SETTINGS

The tab Settings allows you to modify the main parameters of the program.

The button in the Image Store Directory zone defines the directory under which the images will be stored by default.

The button in the Console zone opens a console where you can run commands by typing them.

The button in the dialog zone FITS opens a new window where you can edit or simply access the FITS header of a file.

Some parameters of the FITS file (those filled in the above example) stay unchanged until you specifically modify them.

In the Waiting Time before Exposure zone, you can define a time in seconds that represents how long the system waits before the exposure is performed. This is very useful to introduce a delay between the exposures of a sequence (for instance, you can program an exposure every 120 seconds).

Information in the Display Thresholds zone are useful for PISCO to calculate the thresholds used for display when clicking the Auto button in the acquisition modes Standard and Windows. PISCO calculates the noise of the image, then multiplies this noise by High Sigma and adds the resulting value to the background level in order to get the high threshold. For the low threshold, PISCO substracts the noise multiplied by Low Sigma from the background level. If you check the option Automatic, the display is automatically performed using the thresholds that habe been obtained through this algorithm.

The buttons Date and Time allow you to change the date and time of your PC.

The buttons + and - together with the up and down arrows of the numerical keyboard also allow you to edit the date and time. To validate the time, simply click the OK button or abort using the Cancel button.

The option Night Vision changes the colors used for the interface so that they are better suited to a night vision.

 
The dialog zone Shutter allows you to command a mechanical shutter. This shutter can be external to the camera or integrated within the same bulk. In the first case, the command signal to open or close the shutter is available on pin 11 of the DB15 connector (onr of the 3 wires of the extension bus of the camera). In the second case, the command signal is available on pin 3 of the internal TB3 extension connector (this signal is directly connected to the pin 11 of the DB15 connector). Regarding programming, this signal is associated to the bit D1 of the control register of the printer port.

By default, at boot time and after PISCO is started, this command signal is at the low logical level (OV). This situation corresponds normally to a closed shutter. If you choose the option Synchro, the command signal automatically switches to the high level (+5V) at the beginning of integration time. Of course, at the end of integration time, the command signal goes back to 0 to close the shutter. However, in order to take into account a possible inertia of the mechanical shutter, it is possible to initiate the closing a fraction of second or a few seconds before the expose ends (this is because in some cases, the CCD reading operation may starts before the shutter is actually closed). If necessary, fill the Delay before Closing field with the correct value.

If you choose the option Open, the command signal goes imediatly to the high logical level, which should normally open the shutter. This open state is maintained even during exposures. This option is useful for instance to perform drift-scan imaging.

If you choose the option Closed, the command signal is set to 0, allowing you to perform dark images.

The behavior of the command signal can be totally reversed by checking the check box Reverse. If checked, the positions Closed and Open of the shutter correspond respectively to the high and low levels of the command signal.

Please keep in mind that it is possible to control the shutter from the console, which is very convenient when setting up the system.
 
 
Back