Star-Track

This repository contains all the files and documentation for Star Track, Arduino powered GoTo-mount inspired star tracking system. Visit the DIY guide for details.

File structure:

• Firmware contains the code and necessary drivers.
• CAD contains print ready .stl files

More info:

There are two Arduino's working in order. Arduino Uno being master and nano being the puppet.

Master module

The master(Uno) module has two inputs,

• Gyro data

• RTC(Real Time Clock) data

and 6 outputs,

• cw(base motor clockwise)

• ccw(base motor counter clockwise)

• stahp(base motor stop)

• cw2(DEC motor clockwise)

• ccw2(DEC motor counter clockwise)

• stahp2(DEC motor stop)

The RTC is set to UTC time, a function calculates local sidereal time in degrees and rotates the mount to 0h RA position. The loop constantly checks if the gyro data is equal to the user input & sidereal time data. The default is 0,0. If there is a change and the equality breaks the master module send a command to the puppet module.

If the user value is higher than the gyro value a signal is sent through cw the motor turns clockwise.

If the user value is less than the gyro value a signal is sent through ccw the motor turns counter clockwise

If the user value is equal to the gyro value a signal is sent through stahp and the motor stops same for cw2,ccw2,stahp2.

This way the mount will turn to the user-specified coordinates. And update with sidereal time thus it will track the sky.

Note: I could use serial communication between the two Arduino's but since the analog pins are used by the inputs I had to use digital pins.