Working With TheSky X™ and TheSky 6™

Since TheSky X and TheSky 6 are themselves not compatible with the ASCOM environment, we've provided some adapter components to make them fit in. There are two different ways that TheSky can fit into the ASCOM environment:

  1. TheSky can look like an ASCOM compatible telescope. This is mainly useful when the telescope is a Paramount, which requires TheSky as part of its control system.
  2. TheSky X can control telescopes, focusers, filter wheels, cameras, domes, and rotators using the ASCOM driver for the device.
  3. TheSky 6 can bypass its internal telescope control logic and instead use an ASCOM driver for the telescope/mount.

1. TheSky Using its Internal Telescope Logic (e.g. Paramount)

In this case, ASCOM astronomy software selects TheSky Controlled Telescope as its telescope type. This makes TheSky, TPOINT, ProTrack, and its internal telescope control logic look like any other ASCOM telescope driver. See the text below the diagram for details.

Diagram

This requires TheSky X or TheSky 6 Professional (TheSky 5 Level IV is supported for backward compatibility). When using one of the many programs that control telescopes via ASCOM drivers, you need to have installed the TheSky-Telescope driver and select "TheSky Controlled Telescope" as the telescope type. Of course, within TheSky itself, select your real telescope type (e.g. Paramount). This configuration (using TheSky as a telescope controller) is not limited to the Paramount; it can be used with any telescope type that can be controlled from TheSky's internal telescope logic.

One Time Setup: TheSky X Professional

All that's needed is to activate TheSky X scripting support, normally only required on Vista or Windows 7:

  1. Locate TheSkyX.exe (normally in Program Files or Program Files (x86), Software Bisque, TheSky X Professional).
  2. Right click and select Run as Administrator
  3. Answer Yes to the "are you sure" security popup
  4. Wait until TheSky X starts up completely
One Time Setup: TheSky 6 Professional

You need to enable TheSky's external control features:

  1. Start TheSky 6 Professional.
  2. In TheSky's Telescope menu, select Server Settings...
  3. In the Server Settings window, Remote client capabilities section, turn on all of the options ("allow" checkboxes).
  4. Also turn on Remote clients use Orchestrate's "ImageThenSlewTo" command.
  5. Click OK to close the Server Settings window.
  6. Now try connecting from your ASCOM astronomy program again. It should work.

2. TheSky X Controlling a Device via the Device's ASCOM Driver

Software Bisque has designed a cross platform driver architecture for TheSky X called The X2 Standard. From witin TheSky X, you can control a variety of devices, including telescopes (mounts), focusers, domes, cameras, filter wheels, and rotators. Each of therse devices has its own X2 interface. We have provided X2 compatibility drivers that convert from X2 to ASCOM, allowing you to control any ASCOM device from within TheSky X. Currently we have converters for telescope/mount, camera, filter wheel, and rotator. Others are coming.

Diagram

These X2 to ASCOM drivers are available in the Plug-In Downloads area. Each comes with a self-installer. After instaling an X2 to ASCOM driver, follow the normal TheSky X directions for setting up that type of device:

  1. When "choosing" look for a manufacturer of "ASCOM".
  2. Under that you'll find the X2 to ASCOM driver. Select it.
  3. Now do the "setup". This will display the ASCOM Chooser for the device type.
  4. Select the specific type of device, and if needed click Properties to configure it, then close the Chooser.
  5. Now connect and use the device as usual in TheSky X

3. TheSky 6 Controlling a Telescope With an ASCOM Driver

In this case, TheSky plays the role of an ASCOM astronomy program that uses ASCOM drivers like any other. See the text below the diagram for details.

Diagram

In order to use ASCOM drivers for telescope control from within TheSky, you need to install the ASCOM "TeleAPI" plug-in. Download, unzip and read 'install.txt'. This gives instructions on how to install the adapter. After you have done this:

  1. Start TheSky
  2. In the Telescope menu, select Setup... TheSky's Telescope Setup window will appear.
  3. Set the Telescope or control system name to Telescope API.
  4. Click Settings... to display the ASCOM Telescope Chooser
  5. Select your telescope type in the Chooser.
  6. Now click Properties... in the Chooser. Verify the settings for your telescope type.
  7. Click OK in the Chooser.
  8. Click Close in Telescope Setup.
  9. Now, in TheSky's Telescope menu, select Link/Establish. You should see the crosshairs indicating your telescope's current position, and you now have telescope control in TheSky.

You need to do steps 2-9 only one time (unless you change your telescope type)