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6 . MENU: Displays the many utilities and setup
functions, such as tracking rate, user defined
objects, and others .
7. OPTION (Celestron Logo): Can be used in
combination with other keys to access more
advanced features and functions .
8. ENTER: Selects any of StarSense’s functions,
accepts entered parameters, and slews the
telescope to displayed objects .
9. BACK: Exits the current menu and displays
the previous level of the menu path . Press
BACK repeatedly to get back to a main menu
or erase data entered by mistake .
10. SKY TOUR: Activates the tour mode, which
seeks out all the best objects in the sky and
automatically slews StarSense to those objects .
11. Scroll Buttons: Used to scroll up and down
within any of the menu lists . A double arrow
symbol on the right side of the LCD indicates
that the scroll keys can be used to view addi-
tional information .
12. MOTOR SPEED: Instantly changes the motor’s
rate of speed when the direction buttons are
pressed .
13. OBJECT INFO: Displays coordinates and useful
information about objects from StarSense’s
database .
14. RS-232 Jack: Connects your telescope to
a computer to access software programs for
point-and-click slewing, or updating firmware
via PC .
OBJECT CATALOG
Selecting an Object
Now that the telescope is properly aligned, you
can choose an object from any of the catalogs in
the StarSense’s database . The hand control has a
key designated for each category of objects in its
database, Solar System objects, Stars, and Deep
Sky objects .
Solar System: The Solar System catalog will
display all the planets in our Solar System that are
currently visible in the sky, along with the Moon
and Pluto . To allow the Sun to be displayed as an
option in the database, see Allow Sun option in the
Database Setup section of the manual .
Stars: The Stars catalog displays a custom list of
variable stars, double stars, asterisms, named star,
and the SAO star catalog .
Deep Sky: The Deep Sky catalog displays a list
of the complete NGC, IC and Messier catalogs,
including star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and
planetary nebulae objects . There is also an alpha-
betical list of all deep sky objects in order by their
common name .
The Messier and NGC catalogs require you to
enter a numeric designation . Selecting these
catalogs will display a blinking cursor next to the
name of the catalog chosen . Use the numeric key
pad to enter the number of any object within these
standardized catalogs . For example, to find “M42”
(the Orion Nebula), press the DEEP SKY, use the
UP/DOWN keys to scroll to Messier, then key in
042 and press ENTER .
Holding down either the UP or DOWN key allows
you to scroll through any catalog faster . Holding
down the OPTION button while pressing the UP/
DOWN keys allows you to scroll through the
database three objects at a time .
SLEWING TO AN OBJECT
Once the desired object is displayed on the hand
control screen, you have two options:
• Press the OBJECT INFO Key . This will display
information about the selected object such as
magnitude, constellation, and extended informa-
tion about the most popular objects .
• Use the UP/DOWN keys to scroll through the
displayed object info .
• Press BACK or OBJECT INFO to return to the
object database .
• Press ENTER . The telescope will slew to the
object displayed on the hand control . While the
telescope is slewing, you can still access many
of the hand control functions, such as displaying
information about the object .
Caution:
Never slew the telescope when someone
is looking into the eyepiece. The telescope can move
quickly and may hit an observer in the eye.
SKY TOUR BUTTON
The StarSense includes a tour feature, which takes
you through the most interesting celestial objects
based on your time and location . The list of objects
is prioritized based on where your telescope is
pointed, so the telescope always slews to an object
nearby rather than scattered throughout the sky . The
tour will display only those objects that are within
your set catalog filter limits . To activate the tour fea-
ture, press the SKY TOUR key on the hand control .
1. Press the SKY TOUR button on the hand control .
2. Follow the prompts on the hand control . Using
the direction buttons, slew the telescope to its
index marks or home position .
3. Press ENTER and the Sky Tour will begin . A
message will appear SkyTour Searching .
StarSense will slew to the first object . After the object
is located, you may press ENTER to proceed to
the next object .
IDENTIFY BUTTON
Pressing the IDENTIFY button will search
StarSense’s database and display the name and
angular distances to the nearest matching objects
from the telescope’s current location . This feature
can serve two purposes . First, it can be used to
identify an unknown object in the field of view of
your eyepiece . Stars will be searched first, followed
by deep sky objects .
Additionally, IDENTIFY can be used to find other
celestial objects that are close to the objects you
are currently observing .
For example, if your telescope is pointed at the
brightest star in the constellation Lyra, choosing
IDENTIFY will no doubt return the star Vega as
the star you are observing . However, the Identify
feature will also search its NGC and Solar System
databases and display any planets or Deep Sky
objects that are close by .
You can specify the brightness and proximity of the
objects displayed by the IDENTIFY feature using
the Identify Filter under Telescope Setup .
DIRECTION BUTTONS
The StarSense has four direction buttons in
the center of the hand control which slew the
telescope in altitude (up and down) and azimuth
(left and right) .
Summary of Contents for StarSense AutoAlign
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