Best Synchronization Practices; Step By Step Synchronization - Paramount Fitness ME II User Manual

Paramount User Guide
in the eyepiece, identifying this star in TheSkyX Professional Edition then choosing the Synchronize
command from the Start Up pop-up menu on the Telescope window.
Once the Paramount has been synchronized on a star, TheSkyX Professional Edition uses the equatorial
coordinates of the star to determine the mount's mechanical orientation and software slew limits.
TheSkyX Professional Edition stores this synchronization position so that the mount's orientation can be
restored in subsequent observing sessions.
In theory, after a permanently mounted Paramount is aligned with the celestial pole (page 20), it need be
synchronized only once. In practice, the mount will have to be synchronized:

Each time the mount is setup for portable use.

When the mount's polar alignment is changed.

When the optical tube assembly (OTA) is changed.
Synchronization is an essential first step to "normal" mount operation. If the mount is not synchronized
correctly, the actual orientation the telescope will not match the simulated telescope's position on the
Sky Chart. And, when commanded to slew from TheSkyX Professional Edition, the telescope will end up
pointing at the wrong place in the sky.

Best Synchronization Practices


Do not synchronize on stars near the celestial pole – The celestial pole represents a point of
"singularity" on the celestial sphere. As a best practice, do not synchronize on Polaris (in the
northern hemisphere) and avoid stars above 60 degrees declination or so.

Use brighter, easily identifiable stars – Fainter stars can be hard to identify, making
synchronization more difficult.

Step by Step Synchronization

Carefully follow the procedure below to ensure that synchronization is performed correctly. If you make
a mistake and point the telescope at the wrong star, for example, see "Starting Synchronization Over" on
page 29 to restore the default settings and try again.
1. Set the computer's clock accurately. Accurate time is crucial for consistent, accurate pointing and
synchronization. Consider using an Internet time server or a GPS-based clock to regularly update
your computer's clock and keep it accurate. See "The Local Celestial Meridian" on page 29 for
more information.
2. Choose the Location command from the Input menu to set the observing site's latitude, longitude,
time zone and Daylight Saving option if necessary.
Consider using a GPS to also obtain your site's latitude and longitude. Make sure
the time zone and daylight saving options are correct for your location (a GPS does
not supply this information).
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