INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Thank you for purchasing this product Sky Memo S is user-friendly and provides various combinations to satisfy all your needs for astrophotography and time-lapse photography. It is a high precision, portable and stable celestial tracking platform for sidereal, solar and lunar tracking with automatic DSLR shutter release control. Moreover, it contains pre-programmed parameters assisting you to create interesting time-lapse videos with your DSLR.
CONTENT Features.........................................................................................................................................4 How the Sky Memo S Works for Astrophotography...................................................................5 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................6 The Sky Memo S Body. ..........................................................................
Features: • High precision, portable and stable celestial tracking system • Supports solar tracking, lunar tracking and star tracking • Maximum payload up to 5 kg (11 lb) • Supports star-scape photography • Supports time-lapse photography • User-friendly Mode Dial with pre-programmed control setting • Supports multiple functions with easy assemblage • Built-in Polar Scope with illuminator for precise polar alignment • Automatic DSLR shutter release control • Lifetime free firmware upgrade • Supports single
How the Sky Memo S Works for Astrophotography Due to the rotation of the Earth, stars are not stationary. They appear to circle around the celestial poles of the Earth (Fig1). Thus, being very faint and constantly moving across the sky, stars are impossible to be captured on photographs, unless the camera is able to track them steadily to allow long exposure. Sky Memo S provides the solution.
Introduction: The Sky Memo S Body 13 3 4 12 11 5 10 9 8 1 6 7 14 2 19 18 17 20 23 16 21 22 15 1：Mode Dial 2：Mode Index 3：Polar Scope Cap 4：Battery Case Cover 5：Polar Scope Cover 6：Mini USB Port 7：RJ-12 6-pins Auto-guider Interface 8：DSLR Shutter Control Port 9：3-Position Slide Switch 10：Right Button and LED Indication 11：Left Button and LED Indication 12：Clutch Knob 24 25 13：Mounting Platform 14：Locking Knob 15：Knurled Ring of Polar Scope 16：Polar Scope 17：Date Graduation Circle 18：Time Me
The Optional Accessories: (The default included accessories may vary. Please refer to local dealers for details). Polar Scope Illuminator - To provide lighting source for Polar Scope. Fine-Tuning Mounting Assembly - To mount a telescope with ¼” thread screw on the Sky Memo S. Allows pointing and fine-tuning pointing in two directions. 3/8” Ball Head Adapter - To mount a standard camera ball-head with 3/8” thread screw on the Sky Memo S.
DSLR Shutter Control Cable - To connect the DSLR Shutter Control Port of Sky Memo S to your DSLR's external shutter control port. This allows Sky Memo S to directly control the DSLR's shutter release with pre-programmed shutter interval. You can order an optional cable for your camera from your local resellers. The Following list shows the cables that we offer as optional items.
Preparation : Setup Tripod: Without Tilt-head: take a standard photo tripod or video tripod with a 3/8” connection screw. Spread the legs and secure the tripod legs at the desired height to provide a stable support for your Sky Memo S. Assemble Equatorial Wedge to the tripod as Fig 4. Fig 4 With Tilt-head/Ball-head: Take a standard photo tripod or video tripod with Tilt-head or Ball-head.
North/South Pole Stopper Fig 6 Fig 7 North/South Pole With Tilt-head/ Ball-head: Make sure the 1/4" to 3/8" Convert Screw Adapter is in the 3/8" threaded socket at the bottom of the Sky Memo S. If it is not, use an Slot Screwdriver to install it. Mount the Sky Memo S to the quick release plate on the tripod. Then point the Polar Scope to the direction of the North Pole (For Northern Hemisphere observing) or South Pole (For Southern Hemisphere observing) (Fig 8).
Mount The Imaging Equipment: Now you can mount your imaging equipment according to your need, including the Shutter Control Cable, as the following figures show. You can contact Kenko Tokina authorized dealers to acquire the optional accessories as needed. During mounting, please DO NOT move the tripod or change the angle of the Equatorial Wedge or tilt-head in order to keep the polar alignment.
Sky Memo S + Dovetail + Dual Ball Heads +Dual Cameras + Shutter Control Cable: Take the Dovetail from the Fine-Tuning Mounting Assembly to mount two Ball Heads Ball Head Fig 11 Sky Memo S + Fine-Tuning Mounting Assembly + Ball-Head + Camera+ Telescope (+ Auto-guider): Fig 12 12
For Time-Lapse Photography: (For reference only: you can assemble very different configurations to create more interesting time-lapse photography) Horizontal Rotation Time-Lapse Photography: Fig 13 Vertical Rotation Time-Lapse Photography: Fig 14 13
Provide Power Source: Sky Memo S allows two power source options. One is inserting 4 AA type batteries; the other is providing DC 5V through USB port (type mini-B).
Start Using Sky Memo S Quick Function Reference: Shutter Interval (sec) Mode Dial OFF Rotation Speed & Osc Range Switch to TIMELAPSE Switch to N or S Turn off power Celestial tracking. 360° 50 100 Solar tracking. 360° 7 14 Lunar tracking. 360° 10 20 0.5X 48Hr/rev. 360° 15 30 2X 12Hr/rev. 60° 3 6 6X 4Hr/rev. 60° 2 4 12X 2Hr/rev.
After finishing the preparation steps, you can start to enjoy the Sky Memo S. Its major functions are described as follows: Main Function: Sky Memo S has a user-friendly Mode Dial and 3-Position Slide Switch to allow users easy selection of the pre-programmed movement pattern. At the other side of the Sky Memo S, the two buttons give direct access to higher speed movement for quick positioning.
Celestial Pole. Right/Left Buttons: Used to rotate the Sky Memo S at the highest speed for easier positioning towards the desired object.
Fig 21 Fig 22 Auto-Guider: Sky Memo S also contains auto-guiding interface to accept single axis (RA axis) auto-guiding signal to provide more accurate celestial tracking for better quality of astrophotography. The RJ-12 6-pin outlet is for connecting an autoguider. It is compatible with any autoguider with a ST-4 type interface. This function only works in Mode . For other modes, the auto-guiding signal has no effect.
Motor Status Detection: If the motor stalls (rotation speed does not reach 10% of the targeted speed) over 5 seconds, in order to protect the motor and the mounted equipment, Sky Memo S will stop the motor and indicate "Motor Error" by flashing the LED on the buttons. Pushing buttons or switching mode will restart the motor and restart the detection.
Polar Alignment: Before starting with the polar alignment procedure, please review the following figure to get familiar with the scales and dials of the Polar Scope.
orientation of Polaris in the Polar Scope by simply entering the date, time, longitude and latitude of your observing location. Then move Polaris to that corresponding position in the Polar Scope by using the fine-tuning movements of the Equatorial Wedge or by moving the tilt-head on your tripod(Fig 24). If you cannot acquire the application to find the orientation of the Polaris, please refer to the " The Orientation of Polaris in The Polar Scope " in the following portion.
The Orientation of Polaris in The Polar Scope As Polaris is not located exactly at the North Celestial Pole, we can see it orbiting the North Celestial Pole in a Polar Scope. The large circle seen in the center of the pattern in the Polar Scope is a representation of Polaris’ orbit around the North Celestial Pole. When performing the polar alignment process, it is necessary to determine the orientation of Polaris on the circle. We can use the following 2 methods to get the orientation: 1.
1. First, rotate the Wedge and adjust the latitude to bring Polaris within the field of view of the Polar Scope. 2. Then rotate the Date Graduation Circle to align Oct 31 to the 0 of the Time Graduation Circle and turn the Eyepiece/Mounting Platform to align the Time Meridian Indicator to the 0 of the Time Meridian Circle (Fig 28). This is the date and time when the orientation of Polaris is directly below the north pole ( 6 o'clock ). 3.
Example for Astrophotography for Celestial Tracking: 1. Assemble the tripod and Sky Memo S according to your need. Then finish the polar alignment. 2. Mount the camera or telescope. Install the cables (Shutter Control Cable and auto-guiding) if needed. 3. Slide the 3-Position Slide Switch to N if you are in Northern Hemisphere (Fig 32). Fig 32 4. Rotate the Mode Dial to Mode . The LED on the Mode Dial will light up Mode . The LED in the buttons will light up, too.
Example for Time-Lapse Photography in Mode 12X: 1. 2. Assemble the tripod and Sky Memo S according to your need. Assemble the camera and connect the camera and Sky Memo S with the Shutter Control Cable. 3. Slide the Slide Switch to position N. Rotate the Mode Dial to Mode 12X. 4. Sky Memo S will rotate firstly to the right with a speed of 2 hour per revolution until reaching 180° , then oscillate within this range. (Fig 33).
Appendix I Calibrate The Polar Scope Before using the Polar Scope for polar alignment, the Polar Scope itself must be calibrated to ensure the pattern in the Polar Scope is aligned to the mount’s R.A. axis. The following steps will outline how to calibrate the Polar Scope. Calibrating during daytime is strongly recommended : 1. Choose a fixed object (the Polaris at night, or a faraway object in daytime); orient Sky Memo S to put the crosshair of the Polar Scope exactly on the chosen object. 2.
5. Repeat steps 1 to 4 a few times until the object remains at the center of the reticle when rotating the mount in R.A. axis. 6. Turn the Date Graduation Circle to align Oct 31 to the 0 of the Time Graduation Circle. Then hold the Date Graduation Circle and turn the eyepiece/Mounting Platform to align the Time Meridian Indicator to the 0 of the Time Meridian Circle (Fig 36). Then, when looking through the eyepiece, you should see the pattern aligned as shown in Fig 37.
• It is recommended to do this calibration at daytime, aiming at a point object (such as a distant rooftop) because the delicate operation with the tiny Allen screws is even more delicate in the dark.
Appendix I I Fine-Tuning Mounting Assembly： for Telescope mounting Clutch knob fine-tuning knob mounting knob Fine-Tuning ¼’’ Mounting Element Fig 38 Fig 36 The Fine-Tuning Mounting Assembly connects a telescope to Sky Memo S and allows rotation in the other direction (at 90°, DEC direction). You can adjust the tightness of the rotation with the clutch knob. You also can fine-tune the camera or telescope orientation slightly in DEC direction by using the fine-tuning knob.
Equatorial Wedge： Mounting Plate Stopper Locking Knob Latitude Indicator Horizontal Adjustment Knob Horizontal Bubble Latitude Adjustment knob Fig 39 The Equatorial Wedge is a device to adjust the latitude for polar alignment. Rotate the Latitude Adjustment Knob can adjust the latitude of the Sky Memo S indicated by the Latitude Indicator. The range is from 0° to 90°. The Horizontal Adjustment Knob can adjust the Wedge to rotate to right or left horizontally.
Specification Sky Memo S Type Tracking mode Max payload Wheel Gear Worm Gear Motor drive Built-in accessory Polar scope Working voltage Duration of operation Operation temperature Dimensions Weight Base connect Ultra compact equatorial tracking platform Astrophotography: Celestial Tracking rate, 1/2 celestial tracking rate, solar tracking rate, lunar tracking rate(mean lunar time). For both of northern and southern hemispheres.
