Automated celestial navigation

[mgrouch]

I think celestial navigation can be automated using fixed calibrated camera(s).

Let’s say you have clock, IMU sensor (for compass, heel, pitch), temperature, humidity, barometer, illumination sensors, elevation of camera above sea level.

Camera snaps pictures recording all sensors readings with it.

Using computer vision algorithms picture of the sky is processed and matched with navigational stars on it. Navigational stars are identified and their angular elevation is estimated. This data is fed into celestial navigation formulas (together with other sensor readings) to get a fix.

The process is fully automated. It would be interesting to compare its accuracy over time with gps.

Anyone knows any products which do something like that?

Thanks