Problem configuring the Autostar 494

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MM - 31 Dec 2004 15:45 GMT

I a new DS1114 AATE I got for Christmas. I have been going through the auto align sequence but it keeps failing for some reason. Since I am new to amateur astronomy and my knowledge of the stars is pretty milited right now, I am using the 2 star method, spcifying a couple of stars I know I can find easily. I am using Rigel and Betelgeuse since they are pretty bright and easy to pick out even though the moon has been pretty bright since Christmas.

I start the procedure, set the time and date, country and city. Set the scope to AltAz home position using a compass to get it pointed north. It slew to Rigel (it is not too far off), I use the direction keys to get it centered in the eyepiece and hit enter, I then select Betelgeuse, it slews to that star (it is off by more than what I think it should be but not too far off I guess). I again use the direction keys to center it and hit enter. The display says "calculating" and then displays alignment failed, check stars.
I know I have the stars right, what can be wrong? Do I need to update the Autostar or something?

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Odysseus - 31 Dec 2004 23:32 GMT

> MM wrote:
>
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> I know I have the stars right, what can be wrong? Do I need to
> update the Autostar or something?

I don't know anything about that unit, but is it possible that you
need to use two stars that are further apart in RA or azimuth? It may
require a certain minimum 'baseline' to attain the precision that's
expected of it.

You may also want to adjust for your local magnetic deviation: in
many regions it's considerable and could be throwing the system off.
Or try to determine geographic north by other means, e.g. by taking a
sighting on Polaris (if your latitude isn't too high).

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Space Forum / Astronomy / December 2004

Problem configuring the Autostar 494