Telescope Control with Python#
pyscope
is a pure-Python package for robotic scheduling, operation, and control of small
optical telescopes.
Important
If you use pyscope
for data collection or work
presented in a publication or talk, please help the project by
properly acknowledging or citing the package.
pyscope
is an
open-source
project that provides a set of tools to rapidly and easily
control astronomical instrumentation. It is designed to be modular and extensible,
allowing users to easily add support for new devices and observatories.
pyscope
is built on top of the
ASCOM standard, but also provides support for
non-ASCOM devices. Users may also access their devices through third-party applications
such as MaxIm DL.
Observatories who use pyscope
can take
advantage of the telrun
module, which provides a simple interface for fully-robotic observatory control.
pyscope
is aiming to become an
Astropy-affiliated package.
Features#
Control observatory hardware with Python
Support for both ASCOM and non-ASCOM devices
Observatory
convenience methods likeautofocus
andrecenter
telrun
module for fully-robotic operation of an observatorySimple analysis scripts like
calc_zmag
Powered by Astropy, Astropy-affiliated packages, and ASCOM
Getting Started#
Acknowledgements#
Robert Mutel, Professor Emeritus at University of Iowa, Department of Physics and Astronomy
The former students and contributors to the Iowa Robotic Telescope Facility (RTF), the Van Allen Observatory (VAO), and the Iowa Robotic Observatory (IRO), including the Rigel Telescope and the Gemini Telescope, now known as the Robert L. Mutel Telescope (RLMT).
The Macalester-Augustana Coe Robotic Observatory (MACRO) Consortium for providing unrestricted access to the Robert L. Mutel Telescope for testing the early iterations of this software.
John Cannon, Professor at Macalester College, Department of Physics and Astronomy
William Peterson, Professor at Augustana College, Department of Physics and Astronomy
James Wetzel, Professor at Coe College, Department of Physics
Mark and Pat Trueblood, Directors of the Winer Observatory where the Robert L. Mutel Telescope is located
Kevin Ivarsen
The astronomy faculty and staff at the University of Iowa, Department of Physics and Astronomy