SKY-WATCHER LightChariot 80AR-AZ User manual

LightChariot™
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
8 0 AR- A Z
10 2 AR- A Z
13 0 N - A Z

www.skywatcherusa.com

3
INTRODUCTION ..............................................................5
Warning .................................................................5
ASSEMBLY ..................................................................9
Assembling the LightChariot™..................................................9
AttachingtheMounttotheTripod............................................10
AttachingtheTelescopeTubetotheMount.....................................10
TheDiagonal.......................................................... 11
TheEyepiece.......................................................... 11
Focusing.............................................................12
TheRedDotFinderscope..................................................12
RedDotInstallation...................................................12
RedDotOperation....................................................13
HAND CONTROL .............................................................14
AttachingtheHandControl................................................14
Powering the LightChariot™................................................14
TheHandControl.......................................................14
HandControlOperation ..................................................... 16
AlignmentProcedure ....................................................16
AlignmentProcedure ....................................................16
Astro-Tri-Align.........................................................17
AutoTwo-StarAlign.....................................................19
Two-StarAlignment .....................................................19
One-StarAlign.........................................................20
SolarSystemAlign......................................................21
SynScan™Re-Alignment..................................................21
ObjectCatalog............................................................22
SelectinganObject .....................................................22
SlewingtoanObject.....................................................22
FindingPlanets ........................................................23
TourMode............................................................23
ConstellationTour ......................................................23
DirectionButtons..........................................................24
RateButton...........................................................24
SetUpProcedures.........................................................24
TrackingMode.........................................................24
TrackingRate..........................................................25
ViewTime-Site.........................................................25
UserDefinedObjects....................................................25
GetR.A./DEC .........................................................26
GotoR.A./DEC.........................................................26
Identify..............................................................26
ScopeSetupFeatures.......................................................26
SetupTime-Site.....................................................26
Anti-backlash.......................................................26
Slew Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
FilterLimits........................................................27
DirectionButtons....................................................27
SelectModel.......................................................27
TABLE OF CONTENTS

4
UtilityFeatures ...........................................................28
Version...........................................................28
LightControl.......................................................28
FactorySetting .....................................................28
GetAlt-Az.........................................................28
GotoAlt-Az........................................................28
Hibernate .........................................................28
SunMenu.........................................................28
ScrollingMenu......................................................28
TELESCOPE BASICS ..........................................................30
Focusing................................................................30
ImageOrientation .........................................................30
CalculatingMagnification ....................................................30
DeterminingFieldofView....................................................31
GeneralObservingHints..................................................... 31
CELESTIAL OBSERVING........................................................32
ObservingtheMoon........................................................32
LunarObservingHints ......................................................32
ObservingthePlanets.......................................................32
PlanetaryObservingHints....................................................32
ObservingtheSun.........................................................32
SolarObservingHints.......................................................33
ObservingDeepSkyObjects..................................................33
SeeingConditions .........................................................33
Transparency.............................................................33
SkyIllumination...........................................................33
Seeing .................................................................34
TELESCOPE MAINTENANCE.....................................................35
CareandCleaningoftheOptics................................................35
Collimation ..............................................................35
APPENDIX A –TECHNICALSPECIFICATIONS.........................................37
APPENDIX B –GLOSSARYOFTERMS..............................................38
APPENDIX C –RS-232CONNECTION.............................................. 41
APPENDIX D –STANDARDTIMEZONESOFTHEWORLD................................42
SKY MAPS .................................................................43
January-FebruarySkyMap ..................................................43
March-AprilSkyMap ......................................................44
May-JuneSkyMap........................................................45
July-AugustSkyMap ......................................................46
September-OctoberSkyMap.................................................47
November-DecemberSkyMap................................................48
TABLE OF CONTENTS ... continued

5
Congratulations on your purchase of the Sky-Watcher USA LightChariot™! The LightChariot™ushers in a whole
new generation of computer automated technology. Simple and friendly to use, the LightChariot™is up and
running after locating just three bright objects. It’s the perfect combination of power and portability. If you
are new to astronomy, you may wish to start off by using the LightChariot™’s built-in Sky Tour feature, which
commands the LightChariot™to find the most interesting objects in the sky and automatically slews to each
one. Or if you are an experienced amateur, you will appreciate the comprehensive database of over 4,000
objects, including customized lists of all the best deep-sky objects, bright double stars and variable stars. No
matter at what level you are starting out, the LightChariot™will unfold for you and your friends all the wonders
of the Universe.
Some of the many standard features of the LightChariot™include:
• Incredible 4°/second slew speed.
• Fully enclosed motors and optical encoders for position location.
• Computerized hand controller with 4,000 object database.
• Storage for programmable user defined objects; and
• Many other high performance features!
The LightChariot™’s deluxe features combined with Sky-Watcher USA’s legendary optical standards give amateur
astronomers one of the most sophisticated and easy to use telescopes available on the market today.
Take time to read through this manual before embarking on your journey through the Universe. It may take a
few observing sessions to become familiar with your LightChariot™, so you should keep this manual handy until
you have fully mastered your telescope’s operation. The LightChariot™hand control has built-in instructions to
guide you through all the alignment procedures needed to have the telescope up and running in minutes. Use
this manual in conjunction with the on-screen instructions provided by the hand control. The manual gives
detailed information regarding each step as well as needed reference material and helpful hints guaranteed to
make your observing experience as simple and pleasurable as possible.
Your LightChariot™telescope is designed to give you years of fun and rewarding observations. However, there are
a few things to consider before using your telescope that will ensure your safety and protect your equipment.
WARNING
INTRODUCTION
• NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN WITH THE NAKED EYE OR WITH A TELESCOPE
(UNLESS YOU HAVE THE PROPER SOLAR FILTER). PERMANENT AND IRREVERSIBLE
EYE DAMAGE MAY RESULT.
• Never use your telescope to project an image of the sun onto any surface. Internal heat
build-up can damage the telescope and any accessories attached to it.
• Never use an eyepiece solar filter or a Herschel wedge. Internal heat build-up inside the
telescope can cause these devices to crack or break, allowing unfiltered sunlight to pass
through to the eye.
• Never leave the telescope unsupervised, either when children are present or adults who may
not be familiar with the correct operating procedures of your telescope.

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80AR-AZ
L I G H T C H A R I O T 8 0 A R - A Z R E F R A C T O R T E L E S C O P E
1 Eyepiece
2 RedDot Finderscope
3 Optical Tube
4 80mm Objective Lens (inside)
5 Dew Shield
6 910mm Optical Focal Length
7 Mount
8 Battery Pack
9 Accessory Tray
10 Aluminum Tripod
11 SynScan Computer Hand Controller
12 Focuser
13 Diagonal
1
2
3
5
7
8
9
10
11
12
6
4
13

7
102AR-AZ
L I G H T C H A R I O T 1 0 2 A R - A Z R E F R A C T O R T E L E S C O P E
1 Eyepiece
2 RedDot Finderscope
3 Optical Tube
4 102mm Objective Lens (inside)
5 Dew Shield
6 600mm Optical Focal Length
7 Mount
8 Battery Pack
9 Accessory Tray
10 Aluminum Tripod
11 SynScan Computer Hand Controller
12 Focuser
13 Diagonal
1
2
3
5
7
8
9
10
11
12
6
4
13

8
130N-AZ
L I G H T C H A R I O T 1 3 0 N - A Z R E F L E C T O R T E L E S C O P E
1 Secondary Mirror
2 RedDot Finderscope
3 Eyepiece
4 1.25" Focuser
5 Optical Tube
6 130mm Primary Mirror (inside)
7 650mm Optical Focal Length
8 Accessory Tray
9 Aluminum Tripod
10 SynScan Computer Hand Controller
11 Battery Pack
12 Mount
1
2
3
5
8
9
10
11
12
7
4
6

9
Assembling the LightChariot™
Your LightChariot™comes in three major sections: the optical tube, fork arm and the tripod. These
sections can be attached in seconds using the quick release coupling screw located under the tripod
mounting platform. Remove all of the accessories from their individual boxes. Remember to save all
of the containers so that they can be used to transport the telescope. Before attaching the visual
accessories, the telescope tube should be mounted to its tripod. First, install the accessory tray onto
the tripod legs:
1. Remove the tripod from the box and spread the legs apart until the center leg brace is fully
extended.
2. Locate the accessory tray, and place it on top of the tripod center support brace in between the
tripod legs. (FIG. 1)
3. Insert the locking bolt from underneath the tripod support brace and thread it into the hole in the
center of the accessory tray. Do not over tighten.
The accessory tray has a built-on hand control holder protruding from the side. The back of the hand
control has an opening that slides over the clip on the inside of the holder.
It is a good idea to adjust the height of the tripod before attaching the fork arm and tube. Minor
adjustments can be made later. To adjust the height of the tripod legs:
1. Loosen the tripod leg locking bolt located on the side of each leg. (FIG. 2)
2. Slide the inner portion of each leg down 6" to 8" inches.
3. Tighten the tripod locking bolts to hold each leg in place.
ASSEMBLY
FIG. 1
FIG. 2

10
Attaching the Mount to the Tripod
With the tripod properly assembled, fork arm can easily be attached using the quick release coupling
screw located underneath the tripod mounting platform:
1. Hold the telescope tube assembly by the fork arm and place the fork arm base inside the tripod
mounting platform.
2. Thread the coupling screw into the hole at the bottom of the fork arm base and hand tighten.
(FIG. 3)
Attaching the Telescope Tube to the Mount
Locate the dovetail bar on the optical tube. Slide the dovetail bar into the clamp on the mount and
tighten it. (FIG. 4)
Your LightChariot™is fully assembled and is ready to attach the accessories.
FIG. 3
FIG. 4
Dovetail bar