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23
HOME POSITION AND BALANCING THE OTA
After power is applied and Autostar has initialized, press
MODE to move to the vertical home position (see photo
at left).
CCAAUUTTIIOONN
: BEFORE
DDIISSAASSSSEEMMBBLLIINNGG
, THE TELE-
SCOPE MUST BE
PUT INTO THE
HOME POSITION.
Before using the telescope, you will need to balance it in
both the RA and Dec axes. Before you balance, attach
the eyepiece assembly, the viewfinder and all the acces-
sories you will be using with the telescope (cameras,
guide scopes, etc.). In other words, you need to balance
the unit with all the "weight" that will be attached to it.
TO BALANCE THE RA ASSEMBLY:
First you will balance the RA axis. You will balance it,
first, with the telescope positioned at a 45° angle and
then at a 90° angle perpendicular to the home position).
Use the scroll keys to position the RA axis at 45° (Photo
33).
Go to the Utilities menu. Scroll down to "Balance
Scope." Press the down arrow key to see the two
choices available: Balance RA and Balance Dec. With
"Balance RA" displayed, press ENTER.
With "Balance RA" displayed, press ENTER (Photo 34).
The telescope assembly will move back and forth
slightly on the RA axis. It is now determining the torque
needed to move on this axis.
A balance readout will be displayed on the handbox. The
readout will display fractions close to the number one.
For example, ".95" and ".91."
Move the bottom adjustable counterweight one-half to
one full turn. You will only need to move the weights in
small increments. Then move the other adjustable
counterweights to butt up against it (Note: The
telescope will continue to move back and forth, while
you adjust the counterweights).
Looking at or near the
Sun
will cause
irreversible
damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the
Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.
33
A
33
B
34
35