User-directed automated telescope alignment
First Claim
1. A method of improving an alignment of a field of view of a telescope, the method comprising:
- establishing a first approximation alignment of a field of view of a telescope system;
receiving an indication that a user has directed the field of view to an astronomical alignment object selected by the user from astronomical objects presently accessible;
electronically identifying celestial coordinates for the astronomical alignment object based on the first approximation alignment; and
electronically updating the first approximation alignment of the field of view based on the identified celestial coordinates.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure include user-directed automated telescope alignment systems and methods. In various embodiments, the automated alignment procedure provides for user-direction in selecting astronomical alignment objects. For example, in an embodiment, after the telescope is aligned according to a first approximation alignment, the user may direct the field of view of the telescope system to a viewable, sufficiently bright astronomical object. Upon bringing the object into the field of view, the alignment procedure advantageously identifies the likely astronomical object based on the first approximation alignment. The procedure also updates the first approximation alignment based on known information about the identified object. The process of user-direction to additional viewable bright astronomical objects provides for more precise and accurate mappings of telescope movements to celestial field of view.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of improving an alignment of a field of view of a telescope, the method comprising:
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establishing a first approximation alignment of a field of view of a telescope system; receiving an indication that a user has directed the field of view to an astronomical alignment object selected by the user from astronomical objects presently accessible; electronically identifying celestial coordinates for the astronomical alignment object based on the first approximation alignment; and electronically updating the first approximation alignment of the field of view based on the identified celestial coordinates. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A telescope system capable of user-directed alignment, the telescope system comprising:
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an optical system including a field of view; a positioning system adapted to precisely position the filed of view of the optical system; and a processor configured to determine a first approximation alignment of the field of view, to receive an indication that a user has manipulated the positioning system to cause the field of view to be directed toward an astronomical alignment object selected by the user from astronomical objects presently accessible, to electronically identify celestial coordinates for the astronomical alignment object based on the first approximation alignment, and to electronically update the first approximation alignment of the field of view based on the identified celestial coordinates. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A processing system capable of allowing a user to select an astronomical object from a database of astronomical objects and capable of directing a field of view of a telescope to view said astronomical object, said processing system comprising:
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one or more inputs receiving an indication of precise movements of a field of view of a telescope system; a user input; and a processor configured to determine a first approximation alignment of the field of view, to receive an indication that a user has manipulated the positioning system to cause the field of view to be directed toward an astronomical alignment object selected by the user from astronomical objects presently accessible, to electronically identify celestial coordinates for the astronomical alignment object based on the first approximation alignment, to electronically update the first approximation alignment of the field of view based on the identified celestial coordinates, to receive a user selection of a desired astronomical object from a database of astronomical objects, and, using said updated first approximation alignment, to direct the field of view to view said desired astronomical object. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A computer readable medium comprising software instructions capable of directing a processor of a telescope system including a field of view to update an alignment of a telescope, the software instructions comprising:
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instructions that direct the processor to establish a first approximation alignment of the field of view of the telescope system; instructions that direct the processor to receive an indication that a user has directed the field of view to an astronomical alignment object selected by the user from astronomical objects presently accessible; instructions that direct the processor to electronically identify celestial coordinates for the astronomical alignment object based on the first approximation alignment; and instructions that direct the processor to electronically update the first approximation alignment of the field of view based on the identified celestial coordinates. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification