Software-Guided, "Go To" and Robotic Telescopes

 

There are essentially three different classifications for computer-based telescope control.

 

Classification

Description

Software-guided

Software guided telescopes (often called "push to" control) use a passive method for tracking the position of the telescope on the computer screen. Optical encoders are used to sense the telescope's motion as you physically rotate each axis.

 

A software-guided telescope requires that the telescope be manually rotated (by hand) to point to objects in the sky. As the telescope is physically moved, the position of the telescope is displayed on the computer screen. Almost any commercial telescope can be retrofit with the necessary hardware (that is, optical encoders mounted on each axis, a serial "decoder" that feeds the encoder output into the serial port of the computer.

 

Go To

A "go to" telescope can slew both axes without human intervention. That is, the telescope mechanics are controlled by an internal control system and either stepper motors or servomotors. This class of telescopes is generally more expensive than no go to telescopes, and a hand paddle or joystick is supplied that can be used to control the mount.

 

Some common go to telescopes include:

 

Robotic

Although most commercial go to telescopes can be controlled remotely via external software, the Software Bisque Paramount ME is the only commercial telescope mount that can be classified as "robotic." The Paramount ME can be started, initialized, run unattended, shut down and restarted from night to night without human intervention. Additionally, the mount's overall design (such as its through the mount wiring, mechanical and software stops, 5 arcsecond or less periodic error) place the Paramount ME in a class by itself.