Specifications

Mode Descriptions

CATLOG (Catalog)

This mode allows the user to select an object from the built-in database. There are 4

catalogs in the database. NG (contains all objects in the NGC catalog of John Dreyer

published in 1888) M (contains all the objects in the lists of Charles Messier) IC the

"Indexed Catalog" and P (8 Planets excluding earth). After the object is selected pressing

the ENTER button will display relevant information about the selected object. Pressing

the ENTER button again re-displays the objects information. Pressing the UP/DOWN

button while in this mode will display the next/previous object. After selecting the object

the controller will prompt the user (by flashing bright/dim) the RAIDEC to

selected.

Pressing the ENTER button sets this object as the next object to GOTO or ALIGN to.

ALIGN

This mode aligns the telescope to an object or RAlDEC that was previously selected or,

aligns a selected object that was centered using the SLEW commands. After the object is

selected, the controller will prompt the user (by flashing bright/dim) the RAlDEC to be

aligned. Pressing the ENTER button sets this object as the current aligned position

RAlDEC.

A-STAR (Align Star)

This mode allows the user to select from a list of approximately 25 bright stars (+1 mag

and brighter) to facilitate aligning the telescope. After the star is selected, the controller

will prompt the user (by flashing bright/dim) the RAlDEC of the selected star. Pressing

the ENTER button selects the star RAlDEC as the current position.

RATE

This mode selects the tracking rate of the telescope. The rate options are Sidereal, Solar,

Lunar, and King. Pressing the ENTER button selects the displayed rate.

PEC (Periodic Error Correction)

This mode selects one of three modes for Periodic Error Correction, These modes are,

RECORD, ON, and OFF. When the RECORD mode is selected the controller will record

any guide corrections entered on the hand controller. While in this mode, 'RECORD' will

flash in the display for one revolution of the worm, (4-min. for a 360-tooth worm gear)

then the PEC mode will switch to ON. In the ON mode the controller will playback the

corrections that were input during the RECORD mode. Selecting OFF deactivates the

PEC mode. (See PEC description later in this chapter).

ENTER

This mode allows the user to enter a specific RAlDEC directly. This input will

used for

a subsequent ALIGN or GOTO command.

GOTO

This mode slews the telescope to the object or RAlDEC that was previously selected.

After the command is selected with the ENTER button, the controller will prompt the user

(by flashing bright/dim) the RAlDEC. Pressing the ENTER button while RAlDEC is

flashing starts the telescope slewing. Pressing the SLEW button while the telescope is

moving will halt movement. Entering the GOTO mode again will cause the telescope to

continue to the selected object or RAlDEC.

NOTE: Pressinq any motion button (SLEW, SET, NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, WEST) will escape

from ANY mode.