Scope Station:  iOptron MiniTower

This is a computerized Go To scope and is really easy to learn.  I can teach you in minutes!  (see below)

This can be a "Push it Around" scope, but it's a bit iffy.  Why because it tends to "break free"  (video: iOptron "Breaks Free")

It has "clutches": knobs that can be tightened or loosened to control the friction on the axes.

Characteristics of this Mount

Alt-Az = Altitude-Azimuth = simple pointing.   Generally all mounts have two perpendicular axis that allow you to point a scope in any direction.  Equatiorial mounts align one axis with the Earth's axis instead of up and down.  This feels weird but is suited for astrophotography.

Can carry two scopes (one on either side).  Nice for simultaneous low power and high power.

This is a computerized Go To Mount and is very easy to learn and use.

Cautions on this Station

The altitude axis (for up-down motion) needs to be balanced or else

• the scope may wind up swinging to an up or down position, potentially
  • banging the scope against the tripod,
  • falling out of the mount or
  • dropping an eyepiece out of diagonal.

The altitude axis clutch needs to be snug, especially when changing eyepieces: the removal or additon of a heavy eyepiece can cause enough of an imbalance that the scope catapults.

This mount is somewhat notorious for "breaking free" causing the scope to swing wildly, potientially banging the scope and dropping an eyepiece.   (video: iOptron "Breaks Free")

Jeff will set it up.  All you have to do is know how to aim it.  

Here's a video on that:  How to Go To Another Object (40 seconds long!))

Basically, just learn to

Keep Object Centered

Alignments are seldom perfect and the object may drift off center.  A decent alignment may keep a target centered for an hour or more.  Others...

1. Push a number button for "Slew" Speed.  3 is slow, 5 is reasonable.  no no on the 9
2. Push the Direction Arrows to keep it Centered on a Target

Move to a New Target

If you get bored, here's how to have it point to another Target

(here's a Video: How to Go To Another Object (40 seconds long!))

1. Know Your Target (as in the Observation List)
2. Hit the Menu button
3. Select Select and Slew ("Slew" means "move the scope to").  
4. The Controller list the Catalogs of Objects
5. Arrow to  Deep Sky Objects, press Enter
6. Arrow Down to "Messier", press Enter
7. Type in the Messier Object Number (it's on your list).  Include the leading zero. Press Enter.

The scope will move to the new object.  It will need to be centered (see above)

(The target may be outside the field of view.  You may have to move it around a bit.  If you get completely lost, repeat the Go To an Object steps.

Want to practice?  I can deliver and pick up prior to Agua.  All of those objects and more can be seen from home.

Background help:

• How To Starhop to targets
• Why Learn Constellations? (so that you can get to targets)
• Observing List - SoCal March 2021

 Here's a 150-second video on How to Align it and start Finding Objects