Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Nov 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010amjph..78.1128m&link_type=abstract
American Journal of Physics, Volume 78, Issue 11, pp. 1128-1131 (2010).
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Astronomical Instruments, Astronomy, Educational Aids, Physics Education, Laboratory Experiments And Apparatus, Fundamental Astronomy And Astrophysics, Instrumentation, Techniques, And Astronomical Observations
Scientific paper
We describe the theory, design, and construction of simple electromechanical devices that automatically and continually track celestial objects. As Earth rotates and revolves, a star tracker always points at a star or other objects fixed to the celestial sphere, such as the center of the Milky Way galaxy. A planet tracker can fixate on any celestial object including the planets, the Sun, or the Moon. A sidereal clock mechanism drives the star tracker, and software that encodes astronomical algorithms controls an inexpensive robot that drives the planet tracker. The star tracker acts like a gyroscope, rigidly oriented in space, despite Earth's motion. Both trackers indicate the passing of time just like clocks and calendars. The resulting lecture, hallway, or museum displays promote awareness of and excitement about our place in the universe.
Atwood-Stone Corwin
Brown Travis
Lindner John F.
McAlpine Todd C.
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