If you have a motorized telescope and are tempted by the idea of ​​controlling it from the sofa with your mobile phone, the spatial GoTo control apps They're exactly what you were looking for. Instead of struggling with outdated controls, complicated menus, and cables everywhere, today you can manage entire mounts from your phone, tablet, or computer, whether via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB.
The goal of this article is to help you understand How to connect your mobile phone to a GoTo telescopeWhat hardware and software options exist (SynScan, SkySafari, OnStep, DIY solutions like PICGOTO/ESP32GO, ASCOM, EQMOD, etc.) and what can be achieved with them, whether you are a beginner or already do autoguiding and advanced astrophotography.
What is GoTo control from a mobile device and what advantages does it have?
When we talk about Space GoTo control from your mobile device We're talking about using an app to select a celestial object—a galaxy, a cluster, a planet—and having the mount automatically move to it. All of this without touching the telescope's physical controls, and without you even needing to know exactly where that object is in the sky.
The main advantage is that The mobile phone replaces the traditional remote control And it adds a much more intuitive interface. Where before there were tiny screens and unclear menus, now you have complete catalogs, search by name, filters, interactive star charts, and easy-to-use touch buttons, even in the middle of the night.
Another huge advantage is connectivity with other astronomy programs: many systems allow, thanks to drivers compatible with the ASCOM standard, that your mount is recognized by software such as NINA, Cartes du Ciel, APT, Sharpcap or PHD2 Guiding, which opens the door to autoguiding and long exposure astrophotography without adding more cables than necessary.
Furthermore, the combination of phone sensors (GPS, compass, 6DOF IMU) with the app databases It makes it possible that, even from a city with a lot of light pollution, you can find globular clusters, nebulae or galaxies that are not even visible to the naked eye, but are perfectly visible through the eyepiece or camera.
SkyWatcher SynScan WiFi Module: Connect your GoTo telescope with ease
One of the most interesting accessories for SkyWatcher telescopes is the SynScan WiFi module, a small device that connects to the GoTo mount and allows you to control it from your mobile phone, tablet or computer, without needing to use the original remote.
This module is compatible with virtually all SkyWatcher GoTo telescopesIt works with both equatorial and altazimuth mounts, so there's no need to worry about complicated configurations. Simply connect it to the appropriate port on the mount and it will start functioning like a dedicated router.
His role is so comprehensive that It can completely replace the SynScan remote controlOnce linked, all telescope functions (alignment, manual movements, object selection, speed change, etc.) are managed from the SynScan Pro app on your mobile phone or computer.
In addition, the SynScan WiFi is designed to integrate easily with software that uses the ASCOM protocolThis makes the telescope a system that is fully controllable from almost any compatible astronomy program, including advanced astrophotography tools.
How to connect the SynScan WiFi module to your mobile phone or tablet
The operation of the SynScan WiFi module is quite straightforward: it behaves like a dedicated WiFi access pointWhen turned on, it creates its own wireless network, usually identifiable by the name "SynScan" followed by a specific number for each unit.
To connect your mobile phone or tablet, simply go to the section of WiFi networks of your deviceFind the network generated by the module and join it, just like you would with your home router. Important: the module doesn't need internet access; it only creates a local link between your device and the mount.
You should keep in mind that when connecting to this network, Your mobile phone will no longer be linked to the home routerSo you'll lose your Wi-Fi internet connection while using the system. It's not a problem for monitoring, but it's good to know so you're not surprised if notifications stop coming in.
Once connected to the SynScan network, the next step is to open the SkyWatcher SynScan Pro app On your mobile phone or tablet, tap the connect button. The app itself detects whether your mount is altazimuth or equatorial and activates the appropriate control mode for that type of equipment.
From that moment on, your phone, tablet, or even your computer becomes the telescope command centerwith a clear graphical interface and accessible buttons to control each function without touching a single physical button on the mount.
SynScan Pro app: full control from iOS, Android and Windows
Application SynScan Pro It's the heart of the SkyWatcher system when using the WiFi module. It's available for iOS in the App Store, and for Android and Windows, it can be downloaded directly from the official SkyWatcher website.
With this app you can manage important actions such as Station setup and alignment, the selection of objects from catalogs, the manual movement of the mount or the selection of tracking speeds, all presented with the information on a large and legible screen.
The interface is designed to be intuitive for the novice userAvoiding the feeling of navigating through cryptic menus, while at the same time offering sufficiently advanced options for those who want to take it a step further and fully control their equipment.
In the case of Windows, SynScan Pro not only lets you control the mount from the computer, but also acts as bridge between the telescope and other programs Thanks to ASCOM, this considerably expands the possibilities of the system when combined with astrophotography or guiding software.
All of this means that both beginners and experts can to better utilize the potential of a GoTo telescopewithout having to cling to an outdated physical controller with a minimal screen and controls that are not comfortable to use in the dark.
Connect SynScan WiFi to the computer using ASCOM
One of the most powerful features of the SynScan WiFi module is its ability to integrate with the ASCOM platform, a widely used standard for telescopes, cameras, and other astronomical accessories to communicate with computer programs.
The first step is to install the ASCOM platformwhich can be downloaded from the official ASCOM Standards website. Once installed, Windows is ready to manage drivers for various astronomical devices, including the SynScan module itself.
Next, you need to download the following from the SkyWatcher website: Specific ASCOM driver for SynScan AppAfter installation, this driver will appear in the ASCOM device list under the name "SynScan App Driver" and will be the one you should select in programs such as NINA, Cartes du Ciel, APT, Sharpcap or PHD2.
It is crucial to keep in mind that, for the driver to work, The SynScan Pro app for Windows must remain open. in the background. The driver acts as a bridge between that program and other astronomy software, but it is SynScan Pro that actually communicates with the WiFi module and the mount.
Once the SynScan Pro + SynScan App Driver + ASCOM chain is installed, your mount is ready. perfectly integrated into your astrophotography workflowallowing you to autoguide with PHD2, plan sessions with NINA or move around the sky with Cartes du Ciel without adding configuration complications.
GoTo controllers for telescopes without modern electronics: ideas and limitations
Not everyone has a modern GoTo mount; if you have, for example, a Old Meade LX200 with faulty electronics Or a classic mount without motors, you're probably wondering if you can achieve something similar to a GoTo using only your mobile phone.
A common idea is to attach the phone to the OTA (optical tube), taking advantage of the GPS and the exact time of the device and pull the IMU (accelerometers and gyroscopes with 6 degrees of freedom) so that the app detects where the telescope is pointing and guides you to the object with arrows on the screen.
In practice, some map-type apps such as SkyView, SkySafari, Stellarium Mobile and similar programs can show the approximate position which you are pointing towards, but its accuracy is limited by the phone's sensors and the way it is attached to the tube.
Even so, for visual observation—especially in cities, where the limiting magnitude for the naked eye can be around 1—this system can be helpful for find globular clusters or nebulae They look good through the eyepiece but are almost impossible to locate while star-hopping with such a washed-out sky.
If your mount doesn't have working GoTo motors, you won't have an automatic system in the strict sense, but linking a Interactive planisphere from mobile to the direction of the tube It can make the difference between always seeing the same thing or daring to hunt for more discreet objects, even with veteran equipment.
DIY PICGOTO / ESP32GO Systems: Homemade GoTo and Autoguiding for EQ3/EQ5
For those who like to tinker or don't want to spend the money on a commercial GoTo mount, there are solutions DIY controllers like PICGOTO or ESP32GO, specifically designed to provide GoTo and autoguiding to mounts such as the EQ3 or EQ5.
One of these updated systems, based on the ESP32GO, offers a completely revamped control It works via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB, without relying on a computer all the time or requiring complex configurations. It's designed for small to medium-sized setups, but with very serious performance.
Bluetooth control is especially convenient: simply Turn on the controller and pair it just like any other wireless peripheral. Once paired, you can use apps like SkySafari (in its Plus 6 version, which requires a paid license) to control the mount from your mobile phone or tablet.
In WiFi mode, the system can be configured with your home network and your access keyallowing you to integrate it into the local network and control it also from desktop software using specific ASCOM drivers such as "ASCOM esp32go".
In terms of hardware, these projects typically include compact and modular electronic boardsAdjustable supports for the RA and DEC axes, high-torque 200-step NEMA17 motors, pulleys and toothed belts, as well as the necessary wiring (e.g., micro USB) to connect to the computer.
The main difference compared to the classic version of PICGOTO is that these modern designs do not require running complex software or flashing continuouslyThey are designed to be switched on and used, with an optional IR remote control to control speeds, movements and additional fully programmable functions.
SkySafari, OnStep and other apps for controlling GoTo mounts
In the ecosystem of spatial GoTo control apps There are a few names worth knowing if you want to get the most out of your motorized mount using your mobile phone or tablet. Two of the most popular are SkySafari and OnStep, each with its own approach and compatibility.
The SkySafari experience is especially enjoyable because it combines Detailed star charts with touch telescope controlSimply tap an object on the chart and command a GoTo to have the mount move towards it, provided the controller and app are configured with the correct parameters.
OnStep, for its part, is a DIY GoTo controller project for motorized telescope mounts. The OnStep app for Android allows you to configure, initialize, and align the mount, activate parking, program periodic error correction (PEC), and perform GoTos to catalog objects such as Messier, NGC/IC, Herschel 400, planets, the moon and bright stars.
It is advisable to review the official documentation (OnStep Wiki) to find out How to properly connect the app to the controllerIt supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi depending on the mount configuration. Once paired, the system offers performance very similar to mid-to-high-end commercial GoTo mounts.
Together, these apps complement solutions like SynScan Pro, expanding the range of options depending on your hardwareYou can use the manufacturer's official system, a homemade controller like ESP32GO or OnStep, or a mix of both if you combine ASCOM interfaces and movable planetary controllers.
Integration with desktop software: ASCOM, EQMOD, NINA, Cartes du Ciel and PHD2
If you make the leap from looking through the eyepiece to astrophotography, sooner or later you'll end up integrating your GoTo mount with desktop softwareThe ASCOM standard is the key piece that allows everything to understand each other.
ASCOM is a platform that, once installed on Windows, serves as communication layer between the mount and the programs that manage the observation or astrophotography session. For Synta/SkyWatcher mounts, the EQMOD driver is commonly used, which acts as a translator between the equipment and the software.
To connect a SkyWatcher mount to a program like Stellarium or Cartes du Ciel from a PC, usually uses a handheld to PC cable (RJ to serial type, plus a serial-to-USB converter if necessary), station the mount, perform basic alignment and activate special modes such as "PC Direct" on the hand controller when appropriate.
Then the planetarium program (for example, Stellarium) is opened and the appropriate mount is selected, such as Synta SkyWatcher or EQMOD for EQ5/EQ6Additionally, configure the COM port assigned to the USB-to-serial adapter. This port number can be found in the Windows Device Manager, under the ports (COM and LPT) section.
Once the port and driver are configured in EQMOD, the planetarium software can send GoTo orders and track directly to the mount. Although it may seem complicated at first glance, after a couple of sessions the connection process becomes routine.
Based on that same ASCOM-EQMOD foundation, you can install tools like NINA for the session planning and automationSharpcap for video capture, Cartes du Ciel as a reference star map and PHD2 Guiding for autoguiding, thus coordinating all your equipment for long and precise sessions.
Quick guide for beginners: from obsolete remote to wireless controller
For those starting out in astronomy and facing a mount controller with tiny screen and unfriendly menusMaking the leap to a GoTo control app on your mobile device represents a radical change in the user experience.
Instead of memorizing key combinations or navigating through endless lists, modern apps allow search for items by name, catalog, or typeVisualize the current sky conditions and launch a GoTo with a single tap. All this with large text and menus optimized for touchscreens.
Accessories such as the SynScan WiFi, DIY controllers like the ESP32GO, or OnStep-based solutions offer the possibility of Retire the physical controller without losing performanceIn some cases, they even improve the device's performance by adding features that the original remote didn't have.
For the advanced enthusiast, it goes even further: it is possible to perform full autoguiding with PHD2 without connecting a single additional cable to the mount, provided that the GoTo controller transmits the commands internally and the link with the computer is stable.
Even if you simply want to link the mount to a desktop planisphere like Cartes du Ciel, the connection is usually restricted to choosing the right ASCOM driverConfigure the correct mount and COM port and let the software do the rest, allowing you to see in real time where the telescope is pointing.
This whole range of options means that both the beginner and the demanding user can adapt the GoTo system to your way of observingFrom controlling the telescope while lying on a sun lounger with your mobile phone to automating astrophotography sessions of several hours without having to touch the equipment.
In short, space-based GoTo control apps for connecting your mobile phone to a motorized telescope have transformed what was once a cumbersome process into a seamless experience: with modules like SynScan WiFi, DIY controllers like ESP32GO or OnStep, the ASCOM platform, and apps like SynScan Pro, SkySafari, or Stellarium, you can transform an outdated remote control system into a modern, wireless system ready both for visually enjoying the sky and for setting up a real home observatory with autoguiding and advanced astrophotography.
