Celestron NexStar GPS Instruction Manual

Download or browse on-line these Instruction Manual for Celestron NexStar GPS Telescope.

Celestron NexStar GPS Manual Information:

This manual for Celestron NexStar GPS, given in the PDF format, is available for free online viewing and download without logging on. The guide contains 71 pages, and the size of the file at download is . The document type is Instruction Manual.

Download Manual

Summary of Contents:

[Page 1] Celestron NexStar GPS

I I N N S S T T R R U U C C T T I I O O N N M M A A N N U U A A L L ...

[Page 2] Celestron NexStar GPS

2 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................................................. 4 W ARNING ..................................................

[Page 3] Celestron NexStar GPS

3 The Celestial Coordinate System .................................................................................................................................................. 28 Motion of the Stars .................................................

[Page 4] Celestron NexStar GPS

4 Congratulations on your purchase of the Celestron NexStar GPS telescope! The NexStar GPS ushers in the next generation of computer automated telescopes. The NexStar GPS series, for the first time ever in a commercial telescope, uses GPS (Global Pos...

[Page 5] Celestron NexStar GPS

5 2 1 3 4 Place the center leg brace between the tripod legs and tighten the tension knob so that the brace pushes out against the legs. Loosen the extension clamp at the end of each tripod leg and slide dow n the inner portion of the leg to the des...

[Page 6] Celestron NexStar GPS

6 5 6 7 8 The NexStar will automatically pick an alignment star and slew the telescope close to that star. Once there, the display will ask you to use the arrow buttons to aim the finderscope atthestar.Ifthestarisnotvisible(perhapsbehin...

[Page 7] Celestron NexStar GPS

7 1 Control Panel (see below) 7 Optical Tube 2 Focus Knob 8 Schmidt Corrector Lens 3 Star Diagonal 9 Hand Control 4 Eyepiece 10 Fork Arm 5 Finderscope 11 Carrying Handle 6 Finderscope Adjustment Screw 12 Tripod CONTROL PANEL C Auxiliary Port 2 A PC I...

[Page 8] Celestron NexStar GPS

8 The NexStar comes completely pre-assembled and can be operational in a matter of minutes. The NexStar and its accessories are conveniently packaged in one reusable shipping carton while the tripod comes in its own box. Included with your NexStar ar...

[Page 9] Celestron NexStar GPS

9 A AA A A AA A d dd d d dd d j jj j j jj j u uu u u uu u s ss s s ss s t tt t t tt t i ii i i ii i n nn n n nn n g gg g g gg g t tt t t t...

[Page 10] Celestron NexStar GPS

10 A AA A A AA A t tt t t tt t t tt t t tt t a aa a a aa a c cc c c cc c h hh h h hh h i ii i i ii i n nn n n nn n g gg g g gg g t tt t t tt t h hh h h hh h e ee e e ee e N NN N N NN N e ee e e ee e x xx x x xx x S SS S S ...

[Page 11] Celestron NexStar GPS

11 A AA A A AA A d dd d d dd d j jj j j jj j u uu u u uu u s ss s s ss s t tt t t tt t i ii i i ii i n nn n n nn n g gg g g gg g t tt t t tt t h hh h h hh h e ee e e ee e C CC C C CC C l ll l l ll l u uu u u uu u t tt t t ...

[Page 12] Celestron NexStar GPS

12 Eyepieces are commonly referred to by focal length and barrel diameter. The focal length of each eyepiece is printed on the eyepiece barrel. The longer the focal length (i.e., the larger the number) the lower the eyepiece power or magnification; a...

[Page 13] Celestron NexStar GPS

13 Aligning the Finderscope To make the alignment process a little easier, you should perform this task in the daytime when it is easier to locate objects in the telescope without the finder. To align the finder: 1. Choose a conspicuous object that ...

[Page 14] Celestron NexStar GPS

14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 9 10 The NexStar has a removable hand controller built into the side of the fork arm designed to give you instant access to all the functions the NexStar has to offer. With automatic slewing to over 40,000 objects, and common...

[Page 15] Celestron NexStar GPS

15 Caldwell – A combination of the best NGC and IC objects. Planets - All 8 planets in our Solar System plus the Moon. Stars – A compiled list of the brightest stars from the SAO catalog. List – For quick access, all of the best and most popula...

[Page 16] Celestron NexStar GPS

16 sky, slews to an alignment star and asks you to position the star is in the center of the eyepiece. The NexStar is then ready to start finding and tracking any of the objects in its 40,000+ object database. Before the telescope is ready to be alig...

[Page 17] Celestron NexStar GPS

17 Auto-Align Alternatively, if you are observing at a location where it is difficult to establish a link with the proper satellites, AutoAlign will allow the user to input the necessary information needed to align the telescope. After choosing Aut...

[Page 18] Celestron NexStar GPS

18 3. Th e SELECT STAR 1 SELECT STAR 1SELECT STAR 1 SELECT STAR 1 message will appear in the top row of the display. Use the Up and Down scroll keys (10) to select the star you wish to use for the first alignment star. Press ENTER. 4. NexStar then as...

[Page 19] Celestron NexStar GPS

19 5. The display will then ask you which alignment star you want to replace. 6. Use the UP and Down scroll keys to select the alignment star to be replaced. It is usually best to replace the star closest to the new object. This will space out your a...

[Page 20] Celestron NexStar GPS

20 T TT T T TT T o oo o o oo o u uu u u uu u r rr r r rr r M MM M M MM M o oo o o oo o d dd d d dd d e ee e e ee e The NexStar includes a tour feature which automatically allows the user to choose from a list of interestin...

[Page 21] Celestron NexStar GPS

21 Alt-Az This is the default tracking rate and is used when the telescope is placed on a flat surface or tripod without the use of an equatorial wedge. The telescope must be aligned with two stars before it can track in altazimuth (Alt-Az). EQ North...

[Page 22] Celestron NexStar GPS

22 desired object is centered in the eyepiece, simply scroll to the "Save Sky Obj" Save Sky Obj" Save Sky Obj" Save Sky Obj" command and press ENTER. The display will ask you to enter a number between 1-25 to identify the o...

[Page 23] Celestron NexStar GPS

23 To set the anti-backlash value, scroll down to the anti-backlash option and press ENTER. Enter a value from 0-100 for both azimuth and altitude and press ENTER after each one to save these values. NexStar will remember these values and use them ea...

[Page 24] Celestron NexStar GPS

24 NexStar Menu Tree: The following figure is a menu tree showing the sub-menus associated with the primary command functions ALT-AZ EQ NORTH EQ SOUTH OFF MODE SIDEREAL SOLAR LUNAR RATE TRACKING VIEW TIME-SITE SETUP TIME-SITE SIDEREAL TIME ALTMAX IN ...

[Page 25] Celestron NexStar GPS

25 Figure 5-1 A A c c u u t t a a w w a a y y v v i i e e w w o o f f t t h h e e l l i i g g h h t t p p a a t t h h o o f f t t h h e e S S c c h h m m i i d d t t - - C C a a s s s s e e g g r r a a i i n n o o p p t t i i c c a a l l d d e e s s ...

[Page 26] Celestron NexStar GPS

26 Figure 5-3 Theemblemontheendof the focus knob shows the correct rotational direction for focusing the NexStar. F FF F F FF F o oo o o oo o c cc c c cc c u uu u u uu u s ss s s ss s i ii i i ii i n nn n n nn n g gg g g gg g ...

[Page 27] Celestron NexStar GPS

27 G GG G G GG G e ee e e ee e n nn n n nn n e ee e e ee e r rr r r rr r a aa a a aa a l ll l l ll l O OO O O OO O b bb b b bb b s ss s s ss s e ee e e ee e r rr r r rr r v vv v v vv v i ii i i ii i n nn n n nn n g gg g g gg g ...

[Page 28] Celestron NexStar GPS

28 Up to this point, this manual covered the assembly and basic operation of your NexStar telescope. However, to understand your telescope more thoroughly, you need to know a little about the night sky. This section deals with observational astronomy...

[Page 29] Celestron NexStar GPS

29 M MM M M MM M o oo o o oo o t tt t t tt t i ii i i ii i o oo o o oo o n nn n n nn n o oo o o oo o f ff f f ff f t tt t t tt t h hh h h hh h e ee e e ee e S SS S S SS S t tt t t tt t a aa a a aa a r rr r r ...

[Page 30] Celestron NexStar GPS

30 P PP P P PP P o oo o o oo o l ll l l ll l a aa a a aa a r rr r r rr r A AA A A AA A l ll l l ll l i ii i i ii i g gg g g gg g n nn n n nn n m mm m m mm m e ee e e ee e n nn n n nn n t tt t t tt t ( (( ( ( (( ( w ww w w ...

[Page 31] Celestron NexStar GPS

31 1. With the NexStar set up outside and attached to an equatorial wedge, rotate the tripod so that the fork arms are pointed towards north (see figure 6-3). 2. Power on the telescope and scroll through the alignment choices until EQ North Align (or...

[Page 32] Celestron NexStar GPS

32 Latitude Scale Polar Alignment Method The easiest way to polar align a telescope is with a latitude scale. Unlike other methods that require you to find the celestial pole by identifying certain stars near it, this met...

[Page 33] Celestron NexStar GPS

33 Remember, while polar aligning, do NOT move the telescope in R.A. or DEC. You do not want to move the telescope itself, but the polar axis. The telescope is used simply to see where the polar axis is pointing. You adjust the telescope by moving th...

[Page 34] Celestron NexStar GPS

34 With your telescope set up, you are ready to use it for observing. This section covers visual observing hints for both solar system and deep sky objects as well as general observing conditions which will affect your ability to observe. O OO O O OO...

[Page 35] Celestron NexStar GPS

35 O OO O O OO O b bb b b bb b s ss s s ss s e ee e e ee e r rr r r rr r v vv v v vv v i ii i i ii i n nn n n nn n g gg g g gg g t tt t t tt t h hh h h hh h e ee e e ee e S SS S S SS S u uu u u uu u n nn n n nn n ...

[Page 36] Celestron NexStar GPS

36 polluted areas by blocking unwanted light while transmitting light from certain deep sky objects. You can, on the other hand, observe planets and stars from light polluted areas or when the Moon is out. S SS S S SS S e ee e e ee e e ee e e ee e i ...

[Page 37] Celestron NexStar GPS

37 After looking at the night sky for a while you may want to try photographing it. Several forms of celestial photography are possible with your telescope, including short exposure prime focus, eyepiece projection, long exposure deep sky, terrestria...

[Page 38] Celestron NexStar GPS

38 2. Center the Moon in the field of your NexStar telescope. 3. Focus the telescope by turning the focus knob until the image is sharp. 4. Set the shutter speed to the appropriate setting (see table below). 5. Trip the shutter using a cable release....

[Page 39] Celestron NexStar GPS

39 2. Turn the focus knob until the image is as sharp as possible. 3. Place the black card over the front of the telescope. 4. Release the shutter using a cable release. 5. Wait for the vibration caused by releasing the shutter to diminish. Also, wai...

[Page 40] Celestron NexStar GPS

40 1. Polar align the telescope using an optional equatorial wedge. To polar align the NexStar you must select EQ North Align (or EO South Align) from the alignment options. For more information on polar aligning, see the Polar Alignment section earl...

[Page 41] Celestron NexStar GPS

41 Note: When recording PEC only the photo guide rates (rates 1 and 2) will be operational. This eliminates the possibility of moving the telescope suddenly while recording. 5. To begin recording the drive's periodic error, press the MENU button...

[Page 42] Celestron NexStar GPS

42 Metering The NexStar has a fixed aperture and, as a result, fixed f/ratios. To properly expose your subjects photographically, you need to set your shutter speed accordingly. Most 35mm SLR cameras offer through-the-lens metering which lets you kn...

[Page 43] Celestron NexStar GPS

43 The above figure shows how the secondary mirror is removed when using the optional CCD camera at f/2 and the Fastar Lens Assembly. Warning: The secondary mirror should never be removed unless installing the optional Fastar Lens Assembly. Adjustmen...

[Page 44] Celestron NexStar GPS

44 exposure time needed about 25 times shorter than at f/10, the field of view 5 times larger and the object size 1/5 compared to that of f/10. (see Table below) Telescope Model Standard Cassegrain f/10 With Reducer/Cor...

[Page 45] Celestron NexStar GPS

45 Auto Guiding The NexStar GPS has a designated auto guiding port for use with a CCD autoguider. The diagram below may be useful when connecting the CCD camera cable to the NexStar and calibrating the autoguider. Note that the four outputs are acti...

[Page 46] Celestron NexStar GPS

46 While your NexStar telescope requires little maintenance, there are a few things to remember that will ensure your telescope performs at its best. C CC C C CC C a aa a a aa a r rr r r rr r e ee e e ee e a aa a a aa a n nn n n nn n d ...

[Page 47] Celestron NexStar GPS

47 Figure 9-3 A collimated telescope should appear symmetrical with the central obstruction centered in the star's diffraction pattern. To accomplish this, you need to tighten the secondary collimation screw(s) that move the star across the fiel...

[Page 48] Celestron NexStar GPS

48 You will find that additional accessories enhance your viewing pleasure and expand the usefulness of your telescope. For ease of reference, all the accessories are listed in alphabetical order. Adapter, Car Battery (#18769) - Celestron...

[Page 49] Celestron NexStar GPS

49 • Lanthanum Eyepieces (LV Series) - Lanthanum is a unique rare earth glass used in one of the field lenses of this new eyepiece. The Lanthanum glass reduces aberrations to a minimum. All are fully multicoated and have an astounding 20mm of eye ...

[Page 50] Celestron NexStar GPS

50 Radial Guider (#94176) - The Celestron Radial Guider ® is specifically designed for use in prime focus, deep sky astrophotography and takes the place of the T-Adapter. This device allows you to photograph and guide simultaneously through the opti...

[Page 51] Celestron NexStar GPS

51 Appendix A - Technical Specifications Optical Specification NexStar 8 GPS NexStar 11 GPS Design Schmidt-Cassegrain Catadioptric Schmidt-Cassegrain Catadioptric Aperture 8" (203.2mm) 11" (279mm) Focal Length 2032mm 2800mm F/ratio of the O...

[Page 52] Celestron NexStar GPS

52 Appendix B - Glossary of Terms A- Absolute magnitude The apparent magnitude that a star would have if it were observed from a standard distance of 10 parsecs, or 32.6 light-years. The absolute magnitude of the Sun is 4.8. at a distance of 10 parse...

[Page 53] Celestron NexStar GPS

53 J - Jovian Planets Any of the four gas giant planets that are at a greater distance form the sun than the terrestrial planets. K - Kuiper Belt A region beyond the orbit of Neptune extending to about 1000 AU which is a source of many short period c...

[Page 54] Celestron NexStar GPS

54 telescope at this rate. The rate is 15 arc seconds per second or 15 degrees per hour. T - Terminator The boundary line between the light and dark portion of the moon or a planet. U - Universe The totality of astronomical things, events, relations ...

[Page 55] Celestron NexStar GPS

55 A A P P P P E E N N D D I I X X C C L L O O N N G G I I T T U U D D E E S S A A N N D D L L A A T T I I T T U U D D E E S S LONGITUDE LATITUDE degrees min degrees min ALABAMA Anniston 85 51 33 34.8 Auburn 85 26.4 32 40.2 Birmingham 86 45 33 34.2 C...

[Page 56] Celestron NexStar GPS

56 LONGITUDE LATITUDE degrees min degrees min Melbourne 80 37.8 28 6 Miami 80 16.8 25 49.2 Naples 81 4.8 26 7.8 Nasa Shuttle 80 40.8 28 37.2 Orlando 81 19.2 28 25.8 Panama City 85 40.8 30 12 Patrick AFB 80 3.6 28 13.8 Pensacola 87 19.2 30 21 Ruskin 8...

[Page 57] Celestron NexStar GPS

57 LONGITUDE LATITUDE degrees min degrees min Wurtsmith 83 2.4 44 27 Ypsilanti 83 31.8 42 13.8 MINNESOTA Albert Lea 93 22.2 43 40.8 Alexandria 95 22.8 45 52.2 Bemidji Muni 94 55.8 47 30 Brainerd-Crw 94 7.8 46 24 Detroit Laks 95 52.8 46 49.2 Duluth 92...

[Page 58] Celestron NexStar GPS

58 LONGITUDE LATITUDE degrees min degrees min OKLAHOMA Altus AFB 99 16.2 34 40.2 Ardmore 97 1.2 34 18 Bartlesville 96 0 36 45 Clinton 99 1.2 35 21 Enid 97 4.8 36 22.8 Fort Sill 98 2.4 34 39 Gage 99 46.2 36 18 Hobart 99 3 35 0 Lawton 98 25.2 34 34.2 M...

[Page 59] Celestron NexStar GPS

59 LONGITUDE LATITUDE degrees min degrees min Walla Walla 118 16.8 46 6 Wenatchee 120 1.2 47 24 Whidbey Is 122 39 48 21 Yakima 120 31.8 46 34.2 WEST VIRGINIA Beckley 81 7.2 37 46.8 Bluefield 81 13.2 37 18 Charleston 81 3.6 38 22.2 Clarksburg 80 13.8 ...

[Page 60] Celestron NexStar GPS

60 Appendix D - RS-232 Connection You can control your NexStar telescope with a computer via the RS-232 port on the hand control and using an optional RS-232 cable (see Optional Accessories section of manual). Once connected, the NexStar can be contr...

[Page 61] Celestron NexStar GPS

61 APPENDIX E – MAPS OF TIME ZONES ...

[Page 62] Celestron NexStar GPS

62 ...

[Page 63] Celestron NexStar GPS

63 ...

[Page 64] Celestron NexStar GPS

64 ...

[Page 65] Celestron NexStar GPS

65 ...

[Page 66] Celestron NexStar GPS

66 ...

[Page 67] Celestron NexStar GPS

67 ...

[Page 68] Celestron NexStar GPS

68 ...

[Page 69] Celestron NexStar GPS

69 Observational Data Sheet Yearly Meteor Showers Shower Date Peak Hourly Rate Quadrantids Jan 01-Jan 05 4-Jan 60-200 Lyrids...

[Page 70] Celestron NexStar GPS

70 CELESTRON ONE YEAR WARRANTY A. Celestron International (CI) warrants this telescope to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for one year. CI will repair or replace such product or part thereof which, upon inspection by CI, is found to...

[Page 71] Celestron NexStar GPS

Celestron In...