I have a meade ETX 90 with autostar - however whenever I go out and align it, the star it says it should be pointing to is not there or it points to a not very bright star - this is becoming really frustrating as I really want to get the most out of this investment. Any hints?
2006-07-12 08:35:03 · 4 answers · asked by iknowthis 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Well, I am putting it into the north position with the tube at 0 degrees, I am then asking it to do an easy align (2 stars) - but then when it points at the stars, nothing, nothing but dull stars... frustrating...
2006-07-12 08:40:35 · update #1
Thank you, I am going out tonight as it is clear and I will try again.
2006-07-12 09:24:07 · update #2
IT WORKED!!!! - I am really pleased - thank you very much!!!
2006-07-12 11:07:12 · update #3
But if anyone has any more tips about autostar - please answer!
2006-07-12 11:09:27 · update #4
need to provide more detail about what your ARE doing and NOT doing. North alignment OK, locating on correct original stars for north compensation?
Not enough info.........
2006-07-12 08:38:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure the scope is level with the horizon and pointed north. The further off north the scope is for its first alignment, the further it will miss the first alignment star. Make sure the date and time, and your location are set accurately on the Autostar. For your first alignment, it helps if you can identify with your eyes the star it says it's pointing to. If you have a star chart, for example, and the scope says it's pointing at Capella, find Capella in the sky with the help of the star chart and then adjust the scope so it's now centered on that star. Press Enter, or whatever, and it will go to a second star for alignment. You should be able to see that star inside the scope's field of view. Center the star, press Enter, and you're aligned, with the motor driving running. It should work.
2006-07-12 08:49:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a meade 4.5" telescope with autostar, and I swear I have had it two years, I have tried countless times to align it, and it still would never align. It would always be about ten degrees + altitude of the alignment star. And when I would move the scope to the alignment stars, it would conclude that the alignment failed.
I know your frustration. After two years I ended up just learning the sky myself and slewing the telescope by the motor controls manually. My autostar must be defective. I wish you luck with your telescope.
2006-07-16 11:03:05 · answer #3 · answered by nachtmerrie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really helps to know a few bright stars yourself. That way, if it is off a few degrees, you can manually move it to the star you know is correct and tell it to use that star. Relying on a computerized telescope mount to find Vega or Deneb without being able to find them yourself just by looking at the sky is a bit like relying on a calculator to tell you that 2+2=4 without knowing it yourself.
2006-07-12 08:52:32 · answer #4 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋