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altitude of any object before slewing to it. To do this simply select the object you wish to observe and press the INFO
button while the object is displayed. The hand control screen will display the altitude of the selected object. If the altitude
is a negative number the object is still below the horizon and not visible. Pressing UNDO will return you to the catalog
menu where you can select another object. If you do begin slewing to an object that is below the horizon, pressing any of
the four direction buttons will stop the slew allowing you to choose another object to view.
Never slew the telescope when someone is looking into the eyepiece. The telescope can move at very fast slew speeds
and may hit an observer in the eye.
Object information can be obtained without having to do a star alignment. After the telescope is powered on, press the
UNDO key. Pressing any of the catalog keys allows you to scroll through object lists or enter catalog numbers as described
above. However, information such as R.A. and declination of planets and altitude above the horizon will not be displayed
unless the telescope is first properly aligned.
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The NexStar includes a tour feature which automatically allows the user to choose from a list of interesting objects based on
the month in which you are observing. The Tour mode is activated by pressing the TOUR key (6) on the hand control. Once
activated, simply use the scroll keys to select the current month and press ENTER. The NexStar will display from a list of
the best objects to observe based on the month entered.
••••
To see information and data about the displayed object, press the INFO key.
••••
To slew to the object displayed, press ENTER.
••••
To see the next tour object, press the Up key.
When going through any of the object catalogs in the database, you can easily find out which objects are above the horizon
and visible simply by pressing the INFO button when the desired object is displayed. This will display the objects altitude
above the horizon based on the date and time entered. Pressing the UP button once will display any scrolling text associated
with that object. The scrolling text can be viewed even if a star alignment has not been performed.
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The NexStar has four direction buttons in the center of the hand control which controls the telescope motion in altitude (up
and down) and azimuth (left and right). The telescope can be controlled at nine different speed rates.
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Pressing the RATE key (11) allows you to instantly change the speed rate of the motors from high speed slew rate to precise
guiding rate or anywhere in between. Each rate corresponds to a number on the hand controller key pad. The number 9 is
the fastest rate (approximately 4º per second, depending on power source) and is used for slewing between objects and
locating alignment stars. The number 1 on the hand control is the slowest rate (1x sidereal) and can be used for accurate
centering of objects in the eyepiece and photographic guiding. To change the speed rate of the motors:
••••
Press the RATE key on the hand control. The LCD will display the current speed rate.
••••
Press the number on the hand control that corresponds to the desired speed. The LCD will display "NexStar Ready"
indicating that the rate has been changed.
The hand control has a "double button" feature that allows you to instantly speed up the motors without having to choose a
speed rate. To use this feature, simply press the arrow button that corresponds to the direction that you want to move the
telescope. While holding that button down, press the opposite directional button. This will increase the slew rate to
approximately 1º per second (equal to rate 7 on the hand control). This feature will not function if the telescope is currently
set at a speed rate of 8 or 9.
Observing
Tip
