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Deep Space Navigator Telescope Interface
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Economical, high-resolution computer interface for your telescope. |
The Deep Space Navigator is a hardware interface between a telescope and a computer designed and manufactured by Brian Kidwell and Paul Hawkins. David Chandler Company provides software and sales support. Deep Space supports several "Digital Setting Circle" units, but the Deep Space Navigator is definitely the optimal choice if you plan to operate your telescope from a laptop computer.
Deep Space Navigator is an interface box that monitors optical encoders on the two axes of any telescope and transmits the information to the computer. It does not have internal databases, since the computer is better at providing the data and user interface. One advantage of its simplicity is that the Deep Space Navigator can monitor the encoders full time rather than dividing its cycle among other activities. The encoders are monitored over 50,000 times per second, allowing use of higher resolution encoders and gearing up of encoders.
There is a single button on the box that sends a code to Deep Space to act as a keystroke, so you don't have to walk back and forth from the telescope to the computer as often. In the context of calibration the button indicates the calibration star is aligned. The computer responds by jumping the cursor to the next star on the calibration list. You select a list of calibration stars in advance by moving the cursor to each one in turn, then when you sight the stars you can do the whole procedure at the telescope. After the third star the computer does a preliminary calibration and actually guides you to the remaining stars. It re-calibrates again after the 5th and 10th stars, if you decide to use that many.
In the context of finding objects, the button signals that the object has been found, so the display returns to the map mode. When in map mode if the button is pushed it causes the display to re-center on the location of the telescope, allowing you to identify the object you are viewing. This works well if sweeping for comets or otherwise wandering freely. You can find your place almost instantly.
Deep Space offers the best calibration system for telescope control on the market, whether you use the Deep Space Navigator or other digital setting circles. It offers multiple star high precision calibration, correction for two common mechanical errors in mountings, and marking of offsets to compensate for additional errors caused by tube flexure, mirror shift, etc. Instead of calibrating on only two stars + leveling, you calibrate on a minimum of 3 stars without leveling. You may calibrate on as many additional stars as you like, to average out the observational error. Additionally, you can do a one-time "super calibration" that will estimate the errors in your telescope: the possible lack of perpendicularity between the axes and misalignment of the optical axis with the mechanical axis. These error angles are stored and used as part of the transformation process in future sessions.
Deep Space with the Deep Space Navigator works with any type mounting, including German equatorial, fork, and altazimuth. It also works with drive platforms (also known as Poncet platforms).
P.O. Box 999, Springville, CA 93265 USA / Voice: 559-539-0900 / Fax: 559-539-7033