The information provided here is intended for professional programmers. The LX200 Command Set may be used to write custom software for remote operation of an LX200 telescope with a personal computer. Although the information provided here has been researched and tested, it is not provided with a guarantee of accuracy nor is it supplied with any warranty, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

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Table of Contents

Organization of Commands
Alphabetical List of Commands

<ACK> A B C D f F G h H L M P $Q Q r R S T U V W X ?

Grammar
Return Values From Commands
Exceptions

The grammar for the LX200 command set is organized according to the action the telescope takes in response to the command.
There are twenty categories, or groups, of commands according to this 'action' view.
The groups are shown in the table below.

Telescope Command Groupings:

Command Group	Command Designator Symbol
Alignment Query	<ACK>
Alignment	A
Reticle Control	B
Sync Control	C
Distance Bars	D
Fan*	f
Focus Control Commands	F
Get Information	G
Home Position Commands*	h
Hour	H
Library	L
Movement	M
High Precision	P
Smart Drive Control*	$Q
Quit Command	Q
Field De-rotater	r
Rate Control	R
Set Information	S
Tracking Frequency	T
User Format Control	U
View PEC Scale Data	V
Waypoint (Site)	W
PEC Worm*	X
Help Commands	?

Some of the commands are specific to the LX200 16-inch telescopes These commands are marked in the above table using an asterisk following the Command Description on the left hand side of the table.

Each command grouping may have sub-groupings. The Library command group, as an example, can be further broken down into the logical categories of Library Commands affecting the Telescope and Library Commands which affect Objects.

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Alphabetical List of Commands

<ACK> A B C D f* F G h* H L M P $Q* Q r*R S T U V* W* X* ?

Notes:
* next to a command identifier indicates a command supported only on the LX200 16-inch telescopes. The asterisk is not a part of the command syntax.

<none> means nothing is returned from the telescope if listed in the Value(s) Returned column. <none> means no parameter is supplied and no parameter is needed if listed in the Takes As Parameter(s) column.

Letters & digits shown are the ASCII symbols of the returned values. For example the symbol 'A' as a "Values(s) Returned" entry means that the program should expect to receive an ASCII 'A' (0x41) as the return value. Similarly a lower case 'a' would indicate that the program should expect to receive an ASCII 'a' (0x61) as the return value.

<bool> is a boolean returned value of either an ASCII '0' (0x30) or an ASCII '1' (0x31). Zero is false.

<string&62; is a sequence of characters followed by a hash-mark (ASCII '#' 0x23).

If a symbol is indicated with enclosing symbols (as in parenthesis marks around the 12 or 24 in the #:Gl# command) the enclosing symbols are literal and are a part of the returned value.

A single ASCII digit as in the return value 2<string> for the command #:MS# indicates an ASCII '2' (0x32) value is prefixed to the <string>. The ASCII digit and the <string> are both part of the returned value.

ACK (Autostar does not return a 'G' ever.)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
ACK <ASCII 6>				Alignment Query
		<none>	A	AltAz
			G	German Polar Mount
			L	Land
			P	Polar

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A (Autostar)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
A				Set Alignment Mode
	L	<none>	<none>	Land
	P	<none>	<none>	Polar
	A	<none>	<none>	AltAz

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B (Autostar) [pending]

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
B				Reticle Brightness Control
	+	<none>	<none>	Increase
	-	<none>	<none>	Decrease
	0	<none>	<none>	Flashing Mode 0
	1	<none>	<none>	Flashing Mode 1
	2	<none>	<none>	Flashing Mode 2
	3	<none>	<none>	Flashing Mode 3

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C (Autostar always returns the same string of:" M31 EX GAL MAG 3.5 SZ178.0'#" (34 ASCII characters)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
C				Sync -- Match Scope Coord to Object Coords
	M	<none>	<string>	Which Object's coordinates were used.

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D (Autostar returns a single bar if continuing to slew and otherwise an empty string is returned.)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
D				Get Distance Bars String
		<none>	<string>	Number of bars on the display (see exceptions)

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f (Autostar)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
f				Fan Control (16-inch only)
	+	<none>	<none>	On
	-	<none>	<none>	Off

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F (Autostar supports 4 speeds) [pending]

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
F				Focus Control
	+	<none>	<none>	In
	-	<none>	<none>	Out
	Q	<none>	<none>	Quit Focus Command
	F	<none>	<none>	Focus Fast
	S	<none>	<none>	Focus Slow

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G (Autostar: See Autostar GET Command section.)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
G				Get Information
	0	<none>	Alignment Menu 0#	Alignment Menu Entry 0
	1	<none>	Alignment Menu 1#	Alignment Menu Entry 1
	2	<none>	Alignment Menu 2#	Alignment Menu Entry 2
	A	<none>	sDD*MM#	Telescope Altitude
	a	<none>	HH:MM:SS#	Local Time in 12-hour Format
	b	<none>	sMM.M#	Brighter
	C	<none>	MM/DD/YY#	Calendar Date
	c			Clock 12 or 24-hour status
		<none>	(12)#
		<none>	(24)#
	D	<none>	sDD*MM#	Telescope Declination
	d	<none>	sDD*MM#	Object Declination
	F	<none>	NNN'#	Field
	f	<none>	sMM.M#	Fainter Limit
	G	<none>	sHH#	Hours From UCT (GMT)
	g	<none>	DDD*MM#	Site Longitude
	h	<none>	DD*#	Higher Limit
	L	<none>	HH:MM:SS#	Local Time in 24-hour Format
	l	<none>	NNN'#	Larger Size Limit
	M	<none>	XYZ#	Site Name 1
	N	<none>	XYZ#	Site Name 2
	o	<none>	DD*#	Lower limit
	O	<none>	XYZ#	Site Name 3
	P	<none>	XYZ#	Site Name 4
	q			Minimum Quality For Find Operation
		<none>	SU#	Super
		<none>	EX#	Excellent
		<none>	VG#	Very Good
		<none>	GD#	Good
		<none>	FR#	Fair
		<none>	PR#	Poor
		<none>	VP#	Very Poor
	R	<none>	+HH:MM.T#	Telescope RA
	r	<none>	HH:MM.T#	Object RA
	S	<none>	HH:MM:SS#	Sidereal Time (24-hour)
	s	<none>	NNN'#	Smaller Size Limit
	T	<none>	TT.T#	Current Track Frequency
	t	<none>	sDD*MM#	Site Latitude
	y	<none>	GPDCO#	Types Parameters (Capital == Selected else not)
	Z	<none>	DDD*MM#	Telescope Azimuth

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h (Autostar obeys the Park minor command and returns nothing on all other 'h' commands.)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
h				Home Position Search Controls (16" only)
	S	<none>		Start Home Position Search, Save Current Position
	F	<none>		Start Home Position Search Set To Saved Values
	P	<none>		Slew to Home Position
	?
		<none>	0	Home Search Failed
		<none>	1	Home Search Found
		<none>	2	Home Search in Progress

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H (Autostar always uses an internal 24-hour clock and ignores this command)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
H		<none>	<none>	Toggles 12 or 24-Hour Time Format

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L (Autostar: See Autostar Library Command Section.)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
L				Library Control
	B	<none>	<none>	Previous Object In Find
	C	NNNN	<none>	Find CNGC Type Objects
	F	<none>	<none>	Start Find Operation
	f			Field
		<none>	<string>	Number of objects in field & object in center field.
	I	<none>	<string>	Object Information
	M	NNNN	<none>	Find Messier
	N	<none>	<none>	Next Object In Find
	o			Set the NGC library type
		0	<bool>	Objects CNGC
		1	<bool>	Objects IC
		2	<bool>	Objects UGC
	s			Set the STAR object library
		0	<bool>	STAR library
		1	<bool>	SAO library
		2	<bool>	GCVS library
	S	NNNN	<none>	Find STAR Type Objects

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M (Autostar: See Autostar Movement Command Section.)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
M				Move
	A	<none>	0	Slew to AltAz (16-inch only) used with Sa Sz cmd
	e	<none>	<none>	East
	n	<none>	<none>	North
	s	<none>	<none>	South
	w	<none>	<none>	West
	S			Slew to Object
		<none>	0	Slew is Possible
		<none>	1<string>	Object Below Horizon w/string message
		<none>	2<string>	Object Below Higher w/string message

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P (Autostar always returns "HIGH PRECISION". The Autostar only knows one precision and does not switch.")

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
P				High Precision
	<none>	<none>	"HIGH PRECISION"	When On (14 character string)
	<none>	<none>	"LOW PRECISION"	When Off (14 character string)

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$Q (Autostar ignores)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
$Q				Toggles Smart Drive Status
	1	<none>	<none>
	2	<none>	<none>
	3	<none>	<none>
	4	<none>	<none>
	5	<none>	<none>

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Q (Autostar)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
Q				Abort Movement
	e	<none>	<none>	East
	n	<none>	<none>	North
	s	<none>	<none>	South
	w	<none>	<none>	West
	<none>	<none>	<none>	Stop the Slew

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r (Autostar ignores)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
r				Field De-Rotater (16" only)
	+	<none>	<none>	On
	-	<none>	<none>	Off

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R (Autostar: See Autostar Rate Command Section.)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
R				Set Movement Rate
	C	<none>	<none>	Center
	G	<none>	<none>	Guide
	M	<none>	<none>	Move
	S	<none>	<none>	Slew

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S (Autostar: See Autostar SET Command Section.)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
S				Set Telescope or Object Parameter
	a	sDD*MM	<bool>	Object Altitude (16-inch only) used with MA cmd
	b	sMM.M	<bool>	Brighter
	C	MM/DD/YY	<bool><string>	Calendar: If the date is valid 2 <string>s are returned, each string is 31 bytes long. The first is: "Updating planetary data#" followed by a second string of 30 spaces terminated by '#'
	d	sDD*MM	<bool>	Object DEC
	f	sMM.M	<bool>	Fainter
	F	NNN	<bool>	Field
	g	DDD*MM	<bool>	Site Longitude
	G	sHH	<bool>	Hours From UTC (GMT)
	h	DD	<bool>	Higher
	l	NNN	<bool>	Larger
	L	HH:MM:SS	<bool>	Local
	M	XYZ	<bool>	Site Name 1
	N	XYZ	<bool>	Site Name 2
	o	DD*	<bool>	Lower Limit
	O	XYZ	<bool>	Site Name 3
	P	XYZ	<bool>	Site Name 4
	q	<none>	<none>	Quality
	r	HH:MM.T	<bool>	Object RA
	s	NNN	<bool>	Smaller
	S	HH:MM:SS	<bool>	Sidereal
	t	sDD*MM	<bool>	Site Latitude
	T	TT.T	<bool>	Frequency
	w	N	<bool>	Max Slew Rate dgrees/second (2..4)
	y	GPDCO	<bool>	Find String Type: Capitals indicate active
	z	DDD*MM	<bool>	Object Azimuth (16-inch only) used with MA cmd

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T (Autostar: See Autostar TRACKING Command Section.)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
T				Tracking Frequency
	M	<none>	<none>	Switch to Manual
	Q	<none>	<none>	Switch to Quartz
	+	<none>	<none>	Increment by one tenth
	-	<none>	<none>	Decrement by one tenth

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U (Autostar)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
U	<none>	<none>	<none>	Toggles Long format on and off.

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V (Autostar ignores)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
V				View PEC Scale Data (16" only)
	D	NNN	N.NNNNNN#	DEC Scale Data
	R	NNN	N.NNNNNN#	RA Scale Data

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W (Autostar will set User sites 0..3, depending on the internal variable MAXUSERSITE. If site > MAXUSERSITE, command is ignored.)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
W				Set Waypoint (Site) Number
	1	<none>	<none>	Set To Site 1
	2	<none>	<none>	Set To Site 2
	3	<none>	<none>	Set To Site 3
	4	<none>	<none>	Set To Site 4

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X (Autostar ignores)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
X				Worm Sector Position (16" only)
	D	<none>	<none>	DEC ALT Current Worm Sector Position
	R	<none>	<none>	RA AZ Current Worm Sector Position
	Y			Write Targeted Sector
		D	<none>	Write to DEC EEPROM
		R	<none>	Write to RA EEPROM
	Z	<none>	<none>	Target Sector of a worm (0..199)

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? (Autostar ignores)

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Takes As Parameter(s)	Value(s) Returned	Description
?				Help Menu Page Strings
	?	<none>	<string>	Starts return of the page
	+	<none>	<string>	Next page
	_	<none>	<string>	Previous page

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Autostar GET Commands

Command (Major Grouping)	Command (Minor Grouping)	Autostar Differences	Value(s) Returned	Description
G				Get Information
	0	<empty-string>	Alignment Menu 0#	Alignment Menu Entry 0
	1	<empty-string>	Alignment Menu 1#	Alignment Menu Entry 1
	2	<empty-string>	Alignment Menu 2#	Alignment Menu Entry 2
	A	<none>	sDD*MM#	Telescope Altitude
	a	<none>	HH:MM:SS#	Local Time in 12-hour Format
	b	<none>	sMM.M#	Brighter
	C	<none>	MM/DD/YY#	Calendar Date
	c			Clock 12 or 24-hour status
		<never done>	(12)#
		<none>	(24)#
	D	<none>	sDD*MM#	Telescope Declination
	d	<none>	sDD*MM#	Object Declination
	F	<none>	NNN'#	Field
	f	<none>	sMM.M#	Fainter Limit
	G	<none>	sHH#	Hours From UCT (GMT)
	g	<none>	DDD*MM#	Site Longitude
	h	<none>	DD*#