Design and development of interfacing algorithm controller for telescope’s dome rotary system

Lim, Shao Yang (2021) Design and development of interfacing algorithm controller for telescope’s dome rotary system. Project Report. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

The robotic telescope in an observatory is a powerful instrument for observing celestrial activities such a Sun, Moon, Stars, pulsar and galaxies. It is used to carry out scientific research, as well as for cultural and religious purposes such as Astrology. The advancement in astronomy instrument technologies in past decades help us understand more about our final frontier. Modern telescopes are equiped with robotic control system to ensure a smooth and steady motion of the telescope when observing the sky through the night. Al-Khawarizmi Observatory has 2 motorised domes for rotation and shutter control, as well as a 2-axis robotic telescope. However, the motorised control of the dome is non-intuitive and out-dated. The astronomy observations are often done in night and human attention is needed throughout the process. To make the observation more convenient and to improve the observing efficiency, we sought to build a system with automation capability and while keeping a user-friendly interface. This project aims to construct an interfacing algorithm controller to control the rotation and shutter movements of observatory’s dome. A controller software, Dome Controller written in Python is developed and its performance is analysed. Using a simplified small-scale observatory dome model, the accuracy and responce speed of the system is examined. At the end of the development, Dome Controller is able to perform generation of ephemeris data of the target astronimical object, control rotation and shutter motions of the dome and tracking of the target object, with sufficient speed and accuarcy.

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