Live Webcam Configuration

The live webcam configuration I use consists of the following equipment:

• 8 inch LX200 Telescope with JMI NGFCM electronic focuser
• Phillips ToUcam Pro
• HP4365ze Notebook with wireless network
• Webcam32 Software (for broadcasting pictures to website)

This equipment allows me to control the pointing and focusing of the telescope, and the camera remotely from inside the house, while the telescope is outside in the cold.

The webcam equipment configuration diagram is shown below.

The LX200 Telescope is connected to the notebook via the Serial Port. This allows the telescope to be controlled from the computer using ACP software. The telescope can also be focused from the computer. The webcam is mounted to the telescope using a Scopetronix webcam adapter. The webcam32 software is run on the notebook and sends a snapshot every 5 seconds to the webserver via the wireless network. RealVNC Server is running on the Notebook which allows the notebook to be remotely controlled from the desktop computer, which is running RealVNC viewer. It's just like you are sitting at the notebook..