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Astra: An open-source observatory control software

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Re: Astra: An open-source observatory control software

#21

Are there open source software platforms used for industrial processes? Can I download software to control a refinery, brewery, car plant? With the interest in digital twins, would not be terribly surprising if I could simulate pretty complicated processes.

EPICS https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPICS

Now we’re talking. I just need to acquire my own particle accelerator and I am in business.

Re: Astra: An open-source observatory control software

#22
Tangential at best, but as a fan of his books I was happy to stumble upon one of W. Richard Stevens’ earlier examples of technical writing: a guide to Forth for Kitt Peak national observatory. Apparently Forth was commonly used in observatories; I have no idea whether that’s still true.

https://www.forth.org/KittPeakForthPrimer.pdf

Re: Astra: An open-source observatory control software

#23
post #4
post #2

Excellent. Now all I needs is my own observatory. Oh, and the land in a location worthy of building that observatory. That's said only half jokingly. I already have my mount, a primary scope, a second scope for guiding, and a camera. So it is something a boy dreams about doing when he grows up.

You'd be surprised what you can see under light pollutes skies. Especially in narrowband. I built an observatory in a bortle 7 and I get plenty of good data. Link in profile if you wanna see my work

Nice shots! Do you have any information posted about your observatory build and specs?

Re: Astra: An open-source observatory control software

#24

Are there open source software platforms used for industrial processes? Can I download software to control a refinery, brewery, car plant? With the interest in digital twins, would not be terribly surprising if I could simulate pretty complicated processes.

EPICS https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPICS

Lots of large observatories use EPICS. Like Gemini, Keck, Kitt Peak, LIGO, etc.

Re: Astra: An open-source observatory control software

#25
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You'd be surprised what you can see under light pollutes skies. Especially in narrowband. I built an observatory in a bortle 7 and I get plenty of good data. Link in profile if you wanna see my work

Nice shots! Do you have any information posted about your observatory build and specs?

I ran a build thread on cloudy nights while making it: https://www.cloudynights.com/forums/topic/895712-build-threa...

Come to learn how I did it, stay for the drama of getting swindled by nexdome lol

Re: Astra: An open-source observatory control software

#26
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nice shots! Do you have any information posted about your observatory build and specs?

I ran a build thread on cloudy nights while making it: https://www.cloudynights.com/forums/topic/895712-build-threa... Come to learn how I did it, stay for the drama of getting swindled by nexdome lol

Something I found funny during the entire saga, I'd have expected to see a fully built shed that was started/completed after the dome started but before it finished. You know, as the icing on the cake!

Re: Astra: An open-source observatory control software

#27
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I ran a build thread on cloudy nights while making it: https://www.cloudynights.com/forums/topic/895712-build-threa... Come to learn how I did it, stay for the drama of getting swindled by nexdome lol

Something I found funny during the entire saga, I'd have expected to see a fully built shed that was started/completed after the dome started but before it finished. You know, as the icing on the cake!

That happened on the other side of the yard. Had a tuffshed put in and they built it in two days. We actually rented the skid-steer to flatten the area for it and just so happened the place also rented augers to dig the hole for the pier
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