Pole of satellites' tracks, for video rec. etc.
Bjorn Gimle (Bjorn_Gimle@lector.kth.se)
Wed, 5 Jul 95 20:10:12 +0100
I have written a program to demonstrate the possibilities of aligning
a telescope mount's polar axis, so a satellite can be tracked almost
exclusively along the RA axis.
This was suggested to simplify camcorder shots of Mir, but can also be
useful to record flashing periods/patterns of other (bright) objects.
If you can fix your binoculars or telescope to a similar mount, it can
offer a safer way of searching for faint and/or long-period flashers.
The trigonometric formula presented by David Moore, about June 25, is
correct, and probably the most compact one possible, but it is limited
to use two prediction points.
I prefer using vector algebra methods, because most problems are solved
with elementary methods (the "inner" or "dot", and the "outer" or
"vector" products, which use only * and +, and square roots) and the
straightforward conversion from angles, and back after computation.
My program may seem long, but most of it is reading output from a
prediction program (currently QuickSat 2.10, but the program identifies
the subroutines that depend on that format), the elementary operations
mentioned above, and printing the results.
If only one point is predicted on a pass, and it is identified as the
culmination, or two points are predicted, an approximate pole, 90
degrees from the predictions, is computed (like David's result)
For three points, one (of the two opposite) point at equal distance
from the three points is computed.
For more than three points, a least squares solution is obtained.
The computed pole's RA and Decl. at the time of the first predicted
track point, is given. If you set your instrument NN minutes in
advance, subtract that many minutes from the RA (in HHMM format).
For each point predicted, the program prints the "latitude" or
"declination" (90-distance) of the point from the computed pole.
This will show you how much declination adjustment you will need, and
even where the track will be located. With Mir and several 1400-
2100 km satellites, the declination was between -12 and +5, and the
variation +- 0.2 degrees or less. For an excentric orbit like Cosmos
382, on a pass from 3200 to 5200 km, the declination was -17, and
the variation +- 0.5 degrees.
If you have MS QBasic ( MS-DOS 5.0 or later ), split the text below
into files pole.ctl, pole.qou, pole.log, and pole.bas,
and use this command: QBASIC /RUN pole.bas
Answer pole.ctl and xxxx.log to the prompts, and compare pole.log
to xxxx.log.
If you need an .exe-cutable file (by QuickBasic 4.0) instead, I will
send that to Bart for publication in the archive.
-------------------- Start of pole.ctl ----------------------------
1995 05 Year, month number
24 25 Start date, end date
5.3 3.6 Start time, end time
47.2238 -18.2284 44. Someplace
0 UT 24 correction and time zone name and 12/24 for UT to CDT
2000 Epoch of predicted RA, Dec
7.9 Magnitude limit
8 Altitude cut-off value
1.2 The search/step parameter value
T f True means accept only the most recent elements for each object
t True means ignore shadow test
T 2 True means generate multiple prediction points, how many each way
f True means output distance values in miles
T True means generate a blank line before each object's prediction.
M V B E b N p N v V p f x E N
v V p Non-blank selects a class of objects
A D Output format
C:\TEMP\SATPROGN\qs57.mag
pole.qou
C:\TLE\cs950527.tle
EOF End of input file list
-------------------- Start of pole.qou ----------------------------
47.224 -18.228 44. Someplace 2000 7.9 8 F T T F T
*** 1995 May 25 Thu morning *** Times are AM UT *** 1934 152
H M S Tim Al Azi C Dir Mag Dys F Hgt Shd Rng EW Phs R A Dec
16609 Mir Complex 86 17 A 32.7 4.2 294 1.2 V-1.0
3 58 45 .0 44 148 C 271 -1.2 0 2 408 408 573 2.0 102 2252 5.0
16609 Mir Complex 86 17 A 32.7 4.2 294 1.2 V-1.0
3 57 57 .0 35 187 299 -1.1 0 2 408 408 672 1.9 70 2056 -7.7
3 59 32 .0 36 107 241 .1 0 2 408 408 663 1.3 134 057 15.5
16609 Mir Complex 86 17 A 32.7 4.2 294 1.2 V-1.0
3 57 57 .0 35 187 299 -1.1 0 2 408 408 672 1.9 70 2056 -7.7
3 58 45 .0 44 148 C 271 -1.2 0 2 408 408 573 2.0 102 2252 5.0
3 59 32 .0 36 107 241 .1 0 2 408 408 663 1.3 134 057 15.5
16609 Mir Complex 86 17 A 32.7 4.2 294 1.2 V-1.0
3 57 9 .0 23 206 311 -.5 0 2 407 407 899 1.3 50 1940 -15.7
3 57 57 .0 35 187 299 -1.1 0 2 408 408 672 1.9 70 2056 -7.7
3 58 45 .0 44 148 C 271 -1.2 0 2 408 408 573 2.0 102 2252 5.0
4 0 20 .0 24 87 229 2.1 0 2 408 408 886 .7 155 222 19.0
16609 Mir Complex 86 17 A 32.7 4.2 294 1.2 V-1.0
3 57 9 .0 23 206 311 -.5 0 2 407 407 899 1.3 50 1940 -15.7
3 57 57 .0 35 187 299 -1.1 0 2 408 408 672 1.9 70 2056 -7.7
3 58 45 .0 44 148 C 271 -1.2 0 2 408 408 573 2.0 102 2252 5.0
3 59 32 .0 36 107 241 .1 0 2 408 408 663 1.3 134 057 15.5
4 0 20 .0 24 87 229 2.1 0 2 408 408 886 .7 155 222 19.0
-------------------- Start of pole.log ----------------------------
47.224 -18.228 44. Someplace 2000 7.9 8 F T T F T
*** 1995 May 25 Thu morning *** Times are AM UT *** 1934 152
H M S Tim Al Azi C Dir Mag Dys F Hgt Shd Rng EW Phs R A Dec
16609 Mir Complex 86 17 A 32.7 4.2 294 1.2 V-1.0
Consider the following QuickSat prediction:
47.224 -18.228 44. Someplace 2000 7.9 8 F T T F T
*** 1995 May 25 Thu morning *** Times are AM UT *** 1934 152
H M S Tim Al Azi C Dir Mag Dys F Hgt Shd Rng EW Phs R A Dec
16609 Mir Complex 86 17 A 32.7 4.2 294 1.2 V-1.0
16609 Mir Complex 86 17 A 32.7 4.2 294 1.2 V-1.0 1546 72.9 = Track
pole.
-0.138294 -0.208933 0.813420 236.50 72.88
3 58 45 .0 44 148 C 271 -1.2 0 2 408 408 573 2.0 102 2252 5.0 -0.0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16609 Mir Complex 86 17 A 32.7 4.2 294 1.2 V-1.0 1611 67.1 = Track
pole.
-0.159588 -0.309323 0.825777 242.71 67.14
3 57 57 .0 35 187 299 -1.1 0 2 408 408 672 1.9 70 2056 -7.7 -0.0
3 59 32 .0 36 107 241 .1 0 2 408 408 663 1.3 134 057 15.5 -0.0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16609 Mir Complex 86 17 A 32.7 4.2 294 1.2 V-1.0 1525 65.8 = Track
pole.
-0.281718 -0.351409 1.000000 231.28 65.75
3 57 57 .0 35 187 299 -1.1 0 2 408 408 672 1.9 70 2056 -7.7 -4.0
3 58 45 .0 44 148 C 271 -1.2 0 2 408 408 573 2.0 102 2252 5.0 -4.0
3 59 32 .0 36 107 241 .1 0 2 408 408 663 1.3 134 057 15.5 -4.0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16609 Mir Complex 86 17 A 32.7 4.2 294 1.2 V-1.0 1519 65.6 = Track
pole.
-0.293334 -0.345506 1.000000 229.67 65.62
3 57 9 .0 23 206 311 -.5 0 2 407 407 899 1.3 50 1940 -15.7 -4.6
3 57 57 .0 35 187 299 -1.1 0 2 408 408 672 1.9 70 2056 -7.7 -4.6
3 58 45 .0 44 148 C 271 -1.2 0 2 408 408 573 2.0 102 2252 5.0 -4.6
4 0 20 .0 24 87 229 2.1 0 2 408 408 886 .7 155 222 19.0 -4.6
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16609 Mir Complex 86 17 A 32.7 4.2 294 1.2 V-1.0 1518 65.6 = Track
pole.
-0.294336 -0.345857 1.000000 229.60 65.57
3 57 9 .0 23 206 311 -.5 0 2 407 407 899 1.3 50 1940 -15.7 -4.6
3 57 57 .0 35 187 299 -1.1 0 2 408 408 672 1.9 70 2056 -7.7 -4.6
3 58 45 .0 44 148 C 271 -1.2 0 2 408 408 573 2.0 102 2252 5.0 -4.7
3 59 32 .0 36 107 241 .1 0 2 408 408 663 1.3 134 057 15.5 -4.5
4 0 20 .0 24 87 229 2.1 0 2 408 408 886 .7 155 222 19.0 -4.7
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
'------------------- Start of pole.bas ----------------------------
DEFSTR A-H, O-Q
TYPE VectorPos
H AS INTEGER
M AS INTEGER
S AS INTEGER
RA AS DOUBLE
Dec AS DOUBLE
Pred AS STRING * 70
X AS DOUBLE
Y AS DOUBLE
Z AS DOUBLE
END TYPE
DECLARE FUNCTION acos! (c!)
DECLARE FUNCTION atan2# (Y AS DOUBLE, X AS DOUBLE)
DECLARE FUNCTION DotProduct! (p AS VectorPos, Q AS VectorPos)
DECLARE SUB FindZenith (a AS VectorPos, SiteLat!, R AS VectorPos)
DECLARE FUNCTION GetPredLine$ (QSline$)
DECLARE SUB GetQSdata (QSline$, SatPos() AS VectorPos, Lines)
DECLARE SUB NormVect (p AS VectorPos)
DECLARE SUB PrintPredDecl (Object, SatPos() AS VectorPos, Lines!)
DECLARE SUB RAdecData (p() AS VectorPos, i!)
DECLARE SUB SetupForQuickSat (Format, Lat, Lon)
DECLARE SUB SolveXYexact (a AS VectorPos, B AS VectorPos, c AS VectorPos, R AS
VectorPos)
DECLARE SUB SolveXYLSQ (p() AS VectorPos, Lines!)
DECLARE SUB VectorProduct (a AS VectorPos, B AS VectorPos, X AS VectorPos)
DECLARE SUB XYZdata (p() AS VectorPos, i!)
PRINT
PRINT "Reads prediction program output, and computes apparent pole of motion
for"
PRINT "each pass with at least two points, and 'declination' of each
pass/point. "
PRINT "Currently supports QuickSat 2.10 'A' format output (Az.in col.18-20,"
PRINT "RA in col.61-64). Easily adjusted to other prediction formats."
PRINT
' SetupForQuicksat, FindZenith, GetPredLine, and GetQSdata depend, more or
' less, on the prediction program format. For other programs, add your own
' subroutines, and calls to them, and comment out the old calls.
' Or, modify these routines to recognize and check for alternative formats
' by setting unique codes for PredFileFormat and PredType.
' The crucial points are that (for PredType="P") 'Lines' count the no. of
' prediction points for each pass; the .H .M .S .RA .Dec components of
' SatPos() are set before XYZdata is called; and that the processing of the
' points for one pass ( PredType="N" and Lines>0 ) is untouched.
CONST MaxLines = 20
DIM SatPos(MaxLines) AS VectorPos
SatPos(2).Pred = "-" ' for debugging
SetupForQuickSat PredFileFormat, SiteLat, SiteLong
INPUT "Log calculations to file : ", PolFile
IF PolFile = "" THEN PolFile = "NUL"
OPEN "A", #2, PolFile
FOR ever! = 0 TO 1 STEP 0
IF EOF(1) THEN
PredType = "N"
ELSE
PredType = GetPredLine(QSline)
END IF
SELECT CASE PredType
CASE "H"
PRINT QSline; " Pole dec."
CASE "P"
'PRINT QSline
Lines = 1 + Lines
IF Lines > MaxLines THEN
PRINT "Too many prediction lines for "; ObjectName
PRINT "ignoring : "; LEFT$(QSline, 50); "......"
Lines = Lines - 1
ELSE
GetQSdata QSline, SatPos(), Lines
XYZdata SatPos(), Lines
END IF
CASE "N"
SELECT CASE Lines
CASE 1
Culm = MID$(SatPos(1).Pred, 22, 1)
IF Culm = "C" THEN
PRINT "--- Only one prediction. This is the culmination, an
approximate ---"
PRINT "--- pole has been computed from the prediction and
SiteLat. ---"
FindZenith SatPos(1), SiteLat, SatPos(0) ' (0)=zenith
XYZdata SatPos(), 0
VectorProduct SatPos(0), SatPos(1), SatPos(2) ' (2)=90 deg
off
RAdecData SatPos(), 2
VectorProduct SatPos(2), SatPos(1), SatPos(0) ' (0)="pole"
IF SatPos(0).Z < 0 THEN
SatPos(0).X = -SatPos(0).X
SatPos(0).Y = -SatPos(0).Y
SatPos(0).Z = -SatPos(0).Z
SatPos(0).Dec = -SatPos(0).Dec
SatPos(0).RA = SatPos(0).RA - 180
IF SatPos(0).RA < 0 THEN SatPos(0).RA = 360 + SatPos(0).RA
END IF
PrintPredDecl ObjectName, SatPos(), 1
ELSE
PRINT ObjectName: PRINT #2, ObjectName
PRINT "--- Only one prediction. If this is the culmination, an
approximate ---"
PRINT "--- pole could be computed from the prediction and
SiteLat. ---"
PRINT SatPos(1).Pred, STRING$(75, "-")
PRINT #2, SatPos(1).Pred, STRING$(75, "-")
END IF
CASE 2
VectorProduct SatPos(1), SatPos(2), SatPos(0)
PrintPredDecl ObjectName, SatPos(), 2
CASE 3 ' This case can removed, if the next one is > 2 !
' SolveXYexact can then be erased.
SolveXYexact SatPos(1), SatPos(2), SatPos(3), SatPos(0)
PrintPredDecl ObjectName, SatPos(), 3
CASE IS > 3
SolveXYLSQ SatPos(), Lines
PrintPredDecl ObjectName, SatPos(), Lines
CASE ELSE ' Lines = 0
PRINT QSline: PRINT #2, QSline
END SELECT ' Lines
ObjectName = LEFT$(QSline + SPACE$(80), 64)
IF EOF(1) THEN EXIT FOR
IF Lines > 0 AND Continuous <> "N" THEN
PRINT
PRINT "Press 'n' for non-stop printing, any other key for one pass
at a time : ";
Continuous = UCASE$(INPUT$(1))
PRINT
END IF
Lines = 0
CASE ELSE ' PredType = ""
'
END SELECT ' PredType
NEXT ever!
CLOSE
'
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUNCTION acos! (c!)
S! = SQR(1 - c! * c!)
IF c! = 0 THEN
acos! = 3.14159265# / 2
ELSE
IF c! > 0 THEN
acos! = ATN(S! / c!)
ELSE
acos! = 3.14159265# + ATN(S! / c!)
END IF
END IF
END FUNCTION
'
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUNCTION atan2# (Y AS DOUBLE, X AS DOUBLE)
v90# = 3.14159265357989# / 2#
IF X = 0 THEN
a# = v90#
IF Y < 0 THEN a# = -a#
ELSE
a# = ATN(Y# / X#)
IF X < 0 THEN a# = a# + 2# * v90#
END IF
IF a# < 0 THEN
atan2# = a# + v90# * 4#
ELSE
atan2# = a#
END IF
END FUNCTION
'
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUNCTION DotProduct! (p AS VectorPos, Q AS VectorPos)
DotProduct! = p.X * Q.X + p.Y * Q.Y + p.Z * Q.Z
END FUNCTION
SUB FindZenith (a AS VectorPos, SiteLat, R AS VectorPos)
' Find siderial time from Az and Elev in prediction line, and SiteLat
' If not in prediction line, ask for it.
SHARED PredFileFormat
Rad# = 3.1415926535# / 180
Lat! = SiteLat * Rad#
R.Dec = SiteLat
IF PredFileFormat <> " A" THEN
INPUT "Enter siderial time,converted to degrees : ", R.RA
ELSE
az! = VAL(MID$(a.Pred, 18, 3)) * Rad#
el! = VAL(MID$(a.Pred, 14, 3)) * Rad#
ha! = SIN(el!) * COS(Lat!) - COS(el!) * SIN(Lat!) * COS(az!)
ha! = acos!(ha! / COS(a.Dec * Rad#)) / Rad#
R.RA = a.RA - ha!
IF az! > 3.1415926535# THEN R.RA = a.RA + ha!
END IF
R.H = a.H: R.M = a.M: R.S = a.S
END SUB
'.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUNCTION GetPredLine (QSline)
' Read one line from the prediction file #1 (QuickSat format assumed here).
' Return "P" for a prediction point line, "N" for a (possible) object name.
LINE INPUT #1, QSline
GetPredLine = "N"
SELECT CASE LEN(RTRIM$(QSline))
CASE 0:
GetPredLine = " "
CASE 70:
GetPredLine = "N"
IF MID$(QSline$, 69, 1) = "." THEN
GetPredLine = "P"
ELSEIF LEFT$(QSline, 9) = " H M S " THEN
GetPredLine = "H"
END IF
CASE ELSE
'
END SELECT
END FUNCTION
'
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB GetQSdata (QSline, p() AS VectorPos, Lines)
' Get HMS, RA and Dec from Quicksat 2.10 'A' format line.
'3 57 9 .0 23 206 311 -.5 0 2 407 407 899 1.3 50 1940 -15.7
' ^12 ^18 ^61 ^66
p(Lines).H = VAL(MID$(QSline, 1, 2))
p(Lines).M = VAL(MID$(QSline, 4, 2))
p(Lines).S = VAL(MID$(QSline, 7, 2))
p(Lines).Pred = QSline
' Add code for a/p in col.10 ?
p(Lines).RA = VAL(MID$(QSline, 61, 2)) * 15 + VAL(MID$(QSline, 63, 2)) / 4
p(Lines).Dec = VAL(MID$(QSline, 66, 5))
END SUB
'
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB NormVect (p AS VectorPos)
R# = SQR(p.X * p.X + p.Y * p.Y + p.Z * p.Z)
p.X = p.X / R#
p.Y = p.Y / R#
p.Z = p.Z / R#
END SUB
'
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB PrintPredDecl (ObjectName, SatPos() AS VectorPos, Lines)
RAdecData SatPos(), 0
Rad# = 180# / 3.14159265357989#
RAh = INT(SatPos(0).RA / 15)
RAm = 4 * (SatPos(0).RA - 15 * RAh)
WHILE RAm > 59.5: RAm = RAm - 60: RAh = RAh + 1: WEND
PRINT LEFT$(ObjectName, 60);
PRINT USING "##"; RAh; RAm;
PRINT USING " ###.# &"; SatPos(0).Dec; "= Pole."
PRINT #2, LEFT$(ObjectName, 60);
PRINT #2, USING "##"; RAh; RAm;
PRINT #2, USING " ###.# &"; SatPos(0).Dec; "= Track pole."
PRINT #2, USING "###.######"; SatPos(0).X; SatPos(0).Y; SatPos(0).Z;
PRINT #2, USING "####.##"; SatPos(0).RA; SatPos(0).Dec
FOR i = 1 TO Lines
NormVect SatPos(0)
Pdec! = 90 - Rad# * acos!(DotProduct(SatPos(0), SatPos(i)))
'PRINT #2, USING "###.######"; SatPos(i).X; SatPos(i).Y;
SatPos(i).Z;
'PRINT #2, USING "####.##"; SatPos(i).RA; SatPos(i).Dec
PRINT #2, SatPos(i).Pred;
PRINT #2, USING "####.#"; Pdec!
PRINT SatPos(i).Pred;
PRINT USING "####.#"; Pdec!
NEXT i
PRINT STRING$(75, "-")
PRINT #2, STRING$(75, "-")
END SUB
'
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB RAdecData (SatPos() AS VectorPos, i)
Rad# = 3.14159265357989# / 180#
R# = SQR(SatPos(i).X * SatPos(i).X + SatPos(i).Y * SatPos(i).Y)
IF R# > 0 THEN
SatPos(i).Dec = ATN(SatPos(i).Z / R#) / Rad#
ELSE
SatPos(i).Dec = 90
END IF
SatPos(i).RA = atan2#(SatPos(i).Y, SatPos(i).X) / Rad#
END SUB
'
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB SetupForQuickSat (PredFileFormat, SiteLat, SiteLong)
' Open the prediction file as file #1. Determine PredFileFormat
' and SiteLat and SiteLon (normally not needed)
INPUT "Name of QuickSat control file (quicksat.ctl) : ", CtlFile
IF CtlFile = "" THEN CtlFile = "quicksat.ctl" ' "H:\QUICKSKY\pole.qfg"
OPEN "I", #1, CtlFile
FOR i = 1 TO 4: LINE INPUT #1, Cline: NEXT i
SiteLat = VAL(LEFT$(Cline, 10))
SiteLon = VAL(MID$(Cline, 11, 10))
FOR i = 1 TO 2: LINE INPUT #1, Cline: NEXT i
IF UCASE$(LEFT$(Cline, 2)) = " N" THEN
PRINT "Older Quicksat formats not tested ?"
LINE INPUT #1, Cline
END IF
IF UCASE$(LEFT$(Cline, 2)) = " Y" THEN
PRINT "Quicksat Radio formats not supported"
STOP
END IF
FOR i = 1 TO 10: LINE INPUT #1, Cline: NEXT i
PredFileFormat = UCASE$(LEFT$(Cline, 2))
IF PredFileFormat <> " A" THEN
PRINT "Only Quicksat 'A' format supported (line 16 in "; CtlFile; ")"
STOP
END IF
FOR i = 1 TO 2: LINE INPUT #1, Cline: NEXT i
CLOSE
QouFile = LEFT$(Cline, INSTR(Cline + " ", " ") - 1)
PRINT "Quicksat output file = "; QouFile
'3 57 9 .0 23 206 311 -.5 0 2 407 407 899 1.3 50 1940 -15.7
' ^12 ^18 ^61 ^66
OPEN "I", #1, QouFile
END SUB '.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEFDBL X-Z
SUB SolveXYexact (a AS VectorPos, B AS VectorPos, c AS VectorPos, R AS
VectorPos)
z2 = B.Z - a.Z
z3 = c.Z - a.Z
x2 = a.X - B.X
x3 = a.X - c.X
y2 = a.Y - B.Y
y3 = a.Y - c.Y
det# = x2 * y3 - y2 * x3
IF det# = 0 THEN
PRINT "--- Solution with Zpole==1 assumed impossible. Try with X or
Y==1. ---"
ELSE
R.X = (z2 * y3 - z3 * y2) / det#
R.Y = (x2 * z3 - x3 * z2) / det#
R.Z = 1
END IF
END SUB '
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB SolveXYLSQ (p() AS VectorPos, Lines)
DIM a AS VectorPos, B AS VectorPos
a = p(1)
FOR i = 2 TO Lines
B = p(i)
x0 = a.X - B.X
y0 = a.Y - B.Y
x2 = x2 + x0 * x0
y2 = y2 + y0 * y0
xy = xy + x0 * y0
xz = xz + x0 * (B.Z - a.Z)
yz = yz + y0 * (B.Z - a.Z)
NEXT i
det# = x2 * y2 - xy * xy
IF det# = 0 THEN
PRINT "--- Solution with Zpole==1 assumed impossible. Try with X or
Y==1. ---"
ELSE
p(0).X = (xz * y2 - yz * xy) / det#
p(0).Y = (x2 * yz - xy * xz) / det#
p(0).Z = 1
END IF
END SUB '
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEFSNG X-Z
SUB VectorProduct (a AS VectorPos, B AS VectorPos, X AS VectorPos)
X.X = a.Y * B.Z - a.Z * B.Y
X.Y = a.Z * B.X - a.X * B.Z
X.Z = a.X * B.Y - a.Y * B.X
R# = SQR(X.X * X.X + X.Y * X.Y)
Rad# = 180# / 3.14159265357989#
X.Dec = Rad# * ATN(X.Z / R#)
X.RA = Rad# * atan2#(X.Y, X.X)
X.Pred = " " ' To guard against garbage like hex 00 !
END SUB '
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB XYZdata (p() AS VectorPos, i)
Rad# = 3.14159265357989# / 180#
' Adjust RA for siderial time between first and current point, since the
' telescope's pole is fixed in Alt/Az, not RA/dec !
tdiff = (p(i).H - p(1).H) * 15 + (p(i).M - p(1).M) / 4
tdiff = 366.24 / 365.24 * (tdiff + (p(i).S - p(1).S) / 240)
R# = COS(p(i).Dec * Rad#)
p(i).Z = SIN(p(i).Dec * Rad#)
RArad# = (p(i).RA - tdiff) * Rad#
p(i).Y = R# * SIN(RArad#)
p(i).X = R# * COS(RArad#)
END SUB
'------------------- End of pole.bas ----------------------------
--