Orion EQ-G instruction manual Three-Star Alignment, Two-Star Alignment, One-Star Alignment

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Three-Star Alignment

1.From the alignment screen, select “3-Star Align” using the scroll buttons. Press ENTER to confirm your choice.

2.The hand controller will provide a list of stars available in your current sky for you to choose as the first alignment star. Choose a star you are familiar with using the scroll buttons. Press ENTER to confirm your choice. The mount will start slewing the telescope towards the chosen object. When the telescope stops slewing, adjust its position using the controller’s directional buttons until the chosen star is centered on the crosshairs of the finderscope. Now look in the eyepiece and adjust the position of the telescope (again using the directional buttons) so the chosen star is centered in the field of view of the eyepiece. Press ENTER to confirm the star is centered .

Note: The slewing speed can be adjusted by pressing the RATE button. Choose a desired rate between 0 (slowest) and 9 (fastest).

Note: The hand controller will make a “beep” sound once it has finished slewing to an object. Do not try to adjust the tele- scope before you hear the “beep” sound. The controller will only respond to the ESC button while slewing (which stops the slewing).

3.The controller will provide a list of stars that can be used as the second alignment star. Choose a star using the scroll buttons and press ENTER to confirm your choice. Repeat the centering procedure for the second alignment star using the directional buttons and press ENTER to confirm alignment.

4.The controller will once again provide a list of stars that can be used as the third alignment star. Choose a star using the scroll buttons and press ENTER to confirm your choice. Once again, repeat the centering procedure for the third alignment star and press ENTER to confirm alignment.

5.Once the three alignment stars have been entered and alignment is completed, the hand controller will display “Alignment Successful.” Press ENTER to access the Main Menu. Otherwise, “Alignment Failed” will be displayed, and the alignment procedure must be performed again. To do this, turn the mount’s power switch off, then on again.

Two-Star Alignment

Two-star alignment requires only two alignment stars but may produce lesser pointing accuracy than the three-star align- ment. The description below will lead you on a step-by-step procedure on how to perform the two-star alignment.

1.From the alignment screen, select “2-Star Align” using the scroll buttons. Press ENTER to confirm your choice.

2.The hand controller will provide a list of stars available in your current sky for you to choose as the first alignment star. Using the scroll buttons, choose a star you are familiar with and press ENTER to confirm your choice. The mount will start slewing the telescope towards the chosen star. When the telescope stops slewing, adjust its position with the controller’s directional buttons until the star is centered on the crosshairs of the finderscope. Now look in the eye-

piece and adjust the position of the telescope (again using the directional buttons) so the chosen star is centered in the field of view of the eyepiece. Press ENTER to confirm the star is centered.

3.The controller will provide a list of stars that can be used as the second alignment star. Choose a star using the scroll buttons and press ENTER to confirm your choice. Repeat the centering procedure for the second alignment star and press ENTER to confirm alignment.

4.Once the two alignment stars have been entered and alignment is complete, the hand controller will display “Alignment Successful.” Press ENTER to access the Main Menu. Otherwise, “Alignment Failed” will be displayed, and the alignment procedure must be performed again. To do this, turn the mount’s power switch off, then on again.

One-Star Alignment

One-star alignment is the simplest and quickest alignment method, as only one alignment star is required. Due to minimal data input, however, a one-star alignment will not yield optimal results unless polar alignment is very accurate, and any cone error is minimized (see Appendix A). The description below will lead you on a step-by-step procedure on how to perform the one-star alignment.

1.From the alignment screen, select “1-Star Align” using the scroll buttons. Press ENTER to confirm your choice.

2.The hand controller will provide a list of stars available in your current sky for you to choose as the first alignment star. Using the scroll buttons, choose a star you are familiar with and press ENTER to confirm your choice. The mount will start slewing the telescope towards the chosen star. When the telescope stops slewing, adjust its position with the controller’s directional buttons until the star is centered on the crosshairs of the finderscope. Now look in the eye- piece and adjust the position of the telescope (again using the directional buttons) so the chosen star is centered in the field of view of the eyepiece. Press ENTER to confirm the star is centered.

3.Once the alignment star has been entered and alignment is complete, the hand controller will display “Alignment Successful”. Press ENTER to access the Main Menu.

Tips for Choosing Alignment Stars

If possible, use the following tips when choosing alignment stars for best pointing accuracy.

One-star alignment: Choose a star close to the Celestial Equator (Dec close to 0°).

Two-star alignment: Choose two stars on the same side of the meridian, and at least 3 hours apart in right ascension and 3° apart in declination. If you suspect your polar alignment is poor, choose two stars that are 20° to 60° apart in declination.

Three-star alignment: For the first two stars, follow the tip above for two-star alignment. For the third alignment star, choose a star on the other side of the meridian. The first and third align- ment stars should have declination coordinates between +30° and +70° or between -30° and -70°.

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Contents Orion Atlas EQ-G #9996Page Parts List Table of ContentsAssembly UnpackingAttaching a Telescope Balancing a TelescopeSetting Up and Using the Equatorial Mount Turns, until you can slide the telescope tube forwardAlignment of the Polar Axis Finder Scope Polar AlignmentPolar Axis Finder Scope Using the Polar Axis Finder Scope Confused About Pointing the Telescope?Atlas EQ-G Dual-Axis Controller Setting the Slewing Speed Atlas EQ-G Dual-Axis hand controllerAtlas EQ-G GoTo Hand Controller Installing the hand controller bracket Attaching the GoTo Hand ControllerGoTo Hand Controller Operation Alignment Telescope and mount in their home positionOne-Star Alignment Three-Star AlignmentTwo-Star Alignment Tips for Choosing Alignment StarsSelecting an Object Object CatalogPointing Accuracy Enhancement PAE Shortcut ButtonsOther Functions Linking with a Computer Recalling a User Defined ObjectIdentifying an Unknown Object Auto GuidingPreparing the Computer for the Update Updating the GoTo Hand Controller#7796 GoTo hand controller Technical Specifications#7795 Dual-Axis hand controller Atlas EQ-G GoTo Hand Controller Menu Tree Calibration Procedure Cone Error CalibrationTesting for Cone Error Appendix a Enhancing the Pointing AccuracyB.Rotate the telescope 180 about the R.A.axis Appendix B Periodic Error Correction PEC PEC TrainingPlay Back the PEC Record Resetting the Position of Azimuth or Altitude Additional RS-232 Commands Sending a Tracking RateSending a Slow-GoTo Command Appendix C RS-232 ConnectionAppendix D Standard Time Zones of the World One-Year Limited Warranty

EQ-G specifications

The Orion EQ-G Equatorial Mount is a popular choice among amateur astronomers and astrophotographers seeking a reliable and versatile platform for their telescopes. Known for its robust build and advanced technology, the EQ-G mount can support a wide range of telescope sizes, making it ideal for both visual observations and astrophotography.

One of the standout features of the Orion EQ-G is its precision go-to capability. Equipped with a computer-controlled system, users can easily locate and track celestial objects with remarkable accuracy. The mount comes with a database that includes thousands of celestial objects, allowing users to automatically point their telescope to stars, planets, galaxies, and more with the push of a button.

The EQ-G mount features a sturdy aluminum construction, ensuring stability even under heavy loads. It can support telescopes weighing up to 30 lbs, making it suitable for medium to large telescopes. The mount's adjustable altitude and azimuth motions allow for smooth tracking of celestial objects as they move across the sky, a vital characteristic for long-exposure astrophotography.

To enhance user experience, the EQ-G is equipped with a built-in dual-axis servo motor drive system. This drive system delivers precise movement control, ensuring that the telescope can be accurately guided to desired targets. Furthermore, the mount is compatible with various control options, including hand controllers and computer software, allowing for a customizable and convenient observing experience.

Another notable technology within the EQ-G is the polar alignment scope. This feature aids in achieving accurate polar alignment, which is crucial for minimizing tracking errors during long exposures. By correctly aligning the mount, users can take stunning astrophotographs with minimal star trails.

For portability, the EQ-G mount comes with a quick-release design that allows for easy setup and takedown. Its adjustable tripod legs provide a stable base on various terrains, making it possible to observe from different locations, whether in the backyard or at a remote dark-sky site.

In summary, the Orion EQ-G Equatorial Mount combines an intuitive design with high-quality features, making it a fantastic choice for astronomy enthusiasts. With its go-to capability, sturdy construction, precise tracking, and user-friendly setup, the EQ-G stands out as a reliable and effective tool for exploring the wonders of the night sky. Whether you are capturing stunning images of celestial objects or simply enjoying visual astronomy, the Orion EQ-G meets the diverse needs of astronomers at all levels.
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