Relax! You are Never Lost in Space with the SW LightChariot 80AR-AZ
The Sky-Watcher LightChariot 80AR-AZ automates the process of locating astronomical phenomena and delivers a very respectable 80mm of light-gathering resolution. The magnifying properties of the supplied eyepieces when used in conjunction with the instrument's ample 900mm focal length provide plenty of power for close up views of solar system favorites. The color-corrected, air-spaced doublet lens of Grade-A Crown and Flint glass yields pristine, high-contrast images of Saturn's awesome rings, Jupiter's equatorial cloud belts, and wall-rimmed craters on the Moon by the hundreds. Also see interesting detail in bright, prominent deep-space objects like the Orion Nebula and globular cluster M13 in Hercules. With a library of 4000 celestial objects there are lots to see, just punch-in the object you want to observe and SynScan guides the telescope into position for viewing. Celestial tours can be downloaded for expert guided treks across the heavens.
LightChariot's SynScan computer system demystifies telescope use, making your astronomical experience fun and carefree right out of the box! SycScan boldly banishes arcane sky-alignment procedures, replaces esoteric object finding methodology, and obliterates the traditional learning-curve normally associated with navigating the heavens.
After a brief and simple Astro-Tri-Align initialization, the SynScan computer does all the work. Sky-Watcher's alignment software doesn't require tricky mechanical leveling of the telescope or dependence on finding precise north to work properly. Just find three bright stars, point the telescope to them, push the "Enter" button and you are on your way—it's the easiest, most reliable way to start your adventures in astronomy (or alternatively choose 1-star, or 2-star alignment).
After initialization, SyncScan software algorithms interpret pulses from the DC-Servo motor encoders on each axis to extrapolate the precise position the telescope is pointing to in the celestial sphere. This combined with an astronomical library of objects with known coordinates allows the telescope to deliver heavenly bodies on demand.
The SyncScan computer includes a 4,000-object database library, and a provision for 200 user-defined objects. At the touch of a few buttons on the computer keypad, the telescope automatically moves to locate and track celestial phenomenon including planets, the Moon, and thousands of deep-space objects. A number of these objects have interesting and educational data that can be made to scroll across the screen. Sky tours may be downloaded for expert guided treks across the heavens. SynScan facilitates variable tracking at either of lunar, solar, or sidereal (star) rates. Variable speed motors on each axis can move the telescope from a slow speed of 2x-sidereal, to a very fast 5-degrees a second while slewing (moving quickly) from object to object.
The ergonomically-designed remote computer hand-box includes a backlit keypad for entering fingertip commands. A 2-line, 16-character LCD display produces easy to read text messages.
The telescope's sleek, swept-back single fork-tine design with black tube and contrasting silver mount accents, plus stable aluminum tripod favors the telescope with a cool, high-tech appearance. All motors and electronics are internal. External battery pack requires 8-AA batteries (user-supplied).
Standard Accessories:
- Super Plossl eyepieces (SP10mm and SP26mm) provide a 52° apparent-field. These eyepieces are parfocal so there is no need for gross adjustments to refocus when changing from one eyepiece to the next.
- Mirror diagonal 90°
- The Red-Dot finder helps center bright objects during initialization.
- Planetarium software allows you to explore the heavens on your personal computer
