Gemini Users Manual 8
2 Getting Started
Now that you’ve unpacked your Gemini unit, you are no doubt eager to start using it.
Please take some time to read through this section of the manual before using your
Gemini for the first time. It will guide you through installation and first use of your
Gemini, and introduce you to some important concepts for using your German equatorial
mount.
2.1 Quick Start Guide
Although it is highly recommended that you read through this entire chapter before using
Gemini for the first time, this section is provided as a quick start guide to give you an
overview of the process, and to use as a reference after you have read the remainder of
the chapter.
• Connect motor and power cables. Make sure they are oriented correctly and
inserted completely into the socket.
• Position your mount with the polar axis pointing to the celestial pole.
• Position RA and Dec. axes so that the counterweight shaft is pointing down, and
the Dec. axis is at 90° (OTA pointing at the celestial pole). This position will be
called “Startup Position” or “Counterweight Down” position, abbreviated
“CWD”.
• Move power switch to the “on” position.
• After seeing several system messages, select “Cold Start”. Note that Gemini may
automatically cold start if its internal memory does not contain valid data.
• Enter date/time, geographic location, and mount type during the cold start
sequence. Alternatively, you can use the “Setup” menu to enter this data after the
cold start has completed. Note: this step assumes that you do not have a GPS
connected. Otherwise the date/time and location will be read from the GPS, and
Gemini will display “SRAM/RTC updated!”
• Choose 3 to 5 alignment stars from the Alignment Star List (see Appendix 8.3)
which are on the same side of the meridian and are well separated in RA.
• Align the mount on the first star using the following sequence:
o Select “Align Telescope→GoTo Bright Star.” Note: Do not confuse this
with the Bright Star Catalog. There is a separate menu item under “Align
Telescope” called “GoTo Bright Star.”
o Select your first alignment star from the submenu
o Mount will slew close to that star
o Use Hand Controller buttons to center the star in the eyepiece. Note:
Press and hold a direction button on the hand controller to move the
telescope. To move the telescope faster, momentarily press and release
the opposite button while continuing to depress the original button. Please
see section 2.3.4 below for a complete description of moving the mount
manually.
o Select “Align Telescope→Synchronize”
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