Electronic solar compass for high precision orientation on any planet. (26th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Flora, F.; Bollanti, S.; Meis, D. De; Lazzaro, P. Di; Gallerano, G.P.; Mezi, L.; Murra, D.; Torre, A.; Vicca, D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of instrumentation. Volume 11:Number 7(2016:Jul.)
• Page Start: C07014
• Page End: C07014
• Publication Date: 2016-07-26
• Subjects: Image processing -- Space instrumentation -- Optics -- Detectors for UV, visible and IR photons; Scientific apparatus and instruments -- Periodicals; 502.84
• DOI: 10.1088/1748-0221/11/07/C07014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-0221

Abstract

Abstract: A compact, fully automatic electronic solar compass has been developed at the ENEA Frascati Laboratories. The compass is inspired to ``camera obscura'' sundials like those inside churches. Sun ephemerides are calculated using an approximate but effective analytical solution of Kepler's laws, where the Earth (or other planets) orbit main parameters are introduced. The instrument is light, cheap and it has an accuracy better than 1 arcmin. Some examples of application of the device as well as the possibility to use it on Mars are presented.