> I suggest using two PCs... the one you have (if it aint broke, don't fix
> it!) and another to handle the CCD... a PC will have its hands full with
the
> CCD alone.

That was the point. Up until now, it didn't need any PCs. Low power and low
cost were the objective so the observatory could be solar/wind powered. The
whole thing (obs, scope, measurement, email) is done by a single 8 bit
micro and it's still got plenty of processing up its sleeve. Adding CCD
functions still wouldn't overload it. It's simply the huge gob of data and
where to put it.
Measuring star X with a PMT needs 64 bytes per item (with sky, comparison,
ref, etc). The same thing with a CCD needs 500k. Add to that the power
consumption of the Peltier device and both objectives go out the window.
But you do get pretty pictures. :-)

Steve.