Optical head having an imaging sensor for imaging an object in a

Details Optical head having an imaging sensor for imaging an object in a Optical head having an imaging sensor for imaging an object in a

1994-10-07

1996-06-11

Westin, Edward P.

Radiant energy

Photocells; circuits and apparatus

Photocell controls its own optical systems

2502031, 2502062, 2502081, 2502082, G01C 2102, G01C 2124

Patent

active

055257933

ABSTRACT:
An optical head for attachment to an optical system, such as a telescope, is shown. The optical head in a housing includes a first sensor for imaging an object in a field of view and a second sensor for tracking a star or other celestial body which is off axis to the field of view of the first sensor. The second sensor is rigidly supported and positioned a selected distance from and adjacent to the first sensor and is adapted to generate correction signals which are used to control a drive system of the optical system or telescope. The correction signals are representative of desired changes in the relative position of the optical system or telescope to the star being tracked. The correction signals are applied to the drive system to maintain, during imaging, optical alignment of the first sensor with an object in the field of view. In the preferred embodiment, the optical head is used for astronomical imaging and tracking wherein the first sensor is an imaging CCD and the second sensor is a tracking CCD. A method for tracking and imaging for a telescope is also shown.

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