Concise telescope pointing algorithm using IAU 2000 precepts

Patrick T. Wallace

doi:10.1117/12.788712

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14 July 2008 Concise telescope pointing algorithm using IAU 2000 precepts

Patrick T. Wallace

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Proceedings Volume 7019, Advanced Software and Control for Astronomy II; 701908 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.788712
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2008, Marseille, France

Abstract

The accuracy requirements for pointing a ground-based telescope or antenna are comparatively modest; the latest Earth orientation models used by specialists have precision goals measured in microarcseconds and are excessive for such humble applications. Abridged formulations offer an attractive alternative: easier to get right, and much quicker to compute. Moreover, the revised computational procedures that the IAU introduced in 2000 to assist high-precision studies of Earth rotation lend themselves to approximation. Together with basic models for aberration and refraction, a page of inline C code is enough to predict the observed altazimuth coordinates of a star to an accuracy of 1-2 arcseconds, which is adequate for pointing a small telescope. This can be complemented by a similarly concise formulation of the basic pointing corrections for an equatorial or altazimuth mount.

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Patrick T. Wallace "Concise telescope pointing algorithm using IAU 2000 precepts", Proc. SPIE 7019, Advanced Software and Control for Astronomy II, 701908 (14 July 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.788712

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