GoTo (telescopes)

GoTo telescopes are a type of computerized telescope mount that allows users to automatically locate and track astronomical objects. The term "GoTo" refers to the telescope's ability to "go to" a specified celestial coordinate, or the name of an object stored in its internal database.

These systems typically consist of a telescope mount equipped with motors on both the right ascension (RA) and declination (Dec) axes. An onboard computer, often with a hand controller or software interface, contains a database of thousands of celestial objects, including stars, planets, nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters.

To operate a GoTo telescope, the user first aligns the telescope with known reference points in the sky, a process usually involving the input of time, date, and location information, followed by precise centering of two or three bright stars. This alignment procedure allows the telescope to accurately map the night sky and compensate for the Earth's rotation.

Once aligned, the user can select an object from the database or input its coordinates. The computer then calculates the required motor movements to point the telescope at the desired target. The motors then drive the telescope to the calculated position. Once the object is located, the GoTo system continues to track it, compensating for the Earth's rotation to keep it within the field of view.

GoTo telescopes significantly simplify the process of finding and observing faint or difficult-to-locate celestial objects, making astronomy more accessible to beginners and saving experienced observers valuable time. However, accurate alignment is crucial for their proper functioning, and reliance on the GoTo system may, for some observers, reduce their proficiency in star hopping and manual object location.