StarPointer Keeps Scope On Target With Stellarium

On astronomical telescopes of even middling energy, a small “finderscope” is usually mounted in parallel to the primary optics to help in getting the bigger instrument on course. The low magnification of the finderscope affords a far wider subject of view than the first telescope, which makes it a lot simpler to seek out small objects within the sky. Even when your goal is just too small or faint to see within the finderscope, simply having the ability to get your main telescope pointed on the proper celestial neighborhood is a large assist.

However [Dilshan Jayakody] nonetheless thought he might enhance on issues a bit. As an alternative of a small optical scope, his StarPointer is an electronic device that may decide the orientation of the telescope it’s mounted to. Because the ADXL345 accelerometer and HMC5883L magnetometer contained in the STM32F103C8 powered gadget detect movement, the angle information is distributed to Stellarium — an open supply planetarium program. Mixed with a identified latitude and longitude, this permits the software program to indicate the place the telescope is at present pointed within the evening sky.

As demonstrated within the video after the break, this offers real-time suggestions which is simple to know even for absolutely the newbie: all you might want to do is slew the scope round till the article you wish to take a look at it below the crosshairs. Whereas we wouldn’t advocate taking a look at a vibrant laptop display proper earlier than making an attempt to pick dim objects in your telescope’s eyepiece, we will actually see the attraction of this “digital” finderscope.

Then once more…who stated this system needed to be restricted to optical observations? Because the StarPointer is an open {hardware} venture, you could possibly at all times combine the tech into that DIY radio telescope you’ve always dreamed of building within the yard.