They have created a standard for all this Tools of observation. Actually most of the free and non - free software planetariums that allow control a telescope use this software.

A list of supported devices and controllers may be found here:
http://ascom-standards.org/drivers.html

The Ascom Platform project allows the use of «dll» libraries for programmers to use in scripting, under Unix, Mac and Windows.

«ASCOM Initiative Mission Statement (goals)

1. Establish a set of interface standards for scriptable or programmable low level control of astronomical instruments and related devices, and promote the use of these standard drivers from astronomy- related software applications.
2. Provide a freely available set of instrument drivers that implement the standards established in (1). These drivers must be usable apart from any particular application, and directly from Windows Active Script languages and Automation based tools.
3. Promote (but not absolutely require) open-source implementations of the drivers in (2).
4. Promote scriptability of astronomy-related software without standardizing application level interfaces (which would inhibit innovation). ASCOM does provide general requirements for quality and behavior of application scripting interfaces (including drivers), aimed at making end-user script writers' experiences consistent and robust.»

This is a fully functional program, but limited up to 3 optical surfaces (except for the sample files). You can design and analyze with this version Newtonian and classical two mirror telescopes .

Comes with 26 sample telescope files, and you can load up and analyze any of them.

It makes it possible to better understand the role of each optical component and to check the viability of the system. It is indeed possible that certain optical combinations turn out to be ineffective altogether. CORO announces it and indicates how work it out.

Extended HTML help included.

Note: The program is included due to the originality and specificity of purpose. Be warned tough that it may consume you some patience to put it work: namely with non French Windows installations (missing the Visual Basic French Language DLL) and specifically with XP. Brief instructions on how to solve this problem - if you stumble into it - are provided in the homepage.

For the designer: while calculating the settings of an optical device, the theory employed by this program addresses all properties and corresponding effects. For given combinations, the theory offers a set of apparently equivalent solutions. One will be able to verify the image quality, to choose the best solution and to optimize the dimensions for a chosen combination.

For the builder: The curvature and depth of a lens obtained after manufacturing is almost never exactly what was desired. After measuring the real dimensions of different lenses, the optician will input their values to the software, thus being able to verify if the precision achieved is enough and if, eventually, he can optimize the placement of the lenses in face of their real characteristics.

For the observer: Correct allows choosing the best eyepiece for a given instrument. A few simulations will show that eyepieces are the most critical & imperfect element in a telescope.

For the astrophotographer: It will show the user of a field corrector the performance of this optical element. Varying a few parameters will reveal the required precision for proper placement. It is also possible to verify the validity of the amplifying device (namely Barlows) used to enlarge planetary images.