ACP Observatory Control Software

Web Browser Interface

ACP Planner and Starry Night

ACP video podcast on iTunes
(iTunes must be installed)

Key Features:

Click topics to reveal details.

All observing and automation is through the web browser:
Whether you're in the observatory, a hundred feet away in your warm-room, or on the road traveling, ACP's controls are always the same. No sluggish messy remote desktop, no flipping between programs, just a single set of web-based controls for everything! This is revolutionary, and was made possible by the advent of the so-called "Web 2.0". Try the new web interface yourself now!
Share Your Sky!™ remote astronomy option:
ACP's optional public internet access feature connects your robotic observatory to the Internet, safely and securely. You never have to give others access to your desktop or train them to use your controls, nor do you have to run a server OS and learn IIS! Your remote observers just fill out a form or upload an observing request, click, and get their images. It's that easy! It even has an RSS event feed and a built-in live chat server. For more info, see the Share your Sky web site.
No other software makes planning your run easier:
ACP's innovative Planner (patent pending) is so easy and fast to use you won't believe you ever did without it. Visualize your target positions and timing dynamically. You can even plan other runs while observing or sitting on an airplane traveling! The planning tool is free and separate from the engine of ACP, an exclusive.
Has features offered by other automation tools, and more:
We pioneered many of these features over the years, starting in 1998! So we have lots of customers with years of experience who have grown into automation. They feed back new needs and suggestions. We innovate and implement solutions, add suggested features, and our customers grow more. And so on...
Designed for all types of astronomy...
... not just astro-photography. Will you ever want to do more than astro-photography? Don't paint yourself into a corner.
Depends on the fewest other programs:
Uses only MaxIm DL/CCD (for imager control) and, optionally, FocusMax. No other software required. ACP is no "front-end", it's a full-up system.
Unmatched flexibility and adaptablilty:
All sequencing and control is done using pre-written human-readable scripts. ACP is not a "black box". And hook-points are provided for key events so advanced users can augment the standard process with tasks unique to their needs.
Professional grade online help:
Virtually any question you might have about how to set up and use ACP is answered there. Notable is the Getting Started section that gives step by step instructions on how to get your observatory ready for automation and then how to make the one-time settings needed for ACP to adapt. And the online help is professional quality, indexed and free-text searchable. Download it and see.
Customer service is second to none:
Our philosophy is "Software is a service business, not a product business." We provide the highest level of support, assistance, and response to customer needs. Ask any of our customers. They'll tell you. Our Communications Center is a lively and fun place to interact with other astronomers using ACP as well as with Bob Denny, the ACP developer. He is virtually always reachable and will set aside development work to help in any way he can.

DC-3 Dreams, SP