T
T
A
A
B
B
L
L
E
E
O
O
F
F
C
C
O
O
N
N
T
T
E
E
N
N
T
T
S
S
INTRODUCTION
.............................................................................................................................................................4
Warning...........................................................................................................................................................................4
ASSEMBLY
.......................................................................................................................................................................7
Assembling the NexStar ..................................................................................................................................................7
Attaching the Telescope to the Tripod.........................................................................................................................8
The Hand Control........................................................................................................................................................8
The Star Diagonal........................................................................................................................................................9
The Eyepiece ...............................................................................................................................................................9
The Star Pointer Finderscope ....................................................................................................................................10
Star Pointer Installation .........................................................................................................................................10
Star Pointer Operation ...........................................................................................................................................11
NEXSTAR ST
..................................................................................................................................................................12
Moving the NexStar ST.................................................................................................................................................12
NEXSTAR HC
................................................................................................................................................................14
Powering the NexStar........................................................................................................................................................14
The Hand Control..............................................................................................................................................................14
Attaching the Hand Control...............................................................................................................................................15
Rate Button........................................................................................................................................................................15
Utility Features..................................................................................................................................................................16
RS-232 Connection .......................................................................................................................................................16
NEXSTAR GT
................................................................................................................................................................18
Attaching the Hand Control.......................................................................................................................................18
Powering the NexStar................................................................................................................................................18
The Hand Control......................................................................................................................................................18
Hand Control Operation ................................................................................................................................................20
Alignment Procedure.................................................................................................................................................20
Auto-Align ................................................................................................................................................................20
Third Star Alignment.................................................................................................................................................21
Object Catalog...............................................................................................................................................................22
Selecting an Object....................................................................................................................................................22
Slewing to an Object .................................................................................................................................................22
Tour Mode.................................................................................................................................................................23
Direction Buttons ..........................................................................................................................................................23
Rate Button................................................................................................................................................................23
Set Up Procedures .........................................................................................................................................................24
Tracking Mode ..........................................................................................................................................................24
Tracking Rate ............................................................................................................................................................24
User Defined Objects ................................................................................................................................................24
Get RA/DEC .............................................................................................................................................................25
Get Alt-Az .................................................................................................................................................................25
Goto R.A/Dec............................................................................................................................................................25
Goto Alt-Az...............................................................................................................................................................25
Utility Features..............................................................................................................................................................25
Cord Wrap .................................................................................................................................................................25
Anti-backlash ............................................................................................................................................................25
Demo .........................................................................................................................................................................26
Light Control .............................................................................................................................................................26
Model Select..............................................................................................................................................................26
RS-232 Connection .......................................................................................................................................................26
TELESCOPE BASICS
....................................................................................................................................................28
Focusing ....................................................................................................................................................................28
Image Orientation......................................................................................................................................................28
Calculating Magnification .........................................................................................................................................28
Determining Field of View........................................................................................................................................29
General Observing Hints ...........................................................................................................................................29
CELESTIAL OBSERVING
...........................................................................................................................................30
Observing the Moon ..............................................................................................................................................30
Lunar Observing Hints
......................................................................................................................................30
Observing the Planets ............................................................................................................................................30