Differences

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--- en:ost:ccds:maximdl [2026/02/11 14:08] – [Setup tab] rhainich
+++ en:ost:ccds:maximdl [2026/03/09 13:30] (current) – [Maxim DL] rhainich
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 ====== Maxim DL ======
+/*
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 Please note that this article is currently being updated.
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+*/
-//Maxim DL// is currently the main interface for controlling the observatory and cameras as well as for performing the observations.
+//Maxim DL// is currently the primary interface used to control the observatory, operate the cameras, and perform observations.
-===== Interface und grundlegende Bedienung =====
+===== Interface and Basic Operation =====
-//Maxim DL// can be started most easily by double-clicking on the icon ''Maxim DL 6'' on the desktop or via the taskbar.
+//Maxim DL// can be started most easily by double-clicking the ''Maxim DL 6'' icon on the desktop or via the taskbar.
-==== Main window ====
+==== Main Window ====
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-In the picture on the left or below, which shows the main window of //Maxim DL//, the most important buttons are highlighted. The red button opens the **Observatory Panel**, which contains the controls for the dome and the telescope. The green button opens the **Camera Control Panel**, which provides the controls for the cameras. These two windows will be discussed in detail below.
+In the image on the left (or below), which shows the main window of //Maxim DL//, the most important buttons are highlighted. The red button opens the **Observatory Panel**, which contains the controls for the dome and the telescope. The green button opens the **Camera Control Panel**, which provides access to the camera controls. These two windows are described in detail below.
 {{ ost:software:maximdl:maxim_dl_main_window_colored_zoom.jpg | Maxim DL buttons}}
-The blue, pink, and brown buttons can be used to display information about the captured images. The header information can be called up via the brown button, while the blue button allows, for example, to display the counts in the individual pixels or in a certain aperture. The pink one makes simple image scaling controls accessible.
+The blue, pink, and brown buttons provide access to image information and display options. The header information can be opened via the brown button. The blue button allows, for example, inspection of the counts in individual pixels or within a selected aperture. The pink button provides access to basic image scaling controls.
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 ==== Observatory Panel ====
-The **Observatory** control window has different tabs to control the different parts of the observatory. You can move to objects by entering their coordinates, selecting them from a catalog or marking them on an all-sky map. The dome can be opened, closed, and if necessary moved manually. Furthermore, the telescope can be moved manually via this control window and parked again after the observations are finished.
+The **Observatory** control window contains different tabs used to control the various components of the observatory. Objects can be selected by entering their coordinates, choosing them from a catalog, or marking them on the All-Sky map. The dome can be opened, closed, and manually repositioned if necessary. Furthermore, the telescope can be moved manually via this control window and parked again after the observations are completed.
+=== Setup Tab ===
+The Setup tab is used to establish the connection to the telescope, the dome, and the focuser. Click the respective **Connect** button next to each entry or use **Connect All** to establish connections to all components simultaneously. Other entries such as **Rotator** are not relevant for our setup.
-=== Setup tab ===
-The setup tab is used to establish the connection to the telescope, the dome, and the focuser. You can click on the **Connect** button behind the respective entry or on **Connect All** to establish the connection to all components simultaneously. All other entries like **Rotator** are not relevant for us.
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-In order to disconnect the devices after the observation, you can click on the individual **Disconnect** buttons or on **Disconnect All**.
+To disconnect the devices after the observations, use the individual **Disconnect** buttons or **Disconnect All**.
+When planning an automatic or semi-automatic observation night, you can also activate the automatic shutdown mechanism as an alternative. To do this, click on the **Auto Shutdown** button at the bottom of the Setup tab. The //Active Shutdown Triggers// section in the window that opens (see below) lists the various triggers that can cause an automatic shutdown. In the example below, these are:
+  - ''Twilight'', which is set to ''Astro''. This means that the trigger is activated as soon as astronomical twilight begins.
+  - ''Sequence Ended'', which activates once the current sequence has finished.
+  - ''Target near horizon'', which is set to ''Within 30°''. The trigger is activated when the altitude of the object above the horizon falls below 30°.
+The //Active Shutdown Commands// section lists the actions that occur once the shutdown has been triggered. In our example, the dome closes (''Close dome shutter''), the telescope parks (''Park scope'') and the camera coolers switch off (''Warm up camera coolers'').
+All of these options can be configured using the **Configure** button. Once all the settings have been configured, auto shutdown can be activated using the **Arm** button.
 [{{ ost:software:maximdl:maxim_dl_observatory_auto_shutdown_colored.jpg | Auto shutdown menu}}]
-=== Dome tab ===
+=== Dome Tab ===
+The **Open** and **Close** buttons are used to fully open or close the dome. The dome slit and hatch always move into their fully open or fully closed positions.
-The **Open** and **Close** buttons can be used to open and close the dome. The dome always opens or closes completely. It must be ensured that the **Slave Dome To Scope** option is activated, otherwise the dome will not follow the telescope. Unfortunately, this option turns off every time the dome is opened, closed, or the telescope is parked.
+Ensure that **Slave Dome To Scope** is activated; otherwise, the dome will not follow the telescope. This option is automatically deactivated each time the dome is opened or closed, or when the telescope is parked, and must therefore be reactivated if required.
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-The dome can be moved manually via the functions in the **Position** box. This is especially useful when the telescope and the slit are not correctly aligned and the dome needs to be recalibrated. On the example shown above, the alignment is not optimal but still so good that the telescope does not look at the dome.
+The dome can be moved manually via the functions in the **Position** section. This is particularly useful when the telescope and dome slit are not aligned correctly and need to be recalibrated, as shown in the example above.
-=== Telescope tab ===
+=== Telescope Tab ===
-The telescope tab shows in the upper left area where the telescope is currently looking and which action it is currently performing. The right ascension and declination are displayed for the current date as well as for the standard epoch J2000. Furthermore, the altitude above the horizon and the azimuth are displayed. In the example shown below, the telescope is tracking and apart from that is inactive.
+The upper-left section of the Telescope tab shows the current pointing position and status of the telescope. Right ascension and declination are displayed for the current date as well as for the standard epoch J2000. In addition, altitude above the horizon and azimuth are shown. In the examples below, the telescope is parked (left) and tracking (right).
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-[{{ ost:software:maximdl:maxim_dl_observatory_telescope_2_colored.jpg | Telescope tap: Telescope tracking}}]
+[{{ ost:software:maximdl:maxim_dl_observatory_telescope_2_colored.jpg | Telescope tab: Telescope tracking}}]
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-The buttons in the **Nudge** section can be used to move the telescope manually, with the step size selected via the drop-down menus. Each movement can again be aborted via the **Abort** button.
+The buttons in the **Nudge** section allow manual movement of the telescope. The step size can be selected via the drop-down menus. Each movement can be aborted using the **Abort** button.
-In the **Target Coordinates** area you can enter the right ascension and declination of an object and slew to it via the **Go To** button. The **Zoom To** button switches to the Zoom tab, which displays a map of the sky at the respective coordinates.
+In the **Target Coordinates** section, right ascension and declination can be entered manually and the telescope can be slewed to the selected object using **Go To**. The **Zoom To** button switches to the Zoom tab, which displays a sky map centered on the respective coordinates.
-The **Park** button in the **Mount** area can be used to park the telescope after the observation.
+The **Park** button in the **Mount** section parks the telescope after the observations.
-=== Catalog tab ===
+=== Catalog Tab ===
-Using the Catalog tab, the built-in catalogs can be searched for objects. To do this, first select a category from the **Category** drop-down menu. You can choose between ''Stars'', ''Deep Space'' and ''Solar System''. From the drop-down menu **Object ID** either the object directly or a catalog can be selected. In the latter case the catalog number of the object, or only a part of it, can be entered (see example below). After a click on **Search** a list of possible objects is displayed. The desired object can be selected from this list. With a click on **Go To** the object is approached.
+Using the Catalog tab, the built-in catalogs can be searched for objects. First, select a category from the **Category** drop-down menu: ''Stars'', ''Deep Space'', or ''Solar System''. Under **Object ID**, either select the object directly or choose a catalog and enter the catalog number (or part of it). After clicking **Search**, a list of possible matches is displayed. Select the desired object and click **Go To** to slew to it.
 {{ ost:software:maximdl:maxim_dl_observatory_catalog_colored.jpg | Catalog tab}}
-=== Zoom tab ===
+=== Zoom Tab ===
-In the zoom tab, the sky map around the selected object is displayed. Via the option button (arrow) on the right and via the context menu, many options are accessible, such as the zoom level. If one clicks with the right mouse button on any point of the map, one can slew the telescope to this point via ''Slew to Mouse Position''.  If you click on an object, it can be selected directly. In the example below the corresponding option is ''Slew tp 119 Tau''.
+In the Zoom tab, the sky map around the selected object is displayed. Via the options button (arrow) on the right and the context menu, various settings such as zoom level can be accessed.
+Right-clicking on any point in the map allows you to slew the telescope to that position via ''Slew to Mouse Position''. If you right-click on an object, it can be selected directly (e.g., ''Slew to 119 Tau'').
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-=== All Sky tab ===
+=== All Sky Tab ===
-The All Sky tab shows the current sky. By right-clicking, you can zoom into any area. When you do that you will be redirected to the zoom tab. The option button (arrow) on the right provides access to many setting options.
+The All Sky tab shows the current sky. By right-clicking, you can zoom into any area; this automatically switches to the Zoom tab. The options button (arrow) on the right provides access to additional settings.
 {{ ost:software:maximdl:maxim_dl_observatory_all-sky.png | All Sky tab}}
 ==== Camera Panel ====
-The **Camera Control** window can be used to control the cameras and take the images.
+The **Camera Control** window is used to operate the cameras and acquire images.
+=== Setup Tab ===
-=== Setup tab ===
+As the name suggests, this tab is used to connect the cameras to Maxim DL. The procedure differs slightly depending on the manufacturer. Here, the setup for QHYCCD cameras is described, as these are the cameras primarily used.
-As the name suggests, this window is used to connect the cameras to Maxim DL. This is done slightly differently for each camera manufacturer. Here, we will discuss the procedure for QHYCCD cameras and for SBIG cameras, since these are the cameras we primarily use. For each camera model, the appropriate driver must be selected. This must be done for the actual camera as well as for the filter wheel. If a guiding camera is to be used, it must also be connected here. Normally the guiding camera is connected as **Camera 2**, while the main camera is connected as **Camera 1**.
+For each camera model, the appropriate driver must be selected. This applies both to the main camera and to the filter wheel. If a guiding camera is used, it must also be connected here. Typically, the main camera is connected as **Camera 1**, while the guiding camera is connected as **Camera 2**.
-{{ ost:software:maximdl:maxim_dl_camera_control_setup_1_colored.jpg | Setup tb}}
+{{ ost:software:maximdl:maxim_dl_camera_control_setup_1_colored.jpg | Setup tab}}
-The first thing to do, regardless of the manufacturer, is to click on **Setup Camera**.
+The first step, regardless of the manufacturer, is to click on **Setup Camera**.
-**Connecting QHYCCD cameras:**
+**Connecting QHYCCD Cameras:**
-In the window that opens, select ''ASCOM'' from the **Camera Model** drop-down menu and then click **Advanced...** (step 1). After that another window will open. In this window, select ''QHYCCD-Cameras-Capture'' from the dropdown menu and click on **Properties...** (step 2). After that, the settings menu for the **ASCOM** driver for the QHYCCD cameras opens. **ASCOM** is the basic interface through which many of the observatory's operations are controlled.
+In the window that opens, select ''ASCOM'' from the **Camera Model** drop-down menu and then click **Advanced...** (Step 1). A second window will open. In this window, select ''QHYCCD-Cameras-Capture'' from the drop-down menu and click **Properties...** (Step 2). This opens the settings menu for the **ASCOM** driver for the QHYCCD cameras. **ASCOM** serves as the standardized interface through which many of the observatory’s hardware components are controlled.
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-In the last step (3) all important settings for the **ASCOM** driver can now be configured. These include the readout mode, which can be selected from the **ReadMode** drop-down menu. The following can be selected: ''PhotoGraphic DSO 16bit'', ''High Gain Mode 16bit'', ''Extend Fullwell Mode'' and ''Extend Fullwell 2CMS''. Under **Gain/Offset Setting** the **Gain** and **Offset** can then be set. These settings can be saved as **Preset**. In addition, the **Remove Overscan Area** option should also be activated for scientific images. Afterwards, all three windows can be closed by clicking **OK**.
+In the final step (3), all relevant settings for the **ASCOM** driver can be configured. These include the readout mode, selectable via the **ReadMode** drop-down menu. Available options include ''PhotoGraphic DSO 16bit'', ''High Gain Mode 16bit'', ''Extend Fullwell Mode'', and ''Extend Fullwell 2CMS''. Under **Gain/Offset Setting**, the **Gain** and **Offset** can be adjusted. These settings can be saved as **Presets**. For our use case, the **Remove Overscan Area** option should also be activated. After configuration, close all three windows by clicking **OK**.
-**Connecting QHYCCD filter wheels:**
+**Connecting QHYCCD Filter Wheels:**
 To connect a filter wheel, first click on **Setup Filter**.
 {{ ost:software:maximdl:maxim_dl_camera_control_setup_1_colored_2.jpg | Setup: filter wheel}}
+In the first step, select ''ASCOM'' from the **Filter or Controlling Camera Model** drop-down menu and click **Advanced...**. In the next window, select ''QHYCCD FilterWheel'' and click **Properties...** (Step 2). A driver settings window will open. These settings usually only need to be configured once. Select the **Number of Filter Slots** (in our case 9), define the filter names, and enter any required focus offsets (Step 3). Confirm and close all windows by clicking **OK**.
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 [{{ ost:software:maximdl:maxim_dl_camera_control_setup_filter_1_colored.jpg | Connecting the CFW-3 filter wheel - Step 1}}]
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-[{{ ost:software:maximdl:observatory_control_setup_fw_2.png | Connecting the CFW-3 filter wheel - Step 2}}]
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-\\
+[{{ ost:software:maximdl:observatory_control_setup_fw_2.png | Connecting the CFW-3 filter wheel - Step 2}}]
-\\
-In the first step you have to select ''ASCOM'' from the dropdown menu **Filter or Controlling Camera Model**. Then click on **Advanced...**. In the window that opens, select ''QHYCCD FilterWheel'' from the drop-down menu and then click **Properties...** (step 2). Thereupon another window opens, which shows the possible driver settings. The settings in this window usually have to be made only once. You have to select the **Number of Filter Slots** (in our case 9) and the respective filter names as well as any corrections for the focus (step 3). Afterwards all three windows have to be confirmed and closed by clicking **OK**.
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-**Connecting SBIG cameras:**
+**Final Step:**
-Still to come...
+Click **Connect**. Under **Coolers**, activate the cooling system and set the target temperature under **Cooler**.
-**Connecting SBIG filter wheels:**
+{{ ost:software:maximdl:maxim_dl_camera_control_setup_2_colored.jpg | Setup tab}}
-Still to come...
+=== Expose Tab ===
-**Final Step:**
+This tab contains the most important settings for image acquisition. Predefined configuration sets can be selected under **Exposure Preset**, and new presets can also be created.
-Now **Connect** has to be clicked. Then the cooling can be activated under **Coolers** and the target temperature can be set under **Cooler**.
+The most important parameter is the exposure time (**Seconds**). To the right, the status line indicates the current camera activity. In the example shown below, the camera is idle.
-{{ ost:software:maximdl:maxim_dl_camera_control_setup_2_colored.jpg | Setup tab}}
+The selected filters are displayed under **Filter Wheel**. Binning options are accessible via the **X Binning** and **Y Binning** drop-down menus. In some cases, it is also possible to select the **Readout Mode**.
+The basic operating modes are:
-=== Expose tab ===
+  * **Single** – one exposure
+  * **Continuous** – consecutive exposures displayed sequentially (suitable for focusing)
+  * **Autosave** – automated exposure series
-In this tab you will find, on a small space, the most important settings regarding the recording of the images. Predefined setting sets can be found under **Exposure Preset**, where new ones can also be created. The most important setting is the exposure time (**Seconds**). To the right of this is the status information line, which shows what the camera is currently doing. In the example below the camera is idle.
+In **Continuous** mode, images are taken and displayed one after another using the defined exposure time. Further details on the lower three panels can be found in the [[en:ost:fokus_new|focusing instructions]]. Additional options are available via the **Options** button (arrow).
-The filters can be found under **Filter Wheel**. The binning options are accessible via the two drop-down menus **X Binning** and **Y Binning**.  Furthermore, the readout mode (**Readout Mode**) can be selected, which is important for the QHY600M. The basic operation modes are **Single**, **Continuous**, and **Autosave**. In the first mode only a single exposure is made, whereas in the last one entire [[en:ost:ccds:maximdl_series|exposure series]] can be made. In the **Continuous** mode, images are created and displayed one after the other. This mode is particularly suitable for [[en:ost:fokus_new|focusing]]. In the corresponding article, we also go into more detail about the lower three panels. Further options are accessible via **Options** (arrow button).
 {{ ost:software:maximdl:maxim_dl_camera_control_expose.jpg | Expose tab}}
-=== Guide tab ===
+=== Guide Tab ===
-The Guide tab contains the most important settings for guiding the telescope. We will go into details in a [[en:ost:ccds:guiding|guiding how-to]].
+The Guide tab contains the primary settings required for telescope guiding. Detailed instructions are provided in the corresponding [[en:ost:ccds:guiding|guiding how-to]].
 {{ ost:software:maximdl:maxim_dl_camera_control_guide.jpg | Guide tab}}
+==== Screen Stretch Panel ====
-==== Screen Stretch Panel ====
+The **Screen Stretch Panel** allows adjustment of the image display scaling. These settings affect only the visualization of the image and do not modify the underlying data.
-Via the **Screen Stretch Panel** the scaling of the images can be influenced. In the first image below, which shows M42, the scaling is set to ''Low''. By increasing the scaling to ''Medium'' you will see much more details of M42. Many other helpful predefined scalings can be selected from the corresponding dropdown menu.
+In the first example below (showing M42), the scaling is set to ''Low''. Increasing the scaling to ''Medium'' reveals significantly more detail. Additional predefined scaling options are available from the drop-down menu.
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-Clicking on the plus symbol in the upper right section of the panel zooms into the histogram shown in the upper left section. This allows you to fine-tune the scaling via the red and green triangles, where the red triangle defines the black level and the green triangle the white level. The same can be achieved using the **Minimum** and **Maximum** fields.
+Clicking the plus symbol in the upper right section zooms into the histogram displayed in the upper left. This allows fine adjustment of the scaling using the red and green triangles, where the red triangle defines the black level and the green triangle defines the white level. The same adjustment can be performed using the **Minimum** and **Maximum** fields.
 ==== Information Panel ====
-The **Information Panel** is especially helpful to check if the image is overexposed and to find out which stars this may be due to. Here the values **Pixel** and **Maximum** are especially interesting for us. In the default ''Aperture'' mode the information is read from the cyan aperture shown on the image, which can be shifted e.g. to a bright star. If this is done, the signal-to-noise ratio (**SNR**) and the full-width-half-maximum (**FWHM**) are of interest as well. For our mostly uncalibrated images, values like the **Magnitude** are not relevant.
+The **Information Panel** is particularly useful for checking whether an image is overexposed and identifying which stars may be saturated.
+Of particular interest are the **Pixel** and **Maximum** values. In the default ''Aperture'' mode, the information is derived from the cyan aperture shown on the image, which can be moved, for example, onto a bright star.
+When evaluating stellar image quality, the signal-to-noise ratio (**SNR**) and the full-width at half-maximum (**FWHM**) are also relevant parameters. For our predominantly uncalibrated images, values such as **Magnitude** are generally not meaningful.
 {{ ost:software:maximdl:information_image_panel_1.png | Information Panel}}