Re: New Celestron CPC scopes dissapointing?

From: Chris L Peterson (clp_at_alumni.caltech.edu)
Date: 01/30/05

  • Next message: Chris L Peterson: "Re: I Will Become a TV Evangelist (Was: "Sam Wormley is Wrong...")" 
    Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 04:01:20 GMT

    On Sun, 30 Jan 2005 00:43:00 +0000, Tim Auton
    <tim.auton@uton.groupSexWithoutTheY> wrote:

    >Hi Chris. I'm planning on doing something similar myself. Initially a
    >goto controller, but carrying on through autoguider and ultimately,
    >ideally, to star-field recognition. I'd be interested to hear details
    >of your system.

    The design is a modified English mount, which is similar to a GEM but
    much more solid. Like a fork mount, it only has one cantilevered axis.
    It contains integral absolute position encoders with 10-20 arcsecond
    resolution. Both axes utilize friction drives; there is no periodic
    error.

    The controller is based on a 68332, and supports ACL and LX200
    protocols. There is an input for a GPS (if I were doing it now I'd just
    include that internally). The guide camera (also used for alignment)
    uses a TC211, the same as an ST4 (these days I'd use something a little
    larger). While it can be used in altaz mode, it is mainly intended for
    imaging in an equatorial configuration. Either way, it utilizes built in
    position modeling to correct both its aiming and its guiding.

    I did this back in 1997; there are quite a few things I'll change if I
    get around to a next version.

    _________________________________________________

    Chris L Peterson
    Cloudbait Observatory
    http://www.cloudbait.com

  • Next message: Chris L Peterson: "Re: I Will Become a TV Evangelist (Was: "Sam Wormley is Wrong...")"