KStars provides an interface to configure and control astronomical instruments via the INDI protocol.
The INDI protocol supports a variety of astronomical instruments such as CCD cameras and focusers. Currently, KStars supports the following devices:
Table 8.1. Supported Telescopes
Telescope | Device driver | Version |
---|---|---|
LX200 8"-12" Classic | LX200 Classic | 0.5 |
Autostar based telescopes | LX200 Autostar | 0.5 |
LX200 GPS 8"-16" | LX200 GPS | 0.5 |
LX200 Classic 16" | LX00 16" | 0.5 |
NexStar GPS, CGE, AS-GT | Celestron GPS | 0.5 |
New GT, NexStar 5i/8i | Celestron GPS | 0.5 |
Takahashi Temma | temma | 0.1 |
Astro-Physics AP | LX200 Generic | 0.1 |
Astro-Electronic FS-2 | LX200 Generic | 0.1 |
Losmandy Gemini | LX200 Generic | 0.1 |
Mel Bartels Controllers | LX200 Generic | 0.1 |
Table 8.2. Supported Focusers
Focuser | Device driver | Version |
---|---|---|
Meade LX200GPS Microfocuser | LX200 GPS | 0.1 |
Meade 1206 Primary Mirror Focuser | LX200 Generic | 0.1 |
JMI NGF Series | LX200 Generic | 0.1 |
JMI MOTOFOCUS | LX200 Generic | 0.1 |
The focusers must be connected to the focuser port in the LX200 GPS, Autostar, or Classic telescopes only.
Table 8.4. Supported Webcams
Webcam | Device driver | Version |
---|---|---|
Any Video4Linux compatible device | v4ldriver | 0.1 |
Philips webcam | v4lphilips | 0.1 |
KStars can control local and remote devices seamlessly via the INDI server/client architecture. INDI devices may be run in three different modes:
Local: The local mode is the most common and is used to control local device (i.e. a device attached to your machine).
Server: The server mode establishes an INDI server for a particular device and waits for connections from remote clients. You cannot operate server devices, you can only start and shut them down.
Client: The client mode is used to connect to remote INDI servers running INDI devices. You can control remote devices seamlessly like local devices.
You can run local device, establish INDI servers, and connect to remote clients from the in the menu.
Here is a screenshot of the Device Manager window:
You can run devices by browsing the device tree, selecting a specific device, and then clicking on the . You can select the operation mode, either local or server as defined above.
To control remove devices, refer to the remote device control section.