Which One’s the Alignment Star?
If Starfinder has chosen an alignment star that you are unfamiliar with, how can you be sure if the star in your eyepiece is really the alignment star?
The rule of thumb is that an alignment star is usually the brightest star in that area of the sky. When you view an alignment star in an eyepiece, it will standout dramatically from the rest of the stars in that portion of the sky.
If you have an obstruction, such as a tree or a building blocking your view of the align- ment star, or if you have any doubts at all about the star that has been chosen, no problem. Just press the Scroll Down key and Starfinder will find another star to align upon.
Go To Saturn
After performing the Train the Drive and the
IMPORTANT NOTE: Once aligned, only use the Starfinder menus or Arrow keys to move the telescope. Do not loosen the telescope locks, or move the base manually, or alignment will be lost.
This exercise demonstrates how to select an object for viewing from Starfinder’s data- base, i.e., Saturn. Note that Saturn is not visible all year long and it may be necessary for you to choose another object from Starfinder's database. However, the procedure is identical to the one used for observing Saturn.
1.After the telescope is aligned, “Select Item: Object” displays. Press ENTER. If
“Select Item: Object” is not currently displayed, press MODE repeatedly until it displays, then press ENTER.
2.“Object: Solar System” displays. Press ENTER.
3.“Solar System: Mercury” displays. Use the Scroll Down key until “Solar System: Saturn” displays.
4.Press ENTER. “Calculating” displays. Then “Saturn” and a set of coordinates displays. Saturn’s (and other planets’) coordinates change throughout the year.
5.Press GO TO. “Saturn: Slewing...” displays and the telescope slews until it finds Saturn. You may need to use the Arrow keys to center Saturn precisely in the eyepiece. Starfinder then automatically slews (moves) the telescope so that it tracks Saturn (or whatever other object you may have chosen). Saturn remains centered in the eyepiece.
Using the Guided Tour
This example demonstrates using “Tonight’s Best” Guided Tour.
1.After observing Saturn, press MODE twice so that “Select Item: Object” displays
again. If “Select Item: Object” is not currently displayed, press MODE repeatedly until it displays.
2.Press the Scroll Down key twice. “Select Item: Guided Tour” displays.
3.Press ENTER. “Guided Tour: Tonight’s Best” displays. Press ENTER to select this tour.
NOTE: If you wish to try out other Guided Tours, press the Scroll Down key to scroll through other tour choices. When the tour you wish to select displays, press ENTER.
page 21
