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5.
Info
:
Displays coordinates and useful information about objects selected from the NexStar database.
6.
Tour:
Activates the tour mode, which seeks out all the best objects for a given month and automatically slews the
NexStar to those objects.
7.
Enter:
Pressing
Enter
allows you to selects any of the NexStar functions and accept entered parameters.
8.
Undo:
Undo
will take you out of the current menu and display the previous level of the menu path. Press
Undo
repeatedly to get back to a main menu or use it to erase data entered by mistake.
9.
Menu:
Displays the many setup and utilities functions such as tracking rate and user defined objects and many others.
10.
Scroll Keys:
Used to scroll up and down within any of the menu lists.
11.
Rate:
Instantly changes the rate of speed of the motors when the direction buttons are pressed.
12.
RS-232 Jack
: Allows use with a computer and software programs for point and click slewing capability.
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This section describes the basic hand control procedures needed to operate the NexStar. These procedures are grouped into
three categories: Alignment, Setup and Utilities. The alignment section deals with the initial telescope alignment as well as
finding objects in the sky; the setup section discusses changing parameters such as tracking mode and tracking rate; finally,
the last section reviews all of the utilities functions such as activating the cord wrap feature and backlash compensation.
The first time that the NexStar is used, it will request information to help identify the model of telescope. Once initialized
(powered on), the hand control will display the message
Select Model
Select Model
Select Model
Select Model
. Use the Up and Down menu keys (10) to scroll
through the different NexStar models. Press ENTER when your NexStar model is displayed on the hand control. This
information will be retained for future use and will not be displayed again.
Note: your hand control may have been pre
set at the factory to operate with your NexStar model. If so, there will be an addendum packaged with the hand
control. If your hand control has been pre-set, the display will momentarily read
NexStar Ready
NexStar Ready
NexStar Ready
NexStar Ready –
–
–
– Custom
Custom
Custom
Custom
,
and you can simply press ENTER and continue to follow the Auto Align procedures below. If the telescope model
has been changed on a factory set hand control you can return it to its factory default settings by using the
Model
Select
function. (See
Model Select
under the
Utility Features
section later in this chapter).
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In order for the NexStar to accurately point to objects in the sky, it must first be aligned to two known positions (stars) in
the sky. With this information, the telescope can create a model of the sky, which it uses to locate any object with known
coordinates.
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Auto-Align is the easiest way to get the NexStar aligned and ready to observe. Even if you do not know a single star in the
sky, the NexStar will align itself by guiding the user through the alignment procedure by asking for basic information about
the date, time and location. The NexStar will then automatically choose two stars for alignment and roughly center the stars
in the field of view of the Star Pointer. Before the telescope is ready to be aligned, it should be set up in an outside location
with all accessories (eyepiece, diagonal and Star Pointer) attached and lens cover removed as described in the
Assembly
section of the manual.
1.
Once the NexStar is powered on , Press
ENTER
to begin alignment.
2.
Use the Up and Down scroll keys to select
AutoAlign
if it is not already displayed
,
and press ENTER.
3. The telescope will then ask you to use the direction keys (3) to level the telescope tube and point the front of the
telescope towards north. North can be found by finding the direction of the North Star (Polaris) or by using a compass.
You do not need to point at the North Star, only the north horizon. Alignment only needs to be approximate, however a
close alignment will make the auto alignment more accurate. Once the telescope is in the north and level position, press
ENTER.
4.
The hand control display will then ask for the following information:
Date
- Enter the month, day and year of your observing session. The display will read:
mm/dd/yy
Time
- Enter the current local time for your area and use the scroll buttons (10) to select PM or AM.
•
Choose between Standard time or Daylight Savings time. Use the Up and Down scroll buttons (10) to toggle
between options.
