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    Re: An electronic sextant
    From: Dave Walden
    Date: 2013 Dec 15, 15:48 -0800

    Here's a "proof of concept" version. I strap my ipod touch to the telescope (any number of apps will give you a display of the angle of the ipod). The "go to" telescope is conected to the computer. The DSLR camera looking through the telescope is also attached to the computer. On the computer is a program, BYEOS, that talks to the camera. Also, a program that talks to the telescope, ASCOM-POTH. A "control" program, Astrotortilla (it's a wrapper?!), talks to both of these and to a "plate solver" (I use the stand alone version of astronometry.net). I tell the computer I'm in Alexandria, Va (I'm actually some miles away). I aim the telescope out the window and tell Astrotortilla to take a picture, figure out where it's pointing and sync the telescope. Within less than a minute, it takes the picture, figures out the RA and Dec of the center of the image and what the altitude and azimuth of the telescope would be in Alexandria. I compare this to the "strap down" ipod altitude, and I have an LOP.

    (While not needed, I also run a 'planetarium' program so I can click on an object and slew the telescope)

    It is in practice, much easier than it sounds!
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