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Method of automatically tracking and photographing celestial objects and camera employing this method

  • US 8,717,441 B2
  • Filed: 05/17/2011
  • Issued: 05/06/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of automatically tracking and photographing a celestial object which moves relative to a photographic apparatus due to diurnal motion so that a celestial object image, which is formed on an imaging surface of an image sensor via a photographing optical system, becomes stationary relative to a predetermined imaging area of the imaging surface of the image sensor during a tracking and photographing operation, the method comprising:

  • performing a preliminary photographing operation for a predetermined preliminary-photographing exposure time with said photographic apparatus directed toward said celestial object and with a celestial-body auto tracking action suspended to obtain a preliminary image before automatically tracking and photographing said celestial object;

    calculating a moving direction and a moving speed of the celestial object image from said preliminary image that is obtained by said preliminary photographing operation; and

    automatically tracking and photographing said celestial object based on the calculated moving direction and the calculated moving speed of the celestial object image.

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