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In order for the NexStar to accurately point to objects in the sky, it must first be aligned to known positions (stars) in
the sky. With this information, the telescope can create a model of the sky, which it uses to locate any object with
known coordinates. There are many ways to align the NexStar with the sky depending on what information the user
is able to provide: SkyAlign uses your current date, time and city to create an accurate model of the sky. Then the
user can simply point the telescope to any three bright celestial objects to accurately align the telescope with the sky.
Auto Two-Star Align will ask the user to choose and center the first alignment star, then the NexStar will
automatically select and slew to a second star for alignment. Two-Star Alignment requires the user to identify and
manually slew the telescope to the two alignment stars. One-Star Align is the same as Two-Star Align however only
requires you to align to one known star. Although not as accurate as the other alignment methods, One-Star Align is
the quickest way to find and track bright planets and objects in Altazimuth mode. Finally, Solar System Align will
display a list of visible daytime objects (planets and the moon) available to align the telescope. Each alignment
method is discussed in detail below.
Definition
"Altazimuth" or "Alt-Az" refers to a type of mounting that allows a telescope to move in both altitude (up and down)
and azimuth (left and right) with respect to the ground. This is the simplest form of mounting in which the telescope
is attached directly to a tripod.
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Sky Align is the easiest way to get your NexStar aligned and ready to observe. Even if you do not know a single star
in the sky, the NexStar will have you aligned in minutes by asking for basic information like the date, time and
location. Then you simply need to aim the telescope to any three bright celestial objects in the sky. Since Sky Align
requires no knowledge of the night sky it is not necessary to know the name of the stars at which you are aiming. You
may even select a planet or the moon. The NexStar is then ready to start finding and tracking any of the objects in its
4,000+ object database. Before the telescope is ready to be aligned, it should be set up in an outside location with all
accessories (eyepiece, diagonal and finderscope) attached and lens cover removed as described in the Assembly
section of the manual. To begin Sky Align:
1.
Power on the NexStar by flipping the switch located on the side of the fork arm, to the "on" position. Once
turned on the hand control display will say NexStar SLT. Press ENTER to choose Sky Align. Pressing the
ALIGN key will bypass the other alignment options and the scrolling text and automatically begins Sky Align.
2.
Once Sky Align has been selected, the hand control will display "Enter if OK", "Undo to edit" and "Saved
Site". The bottom line of the LCD will display either the current time or the time when you last used the
telescope. Since this is your first time using the NexStar , press UNDO to enter current time/site information.
The hand control display will then ask for the following information:
Location - The NexStar will display a list of cities to choose from. Choose the city from the database that is closest
Use the Up and Down scroll keys to choose between City Database and Custom Site. City Database will
allow you to select the closest city to your observing site from a list of either international or U.S. location.
Custom Site allows you to enter the exact longitude and latitude of your observing site. Select City Database
and press ENTER.
The hand control will allow you to choose from either U.S. or international locations. For a listing of U.S.
locations by state and then by city, press ENTER while United States is displayed. For international
locations, use the Up or Down scroll key to select International and press ENTER.
Use the Up and Down Scroll buttons to choose your current state (or country if International locations was
selected) from the alphabetical listing and press ENTER.
Use the Up and Down Scroll buttons to choose the closest city to your location from the displayed list and
press ENTER.
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to your current observing site. The city you choose will be remembered in the hand controls memory
so that it will be automatically displayed the next time an alignment is done. Alternatively, if you know
the exact longitude and latitude of your observing site, it can be entered directly into the hand control
and remembered for future use as well. To choose a location city:
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