thecyberbrick / mount-initializer

Mount Initializer

A simple CLI tool to initialize an ASCOM mount. It allows syncing the mount to CWD position RA & DEC coordinates and then does some sanity checks to ensure the mount is in the desired state.

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Usage

Argument (bold = required)	Description
--condition <cond>	Precondition for initializing the mount. If the condition is not met the program exits. Available conditions: always, unknownSideOfPier
--telescope <ID>	ASCOM driver ID of the mount. If not specified the user is prompted to select the mount via ASCOM dialog.
--timeout <seconds>	Timeout in seconds before the program exits with a failure. Default: 60s
--silent	Suppress any output except for --status output.
--status	Print exit status to stdout. Possible exit status values: OK, FAILURE
--unpark	Unpark mount. Required if mount may be parked when running this program.
--stopTracking	Stops mount tracking after initialization.
--check	Check mode. If enabled the program only checks whether the specified condition is met and then exits with OK or FAILURE depending on the condition.

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Exit codes	Description
0	Success. Or when in check mode: condition is met.
1	Initialization failed. Or when in check mode: condition is not met.
2	Invalid usage/arguments.

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Example use case

Syncing the home position of an M-Uno mount. The mount reports unknown side of pier until it is properly aligned with the CWD position. I want to automate this initial "Sync Home Position".

Command:

MountInitializer.exe --telescope ASCOM.AvalonStarGo.NET.Telescope --condition unknownSideOfPier --stopTracking --silent --status

The condition ensures that this command only does anything if the mount is not yet aligned. After alignment tracking is stopped. The program will output OK or FAILURE depending on whether the sync was successful and the mount ended up in the expected state (i.e. it reports correct RA & DEC coordinates, is no longer tracking and side of pier is no longer unknown).