Table Of Contents - Celestron NexStar 8 Instruction Manual

INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................................4
W W ......................................................................................................................................................4
A R N I N G
A R N I N G
QUICK SETUP ...............................................................................................................................................5
A S S E M B L I N G T H E N
A S S E M B L I N G T H E N
Powering the NexStar ..............................................................................................................................8
Attaching the NexStar to the Tripod.........................................................................................................9
The Hand Control ....................................................................................................................................9
The Star Diagonal..................................................................................................................................10
The Eyepiece ..........................................................................................................................................10
The Star Pointer Finderscope ................................................................................................................11
HAND CONTROL .......................................................................................................................................13
Hand Control Operation ........................................................................................................................14
Alignment Procedure .............................................................................................................................14
Object Catalog .......................................................................................................................................16
Selecting an Object ................................................................................................................................16
Slewing to an Object ..............................................................................................................................17
Finding Planets ......................................................................................................................................17
Tour Mode..............................................................................................................................................17
Direction Buttons ...................................................................................................................................18
Rate Button.............................................................................................................................................18
Setup Procedures ...................................................................................................................................18
Tracking Mode .......................................................................................................................................18
Tracking Rate.........................................................................................................................................19
Date/Time...............................................................................................................................................19
User Defined Objects .............................................................................................................................19
Get RA/DEC...........................................................................................................................................19
Get Alt-Az...............................................................................................................................................19
Goto R.A/Dec .........................................................................................................................................20
Goto Alt-Az.............................................................................................................................................20
Utility Features ......................................................................................................................................20
Demo ......................................................................................................................................................20
RS-232....................................................................................................................................................20
Light Control..........................................................................................................................................20
Cord Wrap..............................................................................................................................................20
Anti-backlash .........................................................................................................................................20
TELESCOPE BASICS .................................................................................................................................22
Image Orientation ..................................................................................................................................22
Focusing .................................................................................................................................................23
Calculating Magnification .....................................................................................................................23
Determining Field of View .....................................................................................................................23
General Observing Hints .......................................................................................................................24
ASTRONOMY BASICS...............................................................................................................................25
The Celestial Coordinate System ...........................................................................................................25
Motion of the Stars .................................................................................................................................26
Polar Alignment (with optional Wedge).................................................................................................27
Finding the North Celestial Pole ...........................................................................................................28
CELESTIAL OBSERVING.........................................................................................................................29
Observing the Moon...............................................................................................................................29
Observing the Planets ............................................................................................................................29
E X S T A R ....................................................................................................................8
E X S T A R