Train the telescope motors using AutoStar II. Perform this procedure if you are experiencing any pointing accuracy
problems. Fig. 43 depicts the complete Drive Training procedure.
Note:
Use a terrestrial object, such as a telephone pole or lamp post, to train the drive. Complete this
exercise once every 3 to 6 months to maintain the highest level of telescope pointing accuracy.
Figure 43: Training the Drive Procedure.
APPENDIX D: TRAINING THE DRIVE
Further Study...
This manual gives only the briefest introduction to
astronomy. If you are interested in pursuing further
studies in astronomy, a few topics are suggested below
that are worth reading up on. Try looking up some of
these in the optional AutoStar II glossary.
Also included below is a small sampling of books,
magazines, and organizations that you might find helpful.
Topics
1. How is a star born? How does a solar system form?
2. How is the distance to a star measured? What is a
light year? What is red shift and blue shift?
3. How are the craters on our Moon formed? Is there
water under the surface of the Moon?
4.
What is a black hole? A neutron star? A quark star?
A gamma burster? An Einstein lens?
5. What are stars made of? Why are stars different
colors? How is the elemental composition of a star
determined? What is an Lyman Alpha forest?
6. What is the difference between a Type 1 and a Type
II supernova?
7. What is the importance of studying the composition
of comets? Where do comets come from?
8. How old is our Sun? Will our Sun evolve into a
planetary nebula or go supernova?
9. What is the Inflationary Big Bang? What is dark
matter? What are MACHO’s?
10. How are extrasolar planets discovered? What is an
accretion (or protoplanetary) disk?
11. What are the differences between elliptical, spiral,
and irregular galaxies? Can globular clusters be
older than the universe itself?
Books
1. The Guide to Amateur Astronom
y by Jack Newton
and Philip Teece
2. The Sky: A User’s Guide by David Levy
3.
Turn Left at Orion by Guy Consolmagno & Dan Davis
4. Astrophotog
raphy for the Amateur by Michael
Covington
Magazines
1.
Sky & Telescope
49 Bay St., Cambridge, MA 02138
2.
Astronomy
Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187
Organizations:
1. Astronomical League
Executive Secretary
5675 Real del Norte, Las Cruces, NM 88012
2. The Astronomical Society of the Pacific
390 Ashton Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112
3. The Planetary Society
65 North Catalina Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106
And watch Jack Horkheimer,
Star Gazer,
on your local
PBS station.
LX200-ACF TIPS
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