EXCALIBUR 765 Space Navigator - Manual (Page 7)

7
USING THE STAR MAPS
Space Navigatorʼs star maps are your key to knowing the sky.
Each star map is illuminated and color-coded for easy view-
ing. So, even though they are packed with information, Space
Navigatorʼs star maps are easy to use and understand at night.
1. The maps show the 56 constellations visible from mid-
northern latitudes, 66 of the brightest or most important stars
and 33 of the best deep-sky objects.
2. Each of the 20 star maps represents a circular view of the
night sky.
3. Constellations names, star names, and deep-sky object
names are located close to the objects and are visible under the
red light. Constellation names also appear under the blue light.
4. Constellation names are shown in all caps. Only the first let-
ters of star names are capitalized. Deep sky objects are labeled
with an “M” or an “NGC” prefix followed by a number.
5. White dots designate the stars. The size of a white dot in-
dicates the brightness of the star. The biggest dots indicate the
brightest stars.
6. Deep-sky objects are represented by a small circle of dots.
Some deep sky objects are faint and will require binoculars or
a telescope to see.
7. The names of adjacent constellations and their map numbers
are shown at the edges of the maps. These markings make it
easy to go from map to map to learn the entire night sky.
8. The large red circle marks off the sky view for each chart.
9. When removing the maps from the storage compartment on
the back, pull the map number tab lighted by the LED.
10. The mythological figures that the ancient Greeks imag-
ined are visible under blue light. For example, Map 6 shows
Cygnus as a swan, flying south, as some birds do in the fall,
when Cygnus is readily visible. Or, in the case of Cassiopeia
on Map 9, the modern red “W” becomes the Ethiopian Queen,
facing her king, Cepheus.
11. The red lines between stars show the easily recognized,
modern shapes that youʼll use to quickly spot constellations.
For example, on Map 6, the red connecting lines show the
constellation Cygnus as an easily recognizable cross. (Indeed,
this constellation is sometimes called the “Northern Cross.”)
Another good example is Cassiopeia, on Map 9, which to
modern eyes looks like a big “W” or “M” that is easily spotted
in the sky.
12. The maps can be replaced in any order (as long as all the
odd-numbered maps face up) and the map number tabs will
still be over the appropriate LEDs.
V OICE FEATURE
The Space Navigatorʼs voice feature guides you through the
necessary steps to find and identify objects in the night sky.
The steps are also displayed on the LCD if you choose to
use the Space Navigator silently. Press the VOLUME button
repeatedly to set one of the three levels of volume or to mute
the Space Navigator. As you press the UP/DOWN keys to
step through the items on a menu, Space Navigator will say
the name of the underlined object or menu item. Press the
REPEAT key to have Space Navigator repeat the previous
statement.
LIGHTS
The two lights on the sides of the Space Navigator are used
to illuminate both the front and back of the unit. The lights
appear as two black arms at the side of the Space Navigator.
Gently lift the lights toward you so they stand vertically. Once
the lights are vertical, you can also swivel the lights from side
to side when for better illumination and to reduce glare. The
COLOR button turns the lights on and off, and also changes
the color of the light.
What the different colored lights reveal
Everything that is white on the maps is visible under both blue
and red lights. Everything that is red on the maps is visible
only under red light. Everything that is blue on the maps is vis-
ible only under blue lights.
The red light reveals the stars, the modern figures we use to
identify the constellations, the names of the contellations,
stars, and deep-sky objects—as well as the viewing circle
around them. The red light also shows the coordinates, a-x,
used to load the maps, and the names and map numbers of
adjacent constellations located around the edge of the map.
The blue light shows the stars, the names of the constella-
tions, and the Greek mythological figures associated with the
constellations.
The coordinates and the names of the constellations that border
the map also appear on the edge of the maps when the blue is
illuminated.
USING THE COLOR BUTTON
Press the COLOR key repeatedly to set red, blue, or red and
blue light, and to turn the light off. Use only the red light when
you are trying to find or identify objects in the sky, since red
light will not spoil your night vision. The stars and the lines
between them, as well as the names of the constellations, stars,
and deep-sky objects will show up on the maps under red light.
Turn on the blue light to make the mythological figures and
their names appear. Turning both the red and blue lights on
allow you to read all markings on the maps at once. Do not
use the blue light for extended periods as it will decrease your
night vision. If this happens, turn off the blue light and rest
your eyes for approximately five minutes to fully restore your
night vision.