It was in the 1970's that the first digital computerized telescopes with precision motion controls featuring GOTO and track operations were in use. Initially, the technology was applied to massive professional instruments such as the AAT at Siding Spring Observatory, then in the 80's, the very first commercial amateur telescopes with GOTO systems appeared.
Over the years, the sophistication of GOTO systems have improved, but most of these systems operate with proprietary software which left the users to experience the benefits and limitations of their operating software from a single source designer, who programmed their software to try to satisfy the general audience of amateur astronomers.
By giving the PMC-Eight an open-architecture system, we are inviting the community of astronomy programmers to develop software and apps for this generation and future generations of astronomers for individuals, education programs, and research.
What apps will be developed? We can only guess, but we encourage programmers to use their imagination and skill to develop solutions to take users to the next level.
The first OpenGOTO app is called ExploreStars. We present it here with the source code to serve as an example of what can be done along with links to resources for programming the PMC-Eight.
- PMC-Eight OpenGOTO Programmer's Reference
- Microsoft Visual Studio Free Version
- ASCOM Platform
- Source Code for ASCOM Driver
- System Language and Commands with License for Personal Use Only. No Distribution Rights
- System Language and Commands with License for Distribution on the OpenGOTO Marketplace
- Demo Code with License for Personal Use Only. No Distribution Rights
- Demo Code with License for Distribution on the OpenGOTO Marketplace
- ExploreStars Celestial Database Download (JSON Format)
- ExploreStars App
- Copyright Information
- Credits