Bushnell NORTH STAR GOTO 78-8840 User Manual

Page 17

ALIGNING NORTHSTAR FOR THE FIRST TIME / ALIGN STAR MODE

To select the final mode press ENTER at the display:

SELECT MODE

TELESCOPE 56

The display reads something like:

RA18:53 DEC+38.7

AZ280 ALT+62 LYR

The TELESCOPE mode gives you dynamic real-time information on your telescope’s current position in terms of

astronomical coordinates. Play around with this mode by moving the telescope around. Notice the three letter

abbreviation in the lower right portion of the display. This dynamically displays the current CONSTELLATION that the

telescope is pointing at. These names are abbreviated in this mode. Definitions for the abbreviations are listed in an

index at the back of the manual.

optionaL: using aLign star moDe (two star alignment method)

This mode requires you to locate and center two stars instead of just one, so it may take a little more time and

experience. However, it will provide more accurate, precise operation and guidance as you continue to use your

NorthStar telescope. It's also useful if you are in a remote location and can't find a nearby city from the list in ALIGN

EARTH mode.

To use the ALIGN STAR mode, after you turn on the telescope's power and the SELECT MODE message appears on the

display after the welcome message, press the DOWN button to select ALIGN STAR. Press ENTER. The message changes

to ALIGN STAR 1.

Using the star charts on the next pages for reference (there is a chart for each of the four seasons, in both northern

and southern hemispheres), choose a star you think you will be able to find in the night sky (perhaps within one of the

constellation groups), and use the UP/DOWN buttons to find it's name on the displayed list. The display also shows two

numbers with vertical and horizontal position arrows. Pressing "GO" will move the telescope into a position roughly

near the star. Now use the red dot finder scope to aim the telescope more precisely at the star you chose. Next, looking

through the eyepiece, position that star right in the center of the viewing field by moving the telescope by hand or

using the motorized movement buttons).

Once you have your first star centered, press ENTER. The display changes to "ALIGN STAR 2". Select another star from

the list (again using the star charts for reference) and repeat the process for the second star. After this step is completed,

you will see a display that reads:

ALIGN COMPLETE

RATING *****

(Note: The more stars that appear on the second line of the display the better, up to 5)

The telescope is now aligned and ready to use. The display will again read SELECT MODE. Please refer to the directions

and suggestions in Step 6: "Explore the Night Sky". For example, you might start off selecting the EXPLORE mode,

then selecting PLANET if you are new to the world of astronomy.