![f. Library Object Keys](/images/new-backgrounds/102096/10209625x1.webp)
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2.Telescope Position. The first display shows the RA and DEC (telescope position in stellar coordinates) and the second display (accessed by pressing the ENTER key) shows the telescope position in ALTAZ coordinates.
3.Time and Date. The first display shows local and Sidereal time and the second display (accessed by pressing the ENTER key) shows the date.
4.Timer and Freq. This display is a countdown timer and allows the user to change drive rates. These are advanced features.
5. All Off. This mode simply turns off all displays and backlighting. You can also adjust the backlighting brightness by pressing the ENTER key and using the PREV and NEXT keys to adjust the brightness.
f. Library Object Keys
While in any of the 5 main keypad display modes, you can directly access the library objects by using the M, STAR, or CNGC keys (see APPENDIX C, page 31, of this manual for more information on the 64,359 Object Library). Simply press an object key, and type in the number of the object desired, followed by ENTER. For example, a good first object for the first part of the year is M42 — the Great Orion Nebula.
Press the M key, the 4 key, the 2 key, and finally the ENTER key. The display will show data on the object (name, rating, object type, brightness, size). Now press GO TO. The telescope will automatically slew to M42.
If the object entered is not above the horizon, the keypad hand controller will display the message "Object Below Horizon."
Other good first objects (if above the horizon) are any of the M objects — from M1 to M 110, and the planets. To find a planet enter: (NOTE: 903 is the Moon.)
OBJECT LIBRARY PLANET LEGEND
PLANET | STAR # | PLANET | STAR # |
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MERCURY | 901 | SATURN | 906 |
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VENUS | 902 | URANUS | 907 |
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MARS | 904 | NEPTUNE | 908 |
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JUPITER | 905 | PLUTO | 909 |
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3.Follow the keypad display prompts to choose and center the the second alignment star. Be sure to use the keypad to slew to the second star. After pressing the ENTER key in the last
step, the keypad display should show the TELESCOPE/OBJECT LIBRARY screen.
Important Note: Whenever using either of the
The LX200 calculates the distance between the two stars that you chose in the alignment steps and compares this to the distance that you actually slewed the telescope. This is a check to be sure you centered the correct stars during the alignment steps. Should the LX200 discover a discrepancy, the keypad will display an "Align Mismatch — Check Stars" message. If you get this message after aligning the telescope, check that you are using the correct stars and align again.
c. Unknown SITE
To use the LX200 telescope at an unknown location, use the following procedure:
1.Select site #5 (UNKNOWN) from the SITE menu.
NOTE: This site cannot be edited like site numbers 1 to 4 as described in Entering Basic Information, page 10.
2.Follow the keypad display prompts to select and center the two alignment stars.
As described above, the LX200 will check the accuracy of the two stars and give the "Align Mismatch — Check Stars" message if it detects an error.
d. Which Alignment Method to Use?
Each of the three method described above has advantages and disadvantages. The following table summarizes these properties.
4. Star Alignment
The
NOTE: The
The first and second options require that entry of the SITE and TIME information as described in Entering Basic Information (page 10). The third option is used when the SITE information is not known or has not been entered into the LX200's memory.
a. 1-Star with Known SITE
The
b. 2-Star at Known SITE
To use the
1.Select the
2.After leveling the base and pressing ENTER, follow the keypad display prompts to select the first alignment star. Slew to that star using the N, S, E, and W keys.
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Pointing | Level of | ||
Accuracy | Telescope | Alignment | Alignment |
Determined By: |
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Atmospheric | Yes | Yes | No |
Refraction |
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Correction* |
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Atmospheric | Level of | Level | Not |
Refraction | Telescope | of Telescope | Applicable |
Correction |
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Determined By: |
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When Best Used | Best used | Best used on a | Best used |
| when the | transportable | when the |
| telescope is | telescope with | SITE |
| permanently | the SITE | information is |
| mounted and | information | not available |
| accurately | available |
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| leveled |
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*Atmospheric Refraction Correction: Light from an astronomical object is "bent," (refracted) as it passes through the atmosphere. This bending is more pronounced near the horizon because there is more atmosphere for the light to pass through, and it shifts the apparent position of the star. The LX200 calculates this bending and compensates for it when slewing to objects near the horizon.