Celestron C8-S User Manual
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4. Catalog Keys: The Advanced Series has keys on the hand control to allow direct access to each of the
catalogs in its database. The hand control contains the following catalogs in its database:
Messier – Complete list of all Messier objects.
NGC – Complete list of all the deep-sky objects in the Revised New General Catalog.
Caldwell – A combination of the best NGC and IC objects.
Planets - All 8 planets in our Solar System plus the Moon.
Stars – A compiled list of the brightest stars from the SAO catalog.
List – For quick access, all of the best and most popular objects in the Advanced GT database have
been broken down into lists based on their type and/or common name:
NGC – Complete list of all the deep-sky objects in the Revised New General Catalog.
Caldwell – A combination of the best NGC and IC objects.
Planets - All 8 planets in our Solar System plus the Moon.
Stars – A compiled list of the brightest stars from the SAO catalog.
List – For quick access, all of the best and most popular objects in the Advanced GT database have
been broken down into lists based on their type and/or common name:
Named Stars
Common name listing of the brightest stars in the
sky.
sky.
Named Objects
Alphabetical listing of over 50 of the most popular
deep sky objects.
deep sky objects.
Double Stars
Numeric-alphabetical listing of the most visually
stunning double, triple and quadruple stars in the
sky.
stunning double, triple and quadruple stars in the
sky.
Variable Stars
Select list of the brightest variable stars with the
shortest period of changing magnitude.
shortest period of changing magnitude.
Asterisms
A unique list of some of the most recognizable star
patterns in the sky.
patterns in the sky.
CCD Objects
A custom list of many interesting galaxy pairs, trios
and clusters that are well suited for CCD imaging
with the Advanced GT telescope.
and clusters that are well suited for CCD imaging
with the Advanced GT telescope.
IC Objects
A complete list of all the Index Catalog deep-sky
objects.
objects.
Abell Objects
A custom list of the Abell Catalog deep-sky
galaxies.
galaxies.
Constellation
A complete list of all 88 constellations.
5. Info: Displays coordinates and useful information about objects selected from the Advanced GT database.
6. Tour: Activates the tour mode, which seeks out all the best objects for the current date and time, and
6. Tour: Activates the tour mode, which seeks out all the best objects for the current date and time, and
automatically slews the telescope to those objects.
7. Enter: Pressing Enter allows you to select any of the Advanced GT functions and accept entered
parameters.
8. Undo: Undo will take you out of the current menu and display the previous level of the menu path. Press
Undo repeatedly to get back to a main menu or use it to erase data entered by mistake.
9. Menu: Displays the many setup and utilities functions such as tracking rates and user defined objects and
many others.
10. Scroll Keys: Used to scroll up and down within any of the menu lists. A double-arrow will appear on the
right side of the LCD when there are sub-menus below the displayed menu. Using these keys will scroll
through those sub-menus.
through those sub-menus.
11. Rate: Instantly changes the rate of speed of the motors when the direction buttons are pressed.
12. RS-232 Jack: Allows you to interface with a computer and control the telescope remotely.
12. RS-232 Jack: Allows you to interface with a computer and control the telescope remotely.
Hand Control Operation
This section describes the basic hand control procedures needed to operate the GT Series Telescopes. These
procedures are grouped into three categories: Alignment, Setup and Utilities. The alignment section deals with the
initial telescope alignment as well as finding objects in the sky; the setup section discusses changing parameters
such as tracking mode and tracking rate; finally, the last section reviews all of the utilities functions such as
calibrating your mount, polar alignment and backlash compensation.