Bresser Vixen SXD2 Equatorial Mount Instruction Manual
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Bresser Vixen SXD2 Equatorial Mount Instruction Manual

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Summary of Contents for Bresser Vixen SXD2 Equatorial Mount

  • Page 1 Instruction Manual for SXD2 Equatorial Mount...

  • Page 2: Preface

    PREFACE Thank you for your purchase of the Vixen SXD2 equatorial mount. The SXD2 equatorial mount is a high precision sturdy mount ideal for astrophotography. The cutting-edge STAR BOOK TEN Hand Controller features a high definition large color LCD screen with intuitive controls to help you enjoy your astronomical observation.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Chapter 5 PREFACE ---------------------------------------------------------- P 2 APPLICATION ------------------------------------------------------P52 TABLE OF CONTENTS -------------------------------------------- P 3 I. How to Use the Polar Axis Scope -------------------------- P52 BEFORE USE ------------------------------------------------------ P 4 Polar Alignment -------------------------------------------- P52 Precise Polar Alignment ---------------------------------- P57 Checking the Package Contents -------------------------------------- P 4 Change the Altitude Setting on the SXD2 Mount ------- P58 SXD2 Mount Components --------------------------------------------- P 5...

  • Page 4: Before Use

    BEFORE USE Checking the Package Contents The SXD2 Equatorial mount package contains the items listed below. Check if all the items are included. Package Consisting of : SXD2 Equatorial Mount SX Counterweights 3.7kg and 1.9kg STAR BOOK TEN Hand Controller STAR BOOK Cable Ferrite Core for LAN cable Phillips Head Screwdriver...

  • Page 5: Sxd2 Mount Components

    BEFORE USE SXD2 Mount Components Safety Screw Declination Axis Dovetail Tube-Plate Lock Screw R.A Axis(Polar Axis) Mount Head [Optical Tube Attachment Base] DEC Clamp lever DEC Clamp Lever Polar Axis Front Cap R.A Clamp Lever Set Position Guidepost Polar Axis Rear Cap [SXD2 Mount] (Polar Scope Cover) Motor Housing...
  • Page 6 BEFORE USE The specifications are subject to change without notice . SXD2 Mount Specifications Mount SXD2 Equatorial Mount R.A Slow Motion 180-tooth full circle micro-movement gear, 72mm in diameter, Brass wheel DEC Slow Motion 180-tooth full circle micro-movement gear, 72mm in diameter, Brass wheel Worm Gears 9mm in diameter, Brass R.A Axis...

  • Page 7: Star Book Ten Components

    BEFORE USE STAR BOOK TEN Components ① ③ ② ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ STAR BOOK TEN Bottom View Color LCD Screen Numerical / Command Keys ① ⑤ Displays star charts and information about celestial object and the status of the Allows you to enter a number or a command indicated on the keys.
  • Page 8 BEFORE USE Screen Menus and Instructions ① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨ ⑩ ⑪ ⑫ ⑬ ⑭ ⑮ ⑯ ⑰ ⑱ ⑲ Item Description Display Mode ① SCOPE MODE: The telescope is linked with the star chart. The telescope follows in the same direction as the star chart is scrolled.

  • Page 9: Flow Of Operation

    BEFORE USE Flow of Operation Take the following steps to set up and use the SXD2 equatorial mount series correctly. P10~18 Preparation ① • Set up the tripod on a level ground. • Balancing the mount. Initial Setting ② P19~22 •...

  • Page 10: About The Internal Battery Of Star Book Ten

    Chapter 1 PREPARATION About the Internal Battery of STAR BOOK TEN The STAR BOOK TEN controller has a built-in clock, which runs on a CR2032 battery. As the battery is not inserted in the STAR BOOK TEN at Vixen‘s factory before shipment insert it when you use the STAR BOOK TEN for the first time. The provided battery is for factory inspection and not designed for long term use.

  • Page 11: Assembling The Mount

    Chapter 1 PREPARATION Assembling the Mount Refer to each instruction manual of your telescope and accessory together with this manual when you attach them to the mount. I . Setting up the Tripod Place the tripod on level ground to make the telescope stable during Extension clamp observation.

  • Page 12: Attaching The Equatorial Mount

    Chapter 1 PREPARATION II . Attaching the Equatorial Mount CAUTION: is a very heavy item. Be sure to handle the equatorial mount carefully as it is a very heavy item. Package without the SXG Half Pillar Loosen the azimuth adjustment screws in advance by turning the azimuth Azimuth Adjustment Knob adjustment knobs on the mount.

  • Page 13: Attaching The Counterweight

    Chapter 1 PREPARATION Tips on Assembling the Mount Generally equatorial mounts are heavier on the declination axis side. Because of this feature, placing the SXD2 mount so that its declination axis comes directly over one of the tripod legs can make it most stable when you use the SXD2 mount for a north (or south) latitude of 50 degrees and lower.

  • Page 14: Attaching The Optical Tube

    Chapter 1 PREPARATION IV. Attaching the Optical Tube Make sure that the slide bar or dovetail tube plate is flat against the saddle plate. Tightening the lock screws with a gap between these parts may cause the telescope to fall. Attaching to the Saddle Plate Loosen the two lock knobs on the saddle plate before you attach the optical tube.

  • Page 15: Balancing The Equatorial Mount

    Chapter 1 PREPARATION V . Balancing the Equatorial mount Why Balance the Mount? The Vixen SXD2 mount is a German equatorial mount, in which the rotating RA axis and rotating DEC axis cross each other at right angle. The axes are rotated by using movements of gears on the each axis to get maximum stability and limit the stress on the gears. If the equatorial mount is in an unbalanced state, it will increase stress to the gears and this could result in damage or erratic operation.
  • Page 16 Chapter 1 PREPARATION Telescope Tube with Tube Rings Loosen the R.A clamp while holding the counterweight bar (1-1) and turn the telescope tube until the DEC axis comes to horizontal (1-2). Tighten the R.A clamp and loosen the DEC clamp. Be sure to hold the optical tube or counterweight in hand while loosening the clamps.
  • Page 17 Chapter 1 PREPARATION Tips on Proper Balancing The balance arrangements below illustrate various possible settings, depending on the length and weight of your optical tube. The center of gravity of the telescope is given as 25cm from the intersection of the RA and DEC axes. No counterweight: One 3.7kg (8.1 lb.) and one 1.9kg (4.1 lbs.): from 1.3kg (2.8 lbs.) up to 1.8kg (3.9 lbs.)

  • Page 18: Connecting The Star Book Cable

    Chapter 1 PREPARATION VI. Connecting the STAR BOOK Cable Connecting to the Mount Plug one end of the STAR BOOK cable, where no ferrite core is attached, into the connecting port on the mount for the controller Controller Connecting Port cable.

  • Page 19: Chapter 2 Initial Setting

    Chapter 2 INITIAL SETTING Basic functions of the mount are described in this chapter. For advanced functions refer to Chapter 5 “Application”. I . Turning ON the Power The power switch is located on the bottom of the declination body of the mount. To turn on the power press the side marked I on the switch and to turn off the power, press the O marked side on the switch.

  • Page 20: Setting Local Time

    Chapter 2 INITIAL SETTING III . Setting Local Time This setting is required the first time you use the STAR BOOK TEN or when the internal battery has been changed. You can enter date and local time of your area using 24 hours a clock, i.e. 3pm is 1500. It does not offset daylight saving time. (The last entered date and time information will be stored and displayed.) Choose „Local Time Setting“...

  • Page 21: Setting Location

    Chapter 2 INITIAL SETTING IV . Setting Location This setting is required the first time you use the STAR BOOK TEN or when you change the internal battery or when you travel to a distant observing location. Enter the name, longitude (east or west), latitude (north or south) and time zone (plus or minus) of your main observing location. Up to 10 different locations can be entered.
  • Page 22 Chapter 2 INITIAL SETTING Setting, Changing or Deleting the Location Information To use your observing location, move the cursor to „Location“ in the „Initial Configuration“ menu with the key and press the ) key to access the location entry dialog box. Choose the observing location you want to use from the location information with the key and press the key.

  • Page 23: Chapter 3 Basic Operation

    Chapter 3 BASIC OPERATION Moving the Telescope Make sure that the R.A and DEC clamps on the SXD2 mount are locked tightly. Advance the “Initial Configuration” screen in the following procedure to display the telescope‘s home position setting screen. Choose OK with the key in “Initial Configuration”...

  • Page 24: Automatic Go-To Slewing

    Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING Automatic Go-To Slewing The moon and bright planets are found readily in the night sky as you can locate their positions with ease. However, less bright planets, nebulae and star clusters are dim and mostly invisible with the unaided eye. Even if you know where these dim and blurred objects are in the night sky, it often takes time and effort to look for them.

  • Page 25: Locating The Sxd2 Mount

    Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING I . Locating the SXD2 Mount After setting up the telescope, locate the SXD2 mount so that its R.A axis points toward the north celestial pole if you use the telescope in the northern hemisphere. If your intention is not to take lengthy astrophotography, you don’t need to align the R.A axis to the celestial pole precisely. A rough setting will work well for visual observation.

  • Page 26: Alignment

    Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING III. Alignment After determining the home position of your telescope, press the key to display the interactive dialog box on the screen. The dialog box asks you if you enter SCOPE MODE. Choose OK with the key and press the key.
  • Page 27 Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING Select a star from an alignment stars list in the object database. Be sure to select alignment stars for which you recognize locations in the night sky. Aldebaran in Taurus, the Bull is shown here as an example of the first alignment star.
  • Page 28 Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING Your first Go-To slewing may not bring the alignment star in the main telescope‘s field of view but should appear in the finder scope. Here, center Aldebaran in the telescope‘s field of view as an example with the following procedure.
  • Page 29 Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING Slewing the Telescope to an Object near the Sun or to the Sun If you try slewing to an object near the Sun or to the Sun, the STAR BOOK TEN will alert you with a dialog box: “Warning! Target is close to the Sun.”...
  • Page 30 Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING Tips on Star Alignment • It is advisable to use fixed stars for the alignments. As the distant stars are a fixed point of light and they have no area, you can pinpoint a location for an alignment point.

  • Page 31: Slewing To An Object In Scope Mode

    Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING IV. Slewing to an Object in SCOPE MODE Once the star alignment is completed in Section III, choose a celestial object to which you want to slew. You can look for objects like nebulae and star clusters on the star charts of the STAR BOOK TEN to choose what you want to observe.

  • Page 32: Slewing To An Object In Chart Mode

    Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING V . Slewing to an Object in CHART MODE The Go-To slewing in CHART MODE works in the same way as you did in SCOPE MODE. Additionally, scrolling the star chart allows you to select any object as a target and automatically slew your telescope to it.
  • Page 33 Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING The The Go-To slewing finishes with ringing the chimes. Pressing the key will start slewing the telescope to the target. When you call up M42 from “Object Menu” in CHART MODE, the interactive dialog appears on the screen.

  • Page 34: Slewing With Command Keys

    Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING VI. Slewing to an Object with Command Keys The STAR BOOK TEN has command keys to allow direct access to each list of celestial objects in the database. This choice displays a list of planets in the solar system (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and a dwarf-planet Pluto) as well as the sun and moon.

  • Page 35: Moon Map

    Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING Moon Map The “Moon Map “dialog box appears on the screen if you press the key a little longer. The telescope can be pointed at the major "seas" and geographical formations on the surface of the moon. Note: •...

  • Page 36: Using The Moon Map

    Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING Choose "Moon" with the direction key and press the (or the ) key. The "Moon Map" dialog box appears and choose "Moon Map" with the direction keys and press the (or the ) key. If you are in SCOPE MODE, the "GOTO Message"...
  • Page 37 Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING Descriptions of Moon Map Screens Screen 1: Changing the Size and Orientation of the Moon Map Item Description ① Mirror-reversed left and right ② Mirror-revered upside-down ① ③ Rotate upside-down (180 degrees) ② ④ Rotate counterclockwise ③...
  • Page 38 Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING Zooming In, Zooming Out and Scrolling the Moon Map (Refer to Screen 1) Confirm that the moon map is in the frame mode. If not, press the key to switch to the frame mode. The zoom keys enlarge or reduce the size of the moon map as you press either the up or down key.
  • Page 39 Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING Inverted (180-degree rotated) Moon Map The moon map can be switched from/to the inverted image to/from the ordinary image orientation with press of the key. The inverted image symbol on the bar information of the moon map is highlighted in green if you choose this option. It functions along with the mirror-reversed image and rotating functions.
  • Page 40 Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING In CHART MODE, select a place you want to view on the moon map by scrolling and zooming with the direction keys and zoom keys. Copernicus crater is a target here by way of example. The list of location names on the moon map tracks the terrain as you move the moon map.
  • Page 41 Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING INDEX Seas, Ocean, Bays, Lakes and Marsh Craters Mare Australe (Southern Sea) Albategnius Geminus Posidonius Mare Crisium (Sea of Crises) Alphonsus Goclenius Ptolemaeus Mare Fecunditatis (Sea of Fertility) Archimedes Goldschmidt Purbach Mare Frigoris (Sea of Cold) Aristarchus Grimaldi Pythagoras...
  • Page 42 Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING The following is an example on how to slew to NG/C224 (M31, the Andromeda galaxy) with the command key. Press the key to access the lists of objects in the NGC or IC catalog. Pressing key will switch the catalogs.

  • Page 43: Recently Located Objects

    Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING This displays all of the celestial objects in the database. Press the key to call up “Object Menu” which includes each list of Messier objects, NGC/IC objects, planets, the sun, the moon, constellations, fixed stars and more. Select the list using the key and press ) key.

  • Page 44: Constellation

    Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING Constellation This identifies locations of all 88 constellations. Additionally, it allows you to slew to any stars labeled with a Bayer designation (the letters of Greek alphabet) in the constellation. Call up “Object Menu” and choose “Constellation” with the direction key.

  • Page 45: Coordinates

    Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING Calling up Bayer Designation Directly The list of the Bayer designation appears on the screen if you press the key a little longer Choose a Bayer designation in the entry dialog box with the direction key. Press the key to display a star which have a Greek-letter designation.

  • Page 46: Comet

    Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING Comet This allows slewing to comets. The orbital elements of the comet McNaught (2009 R1) are shown as an example. Entering the Orbital Elements of the Comet STAR BOOK TEN allows you to enter orbital elements of up to 10 comets for Go-To slewing. You can access the orbital elements of comets from commercially available astronomy magazines, internet websites and so forth.
  • Page 47 Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING Setting, Changing or Deleting the Orbital Elements of the Comet OK: Choose OK to slew the telescope to the comet you chose. Press the key to start the Go-To slewing. To stop, shift the cursor to Cancel with the •...

  • Page 48: Satellite(Artificial Satellite)

    Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING Satellite (Artificial Satellite) This allows observing a satellite pass. Entering the Orbital Elements of the Satellite STAR BOOK TEN allows you to enter orbital elements of up to 10 satellites for Go-To slewing. You can access the orbital elements of satellites from commercially available astronomy magazines and internet websites.
  • Page 49 Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING Press the key to complete the entry. Then, press the key again to leave this menu. If a wrong number is entered, the item for the entry will be highlighted in red to alert you. Setting, Changing or Deleting the Orbital Elements of the Satellite OK: Choose OK to slew the telescope to the satellite you chose.

  • Page 50: User Coordinates

    Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING User Coordinates STAR BOOK TEN allows you to add 10 new objects to the database by using celestial coordinates. It is possible to define and store terrestrial objects with altitude and azimuth for terrestrial objects. The tracking will be off if you choose an object in the altitude and azimuth setting.
  • Page 51 Chapter 4 AUTOMATIC GOTO SLEWING Change Data: Choose “Change Data” to rewrite the set points. To change the set point, display the entry dialog box and choose “Change Data” with the direction key. Then, press the key. Delete: Choose “Delete” to clear the orbital elements. To delete the set point, display the entry dialog box and choose “Delete”...

  • Page 52: How To Use The Polar Axis Scope

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION I . How to Use the Polar Axis Scope What is a Polar Axis Scope? The polar axis scope is a small telescope that is installed parallel to the R.A axis of the SXD2 Mount that enables you to point precisely to the north (or south) celestial pole.
  • Page 53 Chapter 5 APPLICATION While looking into the opening of the polar axis scope on the declination body, turn the declination body with the direction key so that the objective lens of the polar axis Opening scope can be seen in the opening. Loosen the altitude clamp lever and turn the altitude adjustment knob so that the indicator of the altitude scale fits the latitude of your observing site.
  • Page 54 Chapter 5 APPLICATION Meridian Offset Setting for the Polar Axis Scope Example City: Boston, USA If you observe in Boston, MA, which is located at 71 degrees longitude, you need to offset by 4 degrees in the direction of E from the central meridian of the Eastern Standard Time after the calibration.
  • Page 55 Chapter 5 APPLICATION Polar Alignment in the Southern Hemisphere Octans is a constellation located near the south celestial pole and it can be used to align the Polarie in the southern hemisphere. Unlike Polaris which is a bright 2nd magnitude star adjacent to the north celestial pole, Octans is made up of dark stars about 5th magnitude on average. The nearest star to the south celestial pole is Sigma Octantis, which is one of four stars forming a trapezoid in Octans, visible at 5.5th magnitude.
  • Page 56 Chapter 5 APPLICATION The polar axis scope contains a reticle showing the relative positions of four stars near the southern celestial pole. The stars are Sigma, Tau, Chi and Upsilon of Octans. Polar align the mount with these four stars but precession is not considered. Set up the telescope in a flat and hard ground where you can see Octans in the sky.

  • Page 57: Precise Polar Alignment

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Precise Polar Alignment (Drift Alignment) If you align the mount with the provided polar alignment scope correctly, the mount will be able maintain tracking celestial objects within the field of view of your telescope‘s eyepiece. For astrophotography, it enables you to take exposures of 5 to 10 minutes with a telephoto lens of 200mm focal length or less.

  • Page 58: Change The Altitude Setting On The Sxd2 Mount

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Drift Alignment in the Sourthern Hemisphere Align the mount to the south celestial pole by using the polar axis scope. It will save you a lot of time in the process of drift alignment. Align the Mount in Azimuth Prepare an eyepiece with illuminated reticle (cross hairs) or you use a Vixen OR12.5mm with illuminated reticle.

  • Page 59: Initial Configuration

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION II . INITIAL CONFIGURATION (Main screen right after turning ON the power) This allows you to choose the settings for various functions including time and location. Use Last Mount Setting This allows you to continue using the SXD2 mount with the same settings you used during your last observing session. If you choose this option, the STAR BOOK TEN retains its alignment data while the mount is powered off.

  • Page 60: Night Vision

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Night Vision To maintain your night vision, avoid white light. The “Night Vision” mode of the SXD2 mount turns the screen from the bright “white color” to gentle “red color”. You can use it together with the “LCD Adjust” for the best accommodation to your eyes. The setting is defaulted to „OFF“.

  • Page 61: Volume

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Volume The volume of the chimes can be adjusted from 0 to 20, i.e. “off to the loudest” divided by 20 steps. The setting is defaulted to „15“. In the “Initial Configuration” menu, choose “Volume” with the direction key and press the key (or the key) to call up the dialog box.

  • Page 62: Language

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Language Language is available in Japanese, English, Germany, Italian, Spanish and French on the STAR BOOK TEN as of October 2017. The setting is defaulted to „Japanese“. In the “Initial Configuration” menu, choose Language” with the direction key and press key (or the key) to call up the dialog box.

  • Page 63: About Starbook Ten

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION About StarBook TEN This allows you to access the program version, IP address and MAC address of your STAR BOOK TEN controller. This information is required for pro- gram updates and downloads from a PC through a local area network. In the “Initial Configuration”...

  • Page 64: System Menu (Main Menu)

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION III. System Menu (Main Menu) Choose the settings for various functions to suite your preference. Press the key to call up “System Menu”. Chart Setting This menu allows various display settings on the star charts. In “System Menu”, choose “Chart Setting” with the direction key and press the key (or the key) to call up the...

  • Page 65: Constellation

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Constellation This allows you to choose your preference for the display of the constellations from the following options. OFF: Neither constellation lines, names nor its aberrations are displayed. Const. Line: Only constellation lines are displayed. Const. Name: Only constellation names are displayed. Const.

  • Page 66: Display Of Star

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Display of Star This allows you to limit the number of fixed stars displayed on the star chart by magnitude at the widest chart so that you can prevent the screen from being full of luminous stars. Brighter than Mag.8 : Fixed stars of 8th magnitude and brighter are displayed.
  • Page 67 Chapter 5 APPLICATION Star Proper Name This allows you to limit the name of fixed stars displayed on the star chart by magnitude at the widest chart. Also,” Always ON” or “Always OFF” is available. Always ON : Names are always indicated. Brighter than Mag.5 : Names of fixed stars of 5th magnitude and brighter are displayed.

  • Page 68: Bayer Designation

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Bayer Designation This allows you to limit Bayer designation of fixed stars displayed on the star chart by magnitude at the widest chart. Also,” Always ON” or “Always OFF” is available. Always ON: Bayer designation of fixed stars is always indicated. Brighter than Mag.5: Bayer designation of fixed stars of 5th magnitude and brighter are displayed.

  • Page 69: Sun, Moon, Planet

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Sun • Moon • Planet This allows you to choose your preference for the display of the name of the Sun, Moon and planets from the following options. It is not possible to hide the Sun, Moon and planets themselves. ON : The names of the Sun, Moon and planets are displayed.

  • Page 70: Satellite

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Satellite This allows you to choose your preference for the display of Satellites from the following options. ON : Satellite is displayed. OFF : Satellite is hidden. The setting is defaulted to „ON“. In the “Chart Setting” menu, choose “Satellite” with the direction key and press the key (or the key) to call up the...

  • Page 71: Center Circle

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Center Circle This allows you to choose your preference for the display of comets from the following options. ON : Target circles are displayed. OFF : Target circles are hidden. The setting is defaulted to „ON“. In the “Chart Setting” menu, choose “Center Circle” with the direction key and press the key (or the key) to call up the...
  • Page 72 Chapter 5 APPLICATION Catalogue (Messier or NGC or IC) This allows you to choose the use of the catalogues of Messier, NGC and IC objects. All the deep sky objects from the catalogue will not appear on the star chart if it is set to OFF. Note: Your target object designated is displayed even If you set this function to OFF.

  • Page 73: Mount Setting

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Mount Setting This menu allows various settings on your SXD2 mount to suit your preference. Press the key to call up System Menu dialog box. In System Menu, choose “Mount Setting” with the direction key and press the key (or the key) to call up the “Mount Setting”...

  • Page 74: Auto Guider

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Auto Guide The STAR BOOK TEN can be used for auto guiding in conjunction with a CCD video camera installed on a guide scope and a built-in autoguider (sold separately) as an expansion unit for the STAR BOOK TEN. An external autoguider which is compatible with the ST series autoguiders from SBIG is available also.

  • Page 75: Pec (Periodic Error Corrction)

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION PEC (Periodic Error Correction) Equatorial mounts with drive motors are designed to precisely track the motion of celestial objects. With the use of a telescope mounted on the equatorial mount, you may notice that stars in the field of view of the telescope at high magnification are drifting back and forth very slowly over a period of time (e.g.
  • Page 76 Chapter 5 APPLICATION Stopping the PEC Recording Pressing any of the keys on the STAR BOOK TEN except the zoom and direction keys will stop the PEC recording. At the same time, the dialog box appears on the screen. Choose OK with the direction key and press the key.
  • Page 77 Chapter 5 APPLICATION Stopping Playback of the PEC In the “Mount Setting” menu, choose “PEC” with the direction key and press the key to call up the dialog box. In the “PEC” dialog box, choose “Play Stop” with the direction key and press the key (or the key).

  • Page 78: Backlash Compensation

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Backlash Compensation Backlash is a momentary stoppage of the tracking motion of the mount that occurs when the motor gears reverse their rotation. Backlash does not occur while the mount moves at a constant speed as the gears keep contact with each other. Backlash may occur when the telescope is moved with the direction keys manually.
  • Page 79 Chapter 5 APPLICATION Setting the Backlash The values for the backlash compensation are available between “0” and “99” both in R.A and DEC In the “Mount Setting” menu, choose “Backlash Compensation” with the direction key and press the key to call up the dialog box. In the “Backlash Compensation”...

  • Page 80: Goto Speed

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION GOTO Speed The maximum speed of automatic Go-To slewing can be chosen from the following 5 levels. 5 High : 800x (about 800 times of sidereal rate) : 600x (about 600 times of sidereal rate) : 400x (about 400 times of sidereal rate) : 200x (about 200 times of sidereal rate) 1 Low : 100x (about 100 times of sidereal rate)

  • Page 81: Motor Power

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Motor Power This allows for the changing electricity consumption of the mount as the need arises. When electricity consumption is set to “3”, the mount will easily accomplish tracking and Go-To slewing of your telescope and equipment up to 10 kgs (22 lbs). The smaller the value is set, the lower the electricity consumption is used, but it may cause a failure in tracking or Go-To slewing due to a drop of the motor torques.

  • Page 82: Mount Type

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Mount Type This allows choosing a mount type either “Equatorial with Polar Setting” or “Equatorial without Polar Setting”. The setting is defaulted to „Equatorial without Polar Setting“ In the “Mount Setting” menu, choose “Mount Type" with the direction key and press the key (or the key) to call up the...

  • Page 83: Cross Over Meridian

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Cross Over Meridian If your object of observation with the SXD2 mount is located on the east side of the meridian, the gravity of center of your telescope would be on the west side of the R.A axis of the mount. As the mount turns at sidereal rate tracking the object which moves toward the culmination, the optical tube approaches a place lower than the R.A axis of the mount.
  • Page 84 Chapter 5 APPLICATION Warning for Telescope Reverse This allows setting a point of the warning message to warn you against turning of the optical tube to the opposite position. The alarm sounds at the same time the warning message is indicated. The timing of the warning message can be designated by angle and it can be set to recall repeatedly with an interval of every one degree and more until the mount stops.

  • Page 85: Delete Align Point Data

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Delete Align Point Data This allows calling up and deleting your alignment points from a list in the database. You cannot retrieve the deleted alignment point. This will not function if there is no alignment point. Keep pressing the key until the dialog box appears (or press the key to access Mount Setting).

  • Page 86: System Setting

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION System Setting You can choose the settings for various functions to suite your preference. Press the to call up “System Menu”. In “System Menu”, choose “System Setting” with the direction key and press the key (or the key) to call up the dialog box. Note: Most of menus in “System Setting”...

  • Page 87: Goto Message

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Key LED Brightness In the “System Setting” menu, choose “Key LED Brightness” with the direction key and press key (or the key) to call up the dialog box. Refer to page 60. Atmospheric Refraction In the “System Setting” menu, choose “Atmospheric Refraction” with the direction key and press the key (or the...

  • Page 88: Expansion Function

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Language In the “System Setting” menu, choose “Language” with the direction key and press the key (or the key) to call up the dialog box. Refer to the Chaptor 2 “Initial Setting”. Initialize Memory Data In the “System Setting” menu, choose “Initialize Memory Data” with the direction key and press the key (or the...

  • Page 89: Mount Information

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION Mount Information This displays information on the number of the teeth on the wheel gear, gear reduction ratio. Mount Type: SXD2 X = -180 x 4 (Number of the RA wheel gear teeth x Reduction ratio) Y = 180 x 4 (Number of the Declination wheel gear teeth x Reduction ratio) In “System Menu”, choose “Mount Information”...

  • Page 90: Using As A Stand-Alone Unit

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION IV. Using as a Stand-alone Unit The STAR BOOK TEN has a power connection port of DC 12V input which allows you to use the STAR BOOK TEN as a stand-alone unit. This is convenient for setting location, updating firmware, entering orbital elements of comet from a PC and as a star map.

  • Page 91: Updating Your Star Book Ten

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION V . Updating your STAR BOOK TEN Download the program file of updates from Vixen‘s website to your PC. Connect the STAR BOOK TEN and the PC directly with the LAN cable. CAUTION * Use the AC adapter 12V 3-A or the same power source you use for the SXD2 mount. * Make sure that the PC is used under a stable power supply for transmission of data.
  • Page 92 Chapter 5 APPLICATION Click “Update Program” in the dialog box to continue. Updating will advance in the following procedure. Open the holder that contains the downloaded Select the program file and click it to open. Click on Submit Query button for sending the program file for updating.

  • Page 93: Entering Orbital Elements And User Defined Objects

    Chapter 5 APPLICATION VI. Entering Orbital Elements and User Defined Objects The STAR BOOK TEN allows you to store orbital elements of comets and artificial satellites as well as user defined objects up to 10 of each for tracking and Go-To slewing. You need to prepare orbital elements for this purpose. Procedures Directly connect the STAR BOOK TEN and a PC with the LAN crossover cable cable.
  • Page 94 Chapter 5 APPLICATION Click “User Data Table” in the dialog box to continue. Clicking a number of an available space for an object (for comet, artificial satellite and user defined object) will display an entry dialog box. Availa- ble space for a name is a total 14 of single-space characters.
  • Page 95 Chapter 5 APPLICATION Alternatively, you can make a list of the orbital elements and send it to the STAR BOOK TEN. You need to prepare the list in text file format for this purpose. Read page 96 on how to make it. Note: Previous data in the same line numbers will be overwritten by the new information.
  • Page 96 Chapter 5 APPLICATION Data Transmission Forms Apply the following structure to create a list of the orbital elements. Send it to the STAR BOOK TEN by text file. Form of Orbital Elements for Comet STARBOOKCOMETFILE Line number, Name of comet, Time of periapsis passage (T) (YY/MM/DD/TT), Argument of periapsis(ω), Longitude of the ascending node (Ω), Inclination (i), Minimum distance from periapsis (q), Eccentricity (e).
  • Page 97 Chapter 5 APPLICATION Form of User Defined Object Choose from the following two types of formats according to coordinates you use. RA.DEC STARBOOKCOORDFILE Line number, Name of Object, Type of coordinates, RA in hour, RA in minute, RA in second, DEC in degree, DEC in arc minute ALT.AZ STARBOOKCOORDFILE Line number, Name of point, Types of coordinates, Azimuth in degree, Azimuth in arc minute, Altitude in +/- degree, Altitude in arc minute.

  • Page 98: Appendix

    APPENDIX Connectors on the STAR BOOK TEN 12V Power Connecting Port (DC 12V EIAJ RC5320A Class4) Center positive polarity 154mm Expansion Slot Cover Controller Cable Connecting Port (D-sub 9pin male) LAN Connecting Port (10BASE-T) External Autoguider Connecting Port Ra - Dec - Dec+ A.G.
  • Page 99 APPENDIX APPENDIX Dimensions of the SXD2 Mount Dimensions of the SXD2 Mount 343mm(13.50" ) 164mm(6.45") 147mm(5.79") 123mm(4.84") Fulcrum (The intersection of the R.A and DEC axes) 128mm(5.04") 45mm (1.77") Dimensions of the SXG Half Pillar (Sold separately) 130mm(5.12") 12mm (0.47") 45mm (1.77")
  • Page 100 APPENDIX Dimensions of the SXG-HAL130 Tripod (Sold separately) 145mm (5.71") 128mm (5.042) Dimensions of the SXG-P85DX Pillar (Sold separately) 128mm(5.04") 46. 7mm(1.84" ) 3-M6× 1 Hex Cap Screw 15mm long M12 × 1.75 φ 114.3 6-M8× 1.25 (4.50" ) Hex Cap Screw 20mm long 3-M12×...
  • Page 102 5-17-3 H i gash itokorozawa,T okorozawa, Sa i tama 359-0021, Japan P h o n e +81-4-2944-4141 ( International ) h t t p : / / w w w . v i x e n . c o . jp x +81-4-2944-9722 ( International ) キ...

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