Sky Pointer - Revision history

Alnwlsn: /* Source */

2019-09-08T17:33:46Z

Source

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:33, 8 September 2019
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	As a portable device, I added an 18650 battery, protection/charger board, and a 5v step-up board. The motors run on 5V, and the 5V bus then goes through a 3.3V regulator that powers everything else. For charging the battery, I use a DPDT switch to both disconnect the battery from the 5V step-up board, and connect the 5V from charger cable into the 5V bus. As a side effect, the device is always powered on while charging, which is usually fine (and what you want). Even if it isn't, the motors can be disabled, which leaves the other electronics, which don't use much power. Some capacitors I added keep the entire system powered when switching between power sources, if done fast enough.		As a portable device, I added an 18650 battery, protection/charger board, and a 5v step-up board. The motors run on 5V, and the 5V bus then goes through a 3.3V regulator that powers everything else. For charging the battery, I use a DPDT switch to both disconnect the battery from the 5V step-up board, and connect the 5V from charger cable into the 5V bus. As a side effect, the device is always powered on while charging, which is usually fine (and what you want). Even if it isn't, the motors can be disabled, which leaves the other electronics, which don't use much power. Some capacitors I added keep the entire system powered when switching between power sources, if done fast enough.

	==~~Source~~==		==Files==
	This is the source for the original version: [[File:Skypointer-v1.zip]]		This is the source for the original version: [[File:Skypointer-v1.zip]]

Alnwlsn: /* Source */

2019-08-04T20:44:45Z

Source

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:44, 4 August 2019
Line 35:		Line 35:
	This is the source for the original version: [[File:Skypointer-v1.zip]]		This is the source for the original version: [[File:Skypointer-v1.zip]]

	2019 Redesign (version 3): [[File:Skypointer-v3.zip]] This includes my work and the libraries that I have written. The U82Glib, SPG4, and MPU9255 libraries are available elsewhere.		2019 Redesign (version 3): [[File:Skypointer-v3.zip]] This includes my work and the libraries that I have written. The U82Glib, SPG4, and MPU9255 libraries are available elsewhere. Includes Arduino sketches and CAD.

	==References==		==References==

Alnwlsn at 14:47, 30 July 2019

2019-07-30T14:47:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:47, 30 July 2019
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	This is a device for more easily finding objects in the sky, such as satellites, visible planets, and the moon and sun. I've seen people build pointers that always point at the International Space Station, and I wanted to extend this for more easily tracking any satellite at night (for viewing), or during the day (for antenna tracking). While doing some testing on tracking satellites at night, I found that I would often move my device, misaligning the pointer. The moon, sun, and planets made for good reference points, so I eventually added tracking for them as well.		This is a device for more easily finding objects in the sky, such as satellites, visible planets, and the moon and sun. I've seen people build pointers that always point at the International Space Station, and I wanted to extend this for more easily tracking any satellite at night (for viewing), or during the day (for antenna tracking). While doing some testing on tracking satellites at night, I found that I would often move my device, misaligning the pointer. The moon, sun, and planets made for good reference points, so I eventually added tracking for them as well.

	The heart of the device lies in translating coordinate systems into horizontal coordinates. This is the local viewing conditions of an observer on the earth's surface; when given GPS coordinates and a time and date, the device calculates which compass heading to face, and how high above the horizon the object is. My code is based on two existing projects: Grady Hillhouse's ISS pointer<ref>https://github.com/gradyh/ISS-Tracking-Pointer</ref> for the satellites (modified to switch between many satellites instead of permanently tracking just ~~one~~), and ''Practical Astronomy with your Calculator or Spreadsheet 4th Edition''<ref>https://archive.org/details/Practical_Astronomy_with_your_Calculator_or_Spreadsheet_4th_edition_by_Peter_Duf/page/n4</ref> which is an excellent textbook that walks you through all the calculations needed to calculate the positions of the stars and planets. I translated several of the methods presented in this book into C code.		The heart of the device lies in translating coordinate systems into horizontal coordinates. This is the local viewing conditions of an observer on the earth's surface; when given GPS coordinates and a time and date, the device calculates which compass heading to face, and how high above the horizon the object is. My code is based on two existing projects: Grady Hillhouse's ISS pointer<ref>https://github.com/gradyh/ISS-Tracking-Pointer</ref> for the satellites (modified to switch between many satellites instead of permanently tracking just the International Space Station), and ''Practical Astronomy with your Calculator or Spreadsheet 4th Edition''<ref>https://archive.org/details/Practical_Astronomy_with_your_Calculator_or_Spreadsheet_4th_edition_by_Peter_Duf/page/n4</ref> which is an excellent textbook that walks you through all the calculations needed to calculate the positions of the stars and planets. I translated several of the methods presented in this book into C code.

	==2019 Redesign==		==2019 Redesign==

Alnwlsn: /* Source */

2019-07-15T16:18:29Z

Source

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:18, 15 July 2019
Line 35:		Line 35:
	This is the source for the original version: [[File:Skypointer-v1.zip]]		This is the source for the original version: [[File:Skypointer-v1.zip]]

	2019 Redesign (version 3): [[File:Skypointer-v3.zip]]		2019 Redesign (version 3): [[File:Skypointer-v3.zip]] This includes my work and the libraries that I have written. The U82Glib, SPG4, and MPU9255 libraries are available elsewhere.

	==References==		==References==

Alnwlsn: /* Source */

2019-07-15T16:16:16Z

Source

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:16, 15 July 2019
Line 34:		Line 34:
	==Source==		==Source==
	This is the source for the original version: [[File:Skypointer-v1.zip]]		This is the source for the original version: [[File:Skypointer-v1.zip]]

			2019 Redesign (version 3): [[File:Skypointer-v3.zip]]

	==References==		==References==

Alnwlsn at 15:47, 15 July 2019

2019-07-15T15:47:15Z

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 The heart of the device lies in translating coordinate systems into horizontal coordinates. This is the local viewing conditions of an observer on the earth's surface; when given GPS coordinates and a time and date, the device calculates which compass heading to face, and how high above the horizon the object is. My code is based on two existing projects: Grady Hillhouse's ISS pointer<ref>https://github.com/gradyh/ISS-Tracking-Pointer</ref> for the satellites (modified to switch between many satellites instead of permanently tracking just one), and ''Practical Astronomy with your Calculator or Spreadsheet 4th Edition''<ref>https://archive.org/details/Practical_Astronomy_with_your_Calculator_or_Spreadsheet_4th_edition_by_Peter_Duf/page/n4</ref> which is an excellent textbook that walks you through all the calculations needed to calculate the positions of the stars and planets. I translated several of the methods presented in this book into C code.
-The current version is awaiting a rebuild of the pointer mechanics (and now that my 3D printer is working well, this will likely happen soon)
+==2019 Redesign==
 ==Source==

Alnwlsn at 14:34, 15 July 2019

2019-07-15T14:34:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:34, 15 July 2019
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			[[File:Sky-pointer-complete.jpg\|thumb\|The Sky Pointer tracking the sun]]
	This is a device for more easily finding objects in the sky, such as satellites, visible planets, and the moon and sun. I've seen people build pointers that always point at the International Space Station, and I wanted to extend this for more easily tracking any satellite at night (for viewing), or during the day (for antenna tracking). While doing some testing on tracking satellites at night, I found that I would often move my device, misaligning the pointer. The moon, sun, and planets made for good reference points, so I eventually added tracking for them as well.		This is a device for more easily finding objects in the sky, such as satellites, visible planets, and the moon and sun. I've seen people build pointers that always point at the International Space Station, and I wanted to extend this for more easily tracking any satellite at night (for viewing), or during the day (for antenna tracking). While doing some testing on tracking satellites at night, I found that I would often move my device, misaligning the pointer. The moon, sun, and planets made for good reference points, so I eventually added tracking for them as well.

Alnwlsn at 05:19, 6 July 2019

2019-07-06T05:19:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:19, 6 July 2019
Line 1:		Line 1:
	This is a device for more easily finding objects in the sky, such as satellites, visible planets, and the moon and sun. I've seen people build pointers that always point at the International Space Station, and I wanted to extend this for more easily tracking any satellite at night (for viewing), or during the day (for antenna tracking). While doing some testing on tracking satellites at night, I found that I would often move my device, misaligning the pointer. The moon, sun, and planets made for good reference points, so I eventually added tracking for them as well.		This is a device for more easily finding objects in the sky, such as satellites, visible planets, and the moon and sun. I've seen people build pointers that always point at the International Space Station, and I wanted to extend this for more easily tracking any satellite at night (for viewing), or during the day (for antenna tracking). While doing some testing on tracking satellites at night, I found that I would often move my device, misaligning the pointer. The moon, sun, and planets made for good reference points, so I eventually added tracking for them as well.

	The heart of the device lies in translating coordinate systems into ~~Horizon~~ coordinates. This is the local viewing conditions of an observer on the earth's surface; when given GPS coordinates and a time and date, the device calculates which compass heading to face, and how high above the horizon the object is. My code is based on two existing projects: Grady Hillhouse's ISS pointer<ref>https://github.com/gradyh/ISS-Tracking-Pointer</ref> for the satellites (modified to switch between many satellites instead of permanently tracking just one), and ''Practical Astronomy with your Calculator or Spreadsheet 4th Edition''<ref>https://archive.org/details/Practical_Astronomy_with_your_Calculator_or_Spreadsheet_4th_edition_by_Peter_Duf/page/n4</ref> which is an excellent textbook that walks you through all the calculations needed to calculate the positions of the stars and planets. I translated several of the methods presented in this book into C code.		The heart of the device lies in translating coordinate systems into horizontal coordinates. This is the local viewing conditions of an observer on the earth's surface; when given GPS coordinates and a time and date, the device calculates which compass heading to face, and how high above the horizon the object is. My code is based on two existing projects: Grady Hillhouse's ISS pointer<ref>https://github.com/gradyh/ISS-Tracking-Pointer</ref> for the satellites (modified to switch between many satellites instead of permanently tracking just one), and ''Practical Astronomy with your Calculator or Spreadsheet 4th Edition''<ref>https://archive.org/details/Practical_Astronomy_with_your_Calculator_or_Spreadsheet_4th_edition_by_Peter_Duf/page/n4</ref> which is an excellent textbook that walks you through all the calculations needed to calculate the positions of the stars and planets. I translated several of the methods presented in this book into C code.

	The current version is awaiting a rebuild of the pointer mechanics (and now that my 3D printer is working well, this will likely happen soon)		The current version is awaiting a rebuild of the pointer mechanics (and now that my 3D printer is working well, this will likely happen soon)

Alnwlsn at 05:59, 28 June 2019

2019-06-28T05:59:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:59, 28 June 2019
Line 2:		Line 2:

	The heart of the device lies in translating coordinate systems into Horizon coordinates. This is the local viewing conditions of an observer on the earth's surface; when given GPS coordinates and a time and date, the device calculates which compass heading to face, and how high above the horizon the object is. My code is based on two existing projects: Grady Hillhouse's ISS pointer<ref>https://github.com/gradyh/ISS-Tracking-Pointer</ref> for the satellites (modified to switch between many satellites instead of permanently tracking just one), and ''Practical Astronomy with your Calculator or Spreadsheet 4th Edition''<ref>https://archive.org/details/Practical_Astronomy_with_your_Calculator_or_Spreadsheet_4th_edition_by_Peter_Duf/page/n4</ref> which is an excellent textbook that walks you through all the calculations needed to calculate the positions of the stars and planets. I translated several of the methods presented in this book into C code.		The heart of the device lies in translating coordinate systems into Horizon coordinates. This is the local viewing conditions of an observer on the earth's surface; when given GPS coordinates and a time and date, the device calculates which compass heading to face, and how high above the horizon the object is. My code is based on two existing projects: Grady Hillhouse's ISS pointer<ref>https://github.com/gradyh/ISS-Tracking-Pointer</ref> for the satellites (modified to switch between many satellites instead of permanently tracking just one), and ''Practical Astronomy with your Calculator or Spreadsheet 4th Edition''<ref>https://archive.org/details/Practical_Astronomy_with_your_Calculator_or_Spreadsheet_4th_edition_by_Peter_Duf/page/n4</ref> which is an excellent textbook that walks you through all the calculations needed to calculate the positions of the stars and planets. I translated several of the methods presented in this book into C code.

			The current version is awaiting a rebuild of the pointer mechanics (and now that my 3D printer is working well, this will likely happen soon)

			==Source==
			This is the source for the original version: [[File:Skypointer-v1.zip]]

	==References==		==References==

Alnwlsn at 05:50, 28 June 2019

2019-06-28T05:50:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:50, 28 June 2019
Line 2:		Line 2:

	The heart of the device lies in translating coordinate systems into Horizon coordinates. This is the local viewing conditions of an observer on the earth's surface; when given GPS coordinates and a time and date, the device calculates which compass heading to face, and how high above the horizon the object is. My code is based on two existing projects: Grady Hillhouse's ISS pointer<ref>https://github.com/gradyh/ISS-Tracking-Pointer</ref> for the satellites (modified to switch between many satellites instead of permanently tracking just one), and ''Practical Astronomy with your Calculator or Spreadsheet 4th Edition''<ref>https://archive.org/details/Practical_Astronomy_with_your_Calculator_or_Spreadsheet_4th_edition_by_Peter_Duf/page/n4</ref> which is an excellent textbook that walks you through all the calculations needed to calculate the positions of the stars and planets. I translated several of the methods presented in this book into C code.		The heart of the device lies in translating coordinate systems into Horizon coordinates. This is the local viewing conditions of an observer on the earth's surface; when given GPS coordinates and a time and date, the device calculates which compass heading to face, and how high above the horizon the object is. My code is based on two existing projects: Grady Hillhouse's ISS pointer<ref>https://github.com/gradyh/ISS-Tracking-Pointer</ref> for the satellites (modified to switch between many satellites instead of permanently tracking just one), and ''Practical Astronomy with your Calculator or Spreadsheet 4th Edition''<ref>https://archive.org/details/Practical_Astronomy_with_your_Calculator_or_Spreadsheet_4th_edition_by_Peter_Duf/page/n4</ref> which is an excellent textbook that walks you through all the calculations needed to calculate the positions of the stars and planets. I translated several of the methods presented in this book into C code.

			==References==