Astrometric's ASCOM (Astronomy Common Object Model) support

Astrometric Instrument's observatory control system software, Maestro (version 0.20.000 or later), DomePro, FocusPro, FilterPro and SwitchPro are compliant with the ASCOM (Astronomy Common Object Model) standards. This provides several important benefits:

• "Scripted" control of hardware is available. Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) or Java scripts can be used to provide sophisticated scripting of telescope, dome, focuser, filter-wheel and switch actions from a variety of sources (e.g. simple text files, Excel). The use of ASCOM for scripting is introduced on the ascom-standards.org web site.
• Hardware can be controlled from one of many ASCOM clients (i.e. Windows-based software such as planetarium software or observing planners). Visit the ascom-standards.org page for a complete list.
• Remote access control of observatory system components over the internet. A suitable remote-access enabled client application, such as DC-3 Dreams' ACP Observatory Control Software detailed at acp2.dc3.com, is necessary.

Complete details on the mapping of the ASCOM Telescope Interface Standard into Astrometric Instruments' telescope control system functionality are available in this PDF file.

Complete details on the mapping of the ASCOM Focuser Interface Standard into Astrometric Instruments' focus control system functionality are available in this PDF file.

Complete details on the ASCOM standards are available at ascom-standards.org.

A comprehensive script library including setup, startup, operational and shutdown scripts is available as a ZIP file. Documentation for this script library is available as a PDF file.

The latest version of Maestro is available from our software upgrades web page.

Enabling Astrometric's ASCOM support

• Install the latest ASCOM platform version on your PC. You can acquire the latest ASCOM platform here.
• Install Maestro version 0.20.000 or later on your PC. Note: please install the latest ASCOM platform FIRST.
• Install DomePro, FocusPro, FilterPro or SwitchPro (as necessary) on our PC.
• If the above installations were successful, you should see follwing choices in the ASCOM chooser of your ASCOM-capable client software:
  • Telescope: "Maestro by Astrometric Inst."
  • Dome: "DomePro by Astrometric Inst."
  • Focuser: "FocusPro by Astrometric Inst."
  • FilterWheel: "FilterPro by Astrometric Inst."
  • Switches: "SwitchPro by Astrometric Inst."

ASCOM support for previous-generation SkyWalker software (i.e. SkyGuide)

Click here for more details.