Bushnell Corporation

Bushnell Performance Optics

Rick McWilliams

An automatic telescope () capable of determining an orientation without requiring input from a user or any external source. The telescope () preferably includes a database () to store astronomical information, a processor () to control a drive mechanism (), a vision device () to sense bright stars, and a motion sensor () to generate a motion signal. When the vision device () is slewed from alignment with a first bright star to a second bright star, the motion signal is preferably representative of a measured angle between the first and second bright stars. This process is preferably repeated for several bright stars to generate several measured angles. The processor () can then use the measured angles to identify the bright stars and determine the orientation of the telescope ().

Method of determining orientation of a telescope

A portable altitude/azimuth telescope mount having an integral locator system with a magnetic encoder mechanism for facilitating location of astronomical objects and telescope positioning for observation thereof. A microprocessor receives signals from the encoder mechanism and translates such into position data for display. The locator system also includes a database of astronomical objects, including their locations and other relevant information. The mount is preferably provided with a drive mechanism adapted to allow for automatically or manually positioning the telescope to view astronomical objects and for automatically repositioning or steering the telescope in order to track the astronomical objects during extended viewing. When moved manually, components of the drive act as a clutch mechanism that effectively disengages the drive motor to avoid damage. An instance of the drive may be provided for each axis of movement.

Telescope mount having locator system and drive mechanism for locating objects and positioning telescope

A portable altitude/azimuth telescope mount having an integral locator system with a magnetic encoder mechanism for facilitating location of astronomical objects and telescope positioning for observation thereof. A microprocessor receives signals from the encoder mechanism and translates such into position data for display. The locator system also includes a database of astronomical objects, including their locations and other relevant information.

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Ventura, CA, United States of America

Rick McWilliams