GoTo (telescopes)

In <a href="/facts/Amateur_astronomy/lBgH19WH">amateur astronomy</a>, "GoTo" refers to a type of <a href="/facts/Telescope_mount/2Ef8Perh">telescope mount</a> and related <a href="/facts/Software/RP79lVSW">software</a> that can automatically point a <a href="/facts/Optical_telescope/dVfBR10I">telescope</a> at <a href="/facts/Astronomical_object/BCHLa0Q2">astronomical objects</a> that the user selects. Both axes of a GoTo mount are driven by a <a href="/facts/Motor_controller/I4lUA37m">motor</a> and controlled by a computer. It may be either a <a href="/facts/Microprocessor/Fx9CaQht">microprocessor</a>-based integrated controller or an external <a href="/facts/Personal_computer/koaYfNce">personal computer</a>. This differs from the single-axis semi-automated tracking of a traditional <a href="/facts/Clock_drive/nuMfpQ8f">clock-drive</a> <a href="/facts/Equatorial_mount/Ipy54FM4">equatorial mount</a>. 
The user can command the mount to point the telescope to the <a href="/facts/Celestial_coordinate_system/23HhqvHj">celestial coordinates</a> that the user inputs, or to objects in a pre-programmed database including ones from the <a href="/facts/Messier_catalogue/YKz2MxzQ">Messier catalogue</a>, the <a href="/facts/New_General_Catalogue/qxfhfKAc">New General Catalogue</a>, and even major <a href="/facts/Solar_System/QIcLSazQ">Solar System</a> bodies (the <a href="/facts/Sun/CadPCVHh">Sun</a>, <a href="/facts/Moon/zKHqEMPb">Moon</a>, and <a href="/facts/Planet/rbPjE6Bx">planets</a>).
Like a standard <a href="/facts/Equatorial_mount/Ipy54FM4">equatorial mount</a>, equatorial GoTo mounts can track the <a href="/facts/Night_sky/IM1PakDh">night sky</a> by driving the <a href="/facts/Right_ascension/z4CEsTFu">right ascension</a> axis. Since both axes are computer controlled, GoTo technology also allows telescope manufacturers to add equatorial tracking to mechanically simpler <a href="/facts/Altazimuth_mount/AhXsnY0f">altazimuth mounts</a>.

GoTo (telescopes) open-in-new

GoTo (telescopes)