WiFi-enabled Crestron touchpanel aids in stargazing

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 1st 2008 at 11:25AM

We've seen home automation touchpanels used for some -- shall we say, unorthodox -- activities, but this is taking things to another ~~level~~ galaxy. Franklin, NC-based Dan Quigley has whipped up a way for his WiFi-enabled Crestron TMPC8X to actually control a giant telescope. Rather than manually getting the 'scope into the right position, he simply touches a button and watches it automatically check to see "if and when that object is viewable." While he's at it, he can dim the lights around him and check the local weather, and once a celestial body is in view, he can snap a photograph or have the system channel the image to any computer / TV. Suddenly, astronomy has become entirely more attractive.

[Thanks, Chuck]

Filed under: DIY, Misc, Other hardware

Tags: astronomy, Crestron, home automation, HomeAutomation, stargazing, stars, telescope, TMPC8X, touchpanel

Relevant Posts

ELAN ships $3,350 XP-8.4 WiFi touch panel (37 days ago - 0 Comments)
ReQuest introduces 5.7-inch TS6 in-wall control panel (57 days ago - 0 Comments)
NuVo Technologies beefs up integration with Life|ware (24 days ago - 0 Comments)
Embedded Automation's mPanel Review (41 days ago - 19 Comments)
Bang & Olufsen's BeoSound 5 controller in the wild? (52 days ago - 0 Comments)

Subscribe to these comments

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

tk101 @ Oct 1st 2008 11:34AM

Computer controlled 'scopes are nothing new - they've been around for a long time. They are also not that expensive - around $1000 for a scope with a decent mount and aperture size. And in all of these cases, the computer is built into the control handset, though PC/Mac control is an easy add-on with a cable and software (some is even free).

Not saying that his work isn't cool, as it absolutely is, but it also isn't a great leap. It just uses existing software and equipment in a new way.

And you should visit a local astronomy club "star party" some day. You will see more gear than you ever knew existed :)

TK

Neutral

Big John @ Oct 1st 2008 11:35AM

Nice use of Crestron equipment there. I love their stuff at work (installed in classrooms at a major university) and it's nice to see other uses of it.

Add your comments

Your comments:

Remember me

E-Mail me when someone replies to this comment

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.

To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.

Wanted: Weapons of Fate. Found: New in-game video Who ya gonna watch? New Ghostbusters trailer and screens materialize PSN Thursday: Free Qore; Portable Stardust, Everday Shooter	Google Reader gets a new look Interpret your dreams online with DreamCrowd GetIt combines the power of three Windows apt-style updaters
Woof! An iPhone-controlled dog treat dispenser Red Sweater releases Black Ink 1.1.3, promises Tumblr update for MarsEdit Terminal Tips: Enable Address Book debug menu	No. 7: Rich people don't bet the farm on one asset class or stock Best & Worst in Money 2008: Most shocking financial collapse NYT's Krugman: The financial and economic warning signs were there
Forza Motorsport 2 experts drift into gear X3F Week in Review: November 28, 2008 - December 4, 2008 Fall Out Boy is your (and our) Artist of the Month	Lexus F range could expand to include LS F Pics Aplenty: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor at Baja 1000 like a pig in mud 2010 BMW Z4 moons the camera
Midway wins in Psi-Ops copyright lawsuit Activision: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 announcement is "speculative" Review: American McGee's Grimm: Iron John	Thursday Night Live Chat: Raiders vs. Chargers -- Battle for Last Place Continues Junior Seau Is in New England to Potentially Sign With the Patriots Mike Martz Loves His 49ers Players, Thinks They're the Greatest