Automatic fine alignment and pointing of movable telescopes using point and template matching

Y. A. Azzam, Z. Wang, Y. Hirata, K. Kosuge, A. A. Elkousy, A. Bahgat, M. AboElela

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

A new technique for fine alignment and pointing of small non-fixed telescopes is addressed. The technique is based on pattern matching of a synthesized image to the actual acquired image of the sky. Synthesis of the image is based on getting coordinates of the bright stars in the sky from a database star catalogue. Telescope kinematics are used to convert these coordinates to image coordinates after correcting for major astronomical errors as well as for perspective distortion. Two algorithms have been used for pattern matching: point pattern matching and normalized correlation matching. This process solved the problem of polar alignment of small and movable equatorially mounted telescopes, which was tedious and very time consuming. In addition, it can be used to make precise pointing for any telescope. This method does not necessitate either having precise encoders or precise timing.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2005 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Biomimetics, ROBIO
Pages462-467
Number of pages6
Publication statusPublished - 2005
Event2005 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Biomimetics, ROBIO - Shatin, N.T., China
Duration: 2005 Jul 52005 Jul 9

Publication series

Name2005 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Biomimetics, ROBIO
Volume2005

Conference

Conference2005 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Biomimetics, ROBIO
Country/TerritoryChina
CityShatin, N.T.
Period05/7/505/7/9

Keywords

  • Pattern matching
  • Telescope control
  • Template matching
  • Vision control

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Automatic fine alignment and pointing of movable telescopes using point and template matching'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this