STAR Atlas:PRO™ frequently asked questions - FAQs
How do I set up
and use the Argo Navis™ (NGC-superMAX™) so it will work with STAR Atlas:PRO and what can I
expect to see?
The Argo Navis device is an excellent piece of equipment, which allows users to
accurately and rapidly locate interesting objects in the sky. It can also help
identify objects of interest.
Used on its own, the Argo-Navis is a great adjunct to astronomical viewing, but
used in conjunction with STAR Atlas: PRO, it greatly enhances the viewers range
of options while searching the sky and gives access to a significant range of
data, not easily otherwise available.
Set up of the Argo-Navis device as well as STAR Atlas: PRO is critical and this
essay is to describe one approach to obtaining optimal settings.
The following instructions assume that you plug the Argo Navis serial cable from
your computer into the Serial 1 port on the Argo Navis.
THE ARGO NAVIS™.
The Argo-Navis manual gives all relevant data about preparing this instrument
for viewing and accurate set up of the instrument is essential. There is one
critical variation necessary for the device to communicate with STAR Atlas:PRO.
For this to happen go to:
1. Mode Setup
2. Enter - spin the dial to
3. Setup Serial
4. Enter
5. Serial 1
6. Enter
7. Serial 1 Baud
8. Enter
9. 9600
10. Exit
This figure of 9600 is critical for version of
the STAR Atlas: PRO (V5.1 or earlier) to communicate with the Argo-Navis. If you
have STAR Atlas:PRO Version 5.2 or higher see
Argo Navis Notes for STAR Atlas: PRO Version 5.2 or later.
STAR Atlas:PRO™.
The following steps are needed to correctly align the program:
1 Open the STAR Atlas:PRO program.
2 Go to <Chart Prefs> on the main menu and click on it.
3 Click on <Setup Telescope>.
4 If <enable> is not active, click on it.
5 Go to <Telescope Driver<Select Driver< and select <Argo-Navis>.
6 Enter the following COM Port Settings: -Port = COM 1
Baud Rate= 9600
Parity = None
Data Bits = 8
Stop Bits = 1
WHAT TO EXPECT !
The Argo-Navis is an excellent instrument in its own right and can greatly
expand the astronomic experience, as well as providing a great deal of
information. It is very accurate if care is taken in aligning of the instrument.
When used in conjunction with STAR Atlas: PRO there is greatly enhanced viewing.
To enable the two: -
1. First connect the Argo-Navis to the telescope and ensure that all cables are correctly positioned (the device will not work if this is not correct).
2. Next, connect the Argo-Navis to the computer using the Serial 1 port.
3. After that, align the Argo-Navis as per the instruction manual, where you need to identify two stars and enter them into the instrument (if a mistake is made in entering the data it is necessary to turn the instrument off before starting again).
4. Open STAR Atlas: PRO (SAP)
5. Go to the SAP desktop and select Horizon view mode.
6. Next place the cursor on the desktop of the program and right click the mouse.
7. Select Argo-Navis - Connect.
8. This will bring up a new menu which has a number of commands. The two you will need to start with are: -
“Centre on Scope”
and
“Track Scope”
Center on Scope - clicking on this command will show you where the scope is
currently pointing to with great accuracy. Thus you now have a position
statement on the Argo-Navis and a pictorial record on the computer.
Track Scope - allows the user to move the scope to objects of interest in the
program and these should be then immediately visible through the scope - again
with great accuracy. Please note that the Cross Hair which shows you where your
telescope is pointing will be centred on the desktop and the background moves.
The rate of refreshing of the program can be lengthened but this will mean that
it takes longer to find the object that you are interested in, see below.
To best use this combination when it is all set up, try using the <Locate>
command on the main menu and then positioning the Argo-Navis reticule, by moving
the telescope, over the item located. This will then allow you to view the
object selected, through the telescope.
Setting up the Telescope Reticle.
The reticle that appears on the desktop during Argo-Navis viewing can be changed
from the default, which can be very helpful.
The default is “Cross Hairs” which can easily be seen in red as you look at the
desktop.
This can be changed by clicking on the [Options] button of the Scope Control
Toolbar which comes up when Argo-Navis is online. When you click on the
[Options] button you see a number of possibilities. These include; -
1. Cross Hairs.
2. Eyepiece Field.
3. CCD.
Select [Eyepiece Field] to show, on the desktop, what you should expect to see
through your telescope eyepiece. To set up the Field of View see the FAQ “How do
I setup STAR Atlas: PRO to display my Eyepiece Field of View on a chart?”.
Select [CCD] if you have a camera attached to your telescope. To set up the CCD
Field of View see the FAQ “How do I setup STAR Atlas: PRO to display my CCD
Camera’s Field of View on a chart?”.
You may find it useful to play with the “Interval between position updates”
button as this will vary the time to see the new view. Too fast and you can seen
very little, too slow and you will become old and cold waiting to see where your
scope is now pointing.
The default is a good setting to begin with!
Have great viewing! - Dr Ian Buttfield.
Argo Navis Notes for STAR Atlas: PRO Version 5.2 or later
New recommended Baud Rate settings
If you’re using SAP V5.2 (or later) you may select 38400 as the Baud Rate rather
than 9600. The Baud Rate is the speed at which STAR Atlas: PRO and Argo Navis
communicate. If either STAR Atlas: PRO or the Argo Navis are not matched with
the same settings, they will not be able to communicate correctly.
In the Argo Navis, make sure Set Serial 1 is set to 38400 (which is the default
setting for the Argo Navis). Then in STAR Atlas: PRO make sure Baud Rate is set
to 38400 also (which is also the default setting when Argo Navis is selected as
the telescope driver).
Faster Tracking for Argo Navis.
SAP V5.2 also provides faster tracking, so that STAR Atlas: PRO can re-centre
the chart on the pointing position of your telescope, much faster than before.
The rate at which STAR Atlas: PRO updates the chart can be set when you
right-click and choose Argo Navis->Options.
The Interval between Chart Update (seconds) can be set as low as one second,
however STAR Atlas: PRO will not re-centre the chart if the position from the
last reading has not changed, and setting the value this fast may not give you
the best results. Start with an update value of around 5 seconds and then either
increase or decrease the value to best suit the speed of your computer.
When STAR Atlas: PRO is Auto tracking you may now use the ESC (escape) key on
the keyboard to stop Auto tracking. You may still right click and choose Stop
Auto tracking from the popup menu.