Astronomy Data Telescope Screen

This is a DIY project that provides a screen to a user using a telescope. The screen will display useful information for the stargazer, including what planets are in the sky and if sky visibility is good enough to stargaze. The inspiration for starting this project came from a challenge I faced while using my telescope at night. In the dark, it’s difficult to gauge sky visibility—factors like cloud cover, humidity, and other conditions aren't always obvious. Additionally, I wanted an easy way to know which planets were visible at any given time. This projects proves to provide the solution I was looking for.

-A telescope

-Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ Basic Kit

https://www.canakit.com/raspberry-pi-3-model-b-plus-basic-kit.html

-GeeekPi IIC I2C TWI Serial LCD 2004 20x4 Display Module

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QLRD3TM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

-Some form of Angle bracket, with holes or opening

-A Flat angled piece of metal with holes to hold the screen (L shaped or U shaped) (> 3.85 inches in width)

- 2 Washers, 1 nut and screw

Either 2:

-Large sized hose clamp (Around 4 inch in diameter) or wide enough to fit around the telescope.

Or 2:

-Heavy duty zip ties (14 inches or longer)

(Or 1 of each, which I did)

Get Raspberry Pi up and running. Create a python file and make sure its at least python version >=3.

You can clone my code with https://github.com/bigdog765/stargaze.git

Make sure to read README.

When you first power on your Pi, you'll probably want the script to run automatically at startup. Alternatively, you could set up a more user-friendly method, like using physical buttons. I followed this blog post to configure a crontab task that launches the stargaze.py file on boot.

https://www.samwestby.com/tutorials/rpi-startupscript.html

Now when powering on the RasPi with the on/off button, you should need to wait around 45 seconds before it will execute.

The screen will need to be connected to the Pi to see the output of the script. You will need to follow the schematics given by the screen manufacturer right here to know which pins are associated with what wire.

https://wiki.52pi.com/index.php?title=Z-0235#2004_Serial_LCD_Module_Display

Once screen is attached, ensure that the display is working and displaying a message.

Attach the hose clamp to a part of the telescope that seems suitable for mounting a screen. Before fully tightening it, insert the angle bracket, ensuring it is positioned perpendicular to the telescope.

Next, take the L- or U-shaped bracket and align it against the angle bracket you just attached. The holes on both metal pieces should line up. Secure them together using a screw, nut, and washer.

This should give you a nice cavity to lay the screen on.

The Raspberry Pi should also be mounted to the telescope. I used a heavy-duty zip tie for this, though a hose clamp would work as well—the zip tie just felt more fitting. I secured the Pi to the underside of the telescope, near where the bracket was installed. Make sure the cable connecting the Pi to the screen has enough slack; avoid positioning the Pi too far from the brackets you attached earlier. Additionally, I angled the Pi so that its power port faces the opposite side of the telescope, allowing the power cable to connect from the right side. You may need to detach and reattach the screen wires from the Pi as well.

I didnt do anything fancy to hold the screen in place, I just angled it to rest in the cavity of the U shaped bracket. I wrapped a rubber band around this area so the screen would be not move around so much. You can now plug in the power for the Pi, and turn it on.