Encoders: The Invention That Automates Telescopes (how they aim

What do telescopes and computer mice have in common? They both rely on wheel encoders! Without encoder wheels/discs, our world would not function and our telescopes could not aim. This video shows you how devilishly simple they work.
#automatic #telescope #encoders
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KZbin NOTES:
1) This video complies with the KZbin Community Guidelines and Terms of Service.
2) Soundtracks used with permission from my video editing suite, Camtasia and KZbin's AudioLibrary.
3) All products shown were purchased by me with my own money.
4) This video does not contain any controversial subjects, children, offensive material or language.
Questions answered in this video:
1) How do wheel encoders work?
2) How do telescopes work?
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[@scoutisabelle]

Cool video! You're really good at explaining things. And that mouse wheel looks like it belongs on a motorcycle.🏍️

[@reflactor]

Thank you for the kind words. The mouse wheel really does look like a motorcycle wheel with a lot of spokes! Clear skies!

[@ADF_Cable]

Yeah love it! Great explanation! I love my onstep 10" dob system where, rather than encoders, it uses "steps" or pulses to rotate the stepper motor a set number of revolutions on the alt/az axis for the amount of degrees to move. Again, power on and "reset" with the dob aimed North and level, slew to the 1st target with medium accuracy, manual fine-tune so it's centered in the eyepiece and "align" so it's locked in accurately. Took a bit of calculations to get the "steps per degree" dialled in but is reasonably accurate. Cheers 👍

[@reflactor]

Congrats... that sounds like it was an advanced system. I'm impressed that they went with stepper motors. Clear skies!

[@EvenTheDogAgrees]

Rotary encoder knobs use the same principle, but use electrical contacts rather than slits in a disc. But the principle is the same: two contact points, slightly offset, and copper cladding on the disc to act as the slits. These are the "clicky" rotary knobs you find on many consumer electronics to e.g. move through menus and such. They can often be depressed as well, closing another contact, so you can use the same knob for both navigation and confirmation. Cool stuff, definitely worth looking up if you're into that sort of stuff.

[@reflactor]

Thanks for the note - they sound just as intriguing. I'm one of those people who has fun stumbling onto new (old) technology that is often an underlying technology for modern civilization. Thank you for watching... clear skies!

[@EvenTheDogAgrees]

@@reflactor Hah, just saw the community post with the telescope and the mouse. I guess that just like me, you're old enough to remember the time before optical mice? The old ones with the rubber ball? Actually a heavy core for weight, think it was steel, surrounded by rubber. Well, that ball rode along two capstans inside the mouse. And at the end of each was an optical encoder disc, just like the ones you showed in the video. Problem with those was that the ball tended to pick up grime which would get deposited onto the capstans, requiring frequent cleaning. Which is why the introduction of optical mice in the late 90's was a very welcome development indeed.

[@JoeJaguar]

Great video John I learned a few thing from this video.

[@reflactor]

Hi Joe, thanks for watching.

[@DavidMFChapman]

I like that SynScan assumes that the telescope is level and pointed north at power-up. I use this all the time, even if I proceed to a star alignment. I agree 100% that leveling the telescope just makes everything work better. Also, because the encoders are independent of the motors, you can grab the scope any time when it’s slewing to move it rapidly to its destination.

[@reflactor]

It really is a great feature of the SynScan systems. I was surprised how far out of whack it can get even if the base is a few degrees out of level.

[@yassinadam-zg7qx]

I have learned more from you then my science teacher thanks for all the help 😂

[@reflactor]

Thank you for the kind words. Happy to share. Clear skies!

[@natty55555]

There is a problem with GoTo system. At least with CPWI software. The WIFI connection is quite unstable. Sometimes it suddenly breaks while the telescope usually goes on following the sky object. however the CPWI requires reconnecting and doing alignment procedure again. The most confusing thing is that CPWI alignment procedure first asks to turn the telescope towards Northern direction, that is, you have to lose your followed object and all previous adjusted orientation model. It would be much better if CPWI just asked to point at any sky object for realignment.

[@reflactor]

I wish I could help, but I'm afraid you are operating at a level way above me. I don't use WiFi connections with my astronomy equipment - I'm all "wired". Thank you for watching.

[@natty55555]

@@reflactor As we connect to the Hand Control via "wired" USB, the Hand Control itself stops working. :(

[@RaisinEnjoyer]

the dob == mouse makes sense now lmao

[@reflactor]

I think my first thumbnail idea was a bit too esoteric. Hopefully the new one is better?

[@Clyffcarlock1]

Is there a "add-on" system for my manual 10" dobsonian?

[@reflactor]

They do exist. Do a Google search on "telescope mount GOTO conversions".

[@hednik]

You taught this old guy a few things

[@reflactor]

I find that hard to believe - you repair electronics!

[@baneverything5580]

I wish I could look through a reflector telescope but every time I decide to buy one the price goes way up...again! I may have to risk a cheap "direct from China" ordeal on a no-name (hopefully) clone of a decent brand. My new Celestron 70mm Travel Scope is unusable with the "imitation" tripod. I`ve used refractors since the 1970s. Too bad I don`t have my old tripods. I tried three times to look at the moon with the new one and gave up. It`s easier to hold it with my hands. I did see a shaky image of the moon that way long enough to see that the optics are good.

[@reflactor]

With cheap refractors, I've found that as the price goes down, the wobbliness of the tripod goes up. Keep your eyes open for a used 8 inch Dobsonian, especially on the Facebook Marketplace or the OfferUp app. I've found some very good deals on those. Clear skies!

[@DavidMFChapman]

It might be worth investing in a simple but good alt-az mount with slow-motion controls that accepts the standard dovetail these telescopes come with.

[@reflactor]

I recently purchased a used Explore Scientific Twilight 1 Alt-Az mount and it is absolutely wonderful - I can't find the words for how perfect it is for my needs.

[@jaredrrrr5074]

Just like cars buy used let someone else eat the extra cost of new