Automatic telescope

Abstract

An automatic telescope (10) capable of determining an orientation without requiring input from a user or any external source. The telescope (10) preferably includes a database (22) to store astronomical information, a processor (24) to control a drive mechanism (18), a vision device (30) to sense bright stars, and a motion sensor (32) to generate a motion signal. When the vision device (30) is slewed from alignment with a first bright star to a second bright star, the motion signal is preferably representative of a measured angle between the first and second bright stars. This process is preferably repeated for several bright stars to generate several measured angles. The processor (24) can then use the measured angles to identify the bright stars and determine the orientation of the telescope (10).

Description

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] The present invention relates to telescopes. More particularly, the present invention relates to an automatic telescope that can align itself in order to view a specified star.[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art[0004] Many telescopes are capable of finding and tracking stars and other celestial bodies. However, these telescopes must be initially oriented and re-oriented each time they are moved. Therefore, users are typically required to provide such telescopes with orientation information, such as an altitude angle and an azimuth angle. Unfortunately, many users are not familiar with or do not want to be bothered with providing such information.[0005] Additionally, such telescopes typically only have small hard-to-use interfaces, such as handheld remote controls. While these remote controls are adequate for some purposes, they can be difficult to use, further increasing the inconvenience of providing orientation information.[0006] Accordingly, ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, many users are not familiar with or do not want to be bothered with providing such information.

Additionally, such telescopes typically only have small hard-to-use interfaces, such as handheld remote controls.

While these remote controls are adequate for some purposes, they can be difficult to use, further increasing the inconvenience of providing orientation information.

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