iKarus StellarMate Plus User manual

Copyright © 2020 by Ikarus Technologies. All Rights Reserved.
The StellarMate Plus
Manual

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Table of contents
1. Warnings ..................................................................................................... 6
2. Package Contents ....................................................................................... 6
3. Introduction ................................................................................................ 7
3.1 Quick Startup ................................................................................................................ 8
3.2 Specifications ............................................................................................................... 8
3.3 Passwords ..................................................................................................................... 9
3.4 Learning StellarMate ................................................................................................... 9
4. StellarMate App .......................................................................................... 9
4.1 Registration .................................................................................................................. 10
4.1.1 QR Code ................................................................................................................ 10
4.1.2 Steps ...................................................................................................................... 11
4.2 Connecting to StellarMate ....................................................................................... 11
4.3 Connecting your devices using StellarMate App .............................................. 14
4.4 Adding Telescopes .................................................................................................... 15
4.5 Ekos ............................................................................................................................... 16
4.5.1 Quick Controls .................................................................................................... 17
4.5.1.1 Mount ............................................................................................................ 18
4.5.1.2 Camera ........................................................................................................ 23
4.5.1.3 Rotator ......................................................................................................... 25
4.5.2 Modules ............................................................................................................... 27
4.5.2.1 Focus ............................................................................................................ 28
4.5.2.2 Align ............................................................................................................. 34
4.5.2.3 Guide ........................................................................................................... 37
4.5.2.4 Capture ....................................................................................................... 40
4.5.2.5 Mount .......................................................................................................... 50
4.5.2.6 Observatory ............................................................................................... 51
4.6 Device Status ............................................................................................................. 53
4.7 Cloud ............................................................................................................................ 57
4.8 Settings ........................................................................................................................ 57
5. Connection Methods ................................................................................. 58
5.1 Direct HDMI Connection .......................................................................................... 59
5.1.1 Connecting your equipment ........................................................................... 60
5.1.2 Connecting from Ekos ..................................................................................... 60
5.2 Ethernet Connection ................................................................................................ 63
5.2.1 StellarMate Address ......................................................................................... 64
5.2.2 Connecting your equipment .......................................................................... 64
5.2.3 Downloading Ekos ........................................................................................... 64
5.2.4 Connecting from Ekos .................................................................................... 64
5.3 WiFi Connection ........................................................................................................ 64
5.3.1 HotSpot Connection ........................................................................................ 65
5.3.2 Infrastructure Connection .............................................................................. 65
5.3.3 StellarMate Address ........................................................................................ 68
5.3.4 Connecting your equipment .......................................................................... 68

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5.3.5 Downloading Ekos ........................................................................................... 68
5.3.6 Connecting from Ekos .................................................................................... 68
5.4 VNC .............................................................................................................................. 68
5.5 Connecting from Ekos via Ethernet/WiFi ........................................................... 69
5.6 Direct Ethernet ........................................................................................................... 74
6. Connecting Equipment Via Bluetooth ........................................................ 74
6.1 Serial Port Assistant Bluetooth Wizard ................................................................ 75
6.2 Manual Pairing ............................................................................................................ 79
7. Connecting CCDs ...................................................................................... 79
8. Connecting DSLRs .................................................................................... 80
8.1 Supported DSLRs ....................................................................................................... 81
8.1.1 Canon .................................................................................................................... 82
8.1.2 Nikon .................................................................................................................... 83
8.2 Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................ 84
9. Connecting Mounts .................................................................................. 84
9.1 Mount Connection Guide ......................................................................................... 85
9.2 Serial to USB .............................................................................................................. 88
9.3 Wired Network ........................................................................................................... 89
9.4 Wireless Connection ................................................................................................ 89
10. Connecting Focusers .............................................................................. 90
10.1 Serial to USB ............................................................................................................. 90
11. Connecting Filter Wheels ......................................................................... 91
11.1 USB & Serial to USB .................................................................................................. 91
11.2 Operating Filter Wheel ............................................................................................ 92
12. Time & Location ....................................................................................... 92
13. Web Manager .......................................................................................... 95
13.1 Web Manager URL ................................................................................................... 96
13.2 Device Information .................................................................................................. 97
13.3 Adding New Profile ................................................................................................. 97
13.4 Removing Profile ..................................................................................................... 98
13.5 Auto Start .................................................................................................................. 98
13.6 Auto Connect ........................................................................................................... 98
13.7 Starting & Stopping Server ................................................................................... 98
14. Serial Port Assistant ................................................................................ 99
14.1 USB .............................................................................................................................. 99
14.2 Network ................................................................................................................... 100
14.3 StellarMate Serial Assistant ................................................................................ 100
15. StellarMate Control Panel ....................................................................... 101
15.1 Status Bar .................................................................................................................. 101
15.2 Dashboard ............................................................................................................... 102
15.3 Hardware ................................................................................................................. 104
15.4 Software .................................................................................................................. 105
15.5 Network .................................................................................................................... 107
15.6 Diagnostics ............................................................................................................. 109
15.6.1 Backup and Restore Process ...................................................................... 110

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15.7 Goto ........................................................................................................................... 112
16. EkosLive ................................................................................................. 113
16.1 How does it work? ................................................................................................. 113
16.2 Supported Browsers ............................................................................................. 114
16.3 Getting Started ....................................................................................................... 114
16.3.1 Connecting Ekos to the Cloud ................................................................... 114
16.3.2 Using EkosLive Web Application ............................................................... 115
16.4 EkosLive FAQ ........................................................................................................... 117
17. Using GPS ............................................................................................... 118
17.1 Selecting a GPS Dongle ........................................................................................ 118
17.2 Configuring GPS in StellarMate .......................................................................... 119
18. The KStars Handbook ............................................................................ 119
18.1 A Quick Tour of KStars .......................................................................................... 121
18.1.1 The Setup Wizard ........................................................................................... 122
18.1.2 Have a Look Around ..................................................................................... 123
18.1.3 Objects in the Sky ......................................................................................... 124
18.1.4 End of the Tour .............................................................................................. 128
18.2 Configuring KStars ................................................................................................ 129
18.2.1 Setting the Geographic Location .............................................................. 129
18.2.2 Setting the Time ............................................................................................ 130
18.2.3 The Configure KStars Window ................................................................... 131
18.2.4 Catalogs .......................................................................................................... 132
18.2.5 Solar System .................................................................................................. 145
18.2.6 Satellites .......................................................................................................... 146
18.2.7 Supernovae ..................................................................................................... 148
18.2.8 Guides .............................................................................................................. 149
18.2.9 Colors ............................................................................................................... 149
18.2.10 FITS ................................................................................................................. 150
18.2.11 INDI ................................................................................................................... 151
18.2.12 Ekos ................................................................................................................ 152
18.2.13 Advanced ...................................................................................................... 153
18.2.14 Customizing the Display ........................................................................... 155
18.2.15 HiPS Progressive Overlay ......................................................................... 157
18.3 Command Reference ............................................................................................ 158
18.3.1 Menu Commands ........................................................................................... 158
18.3.2 Keyboard Commands .................................................................................. 168
18.3.3 Mouse Commands ........................................................................................ 172
18.4 KStars Tools ............................................................................................................ 173
18.4.1 Object Details Window ................................................................................. 173
18.4.2 The Astrocalculator ...................................................................................... 175
18.4.3 Altitude vs. Time Tool .................................................................................. 187
18.4.4 Simulate Eyepiece View .............................................................................. 190
18.4.5 What's Up Tonight? Tool ............................................................................. 192
18.4.6 The Script Builder Tool ................................................................................ 193
18.4.7 Solar System Viewer .................................................................................... 196
18.4.8 Ekos .................................................................................................................. 198
18.4.8.1 Setup ........................................................................................................ 199

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18.4.8.2 Scheduler ............................................................................................... 209
18.4.8.3 Capture .................................................................................................... 217
18.4.8.4 Focus ....................................................................................................... 230
18.4.8.5 Guide ....................................................................................................... 238
18.4.8.6 Align ........................................................................................................ 255
18.4.8.7 Mount ....................................................................................................... 277
18.4.8.8 Observatory .......................................................................................... 282
18.4.8.9 Analyze ................................................................................................... 286
18.4.9 Jupiter Moons Tool ...................................................................................... 288
18.4.10 Observation Planner .................................................................................. 289
18.4.11 FITS Viewer Tool ......................................................................................... 303
18.5 Command-Line mode for Image Generation ................................................. 313
18.6 Questions and Answers ....................................................................................... 314
18.7 Credits and License ............................................................................................... 317
19. FAQ ........................................................................................................ 318
20. Support ................................................................................................. 341

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1. Warnings
WARNING: NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN WITH YOUR TELESCOPE OR
CAMERA WITHOUT APPROPRIATE FILTERS IN PLACE. PERMANENT
AND IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO YOUR EYES AND YOUR EQUIPMENT
WILL OCCUR.
2. Package Contents
Thank you for purchasing StellarMate! Please follow this guide before you
starting using your StellarMate Gadget.
After unboxing your package, you should have the following items:
1. StellarMate Plus Unit.
2. 1.8m mini HDMI Cable.
3. 3A 5V USB-C Power Supply (Plug type is selected in checkout).
4. 2-meter 12V DC to 5V DC USB-C cable. This can be plugged to any 12V field
battery to power StellarMate.
5. Quick Start Guide.
6. MicroSD Card 32GB U1 or larger depending on checkout selection (already
inserted to StellarMate Plus with SM OS 1.5.3).
7. Optional Mount to USB cable (can be purchased separately on checkout).

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IMPORTANT
A 32GB (or more, depending on your order) MicroSD card is already
inserted into the StellarMate Gadget when it is shipped. It might have
moved or detached during shipping, please make sure it is secured into
its designated slot at the bottom of the unit.
Connect the USB-C power supply cable to StellarMate Plus and then turn power
on. You should initially see a solid red light with occasional flashes of green. Wait
for 30 seconds, your StellarMate Plus is now ready to be used!
https://www.youtube.com/embed/2cOau9jBeJo
3. Introduction
StellarMate Plus is the Next Generation Internet-of-Things Astrophotography

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controller! The principle behind StellarMate is simple:
1. Connect your equipment (Mount, DSLR/CCD, Focuser, Filter Wheel, etc.) to
StellarMate via USB/Bluetooth or Network.
2. Connect to StellarMate from either your Mobile, Tablet, or Laptop/Desktop
Computer.
3. Start controlling your observatory and imaging from any major platform
(Desktop or Mobile).
A complete free astrophotography tool is shipped with StellarMate: Ekos. You
can either use the built-in Ekos Astrophotogoraphy Tool, or download it on your
Windows®, Mac® OS, or Linux® computers to remotely control StellarMate from
anywhere!
In addition to Ekos, StellarMate is compatible with many more applications,
including PixInsight, PHD2, Sky Chart, and many more!
From controlling an alone mount in the field to the orchestration of state of the
art observatory, StellarMate is the solution you have been waiting for.
3.1 Quick Startup
The following is the quick startup guide to getting StellarMate Plus up and
running in a few minutes using your phone/tablet:
1. Download Stellarmate App from the Android/iOS store.
2. Launch the App and Register an account.
3. Connect the power adapter to StellarMate and turn power on.
4. Open network settings in your phone/tablet and connect to the StellarMate
WiFi hotspot.
5. Open StellarMate App. Go to Setup tab. Click Rescan.
6. After StellarMate is detected, click on it.
7. Start the default Simulators equipment profile or create a new equipment
profile.
8. Go to Ekos tab and start using your equipment.
9. Check StellarMate network settings and status from the Device tab.
3.2 Specifications
StellarMate Plus is based on Raspberry PI 4B, a proven platform for embedded
computers for many years.
·SoC: Broadcom BCM2711 64-bit SoC
·CPU: Quad core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) @ 1.5GHz
·GPU: Broadcom VideoCore VI
·Memory: 2 GB LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM
·Real Time Clock (DS3231) with battery.
·Storage: 32GB MicroSD card class 10.
·USB 2 USB 3.0 ports; 2 USB 2.0 ports.
·Network: Gigabit Ethernet, 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz IEEE 802.11ac wireless,

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Bluetooth 5.0, BLE
·Mini HDMI: 1.8m Gold Plated Mini HDMI cable.
·Power: 3A 5V USB-C power supply. Specify which plug type you want on
checkout.
·12v to 5v USB-C 2-meter cable. Power SM Plus on the field from any 12v
power source.
RTC module: StellarMate Plus ships with a Real-Time Clock with battery to keep
StellarMate Plus time accurate even when power is off. A real-time clock is
critical for accurate astronomy & astrophotography work.
3.3 Passwords
·The default StellarMate OS password is smate
·The default StellarMate WiFi HotSpot password is stellar@mate
3.4 Learning StellarMate
For new users, using StellarMate effectively can take a bit of a learning curve (like
everything else) especially given the breadth of the features if provides. Here are
some useful resources to get you started:
·First Time Setup tutorial.
·StellarMate Video tutorials.
·Ekos Video Tutorials.
4. StellarMate App
You can connect to StellarMate Plus Controller in several ways, including:
1. StellarMate Mobile App for Tablets.
2. PC/Mac using KStars.
3. Any Web browser or VNC client.
StellarMate App is the Official App for StellarMate gadget. It is available for both
Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. It is primary designed for tablets in
portrait mode. While it can be used for phones, for the best experience, use it
with a tablet/iPad. Download and install the App on your device before you
continue.

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StellarMate on the Google Play StellarMate on the App Store
WARNING
The App is required to connect to the unit and configure it for first-time
use, so do this step now and do not skip ahead!
4.1 Registration
IMPORTANT
The StellarMate Mobile App requires a QR Code (on the back of
StellarMate Controller) in order to operate the StellarMate Controller. NO
registration is required to use the StellarMate Controller if you intend to
use it directly via Web or via Ekos client on Mac/PC/Linux. This step is
only required if you want to use the StellarMate Mobile App. You can
continue to use StellarMate as is, including accessing the Web Manager
and VNC:
Web Manager URL: http://stellarmate.local:8624
Web VNC URL: http://stellarmate.local:6080
4.1.1 QR Code
If you received the StellarMate Controller, you will find the Device QR Code on
the back of the unit.

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If you purchased StellarMate OS, the Device Serial Number is automatically
generated for you.
4.1.2 Steps
Register your controller after downloading the SM App. Make sure your tablet is
connected to the internet.
1. Launch StellarMate App on iOS or Android.
2. Tap on the Register button.
3. Enter registration information to sign up in StellarMate website and then click
Next.
4. Scan the QR Code found at the back of the unit.
After registration is successful, you will be logged in automatically. Check your
email for your license and login information.
4.2 Connecting to StellarMate
Go to your mobile OS WiFi settings and connect to the StellarMate hotspot.
Hotspot: stellarmate
Password: smate
IMPORTANT
Before using the StellarMate App to configure your unit for the first time,
please use the networking settings in your iOS/Android phone/tablet to
connect to the HotSpot first. Once connected, proceed to run the
StellarMate App.

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After connecting to StellarMate, go back to the App:
·Tap on RESCAN to start the scanning process. Discovered devices would be
listed on the left side pane.

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·After StellarMate is detected, tap on it to establish connection. Wait for a few
seconds and the LED would turn green indicating a stable successful
connection.
The right side pane should now display the Equipment Profile page. Now you are
ready to connect to your astronomical equipment.

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4.3 Connecting your devices using StellarMate App
Most astronomical equipment such as telescopes, cameras, filter wheels, and
focusers connect via a USB cable. To add your devices, you need to create a new
Equipment Profile. Tap on the Add (+) icon next to the profiles to start the
equipment profile wizard. In case you face issues with your INDI driver
configurations, you can restore all configuration to default by clicking on the
Clear Driver Config. button.

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You can select the drivers for your devices manually, or you can let StellarMate
detect them automatically by tapping on the Auto Detect button on the top-right
corner. You can then insert each device and wait for a confirmation after it gets
detected. Sometimes you need to confirm the type of device before you can
continue. This is especially important when using serial To USB adapters that are
used for mounts and focusers.
After all drivers are selected, enter the desired profile name and tap Save.
4.4 Adding Telescopes
You can specify a Primary Scope and a Guide Scope for your equipment profile.
Tap on the Add button next to the primary scope to enter the details of the
telescope. All units are in millimeters.You can specify a Primary Scope and a
Guide Scope for your equipment profile. Tap on the Add button next to the
primary scope to enter the details of the telescope. All units are in millimeters.
Optionally, you can also add a Guide scope if desired.
Optionally, you can also add a Guide scope if desired.

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Please use descriptive information as illustrated above to make it easy to select
telescopes in the future. After the telescope is added, select it from the
dropdown menu.
Your equipment profile is now ready. Tap Start to establish connection to your
devices.
4.5 Ekos
When an equipment profile is started, the Ekos tab becomes active. In the Ekos
screen, you can capture images, stream video, and create image sequences.
Furthermore, it provides the following facilities:
·Modules
1. Focus: Focus your camera either automatically via an electronic focuser,
or manually by adjusting the focus while framing, or by using Bahtinov
Mask Assistant. Create presets for different configurations and set
advanced settings to control the star detection and focusing algorithms.
2. Align: Align your mount to get highly accurate GOTOs and to ensure you
target is always in the center. You can also load an existing image to
plate solve and then command the mount to go to the exact center in
the sky.
3. Guide: Guiding enables long-exposure astrophotography by ensuring
your mount tracks accurately with time. It can automatically select and
lock a guide star and send correction pulses to the mount to keep it
always centered.
4. Capture: create, edit, and delete presets, job sequencing, Filter
Settings, Limit Settings, Calibration Settings, File Settings.
5. Mount: tracking on/off, park/unpark, Meridian Flip, Limit Settings (Alt
and HA Limits), and Pier Side.
6. Observatory: park/unpark cap, park/unpark dome, dome goto absolute

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position and current angle representation.
·Quick Controls: Quick Controls are simplified quick-access settings for the
camera, mount, and rotator located on the top-right panel. They can be
toggled at any time. Once toggled, the corresponding control is overlayed on
the top of your existing view where you can quickly and efficiently control
your devices.
1. Mount: park/unpark, tracking on/off, mount speed, GOTO/Sync, and
directional pad control.
2. Camera: preview, loop, video stream, live stacking, and quick settings.
3. Rotator: goto absolute position and CCW/CW step rotation.
·Mount Status Bar
Shows the status of the mount if it is parking/unparking, slewing, tracking,
etc. as well as the target. Moreover, the Right Ascension, Declination,
Azimuth, Alt-Azimuth, and Pier Side are also shown in the status bar.
4.5.1 Quick Controls
StellarMate App has a total of three Quick Controls Modules which are used to
control three astronomical instruments as suggested by their names:
mounts/telescopes, cameras, and rotators.

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Mount Quick Controls Camera Quick Controls Rotator
Quick
Controls
4.5.1.1 Mount
Mount quick controls allows you to control your mount quickly and easily, it has
the following features:
·Mount Speed
·Park/Unpark
·Tracking On/Off
·Goto/Sync
·Directional Pad Control
·Lock Mount Controls
Unparking Your Mount
To unpark your mount, tap on the green button, it should turn red signifying
that the mount is now UnParked, and the mount status bar shows Idle.

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Goto or Sync
You can goto or sync by clicking on the GOTO button, a dialog will pop-up
where you can goto or sync to your last target, choose one of your last recently
used targets, or select and category and choose a new target.

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