Editing Robotic telescope (section)

==Design==
Robotic telescopes are complex systems that typically incorporate a number of subsystems. These subsystems include devices that provide telescope pointing capability, operation of the detector (typically a [[Charge-coupled device|CCD]] camera), control of the dome or telescope enclosure, control over the telescope's [[Focus (optics)|focuser]], detection of [[weather]] conditions, and other capabilities. Frequently these varying subsystems are presided over by a master control system, which is almost always a software component.

Robotic telescopes operate under [[Closed-loop controller|closed loop]] or [[Open-loop controller|open loop]] principles. In an open loop system, a robotic telescope system points itself and collects its data without inspecting the results of its operations to ensure it is operating properly. An open loop telescope is sometimes said to be operating on faith, in that if something goes wrong, there is no way for the control system to detect it and compensate.

A closed loop system has the capability to evaluate its operations through redundant inputs to detect errors. A common such input would be position encoders on the telescope's axes of motion, or the capability of evaluating the system's images to ensure it was pointed at the correct [[field of view]] when they were exposed.

Most robotic telescopes are [[small telescope]]s. While large observatory instruments may be highly automated, few are operated without attendants.