iOptron 8500, 8503 Getting Started, Level and Align the Mount, Level the Mount, Initial Positions

2.Mount/GPS Status: display current status of the mount. If the mount equipped with an external GPS module, it also indicates GPS status, when the mount is turned on.

•Land (Mount Status): the telescope is at a standby position or observing a land object;

•Sola (Mount Status): the telescope is tracking an object in Solar system at a solar speed;

•Luna (Mount Status): the telescope is tracking the Moon at the lunar speed;

•Cele (Mount Status): the telescope is tracking a celestial object at a Sidereal speed;

•G-ON (GPS Status): GPS is connected and trying to lock on the satellite;

•G-OK (GPS Status): The connection between GPS receiver and satellites has been established. It will be replaced by Mount Status after a few minutes.

3.R: Right Ascension of the telescope, or R.A.

4.D: Declination of the telescope, or DEC.

5.A: Altitude of the telescope (zenith is 90º).

6.Z: Azimuth of the telescope (north is 0º,

east 90º, south 180º, and west 270º).

7.Local Date and Time: display local time in a format of YY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS.

8.Slew speed: It has 5 speeds: 2X, 8X, 64X, 256X(1º/sec), MAX(4º/sec). Press SPEED key to change it.

4. Getting Started

In order to experience the full GOTO capability of GoToNova® technology, it is very important to set up the mount correctly before observation.

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4.1. Level and Align the Mount

4.1.1. Level the Mount.

Leveling is critical for good GOTO and tracking accuracy.

Level the mount by

observing the bubble (shown) on the base of the mount by adjusting the tripod legs. The bubble should be in the center of

the circle. It is also recommended to use additional levelers (such as a torpedo leveler) to assure precise leveling. Turn the mount around by pressing ► or ◄ button to make sure it is always leveled during movement.

4.1.2. Initial Positions

Each time the mount is turned on, the default position is Park Position, i.e.,its altitude is 90º0.0’ and azimuth is 180º0.0’, which means the “SOUTH” mark is pointing to south and the telescope is pointing straight up at the zenith. To set the Park

2) Up

1) South Alt lock (#4)

Position, you can do one of the following:

1.Align the mount to south by turning the mount so that the South mark facing south. An additional compass is needed. Unlock the altitude lock (#4) and rotate the telescope to point straight up at the Zenith. A torpedo level may help. Make sure the mount is leveled. Then turn the mount power on.