ETX 90 with Autostar

What do you consider the most important action setting up the scope for the
evening?
I calibrate,train (always the tube in an angle of about 45*) and pick 2
stars. I'm not always successful , but I don't know what could be
improved.(Time-date and my cordinates are OK)
ETX 90
Jan H Kolstoe
Norway

"Jan H Kolstø" wrote in message
...
What do you consider the most important action setting up the scope for
the
evening?
I calibrate,train (always the tube in an angle of about 45*) and pick 2
stars. I'm not always successful , but I don't know what could be
improved.(Time-date and my cordinates are OK)
ETX 90
Jan H Kolstoe
Norway

You make no mention of getting a true north alignment, nor of starting with
the OTA level. I've found both these are important, and when I can see any
stars (not easy at the moment in the UK) my ETX105 and Autostar work well.
For the true north alignment, I've set up a meridian in my garden, and I use
a small spirirt level for getting the OPTA level. I did a calibration and
training cycle when I first bought the 'scope, and once or twice since.
More recently, I've sunk three "frogged" bricks into my garden set at 120
deg apart, and these automatically align and level the feet of my tripod.

--
M Stewart
Milton Keynes, UK
http://www.megalith.freeserve.co.uk\oddimage.htm

Before starting all this, do you need to make sure the RA of the tube is in
the middle?
i.e not already all the way over to the left or right.
How do you know its in the middle, because after a previous nights viewing
it might end up all the way over to the right or left.

Steve

"Jan H Kolstø" wrote in message
...
What do you consider the most important action setting up the scope for
the
evening?
I calibrate,train (always the tube in an angle of about 45*) and pick 2
stars. I'm not always successful , but I don't know what could be
improved.(Time-date and my cordinates are OK)
ETX 90
Jan H Kolstoe
Norway

Steve wrote:
Before starting all this, do you need to make sure the RA of the tube
is in the middle?
i.e not already all the way over to the left or right.
How do you know its in the middle, because after a previous nights
viewing it might end up all the way over to the right or left.

Steve

Hi,

Just loosen the RA/Alt fastener, turn the tube as far as it will go
anti-clockwise (not too hard), then turn clockwise until it's pointing
north. Then tighten the fastener again.


DaveL


"Jan H Kolstø" wrote in message
...
What do you consider the most important action setting up the scope
for the evening?
I calibrate,train (always the tube in an angle of about 45*) and
pick 2 stars. I'm not always successful , but I don't know what
could be improved.(Time-date and my cordinates are OK)
ETX 90
Jan H Kolstoe
Norway

Cheers Dave


"Dave" wrote in message
...
Steve wrote:
Before starting all this, do you need to make sure the RA of the tube
is in the middle?
i.e not already all the way over to the left or right.
How do you know its in the middle, because after a previous nights
viewing it might end up all the way over to the right or left.

Steve

Hi,

Just loosen the RA/Alt fastener, turn the tube as far as it will go
anti-clockwise (not too hard), then turn clockwise until it's pointing
north. Then tighten the fastener again.


DaveL


"Jan H Kolstø" wrote in message
...
What do you consider the most important action setting up the scope
for the evening?
I calibrate,train (always the tube in an angle of about 45*) and
pick 2 stars. I'm not always successful , but I don't know what
could be improved.(Time-date and my cordinates are OK)
ETX 90
Jan H Kolstoe
Norway

In my experience getting it level is quite important. Then I make sure it is
pointing north and with the ETX90 you need to make sure you have turned it
correctly to avoid hitting the stops.

Then I calibrate it using 2 stars BETWEEN where I want to observe. I have
found that once you wonder outside of this area pointing accuracy may be
reduced.

You say that you are not always successful, what do you mean. Only some
people seem to think that the Autostar is only working correctly if the
object is in the centre of the field of view. As long as it is somewhere in
the eyepiece and don't use a high power one you should be fine. You can
move up to a high power one when you have centred the object.

Hope this helps,
Lilian