Home Finder

Images of the new Home-finding sensor under development. Using a pair of LDR's in conjunction with a cheap diode-based laser, we hope to be able to position the telescope within 0.25 degrees of it's true home position, both in declination and Right Ascension. This will make an invaluable addition to the remote-control ability of the system, as well as increasing the telescope up-time during the sporadic clear nights that the Bristol sky provides.

Date: 07/27/2007

Owner: Administrator

Size: 3 items

dscf0729

Close-up of the two LDR's, and the PIC-based circuit used to detect the position of the laser.

Date: 05/12/2007

dscf0731

The enclosed box, containing the two LDR's. The opaque screen is used to slightly spread the laser light, allowing the PIC to analyse the light intensity as a spread-function between the two LDR's.

Date: 05/14/2007

dscf0732

Here we see the sensor being wired up to the USB A/D & D/A board, which interfaces with the computer. This particular USB board is also used for the remote focusser, and the board works well under linux as well as Windows.

Date: 05/14/2007