Improving Pointing Accuracy, EQ Two-Star Align

Figure 4-3

The Meridian is an imaginary line in the sky that starts at the North celestial pole and ends at the South celestial pole and passes through the zenith. If you are facing South, the meridian starts from your Southern horizon and passes directly overhead to the North celestial pole.

7.The telescope then asks you to center in the eyepiece the alignment object you selected. Use the direction arrow buttons to slew the telescope to the alignment object and carefully center it in the finderscope. Press ENTER when centered.

8.Then, center the object in the eyepiece and press ALIGN.

9.Once you press the ALIGN button the telescope will automatically slew to a second alignment star. Repeat steps 6 and 7 to complete alignment.

EQ Two-Star Align

The EQ Two-Star Align follows most of the same steps as the Alt-Az Two- Star Align. This alignment method does not require the user to align the altitude index markers or point towards the Meridian, but it does require the user to locate and align the telescope on two bright stars. When selecting alignment stars it is best to choose stars that, a) have a large separation in azimuth and b) both are either positive or negative in declination. Following these two guidelines will result in a more accurate EQ Two-Star alignment.

EQ One-Star Align

EQ One-Star Align operates much the same way as EQ Two-Star Align however it only relies on the alignment of one star to align the telescope. To use EQ One-Star Align follow steps 1 through 7 under the EQ Two-Star Align section.

EQ Solar System Align

This alignment method allows you use only one solar system object to equatorially align the telescope for daytime use. To align your telescope

using a solar system object follow steps 1 through 7 under the EQ Two-Star Align section.

Improving Pointing Accuracy

The NexStar SE telescope have several options that allow you to improve the pointing accuracy of your mount in a variety of ways.

Alignment Stars:

Alignment stars allows you to replace any of the original alignment stars with a new star or celestial object. This will improve the pointing accuracy of your telescope without having to re-enter addition information.

To replace an existing alignment star with a new alignment star:

1.Select the desired star (or object) from the database and slew to it.

2.Once centered, press the UNDO button until you are at the main menu.

3.With NexStar SE displayed, press the ALIGN key on the hand control.

4.Use the Up/Down buttons and select the Alignment Stars option and press ENTER.

5.The display will then ask you which alignment star you want to replace. Use the UP and Down scroll keys to select the alignment star to be replaced and press ENTER. It is usually best to replace the star closest to the new object. This will space out your alignment stars across the sky.

6.Align the star in the center of the finderscope and press ENTER.

7.Carefully center the object in the center of the eyepiece and press ALIGN