Star Step 5000: Automated Celestial Tracking System
Created in 2024 Star Step 5000: Automated Celestial Tracking System by Tony Nazzal Version 1.0 Telescope with pan/tilt mount and control Introduction The Star Step 5000 is an advanced system designed to automate the process of locating and tracking celestial objects in the night sky. Utilizing a motorized mount capable of variable pan/tilt movements (azimuth/altitude), the Star Step 5000 simplifies the complex task of celestial navigation, making it accessible for both amateur astronomers and seasoned stargazers. This write-up delves into the theory behind the system, the essential components, and the serial protocol it employs to communicate with the telescope mount. Lat/Lon Selection on a vector map interface Theoretical Background The theory behind the Star Step 5000 revolves around celestial coordinates and the observer's position on Earth. The system relies on three critical pieces of information to function accurately: Latitude and Longitude : The geograp...