Moving-Object Tracking (Made Easy)

[Ironbird (Terri)]

OK - no pics but this protocol lends itself to description; none-the-less.

Suppose we're interested in getting up-close on satellites or other distant moving objects. We all know how near-impossible this is .. even with vari-focal lenses .. obstacles - of all manner - to overcome.

So let's think "outside the bun".

OK - we start with a nice, finely-graduated stepper-motor controlled pan-tilt platform. This would be joy-stick controlled (we'll suggest). Pretty much off-the-shelf technology .. think concert stage-lighting actuators - or security camera platforms.


Size accordingly .. could be variable step-size .. coarse for scanning ... fine for tracking.


OK - we now mount three separate (yet coaxial) viewing 'units'. One; a moderate wide-field (of view) think low-lux pinhole camera. The other unit; a moderate magnification view and finally; we have the Monster Magnification unit.

These, are all mounted to the same pan-tilt unit (piggybacked or other-wise). This 'contrivance' could conceivably be pole-mounted or roof-of-vehicle mounted.

Each unit has it's own monitor output - we could also multiplex - display all outputs on a single monitor (various refinements and option present themselves - let's 'stick to the basics' for present purposes.


So we are now out in the field and scanning the skies with our moderate and/or wide-angle view. As soon as we notice a moving object we hit the red button and thereby activate "Power Cool-Down" as discussed in our previous thread "Peltier-less cooling" .. Power Cool-Down affords us better contrast and significant noise-reduction and so forth. Also known as Astro-Cam In-a-Can. I digress.

So, we've acquired a target. We know that if we maintain it centered in the moderate zoom and wide f.o.v. then - it will then appear as centered - by 'default' - in the Mega-Zoom view. Correct me if I'm wrong. : )

And if we've "pre-aligned" things properly (think modeling clay - and possibly foam hardener) .. we can altogether dispense with the Mega Zoom monitor - as we are confident of being 'on-target'. Output straight to DVR for post analysis.

All this, very much in keeping with the 'finder-scope tradition' except as applied to a moving platform and as incorporating 'optical staging'.

Refinements could include; employing LCD goggles (and a joy-stick console-equipped lawn-chair). Also, on-screen azimuth and elevation (and time) display.

Trust this as somehow reasonable and sufficiently left-field : )


Kirk out!