were already precessed after the :Sd command was received and the :Sp# command will 

not precess them again. 

6.4.4  Coordinate Precision 

Both LX200 coordinate modes, low and high precision, are supported. After a CMOS 

reset or the   Restore Defaults   command is executed, Gemini is in High Precision mode. 

This is different from the LX 200 and may cause problems with programs expecting it to 

be in Low Precision mode. For this reason, Gemini stores the coordinate mode it was set 

to, and next time starts up in the same mode as when it was shut down. You can use one 

of the supported software packages or a terminal emulation program to switch the mode 

permanently (The command :U# toggles the mode, :P# returns the current setting). 

6.5  Using Control Programs 

There are several very good control programs available for Gemini which fill many gaps 

between commercial planetarium programs that target telescope control, and many of the 

setup options and additional functionality that Gemini offers. 

6.5.1  Gemini Control Center   GCC 

The Gemini Control Center (GCC) is the successor to the older Gemini Control Program. 

The GCC was developed from scratch to fully support the Gemini Levels 1 to 3 and to 

provide extra functionality, giving users of Level 3 almost full remote control over the 

Gemini System.  It is available for Windows PCs as well as several models of Windows 

CE based PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants).  Together with a planetarium program 

such as TheSky PE, GCC for PDAs constitutes the   ultimate hand controller.    More 

information and trial versions can be found at http://www.DocGoerlich.de. 

6.5.2  GCP for Windows   

The original Gemini Control Program (GCP) for Windows, developed by Daniel 

Goerlich, can be downloaded free of charge at the website 

http://www.DocGoerlich.de

. 

GCP allows you to set up Gemini without having to use the Hand Controller to walk 

through the menu tree. The setup data can be stored in files in advance of an observation, 

and downloaded to the Gemini using a single GCP command. There is more functionality 

added as well, such as the ability to download user catalogs and observing lists, upload 

the log, move the telescope manually, or slew the telescope to certain locations at certain 

times by scripted control. GCP comes with its own complete manual. 

6.6  The Jemini Project 

The Jemini Project is a Java based class hierarchy that encapsulates communications with 

Gemini and a Swing based graphical user interface.  Based on the documented Gemini 

serial command set and on Java

 technology, this tool allows software developers to 

quickly and easily add Gemini control features to their own software.  Information about 

this project is available from the Gemini Users Yahoo group 

(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Gemini_Users/). The latest Jemini software is available 

in the files section of this group. 

Gemini Users Manual 

7  

0