Paramount-Related Video and Audio

Paramount MX Worm Block Assembly Replacement and Cam Stop Adjustment

Daniel R. Bisque — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:17:19 GMT

This video was created by a Paramount MX owner to demonstrate how to replace the Paramount MX worm block assembly. This instructional video additionally shows how to properly adjust the Paramount MX cam stop mechanism and provides sage advice for proper belt tension.

Thanks Chris for making this video!

Paramount MX Powered with a Battery

Daniel R. Bisque — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:37:28 GMT

This video shows the Paramount MX Robotic Telescope Mount slewing an Officina Stellare 25.4 cm (10-inch) OTA.

2005 YU55 Video

Daniel R. Bisque — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:09:45 GMT

This video shows how the Paramount ME tracked Asteroid 2005 YU55 over a 1 hour and 15 minute period.

The video consists of 482 raw, untouched, unprocessed photos
The asteroid was tracked "open loop" (dead reckoning) and unattended.
Image scale: 1.08 arcseconds per pixel
5 second exposures

Equipment:

Celestron C-14 with mirror lock focal reduced to f/7
Apogee Instruments U47 camera
Paramount ME at the Software Bisque Observatory in downtown Golden, Colorado.

Paramount MX Error Condition Audible Feedback

Daniel R. Bisque — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:50:46 GMT

Click above, or click the Download link at the right to listen to a recording of the sound emitted by the MKS 5000 control system when an error occurs.

Mount encounters a fixed object and motors have been stopped. Home the mount to proceed.
Payload is out of balance and one or more motors cannot rotate. Balance payload before proceeding.
Lower ambient temperatures prevent the mounts motors from operating normally. Reduce the maximum slew rate (which allows additional torque to be supplied to the motors) to proceeding.

Paramount MX Successful Homing Audible Feedback

Daniel R. Bisque — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:43:50 GMT

Click above, or click the Download link to the right to listen to a recording of the normal sounds emitted by the MKS 5000 control system during the homing process.

0-14 seconds - right ascension and/or declination axis slewing to the home position.
8 seconds - right ascension axis successfully finds home position.
25 seconds - declination axis successfully finds home position.

Paramount MX Successful Start Up Audible Feedback

Daniel R. Bisque — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 21:15:44 GMT

Click above, or click the Download link at the right to listen to a recording of the typical sounds emitted by the control system shortly after the Paramount MX (or any mount using the MKS 5000 control system) is turned on.

For this audio clip, the sounds occur at the following times:

At 2.25 seconds: The power switch is turned on.
At 3.18 seconds: There is a "whistle" indicating successful control system initialization (the orange TCS LED will illuminate on the Electronics Box).
At 3.77 seconds: ding indicating successful right ascension axis initialization (the blue RA LED will illuminate on the Electronics Box).
At 6.26 seconds: second, higher pitch ding indicating successful declination axis initialization (the blue Dec LED will illuminate on the Electronics Box).

Important Note:

Exactly when the two beeps occur will be different for each mount and will vary depending on the mount's current mechanical orientation. The beeps may even occur simultaneously so that only a single beep is audible.

If the LEDs on the Electronics Box are illuminated, and the mount homes, the control system is functioning normally.

Iridium Flare After Moon Transit

Daniel R. Bisque — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:04:22 GMT

Golden, Colorado - In the early morning hours of June 09, 2007, Iridium 66 passed directly in front of the Moon just before flaring. Note a small gust of wind shook the telescope as it was tracking on the space satellite.

Here's a video created by TheSkyX Professional Edition that shows this event (centered on the satellite):

[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHMaa_V5OQI:480:385;";hl=en_US&rel=0"]

Paramount MX Satellite Tracking

Daniel R. Bisque — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:57:57 GMT

The Paramount MX, coupled with TheSkyX Professional Edition and the TPoint Add On can accurately track satellites.

This video shows a Software Bisque Paramount MX Robotic Telescope Mount with approximately 85 lbs (38 kg) of payload (C14 at prime focus) tracking a satellite. The one arcminutes "jogs" to the telescope's position were made to demonstrate how the position of the satellite can be updated while the mount is tracking the satellite.

For the Paramount ME and Paramount MX, Software Bisque also offers "high-end" satellite tracking capabilities (via an optional separate component) for mission-critical applications.

Lubricating the Paramount ME

Matthew L. Bisque — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:28:49 GMT

This video demonstrates the recommended procedure to lubricate the Paramount ME robotic telescope mount.