Meade 16" LX200GPS

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Contents

[edit] Overview

Manufacturer:Meade
Model:16" LX200GPS
Type:SCT
Aperture:406.4mm
Focal Length:4064mm
F/ratio: f/10
41mm Nagler Eyepiece 99x / 0.69 degrees
31mm Panoptic Eyepiece 131x / 0.63 degrees
20mm Nagler Eyepiece 203x / 0.33 degrees
13mm Ethos Eyepiece 313x / 0.32 degrees
10mm Radian Eyepiece 406x / 0.15 degrees
5mm Radian Eyepiece 813x / 0.07 degrees
Accessories:
  • Autostar II computer control
  • Starizona Virtual View rotating visual back
Notes:Normally controlled using the Autostar paddle, this telescope can also be controlled by a laptop computer connected to the telescope via a special cable, available at the observatory.


[edit] Features

[Only key features noted]

Fig. 1 - Meade LX200GPS

Fig. 1 - Meade LX200GPS

6 Focuser
9 Mirror lock. Under normal operations the mirror lock should be left in the unlocked position. If the focuser is difficult to turn check the position of the mirror lock knob. (Because it is easy to confuse the mirror lock and focuser knobs, a custom cover has been attached over the mirror lock knob using Velcro.)
12 Right ascension lock. Must be engaged for motor drive to function.
13A On/off switch
14 Tiltable Autostar hand controller holder. On the observatory's LX200 the hand controller holder is attached to the left of the computer control panel. Adjust the tilt of the holder so it doesn't interfere with movement of the telescope in azimuth.
17 Declination lock. Must be engaged for motor drive to function.
2 [ENTER] Key. Press to go to next menu level or to choose an option in a menu.
3 [MODE] Key. Press to return to previous menu or data level. Continually pressing [MODE] will eventually return to the topmost screen, "Select Item: Object".
4 [GOTO] Key. Used to slew the telescope to the object that has been selected with the [ENTER] key .
5 Arrow Keys. Multiple uses: slewing telescope, scrolling through numbers and letters on display (up and down arrow keys) and moving cursor across the display (left and right arrow keys).
6 Number keys/control buttons:
1 SPEED
2 CALD (Caldwell catalog)
3 M (Messier catalog)
4 Focus
5 SS (Solar System)
6 STAR
7 RET (reticle)
8 IC (Index Catalog)
9 NGC (New General Catalog)
0 LIGHT
7 Scroll keys. Press to display options within a menu.
8 ? Key. Onscreen help.
11 Utility light. Press [0] to activate.


NOTE: The observatory recently acquired a wireless Autostar II controller. While the basic operating controls function the same as the wired version described above, note the different locations for the scroll keys and the [ENTER], [MODE] and [GO TO] keys. Also note the recessed sliding power switch located at the bottom of the controller.]


Fig. 2 - Meade Autostar controller

Fig. 2 - Meade Autostar controller

Fig. 2a - Meade wireless Autostar controller

Fig. 2a - Meade wireless Autostar controller

[edit] Operation: General reminders, restrictions

In order to ensure consistent and problem-free operations for all keyholders:

  • Do not use the primary mirror lock to avoid damage to the focusing mechanism. (Damage may occur if a subsequent user attempts to use the coarse focus while the lock is engaged.)
  • If it becomes necessary to re-align or synchronize the telescope always select a star. Do not use deep-sky or solar system objects. (Refer to the Autostar: Re-synchronizing section for additional recommendations.)
  • Always park the mount at the end of the observing session following the instructions in the Autostar: Parking section.
  • When parking the mount do not power-off the mount until prompted to do so by the Autostar handbox.
  • Operators using laptop computers to control the LX200GPS mount must:
    • Always make connections between the telescope and computer with the power 'off' on both devices
    • Confirm the telescope is properly parked and ready for the next user after the mount has been powered down (see Laptop operation: Parking the mount section for procedure).

[edit] Operation: Using Autostar II hand controller

This section describes the basic operations a typical telescope may need. Advanced users should reference the telescope's operating manual for additional information (see Other references, below).

[edit] Overview

The Autostar II handbox on the 16" LX200GPS provides the user access to a variety of telescope features, including:

  • Automated GO-TO for over 145,000 objects stored in the Autostar II data base
  • Predefined guided tours (including ability to store user-defined tours)
  • Multiple alignment modes (including automated GPS-based alignment)
  • A dictionary of astronomical terms
  • Pushbutton control of telescope motion, microfocuser control and other features
  • Identification of objects in the telescope field-of-view
  • Automated spiral search
  • Event date / time calculations (eclipses, meteor showers, rise/set times, etc.)

[edit] Autostar II menu structure

Familiarity with the Autostar II menu structure is necessary to effectively access the various features of the telescope. This chart summarizes the structure:

Fig. 3 - Autostar II Menu Structure

[edit] Autostar II navigation basics

Use the following keys to navigate the Autostar II's menu structure:

  • Press [MODE] to move 'horizontally' through the top-level menu
  • Press [MODE] to move back toward the top-level menu wnen at a sub-menu; Each press of the key moves back to the next higher menu item until the top-level menu is reached
  • Press [ENTER] to select the displayed value or to access a 'sub-menu' when it is available
  • Press Number key [1] to engage the Speed mode,
    • [1] through [9] to change speeds (1=slowest, 9=fastest)
    • Recommendation: When centering objects in the eyepiece use a value of '2' or '3'. When acquiring objects using the finder use a value of '5' or '6'.
  • Press the [scroll keys] to move up and down through lists
  • Press the [arrow keys] to move the telescope in azimuth and altitude
  • Press the Help [?] key to access on-line help.

[edit] Autostar: Starting the mount

The following start-up procedure requires that the mount was properly parked after its last use. Refer to the Troubleshooting section of this article if this was not the case, or if the mount does not perform as expected after start-up.

[If you are planning on controlling the telescope using your laptop computer in lieu of the Autostar II hand controller make all computer to mount connections before applying power to either your laptop or the mount.]

  1. Remove the objective, finder and eyepiece covers.
  2. Hand-tighten the declination (17) and right ascension (12) locks if needed.
  3. Remove its protective cover and check the mirror lock (9) to confirm it is disengaged. It should feel loose. Replace the protective cover.
  4. Turn on the Telrad reflex finder and adjust its brightness as needed.
  5. If using the wireless Autostar II controller, retrieve it from the top drawer of the telescope's accessory cabinet, and turn its 'on' using the recessed slide switch at the base of the controller. Confirm the wireless receiver is plugged into the HBX socket on the base of the mount.

    If using the wired Autostar II controller, unplug the wireless receiver from the the HBX socket and plug in the wired controller.

  6. Turn on the surge protector located on the base of the pier, and if needed, turn on power to the scope using the rocker switch on the left side of the mount's control panel (13A).
  7. Wait for the Autostar initialization to complete before continuing--a 'beep' will sound and "Select Item | Object" will appear on the Autostar display.

    If the Autostar handbox initializes to any value other than "Select Item | Object", then the mount was not properly parked after its last use. Refer to the Troubleshooting section for assistance.

  8. If the 41mm Radian eyepiece is not installed in the telescope, install it now.
  9. Select a bright, easily recognizable star from the Autostar data base. (If selecting using the Select Item: Object | Star | Named option, press the [ENTER] key to select the star from the list.) Press the [GO TO] key on the Autostar handbox. After taking a GPS fix, the mount will sound a single beep and then slew to the star. The Autostar will beep once the slew is complete. Wait for this confirmation before proceeding.
  10. Confirm the star is in the telescope's field of view.

    If the star is not in field of view it is likely the telescope was not correctly parked after its last use. See the Troubleshooting section of this article for assistance.

  11. If needed, center the star in the field of view using the Autostar [arrow keys], and then hold down the [ENTER] key for three seconds. After it is released, the Autostar will display a request to confirm you intend to re-synchronize the mount. Press [ENTER] again to confirm.

For maximum accuracy:

  • Only align on a star--do not use solar system or deep-sky objects for this purpose.
  • Use a high-power eyepiece when centering the star--the 5mm Radian, for example.
  • Radically de-focusing the star makes it easier to determine when it is centered in the eyepiece.
  • Be certain the star you are viewing is, indeed, the star you've selected using the Autostar handbox.

[edit] Autostar: GO-TO using Autostar II databases

The Autostar II contains data bases of solar system, star, deep-space and man-made satellites. Use the [MODE], [scroll keys] and the [ENTER] key to select a desired object, and press [GO TO] to move the telescope to the object. (Refer to the Autostar II Menu Structure section for information regarding the Autostar menu layout.)

Note: When selecting solar system objects, the Autostar must calculate the object's current right ascension and declination each time the object is selected before the GO-TO operation can be performed. Don't press the [GO TO] key until the coordinates have been calculated and displayed.

Note: Avoid holding the [GOTO] button down for more than an instant to avoid accidentally initiating a spiral search. If this happens, press [MODE] to terminate the search.

[edit] Autostar: GO-TO by entering coordinates

  1. Press and hold [MODE] key for three seconds.
  2. When the key is released the telescope's current right ascension (r.a.) and declination(dec.) coordinates display on the Autostar.
  3. Press the [GO TO] key.
  4. Enter the desired r.a. and declination as prompted using the number keypad.
  5. The telescope will slew to the coordinates after the last digit is entered.

[edit] Autostar: Spiral search

Sometimes the desired object does not appear in the eyepiece as expected. A 'spiral search' moves the telescope slowing in a spiral pattern to assist with finding the object.

  1. After the telescope finishes its slew to an object, press the [GO TO] for a few seconds, and then release it.
  2. The telescope will slowly scan the surrounding area in a spiral pattern.
  3. When the object becomes visible in the eyepiece, press [MODE] to terminate the search.
  4. Use the [arrow keys] to center the object.

[edit] Autostar: Re-synchronizing

Throughout the course of the evening, slewing and tracking errors may accumulate. As a result GO-TO operations may not place objects in the center of the eyepiece view.

If this should occur:

  1. Select a bright, named star in the night sky, preferably in the vicinity of the object you eventually intend to view.
  2. Using the Select item: | Object | Star | Named menu of the Autostar handbox, scroll through the list using the [scroll keys] to locate the selected star. Once located in the list, press [ENTER] to select it.
  3. Press [GOTO] to move the mount to the selected star.
  4. Using the [arrow keys] of the Autostar handbox, center the selected star in the telescope eyepiece (see notes below regarding maximizing accuracy).
  5. Once the star is centered in the field of view press the [ENTER] key, holding it for three seconds.
  6. After releasing the [ENTER] key, the Autostar handbox will ask you to confirm the re-synchronization. Press [ENTER] to confirm and complete the re-synchronization.

For maximum accuracy:

  • Only re-synchronize on a star--do not use solar system or deep-sky objects for this purpose.
  • Use a high-power eyepiece when centering the star--the 5mm Radian, for example.
  • Radically de-focusing the star makes it easier to determine when it is centered in the eyepiece.
  • Be certain the star you are viewing is, indeed, the star you've selected using the Autostar handbox.

[edit] Autostar: Parking the telescope

While parking, the mount moves to its pre-defiend parked position. It is essential to wait until the process is complete as indicated by the Autostar display before powering down the mount.

  1. Press the [MODE] key on the Autostar until its screen displays one of the top-level menu items.
  2. Press the [scroll down] key until the screen displays "Select Item: Utilities". Press [Enter].
  3. Press the [scroll down] key until the menu option "Park Scope" is displayed
  4. Press the [ENTER] key. The telescope will automatically move to its park position:
    • Telescope optical tube assembly pointing south
    • Telescope is tilted up approximately 5 degrees
    • Index marks on fork and and base are aligned
  5. Wait for the Autostar message that indicates the mount may be powered down. Do not power down the mount before this message is displayed.
  6. Turn the power off using the switch on the left side of the control panel, and turn off power at the surge protector located on the base of the pier.
  7. Replace the objective, finder and eyepiece covers.
  8. Turn off the Telrad reflex finder.
  9. If using the wireless hand controller, turn off power using the recessed slide switch and return the controller to the top drawer of the telescope's accessory cabinet.

    If using the wired hand controller ensure the wireless receiver is plugged into the HBX jack once you've removed and stored the wired controller.

It is extremely important the mount is properly parked after each use in order to ensure successful start-up at its next use. If the mount does not park correctly after completing this process visit the 'Onan Discussions' forum on www.mnastro.org and post a message to this effect.

[edit] Operation: Computer-control

This section describes how to attach a laptop computer to the LX200GPS mount to control the telescope using planetarium software.

Many planetarium software programs include drivers for controlling go-to telescopes. The 16" LX200GPS at the observatory can be controlled by such software using the available adapters and cables to connect the LX200GPS mount to the controlling computer. Given most modern computers are more likely to have one or more USB ports and less likely to have an RS-232 serial port, the instructions that follow assume a USB connection. If, for some reason, the RS-232 option is needed, ensure all cables are returned to their original configuration at the end of the observing session.

[edit] Overview

One end of the cable connects to the jack labeled RS-232 on the base of the the LX200. The other end connects to the controlling computer via a DB-9 serial port connection, or to a USB port on the computer using the available USB-to-serial adapter cable.

[edit] Observatory computer: Starting

Computer control requires that the LX200GPS mount is properly initialized and synchronized. If the mount is not powered up and ready, perform the Autostar: Starting process as described above before proceeding.

  1. Connect the free end of the interface cable that is permanently attached to the USB-to-serial adapter to the RJ12 jack labeled RS-232, located on the base of the LX200GPS mount.
  2. Plug in the computer cart and ensure its power strip is 'on' before proceeding.
  3. Start the Dell 400mHz computer and TheSky software installed on it.

    Important: Do not start the laptop without first powering up the computer cart, otherwise the USB hub attached to the laptop will not function.

  4. It's critical the computer has the correct date and time and the latitude / longitude is correct in TheSky to ensure pointing accuracy during GO-TO operations. Confirm these values before continuing.
  5. Go to the Telescope menu in the TheSky and select Link | Establish. (If you have problems establishing the link, check settings on the TheSky to ensure it is using port 'COM5:' and a speed of '9600 baud' using the [Settings] button on the Telescope | Setup dialog.)
  6. At the conclusion of the Autostar: Starting process the telescope will be tracking the star used to confirm proper synchronization of the mount. Select this star on TheSky's screen.
  7. An Object Information dialog box will open. Select the [Telescope] tab, and on that tab's display click the [Synch] button. Confirm the synch when prompted.

The telescope can now be controlled directly from TheSky.

(For more details regarding initializing TheSky to control the mount, please refer to the TheSky6 Astronomy Software article. Troubleshooting assistance is also provided there.)

[edit] Observatory computer: GO-TO

  1. Locate the desired object using TheSky6 software, and click on it. The Object Information dialog will appear (if it is not already on the screen).
  2. Confirm the desired object is indeed the one select using the [General] tab of the dialog. If it is not, either select the correct one from the drop-down list, or re-click the object on the sky display.
  3. Click on the small, green telescope icon near the bottom right of the Object Information dialog. TheSky6 will ask you to confirm the slew.
  4. After confirming the area around of the telescope is clear of people and equipment, click the [OK] button on the slew confirmation message. The telescope will move to the desired object.

In the event you must interrupt the slew before it completes, click on the [Cancel] button found on the slew progress box.

[edit] Observatory computer: Parking

While parking, the mount first goes to its standard 'home' position, then pauses for several seconds before moving to the parked position. It is essential to wait until the process is complete as indicated by the Autostar display before powering down the mount.

  1. Select Telescope | Options | Park...' from TheSkys menu bar. When asked to confirm the park operation, click on [OK].
  2. The telescope will automatically move to its park position (5 degrees above level, pointing south).
  3. Wait for the mount to reach its parked position, as indicated by the message on the Autostar display.
  4. Once the mount reaches its parked position, turn the power off using the switch on the left side of the control panel, and unplug the telescope from the AC power outlet at the base of the pier.
  5. Unplug the interface cable from the RJ-12 jack labeled on 'RS-232, located on the base of the LX200GPS mount. Do not disconnect it from the computer's USB-to-serial adapter, but coil the cord and stow it on the computer cart.
  6. Turn off the Dell 400 mHz laptop computer and turn off the power on the computer cart's power strip.
  7. Replace the objective, finder and eyepiece covers.
  8. Turn off the Telrad reflex finder.

It is extremely important that the mount is properly parked after each use in order to ensure successful start-up at its next use.

If the mount is not parked correctly (telescope pointing south, with a 5 degree up-tilt) visit the 'Onan Discussions' forum on www.mnastro.org and post a message to this effect.

[edit] Keyholder laptop: Starting

Fig. n - Meade LX200GPS computer control components

Fig. n - Meade LX200GPS computer control components

There are three components used to connect your laptop to the LX200GPS:

  • Meade LX200 adapter with an RS-232 connection at one end and RJ11 port at the other (the gray component in the photo)
  • A connecting cable that connects the Meade LX200 adapater to RS-232 socket on the LX200GPS mount (the light-colored cable at the left-side of the photo)
  • A USB-to-serial adapter that attaches to a USB port on the controlling laptop (the black cable at the far right in the photo)

[Note: Special driver software may required in order to use the USB-to-serial adapter on your laptop. Unless you are certain your laptop is capable of running with this particular USB-to-serial adapter, consider downloading the drive software from the Meade web site before arriving at the observatory -- see 'Other References', below for the link.]

Computer control requires that the LX200GPS mount is properly initialized and synchronized. If the mount is not powered up and ready, perform the Autostar: Starting process as described above before proceeding.

  1. Attach the Meade LX200 Interface Cable to the appropriate port on your computer -- either your RS-232 OR USB port.
  2. Connect the free end of the Meade LX200 Interface Cable to the RJ12 jack labeled RS-232 that is located on the base of the LX200GPS mount.
  3. Start your computer and your planetarium or other controlling software.
  4. It's critical that your computer and its controlling software have accurate settings for date, time and location (latitude, longitude) to ensure pointing accuracy during go-to operations. Confirm these values before continuing.
  5. The specific directions for initializing your computer's software to control the telescope mount will be unique to that program. But, in general, the process will likely include establishing the communication link between the computer and the telescope, pointing the telescope at an easily recognizable bright star, selecting that star in the computer program and then 'synchronizing' the computer and telescope.

[edit] Keyholder laptop: Telescope control functions

The details of telescope control functions using keyholder-supplied software vary widely, and as such are out of scope for this document. Please refer to your software's user manual for this information. Specific topics for consideration include:

  • GO-TO telescope control
  • Re-synchronizing the mount and computer software

[edit] Keyholder laptop: Parking

To avoid parking errors introduced by potential incompatibility between your software and the Meade 16" LX200GPS mount, do not use your software's 'park' procedure. Only park the telescope as described above in the Autostar: Parking section.

[edit] Operation: Micro-focuser

The zero-shift microfocuser is useful when critical focus, when imaging for example, is required. It can also eliminate annoying image shift when focusing with high-power eyepieces.

  1. Retrieve the micro-focuser control and cable from the second drawer of the accessory case. Plug the free end into the jack labeled FOCUS on the base of the mount. {C).
  2. Set the travel on the drawtube of the microfocuser to its mid-way point.
  3. Focus on the object using the coarse focus knob (6).
  4. To focus, press the [Focus] button on the Autostar handbox, then use the [scroll keys] (Up / Down arrows) to focus.

If it becomes necessary to refocus the telescope--after an eyepiece change, for example--repeat this entire process.

The Meade operating manual for the telescope includes steps to lock and unlock the primary mirror when using the micro-focuser. The micro-focuser will function with the mirror unlocked. As a matter of practice, the primary mirror lock is not used at the observatory to eliminate the risk of damage if it is left engaged by an oversight.

[edit] Troubleshooting

This section provides basic support for solving typical problems an operator may experience while using the equipment. If the recommended actions do not solve the problem, or if a problem occurs that is not addressed in this section visit the 'Onan Discussions' forum on www.mnastro.org and post a detailed message describing the situation and what, if any, actions were take.

[edit] Problem: Mount did not park correctly

After requesting the mount to park--either via the Autostar handbox Utilities | Park command or via the Telescope | Options | Park menu of the TheSky--the telescope may not park in the standard position.

This may occur if the power to the mount was switched off before the parking procedure completed. Power to the mount should not be turned off until the Autostar handbox displays a message that the telescope is parked and that the mount may be powered down.

This may also occur if the previous user accidently changed the programmed park position by using TheSky''s Telescope | Options | Set Park menu rather than the Telescope | Options | Park menu.

  1. Re-apply power to the mount.
  2. After the mount initializes, navigate to the Autostar Utilities | Park menu and park the telescope.
  3. Wait until the Autostar handbox displays the messaging confirming the mount is parked before turning power off to the mount.

    <<This remediation process has not been confirmed by on-site testing>>

If the mount still isn't parked correctly, inform the observatory's 'telescope wrangler' by posting a messag to the Discussions forum at your earliest opportunity.

[edit] Problem: Mount found parked in non-standard position

[edit] Problem: GO-TO results are inaccurate

[edit] Problem: Mount is not tracking correctly

The right ascension lock (12) or the declination lock (17) may be loose.

  1. Hand-tighten them and execute the Autostar: Parking the telescope and Autostar: Starting processes.

    <<This remediation process has not been confirmed by on-site testing>>

This may occur if a prolonged keypress of the [GO TO] button initiated an unintentional 'spiral' search, giving the appearance that the mount is no longer tracking.

  1. Try pressing the [MODE] key on the Autostar handbox to terminate the spiral search.
  2. If this does not resolve the problem, execute the Autostar: Parking the telescope and Autostar: Starting processes.
  3. If the problem persists, check the following Autostar handbox settings and correct the values as needed:

    Setup | Telescope | Mount = <<WHAT VALUE>>
    Setup | Telescope | Tracking Rate = <<WHAT VALUE>>

[edit] Problem: 'Enter to sync.' message appears unexpectedly

This may occur if a prolonged keypress of the [ENTER] button initiated an unintentional re-synchronization of the mount.

  1. Press the [MODE] key to exit the re-synchronization process.

It is also possible the previous user activatedthe mount's 'high precision' feature. If this is the case, each GO-TO performed will first slew to a bright star and the Autostar handbox will display the 'Enter to sync.' message before continuing to the desired object.

  1. Check the Telescope | Setup | High Precision setting on the Autostar handbox and turn off the feature if needed.

[edit] Problem: Autostar handbox doesn't initialize to 'Select Object | Item' after power-up

[edit] Problem: Software unable to establish link with mount

If using the observatory's computer to control the mount, the 4-port USB-to-serial adapter may not be usable by the computer. This can sometimes happen if the USB hub is not recognized by the computer. (This sometimes happens if the computer was started before AC power was applied to the computer cart.):

  1. Check the four power / activity lights on the USB hub. If they are lit, then the hub and the laptop are communicating--skip the following actions and check the software communication protocol settings.
  2. If the laptop was started before AC power was applied to the cart, power-down the laptop, apply power to the cart and then start the laptop again.
  3. If the problem is not resolved, unplug the 4-port USB-to-serial adapter from the laptop, wait three seconds and then reconnect the adapter.

The software settings that define the communication protocol may be incorrectly set:

  1. Check the settings in TheSky via the Telescope | Options diaglog. Confirm the telescope

[edit] Re-aligning the mount

Under normal circumstances the mount should not require re-alignment so long as it is correctly parked at the end of each observing session. (Refer to the Autostar: Parking section for the correct parking procedure.)

Should the mount not perform as expected--the Autostar handbox not displaying Select Item: | Object after powering up the mount, or grossly inaccurate go-to's, for example--check the Troubleshooting section of theis article before re-aligning the monunt.

[edit] Re-aligning (basic)

If the mount can be successfuly parked, the 'easy' alignment process is recommended:

  1. If the mount is already powered up and running, use the Utilities | Park command of the Autostar handbox to park the telescope. Wait until prompted, and then power-off the mount using the rocker switch on the left side of the base. Wait a few seconds then re-apply power to the mount.
  2. If the mount is not powered up and running, apply power to the mount using the rocker switch on the left-side of the control panel.
  3. Confirm the mount is in its proper park position:
    • Telescope is pointed south
    • Telescope is tilted up approximately 5 degrees
    • Index marks on the face of the fork and and on the north side of the base are aligned
  4. If the telescope is not in the proper parked position then the park position of the mount must be reset. At your first opportunity inform the observatory's 'equipment wrangler' of the problem by posting a message to the Onan Discussion Forums.
  5. Using the Autostar handbox navigate to the Set-up | Align | Easy menu option and press [ENTER].
  6. The mount will execute a sequence of steps automatically--finding the 'home' position, determining magnetic and true north, taking a GPS fix, etc.
  7. Once the mount has completed its automated steps the Autostar handbox will select from its data base a bright named star and slew to it. When the go-to operation concludes, the handbox will beep and display a message to center the star.
  8. Using the [arrow keys] on the Autostar handbox center the star in the telescope's field of view. (Refer the the Autostar: Re-synchronizing section for guidance on centering the star.)
  9. Once the star is centered, press the [ENTER] key on the handbox. The Autostar will select a second alignment star and move to it. Again, wait for the handbox to beep and display the centering message before continuing.
  10. Center the second star, and press [ENTER]. The mount is now properly aligned.

For maximum accuracy when centering the stars:

  • Use a high-power eyepiece when centering the star--the 5mm Radian, for example.
  • De-focus the star making it easier to determine when it is centered in the eyepiece.
  • Be certain the star you are viewing is, indeed, the star you've selected using the Autostar handbox.

[edit] Re-aligning (agressive)

Under normal circumstances the Easy alignment process should be sufficient to correct most common alignment issues. The more thorough 'automatic alignment' may be tried as a last resort:

  1. If the mount is not powered up and running, apply power to the mount using the rocker switch on the left-side of the control panel.
  2. Using the Autostar handbox navigate to the Set-up | Align | Easy menu option and press [ENTER].
  3. The mount will execute a sequence of steps automatically--finding the 'home' position, determining magnetic and true north, taking a GPS fix, etc.
  4. Once the mount has completed its automated steps the Autostar handbox will select from its data base a bright named star and slew to it. When the go-to operation concludes, the handbox will beep and display a message to center the star.
  5. Using the [arrow keys] on the Autostar handbox center the star in the telescope's field of view. (Refer the the Autostar: Re-synchronizing section for guidance on centering the star.)
  6. Once the star is centered, press the [ENTER] key on the handbox. The Autostar will select a second alignment star and move to it. Again, wait for the handbox to beep and display the centering message before continuing.
  7. Center the second star, and press [ENTER]. The mount is now properly aligned.

[edit] Additional Specifications

Slew speeds 1x sidereal to 8°/sec in 9 increments
Object data base
  • NGC
  • IC
  • Messier Catalog
  • Caldwell Catalog
  • Named objects
  • Herschel Catalog
  • Abell Cat. of Galaxy Clusters
  • Arp Catalog of Irr. Galaxies
  • Uppsala Galaxy Catalog
  • Morphological Cat. of Galaxies
  • General Catalog of Var. Stars
  • SAO
  • Hipparcos Star Catalogue
Number of objects
  • 7,840
  • 5,386
  • 110
  • 209
  • 227
  • 400
  • 2712
  • 645
  • 12,940
  • 12,939
  • 28,484
  • 17,191
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[edit] Other References

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