Professional Development session: Alignment and Operation of computerized telescope for astronomy instructor Ricky Tsui EDUC 630

Objectives Goal 1: Students will align the computerized telescope Student Learning Outcome : Align the computerized telescope correctly with the celestial objects Goal 2: Students will operate the computerized telescope in order to slew to celestial objects automatically Student Learning Outcome : Locate accurately the celestial objects with the computerized telescope

Telescope Assembly Step 1. Preparing the Tripod Unlock the tripod leg locks Extend tripod legs. Lock the leg locks afterwards.

Telescope Assembly Step 1a. Stand the telescope's tripod upright by spreading the tripod's legs out uniformly. Attach the Accessory Tray to the Tripod Support

Telescope Assembly Step 2. Attaching the mount Insert Azimuth Lock Screw into the hole on the tripod Turn the Azimuth Lock Screw to secure the mount.

Telescope Assembly Step 3. Installing batteries Pull off the battery compartment cover and install 8 AA batteries.

Telescope Assembly Step 4. Attaching telescope Attach telescope to mount using the dovetail lock knob

Telescope Assembly Step 5. Attaching optics Insert 90º diagonal Insert the eyepiece: Slide the supplied 25mm eyepiece into the open end of the diagonal. Use the focus knob to bring objects into focus.

Telescope Assembly Step 6. Connecting hand controller Plug hand controller into any one of the HBX (handbox) ports on the mount using supplied coiled cable. Turn on power. Now you are ready to observe. Use the 4 Arrow keys (▲▼◄►) to rotate the scope Up, Down, Left, and Right. Use the SPEED key to change the slew speed from the slowest (2X) to the fastest (MAX).

Level the Mount

Initial Position

Video on alignment and operation Video source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BJABH09PDs

Summative assessment: Assemble the telescope and align with Two Stars Align function. Locate precisely three different deep sky objects by only using Select and Slew function at the computerized telescope

Precautions Use fully-charged batteries Use red light torch for illumination in outdoors session

Let’s go outdoors to practice now !!!

References iOptron (2008). iOptron SmartStar Solar 60 manual. Retrieved from http://www.ioptron.us/Manual/8506_Solar60_Instruction.pdf   Tsui, R. (2016, February 20). How to align and operate iOptron Smartstar Solar 60 computerized telescope video. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BJABH09PDs