Appendix D: Training The Drive - Meade StarNavigator Series Instruction Manual

APPENDIX D
Training the Drive
Train the telescope motors using Audiostar. Perform this procedure if you are experiencing any pointing accuracy
problems. Fig. 32 depicts the complete Drive Training procedure.
Use a terrestrial object, such as a telephone pole or lamp post, to train the drive. Complete this
NOTE:
exercise once every 3 to 6 months to maintain the highest level of telescope pointing accuracy.
Fig. 32: Training the drive
Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversible
damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.
This manual gives only the briefest introduction to
astronomy. If you are interested in pursuing further
studies, a few topics are suggested below that are worth
reading up on. Try looking up some of these topics in the
Audiostar glossary.
Also below is a small sampling of books, magazines, and
organizations that you might find helpful.
Topics
1. How is a star born? How does a solar system form?
2. How is the distance to a star measured? What is a
light year? What is red shift and blue shift?
3. How are the craters on our Moon formed? How old
is the Moon and Earth? How old is the Sun?
4. What is a black hole? A neutron star?
5. What are stars made of? Why are stars different
colours? What is a white dwarf? A red giant? Have we
ever seen the surface of a star besides our own Sun?
6. What is a nova? A supernova?
7. What are comets? Minor planets? Meteors? Meteor
showers? Where do they come from?
8. What is a planetary nebula? A globular cluster?
9. What is the Big Bang? Is the universe expanding or
contracting, or does it always remain the same?
What is dark matter?
10. What is an extrasolar planet? What is an accretion
(or protoplanetary) disk?
11. What is the difference between an elliptical, a spiral,
and an irregular galaxy?
Magazines
1. Sky & Telescope
Box 9111, Belmont, MA 02178
2. Astronomy
Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187
And watch Jack Horkheimer, Star Gazer, on your local
PBS station.
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