atsimutaaliset

Atsimutaaliset refers to a Finnish term that describes a specific method of astronomical observation. It is derived from the words "atsimuutti" (azimuth) and "suuntaus" (alignment or pointing). Essentially, atsimutaaliset describes instruments or observational techniques that are aligned and controlled along the azimuth and altitude axes. The azimuth is the horizontal angle measured clockwise from true north, while altitude is the vertical angle measured upwards from the horizon.

Instruments designed for atsimutaaliset observations are known as altazimuth mounts. These mounts allow telescopes or other astronomical devices to be moved freely in both horizontal and vertical directions. This is in contrast to equatorial mounts, which are designed to track celestial objects as the Earth rotates by aligning with the celestial pole. Altazimuth mounts are generally simpler and more cost-effective to build than equatorial mounts, making them popular for many applications, including amateur astronomy and some professional observatories.

The primary challenge with altazimuth mounts is their inherent tracking error. As the Earth rotates, a celestial object's apparent motion is not a simple arc that can be followed by a single axis of rotation. To compensate for this, altazimuth mounts often employ computer control systems that continuously adjust both the azimuth and altitude axes simultaneously to keep the object in view. This requires sophisticated tracking algorithms and precise motors. Despite this complexity, modern computerized altazimuth mounts are capable of highly accurate tracking and are widely used for their versatility and ease of use.