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The Computer |
| So I have to
carry along a Computer in this Suitcase?
Well, you need to find some way to convert from the Earth geocentric coordinates (right ascension and declination) to the values you can read off of the setting circles on your telescope. In engineering terms you need to be able to convert from Earth centered geocentric coordinate to telescope coordinates. Well, that's enough to make anyone's head hurt. Fortunately, you can download a two star alignment program from the Sky and Telescope website called TAKI.BAS. This program will do exactly what you want. Just go outside and plop your scope down any old way. Then align it with two known stars following the telescope prompts and the program will perform the transformation you need. It is also listed in the Feb 89 issue of Sky and Telescope, P164. |
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I've converted the TAKI.BAS
routine to work in a
hand held, HP-48SX "Calculator/Computer". This is a pretty powerful
calculator. I still need to get the code in a form someone other than myself can understand, but you can download the whole mess from this link. HP48Code |
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