Dome pointing calculator

[nakbrooks]

Does anyone know of an online or downloadable calculator that will input telescope Alt/Az parameters and calculate the required dome Az (once configured with the dome and mount geometry).

 

This is obviously built-in to numerous programs, but I'm looking for a stand-alone calculator. I've found the equations, but they are beyond my programming capability.

[GeorgeCarey]

Sounds like a job for an Excel spreadsheet.

[RamaSpaceShip]

Hi Nigel,

 

Please send me your equations by email.

This is not a big issue.

 

 

Best regards.

 

Bernard.

[GeorgeCarey]

The equations I found are rather bewildering. Do you have anything simpler than this?

http://www.dppobservatory.net/DomeAutomation/dome_synchronisation.pdf

[nakbrooks]

George - yes that is what I had found (same paper from a different source). Way too complicated for me to program with any confidence. I'm thinking my best bet is to use the ASCOM POTH to do the maths. If I set it up with the scope and dome simulators I should be able to issue scope Alt/Az pointing commands and intercept the resulting Dome Alt command.

 

My objective is firstly to check my dome slaving (which seems a bit off) and secondly to optimise pointing files to minimise dome rotation time.