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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Hi Gary,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>That’s a very good write up with an
abundance of information.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Rick<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> astronomers
[mailto:astronomers-bounces@hamiltonrasc.ca] <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On
Behalf Of </span></b>Gary Bennett<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Monday, March 24, 2014 9:55
AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">astronomers@hamiltonrasc.ca</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> RASC Hamilton Beginner
Tips: Computerized Mounts - How-To Primer -Celestron (and others)</span></font><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>Unfortunately I won’t be able to be at the Telescope night
– on Monday, March 24<sup>th</sup>. If weather means postponing until
Tuesday, then I can be there for then.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>One of our members was looking for help learning how to use a CPC1100
computerized telescope. So I have put together some helpful hints that I
learned having owned a CPC1100 for 5 years. At the end of this
“article” I will offer some tips specific to a CPC100, but most of
these tips apply to many different computerized telescopes. After AstroCATS is
put to bed I will have some time to post this as an article (with photos) on
our website.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>For the benefit of beginners, I should warn you that amateur astronomers,
just like religion, come in many flavours. To many, having electronics of any
kind on a telescope is “Blasphemy”. This article doesn’t not
attempt to promote one deity over another, but rather will help those who own,
or are considering purchasing a computerize mount.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Termanology</span></font></b><span
lang=EN-CA>: Telescope and Mount are used interchangeably. Even if you have a
“Fork-Mount” where the telescope is permanently attached, it still
has a mount. Those types of telescope are typically referred to as
“ALT/AZM” vs. a “GEM” (German Equatorial Mount). Some
“Dobsonian” telescopes also have go-to/push-to computers. COMPUTER
generally means the Hand Controller.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-weight:bold'>No Substitute For Experience: </span></font></b><span
lang=EN-CA>Beginners that own computerized telescopes often conclude they have
done something wrong because they are looking through the telescope but are not
seeing what they expected to see.<b><span style='font-weight:bold'> </span></b>More
often than not, they have done the set-up and alignment procedure perfectly and
their telescope is pointing at exactly the right place. The real problem is
inexperience in selecting an object to look at. Their computerized telescope
will offer to take a tour of the sky for objects that are currently in view.
Some of those objects are in fact, quite challenging and require a trained eye
to detect and interpret what they are seeing. Knowing which objects make for
enjoyable viewing comes with experience.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Observing List: </span></font></b><span
lang=EN-CA>Before heading out, make a list of objects that you would like to
see. The easiest way to do that is to consult a Planetarium program that will
show you what will be in view. It will also provide details of how bright those
objects are by displaying the “magnitude”. Magnitude is a
measurement of brightness but like many things in astronomy, it is a
“backwards scale” where a low magnitude number is actually brighter
than a high magnitude number. For example, our Sun is -26.74, Jupiter is -2.3,
M31 (Andromeda Galaxy) +3.5, M43 (Orion Nebula) +4.2, M51 (Whirlpool Galaxy)
+8.4. Magnitude is an “exponential scale” (just like the Richter
Scale). For example, a magnitude 1 star is approx 6 times brighter than a
magnitude 2 star. A magnitude 1 star is 10,000 times brighter than a magnitude
10 star. My math might not be correct, but you get the idea.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>In a really dark sky (far away from cities) beginners should stick to
magnitude 9-10 or brighter. At the club observatory, stick to magnitude 6 or
brighter.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>There are several FREE planetarium programs that you can download and
install on your PC. Stellarium is one of the most popular. You will tell it
your location and it will know time from the PC clock. You can advance the time
so that you can see what will be in view at 10:00 PM. Common objects even
display a colour image of the object. You can also set-up
“Field-of-View” indicators that use the specs on your scope/eyepieces/camera
to show you how big the object is relative to your scopes field of view. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Completely Automated Mounts<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>Some of the computerized telescopes are now completely automated. If
you have one of these, you can stop reading now. These mounts have a built-in
GPS (time and location), electronic level and compass. They also have a small
camera used to fine-tune pointing accuracy. Meade and Celestron both now offer
this technology. When you turn the mount on, time and location is taken from
GPS. From the electronic level and compass it also knows where it is currently
pointed. It then begins an automatic alignment process where it will slew to
several stars. When the mount stops turning, it takes a image with the built-in
camera. A computer looks at the stars in the image and compares them to a
database. If the stars in the image are not quite in the right place it then
calculates the difference. It does this again for 2 or more stars. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>I have only seen this done with the Meade brand. What I did NOT like is
that it also talks.... and talks, and talks, all night long, and you
can’t shut it off! When you ask it to find an object, it starts yakking
and entire description. At first, it is a fun novelty, but quickly becomes
annoying.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>For owners of most Celestron Computerized mounts, there is now an
accessory called StarSense AutoAlign that can be attached and it makes your
mount completely automated. Using its small camera it will take care of
automatically aligning the mount in approx. 3 minutes!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-weight:bold'>My first tip: Telrad Finder
“Scope”.</span></font></b><span lang=EN-CA> This is the best $
60.00 you will ever spend on the hobby. Forget “red-dot” and laser
“finders”, get a Telrad. It is a “zero magnification”
finder “scope”. For owners of computerized telescopes, it is only
used during the initial alignment process and it guarantees that once you put
your eye to the eyepiece, the star you are trying to centre on will be in view.
It is a simple piece of glass that has a red target projected by a light inside
the unit. It allows you to see the entire sky. A traditional “finder
scope” has a limited field of view and it is often difficult to see the
star you are looking for. That star might be ever-so-close, but if it is
outside the FOV you now have to guess which direction, and how far, to move the
scope. Beginners will find this especially frustrating, so heed the advice and
get a Telrad. Don’t bother with the other accessories, just the plain
Telrad and mounting base is all you need.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-weight:bold'>2<sup>nd</sup> TIP: Dew Control.</span></font></b><span
lang=EN-CA> To guarantee that you will have an uninterrupted evening of
viewing, you are going to need a dew heater and a way to power it. Nothing
attracts dew (or frost) faster than glass. Your favorite astronomy dealer can
equip you with the heater strip and controller. Do NOT buy those “power
tanks”. For their size, the battery inside is quite small and for the
same amount of $’s buy a big honkin car battery to power it. A heating
element will drain those power tanks in less than 30 minutes. Buy a car
battery! Better yet, a Deep-Cycle Marine battery.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Typical Issues with Computerized
Telescopes:<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><i><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'>“Go-To”
vs. “Push-To”<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>Both have a computer and “encoders” that keep track of how
far, and in which direction, the scope moves. A “Go-To” scope has
motors but a “Push-To” is human powered and the computer will tell
you which direction to “push” and when to stop.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>New owners of computerized telescopes often share the same confusion
about the alignment process. Different Brands use slightly different
techniques, but in general, they all start out “very dumb” when you
first power on. They have no idea where they are currently pointed which is why
you need to perform “an alignment”. The start of that process is
telling the mount exactly where you are (LAT/LON) and what time it is. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>As a beginner, one of the things that really confused me is the TIME
issue. All computerized mounts work in UCT time (formerly GMT). The computer
will ask you for the local time and then it will attempt to calculate UTC based
on where (on the Earth) you are located. It will also ask you if you are
on “DST” (Daylight Savings Time). So, what is it asking? Does it
want to know if I am in a region that observes DST OR.... does it want to know
if the season is DST or not? If you get this wrong, your computer will be off
by 1-hour and you won’t get very far. THE ANSWER IS: What season is it?
Spring/Sumer, DST = YES but Fall/Winter, DST = NO.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-weight:bold'>GPS Option:<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>Many brands offer an optional GPS device and some have them built-in. A
GPS will tell your mount the exact time and location (LAT/LON). If GSP is an
option, it will save you a lot of time and go-to accuracy will be much better.
Generally, it is worth the extra (typically $ 100 or so).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>Some mounts also have a feature called RTC (Real-Time-Clock). It uses a
small battery to keep track of time. When you turn the mount back on, it knows
what time it is and it will also ASSUME that you are in exactly the same
location. But if you have a GPS unit, most mounts should have the
“RTC” feature turned OFF. Generally, use GPS or RTC, but NOT both!
On Celestron mounts, use the “Utilities Menu” to turn RTC OFF when
using a GPS.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>With GPS, you need to wait for the GPS to finish syncing with the
satellites. BE PATIENT. It can be as quick as 1 minute or as long as 10
minutes. If you have moved the scope to another location it can take longer
because the mount looks for the same satellites it used the last time and if it
got moved, it takes a few minutes to find new satellites.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-weight:bold'>The Alignment Process: <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>Most computerized mounts will ask you to centre 3 stars, 1-at-a-time,
in the eyepiece. Once that task is complete, the mount now knows where it is
pointed and from there can find any object in its database (typically 40,000
objects).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=msolistparagraph style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span
lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><span lang=EN-CA>All mounts assume
that the tripod is level, and in some cases, you are pointed North. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=msolistparagraph style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span
lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><span lang=EN-CA>Some mounts only
allow a specific list of stars that can be used as alignment stars. They will
typically display their preferred star and once you select it, the mount will
slew the telescope to where it thinks that star is located. In the case of non-motorized
“push-to” mounts, you become “the motor”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=msolistparagraph style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span
lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><span lang=EN-CA>Your job is to
figure out which star is it trying to point to and then slew the telescope
until that star is centred in the eyepiece. A Telrad will help you slew close
enough to the target that you will see it in the eyepiece. Typically, the star
you are aiming for is fairly bright and will be the brightest star in that area
of the sky.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=msolistparagraph style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span
lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><span lang=EN-CA>Slew Speed. Once
the star is near the centre of the eyepiece it slowing down the slew speed is
helpful. RATE 5 is usually a good speed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=msolistparagraph style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span
lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><span lang=EN-CA>After centering
the 1<sup>st</sup> star the same process is repeated using 2 more different
stars. On some mounts the computer will suggest the next star to use. There are
times when the star is low on the horizon and blocked by a tree or other obstacle.
To skip that star and use another, the most common method is to
“UNDO” and then scroll through a list of alternate stars.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=msolistparagraph style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span
lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><span lang=EN-CA>Fine Tuning Go-To
accuracy: After alignment, you may find that the objects are not perfectly
centered. Most mounts will allow you to fine-tune using a built-in
“Align/Sync” utility. This involves slewing to the object and then
“syncing” that object. The computer will calculate the correction
that was made and use that intelligence to update alignment data. The end
result is that the next objects should be perfectly centered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Celestron “NexStar”
Mounts:<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>Almost all of the “fork-mount” computerized telescopes use
a feature called “SkyAlign”. The advantage is that you can use any
3 bright stars to complete the alignment process and you do NOT even need to
know which stars they are. Simply look in the sky and find 3 bright stars. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=msolistparagraph style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;
mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span
lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><span lang=EN-CA>Slew to the 1<sup>st</sup>
star using the hand controller and centre it in the eyepiece (a Telrad will
make this easy).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=msolistparagraph style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;
mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span
lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><span lang=EN-CA>Then pick another
bright star and do the same. And then a 3<sup>rd</sup> star.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=msolistparagraph style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;
mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span
lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><span lang=EN-CA>Once you have
aligned on 3 stars, the computer will calculate the distance and direction that
those 3 stars are apart from each other in the sky, compare that to a database
and deduce the names of the 3 stars you chose.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=msolistparagraph style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;
mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span
lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><span lang=EN-CA>For this to work,
it will assume that you chose only the brightest stars in view. In all, there
are approx 40 stars that qualify as “the brightest stars”. In
not-so-dark skies it will be easy because any star you can see will be one of
those 40 stars. BUT, in REALLY dark skies, all stars tend to look bright and
you will occasionally suffer “alignment failure” if you happened to
pick a star that is not on that list of 40 stars. Simply try again using 3
different stars.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-weight:bold'>TIPS: My personal experience is:<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=msolistparagraph style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span
lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><span lang=EN-CA>If you have GPS,
wait for the GPS to finish syncing satellites. Be patient and wait until the
hand controller says “CPC Ready”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=msolistparagraph style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span
lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><span lang=EN-CA>Avoid stars close
to the horizon<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=msolistparagraph style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span
lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><span lang=EN-CA>Avoid stars at
the polls.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=msolistparagraph style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span
lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><span lang=EN-CA>Avoid stars that
are directly overhead (zenith).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=msolistparagraph style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span
lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><span lang=EN-CA>Sometimes that
star is really a planet. Most of the time it works just fine, but it would be
best to avoid choosing a planet as an alignment star.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=msolistparagraph style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span
lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><span lang=EN-CA>Pick stars that
are in the same 1/3 of the sky. I found that go-to accuracy did NOT improve by
choosing stars on opposite sides of the sky. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=msolistparagraph style='margin-left:18.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6'><![if !supportLists]><font size=2 face=Symbol><span
lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:
Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><span lang=EN-CA>Speed counts.
Don’t dilly-dally with perfect star centering. A Telrad will speed up the
process immensely. The sky is spinning while you are doing this task so the
sooner you finish, the better.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Alignment Complete:<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>So now you’re ready to start observing. What would you like to
see? Doing some homework (observing list) ahead of time will improve your
enjoyment immensely! The mount has a “Tour” feature but often times
it will point to things that are just way too dim unless you are under really
dark skies. It is best that you decide ahead of time what you would like to
observe. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>Don’t be discouraged by unimpressive objects. A little experience
is all it takes to find objects that are beautiful, and well suited to your
optics and sky conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>Gary Bennett<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>http://bendun.net/<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'>http://photos.bendun.net/</span></font><font face=Arial><span
lang=EN-CA style='font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:
11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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