CCAT - Computer Controlled Astronomical Telescope (1978)

In 1978, the telescope with its 800 mm mirror in a RC configuration installed at the observatory in Alterswil was the first telescope controlled by a computer. A computer from Honeywell Bull in combination with a real-time process computer formed the mainstay of this computer control. The database is provided by the SAO star catalogue. Programming is realised by the founder of the institute in co-operation with computer specialists from Honeywell-Bull.

The documents provide an insight into the telescope control mechanisms. Starting with the rest position of the telescope and a position input per terminal by the operator the individual functions for control are shown and their interactions described. The control mechanism with its intelligent frontend processor with motor control and feedback loops as well as data acquisition are shown. The language used is FORTRAN. Communication between the host computer and the microcomputer is realised through a serial interface.

CCAT - Computer Controlled Astronomical Telescope (1978)

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