Celestron 80GTL manual Object Catalog, Selecting an Object, Slewing to an Object, Tour Mode

Object Catalog

Selecting an Object

Now that the telescope is properly aligned, you can choose an object from any of the catalogs in the NexStar's database. The hand control has a key designated for each of the catalogs in its database. There are two ways to select objects from the database; scrolling through the named object lists and entering object numbers:

•Pressing the LIST key on the hand control will access all objects in the database that have common names or types. Each list is broken down into the following categories: Named Stars, Named Object, Double Stars, Variable Stars and Asterisms. Selecting any one of these options will display an alpha-numeric listing of the objects under that list. Pressing the Up and Down keys (10) allows you to scroll through the catalog to the desired object.

•Pressing any of the catalog keys (M, CALD, NGC, or STAR) will display a blinking cursor below the name of the catalog chosen. Use the numeric key pad to enter the number of any object within these standardized catalogs. For example, to find the Orion Nebula, press the "M" key and enter "042".

•Pressing the PLANET button will allow you to use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to scroll through and select the eight planets as well as the moon.

To download a list of all the stars contained in the STAR Catalog with SAO number cross references, logon to our web site at www.celestron.com.

Slewing to an Object

Once the desired object is displayed on the hand control screen, you have two options:

•Press the INFO Key. This will give you useful information about the selected object such as magnitude, constellation and fascinating facts about many of the objects.

The speed at which information scrolls across the hand control display can be changed while the information is being viewed:

Press the “1” key repeatedly to speed up the scroll speed. Press the “4” key repeatedly to slow down the scroll speed.

Press the “7” key to freeze and unfreeze the information on the display.

•Press the ENTER Key. This will automatically slew the telescope to the coordinates of the object. While the telescope is slewing to the object, the user can still access many of the hand control functions (such as displaying information about the object).

If you slew to an object that is below the horizon, NexStar will notify you by displaying a message reminding you that you have selected an object outside of your slew limits (see Slew Limits in the Utility Features section of the manual). Press UNDO to go back and select a new object. Press ENTER to ignore the message and continue the slew. The NexStar hand control will only display objects that are below the horizon if the Filter Limits are set below 0º in altitude. See Filter Limits in the Utility Feature section of the manual for more information on setting the filter limits.

Caution: Never slew the telescope when someone is looking into the eyepiece. The telescope can move at fast slew speeds and may hit an observer in the eye.

Object information can be obtained without having to do a star alignment. After the telescope is powered on, pressing any of the catalog keys allows you to scroll through object lists or enter catalog numbers and view the information about the object as described above.

Tour Mode

The NexStar includes a tour feature which automatically allows the user to choose from a list of interesting objects based on the date and time in which you are observing. The automatic tour will display only those objects that are within your set filter limits. To activate the Tour mode, press the TOUR key (6) on the hand control. The NexStar will display the best objects to observe that are currently in the sky.

•To see information and data about the displayed object, press the INFO key.

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