Computerized Hand Control Operation; Alignment Procedure; Skyalign - Celestron NexStar 102 GT 102x1000 AZ Instruction Manual

COMPUTERIZED HAND CONTROL OPERATION

This section describes the basic Hand Control procedures needed to operate the NexStar. These
procedures are grouped into three categories: Alignment, Setup and Utilities. The alignment section
deals with the initial telescope alignment as well as finding objects in the sky; the setup section dis-
cusses changing parameters such as tracking mode and tracking rate; finally, the last section reviews
all of the utility functions such as adjusting the telescopes slew limits and backlash compensation.

ALIGNMENT PROCEDURE

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.
"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.

SKYALIGN

SKYALIGN 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 SKYALIGN 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 40,000+ 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 SKYALIGN:
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 GT." Press ENTER
to choose SKYALIGN. Pressing the ALIGN key will bypass the other alignment options and
the scrolling text and automatically begins SkyAlign.
2. Once SkyAlign 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.
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