Applications and implications

Assignments:

  • propose a final project that integrates the range of units covered, answering:
    • what will it do?
    • who's done what beforehand?
    • what materials and components will be required?
    • where will they come from?
    • how much will it cost?
    • what parts and systems will be made?
    • what processes will be used?
    • what tasks need to be completed?
    • what questions need to be answered?
    • what is the schedule?
    • how will it be evaluated?
  • projects can be separate or joint, but need to show individual mastery of the range of skills covered
    • where possible, you should make rather than buy the parts of your project

Go-to Telescope

I am building a collaborative go-to telescope system, which is an advanced form of our group project done in machine making week. This will be done as a group project with my friend Tanvir. Go-to telescope refers to a type of telescope mount and related software which can automatically point a telescope to astronomical objects that the user selects (Wikipedia). In machine making week we had explored only some basic features.

what will it do?

As the name indicates, this telescope would point to any selected celestial object automatically. The coordinates of the major celestail bodies will be pre recoreded in a mobile application which communicates with the telescope using bluetooth. There will be additional columns in app to input custom coordinates. Once a user click on a button corresponding to a particular celestial body or provide a custom coordinate, the microcontroller will calculate the azimuth angle and altitude angle of given body and it will move itself at these angles.

Other main features we planned to integrate are

  • remotely access any given telescope and stream the sky view. This will help to build a collaborative platform where people can watch sky of another area.
  • track movement of celestial object.

who's done what beforehand?

There were a few projects already done. Our major source of inspiration are

  1. w8ism blog
  2. Ultrascope

what materials and components will be required?

  • Electronics
    • Stepper motor controller
    • ATMEGA328 Chip
    • LCD Display
    • Bluetooth module
    • 2 stepper motor
    • optical sensor
    • Buzzer
  • Other Materials
    • Primary mirror (6 inch)
    • Eye piece lens
    • Plywood (1 sheet)
    • PVC pipe (1 meter)
    • Caster wheels
    • Roller wheels

where will they come from?

We have already ordered the primary mirror and eyepiece lens online. It will reach lab soon, hopefully. Electronic components except optical sensor are available at lab. It will be bought along with caster wheels and roller wheels online or from nearby town, if available. PVC pipe will be bought from local market. Plywood will be taken from lab itself.

how much will it cost?

Lens plus mirror cost 8000 rupees. Other materials excluding materials taken from lab might cost less than 500 rupees.

what parts and systems will be made?

  • Lens and mirror are bought online.
  • The telescope will be made using PVC pipe, aluminium rods, 3D printed holders and mirror stand.
  • Base and arms will be made using plywood.
  • Electronic boards also will be made from lab.

what processes will be used?

  • 3D printing for laser holder, mirror casing, camera mount etc.
  • PCB miller for milling circuit boards.
  • CNC machine for cutting plywood.
  • Laser cutter for making gear and a box for placing electronic devices.
  • Vinyl cutter for cutting stickers.

what tasks need to be completed?

We have completed motor controller board design, laser mount 3D printer design, azimuth & altitude angle calculation part of programming. Also just started with the main board design.

what questions need to be answered?

  • How to do the video streaming part without lag?
  • What is the accuracy of tracking system?

what is the schedule?

  • Motor driver board with LCD and main board with bluetooth, buzeer & optic sensor : design, milling and stuffing -> Jun 2
  • Angle calculations, tracking program and mobile app -> June 6/7
  • Mechanical parts (June 11/12)
    • Primary & secondary mirror and eyepiece holders.
    • Camera mount
    • Two base plate, side arms, circuit board enclosure

how will it be evaluated?

Project can be considered as an amateur networked telescope system.