User's Manual

5.1.8. Custom R.A. and DEC
Here you can go to a target by entering its R.A. and DEC coordinates.
5.2. Sync to Target
This operation will match the telescope's current coordinates to the Target Right Ascension and Declination.
It can be used to correct GOTO pointing error. After slewing to an object, press MENU - then scroll to “Sync
to Target” and press ENTER. Follow the screen to perform the sync. Using this function will re-align the
telescope to the selected object. Multiple syncs can be performed if needed. This operation is useful to find
a faint star or nebula near a bright star.
“Sync to Target” will only work after “Select and Slew” is performed. You can change the slew rate to
make the centering procedure easier. Simply press a number (1 through 9) key to change the speed. The
default slew rate is 64x.
5.3. Alignment
This function is used for aligning the telescope to the celestial pole and to create a sky model to calibrate
the mount’s GOTONOVA
®
functionality.
The system provides four alignment methods to calibrate the mount’s GOTO function: “Solar System
Align”, “One Star Alignment”, “Two Star Alignment” and “Three Star Alignment”. The “Two Star
Alignment” may be used to refine the polar alignment.
The mount has to be set to Zero Position before performing any alignment.
5.3.1. Position of Polaris/SigmaOct
This function displays the position of the Pole Star in an iOptron
®
AccuAlign
TM
polar scope. In the Northern
Hemisphere the position of Polaris is displayed, while in the Southern Hemisphere the position of Sigma
Octantis is shown.
5.3.2. One Star Alignment
Press MENU => “Alignment” => “One Star Align”. A list of alignment stars that are above the horizon is
computed based on your local time and location. With the mount in the Zero Position, use the▲ and ▼
buttons to select a star and press ENTER. Center the target in your eyepiece using the arrow keys. Press
ENTER when finished. If your mount is set up correctly and polar aligned, one star alignment should be
sufficient for good GoTo accuracy. To increase the pointing accuracy over the sky, you may choose to do a
three star alignment.
5.3.3. Two Star Alignment
Two Star Alignment can be used to improve the accuracy of the mount’s polar alignment. Press MENU =>
“Alignment” => “Two Star Alignment” A list of alignment stars that are above the horizon is computed
based on your local time and location. With the mount at the Zero Position, use the ▲ and ▼ buttons to
select the first alignment star and press ENTER. Center the target in your eyepiece using the arrow keys
after the mount slews to it. Press ENTER when finished. The hand controller will prompt you to choose a
second star. After centering the second star, the two-star alignment is finished.
After Two Star Alignment, the altitude and azimuth errors will be displayed. This number can be used to
fine tune the Quick Polar Alignment.
For example, if the screen shows 7.5" low and 4.3" east, it means that THE MOUNT axis is pointing lower
than and to the east of the Celestial Pole.