iSolar

[earl]

I have started a new project that combines my love of solar viewing and electronics. I think I will call it iSolar (hope that isn’t taken). This will be an internet controlled solar telescope where people can view the sun in real-time through Ha from the web. The telescope will track the sun from sunrise to sunset 7 days a week. The users will be able to request telescope control so they can move the telescope slightly with the scopes FOV. This is a fairly ambitious project for me. I would say even more ambitious than my high altitude balloon projects that were designed to get pictures of the earth and space.

There will be 2 independent control systems. The primary control system will be a equatorial tracking system that will keep the sun within the FOV of the telescope. A closed loop system will provide corrective feedback to help maintain the suns positions within the FOV. The second system will provide the users with 1-2 degrees of movement allowing them to position specific solar details into the sweet spot of the PST etalon while. The etalon will be fixed to optimize both disk and prominences.

The web integration will be the hardest for me. It has been many years since I have done any type of ASP or PHP programming. Java might be a better choice but it will be a while before I get to that point. If anyone is interested in getting involved you can contact me. If this project works out like I hope it will be using it during my CBSAP activities and other CBSAP members will be able to use it too.

I will keep the group posted as I make progress.

I have already started the prototype. Here is short video of up/down control. Its a little shaky right now but I will fine tune later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkQDiGOFFaY

[solarchat]

I love this! I want to help!

[marktownley]

Cool stuff!!! 8)

Do you have any solar tarcking software? I know of some I believe to be freeware if it is of any help?

[earl]

Most of the telescope controls will be via a Basic STAMP (prototyping version) and a multicore microchip (final version) since that is what I know. It is what I used on my HAPB project and is easy to incorporate industrial controls and sensors.

I believe most of the tracking code will have to be customized for this project. I wouldn't mind reviewing any open source code for solar tracking since this is new to me. It will provide a good starting point for my closed-loop tracking system. What is shown in the video is the users position control. This rig will get mounted to the primary tracking system. I was planning to use 3 light sensitive resisters as part of a feedback circuit and perhaps GPS.

Still have lots to details to work out. I have been thinking about this project for a while now so I asked Santa to bring me a few things for prototyping such as some new servos, XBees, and a Starshooter IV camera. All low end stuff but perfect for prototyping without spending too much.

As I stated earlier this is a very ambitious project for me. If I think about all the parts involved and what I have to learn it appears overwhelming but then I remember I thought the same thing about my high altitude project. I didn't know anything about that when I started but now I have launched and recovered 4 balloons and that was way before Capital One made a commercial out it.

Stephen ... thats for offering to help. After I get the basics working perhaps I can borrow a few things for the project.

Mark ... if you could send me the url for the code or the source itself that would help. You can use my email [email protected]

[marktownley]

Hi Earl,

Here is the link http://windowsillobservatory.wordpress.com/support/ it is the DSSR software you would need. I have seen people use it very successfully for solar on another forum.

Mark

[earl]

Thanks Mark ... I will check it out.

[Bill E.]

Earl, you have come up with a great idea. Your projecct sounds exciting. I can't wait till you get up and running.

[swisswalter]

Hi Earl

that is a great project. All the best for you and your project

[Montana]

Excellent work Earl, can't wait to see it up and running!

Alexandra

[alex]

Good luck !

I hear that people can use Metaguide to do Solar autoguiding .

[earl]

Made a little more progress today. Left/right controls are much smoother than the up/down controls so I will need to include ramping but this is basically the user interface portion. Next up ... wireless control.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AgwO32sZ-8[/video]

[marktownley]

Excellent! I like how this is developing! Thanks for the update and looking forward to the next.