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Selecting an Object
Once the telescope is properly aligned, you can choose
an object from any of the catalogs in the NexStar+ hand
control’s database. The hand control has a key designated
for each category of objects in its database; Solar System
objects, Stars and Deep Sky objects.
• Solar System – The Solar System catalog will display
all of the planets (and Moon) in our solar system that
are currently visible in the sky. To allow the Sun to be
displayed as an option in the database, see Allow Sun
option in the Database Setup section of the manual.
• Stars – The Stars catalog displays custom lists of all
the brightest stars, double (binary) stars, variable stars,
constellations and selected asterisms.
• Deep Sky – The Deep Sky catalog displays a list of all
of the best galaxies, nebulae and clusters, as well as the
complete Messier and select NGC objects. There is also
an alphabetical list of all deep sky objects in order by
their common name.
Use the SCROLL keys to scroll through the catalogs to
find the object you wish to view. When scrolling through
a long list of objects, holding down either the UP or
DOWN key will allow you to scroll through the catalog
at a rapid speed.
Slewing to an Object
Once the desired object idisplayed on the hand control
screen, you have two options:
• Press the OBJECT INFO Key. This will give you useful
information about the selected object such as magnitude,
constellation and extended information about the most
popular objects.
- Use the UP/DOWN arrow buttons to scroll through
the displayed object info.
- Use the BACK button to return to the object database.
• Press the ENTER Key. This will automatically slew the
telescope to the coordinates of the object displayed on
the hand control. While the telescope is slewing to the
object, the user can still access many of the hand control
functions (such as displaying information about the object).
NOTE: The Messier, NGC and SAO catalogs require
the user to enter a numeric designation. Once you have
selected the appropriate catalog button and selected the
Messier, NGC or SAO catalog, you will see a flashing
cursor indicating you are in numeric entry mode.
Enter the catalog number for the object you want to view.
Press ENTER to command the telescope to slew to the
object, or hold the OPTION button (the Celestron logo)
and press OBJECT INFO to see information about the
object you selected.
CAUTION: Never slew the telescope when someone is
looking into the eyepiece. The telescope can move at fast
slew speeds and may hit an observer in the eye.
Motor Speed Button
The MOTOR SPEED button, similar to the Rate button on
the original NexStar hand control, allows you to instantly
change the speed rate of the motors from high speed
slew rate to precise guiding rate or anywhere in between.
Each rate corresponds to a number on the hand control
key pad. The number 9 button is the fastest rate
(approximately 3.5° per second, depending on the mount)
and is used for slewing between objects and locating
alignment stars. The number 1 button on the hand
control is the slowest rate (half sidereal) and can be used
for accurate centering of objects in the eyepiece.
To change the speed of the motors:
• Press the MOTOR SPEED key on the hand control.
The LCD will display the current motor speed.
• Press the number on the hand control that corresponds
to the desired speed.
The hand control has a “double button” feature that allows
you to instantly speed up the motors without having to
choose a speed. To use this feature, simply press the arrow
button that corresponds to the direction that you want
to move the telescope. While holding that button down,
press the opposite direction button. This will increase the
speed to the maximum slew rate.
When using the hand control’s up and down direction
buttons, the slower slew rates (6 and lower) move the
motors in the opposite direction than the faster slew rates
(7- 9). This is done so that an object will move in the
appropriate direction when looking into the eyepiece (i.e.
pressing the UP arrow button will move the star upwards
in the field of view of the eyepiece). However, if any of the
slower slew rates (rate 6 and below) are used to center
an object in the StarPointer, you may need to press the
opposite directional button to make the telescope move
in the correct direction.
