The StarGO is a Computerized GoTo Control System based on stepper motor technology. StarGo can manage both Alt-Azimuthal and Equatorial Mounts, even if has been designed mainly for the M-zero, M-uno, and Linear mounts. Thanks to the programmable Gear Ratio and the special motor kit, it may be easily used with other brand mounts.
Five Main Components
The StarGo Control Box
The StarGO Control Box can be embedded in the mount as for the Linear, M-uno and M-zero mounts, or in a separate control box for the M-Zero (and for its use with all other compatible third part‘s mounts). It has the duty to provide the smart interface between the internal motors and the external world. It performs all the communications with specific components (Focuser, CCD rotator, DSRL camera, and other auxiliary devices) using direct connections and with Windows and Mac computers via USB. The wireless Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability are also integrated in the control box to interact with intelligent devices such smartphones, tablets and, again with Windows and Mac computers.
The StarGo Keypad
The StarGo Keypad allows the control of the mount, perform almost all the available and most needed operations as the Slewing, fine focusing, increase/decrease the mount Slewing speed, select system tracking speed (Sidereal, Solar, Lunar, Terrestrial)
StarGO software
The StarGO software, entirely developed by Avalon Instruments, performs all the setup and management operations required for the mount control. The software allows setting all the basic options for the mount alignment as the Observatory Location setting, the polar alignment syncing. Via ASCOM driver it is possible to connect the system to third-party planetary software to slew to target and shot pictures.
The StarGo software also allows performing many “Observatory function” as the “Park” operation. For example by using this function, if a “Set park” is performed after a session and the mount will not be moved from that Observatory location, in the next session a new alignment will not be required. In this way, it is like “having an observatory”.
X-Solver tool
The X-Solver is an application based on the Plate Solve solution. With X-Solver it is possible to build Sky Model till 24 stars that can be saved and used later even during other night sessions. The X-Solver application comes with two very useful tools: the Sky Model and Polar alignment.
The Sky Model allows building a sky model easily up to 24 stars. The tool provides an intuitive GUI that shows a 2D representation of the sky top view that can be designed by the user simply by the mouse double click. The modeling function is particularly useful in fixed observatory installations, however, for the speed of its execution, it may be used also for mobile installations, especially for visual observation (after a short period of CCD use at the very beginning of the session). The Polar Align is a tool for a fast and easy Polar Alignment by using the Plate Solve function.
The StarGO-BT application
The StarGO-BT application for Android devices allows to interface them with the StarGO control box via Bluetooth connection. With this application, the Android devices become like a control pad. This application, as well as the PC StarGO, is under continuous development to add new functionalities.
AvalonStargo ASCOM driver
The AvalonStargo ASCOM driver makes possible the interaction between the StarGO Control Box and the most used astronomical software applications such as Phd2, TheSkyX, SNPP7, Maxim, SGP, CartduCiel, Stellarium, etc.
