chimera-python 0.1

Description:

chimerapython 0.1

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.



Note
If you need support for any device which Chimera’s doesn’t
support, call us and we can try to develop it or help you to do it.




License
Chimera is Free/Open Software licensed by GPL v2 or later (at your choice).


Authors
Chimera is mainly developed by Paulo Henrique Silva
<ph.silva@gmail.com> at Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina in collaboration with his advisor Antonio
Kanaan.
Chimera is sponsored by Laboratorio Nacional de Astrofisica through a CNPq grant.