[Ian Kahler]

Hello folks,

Just a quick question.

My son has  VERY generously indicated  he  is buying me  a retirement present… that being the  classic Celestron 8 SE in the  Nexstar series of  telescopes.

My question is…. I have  Megastar V5 on my laptop. Can you tell me  if that software will communicate, AKA control the telescope? Do I have  to get an accessory to attach to the  scope???

I  appreciate  any suggestions/help in advance

Ian

[Richard Miles]

Ian – I see the manual states:

Using the included NexRemote software you can control your NexStar telescope with a computer via the RS-232 port located on the computerized hand control and using the RS-232 cable . For information about using NexRemote to control your telescope, refer to the help files located on the disk. In addition to NexRemote, the telescope can be controlled using other popular astronomy software programs.

And Megastar is compatible with the following scopes:

• Meade LX2000, AstroPhysics GTO, Celestron NexStar 5/8/GT/GPS, Sky Commander, NGC-MAX, Sky Wizard, Sky Vector, Advanced AstroMaster, BBox, MicroGuider III, Mel Bartels and RXDesign ServoCAT.

So it should definitely work. Make sure you use the correct driver for the scope and it looks like it all works via ASCOM.

[Robin Leadbeater]

Chances are your laptop will not have a serial port though so in that case a USB-serial adaptor (sometimes built into a cable) which emulates a serial (COM) port would be needed.

Robin

[David Swan]

I have some experience with this.

The latest version of the Nexstar + handset has a serial to USB converter built in. The handset connects to the mount via the telephone-style cable, and you connect your PC to the Nexstar + handset with a mini USB cable.

IMHO, the free Celestron handset emulator software that runs on the PC is dreadful. I have also been unimpressed by other software that is capable of controlling the scope (pointing model, goto) such as Skysafari.

I prefer being at the scope, eyepiece in, and aligning and finding objects with the handset. I then swap out the star diagonal plus eyepiece with the camera when all is good.

So you can do operation via PC, but the Nexstar mount is not up to remote control like the very much more expensive mounts such as the Paramount series.

[Ian Kahler]

Thank you guys, for  your responses. Much appreciated!

[Author]

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