Build a Solar Imaging Telescope with Tracking Capability | Thorlabs Insights

Imaging the sun can be dangerous to both people and equipment, but telescopes can be modified to include optical attenuators that reduce the image intensity to safe levels. The further addition of motors and software control allows a solar telescope’s azimuth and altitude positions to be automatically adjusted, enabling continuous tracking of the sun as it moves across the sky. In this video, a refractive solar imaging telescope, which uses a camera as the imaging device and Python code to control the motors, is designed, constructed, and demonstrated. The Python code and detailed instructions are available for download from Thorlabs' GitHub page ( https://github.com/Thorlabs/Insights_... ).

The telescope’s design was constrained by the dimensions, light saturation limits, and response of the camera’s CMOS sensor. The focal length of the lens was chosen to provide the largest image that fit comfortably within the sensor's area. That focal length determined the spacing between the lens and the camera. Optimizing the optical attenuation required first calculating a value providing intensity significantly beneath the sensor’s saturation limit, and then incrementally reducing the attenuation to shorten the camera's exposure time to less than 10 ms.

Tracking capability was implemented using two motorized rotation stages, which were mounted in an orthogonal configuration using a custom 3D printed bracket, whose design file is also available for download ( https://github.com/Thorlabs/Insights_... ). Testing and rough alignment is performed indoors, and then the telescope is taken outside to demonstrate its ability to image and track the sun.


00:00 Introduction
00:33 Design to Prevent Injury
01:14 Telescope Overview
01:54 Lens Selection
03:55 OD of Attenuators
04:33 Telescope Assembly
07:27 ND Filter Selection & Stacking
08:36 Add Motorized Tracking
13:14 Python Control Software
15:23 Sun Imaging & Tracking Demo

Telescope Components:
- CS165MU CMOS Compact Scientific Camera: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage...
- Lens Tubes: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage...
- Adjustable Lens Tube: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage...
- AC254-300-A-ML Achromatic Doublet, f = 300 mm: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage...
- Neutral Density Filters: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage...

Motor Assembly Components:
- KPRMTE Motorized Rotation Stage and Controller: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage...
- KCH301 USB Controller Hub and Power Supply for K-Cubes: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage...
- Custom Adapter, 3D Printed: https://github.com/Thorlabs/Insights_...
- SM1RC Slip Ring for Lens Tubes: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage...
- MB8 Aluminum Breadboard: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage...
- RDF1 Rubber Damping Feet: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage...
- USB-A-79 USB Cable, Type-A to Type-B: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage...
- TR1 Optical Post: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage...
- PH1 Post Holder: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage...

For more photonics how-to videos, visit https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage...