I've spent the last several months building a platform to solve problems #2 and #3 with a (mostly) software-based approach. The controller is built on a Raspber

I've spent the last several months building a platform to solve problems #2 and #3 with a (mostly) software-based approach. The controller is built on a Raspberry Pi, and it can control any servo-controlled mount or camera that is supported by OSS tools like Open Sky Imager, PHD Guider, etc. I think this is preferable to a pure hardware approach because people can use their existing equipment, and they don't have to make a major upfront investment in something proprietary. The initial cost (for the controller) should be under $100. My goal is to make astronomy more accessible to folks without deep pockets or STEM backgrounds, and to increase the pace at which we make discoveries in outer space. If anybody's interested in contributing to this project, or participating in the beta, please drop me a line (@freerobby on Twitter, or robby@freerobby.com). More about my thinking, motivations, and plan can be found here: http://astroswarm.com/2017/02/12/making-space-easy-to-study.html http://astroswarm.com/2017/02/12/making-space-easy-to-study....