40
Train the telescope motors using AutoStar. Perform this procedure after RESET or if you are experiencing any point-
ing accuracy problems. Figure 33 depicts the complete Drive Training procedure.
Note: Use a terrestrial object, such as a telephone pole or lamp post, to train the drive. Complete this exer-
cise once e
very 3 to 6 months to maintain the highest level of telescope pointing accuracy.
TIPS
FOR BEGINNERS
Figure 33: Training the Drive Procedure.
Press > until it
i
s centered
Press < until it
is centered
T
rain Drive
Az. Train
Train Drive
Alt. Train
Drive Setup
For this op. . .
Center reference
object
ENTER
ENTER
ENTER
ENTER
S
cope slews left.
B
ring target back
to center using
the Right Arrow key.
1
2
1
3
1
4
15
16
17
Scope slews right.
Bring target back
to center using
t
he Left Arrow key.
Menu returns to
A
z. training.
Altitude
(vertical)
training.
Reminder to
use terrestrial
target.
Train Drive
Az. Train
Select Item
Object
Press until it
is centered
Press until it
is centered
ENTER
ENTER
MODE
18
19
20
21
Center target
using Arrow
keys.
Scope slews down.
Bring target back
to center using
the Up Arrow key.
Scope slews up.
Bring target back
to center using
the Down Arrow key.
Multiple presses.
ENTER
Select Item
Object
Select Item
Setup
Setup
Align
Setup
Telescope
3
4
6
ENTER
P
ress the scroll
u
p key once.
Access the Setup
menu.
M
ultiple presses.
Access the
Telescope menu.
5
ENTER
1
Telescope
Telescope Model
Telescope
Train Drive
Train Drive
Az. Train
Drive Setup
For this op. . .
Center reference
object.
ENTER
ENTER
ENTER
Multiple presses.
Choose the Train
Drive option.
Azimuth
(horizontal)
training.
7
8
9
10
11
Reminder to
use terrestrial
target.
Center target
using Arrow
keys.
ENTER
V
erify that AUTOSTAR
I
NITIALIZATION is
complete.
P
ress MODE until
S
elect Item is displayed.
1
2
>
>
Further Study....
This manual gives only the briefest introduction to
astronomy. If you are interested in pursuing further
studies in astronomy, a few topics are suggested
below that are worth reading up on. Try looking up
some of these topics in AutoStar’s glossary.
Also included below is a small sampling of books,
magazines, and organizations that you might find
helpful.
Topics
1. How is a star born? How does a solar system
form?
2. How is the distance to a star measured? What
is a light year?
3. What is red shift and blue shift?
4. How are the craters on our Moon formed? How
old is the Moon and Earth? How old is the Sun?
5.
What is a black hole? A quasar? A neutron star?
6. What are stars made of? Why are stars differ-
ent colors? What is a white dwarf? A red giant?
7. What is a nova? A supernova?
8. What are comets? Asteroids? Meteors? Meteor
showers? Where do they come from?
9. What is a planetary nebula? A globular cluster?
10. What is the Big Bang? Is the universe expand-
ing or contracting, or does it always remain the
same?
Books
1. The Guide to Amateur Astronomy by Jack
Newton and Philip Teece
2. The Sky:
A User’s Guide by David Levy
3.
Turn Left at Orion by Guy Consolmagno & Dan
Da
vis
4. Astrophotography for the Amateur by Michael
Covington
Ma
gazines
1. Sky &
T
elescope
Box 9111, Belmont, MA 02178
2.
Astronomy
Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187
Organizations:
1. Astronomical League
Executive Secretary
5675 Real del Norte, Las Cruces, NM 88012
2.
The Astronomical Society of the P
acific
390 Ashton Ave, San Francisco, CA 94112
3.
The Planetar
y Society
65 Nor
th Catalina Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106
APPENDIX D: TRAINING THE DRIVE