基于ASCOM标准的CCD自动观测系统

An Automatic CCD Observation System Based on the ASCOM Standard

天文观测效率很大程度上取决于天文仪器的自动化程度。针对2.4 m望远镜原有CCD观测系统无法自动控制滤光片的缺陷,设计了基于ASCOM标准的滤光片驱动,采用MaxIm DL软件集成控制CCD相机和滤光片。重点介绍了ASCOM驱动的工作原理、设计方法以及MaxIm DL软件集成控制的实现过程。实际应用结果表明系统工作正常、稳定性好,完全满足CCD自动观测的需要,有效提高了天文观测效率。

Efficiencies of astronomical observations largely depend on the degree of automation. The CCD system of the 2.4m telescope of the Yunnan Observatory did not have an automatically controllable filter wheel. To improve the efficiency of the telescope, we have developed a filter-wheel control system based on the ASCOM standard. The CCD camera and filter wheel are controlled by a Maxim DL software, making automatic CCD observation possible. The system has been applied to the 2.4 meter telescope since early 2009. Practical application results show that it functions properly and reliably, it meets the requirements of automatic CCD observation, and achieves the goal of improving the efficiency of astronomical observation. Although the mainstream operating system for astronomical instrumentation is Linux, a Windows platform is also a low cost and effective automation solution for the several reasons. First, an ASCOM driver is very easy to develop because there are useful templates and examples. Second, the Maxim DL software is a mature commercial software with powerful functions for CCD control and it supports the ASCOM standard. These make it convenient to incorporate in the software utilities for various astronomical instruments. The paper finally discusses the principle of ASCOM filter-wheel driver and its control method based on the Maxim DL software. It also provides some empirical references for the ASCOM standard and Maxim DL software in astronomical applications.