rDUINOScope is an Open Source, Arduino Due based Telescope Control System (GOTO). Drafted as stand alone system, rDUINOScope does not need PC, Tablet or Cell Phone, nor Internet connection in order to operate and deliver stunning views! It does however supports Bluetooth and LX200 protocol to connect and be controlled by smart devices!

rDUINOScope uses database with THE BEST ~250 stellar objects ( Messier and Hidden Treasures Catalogues) and 200 stars, calculates their position on the sky and points the telescope. Implemented Alignment procedures allow for "Always in the eyepiece" experience when slewing to selected objects and once the object is in the eyepiece, the system keeps tracking it.

Functionality:

  • Best ~250 Stellar Objects database - Messier Objects and Hidden Treasures;
  • 200 Brightest stars from Northern and Southern hemispheres;
  • Works with Stellarium, SkySafari 5 and PC over Bluetooth;
  • Calculates the Local Sidereal Time and Hour Angle and points the telescope;
  • Hemisphere independent - works on both sides of the globe;
  • Auto Tracking, Auto Meridian Flip, Auto Stop when object below horizon;
  • "Observation Log" is kept for each observation, including temperature, location and etc
  • Supports Bluetooth commands, based on MEADE LX200 protocol;
  • Stand alone operation ... or/and... Computer/Tablet aided operation;
  • Complete NGC & IC catalogue via "#rDUINO Controller" Software and Bluetooth;
  • Fancy Joystick multi speed manual control;
  • Day/Night mode of operation of the screen;
  • Precise and Quick Alignment methods for "Always in Eyepiece" experience;
  • ... and many other small geeks which I consider useful :)


    • What's inside the rDUINO SCOPE

  • Arduino DUE Microcontroller Board (~ 500mA) ;
  • TFT Touch Screen (240 x 400 px);
  • PS2 joystick;
  • GPS uBlox Neo 6M - GPS Module;
  • DRV8825 - Stepper motor drivers capable of passing 2A current;
  • HC-05 - BlueTooth module working as "Master";
  • PCB Mount Buzzer for Sound Alerts;
  • RTC DS3231 - clock to store Date and Time even when disconnected from power supply;
  • DHT22 - Temperature & Humidity sensor to show and record environment variables during observations;

    • Because this is an Open Source project, Otto Winter redesigned the HW part and come up with his own professional version: https://hackaday.io/project/21397-rduinoscope-control-v13


    The challenge the project addresses:
    Every amateur astronomer knows the trouble of finding an object to observe, when starting in the hobby. It is the steep learning curve that one needs to overcome, that makes most people give up after few unsuccessful tries. To overcome this roadblock, telescope manufacturers come up with idea to computerize a telescope and make it GOTO telescope. One simply pushes a button ....and voila – The Great Orion Nebula is in the eyepiece!

    Those computerized (GOTO) telescopes unfortunately are proprietary and are quite expensive on top of the Euro/Dollar you already spent for your tube and optics. You can’t simply buy the cheapest GOTO and put it on your mount, as they are specific for each telescope. Maybe you aquired an old mount and find out that it is no longer supported for a GOTO ... or that existing GOTOs keeps their high prices!

    If you however decide to buy a new shiny GOTO Telescope, you will be amazed to discover that most of them are old looking, feature phone like handhelds, and most importantly all the goodies are sold separately like:

    That’s why I decided to create rDUINOScope, a computerized telescope GOTO controller system, which fits every telescope mount.

    It is an Open Source Software and Hardware, which means it is free. I wanted it to be even better than what you can buy on the market, so I have implemented a rich graphical screen with touch input, stellar map interface, database with stellar objects, built in Bluetooth, GPS and Real clock and the feature list goes on and on! rDUINOScope also allows you to use your favorite planetarium software (Stellarium, Sky Safari and etc.) to control your telescope.

    rDUINOScope is a standalone device! This means that you only need a small grab-and-go package for your telescope without compromising on features. Sometimes having PC brought to your observation location, which could be many miles away, or in the desert, is not a wise idea. Draining you cellphone battery to allow GOTO capabilities also adds some unnecessary risks and this is where stand-alone rDUINOScope shines! It can do both!


    How the project might be world changing :
    I’m hoping that by opening my work to the general public, such devices will become more affordable and as such will create a norm in telescope making – Every telescope will have GOTO to ease the new amateur astronomers in their quest! I expect that if you have to buy a GOTO telescope, you at least receive the full package (GPS, Bluetooth Touch screen and etc.) This hobby needs to change for good!

    The best part is that because rDUINOScope is an Open Source Software and Hardware, it spawned projects around the world which improves it! Such a project is a Swiss made hardware to spare you the hassle of building it yourself, which costs even less that components alone (link on top of the page).


    rDUINOScope have the potential to change the market, and it needs your support. Spread the idea by talking about it in your communities, astronomy forums, printed materials and social media groups. The more people know about it, the higher the impact on the market.