[ Thanks to Frobozz
for this report. ]
Here’s a rather cool organization that makes software for the
controlling of astronomical observatories…based entirely on
Linux. See http://www.clearskyinstitute.com
for the details.
Further, this group includes E. C. Downey, author of XEphem, the
freeware sky charting program (something I make extensive use of
for my astronomical observations). XEphem has been around for quite
a long time and was one of the first ‘really useful’ programs I
found running under Linux (back in ’94 and ’95). (see http://www.clearskyinstitute.com/xephem/xephem.html)
Here’s a description of what their software does: “OCAAS is a
complete software system for the computerized control of an
astronomical facility, including the telescope, dome, weather
instrumentation, GPS receiver and CCD camera. Control can be
real-time and interactive or pre-scheduled batch and unattended.
The former is intended for instructional situations or
investigation of very current phenomena. The latter is specifically
designed for remote Internet operation where autonomous operation
and very high throughput are critical. Tools are included for
off-line image display and scientific analysis including
photometry, astrometry and automated investigation of variable
stars, asteroids, supernovae and other time-varying phenomena.”
“OCAAS software is nearly 200,000 lines of ANSI C. The Graphical
User Interface uses X Windows and Motif 1.2. The system is written
to be very portable to any UNIX environment, but has been tested
and used most extensively under the Linux operating system on IBM
PC hardware. Motion control is currently supported using the Oregon
Micro Systems PC-39 intelligent stepping motor ISA-bus controller
card. Virtually any brand of stepping or servo motors, amplifiers
and incremental shaft encoders should work with this controller.
Motor controls and the home and limit switches are interfaced with
5V TTL logical levels. All site-specific mechanical advantages and
soft limits are captured in simple text configuration files.”
(note, I don’t work for the Clear Sky Institute…I’m just an
avid user of XEphem)