Astrophysics

The (Tonantzintla) Schmidt Camera’s Mechanical System

The optical system is placed on a tubular mechanical system with intercrossed metallic structures, it is covered with sheets and protected with a polymer thermal insulator and fiberglass, this structure also has a mount that has two degrees of free motion, each one has a crown, endless screws, gears and each axle has a motor that is connected to an electronic control system, which is currently computerized.

These degrees of motion are made up of two axles, called: Declination Axle and Straight Ascension Axle.

The Declination Axle can move from North to South of the sky and is only active when the Telescope finds the object (in the sky).

The Straight Ascension Axle has an inclination according to the place’s latitude, in the case of the Tonantzintla Schmidt Camera, it is: 19 degrees 1 minute and 58 seconds, this means that it’s aiming towards the Polar Star or the Astronomical Pole.

Guided. When the telescope has reached the object of interest, a computerized system is used to compensate the earth’s movement, thus following the object . In this manner, when taking a photographic plate (that lasts tens of minutes), it will not be unclear, overexposed or blurry.