To Prepare For A Mapping Session; To Map A Star - Software Bisque Paramount ME User Manual

Identification dialog for the star. When the star information is presented on the Object
Identification dialog box, click the Sync button in the Telescope Tab. Once this sync
occurs, the telescope's control system is aligned approximately with the celestial sphere.
Even though this initial synchronization is never perfect due to imperfections in the
system, it establishes the angles in the Paramount ME control system that all subsequent
mapped stars will use.
Important
Note
The star that is "synced on" can also be your model's first mapped point. Click the Map to
record this point and to begin gathering your pointing data. TheSky6 Professional Edition
communicates continuously with TPoint as subsequent points are mapped.
From this point on, you should just have to slew, center and map stars to continue
building the model. It is usually easiest to choose stars that are not far away from the
sync star until the first six points are mapped. Once you have mapped the initial six stars,
TPoint automatically begins compensating for systematic errors and you should notice an
improvement in pointing accuracy. Finding the stars in the video (or other) feedback
system becomes easier.
The most efficient means of mapping points is to use a low light video camera coupled to
the telescope. With a video camera, stars to eighth magnitude are usually detectable and
provide a large number of potential mapping targets. Also, the process of centering and
mapping takes seconds, allowing you to perform a complete mapping session in under an
hour.

To Prepare For a Mapping Session

1. Use an Internet time server or GPS to accurately set your computer's clock.
2. Power up the Paramount ME.
3. Make settings to TheSky6 Professional Edition to aid mapping. For example:

Display only stars to sixth magnitude to limit screen clutter.

Turn on the constellation lines for easy identification and turn on the meridian line
to stay on one side of the sky while mapping (this is most useful for German
equatorial mounts that must "flip" when going from the east to west and vice-versa).

To Map a Star

1. Identify a bright stellar object in TheSky6 Professional Edition.
2. Instruct the telescope to slew to the above object by clicking the Slew button on the
Object Identification dialog box. Make sure the correct object is highlighted in the
Object Identification dialog box.
3. Using the telescope's joystick, center the object in your field of view.
4. Click the Map button in the Object Identification dialog box.
Repeat the above procedure for each mapped point. For the best pointing results, map at
least thirty to fifty objects distributed evenly across the entire night sky. If you are still
working on the polar alignment, 20-30 stars with wide distribution should be sufficient.
During a mapping session, do not re-synchronize the telescope's
control system by clicking Sync. If the Paramount ME is
synchronized on a star after the mapping session has begun, the
session must be started over!
Paramount ME User's Guide
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