TPoint is computer Software that implements a mathematical Model (abstract) of conditions leading to errors in telescope pointing and tracking, and adjusts the telescope s pointing and tracking to compensate for them. Such errors are typically caused by mechanical or structural defects and environmental forces such as atmospheric refraction. For example, Tpoint can discover and compensate for repetitive errors such as poor polar alignment, mechanical and optical non-orthoganality, lack of roundness in telescope mounting drive gears, as well as for flexure of the mounting caused by gravity. Tpoint is in use on the majority of professional telescopes worldwide, including the Anglo-Australian Observatory, Gemini Observatory, and many others. It has significantly improved the performance and efficiency of telescope operation, and has had an especially strong impact on the development of Automation and robotic telescopes. Tpoint is also widely used by amateur astronomy. Software Bisque distributes TPoint for Windows; this version is used to improve the pointing on amateur telescopes.
TPoint was invented and developed by Patrick T. Wallace.