Astronomy & Electronics Centre

10Micron

The availability on the market of more and more advanced and flexible astronomical imaging systems opens new windows on the sky: today, ultra-high definition and ultra-high speed imaging is within the amateur's reach, way more than what was predictable ten years ago. 10micron's products evolved at the same pace, in terms of tracking and pointing accuracy and speed. The HPS series mounts are now at the peak of this process.

Every observer knows that when you are under the sky you have little time and each set up operation comes with the risk of compromising the night. Having excellent performance on paper means nothing if you need many complex set up operations before reaching it.

This is the reason 10micron mounts are designed around the user's needs, and not to enforce the mount's way of operation on them.

Now 10micron mounts are used in the open field as well as in remote sites, in educational observatories as well in the extreme climates of Northern Canada and Atacama desert.

Fore more information on 10Micron products, please visit their new Website: http://www.10micron.eu/en/homepage/

GM1000 HPS

GM2000 HPS II Monolith &
GM2000 HPS II Ultraport

GM3000 HPS

GM4000 HPS II

For more details on the HPS series: Please CLICK HERE to download the latest 10Micron PDF File (5mb)

HPS TECHNOLOGY - The World's Most Technologically Advanced Mount

HPS™ means High Precision and Speed and is the name for the new series of astronomical mounts

High Precision: The HPS mounts feature two “built in” high-precision absolute encoders, one on each axis and high performance electronics and servo motors for high speed pointing . A highaccuracy encoder on the right ascension axis virtually eliminates all mechanical errors from the reduction gearing. An additional high-accuracy encoder on the declination axis provides for maximum accuracy when correcting any residual tracking error. The right ascension axis is always used in the same state of motion, i.e., at sidereal tracking speed, where the load on the gearings and reduction belts can be considered a constant. In contrast the declination axis is always near the motion inversion, where any pre-load or backlash appear as a positioning error. As a result, the high-accuracy encoder has the maximum effect in the declination axis.

The absolute encoders also provide high-accuracy, sub-arc second tracking feedback, eliminating the need for auto-guiding in the vast majority of applications. The dual-axis tracking function ensures correct tracking in case of polar misalignment and allows the mount to correct for atmospheric refraction. It is also very important for high accuracy tracking on objects like comets, asteroids, and artificial satellites, where the mounts use the self-guiding function based on orbital elements up-loaded in the memory and its internally calculated trajectory. This requires two encoders to obtain the best result, especially where the declination drift / movement is inverted.

Maximum accuracy in pointing and tracking is achieved with an accurate alignment model using up to 100 alignment stars or points – see Model Maker software - (thanks to the high resolution encoders) that accounts for polar misalignment and mechanical flexure. The alignment model is automatically saved in memory even when the mount is switched off. Furthermore, you may save and reload models for different instrumentation, since flexure varies with different optical tubes. This feature is made possible only by the presence of encoders on both axes !!

Finally, the absolute encoders on both axes eliminate any need of homing or zeroing procedures. You will not lose your alignment by moving the mount by hand or releasing the clutches, even when the mount is not powered. This means ease of use when operating in the field, since the setup procedure is much faster. This means also additional security for remote operation, since you won’t lose your alignment, even in case of slippage. The absolute encoders render the axes “live” and free to react also to any external forces like wind and vibrations or accidental contact.

High Speed: the high speed of the mount is necessary to speed up the stars alignment procedures, for fast satellites catching and in addition to speed the aided electronic balancing procedure. A fast mount can also GOTO very fast to objects in research applications, reducing losses of time and increasing the amount of data that can be obtained in the often short observing nights.

Finally, the new 10Micron HPS™ mounts are now the best precise and reliable devices available in the market.
True precision for your astronomical future - Made in Italy by 10Micron -

Tech Specifications	GM 1000 HPS	GM 2000 HPS II	GM 3000 HPS	GM4000 HPS II
Mount Type	German Equatorial Mount
Weight (mount w/o acc.)	~ 19.5kg	~ 33kg	~ 65kg	~ 125kg
*Weight UltraPort version**	--------	~ 18.5kg + ~ 15 kg (w/o acc.)	--------	--------
Instrument Payload Capacity	25kg	50kg	100kg	150kg
Latitude Range	0° - 82° (90° optional)	20° - 70°	20° - 70°	20° - 70°
Azimuth Fine Adjustment Range	+/- 7.5°	+/- 10°	+/- 10°	+/- 10°
Counterweight Shaft	30mm diameter, stainless steel, weight 1.7kg	40mm diameter, stainless steel, weight 4kg	50mm diameter, stainless steel, weight 8kg	60mm diameter, stainless steel, weight 13kg
Axes	30mm diameter, alloy steel	50mm diameter, allow steel	a.r. 80mm / dec. 50mm diameter, alloy steel	a.r. 85mm / dec. 80mm diameter, alloy steel
Bearings	Pre-loaded tapered roller bearings	Pre-loaded tapered roller bearing	Pre-loaded tapered roller bearing	Pre-loaded tapered roller bearing
Worm Wheels	250 teeth, 125mm diameter, B14 bronze	215 teeth, 172mm diameter, B14 bronze	a.r. 315 teeth, 244mm diameter, B14 bronze dec. 250 teeth, 192mm diameter, B14 bronze	a.r. 430 teeth, 330mm diameter, b14 bronze dec. 315 teeth, 244mm diameter, B14 bronze
Worms	20mm diameter, tempered alloy steel, grinded and lapped	24mm diameter, tempered alloy steel, grinded and lapped	32mm / 24mm diameter, tempered alloy steel, grinded and lapped	32mm diameter, tempered alloy steel, grinded and lapped
Motors	2 axes AC servo brushless
Power Supply	24 V DC
Power Consumption	~ 0,5A while tracking ~ 3A at maximum speed ~ 4A peak	~ 0,7A while tracking ~ 3A at maximum speed ~ 5A peak	~ 1A while tracking ~ 3A at maximum speed ~ 5A peak	~ 1.5A while tracking ~ 5A at maximum speed ~ 6A peak
Go-To Speed	Adjustable from 2°/s to 15°/s	Adjustable from 2°/s to 20°/s	Adjustable from 2°/s to 12°/s	Adjustable from 2°/s to 8°/s

General Specifications
Transmission System	Backlash-free system with timing belt and automatic backlash recovery
Pointing Accuracy	<20° with internal 25-stars software mapping - max. 100 stars; possibility to use the Model Maker software for automated alignment operation.
Average Tracking Accuracy	~ 1" typical for 15 minutes ~ 0,6" RMS with internal 25-stars software mapping and compensation of system flexures and polar alignment errors
Security Stop	+/- 30° past meridian in r.a. (software) +/- 45° past meridian in r.a. (mechanical)
Communication Ports	RS-232 port; GPS port; autoguide ST-4 standard port; Ethernet 10/100/1000 port
Database	Stars: by Common Names, Bayer designation, Flamsteed designation, Bright Star Catalogue, SAO, HIP, HD, PPM, ADS, GCVS. Deep-sky: M, NGC, IC, PGC ,UGC limited up to mV = 16. Solar system: Sun, Moon, planets, asteroids, comets, artificial satellites. Equatorial and altazimuth coordinates. User defined objects. Quick slewing positions recalls for frequent focusing or useful operation.
Firmware Features	User defined mount parking positions, 2stars and 3stars alignment function, up to 100 alignment stars for modeling, correction of polar alignment and orthogonality errors, estimate of average pointing error, storage of multiple pointing models, sidereal, solar and lunar tracking speed adjustable on both axes, declination-based autoguide speed correction, adjustable horizon height limit, pointing and tracking past meridian, assisted electronic balance adjustment, automatic (ClockSync proprietary software) manual or GPS time & site coordinates synchronization, leap seconds support and full accounting for the UT1-UTC timescale, configurable atmospheric refraction, direct Baader dome control via RS-232, network settings, comets and asteroids filter, multi-language interface. Remote Assist via Internet connection with dedicated server.
Keypad Control	Rugged keypad with metal housing and reliable professional micro switches, Large graphic display – heated for operation under lowest temperatures, dimmable display and keyboard with back-lit keys, ve information menu lines for coordinates, object information and symbols showing mount status and active external connections and accessories. All the functionality of the mount is available through the keypad without requiring an external PC
PC Control	Remote control via RS-232, Ethernet, proprietary 10Micron ASCOM driver, LX200 compatible protocol, update of firmware and orbital elements of comets, asteroids and artificial satellites via RS-232 or Ethernet, PC virtual KeyPad control panel via RS-232 or Ethernet, Integrated Wi-Fi for connection with smartphones and tablets and any wireless network

CLICK HERE to visit the 10MICRON Website for more information

NGC 891, 400sec unguided exposure with GM2000HPS, 0.7 arcsecond/pixel scale (click here to see full size image)

GM1000 HPS

German "go to" equatorial mount, compact sizes, exclusive 10Micron HPS technology with absolute axis-encoders and high performances motor drives; payload 25 Kg (55 lbs).

GM 1000 HPS Product Information Sheet - CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

The product information sheet contains general information, full technical specifications and a full accessory list for the GM1000 HPS.

GM 1000 HPS Equatorial Mount Head (#10M1000)
Includes the following:

GM 1000 HPS Mount with built-in precision absolute axis-encoders
Control box with onboard-intelligence (Linux-processor), stand alone system (no PC required , V. 2 – HPS version firmware)
Professional handcontrol unit with graphic display and temperature control – 10M5030
Cables
Counterweight bar
Pier adapter for tripod / column – 10M1090
Strong transport carton-box with shaped foam – 10M1066
Allen key set
WiFi option included

*Hercules or Aries package is required to create a complete mount

"HERCULES" Package (#10M1020) for GM 1000 HPS

Counterweight set 3kg and 6kg – stainless steel
Tripod Hercules 30H100 by Geoptik, complete with 10Micron upholstered Cordura transport-bag
Mounting-Head Protective Cover (Cordura),
Mount’s and counterweights professional PLB transport resin cases (2pcs: Trolley + hand case )
Perseus Software Package
Power-Supply mobile type 240V / 24V- 4A – 90W
Polar finder holder: laser pointer V-holder for a quick alignment (laser pen not included )

"ARIES" Package (#10M1021) for GM 1000 HPS

Counterweight set 3kg and 6kg – stainless steel
Tripod ARIES by 10Micron, complete with 10Micron upholstered ordura transport-bag
Mounting-Head Protective Cover (Cordura),
Mount’s and counterweights professional PLB transport resin cases ( 2pcs: Trolley + hand case)
Perseus Software Package
Power-Supply mobile type 240V / 24V- 4A – 90W
Polar finder holder: laser pointer V-holder for a quick alignment (laser pen not included)

Evolving perfection.

The GM1000HPS mount is built for the demanding observer using photographic instruments up to a weight of 25kg – 55 lbs (counterweights not included). Movements are driven by two AC servo motors, with timing belt reduction having zerobacklash. Both axes feature a classic worm – wormwheel pairing. The wormwheels are made of bronze (B14), with a diameter of 125mm and 250 teeth, while the worms are built of alloy steel with a diameter of 20mm. The axes themselves are made of 30mm diameter alloy steel, for the maximum rigidity. The double dovetail mounting plate guarantees the maximum compatibility with many telescope manufacturers.

The electronics is housed in an independent control box, easily removable. The connections of motors, encoders and hand pad feature security lock screws. The mount can be controlled using the included hand pad, without connecting an external PC. The keypad is built in order to maintain the maximum readability in all lighting conditions. Both the display and the ergonomic keys, allowing for the use of gloves, feature a red backlight. An heater keeps the display warm for usage below freezing temperatures. The mount can be controlled using the most common software packages by connecting it to a PC with the RS-232 serial port or the Ethernet connection, via the proprietary 10Micron ASCOM driver or the Meade compatible command protocol. Furthermore, a dedicated software (also included with the mount) can be used to create a “virtual hand pad” replicating exactly the functions of the physical hand pad. The RS-232 port can also be used to control an external dome. This flexibility makes the GM1000HPS an ideal mount for observatories and remotized observing sites. The object database contains many star catalogs and deep-sky objects up to the 16th magnitude. Solar system objects can be tracked so that their motion is compensated with respect to the stars. You may load orbital elements of comets, asteroids and artificial satellites into the mount, so that these objects can be tracked directly using the hand pad (without any external PC).

Pointing is made accurate through the usage of a model containing up to 100 stars, which allows for the correction of the classical polar alignment and conic errors, and also of the most important flexure terms of the optical tube. In this way it is possible to obtain pointing accuracies of the order of 20 arcseconds RMS. The same model can be used in order to obtain the maximum tracking accuracy, compensating also for the atmospheric refraction (depending on the local atmospheric pressure and temperature). A series of auxiliary functions is provided to help the user for quick aligning the mount to the celestial pole. You may save and recover the alignment data of different observing sessions. This function is very useful if you have many instruments in different setups, each one requiring different flexure corrections. Tracking through the meridian, a typical problem with german mounts, is solved allowing for tracking for up to 30° past the meridian (configurable), in both directions. In this way any object can be tracked for at least four hours.
The tracking accuracy makes autoguiding not necessary for many uses. The absolute encoders on both axes allows to obtain a typical tracking error below 1 arcsecond. It is possible to autoguide anyway, using the ST4-compatible port or through the serial/Ethernet connection, with a guide rate configurable from 0.1x to 1x. The guide rate can be automatically corrected for the declination of the target, so that there is no need of recalibrating the autoguide when observing at different declinations.

Designed for field use, the GM1000HPS is easily transportable. The main body of the mount, without the counterweight shaft, has a weight of only 19.5 kg – 43 lbs.

Other functions of the mount are designed in order to obtain the maximum flexibility in the most usage conditions. The mount can be switched on and off using the dedicated connector on the control box panel. You can use the electronic balance functions in order to balance your instrument without unlocking the clutches. The mount can be parked in different user-defined positions. An external dome can be controlled directly using the RS-232 serial port, avoiding the need of using a dedicated external PC. Once configured with your instrument parameters, the firmware is able to make all the calculations required for positioning the dome slit in front of your optical tube, for almost all instrument configurations.

Tracking through the meridian, a typical problem with german mounts, is solved allowing for tracking for up to 30 past the meridian (configurable), in both directions. In this way any object can be tracked for at least four hours.

The tracking accuracy makes autoguiding not necessary for many uses. The absolute encoders on both axes allows to obtain a typical tracking error below 1 arcsecond.

It is possible to autoguide anyway, using the ST4-compatible port or through the serial/Ethernet connection, with a guide rate configurable from 0.Ix to Ix. The guide rate can be automatically corrected for the declination of the target, so that there is no need of recalibrating the autoguide when observing at different declinations. Designed for field use, the GMIOOOHPS is easily transportable. The main body of the mount, without the counterweight shaft, has a weight of only 19.5 kg – 43 Ibs. Other functions of the mount are designed in order to obtain the maximum flexibility In the most usage conditions.

The mount can be switched on and off using the dedicated connector on the control box panel. You can use the electronic balance functions in order to balance your instrument without unlocking the clutches.

The mount can be parked in different user-defined positions. An external dome can be controlled directly using the RS-232 serial port, avoiding the need of using a dedicated external PC. Once configured with your instrument parameters, the firmware is able to make all the calculations required for positioning the dome slit in front of your optical tube, for almost all instrument configurations.

GM2000 HPS II Monolith / GM2000 HPS II Ultraport

German "go to" equatorial mount, monolithic body, exclusive 10Micron HPS technology with absolute axis-encoders and high performances motor drives; payload capacity of 50 Kg (110 lbs).

German "go to" equatorial mount, two separable parts body, exclusive 10Micron HPS technology with absolute axis-encoders and high performances motor drives; payload capacity of 50 Kg (110 lbs).

GM 2000 HPS II Product Information Sheet - CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

The product information sheet contains general information, full technical specifications and a full accessory list for the GM2000 HPS II.

Standard Package GM 2000 HPS II Monolith (#10M2020) and GM 2000 HPS II Ultraport (#10M2020U):

GM2000 HPS II Mount with built-in precision absolute axis-encoders, control box with onboard-intelligence (Linux-processor),V. 2 – HPS version firmware, stand alone system ( no PC required)
Professional handcontrol unit with graphic display and temperature control – 10M2020U
Cables
Counterweight bar
Strong transport carton-box with shaped foam – 10M2066
WiFi option included.

Full Package (#10M2020AH) for GM 2000 HPS II Monolith:
in addition to the Standard Package:

Counterweight set 6kg and 12kg stainless steel
Losmandy 3″ compatible dovetail plate
Centaurus II tripod, complete with 10Micron upholstered Cordura transport-bag
Mounting-Head Protective Cover (Cordura)
Mount’s and counterweights professional PLB transport resin cases: (2pcs: Trolley+hand case )
Perseus Software Package
Power-Supply mobile type 240V / 24V- 6A 150W (Note: pole finder is obsolete due to new QCI-quick-alignment-routine included)

Full Package (#10M2020uAH) for GM 2000 HPS II Ultraport:
in addition to the Standard Package:

Counterweight set 6kg and 12kg stainless steel
Losmandy 3″ compatible dovetail plate
Centaurus II tripod, complete with 10Micron upholstered Cordura transport-bag
Mounting-Head Protective Cover (Cordura)
Mount’s and counterweights professional PLB transport resin cases: (3pcs: 2Trolley+hand case )
Perseus Software Package
Power-Supply mobile type 240V / 24V- 6A 150W (Note: pole finder is obsolete due to new QCI-quick-alignment-routine included)

Evolving perfection. The GM2000HPS mount, now in the new M2 version, is built for the demanding observer using photographic instruments up to a weight of 50kg – 110 lbs (counterweights not included). Movements are driven by two AC servo motors, with timing belt reduction having zerobacklash. Both axes feature a classic worm – wormwheel pairing. The wormwheels are made of bronze (B14), with a diameter of 172mm and 215 teeth, while the worms are made of alloy steel with a diameter of 24mm. The axes themselves are made of 50mm diameter alloy steel, for the maximum rigidity.

The electronics is housed in an independent control box, easily removable. The connections of the mount and keypad feature secutiry lock screws. The mount can be controlled using the included keypad, without connecting an external PC. The keypad is built in order to maintain the maximum readability in all lighting conditions. Both the display and the ergonomic keys, allowing for the use of gloves, feature a red backlight. An heater keeps the display warm for usage below freezing temperature.

The mount can be controlled using the most common software packages by connecting it to a PC with the RS-232 serial port or the Ethernet connection, via the 10micron ASCOM driver or the Meade compatible command protocol. Furthermore, a dedicated software (also included with the mount) can be used to create a “virtual keypad” replicating exactly the functions of the physical keypad. The RS-232 port can also be used to control an external dome. This flexibility makes the GM2000HPS an ideal mount for observatories and remotized observing sites.

The object database contains many star catalogs and deep-sky objects up to the 16th magnitude. Solar system objects can be tracked so that their motion is compensated with respect to the stars. You may load orbital elements of comets, asteroids and artificial satellites into the mount, so that these objects can be tracked directly using the keypad (without any external PC). Pointing is made accurate through the usage of a model containing up to 100 stars, which allows for the correction of the classical polar alignment and conic errors, and also of the most important flexure terms of the optical tube. In this way it is possible to obtain pointing accuracies of the order of 20 arcseconds RMS. The same model can be used in order to obtain the maximum tracking accuracy, compensating also for the atmospheric refraction (depending on the local atmospheric pressure and temperature).

A series of auxiliary functions is provided to help the user for quick aligning the mount to the celestial pole. You may also save and recover the alignment data of different observing sessions. This function is very useful if you have many instruments in different setups, each one requiring different flexure corrections. Tracking through the meridian, a typical problem with german mounts, is solved allowing for tracking for up to 30° past the meridian (configurable), in both directions. In this way any object can be tracked for at least four hours.

The tracking accuracy makes autoguiding not necessary for many uses. The absolute encoders on both axes allows to obtain a typical tracking error below 1 arcsecond.

It is possible to autoguide anyway, using the ST4-compatible port or through the serial/Ethernet connection, with a guide rate configurable from 0.1x to 1x. The guide rate can be automatically corrected for the declination of the target, so that there is no need of recalibrating the autoguide when observing at different declinations. Among the other functions, you will find the electronically-assisted balance and the ability of parking the mount in different user-defined positions

Designed for field use, the ultraportable version is easily separable into two parts. All electrical connections are made automatically when assembling the mount. The biggest piece has a weigth of only 15 kg – 33 lbs, and in combination with the Centaurus II (21 kg – 46 lbs) you obtain a winning combination for the mobile observer.

GM3000 HPS

German "go to" equatorial mount, professional grade, exclusive 10Micron HPS technology with absolute axis-encoders and high performances motor drives; high payload capacity of 100 Kg (220 lbs).

GM 3000 HPS Product Information Sheet - CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

The product information sheet contains general information, full technical specifications and a full accessory list for the GM3000 HPS.

Standard Package (#10M3010) for GM 3000 HPS Mount Package includes:

GM 3000 Mount with built-in absolute encoders
control box with onboard-intelligence (Linux-processor),V. 2
HPS version firmware, stand alone system ( no PC required ),
professional handcontrol unit with graphic display and temperature control – 10M5030
cables
counterweight shaft
WiFi option included.

Evolving perfection.
The GM3000HPS mount is built for observatories with an instrumentation up to a weight of 100 kg – 220 lbs (excluding counterweights). It is ideal for remotized observation sites, and its loading capacity allows for mounting instruments like 200 mm diameter refractors, 300 mm diameter Newton reflectors, 450 mm diameter Cassegrains and so on. Movements are driven by two AC servo motors, with timing belt reduction having zerobacklash. Both axes feature a classic worm – wormwheel pairing. The wormwheels are made of bronze (B14), with a diameter of 244 mm and 315 teeth in right ascension, and a diameter of 192 mm and 250 teeth in declination. The worms are made of alloy tempered steel with a diameter of 32 mm and 24 mm respectively. The axes themselves are made of alloy steel, with a diameter of 80 mm (right ascension) and 60 mm (declination), for the maximum rigidity.

The electronics is housed in an independent control box, easily removable. The connections of the mount and keypad secutiry lock screws. Only one cable runs from the control box to the mount. The axes feature an hole allowing for the passage of instrumentation cables. This effectively solves the problem of entangling cables and damaging instruments, especially for remote observatories. The mount is powered with low voltage, requiring a maximum power of about 100W. This makes possible using the mount even in locations with limited power available. The GM3000HPS can be controlled completely using the included keypad, without requiring any external PC.

The keypad is built in order to maintain the maximum readability in all lighting conditions. Both the display and the ergonomic keys, allowing for the use of gloves, feature a red backlight. An heater keeps the display warm for usage below freezing temperatures. The mount can be controlled using the most common software packages by connecting it to a PC with the RS-232 serial port or the Ethernet connection, via the 10micron ASCOM driver or the Meade compatible command protocol. Furthermore, a dedicated software (also included with the mount) can be used to create a “virtual keypad” replicating exactly the functions of the physical keypad. The RS-232 port can also be used to control an external dome. This flexibility makes the GM3000HPS an ideal mount for observatories and remotized observing sites. The object database contains many star catalogs and deep-sky objects up to the 16th magnitude. Solar system objects can be tracked so that their motion is compensated with respect to the stars. You may load orbital elements of comets, asteroids and artificial satellites into the mount, so that these objects can be tracked directly.

Pointing is made accurate through the usage of a model containing up to 100 stars, which allows for the correction of the classical polar alignment and conic errors, and also of the most important flexure terms of the optical tube. In this way it is possible to obtain pointing accuracies of the order of 15 arcseconds RMS. The same model can be used in order to obtain the maximum tracking accuracy, compensating also for the atmospheric refraction (depending on the local atmospheric pressure and temperature).
A series of auxiliary functions is provided to help the user for quick aligning the mount to the celestial pole. You may also save and recover the alignment data of different observing sessions. This function is very useful if you have many instruments in different setups, each one requiring different flexure corrections. Tracking through the meridian, a typical problem with german mounts, is solved allowing for tracking for up to 30° past the meridian (configurable), in both directions. In this way any object can be tracked for at least four hours.

The tracking accuracy makes autoguiding not necessary for many uses.

The absolute encoders on both axes allows to obtain a typical tracking error below 1 arcsecond. It is possible to autoguide anyway, using the ST4-compatible port or through the serial/Ethernet connection, with a guide rate configurable from 0.1x to 1x. The guide rate can be automatically corrected for the declination of the target, so that there is no need of recalibrating the autoguide when observing at different declinations. The mount has also dedicated function for easy use in the observatory. A dedicated connector on the control box panel is used for remotized switching on and off. The instrument can be electronically balanced, without disengaging the worm from the wormwheel. The mount can be parked in different user-defined positions. The serial RS-232 port can be used to control directly an external dome, avoiding the need of using a dedicated external PC. Once configured with your instrument parameters, the firmware is able to make all the calculations required for positioning the dome slit in front of your optical tube, for almost all instrument configurations.

GM4000 HPS II

German "go to" equatorial mount, professional grade, exclusive 10Micron HPS technology with absolute axis-encoders and high performances motor drives; high payload capacity of 150 Kg (330 lbs).

GM 4000 HPS II Product Information Sheet - CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

The product information sheet contains general information, full technical specifications and a full accessory list for the GM4000 HPS II.

Standard Package (#10M4010) for GM4000 HPS II Mount including:

GM 4000 HPS II Mount with built-in precision absolute encoders
control box with onboard-intelligence (Linux-processor),V. 2
HPS version firmware, stand alone system ( no PC required ),
professional handcontrol unit with graphic display and temperature control – 10M5030
cables
counterweight shaft
WiFi option included.

The GM4000HPS mount, now in the new M2 version, is built for observatories with an instrumentation up to a weight of 150 kg – 330 lbs (excluding counterweights). It is ideal for remotized observation sites, and its loading capacity allows for mounting instruments like 300 mm diameter refractors, 400 mm diameter Newton reflectors, 600 mm diameter Cassegrains and so on. Movements are driven by two AC servo motors, with timing belt reduction having zero-backlash. Both axes feature a classic worm – wormwheel pairing. The wormwheels are made of bronze (B14), with a diameter of 330 mm and 430 teeth in right ascension, and a diameter of 244 mm and 315 teeth in declination. The worms are made of alloy tempered steel with a diameter of 32 mm. The axes themselves are made of alloy steel, with a diameter of 85 mm (right ascension) and 80 mm (declination), for the maximum rigidity.

The electronics is housed in an easily detachable housing (control box), mounted above the right ascension axis, in order to obtain the best accessibility of all connections. The connections of the mount and keypad secutiry lock screws. Only one cable runs from the control box to the mount. The axes feature a 60 mm diameter hole allowing for the passage of instrumentation cables. This effectively solves the problem of entangling cables and damaging instruments, especially for remote observatories. The mount is powered with low voltage, requiring a maximum power of about 100W. This makes possible using the mount even in locations with limited power available. The GM4000HPS can be controlled completely using the included hand pad, without requiring any external PC.

The keypad is built in order to maintain the maximum readability in all lighting conditions. Both the display and the ergonomic keys, allowing for the use of gloves, feature a red backlight. An heater keeps the display warm for usage below freezing temperatures. The mount can be controlled using the most common software packages by connecting it to a PC with the RS‑232 serial port or the Ethernet connection, via the 10micron ASCOM driver or the Meade compatible command protocol. Furthermore, a dedicated software (also included with the mount) can be used to create a “virtual keypad” replicating exactly the functions of the physical keypad. The RS‑232 port can also be used to control an external dome. This flexibility makes the GM4000HPS an ideal mount for observatories and remotized observing sites.

The object database contains many star catalogs and deep‑sky objects up to the 16th magnitude. Solar system objects can be tracked so that their motion is compensated with respect to the stars. You may load orbital elements of comets, asteroids and artificial satellites into the mount, so that these objects can be tracked directly.

Pointing is made accurate through the usage of a model containing up to 100 stars, which allows for the correction of the classical polar alignment and conic errors, and also of the most important flexure terms of the optical tube. In this way it is possible to obtain pointing accuracies of the order of 15 arcseconds RMS. The same model can be used in order to obtain the maximum tracking accuracy, compensating also for the atmospheric refraction (depending on the local atmospheric pressure and temperature). A series of auxiliary functions is provided to help the user for quick aligning the mount to the celestial pole. You may also save and recover the alignment data of different observing sessions. This function is very useful if you have many instruments in different setups, each one requiring different flexure corrections. Tracking through the meridian, a typical problem with german mounts, is solved allowing for tracking for up to 30° past the meridian (configurable), in both directions. In this way any object can be tracked for at least four hours.

The tracking accuracy makes autoguiding not necessary for many uses. The absolute encoders on both axes allows to obtain a typical tracking error below 1 arcsecond.

It is possible to autoguide anyway, using the ST4‑compatible port or through the serial/Ethernet connection, with a guide rate configurable from 0.1x to 1x. The guide rate can be automatically corrected for the declination of the target, so that there is no need of recalibrating the autoguide when observing at different declinations. The mount has also dedicated function for easy use in the observatory. A dedicated connector on the control box panel is used for remotized switching on and off. The instrument can be electronically balanced, without disengaging the worm from the wormwheel. The mount can be parked in different user‑defined positions. The serial RS‑232 port can be used to control directly an external dome, avoiding the need of using a dedicated external PC. Once configured with your instrument parameters, the firmware is able to make all the calculations required for positioning the dome slit in front of your optical tube, for almost all instrument configurations

AZ1000 HPS

(10M1000AZ) Altazimuthal mount, exclusive 10Micron HPS technology with absolute encoders and high performances motor drives;
payload capacity of 25 Kg (55 lbs) – Most of the GM1000 Accessories are compatible, please ask our team for more information

AZ2000 HPS

(10M2000AZ) Altazimuthal mount, exclusive 10Micron HPS technology with absolute encoders and high performances motor drives;
payload capacity of 50 Kg (110 lbs) – Most of the GM2000 Accessories are compatible, please ask our team for more information

AZ3000 HPS

(10M3000AZ) Altazimuthal mount, exclusive 10Micron HPS technology with absolute encoders and high performances motor drives;
payload capacity of 100 Kg (220 lbs) – Most of the GM3000 Accessories are compatible, please ask our team for more information

AZ4000 HPS

(10M4000AZ) Altazimuthal mount, exclusive 10Micron HPS technology with absolute encoders and high performances motor drives;
payload capacity of 150 Kg (330 lbs) – Most of the GM4000 Accessories are compatible, please ask our team for more information

Contact AEC For more information regarding these products