Vixen SKYPOD User Manual

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Page 1

Instruction Manual for

Altazimuth Mount

Page 2

PERFACE

The SKYPOD Altazimuth Mount features automatic slewing of celestial objects on the screen of its dedicated hand controller ‘STAR BOOK-S’ and a various convenient menus and functions that will help you in enjoying your observation in the night sky. We hope you will enjoy exploring celestial wonders anywhere with the SKYPOD. This manual is prepared in common with all the SKYPOD ser your model, this depends on the model you purchased.

We thank you very much for your purchase of our product from a series of the Vixen SKYPOD Altazimuth Mount astronomical telescopes.

ies telescopes. You may occasionally find descriptions in the text not relevant to

Please read this instruction manual carefully before use, and follow them precisely.

Always keep the instruction manual near to your mount or telescope to enable any operational queries to be easily answered. This instruction manual describes necessary precautions for the safe use of the product by preventing yourself and others from possible injuries as well as damages to the equipment.

WARNING!

Never look directly at the sun with your naked eyes or through any telescope or its finder scope or guide scope. Permanent and irreversible eye damage may result.

Never connect the cable of the STAR BOOK-S with other equipment such as a PC. It may cause a failure, heating, or electrical shock.

CAUTION

Do not try to restrain the movement when the mount in operation, which may lead to injuries to yourself or equipment damage.

Do not leave the optical tube uncapped in daytime. It may cause a fire from the objective lens or mirror of the optical tube or finder scope in case of sunlight passing through the telescope.

Do not use the product while moving or walking, where injuries could arise from collision with objects or stumbling or falling.

Keep tiny caps, desiccant, or vinyl packing materials away from children. It may cause danger from swallowing or suffocation.

Do not use the product in a wet environment and do not touch with wet hands. Do not turn the power switches of the SKYPOD and STAR BOOK-S to on under conditions that internal

dew condensation is suspected on them. It may cause failure by leakage of electricity.

HANDLING

Do not leave the product inside a car in bright sunshine, or in hot places. Keep any strong heat radiation sources away from the product.

When cleaning, do not use the organic solvent such as paint thinners or similar. Do not expose the product to rain, water drops, dirt or sand. Avoid touching any lens or mirror surfaces directly with hands. In case a lens or mirror becomes dirty with

fingerprints or general smears, gently wipe it using a commercially available lens cleaner and a lens cleaning paper, or consult your local Vixen dealer.

Blow off dust on lens using a commercially available blower brush. For storage, keep the product in dry places, and do not expose to direct sunlight. Remove the batteries from the battery box while the product is not used for a long time. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant

of Part 15 of the FCC Rules.

Page 3

CONTENTS

PREFACE----------------------2 INITIAL SETTING--------------17

Setting Up the STAR BOOK-S

WARNING,CAUTION,HANDLING---2

CONTENTS --------------------3

BEFORE USE------------------4

Checking Contents --------------------4 Principle and Basic Operation of --------4 Altazimuth Mounts---------------------4 Parts Descriptions---------------------5 STAR BOOK-S Hand Controller---------6 Specifications-------------------------7

Turning the Power On and Off------17

II.

Setting Language-----------------18 Setting Local Time----------------19

III.

Setting Location ------------------20

IV. V

Saving the Settings ---------------21

BASIC OPERATION------------22

Moving the Telescope -------------22

Viewing Terrestrial Landscape -----23

II.

Changing the Magnification--------26

III.

Why you Need a Finder Scope-----26

IV.

Observing the Moon --------------29

HOW TO USE ------------------8

Flow of Operation----------------------8

PERPARATION-----------------9

About Batteries for the SKYPOD--------9

Install Batteries in the SKYPOD --------9

Setting up the Telescope

Setting up the Tripod--------------10

II.

Attaching the SKYPOD Mount -----10 Install Batteries into the Battery----11

III.

Pack on the SKYPOD Mount

IV.

Attaching the Counterweight-------12 (Optional)

Preparation for Mounting the Optical Tube-----------------------------12 Attaching the Optical Tube---------12

VI.

Attaching the Eyepiece Adapter----13

VII.

Attaching the Finder Scope--------13

VIII.

Balancing the Telescope ----------15

IX.

Connecting the STAR BOOK-S Cable

to the SKYPOD-------------------16

XI.

Connecting External Power Supply--16

AUTOMATIC SLEWING---------31

Automatic Slewing ----------------31

Flow of Automatic Slewing---------31

II.

Home Position--------------------31

III.

Align the Telescope ---------------32

IV.

Starting Automatic Slewing --------38

Choosing a Target from the Object

VI.

Menu ----------------------------40 Completing Observing-------------42

VII.

APPLICATION -----------------44

Chart Setting

LCD Adjustment ------------------45

II.

Backlighting Duration Adjustment---46

III.

About STAR BOOK-S -------------47

IV.

Saving the Settings ---------------47

Using the STAR BOOK-S as a Stand

VI.

Alone Unit ------------------------47

Page 4

BEFORE USE

Checking Contents

The SKYPOD Altazimuth Mount box contains the parts listed below. Make sure that your box contains all these parts.

Contents of SKYPOD Altazimuth Mount

SKYPOD Altazimuth Mount

STAR BOOK-S Hand Controller

STAR BOOK-S

Instr

uction Manual (This booklet)

ial Number Stickers

Ser

Note : Batteries are not included.

For parts included in optical tube boxes and other instruments, please refer to that product manual.

Instruction Manual (This booklet)

SKYPOD Altazimuth Mount

Principle and Basic Operation of Altazimuth Mounts

What is an Altazimuth Mount?

The Altazimuth mount is a telescope platform with simple vertical and horizontal motion controls that allow you to move the telescope up and down and side to side.

Due to Earth’s rotation, the mount must move to follow a celestial object. Without this movement, stars and celestial objects move through the field of view as time passes by. An Altazimuth mount moves in altitude( to keep the object you are viewing centered in the field of view of your telescope.

vertically

)and azimuth(

horizontally

Apparent movement of stars

)

Moves horizontally (in azimuth motion)

Moves vertically (in altitude motion)

Basic Operation

The STAR BOOK-S automatic GoTo controller controls the motion of the SKYPOD. The SKYPOD functions smoothly and accurately when the weight of each component is properly balanced. Using the SKYPOD without proper balancing may cause tracking errors, slippage of the telescope tube, or interruption of observation. Make sure to balance the telescope. For a proper balancing procedure, please refer to page.15 (Balancing may not be necessary depending on models of the SKYPOD.)

Vertical Rotation Axis

Horizontal Rotation Axis

Page 5

BEFORE USE

Parts Descriptions : SKYPOD Mount and Tripod

SKYPOD VMC110L and A80Mf telescopes shown here, your telescope may differ.

Horizontal Rotation Axis

Eyepiece Eyepiece Set Screw Finder Bracket Lock Screw VMC110L Optical Tube

Dot Finder

Eyepiece Adapter (31.7mm) Eyepiece Set Screw Focus Knob

Objective Hood Objective lens (Inside)

A80Mf Optical Tube Tube

Finder Scope Focus Knob Half Pillar (Optional)

Safety Screw

Dovetail Mounting Block

STAR BOOK-S

Vertical Rotation Axis

Compartment Cover

Power Switch

External DC 12V Power Terminal

Auxiliary Port

Tabletop Tripod

Fixing Knob

Dovetail-Plate

Lock Screw

STAR BOOK-S

Rack

Drawtube

Tripod Head

Fixing Knob

Tripod Leg

Tripod Leg Spreader

Leg Extension Clamp

Cable Connector

Battery Case Cover

Battery Case

Eyepiece

Diagonal Prism

Azimuth Adjustment Screw

(Not used)

Accessory Tray

Page 6

BEFORE USE

STAR BOOK-S Hand Controller

02 13

01. TN 2.6-inch Monochrome LCD Screen

04 05

02. Power Switch

The upper buttons (Right side on-screen soft-key legend): Enter, Cursor Movement, Scroll

03. LEFT (Moves the cursor left. <The screen scrolls toward right.>)

04. UP (Moves the cursor up. <The screen scrolls down.>)

05. RIGHT (Moves the cursor right. <The screen scrolls toward left.>)

06. DOWN (Moves the cursor down. <The screen scrolls up.>

07. ENTER (Changing Chart / Scope modes)

11 08

The lower buttons (Left side on-screen soft-key legend): Alignment, Zoom

08. MENU (Accesses various settings on the system menu.)

09. ZOOM+(Zooms in the screen in 8 steps.)

10. ALIGN (Aligns computer with telescope position.)

11. ZOOM-(Zooms out the screen in 8 steps.)

12. DISP (On screen information changes each time pressed.)

Legend on the Screen

08 09 12

13. LAN :

14. MOUNT: Controller Cable Connection Terminal

01. Mode Display: SCOPE Mode and CHART Mode

02. Date

03. Time

04. Battery Level: Varies according to a level of discharge. The battery levels are displayed individually for both the STAR BOOK-S and the SKYPOD Mount.

Note: The SKYPOD battery level indicator may show “Empty” when the controller cable is not connected securely.

05. Upward Arrow / Downward Arrow Upward Arrow: A bunch of on-screen soft-keys corresponding to the upper buttons. Downward Arrow: A bunch of on-screen soft-keys corresponding to the lower buttons.

06. : Directional keys and cursor movement

07. Select, Automatic Slewing and changing Chart / Scope mode

08. Zoom + : Zoom in the screen.

0613

09. Zoom – : Zoom out the screen.

LAN Connection Terminal (10BASE-T) for communication with a PC

Full Middle Empty

10. MT : Speed of scrolling the screen / zooming visually.

11.

Menu :

12. Align : Set up directions (alignment) for automatic slewing

Open the System Menu dialog box to change various settings.

Page 7

13. Disp: On screen information changes each time pressed.

<Soft-key legend> <RA and Dec> <No indication>

SKYPOD Mount Specifications

BEFORE USE

Legend on the Screen

Mount Altitude worm wheel Azimuth worm wheel Coordinates of object Slo

motion controls

wing speed

Sle A

uxiliary terminal

Batter

ies

orking duration with batteries

Exter

nal power supply

Maxim

um loading weight Dimensions W

ight

Optional Accessor

ies

Altazimuth GOTO Mount Full circle 70-tooth gear Full circle 70-tooth gear Show

n on the STAR BOOK-S in 0.1’ increment

ic, 8-speed in both axes

Electr Max.

900x (sidereal rate) D-SUB 9 Pin (una 8 x AA-size alkaline batter 8hrs at 20 degrees C DC12V EIAJ RC5320A Class4 About 5kg with an optional counterwe 210mmW x 200mmL x 190mmH (without tr

2.8kg (Incl. Two-section aluminum tripod, Counterweight (Supplied as standard accessor

vailab

. (68F) ambient temperature

controller and cab

STAR BOOK-S Specifications

Controller CPU Display Au

toguider Port Controller cable connection terminal LAN connection terminal Batteries Working duration with batteries Dimensions W

ight

Celestial objects stored in memory

Other functions / Capabilities

STAR BOOK-S 32Bit RISC processor CS89712 TN 2.6-inch monochrome LCD screen (160 x 160 = 25600 pixels) 6-pole 6-wired modular jac 8-pole 8-wired modular jack 10BASE-T 4 x AA-size 8hrs at 20 degrees C 124mmW x 85mmL x 38mmH 165g (without batteri Total 22,735 objects consisting of: 17,635 fix 4,980 NGC/IC objects brighter than 14th magnitude Software upgrade via LAN connection Built-in speak Oper

alkaline batter

. of ambient temperature

es and cab

ed stars br

ating temperature between 0 deg-C. and 40 deg-C.

ighter than 7-th magnitude, 110 Messier objects,

le)

ies

ight

le)

ies f

or some models.)

le)

ipod)

, 8 Planets, the Moon and Sun

Page 8

HOW TO USE

Flow of Operation

Take the following steps to set up the SKYPOD.

PREPARATION

INITIAL SETTING

BASIC OPERATION

Assembling the SKYPOD and tripod.

Setting Language (The first time only.)

Tur n the powers of both the mount and controller to ON, and then choose your language in the STAR BOOK-S.

Setting Date & Time (The first time only.)

Enter date and your local time.

Setting Longitude & Latitude

Enter longitude and latitude of your observation site.

Read the manual to understand basic operation of the SKYPOD.

(The first time only.)

Pages 09 to 16

Pages 17 to 21

Pages 22 to 30

AUTOMATIC SLEWING

APPLICATION

Home Position

Slew the telescope to the home position by using the STAR BOOK-S hand controller. *The‘Home Position’is the initial set-up position of the SKYPOD which is required

Alignment

Choose two out of many celestial reference points stored in the STAR BOOK-S database.

Automatic Slewing

Upon completion of alignment, automatic Go To slewing and tracking are available.

Finish Operation

Pages 31 to 43

Page 44 to 47

Page 9

PREPARATION

About batteries for the SKYPOD

The STAR BOOK-S controller of the SKYPOD runs on four (4) AA-size alkaline batteries (not included). The batteries can last about eight hours at 20 degrees C.

The SKYPOD Mount runs on eight (8) AA-size alkaline batteries (not included) or optional external power supply. The batteries can last about eight hours at 20 degrees C.

A total of twelve (12) AA-size alkaline batteries are needed optionally to run the product.

How to insert the batteries into the STAR BOOK-S

Push the latch of the rear cover down and open the cover toward you as shown in the figure.

Insert fresh batteries (4 x AA-size alkaline batteries). Do not mix up the polarity as it may cause a failure.

Replace the cover to complete.

Rear Cover

Install batteries in the SKYPOD. Explanation on how to install the batteries is stated in the “PREPARATION Setting up the telescope” section for the sake of convenience. (See page 11 of this manual.)

Page 10

PREPARATION

Setting up the Tripod

Setting up the telescope

Stand the tripod on even and sold ground. Adjust the height of the tripod as the occasion demands.

To change the height, loosen the leg extension clamp of each tripod leg. Be sure to tighten all the

Leg Extension ClampLeg Extension Clamp

leg extension clamps securely after adjusting the height of the tripod.

Take off the tray lock knob at the center of the tripod leg spreader to reveal the tray anchor bolt.

Tray Anchor BoltTray Anchor Bolt

Attaching the Half Pillar (Optional)

(Proceed to II when you don't need the Half Pillar for your SKYPOD.) Use an optional Half Pillar when your telescope optical tube can hit the tripod leg. Hold the Half Pillar over the tripod head so that the center shaft is above the matching hole. Place the Half Pillar on the tripod head so that the two are flush. Tighten the locking knob on the underside of the tripod head firmly.

Pull the tripod legs apart until the tripod leg spreader has been fully extended to let the tripod stand by itself.

Place the accessory tray over the tripod leg spreader and position it so the anchor bolt on the tripod leg spreader fits the matching hole at the center of the accessory tray. Then, attach the accessory tray with the tray lock knob.

Half Pillar

Tripod Head

Accessory Tray

(Not used)

Tripod Leg

Spreader

Tray Lock

Knob

Half Pillar

Locking Knob

Hold the SKYPOD Mount over the Half Pillar so that the center shaft is above the matching hole. Place the SKYPOD Mount on the Half Pillar so that the two are flush. Tighten the locking knob on the underside of the tripod head fir mly.

Attaching the SKYPOD Mount

Hold the SKYPOD Mount over the tripod head so that the center shaft is above the matching hole. Place the SKYPOD Mount on the tripod head so that the two are flush. Tighten the locking knob on the underside of the tripod head firmly.

SKYPOD

SKYPOD Mount

Mount

Tripod Head

Locking KnobLocking Knob

Page 11

Setting up the telescope

PERPARATION

Attaching to the Tabletop Tripod

Hold the SKYPOD Mount over the tabletop tripod head so that

SKYPOD

the center shaft is above the

SKYPOD Mount

Mount

matching hole. Place the SKYPOD Mount on

Tabletop

the tabletop tripod head so that

Tabletop Tripod

Tripod

the two are flush. Tighten the knob on the underside of the tripod head firmly.

Locking KnobLocking Knob

Install batteries into the battery pack on the SKYPOD Mount.

Open the front cover to access the inner blue battery case as shown in the figure. Open the battery case by sliding off its top cover.

Take out the battery pack and inser t the fresh batteries into it. Do not mix up the polarity as this may cause a failure.

Put the battery pack back into the blue battery case. Turn the projection on the battery pack so that it fits into the recess of the battery case as shown in the figure below. Close the cover as it was

Compartment

Compartment Cover

Cover

Battery Pack

Slide Cover

Batteries

Batteries (AA x 8)

(AA x 8)

Projection on the

Projection on the Battery Pack

Battery Pack

Compartment

Compartment Cover

Cover

Page 12

PREPARATION

Setting up the telescope

Attaching the Counterweight (Optional)

(Proceed to V when you don't need the Counterweight for your SKYPOD.)

Use an optional counterweight with the SKYPOD when you install a telescope optical tube weighing over 2.5 kg (5.5lbs.). Remove the blue weight cap by unscrewing it and screw the counterweight onto the end of counterweight shaft inside. Replace the counterweight cap after making sure that the counterweight is tightly secured inside.

Counterweight ShaftCounterweight Shaft

Weight CapWeight Cap Weight CapWeight Cap

CounterweighCounterweigh

WARNING!

Handle the counterweight with care as it is heavy.

Preparation for Mounting the Optical Tube

Loosen both the dovetail-plate lock screw and safety screw until the tips of these screws no longer extended into the inner part of the dovetail block.

Dovetail-Plate

Dovetail-Plate Lock Screw

Lock Screw

Safety Screw

Attaching the Optical Tube

Slide the dovetail mounted scope into the dovetail mounting block of the SKYPOD, tighten the dovetailplate lock screw (centered on the notch) onto the dovetail tube plate until snug.

Dovetail-Plate

Dovetail-Plate Lock Screw

Next, tighten the small chrome safety screw onto the dovetail mounting block until snug.

Lock Screw

Dovetail Tube Plate Safety Screw Gap

Caution Caution

Optical tube assemblies are seriously damaged if dropped. Tighten the dovetail-plate lock screw securely. The safety screw should also be screwed in completely.

Make sure that the dovetail tube plate is flat against the dovetail mounting block. Tightening the dovetailplate lock screw with a gap between these parts may result in the telescope unexpectedly falling off.

Page 13

PREPARATION

ATTACHING THE EYEPIECE ADAPTER

VMC110L Focuser Visual Configuration

Right-angled Viewing

Eyepiece Adapter

R130Sf

Focus Knob

(42mm to 31.7mm / 11/4”)

31.7mm / 11/4”(Supplied)

Eyepiece

ED80Sf Focuser Visual Configuration

Focus Knob

Straight-through Viewing

Flip Mirror Lever (Changes the light path.)

A70Lf, A80Mf Focusers Visual ConfigurationR130Sf Focuser Visual Configuration

A70Lf

A80Mf

Eyepiece 31.7mm / 11/4”(Supplied)

Focus Knob Eyepiece Adapter

Focus Knob

Eyepiece 50.8mm/2” (Optional)

(42mm to 31.7mm / 11/4”)

Erect-Image Diagonal

Eyepiece

31.7mm / 11/4” (Supplied)

31.7mm / 11/4” (Supplied

50.8mm Adapter/2” (Supplied)

Focus Knob

ED80Sf

Tension Adjustment Screw (underneath)

ATTACHING THE FINDER SCOPE

Diagonal Mirror

50.8mm/2” (Optional)

on the telescope you purchased.

Attaching the Finder Scope (Dot Finder)

Loosen the chrome finder bracket lock screw on the telescope.

Finder Bracket

Lock Screw

Attach the finder scope as shown in the figure. Tighten the finder bracket lock screw securely.

Flip Mirror (Supplied)

Eyepiece

31.7mm / 11/4” (Supplied)

The included finder scope is different depending

(

Dot Finder

Finder Bracket

Lock Screw

)

Page 14

PREPARATION

Attaching the Finder Scope (A80Mf or R130Sf)

Back out the adjustment screws on the finder bracket to allow passage of the finder scope. (Make sure the adjustment screws do not fall off the bracket.)

Pull up the fixed stud on the bracket ring so that the finder tube can slide into the bracket ring from its eyepiece end. Release the fixed stud into the wide groove on the finder tube.

Loosen the finder bracket lock screw on the telescope.

Finder Bracket

Lock Screw

Adjustment

Screw

Finder Bracket

Slide the rubber O-ring onto the eyepiece end of the finder. There are two grooves on the finder tube. Position the O-ring on the narrow groove at the middle of the finder scope.

Fonder Scope

O-ringGroove

Tighten the two adjustment screws so that the

Adjustment

Screw

finder scope is aligned as shown in the figure.

Attach the finder bracket as shown in the figure.

Finder Bracket

Lock Screw

Tighten the finder bracket lock screw securely.

Attaching the Finder Scope (A70Lf)

Remove the two finder bracket attaching screws from the telescope.

Finder Bracket

Attaching

Screws

Attach the bracket on the finder scope as shown in the figure. Tighten the finder bracket attaching screws securely.

Finder Bracket

Attaching

Screws

Page 15

Attaching the Finder Scope (ED80Sf)

Proceed to step 5 if the finder scope is already installed in its bracket.

PREPARATION

Back out the adjustment screws on the finder bracket to allow passage of the finder scope. (Make sure the adjust ment screws do not fall off the bracket.)

Pull up the fixed stud on the bracket ring so that the finder tube can slide into the bracket ring from its eyepiece end. Release the fixed stud into the wide groove on the finder tube.

Loosen the finder bracket lock screw on the telescope.

Adjustment

Screws

Finder Bracket

Lock Screw

Slide the rubber O-ring onto the eyepiece end of the finder. There are two grooves on the finder tube. Position the O-ring on the narrow groove at the middle of the finder scope.

Finder Scope

Tighten the two adjustment screws so that the

Groove

O-ringGroove

Adjustment

Screws

finder scope is aligned as shown in the figure.

Attach the finder bracket as shown in the figure. Tighten the finder bracket lock screw securely.

Finder Bracket

Lock Screw

BALANCING THE TELESCOPE

(Balancing in altitude motion)

Be sure to attach the finder scope, eyepiece, and any other accessories before proceeding.

Balancing an optical tube with tube rings and

Optical Tube with Tube Rings

dovetail tube plate.

(i.e. A70Lf, A80Mf, R130Sf and ED80Sf telescopes) Loosen the tube ring lock knobs so the optical tube can slide. Hold the optical tube in the horizontal position with the dovetail tube plate up and slide the tube until it's balanced under the center of the plate.

Tube Ring Lock KnobTube Ring Lock Knob

Balancing the VMC110L optical tube

Find the rough center of balance by holding the dovetail slide bar of the VMC110L as shown. Attach it to the SKYPOD with this point centered in the dovetail mount.

VMC110L Optical Tube

Dovetail Slide BarDovetail Slide Bar

Warning!

Take great care in holding a telescope this way as there is a much greater risk of dropping it. Normally you should hold the tube from underneath.

Page 16

PREPARATION

CONNECTING THE STAR BOOK-S CABLE TO THE SKYPOD

Open the compartment cover on the SKYPOD. The hand controller cable is wound around the blue battery case. Unwind it to take out the modular plug on one end of the cable. Insert the modular plug into the female jack on the STAR BOOK-S as shown until it clicks.

Warning!

Never connect the hand controller cable to other instruments such as a PC. It may cause a power failure, overheating or electric shock.

Compartment Cover

STAR BOOK Type S

Modular Plug

Hand Controller

Hand Controller Cable

Cable

Female Jack

CONNECTING EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY

When using an external DC 12V power supply or an optional AC Adapter 12V 3A, be sure to connect the power cable to the SKYPOD mount before turning on the power switch.

External power terminal

DC12V EIAJ RC5320A Class4

Power Cable Power Cable

Page 17

TURNING THE POWER ON AND OFF

There are two power switches; one on the SKYPOD Mount and anther on the STAR BOOK-S hand controller. The power is supplied to both components independently so be sure to turn on both power switches.

Caution

Always turn on the STAR BOOK-S first, then turn on the SKYPOD Mount in succession. Reversing this order may make it inoperative.

Confirm that the Vixen logo is displayed on screen for a few seconds when you turn on the power of the STAR BOOK-S. If the screen is hard to read, please refer to Hint 1 (P18). The picture on the right will appear on screen after the Vixen logo when the STAR BOOK-S power is switched on. Move the cursor with the keys onto the item you want to choose and press the

Select

key. Read page

18 also to refer to setting Language.

Power Switch

INITIAL SETTING

Power Switch

On-screen soft keys

The keys on the

right correspond

to the upper

buttons

and those

on the left

espond to the

lower buttons.

How to turn off the power in the above initial setting screen.

(See page 42 when you discontinue SKYPOD operation at end of the observation.)

To turn off the power, choose Power Off with the keys and press the to enter.

Next the confirmation screen is displayed. Move the cursor to OK with the keys and press the

Select

key to enter.

Turn off the power switch on the SKYPOD Mount.

Caution

Remember to turn the power switch on the SKYPOD to off as well as the power on the STAR BOOK-S. Otherwise, the batteries will be depleted. Turning one component off will not turn off the other.

Select

key

Power Switch

Page 18

INITIAL SETTING

Setting Language

The STAR BOOK-S can be operated with your choice of language with Japanese, English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish to choose from. Japanese is the default language setting.

Choose /Language with the keys and press the

Next the screen below is displayed. Choose your language with the keys and press the

Select

key to enter.

This will bring you back to the initial screen.

Hint 1

Adjusting the LCD screen

In the initial setting, contrast of the LCD screen can be adjusted with the keys Cont.+ or Cont.- shown at the lower left of the screen. Adjust it with the corresponding keys according to conditions of use.

Be sure to save the contrast setting for use under the same conditions next time.

The contrast of the screen may change with ambient temperature.

Page 19

INITIAL SETTING

Setting Local Time

Enter the date and local time of your observing site by using the upper five buttons on the STAR BOOK-S. This task is required only once the first time you use the STAR BOOK-S. However, you will need to reset

the date and time if you travel from your regular observing site to a different time zone, or if you reset your clocks for Daylight Saving time. The STAR BOOK-S keeps the stored memor y while you replace the batteries. It is not necessary to enter the date and time again if you put in new batteries within an hour. A deviation may arise between the internal clock of the STAR BOOK-S and your time, but a few minutes’ difference does not affect the slewing performance of the unit.

Choose keys and press the

To change the date and time, move the cursor with the keys to the item where corrections are needed. Then change the numbers with the keys.

To finish the setting, move the cursor with the keys to OK and press the key to enter.

Local Time Setting

with the

Select

key to enter.

Select

Page 20

INITIAL SETTING

Setting Location

Enter the longitude, latitude and time zone of your observing site. Once the settings for your location are entered and saved, you don’t need to change them unless you travel more than 15 miles to a different observing location. The longitude and latitude of your observing site can be checked on a map or with a GPS device. The initial location is set at Tokyo.

Choose Location with the keys and press the

To change the longitude and latitude settings for your observing site, move the cursor with the keys to the item where corrections are needed. Then change the numbers with the keys.

Select

key to enter.

About Time Zones

The time zones are based on longitude bands 15 degrees wide, starting at Greenwich, England. Set the time difference in hours between your local time and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Its sign is plus if local time is ahead of GMT (east of Greenwich) and minus if local time is behind GMT (west of Greenwich). For example, the time zone for Los Angeles (on Pacific Standard Time) is -8 hours. Please note that the entered time zone setting is not converted to Daylight Saving time automatically. When you reset your clocks for Daylight time, add one hour to the value in the Time Zone setting, as well as in the Local Time Setting. Adding to a negative value will lower the number. For example, when changing to Daylight time in Los Angeles, change the setting from -8 to -7.

To finish the setting, move the cursor to OK with the keys and press the key to enter. The screen will go to the reboot screen. If the location settings remain the same as last time, it will go back to the initial screen.

The STAR BOOK-S will ask to reboot. Press the

Select

key to choose OK .

Select

To continue, press the power button to switch on again.

Page 21

INITIAL SETTING

Saving the Settings

Save your time, language and contrast settings for the next use. Failure to do so will result in having to re-enter these settings every time you turn on the power. Once you save the settings, they will be stored in the memory of the STAR BOOK-S and you can simply choose OK to advance the screen the next time you use it.

Choose Save Setting with the keys and press the

Next the confirmation screen is displayed. Move the cursor to OK with the keys and press the

Select

key to enter.

Now all the entered data are saved and the screen goes back to the initial setting screen.

Page 22

BASIC OPERATION

MOVING THE TELESCOPE

A VMC110L telescope is used here as an example. Your telescope tube may differ. Please read the instruction manual that is appropriate to your model.

In the initial screen, move the cursor to OK with the keys and press the key to enter.

The screen displays a warning on solar observation.

Select

After reading the text, choose Confirm with the keys and press the key to enter.

The warning continues on the screen when

Not Confirm is chosen.

The screen advances to home position setting as soon as you choose the Confirm key. However, please disregard it here and press OK with the in the daytime.

Select

key to continue operation

Select

Page 23

Press the keys to see in what direction the telescope tube moves. The keys move the telescope left and right, and the keys move it up and down. (The telescope may not move below the horizon.)

Note: The SKYPOD star ts driving at sidereal rate (the speed of Earth’s rotation) as soon as the OK key is pressed in the home position setting screen.

Hand Controller

BASIC OPERATION

Vertical Rotational Axis

Horizontal Rotational Axis

VIEWING TERRESTRIAL LANDSCAPE

Let’s have a look through the telescope. The best way to become familiar with a telescope is to learn how to use it in the daytime. It is difficult for the novice telescope user to start observing under a dark sky at night. Start out with terrestrial viewing.

WARNING!

Place the telescope in an open area where you can view in excess of 200m/660ft away. Make sure that there are no obstacles around the telescope. Using the telescope outdoors is most recommended. Refer to Hint 2 .

When viewing through a window the image is often fuzzy or ‘doubled’. When there is a temperature difference between indoors and outdoors the image may not be clear, as it may be affected by turbulence from air flowing out/in through an open window. (Although a drifting image may also be seen outdoors, it is considered very stable when compared with indoors.)

Never look directly at the sun with your naked eye or through any telescope or its finder scope or guide scope. Permanent and irreversible eye damage may result.

Hint 2

Page 24

BASIC OPERATION

Take off the objective lens cap and eyepiece cap. The location of the cap on your telescope may differ from model to model.

Do you know where on the telescope to look through? Do you know where the front of the telescope is? Refer to the figures shown on the right.

Objective Lens Cap

(Catadioptrics)

Objective Lens Cap

Objective Lens Cap (Refractors)

(Refractors)

Eyepiece Cap

Eyepiece Cap (Catadioptrics)

(Catadioptrics)

Eyepiece Cap

Eyepiece Cap (Refractors)

(Refractors)

Refractor Telescope Catadioptric Telescope

EyepieceEyepiece

(VMC110L)

Objective Lens Cap

Objective Lens Cap (Reflectors)

(Reflectors)

Eyepiece Cap

Eyepiece Cap (Reflectors)

(Reflectors)

Reflector TelescopeRefractor Telescope Catadioptric Telescope

Reflector Telescope

EyepieceEyepiece

Astronomical telescopes need eyepieces (ocular lenses) to view images. Confirm where on the telescope you insert the eyepiece. This may differ from model to model.

Insert a long focal length eyepiece (large number in millimeters, low power) into the eyepiece holder and secure it with the setscrew. Refer to Hint 6 .

When a flip mirror is provided with the telescope, the eyepiece can be attached on either side: straight

-thru or right-angled. Make sure that the light rays passing through the telescope enter your eyepiece by turning the mirror shift knob.

Setscrew

Mirror Shift

Mirror Shift Knob

Knob

Page 25

Press the keys (the upper four buttons on the STAR BOOK-S) to point the telescope’s front end toward the target object you choose. (Targets should be in excess of 200m/660ft away: a building, antenna, tower, electric pole, etc.) Refer to Hint 4 and Hint 5 .

BASIC OPERATION

Hint 3

When you use the telescope for terrestrial viewing, leveling the telescope tube by pressing the keys may make it easier to find your target object.

Look into the eyepiece.

Refractor Telescope Catadioptric Telescope

The image will likely be out of focus at first. Tur n the focus knob slowly clockwise or counterclockwise to find a point where the image in the

Focus Knob

field of view of the eyepiece becomes sharpest.

How will the image appear in the eyepiece? The image orientation of the target object differs depending on what type of telescope and visual accessories are used. The image may be inverted or tilted but this does not mean the telescope is out of order. There is no up or down in space so image orientation is not so important. Refer to Hint 4 & Hint 5 .

Reflector Telescope

(VMC110L)

Focus Knob

Reflector Telescope

Hint 4

Views produced by reflectors

Inverted view

Views produced by refractors

Inverted view Erect view with Amici prism

Tilted inverted view,

depending on a rotation

of the optical tube.

(roof prism)

Focus Knob

Page 26

BASIC OPERATION

Tr y the following when the telescope does not produce any image.

* The telescope will not focus at short distances. It requires a distance of at least 200 meters to focus an object. Point the telescope as far into the distance as possible.

* Your target object may be out of the field of view of the telescope. Aim the telescope again more carefully.

* If the field of view of the eyepiece is white (light grey), the telescope may be pointing at the sky. Level the telescope and aim it at the object again.

Hint 5

Mirror reversed view with a flip mirror (Right-angled)

Inverted view with a flip mirror (Straight-thru)

* If the field of view of the eyepiece is pitch-dark in the daytime, it is possible that the mirror shift knob is not in the correct position to pass the light rays to your eyepiece (if you are using a flip mirror or your telescope comes equipped with an internal flip mirror). Turn the flip mirror

Astronomical telescopes produce upside-down images. The telescope’s image is inverted when viewing straight-thru and mirror reversed with right-angled viewing (with a star diagonal or a flip mirror). The non-erect orientation of a telescope’s image may be difficult to get used to.

knob in another direction to switch the light path.

CHANGING THE MAGNIFICATION

(An optional high power eyepiece is needed)

Loosen the eyepiece setscrew and try changing to an eyepiece with a higher power (smaller number) that is available optionally. Make sure that you tighten the eyepiece setscrew after changing eyepieces.

Bring the object into focus again. The higher the magnification, the smaller the range of focus. Tur n the focusing knob more slowly.

The higher the magnification, the larger the object appears. However, the image is dimmer at higher power than at low power.

Field of view at low power

A Smaller image but you get a wider

(magnification)

field of view and brighter,

sharper image.

When using an eyepiece with short focal length (small number in millimeters, high power), the image will be dim and the range of sharp focus will be small. The image will be harder to see so begin with an eyepiece with long focal length. Dividing the focal length of the telescope by the focal length of the eyepiece gives the magnification.

Hint 6

Setscrew

Eyepiece

Field of view at high power (magnification)

A larger image but you get a narrower field of view and darker, fainter image.

Example: Calculating the eyepiece magnification using a telescope with 800mm focal length.

Eyepiece Focal length of telescope Focal length of eyepiece Magnification (power)

PL20mm 800mm 20mm x 40 PL 6mm 800mm 6mm x133

Page 27

BASIC OPERATION

Ⅳ WHY YOU NEED A FINDER SCOPE

For the novice telescope user it is difficult to locate a selected object in the field of view at high magnification. Using a finder scope will make this easier.

Be sure to align the finder scope with the telescope before you start observing.

1. Aligning the Finder scope (A80Mf, R130Sf and ED80Sf)

Choose a conspicuous target in the distance and place the target in the center of the field of view of the telescope in accordance with procedures I to III in Basic Operation.

In the illustration, a distant tower is brought into the center of the field of view of the telescope.

Next, look through the finder scope. You should probably find the same target somewhere within the finder’s field of view.

In the illustration, the tower is seen in the upper right of the finder’s field of view. The finder scope has crosshairs.

Top

Place the tower in the center

of the telescope’s field of view.

Field of view of the finder scope

Adjustment Screw B

Adjustment Screw A

Align the optical axis (field of view) of the finder scope with the optical axis (field of view) of the telescope. Adjust the finder scope by loosening or tightening the adjustment screws A and B until the target is in the same position, in the center of the crosshairs.

Example: The top of the tower can be moved toward the center of the

In the illustration, the top of the tower is in the center of the crosshairs.

Example: The top of the tower can be moved toward the center of the crosshairs by looseningthe adjustment screw A and tightening the

crosshairs by looseningthe adjustment screw A and tightening the adjustment screw C.

adjustment screw C.

Each of the finder scopes is pre-adjusted to focus at infinity before shipment from the factory but individual eyesight varies. As a result it may not be focused at infinity for you. The finder scopes for the A80Mf, R130Sf and ED80Sf have a focuser r ing that allows you to make adjustments if necessary.

Standing behind the telescope, loosen the lock ring on the finder

Focuser Ring

scope by turning it counter-clockwise allowing the objective barrel (front end) to rotate freely.

Focuser Ring

Lock Ring

While looking through the finder scope as far into the distance as possible, rotate the objective barrel to find best focus.

When the finder scope is in focus, tighten the lock ring to secure the objective barrel.

Page 28

BASIC OPERATION

2. Aligning the Finder scope (A70Lf)

Choose a conspicuous target in the distance and place the target in the center of the field of view of the telescope in accordance with procedures I to III in Basic Operation. In the illustration, a distant tower is brought into the center of the field of view of the telescope.

Top

Place the tower in the center

Next, look through the finder scope. You should probably find the same target some-

Place the tower in the center

of the telescope’s field of view.

where within the finder’s field of view. In the illustration, the tower is seen in the upper right of the finder’s field of view. The

Adjustment Screw B

finder scope has crosshairs. Align the optical axis (field of view) of the

finder scope with the optical axis (field of

Field of view of the finder scope

view) of the telescope. Adjust the finder scope by loosening or tightening two of three adjustment screws at a time in turn until the

Adjustment Screw C

target is in the same position, in the center of the crosshairs. In the illustration, the top of the tower is in the center of the crosshairs.

Example: The top of the tower can be moved toward the center of the

Example: The top of the tower can be moved toward the center of the crosshairs by loosening the adjustment screws A, B and tightening

crosshairs by loosening the adjustment screws A, B and tightening the adjustment screw C.

the adjustment screw C.

3. Aligning the Finder scope (VMC110L)

Choose a conspicuous target in the distance and place the target in the center of the field of view of the telescope in accordance with procedures I to III in Basic Operation.

In the illustration, a distant tower is brought into the center of the field of view of the tele scope.

Tur n on the dot finder by turning the brightness adjusting dial. There are graduations on the dial from 0 to 11. Set the dial at 11. The intensity of the brightness can be varied from 1 (faint) to 11 (bright).

You will see a red dot in the center of the field of view of the dot finder when you look along the white guideline as shown in the Figure.

Align the optical axis (field of view) of the dot finder with the optical axis (field of view) of the telescope. Loosen the alignment clamp on the dot finder and move the upper portion of the dot finder by holding its front end until the red dot is in the same position as the target in the telescope. Then, tighten the alignment clamp.

Target

Top

Telescope’s field of view

Red Dot

White

White Guideline

Guideline

Target

White

White Guideline

Guideline

Field of view of

the dot finder

Field of view of the finder scope

Adjustment Screw A

Brightness

Brightness Adjusting Dial

Adjusting Dial

Graduation

Alignment

Alignment Clamp

Clamp

Target

Set the brightness adjusting dial to 0 to turn off after using the dot finder.

Page 29

OBSERVING CELESTIAL

OBJECTS

Look through the dot finder in a position where a red dot appears in the center.

Hint 7

With the finder scope aligned and the eyepiece attached, you are ready to use the telescope for celestial observing. Let’s begin by observing a bright and easy-to-find object, the Moon, and then proceed to finding planets and fainter celestial objects easily visible at moderate power.

The dot finder works as long as the red dot is somewhere in the field of view. However if it is not centered, the dot may be harder to see clearly and your alignment may not be as accurate. If you have trouble locating the red dot, look along the guideline (white line) on the dot finder.

OBSERVING THE MOON

Bright and easy-to-find

objects

Moon

Jupiter

Example: What you can expect to see when viewing at a different magnification

Saturn

Moon

Venus

Dim and blurred

celestial objects

Mars

Nebulae and Star Clusters

Magnification at 50X Magnification at 100X

Aim the telescope at the Moon using the upper four buttons on the STAR BOOK-S corresponding to the direction keys on the right side of the screen to bring the Moon into the center of the field of view of the finder scope. (Using the dot finder, center the red dot on the Moon.)

Jupiter Jupiter

Saturn

Mars

Finder scope’s filed of view Finder scope’s filed of view

SaturnVenus Venus

Mars

Use a low power eyepiece

(large number in mm)

in the telescope and focus on the Moon.

Focus KnobFocus Knob

Telescope’s filed of view

Page 30

OBSERVING CELESTIAL OBJECTS

Tr y using different eyepieces to change the magnification depending on what type of lunar features you wish to view.

The Moon (as well as stars and other celestial objects) will move out of the field of view while looking through the telescope. This is due to the Earth’s rotation. The higher the magnification, the faster the movement. Re-center the Moon in the field of view by using the direction keys.

Apply the above same procedure when pointing the telescope at the planets, such as Jupiter and Saturn or nebulae and star clusters.

To learn about positions of these celestial objects (when and where they can be found), please refer to commercially available astronomy magazines.

Eyepiece

Setscrew

Eyepiece

Telescope’s field of view at high power

Drift out of the file of view

Hint 8

The full moon is not suitable for observing lunar creators in detail because of the lack of shadows and the overwhelming brightness.

Full moon or nearly full moon

Half moon Straight-thru viewing Right-angled viewing

Hint 9

When you view celestial objects around the zenith (straight up in the sky), it is much comfortable to use a right angled diagonal or a flip mirror as shown in the figure to look through the eyepiece. But the images are mirror reversed.

Page 31

Home Position

AUTOMATIC SLEWING

Automatic Slewing

Start automatic slewing after you generally understand the basic operation of the telescope. Automatic slewing allows the SKYPOD to search for celestial objects based on the positions of each object stored in the memory of the STAR BOOK-S.

Flow of Automatic Slewing

Setting the telescope

to Home Position

Aligning the telescope

Automatic Slewing

Move the telescope to the home position (initial position of the telescope). The optical tube is leveled and oriented to point west (in the southern hemisphere, point the optical tube east) using the STAR BOOK-S.

Select celestial objects from the STAR BOOK-S database as reference points. The first slew from the home position can position the telescope in the vicinity of a target object. You will need to move the telescope so that its field of view matches that of the STAR BOOK-S screen.

Automatic slewing can begin after you complete a two-point alignment.

Home Position

After you finish assembling the telescope, turn the power switches of both the SKYPOD mount and STAR BOOK-S hand controller to ON and complete all the initial settings. (Refer to pages 15 to 21.) The screen will display the text shown on the right. Remember to use an eyepiece with the lowest possible magnification on the telescope. If possible, focus on a distant object before proceeding.

Note: If you have advanced to CHART mode or SCOPE mode, turn the power to the STAR BOOK

-S off (Refer to pages 17 and 42) and restart to reach the above mentioned screen again.

Slew the mount by pressing each of the keys on the STAR BOOK-S to confirm that the telescope tube moves in the same direction as the corresponding key.

Turn the telescope tube so that the embossed home position marks are flush on the mount as shown in the figure.

Position the telescope tube so that it is level and pointing toward the west in the northern hemisphere (east in the southern hemisphere) as shown in the figure.

West in the northern hemisphere

West in the northern hemisphere (East in the southern hemisphere)

(East in the southern hemisphere)

Home position

Home position marks

marks

Home position

Home position marks

marks

Page 32

AUTOMATIC SLEWING

Alignment

Aligning the Telescope

After moving the telescope to the home position, pressing the sky on screen in the northern hemisphere (the eastern sky in the southern hemisphere). Tracking at sidereal rate starts at this time, but alignment of the telescope is needed to make the tracking more accurate.

From among the celestial objects stored in the memory of the STARBOOK-S, at least two objects must be selected as reference points to allow accurate automatic slewing and precise tracking of celestial objects. Choose well-known bright stars to use as reference objects. Repeat this procedure on at least two stars.

Select

key will display the western

SCOPE MODE and CHART MODE are alter-

nated each time the pressed.

The current MODE status is shown at the upper left of the screen. In SCOPE MODE , both the screen and telescope move simultaneously with the keys. In CHART MODE, only the screen is scrolled with the corresponding keys. Always use CHART MODE when searching for celestial objects on the screen. The two modes are linked to each other but automatic slewing works from CHART MODE only. You cannot perform an alignment after manually slewing in SCOPE MODE unless you first choose a target in CHART MODE .

Chart

GOTO

key is

What is SCOPE MODE?

In SCOPE MODE, as you slew the telescope, the star chart on the screen moves along with the telescope as its direction changes. SCOPE MODE is displayed as soon as you begin automatic slewing after a telescope.

GOTO

command. Use this mode when you want to fine tune the pointing of the

Page 33

SCOPE MODE appears on screen after

initialization when the power on the STAR BOOK-S is turned on. Change it to CHART MODE by pressing the should now appear at the upper left of the screen as shown below.

Center the celestial object that you wish to use as a reference point on the screen with the keys. Using the Zoom+

Zoom

- keys to change the scale of the star chart on the screen will help you to center your reference object correctly. Refer to

Hint 11

. Reference objects may also be selected

from the Object Menu (see page 40).

Chart

key. CHART

Hint 10

Alignment

AUTOMATIC SLEWING

Zoom In

Zoom Out

The

Zoom

+ key enlarges the star chart on the screen. In CHART MODE it allows you to scroll the chart slowly in a small area enlarged so that you can center a reference object on screen more accurately. In SCOPE MODE it allows you to point the telescope more precisely. The

Zoom

- key reduces the star chart on the screen. It allows you to scroll the screen quickly over a large area. The motor speed/ zoom level indicator is visible at the lower left on the screen.

Motor Speed Rate

Hint 11

When you center a reference object, which is shown on the screen, in the field of view of your eyepiece, try to center it as precisely as possible. This will increase the accuracy of the system.

What is CHART MODE?

Unlike SCOPE MODE, the telescope is not linked to the screen in CHART MODE. Search for objects in CHART MODE before starting automatic slewing. You may also use this mode when you simply wish to refer to a star chart.

Centering the reference celestial

object as précis as possible

Telescope’s file of view

Page 34

AUTOMATIC SLEWING

Center the celestial object you wish to use as a reference point in the circle on the screen. Example: Center the chart on “Spica” in the constellation Virgo (The Maiden).

Alignment

When the chart is zoomed in by one step. It enables you to make finer adjustments.

With each press of the chart is zoomed in more.

Enlarge the star chart until the outer of the two concentric circles goes off the screen. Refer to Hint 12 .

Zoom

+ key is pressed once, the star

Zoom

+ key the star

Move Spica to the center of the circle and press the

GOTO

key.

Hint 12

You may not be able to center a reference star exactly in the center of the circle, but it’s ok if it is slightly off center.

Page 35

Automatic slewing begins.

Caution

The telescope moves quickly when automatic slewing starts. Pay attention to its range of motion. The telescope stops immediately when any of the STARBOOK-S keys is pressed during automatic slewing. Press any key to stop in an emergency. To restar t automatic slewing, reselect a reference point to align the telescope.

A beep indicates the completion of automatic slewing Make sure that the telescope has stopped its movement and the screen on the STAR BOOK-S has changed to SCOPE MODE .

For alignment, center Spica in the field of view of your telescope. Refer to Hint 13.

Alignment

AUTOMATIC SLEWING

Center Spica in the field of view of the telescope’s finderscope and then point the telescope so that Spica is in the center of the field of view of the telescope’s eyepiece by pressing the keys. (Refer to

Hint 13 & Hint 14 )

Spica may move off center on the screen as you move the telescope, but disregard this.

Hint 13 Hint 14

The

Zoom

+ and the speed of the telescope. Zoom in on the star chart with the to move the telescope slowly, and zoom it out with the move the telescope quickly.

Zoom

- keys are linked with

Zoom

+ key when you want

Zoom

- key when you want to

Finder’s field of view Telescope’s field of view

With a high power eyepiece, move the reference star into the exact center of the field of view. Careful use of the

Zoom

- keys will enable you to make comfor-

table fine adjustments.

Zoom

+ and

Page 36

AUTOMATIC SLEWING

Press the Align key on the STAR BOOK-S after centering the reference star “Spica” in the field of view of the telescope

A dialog box pops up to let you confirm the alignment. Choose YES and press the key to enter.

A one point alignment is completed. The reference star Spica comes to the center of the target on the screen of SCOPE MODE .

Alignment

Select

Press the to CHART MODE to make the second and additional alignments. Select the next reference object from the database and repeat steps to . Refer to Hint 15 ~ Hint 21 .

Chart

key and change the screen

Hint 15

Zoom the star chart out with the

Zoom

- key to find the next reference object over a large area of the sky.

Hint 16

The alignment system is designed to improve pointing accuracy by setting two reference points as a pair alignment. Choosing a second reference point within 90 degrees in azimuth of the first will increase the pointing accuracy in the same area of the sky. However, selecting reference points within 10 degrees of each other will be warned with a beep and you will need to select reference points separated by greater than 10 degrees to perform the alignment correctly.

Page 37

Alignment

AUTOMATIC SLEWING

Hint 17

In a pair of reference points for alignment (= a pair alignment), two reference points that are located opposite each other will make pointing accuracy worse. Avoid choosing reference points in succession that are more than 90 degrees apart from each other.

Hint 18

If you wish to use reference points that are more than 90 degrees apart, first make a pair alignment with reference points that are located within 90 degrees of each other. Then make a second pair alignment in the same way, but the third reference point can be more than 90 degrees from a former (second) reference point. Pair alignments made across the whole sky will keep the pointing accuracy high in every direction.

Hint 19

Choosing a reference point near the zenith will make pointing accuracy worse. Due to the nature of SKYPOD Altazimuth Mount, you won’t be able to improve the pointing accuracy near the zenith even if you complete a pair alignment perfectly. Use a low power eyepiece to search for a celestial object in this case.

Hint 20

A variety of celestial objects can be used for reference points: the moon, planets, nebulae and star clusters. However, use a reference star (fixed star), as it may be difficult to determine the center of extended celestial objects like nebulae or star clusters.

Nebulae and Star Clusters

Hint 21

Up to 20 alignment points may be used to raise slewing accuracy.

Fixed Stars

Page 38

AUTOMATIC SLEWING

Starting Automatic Slewing

Automatic slewing becomes available as soon as a two point alignment (the first pair alignment) is completed. Proceed to automatic slewing when you’ve finished them. Choose celestial objects that you are interested in observing one by one. Refer to Hint 15 and Hint 19 .

The following is an example for slewing to the globular cluster M3 in the constellation Canes Venatici (The Hunting Dogs).

Zoom the star chart out on the screen by pressing the constellation in a large area of the sky.

Zoom

- key to find the target

In CHART MODE , locate your target (hereafter M3) in Canes Venatici (The Hunting Dogs) with the keys.

Zoom the star chart in (along the way) by pressing the crosshairs with the keys.

Continue zooming in further while centering M3 in the crosshairs with the keys.

Zoom

+ key to center M3 on the

GOTO

Press the

GOTO

key.

Page 39

AUTOMATIC SLEWING

As soon as the MODE changes to SCOPE MODE and the telescope starts automatic slewing.

Automatic slewing

Start viewing with a low power eyepiece. Insert a low power eyepiece and center M3 in the field of view of the telescope’s eyepiece with the keys.

Change the magnification as desired by changing the eyepiece and enjoy the view.

Then Move to the Next Object

Press the to the next object.

GOTO

key is pressed, CHART

Completion of automatic slewing

Chart

key when you wish to move

SCOPE MODE on the screen changes to CHART MODE .

Choose the next object on the screen with the keys after zooming the star chart out to show a large area of the sky.

Press the

GOTO

key.

Page 40

AUTOMATIC SLEWING

Choosing a Target from the Object Menu

Use the Object Menu. When you are in CHART MODE to search for a celestial object, pressing the Object

key will bring up the Object Menu list.

Example 1: Search for Messier objects

(Find a Messier object from the Messier Catalog, which includes many well-known objects.)

Pressing the CHART MODE when you are in SCOPE MODE . Press the list.

Move the cursor to keys and press the

The Messier catalog is displayed. Only those objects above the horizon will be shown. Move the cursor to the target object (M51 here) with the keys and press the to enter.

Chart

key will change the screen to

Object

key to show the Object Menu

Messier

with the

Select

key to enter.

Select

key

Object

Some brief data of this celestial object (M51) is displayed. Choose OK and press the key to enter.

If you decide you wish to select a different object, choose Cancel instead to go back to the Messier catalog.

Select

Page 41

AUTOMATIC SLEWING

When the starts moving to point to the target object (M51).

Note 1: The STAR BOOK-S Object menus will display only those celestial objects which are in the sky above the horizon at the current time and location.

Note 2: The object label may appear twice next to the selected object. Note 3: The Object Menu also includes the Sun, Moon, planets, constellations, NGC/IC objects

and well-known celestial objects. You can search for them in the same way.

Never look directly at the sun with your naked eye or through the telescope without the proper filter attached. Per manent and irreversible eye damage may result. Do not leave the telescope unattended while it is pointed at the sun. It may cause a fire.

GOTO

Warning!

key is pressed, the telescope

GOTO

Example 2: Search for NGC/IC objects (Find a celestial object in the NGC/IC catalog.)

Pressing the CHART MODE when you are in SCOPE MODE .

Press the

The Object Menu is displayed. Move the cursor to NGC/IC with the keys and press the Enter the catalog number of the target object (NGC4594 here). Move the cursor to the head of the 4-digit number boxes with the keys and fill in the boxes with the

Value

- keys.

If you wish to choose an object from the IC catalog, move the cursor to the NGC box with the keys and change the display to IC with the

Chart

key will change the screen to

Object

key to display the Object Menu.

Select

key to enter.

Value

+ ,

Value

- keys.

Value

+ ,

Object

Page 42

AUTOMATIC SLEWING

Some brief data on this celestial object is

④

displayed. Choose OK and press the key to enter.

If you decide you wish to select a different object, choose Cancel instead to go back to the NGC/IC catalog.

Select

When the

⑤

starts moving to point to the target object NGC 4594 (Sombrero galaxy M104) automatically.

GOTO

key is pressed, the telescope

Completing Observing

Turn off the power to the SKYPOD. Refer to Hint 22 .

Next, turn off the STAR BOOK-S using the following procedure. Press the

key to open the system menu.

Power SwitchPower Switch

Move the cursor to Power Off with the keys and press the

Choose YES with the keys and press the

Select

key to enter.

Select

key to enter.

Page 43

AUTOMATIC SLEWING

Hint 22

About Home Position

You can return the telescope to the initial set position automatically at the end of your observing session when you choose Home Position just before tur ning off the power to the SKYPOD and the STARBOOK-S. This helps you to restart quickly the next time you wish to observe.

The telescope will return to the same position you initially set as Home Position. Correct the home position if necessary with the keys if the embossed home position marks are not lined up.

Press the menu.

Move the cursor to Home Position with the keys and press the to enter.

Choose YES with the keys and press the

key to display the system

Select

key to enter.

Select

key

The telescope automatically moves back to Home Position where you set the initial position just before starting the celestial alignment. Your alignment can begin quickly from the Home Position the next time you observe.

West in the northern hemisphere

West in the northern hemisphere (East in the southern hemisphere)

(East in the southern hemisphere)

Page 44

APPLICATION

Chart Setting

For various system settings, press the CHART MODE and SCOPE MODE .

Press the on the screen.

Choose Chart Setting with the keys and press the

The Chart Setting screen is displayed. Move the cursor with the keys and select your setting preference with the keys. Choose OK and press the enter.

A. Chart Mode

key to display the System Menu

Select

key to enter.

Value

Select

+ ,

key to

key to access them. The

Value

key is available in both

Choose screen as it appears normally to the observer. The horizon is displayed in this mode only.

The default setting is AltAz.

Choose star chart on the screen with no horizon. The chart is oriented equatorially and scrolls in Right Ascension and Declination.

B. Const. (Constellation) Lines

Choose ON in order to show constellation figure lines, and choose OFF to display charts with no lines.

The default setting is ON.

AltAz

in order to display the sky on

RADC

in order to display a borderless

AltAz RADC

Constellation Lines ON Constellation Lines OFF

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C. Const. (Constellation) Name

Choose Short in order to show abbreviated constellation names and choose

Long

to show the constellation names by full Latin name. Choosing OFF will hide the constellation names.

The default setting is OFF.

D. Confirm GOTO

When set to ON , a confirmation dialog for GOTO will be displayed on the screen before you proceed to SCOPE MODE for automatic slewing.

APPLICATION

Constellation Name ShortConstellation Name OFF Constellation Name long

Choose YES to start automatic slewing. If you choose NO , automatic slewing is canceled and the screen returns to SCOPE MODE.

The default setting is OFF.

LCD Adjustment

Choose LCD Adjust to change the contrast of the screen.

Press the menu. Move the cursor to LCD Adjust with the keys and press the key to enter.

Adjust the contrast with the keys and press the

There is also an LCD adjustment in the initial setting screen right after you turn the power of the STAR BOOK-S to on. Refer to Hint 1 on page 18.

key to display the system

Select

key to enter.

Select

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APPLICATION

Backlighting Duration Adjustment

It is possible to turn off the screen backlight when a certain period of time has passed after keys are pressed. You can set the backlighting duration to remain on between 5 seconds and 300 seconds in 5 second intervals

. Choosing Always ON will keep the backlight on at all times.

Press the

Choose Backlight with the keys and press the

The Backlight setting screen is displayed. Move the cursor with the keys and select the backlighting duration with the keys. Backlighting duration can be set to always ON or between 5 seconds and 300 seconds in 5 second intervals. The backlight is turned off after the set time elapses.

After setting the backlighting duration, move the cursor to OK and press the enter.

key to display the system menu.

Select

key to enter.

Select

key to

About handling after setting backlighting duration:

The backlight will turn off automatically after the set duration if no key has been pressed during that time. Press the

In addition, the backlight will be turned ON in the following cases: * When you press a key to display a dialog such as an alignment key, or when a dialog appears on the screen such as the warning for reverse motion. * When the screen is changed from/to CHART MODE to/from SCOPE MODE.

The backlight will not be turned off in the following cases: * During automatic slewing. * While a dialog or menu is displayed. * While in CHART MODE

key to turn on the backlight.

Page 47

APPLICATION

About STARBOOK-S

Information about the firmware version, IP address, Subnet mask, MAC address is displayed. You may need this kind of information for future upgrades of your STARBOOK-S.

Press the menu.

Choose About STAR BOOK-S with the keys and press the to enter.

Press the menu.

key to display the system

Select

key to return to the system

Select

key

Saving the Settings

You need to save the settings in order for the current settings to apply the next time the STAR BOOK-S is used. Refer to page 21.

Using the STAR BOOK-S as a Stand Alone Unit

The STAR BOOK-S works with its self-contained batteries so it may be used by itself.

This is a convenient feature for downloading software for upgrade, downloading comet data or use as a star chart.

You cannot activate functions relating to the SKYPOD Mount drive.

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Part of the software embedded in this product is eCos - Embedded Configurable Operating System, a trademark of Red Hat. Portions created by Red Hat are Copyright (C) 1998, 1999, 2000 Red Hat, Inc. (http://www.redhat.com). All Rights Reserved.

THE SOFTWARE IN THIS PRODUCT WAS IN PART PROVIDED BY RED HAT AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABL ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT(INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

http://www.vixen.co.j p

5-17-3 Hi gashitokorozawa,Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-0021, Japan Phone +81-4-2944-4141(International F a x +81-4-2944-9722(International

) )

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Vixen SKYPOD User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual