AstroLab

Presentation :

Learning equipment around a motorised telescope

Controlled by the control box or by a local or remote control unit.

Observations and measurements in the classroom,

The telescope is powered by two electric motors that rotate in the horizontal plane (azimuth) and in the vertical plane (altitude).

An experimental unit distinct from the system, consisting of a geared motor with a LASER pointer and an electronic board with a microcontroller, makes it possible to study the operation of an axis in terms of hardware and software.

Networking for system control enables learning applications based on the TCP/IP protocol. In addition, it will allow enthusiasts to observe or record a beautiful starry night from a distance. For this purpose the system is delivered with a webcam ready to be mounted on the original optics.

Technical solutions discussed :

1 Telescope with integrated Matlab/Simulink and LabView compatible acquisition/measurement card

1 Programmable training set comprising: Motor and gearbox, Arduino IDE programmable electronic board (Simulink compatible).

1 Accessory kit: Rangefinder, Level, Laser pointer, 26 mm eyepiece, Webcam, Display, Turntable.

Digital support containing :

• Technical file and SysML diagrams,
• Complete system modeling in SolidWorks®
• More than 20 practical and directed activities in Word format specific accompanying files (Matlab®...).

Pedagogical activities :

Analyze :

• Describe how a system works
• Identify the technical functions of a system and justify the choice
• Analysing and interpreting digital information
• Communication networks: Identifying and analysing the transmitted message, notion of protocol, configuration parameters
• Quantify differences between expected values and values obtained by simulation. Research and propose causes for the observed differences.

Modeling :

• Identify parameters from an index response
• Associate a behavioural model with an index response
• Associating a model with the components of an energy or information chain
• Construct a model and represent it with the help of diagrams
• Simulate: Interpret the results of a frequency simulation of systems.

Experimenting :

• Qualify the input/output characteristics of a sensor
• Justify the choice of a sensor or measuring device in relation to the physical quantity to be measured,
• Identify the nature and characteristics of magnitudes at various points in the information chain
• Implementing a measuring device, setting up an acquisition chain
• Generate a programme and implement it in the system.

Transversal knowledge :

• Spatial geometry :
  
  • Equations of displacement and speed of a celestial object relative to a point on the earth's globe.
• Physical-optical :
  
  • Thin convergent lenses: real and virtual images
  • Focal length, vergence
  • Relationship of conjugation, growth.

Strong points :

Delivered with a poster giving the possibility to point and record terrestrial objects.

Supplied with the measuring instruments necessary for its pedagogical use.

Référence :

SASTRO : Learning telescope for SI and STI2D

SASTROCPGE+ : Learning telescope for CPGE

SASTROINT+ : External interface board for CPGE telescope motors with Raspberry and Arduino MEGA

SASTROMOTO : Additional programmable learning package