STARS IDENTIFICATION AT THE ASTRONOMICAL COORDINATES DETERMINATION BY MEANS OF AN AUTOMATED ZENITH TELESCOPE

Abstract

Scope of research. The paper deals with two approaches to the stars identification: an algorithm of similar triangles and an algorithm of interstellar angular distances. Method. Comparative analysis of the considered algorithms is performed using experimental data obtained by the prototype of zenith telescope as applied to the problem of coordinates determination by automated zenith telescope. Main results. The analysis has revealed that identification method based on the interstellar angular distances provides star identification with higher reliability and several times faster than the algorithm of similar triangles. However, the algorithm of interstellar angular distances is sensitive to the lens focal length, so a combined stars identification method is proposed. The idea of this method is to integrate the two above algorithms in order to calculate the lens focal length and to identify directly the stars. Practical significance. The combined method gives the possibility for valid identification of the stars visible in the field of view with comparatively short processing time whether the lens focal length is available or not.

Keywords

• optoelectronic device
• astronomical coordinates
• zenith telescope
• stars identification