Optical head having an imaging sensor for imaging an object in a field of view and a tracking sensor for tracking a star off axis to the field of view of the imaging sensor
 An optical head for attachment to an optical system, such as a telescope, is shown. The optical head in a housing includes a first sensor for imaging an object in a field of view and a second sensor for tracking a star or other celestial body which is off axis to the field of view of the first sensor. The second sensor is rigidly supported and positioned a selected distance from and adjacent to the first sensor and is adapted to generate correction signals which are used to control a drive system of the optical system or telescope. The correction signals are representative of desired changes in the relative position of the optical system or telescope to the star being tracked. The correction signals are applied to the drive system to maintain, during imaging, optical alignment of the first sensor with an object in the field of view. In the preferred embodiment, the optical head is used for astronomical imaging and tracking wherein the first sensor is an imaging CCD and the second sensor is a tracking CCD. A method for tracking and imaging for a telescope is also shown. 
Santa Barbara Instrument Group
G
G01C
inventional
Matthew J. Alan W.
Longmire Holmes