Chimera - Observatory Automation System
Project description
Chimera is a package to control astronomical observatories aiming the creation of remote and even autonomous observatories with just a few clicks. Using Chimera you can easily control telescopes, CCD cameras, focusers and domes in a very integrated way.
- Distributed
Fully distributed system. You can use different machines to control each instrument and everything will looks like just one.
- Powerful
Very powerful autonomous mode. Give a target and exposure parameters and Chimera does the rest.
- Web interface
Web interface to schedule and monitor observations (in development).
- Hardware support
Support for most common off-the-shelf components. See supported devices.
Very easy to add support for new instruments (it’s Python code!).
- Flexible
Chimera can be used in a very integrated mode but also in standalone mode to control just one instrument.
- Free
It’s free (as in free beer) and written in a very modern language. Python!.
Getting start
To try out Chimera, follow the installation instructions and make sure that you have at least one supported devices.
The easiest way to install Chimera is to use easy_install:
sudo easy_install chimera-python
… and that’s it! All dependencies are automagically installed.
You can also download the sources at Chimera Development page and try to install it by hands.
Help and Development
You can help Chimera development, we are always looking for contributors. If you don’t write code, no problem! You can write documentation, help with this site, marketing. Everyone can help!
See our Development page for more information, to report a bug or just follow Chimera’s development closely.
Supported Devices
- Telescopes
Meade based LX-200 (Meade, Losmandy).
Paramount ME using TheSky COM+ interfaces.
- CCD Cameras
SBIG USB cameras.
- Focusers
OPTEC NGF-S
- Domes
COTE/LNA Dome (LNA specific).
In Development
- CCD Cameras
Apogee USB/Ethernet cameras.
License
Chimera is Free/Open Software licensed by GPL v2 or later (at your choice).
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