4.
Select one of the alignment methods as described below.
Note: If incorrect information is entered into the hand control, the UNDO button acts like a back space button
allowing the user to re-enter the correct data.
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Two-Star Align allows the user to select two stars on which to align the telescope. To align your telescope
using the Two-Star Align method:
1.
Select Two-Star Align from the alignment choices given. Based on the date and time information
entered, the hand control will automatically select and display a bright star that is above the horizon.
•
Press ENTER to select this star as your first alignment
star.
•
If for some reason the chosen star is not visible
(perhaps behind a tree or building) press UNDO to
have the hand control automatically select the next
brightest star.
•
Or you can use the Up/Down keys to browse the entire
Named Star list and select any one of over two hundred
alignment stars.
•
The hand control will only display stars on one side of
the Meridian. To display alignment stars on the
opposite side of the Meridian, simply press the MENU
button before selecting your first alignment star. By
default, Meridian filtering is enabled with the side of
the Meridian that has the largest number of stars above
the horizon. Meridian filtering is indicated in the upper
right hand corner of the LCD display with an “E” (East)
or “W” (West). If nothing appears in the corner of the
LCD, Meridian filtering is not enabled.
2.
Once the telescope is finished slewing to your first alignment
star, the display will ask you to use the arrow buttons to align the selected star with the cross hairs in
the center of the finderscope. When centered in the
Adding calibration stars is necessary
to calculate and compensate for
"cone" error inherent in all German
equatorial mounts. Cone error is the
inaccuracy that results from the
optical tube not being exactly
perpendicular to the mount’s
declination axis. The telescope is
able to automatically determine the
cone error value by always using
calibration stars on the opposite
side of the Meridian from the
alignment stars. (see Figure 3-2)
After a Two Star Alignment is
successfully completed, the hand
control will ask if you wish to add
calibration stars.
Mount Calibration
finder, press ENTER.
3.
The display will then instruct you to center the star in
the field of view of the eyepiece. When the star is
centered, press ALIGN to accept this star as your first
alignment star.
4.
After the first alignment star has been entered the hand
control will automatically select a second alignment
star and have you repeat this procedure for that star.
When the telescope has been aligned on both stars the
display will ask you if you wish to add any additional
calibration stars. Calibration stars are used to improve the
pointing accuracy of your telescope by compensating for
subtle optical-mechanical misalignments between the
telescope optics and the mount. Therefore it is usually a
good idea to add at least two additional calibration stasr to
improve the telescope’s all-sky pointing accuracy. If you
choose not to add any additional calibration stars you can
always add them later after a successful alignment has been
completed (see Improving Pointing Accuracy section
elow).
Figure 3-2
The Meridian is an imaginary line in the sky
that starts at the North celestial pole and
ends at the South celestial pole and passes
through the zenith. If you are facing South,
the meridian starts from your Southern
horizon and passes directly overhead to the
North celestial pole.
b
5.
Press ENTER to select a calibration star. Select a star the same way you did with the first two
alignments stars and press ENTER. You will notice that all the calibration stars displayed are located
