Abstract: A geodetic surveying device, wherein the geodetic surveying device is configured for surveying retroreflective cooperative targets, the geodetic surveying device comprises a base, a telescope and a support. The geodetic surveying device further comprises a target recognition emitting unit, called ATR-illuminator, an target recognition sensor, called ATR-sensor, having a position-sensitive area for receiving radiation of the radiation beam reflected at the retroreflective cooperative targets for generating ATR image data, wherein the received radiation appear as spots in the ATR image data, an angle encoder and a processing unit. The geodetic surveying device generates a series of ATR image data with continuously changing orientation of the ATR-illuminator and/or the ATR-sensor.