Celestron 8i User Manual
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4.
Catalog Keys: The NexStar has keys on the hand control to allow direct access to each of the
catalogs in its database. The NexStar contains the following catalogs in its database:
catalogs in its database. The NexStar 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 and Sun.
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 NexStar
database have been broken down into customized 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 and Sun.
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 NexStar
database have been broken down into customized 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.
and clusters that are well suited for CCD imaging.
IC Objects
A complete list of all the Index Catalog deep-sky
objects.
objects.
Abell Objects
A complete list of all the Abell Catalog deep-sky
objects.
objects.
5.
Info: Displays coordinates and useful information about objects selected from the NexStar database.
6.
Tour: Activates the tour mode, which seeks out all the best objects for the current date and time, and
automatically slews the NexStar to those objects.
automatically slews the NexStar to those objects.
7.
Enter: Pressing Enter allows you to select any of the NexStar 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.
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 rate and user defined objects
and many others.
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 NexStar remotely.
12. RS-232 Jack: Allows you to interface with a computer and control the NexStar remotely.
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This section describes the basic hand control procedures needed to operate the NexStar. 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 the slew
limits, database filter limits and backlash compensation.
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 the slew
limits, database filter limits and backlash compensation.