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Reliable and Cost-Effective Telescope Guiding Techniques for Astronomy

This paper discusses effective methods for telescope guiding, particularly the LONEOS telescope's capabilities. The LONEOS is a 0.6-meter f/1.8 Schmidt telescope featuring a 16-megapixel camera for detecting 19th magnitude asteroids. It compares traditional weight-driven tracking and modern computer-driven mounts for accurate celestial object tracking. Additionally, it covers non-mechanical guiding techniques, off-axis auto-guiding, and the Hands-Off Guider (HOG) software for improved tracking efficiency. Practical requirements and methodologies are included for astronomers looking to enhance their telescope performance.

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Reliable and Cost-Effective Telescope Guiding Techniques for Astronomy

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  1. Holding the Stars Still:An Inexpensive and Reliable Method For Telescope GuidingJason Sanborn, Dept. Of Physics & AstronomyDr. Edward Bowell, Lowell ObservatoryDr. Bruce Koehn, Lowell Observatory

  2. Lowell Observatory Near Earth Object Search LONEOS telescope is a 0.6-meter f/1.8 Schmidt Telescope with a 16 mega pixel camera capable of detecting 19th magnitude asteroids.

  3. Methods for following celestial objects • Traditional tracking • Telescope Auto-guiding

  4. Method’s for telescope tracking • Traditional tracking using weight driven clock drives Accuracy: arcsecond • Modern tracking using computer • driven mounts Accuracy: sub arcsecond

  5. LONEOStelescope tracking • Movie showing the tracking error of the LONEOS telescope.Duration: 30 minutes Field of View

  6. Methods for telescope guiding • Guiding using non mechanical means • Off-axis auto-guiding • Auto-guiding using separate guide telescope with imaging capability

  7. HandsOffGuider FLOW OF INFORMATION

  8. Psuedocode for HOG software Base_List_Length := 0; loop Get_Frame(Frame); Find_Frame_Sources(Frame, Source_List, List_Length); Match_Source_Lists(Source_List, Base_Source_List, Match, Match_Data); if Match then Report_Correction(Match_Data); else Base_Source_List := Source_List; Base_List_Length := List_Length; end if; end loop;

  9. HandsOff Guider Upgraded LONEOS guiding ability using HOG Requirements: Linux based CPU/Fedora Core O/S Serial port or USB port Video capture card One open PCI card slot CCD Imager Guide telescope Tracking system with MOVE & HOG software Before HOG Using HOG

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