tsx_cmd

meteor-react javascript server for TheSkyX and astrophotography

This is a hobbyist solution to imaging with TheSkyX using a web page and a dedicated web server. The web server is a meteor, nodejs and mongoDB solution. The server is intended to be a clean install and removal, i.e. delete the directory and it is gone.

... A really fast setup, download and run script in an empty directory: bin/tsx_cmd_install.sh ... then run tsx_cmd_start.sh, and configure

Use case:

Prerequisites:

• All equipment is already setup correctly: mount (Myt), imaging camera, rotator, autoguider, filter wheel, focuser.
• All imaging equipment is confirmed to work with TheSkyX, i.e. this app is not really needed
• There is a PC (the PC), such as an ODroid XU4, ODroind N2, RPI4, Mac, RPI3, used to run TheSkyX
• The PC is networked into your LAN via ethernet or Wifi
• There is no need for security, such as user accounts, this is assumed to be a closed system
• the PC has can be used to install tsx_cmd - nodejs, mongoDB
• Access and use of the PC's command line, such as via ssh or direct keyboard access

Description

• Use a web browser to access tsx_cmd running on the PC, such as Safari, Chrome via a Mac, iPad, iPhone or the PC
• A desire to automate a night's imaging session and plan by defining targets, take series, Flat series, and Calibration of the Autoguider
• Capture targets based on start/stop times, FOV rotation, priority, and minimum altitude
• Automate meridian flips, autoguiding, and autoguider calibration, rotating FOV per target, doing 1 or more targets in a night
• Automatically stopping sessions once sun reached altitude, such as -11.5 degrees
• Periodic CLS to check for clouds
• Attempt to manage cloudy nights using a failed CLS to pause the session for some time, and then keep trying CLS periodically until stopped
• Check the possible schedule of targets via the Night Planner
• Toggle the enabling and disabling of targets to capture
• Click single button to start the planned session

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Install TSX_cmd

1. Create a directory for tsx_cmd, it can need ~500MB once all installed

   • or clone this whole repository: git clone https://github.com/maudy2u/tsx_cmd

2. Decide to install precompile or development versions

   • RECOMMENDED: Fast starting: (Release 1.8 Initial release to GitHub · maudy2u/tsx_cmd · GitHub) - fast start
   • Development ONLY… clone this repository:
     • git clone https://github.com/maudy2u/tsx_cmd
     • cd tsx_cmd
     • INITIAL SETUP ONLY: bin/dev_install_meteor.sh
     • bin/dev_setup_tsx_cmd.sh
     • bin/dev_start.sh

3. Fast start, just download this script:

   • bin/tsx_cmd_install.sh

   • Which will install:

     • nodejs
     • mongodb
     • tsx_cmd
     • tsx_cmd_start.sh - run once install completes
     • tsx_cmd_stop.sh - use another terminal to stop
     • tsx_cmd_update.sh - future - used to install new binary release

Start TSX

Start up TSX, use simulator to test as you wish:

- turn on the server
- turn off script debugger

Start TSX_CMD

Open command prompt (Assumes Fast start) 1. Run tsx_cmd_install.sh init from the directory you installed tsx_cmd. 2. Run tsx_cmd_start.sh

If Development version, experience with meteor is assumed.

Setup TSX

Open a browser: http://localhost:3000/ (or replace with the ip of the PC/SBC running tsx_cmd):

1. Click on TSXIP and TSXPort to set to the TSX server
2. Click on the wifi symbol in top right - to load filter wheel, and equipment details to confirm connections. ::This needs to be redone when filters change::
3. Click the Wrench to setup your imaging equipment details: focal length, pixels, twilight…
	- **If there is no Default filter, return  to step 2.**
4. Click Calibration icon, if doing flats for the filter exposures

Create your Night session

1. Open a browser: http://localhost:3000/ (or replace with the ip of the PC/SBC running tsx_cmd)
2. Click the Series button to define the Imaging session: LLRGD, SHO…
3. Click the Targets Menu to create your Objects, assigning a series, and its constraints
	- Enable targets

Start up

1. Open a browser: http://localhost:3000/ (or replace with the ip of the PC/SBC running tsx_cmd)
2. Click the Scheduler at top to view night plans
3. Click Agent button to toggle, meridian flip, re-focusing, autoguiding, twilight checks…
4. Click Play button to start.

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History:

RC17

• enhanced Nighi Planner
• improved UI
• redid Flats into Calibration files
• Added some Artesky flatbox support
• Misc fixes, such as works without guider, and focusing box size

RC8

• Targets and take series improvements
• Calibration of autoguider improvements
• Beta version of cloud checking implemented.
• Night planner

#tsx_cmd #./how-to