Synchronization with the telescope’s position

Synchronization of the dome with the telescope’s position (Scope Sync mode) is possible after establishing a connection with the telescope’s driver. The connection with the telescope is established after pressing the Connect button in the Telescope Command panel on the main screen. You can disconnect the dome and the telescope at any time by pressing this button again. Before connecting with the telescope you should determine the driver’s communication way with telescope control software (window Config> Telescope> Telescope Setup).

In the given intervals program examines the telescope’s position, and if the azimuth of the dome is different from the telescope’s azimuth, the dome is moved. According to dome geometry and the geographical location of the observatory, both devices look in the same direction.

In the Config window - tab Telescope, we can adjust the settings for the dome’s position accuracy by changing its value in the Compare Precision Position field. The ScopeDome dome works best with one degree accuracy.

Time interval during the telescope’s position is updated is set by entering its value in the Scope Scan Interval field.

The telescope’s location in relation to the column where it is mounted has influence on synchronization of the dome’s movement with the telescope (so called „the pier flip”). It was assumed in the driver that if the telescope is looking at the western sky then it is in Pier Flip mode. Automatic calculation of this amendment in the dome’s position can be activated by selecting Auto Dome Flip option in the the Config > Dome window. This amendment may be also activated manually at any time by selecting Pier Flip option on the main screen of the program.