37
One-Star Alt/Az Alignment
One-Star Alignment requires some knowledge of the night sky. AutoStar provides a
database of bright stars. One-Star Alignment is identical to Two-Star Alt/Az: Alignment
(see
TWO-STAR ALT/AZ ALIGNMENT
, above), except only one star from this database
is chosen by the observer for alignment.
Important Note:
The accuracy of One-Star Alt/Az Alignment, unlike the
Two-Star and Easy (Alt/Az) Alignment procedures, depends on how well
the observer levels the telescope and how close to North the telescope
is pointed when setting the Home Position. Because the other methods
use two stars to align upon, they are more precise than One-Star
Alignment.
Smart Drive Training (Periodic Error Correction)
If you wish to improve the gear performance on your telescope, first, perform the train
the drive procedure (see page 55). Then use the Periodic Error Correction (PEC)
Train menu option to remove the slight perturbations from center that occur due to the
mechanical nature of a telescope. To perform this procedure, you need to use a high-
power reticle eyepiece, such as the 9mm reticle (see
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
, page
42).
Important Note:
In order for the PEC training to operate and be updated
properly, you must “park” the telescope to maintain PEC (see
PARK
SCOPE
, page 26, for more information).
PEC Train Menu Option
To perform the procedure on the R.A. axis, pick a bright star in the South that has
minimal movement and is about 30° above the horizon (Note:
If in the Southern hemi-
sphere, pick a star in the North that is about 30° above the horizon). This
procedure takes about 24 minutes for the ETX Premier telescopes.
Important Note:
The Train option overwrites any previous PEC data.
1. Select "PEC Train" from the Smart Drive menu (in the "Setup: Telescope" menu)
and press ENTER.
Want to learn more
about Parking your
telescope?
See page
26.
ETX TIPS
Observing Considerations
•
Try to pick an observing site away from street and house lights and car
headlights. While this is not always possible, the darker the site, the better.
•
Give your eyes about ten minutes to adjust to the darkness before observing.
Give your eyes a rest from observing every ten or fifteen minutes to relieve
eyestrain.
•
Try not to use a standard flashlight. Experienced observers use red LED
flashlights, the red utility light on the AutoStar handbox or tape red cellophane
over their flashlights to use for setup and map reading so they don’t have to
continually readjust their eyes to the darkness. Be careful not to shine bright
lights if there are other observers in the area. Do not shine a flashlight into the
telescope while someone is observing!
•
Dress warmly. It gets chilly when you’re sitting for prolonged periods.
•
Practice setting up your equipment during the day or in a lighted area to
become familiar with it before going to a dark site.
•
Use your 26mm eyepiece to view terrestrial objects and wider areas of space,
such as open star clusters. Use optional higher power eyepieces, such as a
9mm eyepiece (see
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
, page 42 for more details), when
you wish to view something up close, such as craters on the Moon or the rings
of Saturn.
•
Bring your instructions manual along with you when you observe. Become
familiar with its layout, so it will be easier for you to look up information with
just a (red) flashlight.
•
Invite your friends and family to come and observe with you. But practice
locating 3 or 4 objects to show them beforehand; if you have long delays, they
will become bored and lose interest. Also, demonstrate how to focus the
telescope in a well-lit area before you go to to the observing site.
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