Editing Tpoint

'''TPoint''' is [[computer]] [[software]] that implements a mathematical [[Model (abstract)|model]] of conditions leading to [[error]]s in [[telescope]] pointing and tracking. The model can then be used in a telescope control system to correct the pointing and tracking. Such errors are typically caused by [[machine|mechanical]] or [[structural]] [[wikt:defect|defects]]. For example, TPoint can analyze and compensate for systematic errors such as [[polar alignment|polar misalignment]], mechanical and optical non-orthogonality, lack of roundness in telescope mounting drive [[gear]]s, as well as for [[flexure]] of the mounting caused by [[gravity]].

TPoint is in use on the majority of professional telescopes worldwide, including among many others the [[Anglo-Australian Telescope]], [[Keck Observatory]], [[Gemini Observatory]] and the [[Large Binocular Telescope]]. It has significantly improved the performance and efficiency of telescope operation and has had an especially strong impact on the development of [[Automation|automated]] and [[robotic telescope]]s. 

TPoint is also widely used by [[amateur astronomy|amateur astronomers]]. [[Software Bisque]] distributes TPoint as an add-on to TheSkyX Serious Astronomer Edition and TheSkyX Professional; this version is used to improve the pointing on amateur telescopes.<ref name=ST-July2012>{{cite journal|last=di Cicco|first=Dennis|title=The Paramount MX|journal=Sky & Telescope|date=July 2012|volume=124|issue=1|pages=64–67|bibcode=2012S&T...124a..64D |issn=0037-6604}}</ref>
==History==
TPoint was invented and developed by Patrick Wallace.<ref name=ST-July2012/> It grew out of work he and John Straede performed
at the [[Anglo-Australian Telescope]] (AAT) between 1974 and 1980
using [[Interdata]] 70 computers. In the early 1980s, it was ported to the [[Digital Equipment Corporation]] [[VAX]] running under
the VMS operating system and between 1990 and 1992 was also ported to run on the [[Personal Computer|PC]]/[[MS-DOS]] platform as well
as various [[UNIX]] platforms. A TPoint add-on is available for TheSkyX Serious Astronomer Edition and TheSkyX Professional Edition from Software Bisque, and it runs under Linux, macOS and Microsoft Windows. <ref> {{cite news | first = Patrick | last = Wallace | title = TPOINT - Telescope Pointing Analysis System (v4.4) | date = 9 Dec 1994 | publisher = DRAL/ Rutherford Appleton Laboratory | url = http://docs.jach.hawaii.edu/EXTERNAL/SUN/100/sun100.pdf | work = Starlink Project | pages = 27 28 | accessdate = 2013-01-02 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100611143703/http://docs.jach.hawaii.edu/EXTERNAL/SUN/100/sun100.pdf | archivedate = 11 June 2010 }}</ref>

==External links==
* [http://www.tpointsw.uk/ TPoint official webpage]
* [http://www.bisque.com/sc/shops/store/tpoint-add-on-win.aspx Software Bisque TPoint page]
* [https://arxiv.org/pdf/astro-ph/0609329.pdf] Use of TPoint on Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array antenna prototypes
* [https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/pdf/2022/03/aa41936-21.pdf] Use of TPoint on the Green Bank 100m radio telescope

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Telescopes]]
[[Category:Numerical software]]