In article ,
says...

Thanks for the help, Chris. I appreciate it.



I think I understand that. But I have no idea how to know how my
telescope is mounted. The manual only describes one way to mount it.
The goto computer doesn't mention a way to switch modes. It seems to
imply that it is automatic.

With your mount, equatorial mounting is really the only option. But the computer
doesn't know that because the same computer is used on other scopes, with other
types of mounts. I don't see how the mode can be automatic, although it could be
set to the right default at the factory. Or not.


The manual certainly doesn't cover any mode setting. About the only
thing that seems close is that you can set it to track sidereal, lunar
or solar.


I don't see how you could operate the computer without being polar-
aligned. Otherwise, how it would it have a baseline to start from?

You don't necessarily need to be polar aligned. The telescope learns its own
coordinate system from the alignment. But if the computer knows your location
and time, and you are polar aligned, it should be able to slew to within a few
degrees of any target without any star alignment procedures.

Right. That is what I thought. But without any star alignment, it has
to know its original orientation to be able to do that. That is what I
thought the polar alignment is for. This would also imply that if I am
polar aligned, then it should be within a few degrees of the first guide
star as well. My early attempts at hitting the moon were 45 degrees off
in declination.

The scope is
probably supposed to be in a certain position when you turn it on.

I assumed this was the polar alignment.

Also, how are
you performing the polar alignment?


I set the OTA so it is parallel to the polar axis and lock it down.
Then, I find polaris and adjust the screws in the mount itself to center
polaris in the scope. That is the procedure described in the manual.

Alex